Maps are memorized, mommy's nuts! Disney here we come!
- Thread starter NewlyDisneyCrazed
- Start date
janabananas
DIS Veteran
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- Jun 19, 2011
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It is such a relief to discover I am not alone in my Dis-addiction!
I've subscribed so I can follow your plans and see if I need to add any to mine.
I second that emotion!!
Dbf almost has the Disneybug.... I am wearing him down!!
I love reading everyones PTR's and TR's. They are so much fun.
teekathepony
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2009
- Messages
- 4,777
WDWisTheBest
<font color=darkcoral>This is better than plan one
- Joined
- May 30, 2003
- Messages
- 3,531
Looking forward to this family having great fun at Pop and the WDW complex.
NewlyDisneyCrazed
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2011
- Messages
- 228
Day 1 - August 24th plans:
After a restful night in a Motor City motel (here's hoping!) we will have to be heading to the airport, via free shuttle, by around 9 ish for an 11:30 am flight. I don't want to risk getting held up in security, although I've scoured the AirTran website for all the rules and regulations so we shouldn't run into trouble.
DisTip#2: Airport security will even take away sunscreen in your purse if it violates the over 3 oz liquid rule. I was so sad when I read on here once that someone bought their special pricey brand of sunscreen just for their trip because they had sensitive skin and watched this full, brand-new bottle get thrown into the garbage right in front of them. Tiny bottles of sunscreen in purse or carry-on only!! (But do bring some with you to apply when you get into the Florida sun! You don't want to have to wait until your checked luggage arrives or have to buy the overpriced stuff at your resort shop.)
After clearing security we will hang out and try to enjoy the kids' first airport/airplane experience.
DisTip#3: You CAN bring drinks, etc that you buy in the waiting area onto the plane.
DisTip#4: Check your airline's fine print and if you have the opportunity to pay a bit extra to pre-select your seats, do it! I've read on here about people who didn't know you could do this and ended up with their child assigned a seat across the plane from them, sitting with strangers! This is by far the BEST thing I learned through fellow DISers. Having never flown with the kids before, I had no idea that they could/would separate a family. But they totally can/will if you don't choose your seats!
When it is time to board, we will find our seats. We chose window seats for each of the kids, one behind the other, and a parent beside each of them, which happens to give us aisle seats (great because we aren't tiny people!) I was so happy that, because we're taking a smallish plane, it worked out that we got this arrangement!
We land in Orlando at 2 pm and will head straight for Magical Express to get to POP Century as soon as possible. When we arrive (hopefully around 3ish), we will have a bit of time to check in and check out the resort. We'll also pick up our grocery order (not sure yet where we're getting them - probably Garden Grocer). We won't be able to linger around the resort for too long though since we have our first ADR at Kona Cafe at 5:30 pm. Originally I had wanted Ohana but after reading tips on here, I saw that Kona also has its pros. One being that many think the food is better. Also, I've heard that Ohana is really fun, but it is also a more time consuming dining experience. So, with kids who will be eager and excited to get moving, I think Kona Cafe will work out well. We can look forward to Ohana for our next trip! I'm also anticipating we'll want to have a bit of time to look around the Polynesian Resort before and/or after dinner. I'm fairly certain I will love this resort. I think I mentioned before that based on other TRs, I really want to stay at this resort someday!!! I'll let you know if it ends up being my favourite after the trip!
After looking at the menu, Kona is one restaurant where I can't for sure know in advance what I'll want to eat. The Asian noodles look great, but so does everything else. I'll take suggestions if anyone's eaten there before!
After dinner, I hope to be able to head to MK for the Electric Parade and Wishes. If we can squeeze in a couple of rides too, that would be great! I don't want to be too hardcore about this schedule because the kids might be absolutely exhausted from traveling but I would love to make this first night a later night and then go to bed earlier the next day so that we can wake up for Epcot EMH the morning after that. I'm definitely worried about sleep depriving my kids. They are good kids most of the time, but like all kids, they get pretty cranky when they're over-tired. I've got to remember that, even if it means doing less, what we do end up doing we'll want happy kids for it!
DisTip#5: Don't let your kids get too over-tired! (And maybe someday, just maybe, plan a kidless trip! Shhhh, don't tell them I said that!)
After a restful night in a Motor City motel (here's hoping!) we will have to be heading to the airport, via free shuttle, by around 9 ish for an 11:30 am flight. I don't want to risk getting held up in security, although I've scoured the AirTran website for all the rules and regulations so we shouldn't run into trouble.
DisTip#2: Airport security will even take away sunscreen in your purse if it violates the over 3 oz liquid rule. I was so sad when I read on here once that someone bought their special pricey brand of sunscreen just for their trip because they had sensitive skin and watched this full, brand-new bottle get thrown into the garbage right in front of them. Tiny bottles of sunscreen in purse or carry-on only!! (But do bring some with you to apply when you get into the Florida sun! You don't want to have to wait until your checked luggage arrives or have to buy the overpriced stuff at your resort shop.)
After clearing security we will hang out and try to enjoy the kids' first airport/airplane experience.
DisTip#3: You CAN bring drinks, etc that you buy in the waiting area onto the plane.
DisTip#4: Check your airline's fine print and if you have the opportunity to pay a bit extra to pre-select your seats, do it! I've read on here about people who didn't know you could do this and ended up with their child assigned a seat across the plane from them, sitting with strangers! This is by far the BEST thing I learned through fellow DISers. Having never flown with the kids before, I had no idea that they could/would separate a family. But they totally can/will if you don't choose your seats!
When it is time to board, we will find our seats. We chose window seats for each of the kids, one behind the other, and a parent beside each of them, which happens to give us aisle seats (great because we aren't tiny people!) I was so happy that, because we're taking a smallish plane, it worked out that we got this arrangement!
We land in Orlando at 2 pm and will head straight for Magical Express to get to POP Century as soon as possible. When we arrive (hopefully around 3ish), we will have a bit of time to check in and check out the resort. We'll also pick up our grocery order (not sure yet where we're getting them - probably Garden Grocer). We won't be able to linger around the resort for too long though since we have our first ADR at Kona Cafe at 5:30 pm. Originally I had wanted Ohana but after reading tips on here, I saw that Kona also has its pros. One being that many think the food is better. Also, I've heard that Ohana is really fun, but it is also a more time consuming dining experience. So, with kids who will be eager and excited to get moving, I think Kona Cafe will work out well. We can look forward to Ohana for our next trip! I'm also anticipating we'll want to have a bit of time to look around the Polynesian Resort before and/or after dinner. I'm fairly certain I will love this resort. I think I mentioned before that based on other TRs, I really want to stay at this resort someday!!! I'll let you know if it ends up being my favourite after the trip!
After looking at the menu, Kona is one restaurant where I can't for sure know in advance what I'll want to eat. The Asian noodles look great, but so does everything else. I'll take suggestions if anyone's eaten there before!
After dinner, I hope to be able to head to MK for the Electric Parade and Wishes. If we can squeeze in a couple of rides too, that would be great! I don't want to be too hardcore about this schedule because the kids might be absolutely exhausted from traveling but I would love to make this first night a later night and then go to bed earlier the next day so that we can wake up for Epcot EMH the morning after that. I'm definitely worried about sleep depriving my kids. They are good kids most of the time, but like all kids, they get pretty cranky when they're over-tired. I've got to remember that, even if it means doing less, what we do end up doing we'll want happy kids for it!
DisTip#5: Don't let your kids get too over-tired! (And maybe someday, just maybe, plan a kidless trip! Shhhh, don't tell them I said that!)
NewlyDisneyCrazed
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2011
- Messages
- 228
Yes, another post already! I took a break to put the kids to bed now I'm back! (Nothing else to do when you have to stay off your feet as much as possible. This back problem BETTER get resolved before August 23rd!!!)
Day 2 - Our day devoted to Magic Kingdom!
If Day 1 goes according to plan we will have seen the EP and Wishes. Depending on when we got back to POP and got to sleep, I will decide when to wake up the kids (or maybe just let them sleep if they need it!) If they happen to get up early, we can head to MK as early as 8 am as it is an EMH day. I'm not going to worry about rope drops this trip. But I do see the value in accomplishing a lot as early as possible before the heat and crowds get high in the afternoon. We'll have to see how it goes.
DisTip#6: Be at the park for rope drop. (We're ignoring this one!)
Anyway, not worrying about rope drops will allow us to get the sleep we need but I won't be letting anyone sleep the whole day away! My family is big on breakfast and none of us can be up very long before we need food. That is why we have requested a fridge and are ordering a few groceries. We can eat some fruit/yogurt/cereal etc. as we get ready for the day quickly in our room then head straight for the bus stop without having to stop at Everything Pop.
I don't have an exact touring plan for MK but I suspect we'll head to the "mountains" first as highly suggested by most guides. (Space M, BTMR, Splash M) I don't want to do too much backtracking with the kids though, so we'll just take it as it comes.
Our other "must dos" for the park are:
- It's a Small World (DD is convinced this is awesome, but if I remember correctly, it's a bit long and repetitive. Oh well, I'll have the Disney spirit and will enjoy having that song stuck in my head all day!)
- Buzz Lightyear's SRS (DS insisted on this one and I've heard it's good.)
- I have also heard good things about Mickey's Philharmagic, Monsters Inc, Jungle Cruise and Winnie the Pooh.
Did I miss anything?
We'll use fastpasses as wisely as possible. I think the consensus on the boards is if the wait for something is longer than 20 minutes, fastpass it.
DisTip#7: Use fastpasses wisely. Only FP if the regular queue is longer than 20 minutes.
We'll try to have our CS lunch on the early side for two reasons. One, our in-room breakfast will have been small and we'll be hungry and two, our ADR for dinner is at 5:05 pm which is pretty early. I have a list of most recommended CS restaurants at MK that provide variety. Here's what I've come up with from spending a lot of time in the restaurant threads (all second hand info but I trust you DISers!!):
- Columbia Harbour House has a lot of variety and choices
- Main Street Bakery has great sandwiches and cinnamon rolls to die for
- Cosmic Rays has chicken and good turkey wraps
- Pecos Bills is the way to go if we want to do the standard burger and fries thing (likely not)
I also want to see the Dream Come True parade at 3:00 pm. This brings me to a few other tips.
DisTip#8: Take an afternoon break. (While I agree in principal, we're likely going to ignore this tip too for our MK day as we want to squeeze as much in before our dinner ADR.)
DisTip#9: Bring things to stay cool in the afternoon heat if you don't plan on taking a break. Ie. Misty fans, wet bandanas, ice packs, etc.
DisTip#10: Also bring rain ponchos. (Especially if you're going in August or September. It will rain! Likely every afternoon! But it's usually over quickly.) They sell ponchos there but they are expensive. You can get them really cheap at your local Walmart.
So hopefully we will have done lots of rides, had an early lunch, done more rides, watched the parade and squeezed in another ride or two before heading to Wilderness Lodge for our 5:05 pm ADR at Whispering Canyon Cafe. It's only a boat ride away from MK and the kids are excited about this mode of transportation. There is no question that I'm going to have the Famous Canyon Skillet here. (Duh!) I've also heard they do something special here but I read a post that said "Don't read this if you want to be surprised at WCC" so I actually didn't read it. I guess even a ridiculous planner wants to surprised every now and then. If anyone knows what this is, please don't tell me. But if you've eaten here and are thinking, "there's no surprise" then tell me that so I'm not disappointed! Thanks!!
After dinner, we will tour WL and then likely head back to POP. We will spend a quiet evening there (it will be one of our few opportunities just to enjoy the resort). Hopefully we'll all be exhausted enough to go to bed early because I've got HUGE plans for our Epcot day the next day!
DisTip#11: There is no resort-resort transportation so we'll have to go back to MK to catch the bus to POP. Everyone probably already knows this but I didn't until I came across it on these boards. So you never know...
Day 2 - Our day devoted to Magic Kingdom!
If Day 1 goes according to plan we will have seen the EP and Wishes. Depending on when we got back to POP and got to sleep, I will decide when to wake up the kids (or maybe just let them sleep if they need it!) If they happen to get up early, we can head to MK as early as 8 am as it is an EMH day. I'm not going to worry about rope drops this trip. But I do see the value in accomplishing a lot as early as possible before the heat and crowds get high in the afternoon. We'll have to see how it goes.
DisTip#6: Be at the park for rope drop. (We're ignoring this one!)
Anyway, not worrying about rope drops will allow us to get the sleep we need but I won't be letting anyone sleep the whole day away! My family is big on breakfast and none of us can be up very long before we need food. That is why we have requested a fridge and are ordering a few groceries. We can eat some fruit/yogurt/cereal etc. as we get ready for the day quickly in our room then head straight for the bus stop without having to stop at Everything Pop.
I don't have an exact touring plan for MK but I suspect we'll head to the "mountains" first as highly suggested by most guides. (Space M, BTMR, Splash M) I don't want to do too much backtracking with the kids though, so we'll just take it as it comes.
Our other "must dos" for the park are:
- It's a Small World (DD is convinced this is awesome, but if I remember correctly, it's a bit long and repetitive. Oh well, I'll have the Disney spirit and will enjoy having that song stuck in my head all day!)
- Buzz Lightyear's SRS (DS insisted on this one and I've heard it's good.)
- I have also heard good things about Mickey's Philharmagic, Monsters Inc, Jungle Cruise and Winnie the Pooh.
Did I miss anything?
We'll use fastpasses as wisely as possible. I think the consensus on the boards is if the wait for something is longer than 20 minutes, fastpass it.
DisTip#7: Use fastpasses wisely. Only FP if the regular queue is longer than 20 minutes.
We'll try to have our CS lunch on the early side for two reasons. One, our in-room breakfast will have been small and we'll be hungry and two, our ADR for dinner is at 5:05 pm which is pretty early. I have a list of most recommended CS restaurants at MK that provide variety. Here's what I've come up with from spending a lot of time in the restaurant threads (all second hand info but I trust you DISers!!):
- Columbia Harbour House has a lot of variety and choices
- Main Street Bakery has great sandwiches and cinnamon rolls to die for
- Cosmic Rays has chicken and good turkey wraps
- Pecos Bills is the way to go if we want to do the standard burger and fries thing (likely not)
I also want to see the Dream Come True parade at 3:00 pm. This brings me to a few other tips.
DisTip#8: Take an afternoon break. (While I agree in principal, we're likely going to ignore this tip too for our MK day as we want to squeeze as much in before our dinner ADR.)
DisTip#9: Bring things to stay cool in the afternoon heat if you don't plan on taking a break. Ie. Misty fans, wet bandanas, ice packs, etc.
DisTip#10: Also bring rain ponchos. (Especially if you're going in August or September. It will rain! Likely every afternoon! But it's usually over quickly.) They sell ponchos there but they are expensive. You can get them really cheap at your local Walmart.
So hopefully we will have done lots of rides, had an early lunch, done more rides, watched the parade and squeezed in another ride or two before heading to Wilderness Lodge for our 5:05 pm ADR at Whispering Canyon Cafe. It's only a boat ride away from MK and the kids are excited about this mode of transportation. There is no question that I'm going to have the Famous Canyon Skillet here. (Duh!) I've also heard they do something special here but I read a post that said "Don't read this if you want to be surprised at WCC" so I actually didn't read it. I guess even a ridiculous planner wants to surprised every now and then. If anyone knows what this is, please don't tell me. But if you've eaten here and are thinking, "there's no surprise" then tell me that so I'm not disappointed! Thanks!!
After dinner, we will tour WL and then likely head back to POP. We will spend a quiet evening there (it will be one of our few opportunities just to enjoy the resort). Hopefully we'll all be exhausted enough to go to bed early because I've got HUGE plans for our Epcot day the next day!
DisTip#11: There is no resort-resort transportation so we'll have to go back to MK to catch the bus to POP. Everyone probably already knows this but I didn't until I came across it on these boards. So you never know...
NewlyDisneyCrazed
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2011
- Messages
- 228
I'm on a roll and not sleepy yet so I'll do one more day...
There's so much I want to do in Epcot and this will likely be our only day there so this will probably be a day that I ask for a wake up call. (Of course it all depends if things went according to plan the night before!)
So, up early, in-room breakfast and off to the bus to Epcot. It's much closer to POP than MK. I'm hoping to be there in time to take advantage of at least some of the EMH. (So before 9 am. Closer to 8 if we can do it!)
We will of course head to the same place everyone goes when they get into Future World, Soarin'! I don't really know what to expect for this ride, I've never been on it. All I know is that nearly EVERYONE I've "met" on DISboards and in person who has been said it cannot be missed. So it can't!
I won't list our "must dos" for Future World because I literally want to do everything. Is that even possible?? There is nothing on the map of Future World that I look at and say, "nah, doesn't look good." We'll just have to do the best we can, FP wisely and see how much we can accomplish.
We will wait until World Showcase opens at 11:00 am to check out a spot for lunch. There are so many great places to eat in Epcot that I'm not sure we'll be able to pick! I'm thinking the front-runners for our CS lunch are:
- England for fish and chips
- Morocco for hummus, etc
- Japan for sushi
- Or Sunshine Seasons which seems to be highly recommended
Decisions, decisions!! (We'll have to see what we feel like that day.)
The afternoon is where there is some flexibility. I will want to tour around World Showcase but I'm afraid the kids will be tired and hot as there is not as many rides or air conditioned shows to keep them occupied and cool. We could also do more Future World stuff. Depending on how everyone is feeling, I also wouldn't be opposed to having a hotel rest/swim in the afternoon then head back to Epcot again for dinner and Illuminations. This is another "we'll have to wait and see" part of the trip!
Whatever we decide to do, we'll have to be back in Norway for our Akershus Princess Storybook Dining ADR at 5:20 pm. Our first character meal! I've already convinced the kids that it won't be wise to wait in lineups at the parks to meet the characters because we have a few character meals planned to meet the main ones. This is our first one and you might be thinking that it is more geared to DD but DS is also very excited to meet the princesses. What little guy doesn't want his picture taken with beautiful girls?? The menu here looks delightful and it's a "family style" service so it will be interesting and different. I'm looking forward to pretending we are royalty and fancy and meeting all the princesses. (Yes, the character meals are for me too!!!!)
DisTip#12: Buy or bring autograph books for the characters to sign!! (This might be another one everyone thought of but me...I didn't think of it until I started reading TRs!)
After dinner we'll keep touring World Showcase and scope out a good spot to see Illuminations at 9:00 pm. We'll be very ready to crawl into bed after our busy, busy first few days. But don't worry! I planned a sleep in day for Day 4. Sort of a rest day! (A kind of busy rest day!) Details to follow! Stay tuned!
There's so much I want to do in Epcot and this will likely be our only day there so this will probably be a day that I ask for a wake up call. (Of course it all depends if things went according to plan the night before!)
So, up early, in-room breakfast and off to the bus to Epcot. It's much closer to POP than MK. I'm hoping to be there in time to take advantage of at least some of the EMH. (So before 9 am. Closer to 8 if we can do it!)
We will of course head to the same place everyone goes when they get into Future World, Soarin'! I don't really know what to expect for this ride, I've never been on it. All I know is that nearly EVERYONE I've "met" on DISboards and in person who has been said it cannot be missed. So it can't!
I won't list our "must dos" for Future World because I literally want to do everything. Is that even possible?? There is nothing on the map of Future World that I look at and say, "nah, doesn't look good." We'll just have to do the best we can, FP wisely and see how much we can accomplish.
We will wait until World Showcase opens at 11:00 am to check out a spot for lunch. There are so many great places to eat in Epcot that I'm not sure we'll be able to pick! I'm thinking the front-runners for our CS lunch are:
- England for fish and chips
- Morocco for hummus, etc
- Japan for sushi
- Or Sunshine Seasons which seems to be highly recommended
Decisions, decisions!! (We'll have to see what we feel like that day.)
The afternoon is where there is some flexibility. I will want to tour around World Showcase but I'm afraid the kids will be tired and hot as there is not as many rides or air conditioned shows to keep them occupied and cool. We could also do more Future World stuff. Depending on how everyone is feeling, I also wouldn't be opposed to having a hotel rest/swim in the afternoon then head back to Epcot again for dinner and Illuminations. This is another "we'll have to wait and see" part of the trip!
Whatever we decide to do, we'll have to be back in Norway for our Akershus Princess Storybook Dining ADR at 5:20 pm. Our first character meal! I've already convinced the kids that it won't be wise to wait in lineups at the parks to meet the characters because we have a few character meals planned to meet the main ones. This is our first one and you might be thinking that it is more geared to DD but DS is also very excited to meet the princesses. What little guy doesn't want his picture taken with beautiful girls?? The menu here looks delightful and it's a "family style" service so it will be interesting and different. I'm looking forward to pretending we are royalty and fancy and meeting all the princesses. (Yes, the character meals are for me too!!!!)
DisTip#12: Buy or bring autograph books for the characters to sign!! (This might be another one everyone thought of but me...I didn't think of it until I started reading TRs!)
After dinner we'll keep touring World Showcase and scope out a good spot to see Illuminations at 9:00 pm. We'll be very ready to crawl into bed after our busy, busy first few days. But don't worry! I planned a sleep in day for Day 4. Sort of a rest day! (A kind of busy rest day!) Details to follow! Stay tuned!
/
teekathepony
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2009
- Messages
- 4,777
Oooh an interesting one. I'll be reading what you thought of it! I've avoided Kona and anything Polynesian because I'm a picky eater, but it would be nice to hear a few more first-hand reviews.
I hope your back gets better in a jiffy!
I don't do it either. After a long long day previously, it's not a good idea to force me out of bed too early
I usually end up at the parks around 10-20 minutes after opening. In value season it has never mattered. 
-You're right on iasw
It's a must-do for me too. Something about it is very much Disney to me. I adore Buzz!! Did you miss Pirates of the Caribbean? I might have missed seeing it.Re: Epcot --
Soarin' is the most amazing ride, really. I'm probably just repeating what you've heard, but it's really hard to explain to someone who hasn't done it just why it's so special. You really do feel like you're flying.
My own little tip: If you want to do everything in Future World, but are concerned about everyone getting hot and tired, but don't particularly want to go back to the hotel, as long as you don't mind back-tracking a little you could leave out Ellen's Energy Adventure, Living with the Land, and/or The Seas with Nemo and Friends. All are quiet and cool and get you off your feet for a little (especially Ellen's which is 45 minutes long!) If you leave them out of your morning touring, find yourself in the middle of the afternoon absolutely knackered, head back to them and chill out for a bit.
Love the plans! Can't wait to see the rest!
spartankid34
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2011
- Messages
- 806
Looks GREAT so far!! I'm sending healing thoughts for your back, feel better soon!!!
POTC is definitely a "must"!
As for QS, I've had Columbia Harbour House and Cosmic Ray's... both are good. I'd say let your location in the park determine where your QS meal is... no sense in trekking all the way to one side of the park just for a QS meal (but that's just my opinion) Cosmic Ray's has a good variety, and you get a TON of food. CHH is good, too, and they have seating upstairs that apparently not many people know about.
You know your kids better than anyone, but we ignored the "take an afternoon break" tip, too. Even on our first trip, when my girls were just 4 and 6. We hit the parks at rope drop and kept going! Of course, there are attractions and shows that you can do in the afternoon to get a "break".
WCC is great! We had dinner there for the 1st time last year and really enjoyed it. We all got the Canyon Skillet and it is sooooo yummy!
My suggestion for touring the World Showcase would be to start in Canada and work your way counter-clockwise. My reasons being:
- Mexico and Norway are the only pavilions with a "ride"... making these last would give the kids something to look forward to (my DDs knew these were the only rides in the WS, and had we started with them and then had the kids tour the other countries with "nothing fun to do", I would have had a mutiny!
- your dinner ADR is in Norway, so heading that way last would mean you don't have to backtrack
So you could wait to start on the countries until after lunch. Do as much in Future World as you can, grab lunch at Sunshine Seasons (in The Land) and then start with Canada.
Have fun with the Princesses at dinner! We did lunch there on our 1st trip and enjoyed the interaction with all the Princesses (the food, notsomuch)
As for QS, I've had Columbia Harbour House and Cosmic Ray's... both are good. I'd say let your location in the park determine where your QS meal is... no sense in trekking all the way to one side of the park just for a QS meal (but that's just my opinion) Cosmic Ray's has a good variety, and you get a TON of food. CHH is good, too, and they have seating upstairs that apparently not many people know about.
You know your kids better than anyone, but we ignored the "take an afternoon break" tip, too. Even on our first trip, when my girls were just 4 and 6. We hit the parks at rope drop and kept going! Of course, there are attractions and shows that you can do in the afternoon to get a "break".
WCC is great! We had dinner there for the 1st time last year and really enjoyed it. We all got the Canyon Skillet and it is sooooo yummy!
My suggestion for touring the World Showcase would be to start in Canada and work your way counter-clockwise. My reasons being:
- Mexico and Norway are the only pavilions with a "ride"... making these last would give the kids something to look forward to (my DDs knew these were the only rides in the WS, and had we started with them and then had the kids tour the other countries with "nothing fun to do", I would have had a mutiny!
- your dinner ADR is in Norway, so heading that way last would mean you don't have to backtrack
So you could wait to start on the countries until after lunch. Do as much in Future World as you can, grab lunch at Sunshine Seasons (in The Land) and then start with Canada.
Have fun with the Princesses at dinner! We did lunch there on our 1st trip and enjoyed the interaction with all the Princesses (the food, notsomuch)
NewlyDisneyCrazed
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2011
- Messages
- 228
Oh my gosh, THANK YOU! That is a perfect plan!! I'm so glad there are some experienced Disney people out there looking out for us relative newbies! I think we'll totally do that!
And yes, I didn't mention POTC. I'm sure we'll do it, but I didn't have it on my must dos. By the looks of things from people on here, I'll add it to that list!
And I'm so excited about Soarin'! I'm sure I'll find out why when I'm on it!!
NewlyDisneyCrazed
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2011
- Messages
- 228
As for QS, I've had Columbia Harbour House and Cosmic Ray's... both are good. I'd say let your location in the park determine where your QS meal is... no sense in trekking all the way to one side of the park just for a QS meal (but that's just my opinion) Cosmic Ray's has a good variety, and you get a TON of food. CHH is good, too, and they have seating upstairs that apparently not many people know about.
You know your kids better than anyone, but we ignored the "take an afternoon break" tip, too. Even on our first trip, when my girls were just 4 and 6. We hit the parks at rope drop and kept going! Of course, there are attractions and shows that you can do in the afternoon to get a "break".
WCC is great! We had dinner there for the 1st time last year and really enjoyed it. We all got the Canyon Skillet and it is sooooo yummy!
My suggestion for touring the World Showcase would be to start in Canada and work your way counter-clockwise. My reasons being:
- Mexico and Norway are the only pavilions with a "ride"... making these last would give the kids something to look forward to (my DDs knew these were the only rides in the WS, and had we started with them and then had the kids tour the other countries with "nothing fun to do", I would have had a mutiny!
- your dinner ADR is in Norway, so heading that way last would mean you don't have to backtrack
So you could wait to start on the countries until after lunch. Do as much in Future World as you can, grab lunch at Sunshine Seasons (in The Land) and then start with Canada.
Have fun with the Princesses at dinner! We did lunch there on our 1st trip and enjoyed the interaction with all the Princesses (the food, notsomuch)
Wow! THANKS! Again, amazing feedback! You are all the best! We will for sure do WS in counter clockwise order. Thanks for your QS meal recommendations! I'm sorry to hear that the food at Akershus isn't great but we're really going for the princesses!
NewlyDisneyCrazed
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2011
- Messages
- 228
It's official! I got an email today confirming that our trip is PAID IN FULL! Woohoo!! It seems so real now!
Day 4 - August 27 - I'm calling this a "rest" day because it's not planned to be a long day at the parks. But there's still so much I want to do....
First, we'll have a bit of sleep in time. Or if sleep's not in the cards, maybe some early morning pool time or just hanging out in Classic Hall (I think our package comes with arcade credits or something.)
Then we'll head off to our 10:30 am breakfast ADR at Chef Mickey's for some fun character interaction and our first buffet. (We love buffets!)
Then, hopefully, we'll spend the afternoon at Typhoon Lagoon! We're not a huge water slide family but we love wave pools and I really really want to swim with the sharks!! (I might be doing that alone while the rest of the family watches from the port holes!) It will be more "restful" than a park day if we're just swimming and not really walking much or waiting in tons of lineups.
If the weather is totally uncooperative, making a water park pointless, our plan B is to go to Downtown Disney and Disney Quest. Ideally it would be great to make this a water park and Disney Quest day but with the way the Water Parks and More tickets work I think we can only do one or the other in one day.
So after Typhoon Lagoon closes (assuming that's where we've been) we'll have a free evening. There's lots of possibilities for this night and it will totally depend on how the first few days went and how we're feeling. Here are some of our choices:
- hang out at POP
- go to Downtown Disney without doing Disney Quest
- go back to Epcot or Magic Kingdom to do anything we missed or loved and want to do again
- go to Hollywood Studios to see Fantasmic even though that's technically scheduled for the next night. But if we're up for it, it might be good to do it in case we're too tired the next night after a full day at HS. (And I DON'T want to miss this show! I HAVE to see it at some point! I hope it's not over-rated! Thoughts?) Note to self: double check dates for Fantasmic first!! Although I do think I've heard somewhere that they've decided to run it every night in August.
What do you think we should do?
I'm sure our CS meal and snack credits will get us through the rest of the day for eating and we have no set plans for that. It depends where we are! I kinda like the freedom of not absolutely having to be anywhere after breakfast this day!
So yes, it will be more restful than the other days, but still busy. Hopefully we'll rest up enough to be ready to tackle HS and AK and do them justice on days 5 & 6!!
Day 4 - August 27 - I'm calling this a "rest" day because it's not planned to be a long day at the parks. But there's still so much I want to do....
First, we'll have a bit of sleep in time. Or if sleep's not in the cards, maybe some early morning pool time or just hanging out in Classic Hall (I think our package comes with arcade credits or something.)
Then we'll head off to our 10:30 am breakfast ADR at Chef Mickey's for some fun character interaction and our first buffet. (We love buffets!)
Then, hopefully, we'll spend the afternoon at Typhoon Lagoon! We're not a huge water slide family but we love wave pools and I really really want to swim with the sharks!! (I might be doing that alone while the rest of the family watches from the port holes!) It will be more "restful" than a park day if we're just swimming and not really walking much or waiting in tons of lineups.
If the weather is totally uncooperative, making a water park pointless, our plan B is to go to Downtown Disney and Disney Quest. Ideally it would be great to make this a water park and Disney Quest day but with the way the Water Parks and More tickets work I think we can only do one or the other in one day.
So after Typhoon Lagoon closes (assuming that's where we've been) we'll have a free evening. There's lots of possibilities for this night and it will totally depend on how the first few days went and how we're feeling. Here are some of our choices:
- hang out at POP
- go to Downtown Disney without doing Disney Quest
- go back to Epcot or Magic Kingdom to do anything we missed or loved and want to do again
- go to Hollywood Studios to see Fantasmic even though that's technically scheduled for the next night. But if we're up for it, it might be good to do it in case we're too tired the next night after a full day at HS. (And I DON'T want to miss this show! I HAVE to see it at some point! I hope it's not over-rated! Thoughts?) Note to self: double check dates for Fantasmic first!! Although I do think I've heard somewhere that they've decided to run it every night in August.
What do you think we should do?
I'm sure our CS meal and snack credits will get us through the rest of the day for eating and we have no set plans for that. It depends where we are! I kinda like the freedom of not absolutely having to be anywhere after breakfast this day!
So yes, it will be more restful than the other days, but still busy. Hopefully we'll rest up enough to be ready to tackle HS and AK and do them justice on days 5 & 6!!
ZFamily5
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2010
- Messages
- 888
When we have extra time we love to go to Downtown Disney and go to the World of Disney store and Once Upon a Toy! Even if we aren't buying anything, it's fun to browse!
NewlyDisneyCrazed
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2011
- Messages
- 228
Thanks for the tip!! I've heard that DD is awesome and fun for the kids even if you don't buy stuff. I have to prepare the kids for the "just looking" experience. They will want to buy everything, but they are usually cooperative if they know what to expect ahead of time!
ZFamily5
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 13, 2010
- Messages
- 888
I don't know how you handle souveniers, but my parents always tell us the amount of "souvenier money" we have on the first night. It's up to spend it whenever/however we want, but when it's gone, it's gone. Anything else we want has to come out of our own money.
teekathepony
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2009
- Messages
- 4,777
First, YAYYY for Paid in Full emails!! 
This day sounds lovely, nice and restful. I swam with the sharks at TL! It's fun, but they're mostly bottom-feeder types and don't look scary at all. My DH LOVED Disney Quest (and he was 22 last time he went! ) I wasn't a fan but I never like arcades. There are some pretty fun things though. Check on your ticket... it seemed to me that when we used it we could do water parks and DQ in the same day.. I could definitely be wrong though.
As for what to do after TL, I like to play it by ear. You never know until you get there what you might have missed previous days -- some ride that was down or a line that was too long. If there's really nothing you missed, check the crowd reports/predictions for DHS that night and the next to see which is the less busy night to go to Fantasmic. If it's this night, then do that, that way on the busier night you're free to wander the park and ride the rides while almost everyone else is lining up for the show.
This day sounds lovely, nice and restful. I swam with the sharks at TL! It's fun, but they're mostly bottom-feeder types and don't look scary at all
. My DH LOVED Disney Quest (and he was 22 last time he went! ) I wasn't a fan but I never like arcades. There are some pretty fun things though. Check on your ticket... it seemed to me that when we used it we could do water parks and DQ in the same day.. I could definitely be wrong though.As for what to do after TL, I like to play it by ear. You never know until you get there what you might have missed previous days -- some ride that was down or a line that was too long. If there's really nothing you missed, check the crowd reports/predictions for DHS that night and the next to see which is the less busy night to go to Fantasmic. If it's this night, then do that, that way on the busier night you're free to wander the park and ride the rides while almost everyone else is lining up for the show.
cam&phoebsmom
counting down the days until our next trip...
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2008
- Messages
- 761
We love EPCOT-with the ages of your kids I would recommend doing the Kim Possible missions to be able to move through the World Showcase. Totally fun and interactive, and when you want to take a break or stop you can. 
We haven't been to Downtown Disney, but I'm going to make sure we go on our next family trip. My DDs would absolutely love the Lego store!
My DDs weren't interested in the Kim Possible missions at Epcot last year... but I now wish we had done it. I think they would've had fun with it, and I've read that you get a lot if "inside" info about the countries. Maybe we'll have to do that next time, too!
Personally, I am not a fan of the Fantasmic! show. We saw it on our first trip 3 years ago, and once was enough for me. I honestly don't remember much about the show itself (so I guess I didn't think it was that great, if I can't remember any of it, LOL) I don't like how you have to get there 45 to 60 minutes in advance if you want a decent seat, and I also don't like how there's just one way in. Which means there's just one way out! I nearly had a panic attack when the mass exodus started... the whole crowd trying to leave the theater at the same time!
I was so afraid of losing sight of one or both of my DDs!
Again, that's just my take on F!... lots of people seem to love it.
My DDs weren't interested in the Kim Possible missions at Epcot last year... but I now wish we had done it. I think they would've had fun with it, and I've read that you get a lot if "inside" info about the countries. Maybe we'll have to do that next time, too!
Personally, I am not a fan of the Fantasmic! show. We saw it on our first trip 3 years ago, and once was enough for me. I honestly don't remember much about the show itself (so I guess I didn't think it was that great, if I can't remember any of it, LOL) I don't like how you have to get there 45 to 60 minutes in advance if you want a decent seat, and I also don't like how there's just one way in. Which means there's just one way out! I nearly had a panic attack when the mass exodus started... the whole crowd trying to leave the theater at the same time!
I was so afraid of losing sight of one or both of my DDs!Again, that's just my take on F!... lots of people seem to love it.
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