Need Reassurance - Feeling Overwhelmed by Choices and Issues

[ZehnJahren]

I think you missed the number 1 before the must do. Each member gets 1 per park. That's it. Everything else is just "it's nice we got to do that too". So, go through each park and pick your absolute 2 you have to go to, and 3 others that are really close. Then, everything else will be nice, but not a necessity.

Oh no, I got it. For example - our must-do at MK is Spectromagic/Wishes (which looked like they ran on the same nights all week), our must-do at DHS is Fantasmic, our must-do at Epcot is Illuminations, and our must-do at AK (which we don't know at ALL) is EE. So, three of those are major events that the park calendar had on conflicting days (and keep in mind I am going off of the park calendar on Disney's official site, which says Illuminations is on M &T, Specro/Wishes on M & W, Fantasmic on M & Th, etc.).

For example, I wanted to go to MK on our first day (as always - and would take care of Spectromagic and Wishes) and then MVMCP on Thursday. But if we go to MK on day 1 and MVMCP on Thursday, we miss Fantasmic because those are the only two nights it's showing. But if we change our MVMCP to Tuesday, we end up late at MK on two consecutive nights when we only have five nights to begin with. This means we end up on a "half-day" at one park on our second day (and, a second long night after our first, which means recovery on Wednesday - those parks are big!!). If we switch Epcot to day one (Illuminations) and then MK on day 2, then we don't do the first day at MK like I wanted, but it opens up Thursday to DHS. But I don't want to do AK on Friday, because we're going to Epcot for the late hours, since we're leaving late on Saturday and may run to the parks for a few hours that morning. And if we leave AK to the last day, what if we like it and wish we'd have gone earlier in the week?! However, I know we'll need a rest that week, a proper rest, and I want to go to DTD for a bit - thought that could be Wednesday afternoon.

DBF and I are both pretty fit, but even I know that we'll be falling into bed exhausted every night if I plan out everything the way I want it!! I need to be ok with everything we do and anything we miss.

And besides a tour (which I can see not spending time on this trip - thanks for pointing that out!), what else is a good "first-timer" thing? I feel like it's been ten years since i went last. ... ... oh wait, it has.

 

[TillyMarigold]

Both Illuminations and Wishes are every night, unless the park is closing early for some reason like a hard-ticket party. SpectroMagic is usually 3-4 times a week and Fantasmic 2-3. Is there some reason you can't see Wishes on your MVMCP night?

If you're only doing 5 nights, I'd say to only choose 2 night time shows as your must-dos, unless you're actually people who go on vacation solely to see fireworks. I mean, are you seriously saying that more than anything else, more than any ride or show or restaurant or anything, what you most want to see is three fireworks shows?

 

[Esteri]

Oh good, you're breathing again. You've received a ton of great advice, I agree with all of it - but I'm not going to echo it. (Just go back re-read it all and pretend it came from me. )

It's seems like you're going to have to make some priority calls here. One of the things we do is ask everyone in the family - what are the five things you have to do or it's not a vacation, and rank them from 1 to 5. Understand - that's 5 things for a 10 day vacation, but there are four of us. Fortunately, the boys tend to repeat each other.

From your earlier post it looks like you're got five things on your list: Spectro/Wishes, Illuminations, Fantasmic, EE, and MVMCP. Have you ranked them from 1 to 5? This becomes important when priority calls (like the one you're facing) need to be made.

The only other piece of advice I'd add is to remember the purpose of a prioritized plan....

The purpose of a plan is NOT to control chaos. Chaos can not be controlled. Change WILL occur. (If you can get over that now, you'll be a much happier vacationer. ) The purpose of a plan is to know how to respond when chaos does occur. It allows you the freedom to be "spontaneous" and still achieve from your vacation what is most important to achieve.

So, be clear in your mind what's most important here - time to be with someone, not making that last show - right? Pick out the 3-5 things you feel you really need to do. Hold all that as you complete the rest of your planning. Plan to your heart's content. And the be willing to toss the entire thing the day you arrive and things start to change.

Because there's only one thing I can guarantee WILL happen... your plan will not survive the entire trip unchanged. And that's GREAT, because it means you are able to respond to the needs of the moment so you'll have a better vacation.

Oh, and don't forget to BREATHE!
.

 

[ZehnJahren]

I mean, are you seriously saying that more than anything else, more than any ride or show or restaurant or anything, what you most want to see is three fireworks shows?

Yeah, my DBF is a huge fan of pyrotechnics (as well as a schooled actor and computer genius [my personal assessment]), so when we watched History Channel's "Modern Marvels," he immediately said he wanted to see Illuminations above all else. And I personally am a big "nighttime parade" fan, having also worked for many years at another theme park (which will remain anonymous) and being involved with their nighttime parade. As a kid, the Main Street Electrical Parade was better to me than anything else I could think of; I really want to see Spectromagic this time - and according to the current hours posted on the website, I can see both Spectro and Wishes on one night, which would be preferable and which is why I listed them together.

 

[arielmomma]

Just keep breathing. I will not repeat everyone's good advice. I will say that DH and I went to WDW every year for several years without a lick of planning and we always had a wonderful time. You will too. Don't try to over do it. You want to leave some things for all of those future trips!

 

[siskaren]

Both Illuminations and Wishes are every night, unless the park is closing early for some reason like a hard-ticket party. SpectroMagic is usually 3-4 times a week and Fantasmic 2-3. Is there some reason you can't see Wishes on your MVMCP night?

SpectroMagic is only airing 2 nights during the time that the OP is going to be there; she can see Holiday Wishes at the MVMCP, but not SpectroMagic. I'd say if she really wants to see Spectro and Fantasmic and do the MVMCP that her best option is MK on Monday, MVMCP on Tuesday and HS on Thursday. I would also suggest doing Epcot for a while on Tuesday, then taking a break for a few hours before going to MK for the MVMCP. Then on Wednesday do AK and DTD, and do Epcot again on Friday to see IllumiNations, then on Saturday she and her DB can decide which park they want to go back to.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

If you're only doing one TS I recommend Bistro de Paris.

Relax, you will have a fabulous time. You do NOT have to do/see everything on this one trip. As you said, you will be back, so better to enjoy what you are doing in the moment, then think about all the things that you don't have time for. Even on a two week trip it's hard to do every single thing.

I would think about doing a TS character breakfast before the park opens though. You won't lose any park time, you will have a nice big breakfast and see some characters. Either Crystal Palace or Donald's Safari I think would be fun for you guys.

 

[photobob]

Don't think you have to do everything for it to be a great trip, it is going to be a great trip because you are going to experience a great vacation with the person you love! Just plan on enjoying your time with him at a great place, great memories will happen because you are there with him not because you planned the perfect WDW trip.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

I'm not the biggest fan of the extra cost parties, but I will say, if seeing fireworks is one of your top priorities, spending money ot see one of the hard ticket fireworks displays is a GREAT idea!

You expressed that you want to make this trip magical.....
I never like for anybody to bank all their hopes on one event, but Disney's answer to holiday party fireworks are really something to see. They alone are likely to convince your man that WDW is a pretty cool place.


One more rough consideration...you don't mention where you are staying. It might not work out, but if you are considering staying deluxe, then a room with a fireworks view COULD be really romantic and fun. Somehow our family never seems ot make it back to the room in time, but you could easily be different - esp if this is a first time - 'forcing' yourself to go back to the room for the fireworks might be a great plan. That way you won't be as tempted to walk your feet off.

If you are onthe fence budget wise - then consider the Swan perhaps - if you can find a discnout rate there, then you may ell be able to get that view of a little less..or you could do a split stay to get a balcony room for just the last night.

One time we DID manage to see the holiday castle show from our room was the one time I stayed at GF. Late on our last night they were rehearsing the light show only for the holiday party. They also did the music. They did not do the fireworks that night, but since it was totally unexpected, and we were on our balcony, it was breathtaking. If you are considering any splurge- over anything else, I'd either opt for a room with a view, or a meal with a view. (Narcoosee's is nice.)

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

our must-do at MK is Spectromagic/Wishes; DHS is Fantasmic; Epcot is Illuminations; AK is EE.

But I don't want to do AK on Friday, because we're going to Epcot for the late hours..............and I want to go to DTD for a bit

Now I know I am insane because I just finished checking the website for the hours of your trip like I don't have dinner to cook, laundry to fold & yet, here I am thinking about your trip since I've got mine planned I condensed your OP to highlight what I think you are saying is most important to you

If Wishes is a must do, if I checked & remembered it right, the only night I see it scheduled for your dates 11/29 - 12/4 is your arrival day. Spectra Magic is also on the schedule for that night. It's going to be crowded though, because it's also an EMH-night at MK - that may or may not be good news to you. For me, it would be good. But arrival day 11/29 is your day for Wishes if it's a must see for you.

As you noted, Fantasmic shows only 2 nights, your arrival day (& the only date for Wishes) so that means if you must see it, then you'll want to rearrange your MVMCP for Tuesday night instead of Thursday. True, you're going to be at MK 2 days in a row but that's the only way you'll be able to fit in 2 of your top 3 must see shows.

Illuminations is showing every night of your trip so the good news is that you can do it anynight or specifically, your last night when you want to be there for the late EMH's.

Which means you should be able to do AK on Wed as you wanted. With that park closing the earliest, you will have the later part of the evening free to go to DTD.

Resolving to go to MK 2 days in row will allow you to (1) start your trip at MK which you said was really important (2) allow you to do all of your #1 must sees per park and (3) puts you at one park a day so you don't have to run back & forth OR pay extra for park hoppers.

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a wonderful trip!