Hi everyone
Im currently in the midst of planning an all-out Disney birthday surprise week for my 3-year old daughter. Admittedly, its a ways off (as shes currently 19 months old ), but I want to spare no detail and I want to provide her with a carefully planned extravaganza that will never be forgotten. Id like to go sooner, but I dont want to break the bank on something she wont remember. Weve thought about it, and 3 seems to be the perfect time for our first trip to WDW.
So, with that in mind, here is our plan. Please feel free to critique. Let me know if its too ambitious. Is my plan even doable? Am I not leaving enough downtime? Are we missing any must dos? Have I chosen right when it comes to accommodations? Most importantly, have I chosen the best restaurants to maximize my dining credits?
The travelers will be myself (I will be 33 at the time of travel), my husband (33), daughter (3), her grandfather (55), and her grandmother (51). We would like to stay together in one room, but as we wont be spending too much time in there, I cant justify the expense of a suite or club level. Otherwise, our budget is around $7000 for accommodations, food, and park admission. Spa services, golf, boating, souvenirs, etc. will be above and beyond that price. Flights will be paid for my frequent flier miles (one of the benefits of having a road warrior husband!)
I have decided to stay in the Contemporary Hotel for a number of reasons. The larger room size, monorail access (for quick trips back to the hotel for nap times and rests for little 3 year old feet), and proximity to the parks. We will be doing the Deluxe Dining plan, because we are big foodies and want to get our moneys worth at the fine dining establishments (as you will see, most of my plan centers around restaurants). No need for park hopper, as I have things planned out to spend full days at one park. Also, we have plenty of water parks near our home, so we will forego the water park add-on, and just get our water fix from Bay Lake and the hotel pools.
Now, the details!
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 Daughters 3th birthday. Give her news of the trip for her birthday. (It will be a surprise up until then.)
Thursday, May 8, 2014 Travel day. Flight arriving at MCO around 10:30 am. Considering foregoing the Magic Express and booking a limo, so we can make a grocery stop for some snacks and spirits for our room. Upon arrival at the Contemporary resort, we will check in then have lunch at the Wave (Dining Credit #1 of 21). A bit of time at the pool, then we will head over to the Boardwalk to explore, and have dinner at the Big River Grilled and Brewing Company (DC #2/21). Back to the Contemporary by 10:05 to see the Electric Pageant pass.
Friday, May 9, 2014 Magic Kingdom Day. Breakfast at 8:15 at Cinderellas Table (DC #3&4/21). Exploring resort until lunch at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant (#5/21). More fun and exploring until dinner reservations at 6:30 at Tonys Town Square (#6/21). Stay late for the fireworks display.
Saturday, May 10, 2014 Epcot Day. 8:00 am breakfast at Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary Resort (#7/21). Off to Epcot for the day, with lunch at Yorkshire County Fish Shop (my husband is English, so this is a must-do!) (#8/21). Finish up the day with dinner at 6:30 at Chip & Dales Harvest Feast (#9/21). Stay late for Illuminations.
Sunday, May 11, 2014 Animal Kingdom. Beginning with a 8:00 am reservation at Donalds Safari Breakfast at the Tusker House. (#10/21) Then definitely doing the safari in the morning, followed by lunch at Restaurantasaurus (#11/21). For dinner, we will catch the monorail over to the Polynesian for a 6:30 reservation at the Kona Café (#12/21).
Monday, May 12, 2014 Back to Epcot. 8:30 breakfast reservation at Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Banquet Hall (#13/21). Then Lunch reservations at 12:30 at Coral Reef (#14/21). Finally, a 6:30 dinner reservation at the Biergarten (#15/21).
Tuesday, May 13, 2014 A free day (gasp!) to enjoy the resort, Bay Lake, the pool, golf, spa services, and/or Downtown Disney. Breakfast at the Wave (#16/21), lunch at Contempo Café (#17/21), and a special 6:30 dinner at the Grand Floridian, at Narcoossees (#18 & 19/21).
Wednesday, May 13, 2014 Last day for the Magic Kingdom. For breakfast, well use snack credits for pastries at Main Street Bakery. Lunch will be at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café (#20/21). Dinner reservations for 6:30 at the Crystal Palace (#21/21).
Thursday, May 14, 2014 Early flight back to Indianapolis. Will utilize the Magic Express to head back to the airport. Home a little after 1:00 in the afternoon.
So, is that doable? What am I missing? Is this too aggressive? Is there enough down time? Can a 3-year old handle a full week at Disney? Is 2 days at the Magic Kingdom and 2 days at Epcot sufficient? Should I substitute Animal Kingdom for something else?
Thanks in advance for your input! I'm open to feedback!
Im currently in the midst of planning an all-out Disney birthday surprise week for my 3-year old daughter. Admittedly, its a ways off (as shes currently 19 months old ), but I want to spare no detail and I want to provide her with a carefully planned extravaganza that will never be forgotten. Id like to go sooner, but I dont want to break the bank on something she wont remember. Weve thought about it, and 3 seems to be the perfect time for our first trip to WDW.
So, with that in mind, here is our plan. Please feel free to critique. Let me know if its too ambitious. Is my plan even doable? Am I not leaving enough downtime? Are we missing any must dos? Have I chosen right when it comes to accommodations? Most importantly, have I chosen the best restaurants to maximize my dining credits?
The travelers will be myself (I will be 33 at the time of travel), my husband (33), daughter (3), her grandfather (55), and her grandmother (51). We would like to stay together in one room, but as we wont be spending too much time in there, I cant justify the expense of a suite or club level. Otherwise, our budget is around $7000 for accommodations, food, and park admission. Spa services, golf, boating, souvenirs, etc. will be above and beyond that price. Flights will be paid for my frequent flier miles (one of the benefits of having a road warrior husband!)
I have decided to stay in the Contemporary Hotel for a number of reasons. The larger room size, monorail access (for quick trips back to the hotel for nap times and rests for little 3 year old feet), and proximity to the parks. We will be doing the Deluxe Dining plan, because we are big foodies and want to get our moneys worth at the fine dining establishments (as you will see, most of my plan centers around restaurants). No need for park hopper, as I have things planned out to spend full days at one park. Also, we have plenty of water parks near our home, so we will forego the water park add-on, and just get our water fix from Bay Lake and the hotel pools.
Now, the details!
Wednesday, May 7, 2014 Daughters 3th birthday. Give her news of the trip for her birthday. (It will be a surprise up until then.)
Thursday, May 8, 2014 Travel day. Flight arriving at MCO around 10:30 am. Considering foregoing the Magic Express and booking a limo, so we can make a grocery stop for some snacks and spirits for our room. Upon arrival at the Contemporary resort, we will check in then have lunch at the Wave (Dining Credit #1 of 21). A bit of time at the pool, then we will head over to the Boardwalk to explore, and have dinner at the Big River Grilled and Brewing Company (DC #2/21). Back to the Contemporary by 10:05 to see the Electric Pageant pass.
Friday, May 9, 2014 Magic Kingdom Day. Breakfast at 8:15 at Cinderellas Table (DC #3&4/21). Exploring resort until lunch at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant (#5/21). More fun and exploring until dinner reservations at 6:30 at Tonys Town Square (#6/21). Stay late for the fireworks display.
Saturday, May 10, 2014 Epcot Day. 8:00 am breakfast at Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary Resort (#7/21). Off to Epcot for the day, with lunch at Yorkshire County Fish Shop (my husband is English, so this is a must-do!) (#8/21). Finish up the day with dinner at 6:30 at Chip & Dales Harvest Feast (#9/21). Stay late for Illuminations.
Sunday, May 11, 2014 Animal Kingdom. Beginning with a 8:00 am reservation at Donalds Safari Breakfast at the Tusker House. (#10/21) Then definitely doing the safari in the morning, followed by lunch at Restaurantasaurus (#11/21). For dinner, we will catch the monorail over to the Polynesian for a 6:30 reservation at the Kona Café (#12/21).
Monday, May 12, 2014 Back to Epcot. 8:30 breakfast reservation at Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Banquet Hall (#13/21). Then Lunch reservations at 12:30 at Coral Reef (#14/21). Finally, a 6:30 dinner reservation at the Biergarten (#15/21).
Tuesday, May 13, 2014 A free day (gasp!) to enjoy the resort, Bay Lake, the pool, golf, spa services, and/or Downtown Disney. Breakfast at the Wave (#16/21), lunch at Contempo Café (#17/21), and a special 6:30 dinner at the Grand Floridian, at Narcoossees (#18 & 19/21).
Wednesday, May 13, 2014 Last day for the Magic Kingdom. For breakfast, well use snack credits for pastries at Main Street Bakery. Lunch will be at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café (#20/21). Dinner reservations for 6:30 at the Crystal Palace (#21/21).
Thursday, May 14, 2014 Early flight back to Indianapolis. Will utilize the Magic Express to head back to the airport. Home a little after 1:00 in the afternoon.
So, is that doable? What am I missing? Is this too aggressive? Is there enough down time? Can a 3-year old handle a full week at Disney? Is 2 days at the Magic Kingdom and 2 days at Epcot sufficient? Should I substitute Animal Kingdom for something else?
Thanks in advance for your input! I'm open to feedback!
