my itinerary....good or bad?

[la79al]

we are going for several days at the end of june. we are getting there on a saturday and going to gatorland (any opinions on this?) then sunday i had planned MK, monday Epcot in the a.m and MGM in the p.m. tuesday we are going to the marketplace and daytona beach. wednesday i had planned AK and then thursday and friday were extra days to get in what we missed. does anyone have any opinions on whether this schedule seems feasible? our rugrats are 8 1/2 and 4. the older one could stay up til 2 a.m. and be fine starting the next day at 7. the little one should probably be getting ready for bed by 11 or everyone will be miserable the next day. also any suggestions on what parades and fireworks are a must and which could be skipped? thanks...

 

[Buzz'n'Woody]

First the fireworks. MK's are outstanding, but don't miss Fantasmic at MGM. I would spend more time at MGM than a 1/2 day. Lots to do there. My kids (8, 5, 3) didn't like AK too much. You might want to spend less time there. Blizzard Beach was also a big hit. That might be a good time to split a day...hit there in the pm. Both Epcot and MGM were full day affairs for us. So much to see/do.

 

[Melissa]

I would avoid Mk on a Sunday. Anytime will be crowded but a weekend won't be good. Especially for Mk get there at opening! If they have AM extra magic hour at Mk use it, If you are on site.

 

[Liz]

We just returned a few days ago and spent part of one day at Gatorland. I really wouldn't recommend it. We went there because another family traveling with us had never really seen gators before, being from Utah. But we weren't impressed at all and didn't stay very long. We really couldn't wait to get out of there and only stayed as long as we did trying to get something out of it for the money we paid to get in.

You don't say where you are staying but perhaps a quiet evening just enjoying your hotel pool would be a fun alternative? Or go to the Marketplace that day? I don't see how you can fit in the marketplace and Daytona on the same day.

Have fun whatever you decide!

 

[Colinsmom]

Epcot is a better afternoon activity since the World Showcase doesn't open until later in the morning, but stays open later than most of the other parks (at least during the slow season, when I last visited). So maybe do MGM in the morning (I agree that isn't enough time - we spent a whole day here with 2.25 yo DS) and Epcot in the late afternoon/evening.

 

[Patsfan7]

I would avoid Mk on a Sunday. Anytime will be crowded but a weekend won't be good. Especially for Mk get there at opening! If they have AM extra magic hour at Mk use it, If you are on site.

I agree. We choose not to go to any park on a weekend. We try not to do MK on Monday or Friday either. We had lunch reservations at CRT on a Friday this last trip, and had to leave after b/c MK was so crowded.

Epcot is the one park that I could see myself going to on a weekend if we were crunched for time. It is spread out, and the crowds aren't so dense. I also agree with the poster that said that Epcot would take an enitre day. If you want to split that day up still, you could do Future world in the AM and move on to MGM in the PM. (View Fantasmic at night? We love MGM, and give it an entire day, but have not seen Fantasmic in WDW, we saw it in DL)

Then maybe go back to Epcot on one of your two days that are reserved to see anything you missed, and do World Showcase. On that visit, be sure to stay for Illuminations at night.

We have done AK a few times, each time differently. The first visit, it was so hot out, that we left by mid-day. The second visit, we only did the safari and left due to time constraints. This third time in January, we stayed until closing, (but we get a late start). The next time, I am going to try to schedule it on an extended park hour day to try to fit it all in, as we still have not seen Dinoland.

I hope this helped.

 

[Thinktinknpixiedust]

Definately skip Gatorland... if you must see them pull over to any body of fresh water and watch for a minute... don't get out of your car because they could be right on shore and you wouldn't see them right away. Listen, I know this well... we lived there for 8 years. While driving to Daytona Beach you'll go over the St. Johns River Bridge (huge one right around Deltona on I-4) That is as good a place as any to see them.