Leaving THIS Saturday!!

[3greatsons]

Okay, I have mixed emotions as you can tell. We leave THIS SATURDAY! Ahhhhhh!! We will be traveling with 2 families, and we have 5 day hopper passes to use from Monday - Friday. The group is:
myself - Disney lover - 39
DH - skeptic - 42
DS - just lookin' for girls - 14
DS's friend - same - 15
DS - loves thrill rides - 10
DS - not a rider, major athlete - 8
Our friends:
Mom -40
Dad - 40
DS - 12 - never been
DS - 9 - never been
We've rented a 5 bdrm house off property for all of us to be more cost effective. I know, I know, sorry! I am always a huge trip planner, and I want this to be an extra special trip since my friends' kids have never been, but I just haven't taken the time to do this right, so I REALLY need help!
Which parks, which days, what "must- dos", etc. HELP all you Disney fanatics!! I really value your opinions. Thanks.

 

[all4fun]

Oh boy, did you wait until the last minute!

You might consider going to http://www.tourguidemike.com/ and buying his vacation planner. I've never used it myself but have heard rave reviews of it.

In the past, we bought planning books (Unofficial Guide to WDW and Passporter) and thought those were definitely money well spent but you really don't have much time to sit down and read a book which is why I mention TGM. You're already spending hundreds of $$'s so another $22 is really a good investment IMO.

Beyond that, I highly recommend planning on splitting up and carrying cell phones or 2-WAY radio's so you can stay in communication with eachother.

Advance Dining Ressies need to be made NOW. It's a good idea especially if there is anywhere special you really want to eat (check out the menus on www.allearsnet.com). One time we were at WDW with friends and we waited until we were hungry to decide where we wanted to eat in the World Showcase at Epcot. We walked to three different tables svc restauarants and were turned away. This was in JANUARY. After the 3rd one I called 407-WDW-DINE and found out the only restaurant that had availability was Akershus (Norway) so they gave us an ADR and we headed over there. What a nightmare, lol.

I hope this helps and youall have a great time!

 

[Vickie46]

I say forget planning.. just go and have fun..

 

[magicaldisney]

I would definately take advantage of the EMH's. With the ages of the kids going you would probably love doing p.m. EMH.

If you do this, get your park times now. Do different parks in the morning. Take advantage of park hopping.

Let the kids all pick out one thing they really want to do, ride on, or see and make sure to fit that in the schedule.

Don't forget about DTD and the water parks. Have you considered Disney Quest? Those ages would enjoy it. It's also a place where adults can have fun and then sit down and give the teens and preteens possibly some time away from the adults (as you sit watching from afar).