Itinerary Ideas or changes?

[Ally&Alec's Mom]

Hi, my husband and I are taking DD (8) and DS (4) to WDW on Oct. 12-14. Spending only 2 days at the parks..we are traveling Oct. 9th-17th thou and staying with my parents in their vacation home about 60 miles away from Orlando...I would love input on our schedule at WDW and any ideas or changes I should make. I would like to save money where possible, but I want the most out of the "Disney" experience. Here is the plan:

Oct. 12th leave Mom/Dads place early am.
Arrive at MK for opening at 9am.
Visit park till appx. noon - 1pm
Leave MK head to POP century for check in at 3pm and for pool/relaxation time.
Head back to MK around 4pm for PS at Crystal Palace at 5pm.
See a parade and wishes in pm.
Visit MK till kids drop since there are Extra hours till midnight.

Oct. 13th
Arrive at MGM Studios at park opening 9am.
Visit park till PS at Sci Fi Dine in at 3:45pm.
Visit park till close at 7:30...see Fantasmic.
Head back to POP for pool time & Bed.

Oct. 14th
check out of pop & head back to Mom/Dad's

Questions:
1. Should we stay at POP at a cost of 110.00/night or offsite for $39.00, I think the Disney Theme would make more out of our visit but the cost diff. is significant.
2. Should we drive to parks or take buses? On first day at MK should we head to resort to take bus or should we drive and pay for parking?
3. Should we bother with 2nd night stay or head back to mom/dads since its only 1 hr drive? Extra night charge worth it?
4. Should we rent a stroller for 4 yr old...last weekend he surprised us when we took a 2 mile mountain hike at 90 degree heat and he didnt ask to be picked up at all! Not sure if he would nap in the stroller anymore?

Thanks for any input you all might have!

 

[jann1033]

well we stayed off site one time and never again.if you can swing it financially i'd stay on site. for me an hr drive is LONNNNNGGGGG when i am tired. i would guess it would be close to 9 before you would even come close to your car after fantasmic so maybe home by 11 or so if you drove, we get up around 5:30-6 just to get the 2 of us to park opening so pretty long day imo.

if you do stay at pop, you can check in early, just not go to your room,( pre mk opening),leave the luggage there at pop, take the bus to mk and just get to your room after Mk, they'll have your luggage there for you already. that way you won't have to run back and forth.

we always use the buses...resort to park has always been fine,it is not the easiest from resort to resort but imo easier than driving( big place , can be confusing like being in a totally new city and finding your way around)

if you want, wait and see how the 4 yr old does, you can rent a stroller later if need be but it is lots of walking

 

[maxiesmom]

I would definately check in first, then hop a bus to the parks. It is much easier to ride the bus than drive to MK, as you will not have to stop at the ticket/transportation center first. Also, don't be a slave to your schedule. It is so sad to see people with children who are crying from exhaustion because mom and dad want to get their money's worth from their park passes. Just see how your little one does, but don't be afraid to take breaks.