I need HELP! Where to go after early PS?

[two-plus-twins]

We are taking our first family trip to Florida ( I went with parents when I was 14). My husband doesn't think he is going to like WDW so I only have one day at AK and one day at MK then we are doing other local attractions like beach and Sea World.

Any way this brings me to my question. We have an 8:00 PS at CP on Wed. We have a DD 11, DS 8, and Twin sons turning 5 that day. Where do we go first after breakfast?

I've read on here it is good to be in the park before it opens but I don't have a plan or a clue where to go first!!!

Also I need to get the boys the birthday buttons I've read about. Can I do that when we come in at 8:00 or do I have to wait until after 9:00?

We are planning on staying in the park all day and are bringing a stroller for the boys.

I hope my DH has the best time ever and next time will spend a whole week at WDW! I did tell him no matter what I am getting a picture of him smiling with Minnie! Thanks for the help!

 

[Tink]

You can ask for the birthday buttons the day before. We had 8:05 ressies last year at CRT for my birthday. I just stopped at City Hall the night before and told them and they gave my the button right then. It was neat, then I could wear it as soon as I got up.

If the older kids don't mind, and Fantasyland is open. Hit that first. Especially if the 5yo's want to ride Dumbo. Since this is the kid favorite (out DD is addicted)you can hit it with minimal waits early in the morning. All of the Fantasyland rides are good to get over earlier in the day. Yuo can always fast pass Splash or Space Mountains for the older kids.

My DH won't admit it, but he loves our WDW vacations. I'm sure your hubby will get the fever too (just sprinkle some pixie dust on him)

 

[susy]

AS you enter the park, stop at City Hall (on your left) adn ocik up the buttons. I'm sure they will be open. Crystal Palace is at the end of the street (on your left). What a great way to start the day. I think your DH will be very surprised. When you are done with breakfast, head up through the castle. Wait at the rope until 9am. Walk VERY fast to Dumbo. Then winnie the pooh, then Peter Pan. If you want, do Small World and then head (that same direction) out to the Haunted Mansion. After hauted Mansion, head to thrunder Mountain. Get fast passes and get in line for splash Mountain. Then do Thunder. Take the train (right near Splash Mountain) over to Toonetown, head to Tomorrowland, get Fast passes for Space Mountain or Buzz and wait for the other (get the FP for the longest wait time posted). You guys will probably be full all day from breakfast. Just snack around until dinner.

If you need to take a pool break (you will), I would head out after Thunder Mountain. YOu can walk out by way fo adventure land and maybe do a few things there on ur way out (Pirates, treehouse,etc).

After a nice break in the pool and room you will be ready to head out again. The crowds die down after the afternoon parade, so when you re-enter, head over to Tomorrowland adn do Psace Mountain and Buzz.

I do highly suggest taking a break. Nothing turns people off to disney more than the heat and crowds of the middle of the day.

Good luck!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

My best advice is to have a REAL plan about what you are seeing in each park each day. I would think there was no way a first timer could even get a good overview in just one day at the MK! I reccommend the Unoffical Guide book for a good strategy. Your kids are great ages for the MK, but I must say, my kids (when they were kids) didn't and still don't love MK. Their favorite has always been Epcot. Now that our family is grown, we usually spend a few hours at MK a couple different days during the trip, but most of our time is spent at Epcot, MGM and AK. I think MGM is becoming a real favorite.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You don't say if you are staying on site. If you are, definately take a mid day break.

 

[two-plus-twins]

We are not staying on site. It seemed too expensive for a family our size. Even at the All Stars they were going to make us get 2 rooms. Any way that is why I said we would just stay at the park all day because we don't want to waste any of our time by leaving during the day. I'm hoping DH will love it and want to go back and be willing to spend a little more and stay at the cabins that sleep 6!

Thanks for all of the great advice so far keep it coming!

 

[CarolynFH]

You really need to think about going back to your hotel, or at least riding the monorail around Seven Seas Lagoon several times, near midday to get out of the heat. Your kids will melt in the heat and humidity otherwise, and even the best DH will get fussy. Being hot, sweaty, and having tired feet are no fun!

Sometimes we ride the monorail to Epcot and back, but if that would be too disturbing to your kids (the monorail goes right through Epcot, so they'd see what's in there and maybe clamor to visit it), then you can visit the hotels around the Seven Seas Lagoon. Or take the launch to the Wilderness Lodge and Ft. Wilderness. Sometimes we even ride the train completely around the MK. But the best thing is to go back to the hotel room and rest, then go back to the park when it's cooler!

 

[susy]

I would plan a mid-day break anyway. We didn't plan a break for our son's first trip (he was 4).We stayed offsite and didn't want the hassle. Well, we left AK on the first day at 1pm out of sheer delerium! We couldn't believe how crazy the park was! We went to MGM that night (after a pool break) and and had the BEST time. The next day was MK . My son fell sleep (slumped over) in his stroller. He hadn't napped in two years! It was 3pm in the MK and it started to rain . Poor thing! He was wiped out! This was in Nov when it wasn't hot and the crowds were non-existent that day. It is just too much stimluation. We got him back to our hotel and he was passed out for two hours. We contemplated what to do next. It looked like it might rain again, but we took our chances. We went to Epcot and had the best time! We did six more trips that year (last year) and planned breaks every day . The trips were so successful! No meltdowns and hardly any waits. The most crowded times are 1-4pm. I think you should plan breaks. Then you won't be disappointed when heat, crowds and tantrums (child and adult) drive you out of the park -what a way to ruin a "vacation". We always leave after lunch, tired or not.

 

[BlueFairy]

susy - Wow! I love your MK touring plan. Especially for the little ones. DO you have others for the other parks? We plan to arrive at opening to every park, then have midday breaks and skip the thrill rides, since the kids are little.
TO two-plus-twins - Have a magical time. And be sure to get some pixie dust on your DH. Mine isn't a huge WDW fan but he likes to go. Why? He says just to have the thrill of seeing the HUGE grin on my face since I'm so giddy when we walk down Main Street. I think being on Main Street before the crowds is really going to help your case a lot and make a big first impression. Good luck!!

 

[jumpnjack]

I hope you have a magical time and DH becomes Disnified. I do agree with the other's regarding break times. I do believe it is the only way to do it.
But first please call wdw dining and tell them of your dilemma and if the plea does not work for sure arrive early for your p.s they usually will take you early.
We had an 8:45 which is way to late for our 8 yr old too and after someone told me I may be able to change it we called and pixie dust prevailed. We are dining at 5:10 so try try try. As far as the touring thing.....
Think of it this way you just can't see everything in one visit anyway so pick the things you most want to see. Arrive early and you will have 5 or 6 hours to explore. Since you are not dining till 8 you could go back to the hotel around 2-3 and pool break/nap and you will all have your second wind. THis is a tease approach too your husband and children will defiantely want to go back for more the next time you visit. Or if you are able to change your eating time stillllllll leave the park by 2 it is just toooo hot.

We are pretty much disney veterans but the first time I went was horrible because I did try to see it all in one day. We arrived early and stayed till the park closed also I was without dh and children I was so exhausted and I was in my early 30's at the time and in super shape!!
Hoping whatever you decide you have a wonderful time. Just don't over dooo.

 

[susy]

Their PS time is for breakfast, not dinner.
blue fairy-I've got a good one for AK that hasn't failed us yet (even during holiday weekends). I will PM you.

If you have a car-take the break. Even an hour in travel time will not kill you- it will revive you!!!!

We live in south FL and you think we would be used to the heat-NOT! Where do you think I've been all summer? Inside the AC all day, unless absoulutely necessary. I go grocery shopping at 7am. We' re also in good shape. I am 36, weigh 110 lbs and work out inside) every day. Even in low season, I have to take breaks. We grew up doing Disney all day, staying offsite, no breaks. Yuck!!!! No wonder I never went during my adult life until my son was born. And even being three hours away, we waited until he was four and went in November! Sorry for the ramble!

 

[two-plus-twins]

Susy,
I like your MK plan I'm going to copy it and take it with me. I'd also like to see your AK plan we have an 8:10 am PS that day.

Thanks!!

 

[susy]

H! I will try to copy and paste the one I sent to Blue fairy.

 

[jeankeri]

How soon is your trip? (is the Wed. of your PS this Wed?). Trying to do indoor shows (Carousel of Progress/Hall of Presidents/Country Bears) is one way to get out of the heat. Pirates of the Carribean is good for the mid-day too. Tom Saywer Island is another good place to let your kids explore and have down time. Enjoy your trip!!

 

[two-plus-twins]

jeankeri,

We will be there the week of Aug. 10. MK on Wed. the 13th.

 

[nataliesdaddy]

you for sure must take breaks !!!!!

right after your breakfast slam out a batch of rides and keep going till about 11ish at about which times the crowds will be getting overwhelming - the worst crowds as another person said will be between 1 and 4 - so slam out a ton of non fast pass kiddie rides first thing at noon do lunch.... call back and try ot get priority seating anywhere you can... get out of the heat at 11...this will also help you avoid the worst of the lunch rush at noonish... take your time after lunch...use fast passes for rides because by after lunch hours the place will be a madhouse if you do not take advantage of fast passes.... when you need a break either go inside and buy something or eat something and aslo for breaks there is a small courtyard between the castle and liberty square... behind some buildings at liberty square... that area is frequently semi empty... there is shade... and a good deal of benches... use that place to sit and relax and do nothing... realise that after lunch you need to go slooooooowwwwwww, and pace yourself. WIth only one day... you for sure do not want to rush after lunch...rush in the morning that way you will get a few rides done real fast... but in the afternoon go slow, use fast passes, take many breaks... your oldest may not like this but get autograph books for the young ones and get character autographs... little ones who are into that type of thing can do an entire day on that alone