need help planning

[eve11ne]

hi, everyone...
i've been lurking for a while here and find so many good info
we're going to disney on may 11-14 (our first trip) and i haven't plan anything
can you help me plan this 'short' trip please? day by day...
we (me, dh, ds4, dd1, mil and fil) will drive to disney and arrive around 10 (hopefully before) at the hotel (cypress pointe grand villas) so which park should i go first after check in? (around 11 until lunch time)
then we plan to go back to hotel, take a nap then go back to the park (which park?) in the evening.
i really need your help for planning this... i got some things in mind but i need some suggestion...
thank you so much
eve

 

[ShellyMouse]

hi! and congrats on your 1st trip!!!

since you are staying off site, you must not have the dining plan, right? i was going to say you must make meal ressies right away! do you have park hopper passes? so, you can visit more than 1 park per day?

ok, if i had the same amount of days, here is what i would do......

*1st day, magic kingdom is THE MUST do!!

*2nd day, animal kingdom in the am (they say animals are most active for the safari in the am), go back to nap. then hit epcot for 1/2 day. AK closes at 5pm most days, and then you can catch illuminations at epcot at night.

*3rd day, magic kingdom in am, go nap, then mgm the second 1/2 of day and you can see fantasmic!

*4th day, magic kingdom!!!! until you leave!

i think with your kids being the age they are, the MK will be their favorite....

and you MUST make some meal reservations!! if you plan to eat on site!
i make ressies according to what park we will be in that day, so less ramming around from park to park.

would you like food recomendations?

JMO, have a great trip!!!

 

[eve11ne]

thanks!
and yes, i don't have dining plan and i would love to hear your recommendations. i'm thinking about chef mickey breakfast on the last day (ds is a big fan of mickey) and i think i'll skip cinderalla because dd is too young for that (maybe next time). what do you suggest?

 

[mommystieg]

We enjoy Chef Mickey's but have only had dinner there. There is just something so "Disney" about dining with Mickey and friends while the monorail whooshes by Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom is one of our favorite character meals. Here is a link to lots of great dining info as well as the menus: http://allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm
We rarely go back to the room to nap -- even staying onsite it can take over an hour to travel between the parks and the resorts. Our DD's will nap in the stroller really well so we just find a nice, air-conditioned place to hang out. With kids that age, 1/2 day at MGM is plenty. Fantasmic is awesome but be aware there are some periods of complete darkness as well as scary villian scenes, a huge snake and dragon and lots of fire. Your 4 year old may not enjoy this. I would also try to take time to visit Epcot -- this is one of our DDs' favorite parks. You will be there during the Flower and Garden Festival which is definitely worth a visit http://allearsnet.com/tp/ep/flogar.htm. I know some people do not feel the same way about Epcot as we do but I would strongly suggest this:
1st day - Epcot
2nd day - MK
3rd day - 1/2 AK and 1/2 MGM
4th day - MK
Good luck with your planning

 

[ShellyMouse]

here is what we like....


counter service..........table service

MK: comic rays, crystal palace (pooh and friends)

MGM: pizza planet (toy story), ?

Epcot: china (can't remember name), coral reef

AK: Flame tree BBQ, restaurantasauras(sp?)
(donald and friends, breakfast)


ALSO: chef mickeys!!!!! at contep. near mk
whispering canyon cafe (wl, near mk)(we haven't tried this, but will in dec!! can't wait to have dd ask for ketchup!! )

hmmmm, what else.....

 

[eve11ne]

I would also try to take time to visit Epcot -- this is one of our DDs' favorite parks. You will be there during the Flower and Garden Festival which is definitely worth a visit http://allearsnet.com/tp/ep/flogar.htm.

i was thinking about this flower festival too (i think mil will love it)
thank you for your suggestions...

 

[sameyeyam]

Congrats on 1st trip! Bet you'll be hooked like the rest of us!

I suggest the waterparks (Blizzard Beach (BB) & Typhoon Lagoon(TL)). Often they are overlooked, but they are wonderfully relaxing (especially TL). I would do one day at a theme park, one day at water park, alternating that way. Be sure to get at water parks when they open, usually minimal lines first 2 or 3 hours of day. Lazy rivers are a wonderful way to rest your feet that will be aching from a full day at the theme parks! There is something for every age group at the waterparks, they are relaxing (compared to theme parks), water feels great when it's hot.

I would make your table service reservations right away. It will make the difference between having another hamburger or hot dog for dinner, or having an enjoyable sit down dinner with your family. Ohana at the Polynesian Resort is my favorite, good food served family style and lots of fun for kids (they get to participate in limbo, hula lessons, coconut races, musical fun). If your 4YO DS isn't too shy, he will love it.

Enjoy your trip!