Is there a better way to tour?

[tmonferdini]

We (me, DH & DGD6) arrive 8/31 for 1 night stay at AKL then 6 nights at BLT. Arrive at MCO 12:25pm. I'm basing my plan on MNSSHP following previous year's days and it will likely be Fri 9/1 and Mon 9/4. I would like to do the party on Friday but think it works better for my schedule on Monday. Here's what I've come up with. LMK if you see a different/better way around it.
This is her first trip & I do have a stroller reserved in case we should need it. DH's favorite park is Epcot (loves to drink around the world) so extra time at that park for him would be a bonus. We also most likely won't be doing either Pandora rides at AK nor GOTG at Epcot or Star Tours & Smuggler's Run at HS. (I would like for DH & DGD6 to experience GOTG without me since it's supposed to be amazing, but don't know that he will unless I try to twist his arm; if so, I will do ILL for that once.)

8/31 arrive MCO 12:25pm, head to AKL then probably Epcot for a few hours & dinner
9/1 Boma then MK. Will likely do what we can (I will do G+) afternoon fillers in A/C then check into BLT and DS/Boathouse for dinner
9/2 HS for eeh / break / HS for dinner & F!
9/3 Epcot for eeh / break / Akershus & fireworks
9/4 Epcot or HS / break / MNSSHP
9/5 later morning AK / break? / Epcot/HS or stay in
9/6 MK for eeh / break / MK dinner, parade & fireworks
9/7 late bfast 'Ohana or Topolino's & leave after

 

[mickeyluv'r]

What do you mean by a better way to tour?

One key thing to know about September is there are often afternoon storms. You might have no storms or storms every day, possibly even a hurricane.

When lightning is reported near WDW, even if itis sunny, a good number of attractions stop: coasters, animal attractions, all shuttle boats, all water rides/pools.

So that can detail evening plans in a hurry. You have a fair amount of evening plans that are hard-booked. Like Akershus. Getting to Akershus in a downpour is a bit interesting. The princess updo might not look quite the way you planned. When last we dined in the WS during a downpour, we had what we lovingly called the wet-rat look. If you are not wearing water tolerant shoes, then your shoes will be absolutely squishy.

Or you might get perfect weather.

Traveling that time of year requires a good deal of go with the flow.

We tend to keep evening plans flexible (during late summer visits), except yes to TS dinner at your hotel.

 

[snayak]

Have you accounted for travel time? Do you intend to use Disney transport/bus or Uber/Minnie Van? Is your intent to do the breaks back at the resort?

It looks like a lot of back and forth across property - for example, Boma (AKL) -> Magic Kingdom -> BLT -> Disney Springs. Have you considered doing Disney Springs the first night, and Epcot the second night so you can get there via Monorail from BLT?

Depending on how commando you want to be in the touring - we had good luck with hoppers and doing 2 parks per day with 2x 4yo kids (Early Entry for park 1, break around lunch, 3-4pm for park 2). Traveling back to home base (Boardwalk Villas) and then going to Epcot or DHS in the evening since it was walkable, and starting the day at MK or AK. The Trip Reports thread has a full rundown of our trip - we went to DHS and Ep 2 or 3 times over the course of 5 days, and had 1 rest/resort day.

Without knowing the party schedule & MK hours, I would consider making MK & EP the second park of the day since travel to get to AK or DHS is going to take a while via bus (or just go to AK while you're staying at AKL). If your DGD6 has never been to MK, then does it matter if its the first or second park day? (unless you've hyped it already).

 

[JodyK]

Are you AP? If you aren't some things to consider. If you haven't bought park tickets yet, I might consider doing one less park day and then doing some non-park things the morning of your MNSSHP. Especially since your 9/5 is so flexible, it doesn't seem like you need to pack in something that morning. Also not sure if you are considering park hoppers but you only have 1 day where you are maybe park hopping on 9/5 so you may not need that upgrade. If you are annual passholders or are just planning on park hoppers I kind of agree with the above on a lot of transportation. Instead of doing like HS --> break --> HS which takes two buses. I'd probably do HS and then Epcot or MK with it so its like one monorail park and one bus park since you are BLT.

You are noting EEH (extended evening hours), but I think you mean EE (early entry) because you are noting it in the morning. We don't know if EEH are continuing but if they do, it can be good way to experience low crowds of your DGD can stay up later. So if evenings are better, I might consider skipping EE and doing those days and sleeping in and getting those lower crowds since you are staying deluxe.

I also may consider doing AK on arrival day since you'll be at AKL and so close. It doesn't seem like there's a lot you need to get done there and it'll be easiest to travel to on your arrival day.

 

[tmonferdini]

We will be at the mercy of Disney transportation and will have 6 or 7 day tickets, depending on what is decided. We will be up and traveling 8/31 and I don't think there's enough time to do AK that day and make it a relatively early night. I figured we could do a couple rides, have a couple drinks, eat a little and back to AKL for a decent bedtime. Don't usually do hoppers because I like to have rides saved for the evening and want to see fireworks and closing shows but will consider hoppers if it works for a couple off-days.

Thanks for the help!!