Is it possible to do all this?

[bigbabyblues]

I know there is no way we can do or see all of Disney on our trip, and we're planning to go back every 2-3 years, but will you check this and see if it's possible to do what we want to while we're there? PLEASE be honest! We will be going in May.

Magic Kingdom, allowing 2 full days (with a rest break after lunch or so) The first day we plan to do an EE day and do the following in Fantasyland--Dumbo, Adventures of Pooh, Peter Pan flight, Cindy's carousel, It's a small world, Philharmagic, and Ariel's Grotto; Toontown Fair - HOF tent, Judge's tent, Donald's boat, Mickey and Minnie's houses, and the Barnstormer. We will eat breakfast at resort and lunch at Crystal Palace, dinner will be counter service. I'd also like to see the afternoon parade at some point during this trip, maybe this day? I'm thinking we'll do some of Fantasyland during the early hour, definitely most of it in the morning.

Our second MK day, we want to do Tom Sawyer Island and Country Bears in Frontierland; the Liberty Square riverboat, Haunted Mansion and Goofy's Country jamboree in Liberty Square; the Treehouse, Aladdin carpets, Jungle Cruise, and Pirates of Caribbean in Adventureland, and Buzz Lightyear Spin in Tomorrowland. We will eat breakfast at the resort, lunch counter service (maybe when we go back for break, maybe in park), and dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern. I'd also like to see Spectro and Wishes one of these nights at MK.

EPCOT - I'm allowing one whole day, and at least half of another day. We want to do Spaceship Earth, see the fountain of Nations, Test Track (maybe), Journey with Figament, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, The Living Seas. We will be having lunch at the Garden Grill and the rehitching ceremony (hopefully, lol). After lunch we will go back for a break then return in late afternoon (around 3 or so) and start the World Showcase. Dinner will be counter service in WS. I would like to stay and see Illuminations also. The second day, we will eat at the Princess Storybook Bkst then finish the WS or whatever we didn't get to do the 1st day.

MGM - I'm allowing 2 half days, one will be arrival day, the other later in the week, maybe the other half of the second EPCOT day. Want to do - The Great Movie Ride, Beauty and Beast show, Who Wants Millionaire, Muppet Vision, Playhouse Disney, Visit Al's Toy Barn and see the characters from Toy Story, see and maybe see characters at the Sorcerer's Hat, and the Stars and Motorcars parade. The day we arrive I'm thinking dinner at Chef M's, not sure yet. If we do, I will make a later PS (around 7:30 or so).

Animal Kingdom - Donald's Breakfast before park opens (hopefully), do the Oasis, Tough to be a Bug, Discovery Island trails, Tarzan Rocks, the boneyard (if the kids see it and insist, lol), ride the Triceratops spin, see Fest of Lion King, do the Character trails, and the safari, and see the afternoon parade. Lunch/dinner will be counterservice. Allowing one full day with no rest break since this park seems to close early.

This should leave us and entire day unplanned to finish what we want to, and possibly the family magic tour. Am I crazy? Totally unrealistic? I'm thinking that our first MK day we may have some time leftover, and if we do, we'll do some of the things I have listed on the second day.

On our arrival day, we should arrive at our resort by 1 pm, then eat lunch, then off to MGM, so I'm thinking we should be there by 3? Man I'm tired just thinking about this.....

Thanks, Steph

 

[KathyTX]

That's a lot of stuff... but I think you've got a good plan. How old are the boys?

In May, I don't think the crowds should be bad. You can still use Fastpass, especially when you want to ride popular rides mid or late day (like Kilimanjaro Safaris in the afternoon.)

I like that you've planned some rest time, and a free day at the end to do anything you missed earlier. Having some flexibility built in should mean a more relaxed approach to the schedule...

You're going to have a great time!

 

[EmmasGrammy]

Your plans sound great and doable!!! Going in May the lines should not be unbearable. Remember to use fastpasses if you see the lines are building up. They are really a time saver. Also remember to stay flexible!! If your kids want to spend a little more time at an attraction or with characters, take the time and enjoy the moment. Don't feel you have to "press on" and stick to a "must do check list". Many times the things you don't plan make for the best memories.

Have a wonderful trip!! Let us know how it goes!!!

 

[bigbabyblues]

My boys will be 4 and almost 2 when we go; the rest time will be essential, but I'm not sure that they'll actually take naps at WDW! Some of it we may cut out, if it's not something they will be interested in.

My big fear is of a repeat of DH and my honeymoon at WDW--NO PS, no idea of what we wanted to see or do, no knowledge on ANYTHING whatsoever. We spent most of our 4 days in line and trying to decide where to go next. At least that won't happen this time!

~Steph

 

[dizagain]

Your plans sound good - it's great to be ready! My girls were older on their first trip last May (7 and 9). I found the crowds to be quite manageable - our longest line was for Jungle Cruise with no FP. Other than that, we waited 15 min. max.

Definitely stick to your MK Fantasyland plan - sounds like you've read up on that - and it worked for us! Also, plan your AK strategy for touring order. The other parks are ok to wing it as long as you've read up on attractions and their locations.

The one thing we gave up last May was parades/evening shows. My DH isn't all that into them to begin with, and we just never got around to them with parks closing so early. We did see Fantasmic and that's it. Now, I'm planning trip #2 and we can make the parades/evening shows a priority!

Take the rest breaks! You can always go back again - I know we are!! Have a blast!

 

[castlegazer]

I would devote more than a day and a half to Epcot. You can definately do the MK routine in two days.

 

[karemore]

Sounds like a great plan!

You have plenty of time, there's no reason you won't see all you want to see this trip.

It's really more important that everyone have fun then to see every attraction.

It sounds like you are taking into account the interests of your family and the needs of everyone, you are going to have a great trip!

Karen

 

[scotthart]

You can certainly get to everything the way you have it broken down, but I think your boys are going to burn out by the third day. Our children are 2,4, and 8. After one or two full days in the parks, they are totally burned out and need a day of rest. At the very least you will need 3-5 hours back at the resort during the heat of the day for a nap or swim. You have a good plan, but pay attention how your boys are doing and be flexible. Hope you have a great time!

 

[Kaycee]

I think your plans look great! My boys were older than yours when we took our first trip, so I don't know how much that will impact your park touring, but I still think you've got a very good plan. Just remember that parades and shows eat up a lot of time, but if you keep that in mind you shouldn't have any trouble fitting it all in.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I was thinking we'd go back to the resort each day for a nap and/or swim each day after lunch, or before if we're going to eat in the food court, each day except the Animal Kingdom day, since they close so early from what I've read. I was only thinking about 3 hours each break though, would that be enough? We'll probably have to wait until closer to time (since it's May 2005. not this year) and see how well we can all hold up, not just the kids.

Also, do you think we'll need the second day for MGM? DH and I went there on our arrival day before, and we weren't there very long at all, left before the park closed.

Thanks for the input, it helps to hear from others who have done this already with kiddos.

 

[decker96]

I just wanted to comment that given the ages of your boys, you may want to reconsider Honey I Shrunk the Audience and It's Tough to Be a Bug. It depends on each individual child of course, but our DD then 5 refused to do any 3-D shows on our last trip and knowing her temprement, I know she would have been scared in either of these shows. Just something to think about!

 

[bigbabyblues]

Thank you, I hadn't thought about the 3-D shows being too scary for them. Is Philharmagic that way too?

 

[wdwobsessed]

Even with the mid-day rest this was my two and six year olds chant by the third morning ...

"No mommy, please, let us sleeeeeeeep!"

I had planned a break on day four our first famly trip. We took it day three. This time due to circumstances we are going to try three days in a row but they are almost 5 and 8 now .... I'm going to see how it goes, play it by ear and take it easy each day.

I know that more than two days in a row kills my family. We prefer the one on one off or two on one off stratagy. Everyone is much happier and WDW will still be there in a year or two.

It would be better to see 1/2 of what is on your list and have a great, stress free non exhausting time ... than see it all and have it be a blur!

Good luck and happy traveling!

WDWO

 

[HaleyB]

It sounds like you have a good idea of what you want to do and see, which is an excellent start. I really find it hard to beleive that we are this far into a touring question without someone bringing up
The Unofficial Guide to WDW

The touring plans in the back of the book are great. You can adjust them to your needs, but they are fantastic for telling you the BEST order to do rides (to avoid lines and waits). They tell you the best time of day for each ride, go into details about small child fright possibility, and so much more.

Go to a bookstore and look at this gem, it is the best book an visiting WDW.

 

[HaleyB]

Originally posted by bigbabyblues
Thank you, I hadn't thought about the 3-D shows being too scary for them. Is Philharmagic that way too?

Loud sudden noises seem to bother some young ones on this.