Leaving August 22 for 8 days

[CFioren317]

I am going with my 8 year old son on August 22nd for 7 nights and 8 days. We went 2 years ago around July 4th and it was an incredible time with all the E-Ride nights at MK. If EMH is close to as good, we'll have another great time.

I have read about some problems getting reservations at restaurants so late, but I have never reserved a meal at Disney outside of my hotel room in my life. Since I have the free DDP, I figured I should try to get some type of plan so we use the thing and save a few bucks on food. I got most of what I wanted, although Coral Reef and Le Cellier were booked. But I've never once had a problem walking into Coral Reef and I have eaten there 3 times.

Here's what my plan looks like...please tell me if I am wrong or making any bad assumptions. You guys are the experts...I'm just a Joe Schmo, but I have been to WDW about 12 times since my first trip in 1991 so I'm not a complete newbie. However, I usually just go and never planned anything before.

8/22

Our Philly flight arrives in Orlando at 9:20 am. I was going to go with the bus, but I hate to wait so I went through Priceline and got a rental car for the 8 days for around $150 total with taxes. I am hoping to have the car and be at All Star Sports by 11 am. Checked in and straight to MK by noon. I had Concourse set up for lunch at 1:40, but I read on here that they opened up Chef Mickey's for lunch, so I changed that to Chef Mickey's at 1:30. My son really wants to go to that. If we can get in a ride or two before eating, great. If not, we'll have fun walking around until hopping the monorail to Contemporary for lunch. Then back to MK for rides while everyone is watching the parade. Stay there the rest of the day and go to the room after and get settled in and rest.

8/23

EPCOT Future World early then a 12:15 lunch reservation at Teppanyaki. Then go to AK around because it is EMH there. Hope to ride EE at least once during the later hours. Then a special 9:40 dinner at California Grill, which I was surprised was even available at that time. Back to the hotel after that.

8/24

Early hour at MK, so we'll try to get there for 8. Catch a couple rides...hopefully Space Mountain, Philharmagic, Buzz Lightyear and Small World. Then 11:35 lunch reservation at Crystal Palace. After lunch, we'll go to the Water Park if my son wants or whatever he wants to do.

8/25
Late night at EPCOT today, so the morning is open for water park, rest, DisneyQuest, MGM, MK, whatever he wants. 4:30 reservation at Italy for dinner. Then Future World will be open until 10, so I'm hoping we'll be able to get on a few things when it gets later in the night.

8/26
Early day at MGM, but my son wasn't always the biggest fan of MGM. However, now that he wants to ride the roller coaster and ToT, maybe he'll want to go for 8 am. We'll just miss the millionaire ride, so I am disappointed to have never gone on that one. I skipped it last time...regrets... The afternoon and evening are open as I have no reservations for that day. Any suggestions on something to do on a Saturday night with an 8 year old...what's not too crowded, etc? I was thinking mini golf, pool, water park, DQ but I am sure there plenty more to do.

8/27
Long day, and I may end up cancelling the Breakfastosaurus in AK at 8 am. This will open up the morning for whatever. MK is open until 1 am and we are going to be there until it closes.

8/28
Chef Mickey's at 7 am was the only time I could get before I made a change, so I think I may adjust this one. However, it is early open for AK and I want to be on the safari as early as possible since I think it is the best time for the animals to be out in the cool weather. I'll check into getting brkfastosaurus around 10. Or Coral Reef some other time this trip with the 1 remaining TS I have. MGM is open until 11:30 and we'll be there. I'm guessing that the big rides will be open while Fantasmic is going on at 8:30, so we'll be OK until it ends.

8/29
EPCOT early Future World. Stay until late morning, then open until getting back to the room to leave for our 7:30 flight.

It sounds pretty planned, and I dislike plans, but I am sure that it will deviate...i.e. neither one of us likes getting up too early, but we like to stay out late, so we'll probably miss the early magic hours. We'll definitely be there for the late ones.

Thanks for reading.
Chris

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Sounds like a wonderful trip planned. Thanks for sharing. We leave on the 28th and return on the 4th. We are staying at AKL. This is our 1st time at a deluxe resort. WE are doing 2 dinner shows the Hoop Dee Doo and the Luau. I have read mixed reviews so I am anxious to see how they are.

Have a great trip!!!

 

[dznyntnh]

We leave tomorrow morning too.

Your plans sound good, as long as you stay flexible you should be ok. It's always so much fun to plan things, but you never know how thing sare going to actually go (that's part of life's 'charm').

I usually go alone and plan my days and dining very carefully. This year I'm taking Mom and we've only planned four 'big' meals (Lunch with an Imagineer, Breakfast at Chef Mickey's, Lunch at Le Cellier and Dinner at Shula's) cuz we decided to play it more loos this time. But since we are at POR with the food court, I'm not worried about not having PSs.

Have fun, remember to bring your umbrella (cuz if you actually have it won't rain ).

Hope we both have a magical week!!