My Thanksgiving Itinerary - Help

[Lori S.]

OK, I'm scared, I'll be so upset if this plan is lousy, but here goes. . . (if this is the wrong forum to post this in, sorry, please move!)


Family of four (Mom, Dad, Daughter -8, Son-6)

Kids are totally excited, ready to ride everything, not afraid, and totally into disney! We are going for THEM (as we will enjoy everything they enjoy just as much - we are just big kids)

Thanksgiving week (I know, I know, but our only choice)
SAT -20th Arrive Pop Century mid afternoon, get in room, look around resort, then off to WL for Campfire and movie

Sun - MK (EMH) zoom, zoom, zoom, then to CRT for lunch, at 1:30; if we have time, we'll catch Share a Dream Come true then hop to Epcot

Finish day in Epcot - this is not a high priority for us, will hit the very major highlights, and see Illuminations. (no PS for this, will just watch from a spot I've already selected )


Monday - MGM do as much as possible, lunch at Sunset Ranch, def see Beauty and Beast, ride big rides, nothing else written in stone

Hop to MK around 6:00 to be ready for Spectro at 8:00 and then Wishes at 9:00

Tuesday - MK (we plan to spend majority of time in MK because it is a family fave)

Hop to MGM (be there by 7:45) for Fantasmic 8:30 showing

Wed - Sea World

Thursday (Thanksgiving) PS for Donalds Character Breakfast in AK - 8:20 Spend at least morning in AK, would like to see Jammin Jungle, but won't die if we can't. late lunch dinner combo - who knows where - not interested in traditional thanksgiving lunch -

late afternoon - to MGM for Osborne lights

Friday - MK (I told you we like MK) then hop to Epcot (PS for CP - show at 6:45; dinner at Garden Grill at 8:10


Ok the questions I have for you are:

1. overall is this ok
2. how long do we need to allow to hop
3. I'm nervous about ending our trip with Garden Grill, but I like that it's a character meal. I want fun to be the last memory. Will this be ok?

My kids are used to staying up kind of late, and I don't think the 10:00 nights will be a problem as long as we slow down and smell the roses during the day. I'm not opposed to hopping to our room during the day before the hop to the other park if necessary, thought we'd play by ear.

All input is appreciated.

 

[Sumac]

I think you've done a really good job selecting which park to visit on each day. I think you are going away from the crowds for the most part which is always a good thing.

It looks like you are catching the first night of the Candlelight Processional and I guess that is really your only option to see it. The only con with seeing that on your last day is that it really does lock you in to what you are doing and you aren't free to do other stuff or visit a different park if thats what you want to do. I only mention this because we did the CP package on our last night last year, and I didn't like having that last day set in stone - its kind of nice to go where you please.

On the whole, looks like a really good plan, and I'm sure your kids will hang in there as long as they get some break during the day and are able to sleep a little late (well for kids) on occasion.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

Looks like FUN. The only problems I might forsee would be that Thanksgiving week, you might not get into fantasmic by getting there only 45 min. early. Might want to get there eariler or consider a package. Also if it has been a while since the kids have been to Epcot, they might now want more time there. By 8 DS loved it almost as much as MK. Otherwise just wish we could join you!!!!



Jordans' mom

 

[mikesluss]

Looks great only thing is last day being booked we usually like that day to do whatever comes up or anything we missed
Oh and as for time to hop I would consider renting a car I know
I know but with children and staying at pop I would just being able to take off in your car and go to the other resorts or parks was great also if someone needs to go back to resort you have the option of staying or going by bus or car

 

[Lori S.]

Thanks you guys!

I know the CP on the last night isn't the best, but I really want to see this, and this is our only choice.

We will be driving down, so we could use our van if we needed to.

How long does it generally take to Hop??

 

[hezreck]

Being that you are going to be there at a very crowded time, I would give at least an hour to hop from park to park if using Disney Transportation.
Even longer if you are hopping when the park closes. Since you can't hop park to park, you have to go via another resort.

Try to shorten commutes after MK by walking to CR and then getting on Epcot bus. Same after MGM, walk to BW and get on bus from there. Hope that helps!

Have a great trip and Happy Thanksgiving!!

 

[llp479]

I was just checking hours for our 11/20 - 11/27 trip and the MK is now open until Midnight 11/21 - 11/27 with two showing of Spectro each night.

 

[Lollipop Mom]

I was just checking hours for our 11/20 - 11/27 trip and the MK is now open until Midnight 11/21 - 11/27 with two showing of Spectro each night.

Those changes are to be expected. They do that every year, they release a very conservative schedule and then update it. We are going 12/24 to 1/1 and they still only have one spectro per night on the schedule. Last year we went right after Christmas and by the time December rolled around there were 2 spectros and 3 Fantasmics every night.

 

[Doodlebug939]

I was so excited to read this post because we are going to Disney in a few days and then meeting up with the rest of the family the week of Thanksgiving and I was kinda bummed that we were doing the Fantasmic Dinner package and that ment we had to go to the 6:30 show of fantasmic. I didnt want the magic of our trip to end that way to be honest. I would have liked to play longer and then do the fantasmic later show. Now I can get the best of both worlds because I can go to Fantasmic early then hop over to MK and catch Wishes and Spectromagic. It is an absolutely wonderful way to end the trip!!!! Now I am excited.

 

[Kevenswife2]

Thanks Lollipop Mom for the 'heads up' on the time changes. 2 extra hours to play in the MK! Boy will I be tired for EE the next morning!

DH always says he needs a vacation after one of my WDW vacations. I have to get my moneys worth!

 

[Lori S.]

Is there a possibility they will add extra showings of Fantasmic other nights??