itinerary review please

[liz vollbrecht]

Can some of you WDW experts look over our plan...
We have 3 days to try and see as much as we can before our DCruise. Please keep in mind we will have a 5-1/2 and 4yr old.

Wed-
plane arrives 5:30pm
check-in and swim 6:30pm
leave for 8:15 res at Chef mickie at 7:30pm

Thurs-
Leave for EE Magic Kingdom from POR at 7am
mid-day break 12-2pm
MK 2:30-6pm
Epcot 6:30-CL
Dinner at Morocco 7pm

Fri-
leave for EE Animal Kingdom 7am
mid-day break 12-2pm
Epcot 2:30-CL
Dinner at Germany 6pm

Sat-
Leave for EE MGM at 7am
mid-day break 12-2pm
*Choice of parks till 6pm*
leave for MGM 6pm
Grab dinner and wait in line for Fantasmic at 7:30pm
Fantasmic 8:30pm

Sun-
leave for EE MK at 7am
return to PORiverside at 10am
Check-out and wait for cruise bus at Noon
Disney Cruise 1pm........... YEA!

I know this is alot and really appreciate all your help and great advice. Liz

 

[pumpkinboy]

Sounds like a great trip! I especially like the mid-day breaks you have planned in there; good call! I guess the only worry I would have is some of those later night dinner PSs with your 4 and 5 yr olds (esp Chef Mickey, tho I understand PS availability can be tight). It could be tough on them, but I expect the character meal aspect will drive them. Well planned all in all. After the excitement of WDW, your kids will need the relaxation of the cruise, as will you no doubt, tho I expect they will keep you occupied on board the whole time. Have fun!

 

[jcemom]

Wow! Those are late nights and early mornings! I don't know if my kids could keep getting up so early after staying out until park closing every night, but I know you only have a few days. Just remember to be flexible just in case they get too tired, the mid-day rest breaks are a great idea, I'm just not sure if you've allowed enough time for them. Our mid-day breaks took on average about 4 hours from the time we left one park until the time we got to another.

I also would consider moving your MK afternoon from Thursday to Friday if possible. MK should be less crowded on Friday afternoon because of the EMH Thursday.

Otherwise, if you can keep up the pace, it looks great!

(I'd also consider renting a stroller for the kids so they can give their little feet a break when needed.)

Have fun and be sure to get in some relaxation during the cruise!

 

[mad4themouse]

Is this your first trip to WDW? Many first timers don't realize how much "traveling time" they need to build into a schedule. I think that you're going to be spending a lot more time on the buses and monorails than you think.

For example:
On your arrival day, you've allowed 1 hour from the plane's arrival time until you're swimming in the pool. That's not going to happen. Even if your plane arrives on time, you'll still need to commute to the main terminal, collect your luggage, travel to WDW, check into your room and drop off your luggage. In reality, it will be closer to 2 hours before you're in your room, especially if you're not driving yourself from MCO.

You've also allowed 2 hours each day for a mid-day break. You will probably spend at least ½ hour between the time that leave the park until you arrive back at your room. That takes into account the amount of time it takes to walk to the bus stop, wait for an available bus, commute to your resort and walk to your room. Reverse the process for your return to the parks.

You have some very long days planned. Being ready to leave for the parks at 7am means getting up around 6:30 am or earlier. With EPCOT closing at 9:00pm each night, allowing ½ hour to get back to the room, etc, you're looking at a 10 pm bedtime for your little ones. For my children, that would not have been enough sleep and I would have been courting disaster in the form of a major meltdown of epic proportions! Your children may not need as much sleep but be prepared to alter your itinerary. All that walking in WDW will take its toll on those little legs.

Lastly, try to pare your itinerary down to no more than 2 parks per day. You will be losing a lot of time "commuting" from park to park.

We did the 3days land/4nights sea cruise a few years ago. It was early December, 2001. The parks were nearly empty due to post-9/11 fears and the pre-holiday season. We visited all the parks, but we had tickets to MVMCP in order to see the MK. We would not have been able to fit them all otherwise. And we skipped Fantasmic! as well. We did not even attempt to do any parks the morning of departure. However, we were Disney "veterans" by then and we knew what we wanted to see and what we wanted to skip over.

Good Luck and Bon Voyage! The Disney Cruise is awesome. You're going to love it!

 

[dutton]

I totally agree with mad4themouse. We drive in and couldn't get checked in, up to our room, and ready for the pool in one hour. And also, I agree that two hours isn't enough for scheduled midday breaks. Park hopping is great, but exhausting with small children. I warn you b/c I too had the same itinerary our first time and it was a little of a let down when I realized that I had to rethink it and couldn't fit it in as much as I wanted to. When we go I want to see it all. I have tried to say that I was only going to go to one or 2 parks, but can't do it!! Anyway, I think you will have so much fun!! Your kids are at a good age I think. I think the best advice is that if you go early stay until about 12 and then come back about 4pm. Except if you stay until Epcot closes, it will be hard to get up at 7am! Anyway have fun!!

 

[lisareniff]

We were there in November with our kids.

I would follow the advice of the other posters. I know we are killjoys.

I would do the EMH parks you have chosen for the 3 days returning after lunch or shortly thereafter. Take a rest/swim/break then go to your evening park. Perhaps, one night MK and wishes. Another night dinner at Epcot and illumations. The third MGM and Fantasmic. Of course doing some rides/shows that you weren't able to fit in the morning.

Another note, with my kids I found it helpful realize they would be on the same eating schedule as home. Like clockwork they were hungry at 11:30 for lunch and 6:00 for dinner every day. (let's not forget the 4pm snack) I tried to have our PS's set for 5:30. If we wanted to go to a late dinner I would feed them a good snack at 6pm. It made for a much happier evening!