Need help planning Oct. trip

[cameron'smom]

This is our first time. We are a family of 10. We are staying off-site. Here is what I have planned so far: (using the Unofficial Guide to Disneyworld's best days to attend)
Saturday: Arrive
Sunday: Animal Kingdom
Monday: DHS
Tuesday: Magic Kingdom (possibly MNSSHP)
Wednesday: Relaxation Day/Outlet malls
Thursday: Epcot
Friday: Relax / no parks
Saturday: Leave

I need some help with what to do first at each park, where to eat, etc. The kids' ages are 12, 11, and 9.
Thanks!

 

[gismo1554]

This is our first time. We are a family of 10. We are staying off-site. Here is what I have planned so far: (using the Unofficial Guide to Disneyworld's best days to attend)
Saturday: Arrive
Sunday: Animal Kingdom
Monday: DHS
Tuesday: Magic Kingdom (possibly MNSSHP)
Wednesday: Relaxation Day/Outlet malls
Thursday: Epcot
Friday: Relax / no parks
Saturday: Leave

I need some help with what to do first at each park, where to eat, etc. The kids' ages are 12, 11, and 9.
Thanks!

Animal Kingdom - I always go and do the Safari first but if your kids are into rollercoasters make sure you go and get a Fast Pass for Expedition Everest first as this is one of the most popular rides. Eating, I have never been to the sitdown restaurant Yak & Yeti as its new. I have eaten at Restuarantarus and this is always good for a Counter Service meal (was mcdonalds food).

DHS - OK as has been recommended to me go straight to Toy Story Mania. Either try to get Fast Passes or queue but this is the most popular ride at the moment and can be 2 hour waits within an hour of park opening according to people on here. I love the Hollywood Brown Derby for a proper sit down meal (although not sure how the menu would appear to your ages). For counter service the Back Lot is always good for burgers!

Magic Kingdom - I think here there is no set plan on where is best to go but I was always told do it anti-clockwise. How true this is I do not know. I don't like any of the sit down meals here but love Columbia Harbour house as this does sandwiches and soup. For a good burger try Cosmic Rays.

EPCOT - OK I would definately go to Soarin first as this queue can be huge quickly. Also Mission Space gets a bit of a queue but no where near Soarin's. Food wise there is so much to choose from. Here are some of my favourites:
Counter service - Electric Umbrella for pizza, Sunshine Seasons for salads, Fish & Chip shop in UK for fish and chips, Yacatori House in Japan for Japanese Curry & Lotus Blossom Cafe in China for Orange Chicken
Sit Down - Marrakesh in Morrocco for an amasing mix of food (try the Bastilla!!!), Le Cellier in Canada, or Teppan Edo in Japan for lovely Japanese food cooked fresh in front of you.

 

[taliategan]

If you have 4-day tickets, the cost of increasing the tickets for extra days is minimal if you want to go any of the parks on the evening of your arrival day or one of your relax days. If you miss some things at one the parks, this may give you an opportunity to catch something you were not able to do or see illuminations, wishes or fantsamic a second time. We changed our 4 day ticket to a 5 day ticket for 4 people, and it was only an additional $ 8.00 total.