Is my Disney Trip Itinerary good, and doable?

[Danny K]

I am doing very last ,minute changes before I make ADR's for dining. Here is my itinerary for the whole trip, so please tell me if this plan is doable and a good plan? If you have any other recommendations, please tell me. I also have questions about certain attractions listed beside what I will do.

We are 2 adults, and 2 children (9 and 13 years), and going in beginning of august 2013.

Arrival: Tuesday

Check In by 12:00pm, get settled in room, at all star movies resort.
Be at Bus Stop by 2:00pm

1. Arrive in Hollywood Studios by 3:00pm
2. Grab a snack from Dinosaur Gertie's Ice Cream and Go to the bathroom.
3. Get a FASTASS for Star Tours
4. See the 4:00pm American Idol Express Show (Be there by 3:45pm)
5. Use FP to ride Star Tours
6. Get another FASTPASS for a second ride on Star Tours
7. Ride the Great Movie Ride
8. See the 5:30pm Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular Show (Be there by 5:20pm)
9. Use FP to ride Star Tours again
10. Go over to sunset boulevard and have dinner at Catalina Eddie's
12. Get in line for 9:00pm Fantasmic Show between 7:30pm and 7:45pm
13. See Fantasmic Show (By the way is there something to do in fantasmic seating before the show starts, or how does it work? Also We want to sit in a place we will get the most wet. Does that place fill up faster or slower? and where is that place?
14. Head back to the room


Wednesday

Wake up by 6:00am, have breakfast in room, and be at bus stop by 7:30am

1. Arrive at Magic Kingdom Gates by 8:30am
2. Get in line and enter by 9:00am opening
3. Get a FASTPASS for Under the Sea-Journey of Little Mermaid
4. Ride Enchanted Tales with Belle
5. Ride Ariel's Grotto
6. Ride Peter Pan's Flight
7. Use FP to Ride Under the Sea-Journey of Little Mermaid
8. Get a FASTPASS for Dumbo
9. Meet Minnie and Daisy at Pete's Silly Slideshow
10. Ride Barnstormer
11. Ride Casey Jr Splash and Soak Station (What is in that place? and How do you get soaked?)
12. Use FP to Ride Dumbo
13. Get a FASTPASS for Barnstormer to Ride Again
14. Have lunch at Be Our Guest Restaurant
15. Use FP to Ride Barnstormer Again
14. Ride Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
15. Ride Mad Tea Party
16. Ride Prince Charming Carrousel
17. Get a FASTPASS for another ride on Peter Pan's Flight
18. Grab a Snack at Storybook Treats
19. Find a Spot on Main Street to Watch the Parade
20. Watch the 3:00pm Dream Come True Parade
21. See Mickey's Phillarmagic Show
22. See the 4:15pm Dream Along with Mickey Show at Cinderella's Castle (Be there by 4:05pm)
23. Ride It's a Small World
24. Use FP to Ride Peter Pan's Fight Again
25. Ride Haunted Mansion
26. See the Hall of Presidents Show
27. Ride Liberty Square Riverboat
28. Ride Haunted Mansion Again
29. See Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
30. 8:30pm ADR at Cinderella's Royal Table (Be there by 8:20pm)
31. Head back to Hotel

Thursday

Wake up by 8:15am, have breakfast in room, and be at bus stop by 9:45am

1. Arrive in Epcot by 10:45am
2. Explore Canada Pavilion for 10 min
3. See O Canada
4. Explore United Kingdom Pavilion for 10 min
5. Explore France Pavilion for 10 min
6. See Impressions de France
7. Have Lunch at Tangierine Cafe
8. Explore Morocco Pavilion for 10 min
9. Explore Japan Pavilion for 10 min
10. Exit through the international gateway, and find Disney's Beach Club Resort
11. Have a snack at Beaches & Cream To Go
12. Head back to Epcot through international gateway
13. See the 3:45pm American Adventure Show (Be there by 3:30pm) (Is this attraction indoors or outdoors?)
14. Explore The American Adventure Pavilion for 10 min
15. Explore Italy Pavilion for 10 min
16. Explore Germany Pavilion for 10 min
17. Get a FASTPASS for Maelstrom
18. Explore China Pavilion for 10 min
19. See Reflections of China Show
20. Explore Norway Pavilion for 10 min
21. Use FP to Ride Maelstrom (How long is Maelstrom, I hear on some websites its 5 min, and some websites 9 min)
22. See the spirit of norway show, on the way out from Maelstrom
23. Explore Mexico Pavilion for 10 min
24. Ride Gran Fiesta Tour
25. 7:15pm ADR at San Angel Inn (Be there by 7:05pm)
26. Find a Spot in Mexico Pavilion to See Illuminations at 8:45pm
27. Watch 9:00pm Illuminations
28. Head back to Hotel

Friday

Wake up by 6:00am, have breakfast in room, and be at bus stop by 7:30am

1. Arrive at Hollywood Studios Gates by 8:30am
2. Get in line and enter by 9:00am opening
3. Ride Toy Story Mania
4. Get a FASTPASS for another ride on Toy Story Mania
5. Ride Rock N Roller Coaster
6. Ride Tower of Terror
7. Bathroom Break
8. Use FP to Ride Toy Story Mania Again
9. Get a FASTPASS for another ride on Tower of Terror
10. See 11:30am Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage (Be there by 11:15am)
11. Use FP to Ride Tower of Terror Again
12. Have Lunch at Rosie's All American Cafe
13. See Walt Disney: One Man's Dream
14. Grab a Snack from Hollywood Scoops
15. Get a FASTPASS for another Ride on Rock N Roller Coaster
16. At 2:45pm Find a Spot under Mickey's Scourer Hat to Watch the Parade
17. Watch 3:00pm Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun Parade
18. Ride Studio Backlot Tour
19. Bathroom Break
20. See 4:30pm Light's Motors Action Extreme Stunt Show (Be there by 4:15pm)
21. See The Magic of Disney Animation
22. See 5:50pm Disney Junior Live on Stage (Be there by 5:35pm)
23. See Voyage of the Little Mermaid
24. Use FP to Ride Rock N Roller Coaster Again
25. See the Muppet Vision
26. 7:45pm ADR at Sci Fi Dine In Theater (Be there by 7:40pm)


Saturday

Wake up by 6:00am, have breakfast in room, and be at bus stop by 7:30am

1. Arrive at Animal Kingdom Gates by 8:30am
2. Get in line and enter by 9:00am opening
3. Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris
4. Stroll through Pangani Forest Exploration Trails for 40 min
5. Take the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki's Planet Watch
6. RUN to Conservation Station ignoring any hidden mickeys or animals between there (See these things on the way back to the train)
7. Spend 80 min at Conservation Station, doing everything there.
8. Spend 30 min at Affection Section petting the animals
9. Spend 20 min touring Habitat Habitat, and any hidden mickey's on between the train and conservation station.
10. Take the Train back to Africa
11. 1:45pm ADR at Tusker House Restaurant (Be there 1:35pm)
12. Bathroom Break
13. At 3:30pm Find a Spot in Discovery Island to Watch the Parade
14. Watch the 3:45pm Mickey's Jamin Jungle Parade
15. See the 4:30pm Festival of the Lion King Show (Be there by 4:15pm)
16. Spend 30 min Touring Discovery Island Trails
17. See its Tough to Be a Bug
18. Ride Kilimanjaro Safaris Again
19. Spend 30 min at the Oasis Exhibits
20. Head back to Hotel, and Have dinner at the hotel's food court


Sunday

Wake up by 6:00am, have breakfast in room, and be at bus stop by 7:30am

1. Arrive at Animal Kingdom Gates by 8:30am
2. Get in line and enter by 9:00am opening
3. Get a FASTPASS for Expedition Everest
4. Ride Expedition Everest without FASTPASS
5. Go to Dinoland and Ride DINOSAUR
6. Ride DINOSAUR Again
7. Ride Primeval Whirl
8. Ride Primeval Whirl Again
9. Ride Tricera Top Spin
10. Use FP to Ride Expedition Everest Again
11. Bathroom Break
12. See 12:00pm Finding Nemo--The Musical (Be there by 11:00am) (Is this show 35 or 45 min)
13. Get a FASTPASS for Kali River Rapids
14. Have Lunch at Flame Tree Barbecue
15. Stroll through Maharajah Jungle Trek for 40 min
16. Use FP to Ride Kali River Rapids
17. Get a FASTPASS for Expedition Everest for a 3rd Ride
18. Grab a Snack from Anandapur Ice Cream Truck
19. Spend 30 min at the Boneyard
20. See the 4:30pm Flights of Wonder Show (Be there by 4:15pm)
21. Bathroom Break
22. Use FP to Ride Expedition Everest Again
23. Ride Kali River Rapids Again
24. 6:45pm ADR at Yak & Yeti Restaurant


Monday

Wake up by 6:00am, have breakfast in room, and be at bus stop by 7:30am

1. Arrive at Epcot Gates by 8:30am
2. Get in line and enter by 9:00am opening
3. Ride Soarin
4. Get a FASTPASS for Test Track
5. Ride Test Track without FASTPASS
6. Ride Ellen's Energy Adventure (35 or 45 min?)
7. Use FP to Ride Test Track Again
8. Get a FASTPASS for Mission Space Orange Team
9. Ride Mission Space Green Team
10. Spend 15 min in Mission Space Advanced Training Lab
11. Use FP to Ride Mission Space Orange Team
12. Get a FASTPASS for Soarin for another Ride
13. Have Lunch at Sunshine Seasons Food Fair
Note: Most people go back to room and take a rest at this time because lines get very long, but we will spend this time in Innoventions.
14. Spend 2 hrs in Innoventions (1 hr in East and 1 hr in West)
15. Grab a Snack at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie
16. See Captain EO
17. Ride Journey into Imagination with Figment
18. Spend 5 min in Image Works (Is 5 min enough time?)
19. See Circle of Life
20. Ride Living with the Land
21. Use FP to Ride Soarin Again
22. See Turtle Talk with Crush (Is this a ride or a show?)
23. Ride the Seas with Nemo & Friends (Is this a ride or a show?)
24. Ride Spaceship Earth
25. 8:15pm ADR at Tutto Italia (Be there by 8:05pm)
26. Head back to Hotel


Tuesday

Wake up by 6:00am, have breakfast in room, and be at bus stop by 7:30am

1. Arrive at Magic Kingdom Gates by 8:30am
2. Get in line and enter by 9:00am opening
3. Ride Space Mountain
4. FASTPASS Space Mountain for another Ride
5. Ride Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
6. Ride Astro Orbiter
7. Ride Tomorrowland Speedway
8. Ride Tomorrowland Transit Authority (What basically is this?)
9. Use FP to Ride Space Mountain Again
10. Ride Carrousel of Progress (What basically is this?)
11. Ride Stich's Great Escape (What basically is this?)
12. Ride Monsters Inc Laugh Floor (What basically is this?)
13. Have Lunch at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant
14. Go to New Fantasyland
15. Take the Walt Disney World Railroad and get off at Frontierland Station (Is the railroad fun, and worth taking, or should We just walk?)
16. Get a FASTPASS for Splash Mountain
17. Spend 30 min touring Tom Sawyer Island
18. See Country Bear Jamboree Show
19. Grab a Snack from Sunshine Tree Terrace
Note: A Parade will be going on at this time so lines will fade out
20. Ride Big Thunder Mountain
21. Use FP to Ride Splash Mountain
22. Get a FASTPASS for another Ride on Splash Mountain
23. Ride Jungle Cruise
24. Ride Pirates of the Caribbean
25. Ride Magic Carpets of Aladdin
26. See Swiss Family Treehouse
27. Ride Big Thunder Mountain Again
28. Use FP to Ride Splash Mountain Again
29. 7:15pm ADR at Crystal Palace
30. at 8:45pm Find a Spot on Main Street to Watch the Parade
31. Watch the 9:00pm Main Street Electrical Parade
32. Bathroom Break
33. Find a Spot near the roundabout before Cinderella's Castle to Watch Wishes
34. Watch the 10:00pm Wishes
35. Head back to Hotel


Wednesday

Wake up by 8:00am, have breakfast in room, check out, and be at bus stop by 11:30am

1. Arrive in Downtown Disney Marketplace by 12:30pm
2. Explore Downtown Disney a little
3. 12:45pm ADR at Rainforest Cafe
4. Shop at the Downtown Disney Marketplace Shops
Note: Make Sure not to miss the Christmas Store, and the World of Disney Store.
5. Ride Marketplace Carrousel, and Marketplace Miniature Train
6. Grab a Snack at Ghirardelli's Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop
7. Go over to Downtown Disney West Side, and Explore the Shops there
8. Go to Downtown Disney Pleasure Island and Ride Characters in Flight (The Hot Air Balloon Ride) (How long is the balloon ride? 15min maybe?)
9. Head back to Hotel
10. Relax in the Lobby until 4:00pm
11. Head for Home

So Can you tell me if this disney itinerary is doable or not, and what you think I should change?

 

[Block Island]

Wow. I'm no expert but no big breaks planned/return to hotel? I would think you need to be prepared for a ride being down. Don't be disappointed if you can't do the itinerary as planned. And be sure to stop for photos. That might take a few minutes if you need to wait for a photopass photographer to finish up with others.

 

[ChristineOH]

Don't be disappointed if you can't do the itinerary as planned.

This won't go as planned, of course. For example, ten minutes in each country doesn't really work, unless you just literally walk through. So this is good advice. It won't go this way, so expect it and don't be disappointed. You should have enough knowledge to make adjustments as you go. Your specific questions are better posted individually, if you want better responses. That post is so long that they get lost in the shuffle.

 

[rdevine10]

My 1st thought was you need breaks in there!!!! Thats a lot if very full days with no breaks! We are going in april and i have 8 park days planned. Of those, 2 have no afternoon breaks, but one we are done by 3pm and the other is the 1 more full day of the trip! Plan for a little more rest and perhaps some pool time too!

 

[danceteachermom]

Probably a bit too scheduled for my family's taste....maybe doable. You have several things listed that will be long waits as walk ons and they will throw a wrench into your times. Looks like an exhausting plan. I am wondering if your kids will want to have some down time at the resort and opportunities to use the pool.

Take your plan if it is your wish list but I would advise being flexible. Be willing to skip a long wait and head back later.....or grab more fast passes.

I think 10 minutes for browsing pavilions in Epcot is far too short.

Turtle Talk is a show. Nemo in Epcot is a ride. I can't remember your other questions but I will look again.

We make a list of must-dos for each park. Get there at rope drop and do the must-dos first based and tackle them based on research. Then we relax and enjoy shows and rides with low wait times. When it is hot and crowded as it will be in August, we rarely stay all day and when we have tried someone ends up grumpy. During months with lower crowds and lower temperatures full days are easier.

Planning is so much fun and it looks like you have done a lot of it. I hope your trip is magical. Have a great time.

 

[gdrj]

OMG and my family thinks I'm nuts (I say that with humor)

I think you might need to vacation sooner if you are wound that tight.

I understand the need to plan but also understand that the best laid plans blow-up very easily when a family member wants to enjoy the moment or wants a snack or bathroom break or a street performer interests us, or the food they want is on the other side of the park, or lines are longer. Just need to be flexible and enjoy the trip or you'll drive the rest of your family crazy.

I enjoy the trip planning, looking for best airfares, car rentals, what park to do each day. Typically something changes, kids exhausted-let them sleep in a bit. They want to go swimming-let them go. They don't want to eat when you want to- let them stay on line. Might you miss something, absolutely! WIll you need to rearrange your schedule, for sure. Will your family enjoy their time with you MORE, in my opinion yes... slow it down, your family will it enjoy it more and that is why you are going right?

 

[danceteachermom]

Monsters Inc. is a show....it it interactive. We passed it by for years but now it is on our must do list. I think with your kids ages they will love it. It is a nice air conditioned break too. It is a comedy show.

I can't even explain what Stitch is...an "experience" I would say. I would skip it. I'd skip it. We thought it was horrible. Not even worth walk-on with no wait.

 

[Danny K]

Well about swimming and pool time, we live in egypt, and taking vacations at hotels with pools are very cheap here, so we probably wouldn't want to have pool time there. About breaks, We don't really need breaks, and don't get tired very easily, so we probably don't need breaks back at the hotel or anything. I actually have some breaks in the park, like innoventions, the boneyard, parades, fireworks, and meals are kind of breaks for us. But we really don't want to go back to the hotel in the middle of the day because that takes a lot of time getting back and going to the park again. In the countries in epcot, we don't want to shop or anything, just walk and see the interesting stuff in each country, and what it looks like. danceteachermom, can you tell me what rides will have long lines that I have scheduled? Most of them I have scheduled right at the beginning of the day I thought, but can you give me examples on what rides are long walk ons I have?

 

[rdevine10]

You know your family best, and I know you said you are from Egypt, but FL in August is VERY hot and VERY humid. I used to live there, so I know. I still think you are under estimating breaks, especially for the time of the year. That being said, its a very structured touring plan. I have made touring plans for our upcoming trip (with my membership to touringplans.com) but we have been many times, and know our fave rides. And, Im ok with diversions, because sometimes those diversions are where a lot of the magic is created.

 

[Danny K]

You know your family best, and I know you said you are from Egypt, but FL in August is VERY hot and VERY humid. I used to live there, so I know. I still think you are under estimating breaks, especially for the time of the year. That being said, its a very structured touring plan. I have made touring plans for our upcoming trip (with my membership to touringplans.com) but we have been many times, and know our fave rides. And, Im ok with diversions, because sometimes those diversions are where a lot of the magic is created.

Did you know I made these plans using my membership at touring plans? how did touring plans work for you? Is it accurate? I know how hot it is in florida, because I have been there in august to, but egypt is hotter.

 

[Tbiafore]

You have done your homework DannyK. I disagree with the advice being given here (please don't take offense all as I am just looking at this from a different angle) and have gone to disney more than a dozen times so I am not a rookie either. I see the 10 minutes at each country in Epcot, however, I see the bigger picture you have listed. You are spending a full day from open to close in the world showcase area which can be done and I have personally done multiple times touring through some of the areas slowly others quickly. That schedule is very doable and its a good pace to spend a whole day there. Epcot is a two day park and your covering it well.

Plus there are two types of vacation. One is a more adventurous, take in all you can vacation (not a relaxing vacation) and that is the vacation they are opting to do. First few times this is what I did as well. Some vacations are never meant to be relaxing. Once again, I have done schedules just as this and I can say from looking through it, its very doable and I think this looks fun!

Take a couple days off from work when you get back to recover then, or recover the following weekend. Some people dont get to enjoy Disneyworld as much as many of us do and regularly go. They dont go there to swim at a pool or lay around, and with kids who are high energy, its very difficult to beak them away at noon or whatever to head back to a hotel to sleep. They are at Disney for crying out loud. They want to experience Disney...

I think your Itinerary is rock solid and will work. You did your homework well.

Have fun!

--Thor

 

[MacClemsons]

I looked thought the plan, but it was a long post so I may have missed something. I'm with you about not taking a break away from parks. We go to Disney to do parks, not rest at the hotel. Overall, I think it looks good. Of course things don't always go as planned, but better to have a plan. Agree than 10 mins per pavilion is not much time at Epcot. My other thoughts that you might not be able to get FPs as planned for HS. Just depends how busy it is. We've been able to ride TSM, RR, and ToT multiple times in Sept but not when we went in Feb.

 

[Danny K]

Tbiafore and MacClemsons, Yeah that's what I was trying to say in my previous post, its disney, not a relaxing place, so I want to use my time to experience disney. What I also found out is most people that take breaks in the middle go on extra magic hour days, and take advantage of extra magic hours, but unfortunately, my family needs more sleep at night, and we are avoiding crowds by avoiding extra magic hour days.

 

[jenben8426]

I am by no means an expert on Disney but I will answer the questions I know. We last went in January so things may change depending on the season...

-They did some crowd games and interaction at Fantasmic before it started. Make noise, Disney trivia, etc. Two cast members were in charge of getting the crowd pumped up. It did help the time go faster as we waited for it to start. We did not try and sit in the "get wet" section so I can't help you there.

-Enchanted Tales w/ Belle: Get there fast if you don't want to stand in line for 60 min (which could derail your plans a little). We went at what is considered one of the slowest times of the year. We got to the gates at about 8:15 for a 9:00 opening. We hauled over to the cottage and missed the first show so had to wait a bit. We were out at about 9:30 and the wait time was already at 60 minutes. I would advice to not get a mermaid fast pass until after you see the little show.

-Casey Jr. is not a ride. It is just a train that has different cars that shoot out water (camels spitting, elephants trunks, etc). You can just play in it, you will get soaked if you wander in that area.

-Carousel of progress is a theater in the round type of show. You sit in comfy seats and there is a 20 minute show. The audience stays seated, but you rotate around to hear different parts of the show.

-Tomorrowland Transit Authority is a smooth ride taking you on a tour of tomorrowland. It is nice to have a break off your feet. There usually isn't a long line. Not incredibly exciting but definitely one of our family's favorites to just sit back and relax a little.

-Railroad: We like it. Another chance to sit back and relax a little and look at the details of Disney.

Overall, it is a very ambitious touring guide. Since you are going at the beginning of August it will still be quite crowded. There is a good chance you will not be able to do everything on your plan. You do have the advantage of later hours since it is the summer. We had younger kids than you and we had a very ambitious touring schedule too, and we all hit a wall on our 5th day. We wish we would have thrown in a down day or even an afternoon. Even the best laid and scheduled out plans can change so just don't let it get you down if things change (rain, not feeling well, longer line than expected, etc).

 

[dansamy]

I did something similar our first two trips. It was exhausting.

 

[hookedonears]

Agree you need breaks each day, especially for it being such a long trip. Not sure if your doing openings at each park, but it might require you to get to the parks a little bit earlier. That way you can leave for 3/4 hours each afternoon. Your park activities sound fine.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Looks good to me!

Of course, you'll recognize when you may need to skip over something or modify your plans based on a certain situation, but it's a good guide.

Touringplans work pretty well for us. I use my park day recommendations from easywdw.com though.
Do you send a FP runner (one person to get the FPs)? If not, you'll likely be waiting a long time for Enchanted Tales with Belle. It's unbelievable how quickly that line fills up! One morning we were not near the front of the group at the MK at rope drop, and the line was 80 minutes when we got there! (Even though we were at the gate before open!) The next day we were at the front of the line, and were the first ones in with Belle. Makes a huge difference!

By the time my kids are 9 and older, we probably won't do hotel breaks either. Already, I usually take the little kds back for breaks or leave early while DH and our 8 yr old stay and do more rides.

Have fun!

 

[jmcghee2024]

Currently Barnstormer and Dumbo are not connected to the Fastpass system so you can get FP for both of these while having another FP. That might help.

 

[jmcghee2024]

Also, I wouldn't wait until the departure day to visit Downtown Disney. It's a great area with lots of food options and shopping and some unique experiences.

 

[Danny K]

Looks good to me!

Of course, you'll recognize when you may need to skip over something or modify your plans based on a certain situation, but it's a good guide.

Touringplans work pretty well for us. I use my park day recommendations from easywdw.com though.
Do you send a FP runner (one person to get the FPs)? If not, you'll likely be waiting a long time for Enchanted Tales with Belle. It's unbelievable how quickly that line fills up! One morning we were not near the front of the group at the MK at rope drop, and the line was 80 minutes when we got there! (Even though we were at the gate before open!) The next day we were at the front of the line, and were the first ones in with Belle. Makes a huge difference!

By the time my kids are 9 and older, we probably won't do hotel breaks either. Already, I usually take the little kds back for breaks or leave early while DH and our 8 yr old stay and do more rides.

Have fun!

LOL I did exactly the same, I used crowd calendar from easywdw, and did my plans on touring plans. I think I will change it to get the mermaid fastpass after I do belle.