Is this going to be too much for the kids?

[Mavis0426]

My wife and I just got married on May 1st. My sister found out she is pregnant with twins, so she won't be able to go with her husband and oldest (7) on their planned trip to Disney in Sept. So we are taking the trip to Disney World, as a honeymoon/fun trip, during free dining and Halloween with my nephew and her cousin (8). Both boys have never been to Disney and are unlikely to return in near future. So as being vets of Disney we are cramming every little thing in, to maximize the experience for both boys. I'd appreciate any comments on our trip plans. I'm second guessing our plans because we all are very laid back people and don't want to feel rushed during vacation. But I know free dining, and will need some ADRs.

16th
Arrive 11:28 AM
Water Park
(D) Spirit of Aloha Dinner

17th
MK
(B) Crystal Palace
(L) Tony’s Town Square
(D) Chef Mickey’s

18th
HS (B)
(L) 50s Prime Time Cafe
(D) Hollywood & Vine
w/ Fantasmic

19th
Pirate Adventure -9:15
Water Park/Mini Golf
(D) Mickey’s Backyard BBQ (2)

20th
AK/ DD
(B) Donald’s Safari
(L)
(D) T-Rex

21st
Epcot
(B) 1900 Park Fare
(L)
(D)

22nd
Lazy Day by Pool
(D) Cinderella’s Castle
Halloween Party 4-12 pm

23rd
MK/HS
(B) Ohana’s Breakfast
(L)
(D)

24th
Depart 12:30 PM

 

[Ashlander]

How great for you to plan all of this.

My only recommendation is to cut out one of the sit down meals on the 17th. My kids are 7, 6 & 4...and I imagine it may be hard for them to sit through 3 meals - especially when we are at the park and they want to do as much as possible. Plus I bet they would not be very hungry for lunch after filling up at the Crystal Palace.

Just be flexible when you get there. I find that sometimes the plan goes out the window when we get to Disney. Except of course we make our ADR's and we know what park we are going to. I would pick what you know you want to do and then have things like going golfing "in your back pocket". I don't think my kids forget anything so there are some things I don't tell them...that way if I decide to lay by the pool they will not be driving me nuts about wanting to do something I've changed my mind about.

 

[Mavis0426]

I forget that kids remember everything. Not being a parent and taking kids to Disney will be an adventure in itself! We keep saying how we will have more fun watching the kids reactions to everything than being in Disney.

 

[Ashlander]

I forget that kids remember everything. Not being a parent and taking kids to Disney will be an adventure in itself! We keep saying how we will have more fun watching the kids reactions to everything than being in Disney.

That is definitely going to be a lot of fun!!!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Unless you plan to eat before 7pm at the Castle, switch nights for that. It's not open during the Halloween party. Since you are going with two young men, I would drop the castle all together. It's expensive, not that great in terms of food, and will feature princesses...maybe not a favorite for the boys.

Day 1 is a bit ambitious. If you flight arrives 11:28 and you are taking ME...plan on about an hour and a half before you arrive at your resort. Then you have to check in, get tickets, wait for a bus to the water parks. Then go to the park, wait for a bus, get back to the resort, change, take a bus to MK and the monorail to Poly (unless you are staying at the Poly). Don't forget that Disney World is a HUGE place and traveling around takes a lot more time than you think

Otherwise it looks great!!! So nice of you to plan for them!!!

 

[Aliceacc]

How incredibly kind of you.

To be honest, I think I would cut back on a lot of the meals. I know that my own kids would rather spend the time in the parks than in a restaurant.

Here's how I think I would arrange it:

16th
Arrive 11:28 AM
Water Park
(D) Spirit of Aloha Dinner

17th
MK
(B) Crystal Palace
(L) Counter service
(D) Chef Mickey’s

18th
HS (B)
(L) Counter Service
(D) Hollywood & Vine
w/ Fantasmic

19th
Pirate Adventure -9:15
Water Park/Mini Golf
(D) Mickey’s Backyard BBQ (2)

20th
AK/ DD
(B) Donald’s Safari
(L)
(D) T-Rex

21st
Epcot
(B) 1900 Park Fare
(L)
(D)

22nd
Lazy Day by Pool
(D) Cinderella’s Castle
Halloween Party 4-12 pm

23rd
MK/HS
(B) Ohana’s Breakfast
(L)
(D)

In fact, ONE sit down meal per day is enough for my kids. We're on the meal plan; we have our snack as breakfast, normally a counter service lunch, and a sit down dinner.

 

[An_Island_Girl]

I'm going to go against the grain here, in that your plan sounds great to me! We went for my DD5's first trip this Feb, and had the Deluxe dining plan. We found that by taking the time to sit down and "rest & refuel", we were all much happier, and it made for a great experience.

I realize each family is different, but we used the scheduled meals as a break rather than going back to the hotel like many families do for a break.

Either way, enjoy your trip!

 

[SmallWorld71]

I agree that every family is different, but my kids love to eat and 1 TS place a day is plenty for us. They are at the age where everything is important to them (rides, characters, pools etc..) so having only one meal a day allows us to do the most. Even if the boys you are going with are great eaters, I think they are going to get pretty sick of all the sit down meals.

As PP mentioned, unless something is new, CRT is not open during the Halloween parties. We ate at Crystal Palace around 4 on the night of the Pirate and Princess Party and we found that to be perfect.

If you feel strongly about all your character meals, I would suggest moving CM to breakfast and CRT dinner on that day and then moving CP to the night of the party.

I would definitely not do 3TS in a day with kids. Maybe a couple signature's would be good to do instead of so many meals?

Have fun whatever you decide!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Both boys have never been to Disney and are unlikely to return in near future. So as being vets of Disney we are cramming every little thing in, to maximize the experience for both boys.

Just wanted to add that while I think what you are doing is wonderful, I think you are more likely to maximize the experience by finding out what they really want to do and making sure that is what you focus on, not on doing more. I always ask my kids what they think is important for our trips and am often surprised by their answers. They are experienced WDW travelers now, but on one of our 1st vacations, DS said the most important thing to him was meeting Donald Duck. Never would have expected it and was so glad I asked as it wasn't originally in my plans.