Need some planning help, getting overwhelmed

[sheriowaso]

This is our 2nd trip, but the first trip was for 4 people for 2 days. This time it's for 8 people, 5 days. We're going Oct 4-9, and all I know for sure is that we're doing Chef Mickeys breakfast on 10/6. My niece is 5 and has never been, so we're doing MK first on 10/5. I would really appreciate some suggestions on what days are best to do the other parks. Last time we went we did AK in about 1/2 a day, but my kids were smaller and pretty worn out by the time we did AK. This time they may want to make it a full day.

Thanks, I know this is a vacation and am really looking forward to it, but for my own peace of mind I have to have some kind of game plan.

Sheri

 

[MissionMouse]

If this is multiple families you need to set the "ground rules first," so everyone is in agreement. This helps to ensure you enter into the planning and later the trip with an understanding of expectations, needs, time restrictions, schedules, events, etc.

This is very important since it sounds like you might be the one doing the planning. This can be a thankless "job." I would suggest making a tenative schedule based upon park hours, events and activities and fill it in with eating selections. Get input from everyone and if there appears to be a big wide gap between the members of your big group then go to PLAN B.

PLAN B: Sometimes groups have such a diverse ideas of what they want to do to include what, when, where and when it may work out best to just agree upon segments of the day to meet and do something together. The remainder everyone is doing their thing their way and at their own pace.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

I am going to suggest that you check out a couple of sources. My first recommendation is www.TourGuideMike.com. There you will find all of the necessary tools to make your vacation truly magical. We have taken numerous trips to the world and I will be utilizing TGMike again for our December vacation (our third time this year). It takes a little time to move around his site, but take a look and you might find the help you need. You can check it out without subscribing and if you do decide to subscribe, I think the cost is $21 (about the cost of most guide books). I highly recommend.

A lot of people here also like the Unofficial Guide. I haven't used this book, but I know it gets high marks from a lot of people on the Dis.

Best of luck. Planning can be overwhelming, but can also be a lot of fun!

 

[GIOny]

Mission Mouse is right about the ground rules. If this is 2 families, I would make the plans to best suit your family and ask the other family if that is good with them, if not then meet up later on. My guess is that you will want a break from each other, I'm sure everyone will go at a different pace. I would stick to a 1/2 day at AK, I think that is enough, but if you are staying onsite, give you and your kids enough rest time, go back to your hotel and enjoy the pool or naptime. What you may want to do with the other family is show them the menus of all the different restaurants and together you can decide where to eat: http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm Also here is a schedule of operating hours and firework schedules for October:http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ohours2.htm maybe that will help you decide. Good Luck and have a great time!

 

[milmore104]

I agree w/ the above posters make some rules out first. Make a game plan on what are the MUSTS for people and what they don't care to do. I think making MK your first full day is great and then a nice breakfast the next morning is good. I would suggest that on your night of arrival that you maybe check-in and relax for awhile and then head to either EPCOT or MGM and catch the evening show? Depends on when your getting their. Seeing your eating at CM on the 6th hop on the monarail and go to EPCOT for the day. Then MGM on the 7th. I would recommend doing AK in 1/2 day or not at all if the little ones wanted to maybe spend 1/2 a day at MK again. Hope you have a great trip. We might see you their. We'll be there 9/30-10/9 staying at POP. How about you?

 

[sheriowaso]

Thank you all for the good ideas. We have gone over "ground rules" with the other family members, I'm sure unforeseen issues will come up but so far so good. The main issue was the difference in our kids ages and my niece, she will be interested in different things than my boys. The other couple does not have children so they will be off on their own.

I am the official planner, and it is a lot of stress! I could easily plan for just my family, but I do worry about what everyone else wants to do and wants to pay for. I know that the first time we went the price of food was a shock, so I'm trying to prepare our guests for that.

We are staying at the Polynesian, can't wait! Last time we were at ASM, and I'm really looking forward to being on the monorail.

Again I appreciate the advice, I will check out the touring guides.

Sheri

 

[can'twait]

Seems like everyone who's coming back says the same things:

Avoid EMH like the plague
Go to the park that had EMH the night before
Get there when it opens
Leave by 2:00 to take a rest/swim at your hotel
Go back to the parks for dinner/fireworks

Look at the restaurant reviews - if you want to try any of them, make your reservations ASAP

Have fun!

 

[LandscapePro_318]

Sheri,

Mickey Fliers hit the nail on the head! No disrespect to the "guide" mentioned, but we used TGM and his plans worked like a CHARM!

It does take some time to go thru his site, (trust me it's worth it) but we were there for 6 nights and 7 days with the longest wait for anything being 20 minutes. LOL That's because I just HAD to go on the backstage tour at Epcot in the middle of the afternoon........ROFL. In addition we knew Which park to attend on What day to avoid the crowds as well as the lines.

One tip I'd like to add is PRINT out your info to take along with you. You will want to go over the day's game plan before you head out to the parks. Another is to make your Advance Dining Reservations (ADR's) as SOON as you can. We did the disney dining plan and it worked out great! Plan for your Table Service Meals and use that point to work around (First).

I know I'm most likely "preaching to the chior" but I wouldn't dream of visiting WDW again without using TGM.

I hopw you have as enjoyable trip as we did....

Mike