Input on my itinerary for 10/9-15 (LONG!)

[chilihead]

We are going to be in DW Oct 9-15 (Sun-Sat). I am usually a planner to the OCD level. This time, however, I'm not happy with what I'm coming up with. I'm hoping you can help. We are staying at WL and are on the dining plan. We have 5-Day PHs.

Sunday: We arrive around 4 pm.
Dinner: Whispering Canyon Café @ 6:30. I am thinking of changing this to 5pm so we’ll have time to do the campfire at WL. Comments? Do I need the earlier time or will we be OK?

Monday: Animal Kingdom Day. I know most of you consider this a ½ day park, but it’s my DH’s favorite park. I told him we could spend as long as we want here this day.
Breakfast: in room
Lunch: Tusker House
Dinner: 5:40 @ Boma
Question: If we stay for the afternoon parade at AK, will we still have time to catch the bus to AKL and be there in time for our 5:40 ADRs?

Tuesday: Magic Kingdom (MNSSHP)
Breakfast: Crystal Palace @ 8:05
Lunch: CS at MK or WL
Noon-3:30: Various activities at WL (Hidden Mickeys, bike rental, pony rides). I am trying to plan some down time so we won’t be too tired for the MNSSHP tonight. Definitely open to ideas! My DS7 and DD5 aren’t ones to just nap or take it easy. My biggest challenge will be keeping them out of the pool so they don't tire themselves out!
4-Midnight: MNSSHP
Dinner: LTT @ 5:55

Wednesday: Sleep in as long as the kids will allow, then BB and Epcot
Breakfast: in room
10-2: Blizzard Beach
Lunch: CS at BB
4-9: Epcot
Dinner: 6:50 @ LeCellier

Thursday: MGM & MK (MNSSHP)
Breakfast: In room
10-2: MGM
Lunch: 12:20 @ Sci-Fi
4-Midnight: MNSSHP
Dinner: Can’t decide between LTT (which I have, but may cancel since it’s not our favorite and we’ll have already eaten there once) or Cindy’s Gala Feast at GF or buffet at CP. Please let me know your thoughts on this one. What do you all think about us just catching a CS at Columbia Harbor House? Would that be doable before the party?

Friday: Pirate Cruise and open for suggestions
Breakfast: In room
9-11:30: Kids to Pirate cruise
And we don’t have anything planned for the rest of the day.
I do have 6:20pm ADRs at CRT for dinner, but that’s negotiable.
I'd also like to do the haunted hayride at WL this night. Maybe we should skip the campfire on Sunday and do it this night before or after the haunted hayride?

We leave Saturday. Back to reality.

I’m not entirely happy with our itinerary. In particular, I’m wondering if we really need to do BB this trip or if we should just spend the whole day at Epcot. We never do water parks at home so BB is a treat. On the other hand, I would like to take advantage of the F&WF at Epcot and would like to do the WS with the kids. I think DH will be done before we are though…We also don’t have any time schedules for DTD and the kids do like to go there….

Also, this is our first time at MNSSHP and I’m not sure how to prepare for it. I want to stay late and take in the park at night and take advantage of the low crowds at the later times. I just don’t know if DH can do it or if I can get the kids to rest enough so they won’t be cranky. My main plan, though, is to just let the kids set the pace and the tone. If they get tired, we’ll be back at WL.

Finally, I am not happy with our ADRs. We are eating at most of the same places we always do and I just don’t see any way to mix it up. We don’t care for 50s café or HV or Tony’s. The two new places I insisted we try are Boma (DH hated Jiko, but said the buffet would be doable) and Le Cellier.

I could go on and on, but I’ll stop now and hope to get some great feedback from the other planners out there.

 

[YourMajesty]

We are going to be in DW Oct 9-15 (Sun-Sat).
Sunday: ...

Hey chilihead,

We live in the Tulsa area and will be going the week after you. My DS's are 8 and 5! We are planning on MNSSHP on Thursday Oct 20th. I bought DH and DS's the Eskimo Joe's Halloween t-shirts for the party. I was looking at your early start at CP on your MNSSHP night. Even though your kids don't like to nap maybe you could plan a movie or cartoons in your room after lunch. Then you will be out of the hot sun and off your feet!!! We are planning a sleep-in day for our Thursday(unless we have a rain out..we might go to a park for 2-3 hours and then back to the hotel for rest). I'm really wanting to make it until 12am...thinking it would be cool to be there at the end of the party.

The campfire sounds like fun. I'm still trying to figure how we could fit it in. If you don't want to be rushed you might try for an earlier dinner ADR. Could you do the campfire and the hayride on your first night?

Sounds like your Boma plans after AK are at the right times. We usually have a car so I wonder if there are any "bus" experts out there?

I think your idea about the CS before your second MNSSHP is great. It will leave more time for attractions and maybe some extra room for candy! We are planning a light dinner at the Plaza restaurant (we haven't eaten there but hear it's good).

If you do the hayride your first night you could go back to Epcot on Friday. Sounds like you would enjoy WS and F&WF. You didn't say when you leave Saturday but we are planning a couple of hours at DTD on Saturday before we head to the airport.

Your ADR's sound good. We always try a new place or two with some old favorites thrown in. I really want to try Boma's too but we don't have it down for this trip. Good luck with your planning...there's still plenty of time.

 

[Giggles]

On the first day, I would recommend the campfire, I havn't personally done it but heard it's great, and we are planning it for this trip. Are you arriving in Disneyworld at 4 or the airport at 4? You want to give yourself enough time to get to the hotel, drop stuff off, change or freshen up, etc. and then get to the dinner on time.

Yay for Animal Kingdom being your DH favorite park! I work at a zoo, and the best advise I have is get there early!! The animals are very active till around 10:30 ro 11, and then they seem to be sleeping till mid evening (around 4 or 5ish). I have also heard rumors about this park doing an opening ceremony with Rafiki! I don't know much about it, or how often the do it, but about 15 minutes prior to opening is when it is suppose to start if they do it that day.

If you get a veiwing spot for the AK parade near the begingin of the route, and if the parade starts at 4pm or very close to it, then you shouldn't have any problems making it to your reservations. Just a short bus ride over (or car ride if you are driving) and you will have plenty of time to spare.

On Tuesday another option is DTD. They have great food, and activities for the kids. They have a lego area too! When I was little I was too one that hated to nap, and just on the go..go...go, until I hit exhaustion. Maybe do things like the ferry boat ride or a round trip on the monorail? The kids can watch Disneyworld all around them, and nobody has to be "on the go".

As far as Epcot and Blizzard Beach go...my family has gone to both TL and BB, and we are still planning to go, it can be relaxing for a few hours to hit a few slides or float along the lazy river thing. However, Epcot has a lot to see. I would if possible, try to cut the blizzard beach short by a bit, and try to get to Epcot by 3, so you have a good solid 6 hours to see all the things you want to see.

I hope some of this helps! My family is going in 7 days, so I will report back with some more info, and possible helpful tips for you! Hope your planning is going better!

 

[chilihead]

Hey Your Majesty! (Ok, that sounds a little weird! ) I'm so glad to finally find another DISer that's from Green Country! That's a great idea about the Joe's t-shirts. My kids are Joe's fanatics. Since we're not going at the same time, would you mind if I use your idea for the tees?

I appreciate everyone's input. I think we're going to keep the campfire on Sunday and keep BB (but maybe cut it to 3 hours instead of 4). We are considering skipping MGM on this trip in favor of another 1/2 day at Epcot. Then, on Friday I think we'll go back to MK even though Fridays are usually busy. That night we'll probably skip the haunted hayride; I would like to do it, but I think I'm thisclose to overscheduling us as it is! Then, I like the idea of doing DTD on Saturday morning before we leave. I think we'll have a few hours before we have to get to the airport.

Finally, I really like the idea of the roundtrip monorail ride to keep the kids occupied but not running. We've never done that and it may be the answer to our dilemma! Thanks.

My biggest problem is that everytime I go I want to do everything! I have to keep reminding myself that we can come back...

I knew I could count on the DISers. Thanks for everything and keep the suggestions coming if you think of anything else.

 

[YourMajesty]

Hey Your Majesty! (Ok, that sounds a little weird! ) I'm so glad to finally find another DISer that's from Green Country! That's a great idea about the Joe's t-shirts. My kids are Joe's fanatics. Since we're not going at the same time, would you mind if I use your idea for the tees?.........

Thanks for everything and keep the suggestions coming if you think of anything else.

Hello again...chilihead(aren't these screen names fun )

Please...wear the Joe's shirts! I thought they were perfect for MNSSHP. My #1 goal was for the kids to be comfortable but still have something "Halloweenish". Maybe someone will recognize our shirts after you??You just missed the buy one youth get one 1/2 price. I got my boys a couple more t-shirts for the trip. They also had some small flahslights with a clip(if either of yours are afraid of the dark...or just might enjoy a small amout of light). I'm glad your are making progress on your itinerary. Mine is about 90% set. I always look at the 10 day weather before we go. Good luck...hopefully you will get a few more suggestions!