Newbie here, need advice with planning!

[ericatunc]

We are going to Disney in Oct (14-22) for our Honeymoon. I've made the reservations and such, but I'm not sure how to organize our trip.

Here's what I have:

8 full days at Disney, I was thinking of this breakdown:

2 days at MK
2 days at Epcot
1 day at AK
1 day at MGM
2 free days

So, we want to visit all four parks, but also want to see the Cirque du Soleil, Ploy Luau and have dinner at a few other places (yet to be determined)

Since we're going in October, should we take advantage of Early Entry (read that its not good during high attendence days)

So I'm really not sure where to put the off days, which days to visit the parks, etc. I'd like to do it in order of Epcot, AK, MGM and MK, though.

Thanks for any help,
Eric

 

[SnackyStacky]

Hmmmm....I'm usually not too much of a planner. I went with Dreams Unlimited and they're doing all that stuff for me.

Whether or not you take advantage of EMH is your personal choice. If you're early risers, I say do it. If not, I say stay in bed!

I would put one of your off days on Saturday. I personally wouldn't want to tackle a park and deal with weekend local crowds.

My fiancée and I are going from 9/13-9/23 and I really can't sing the praises of Dreams Unlimited enough. If you booked your reservation yourself (and not through a Travel Agent), I'd switch it over to them, and let them worry about the planning. They'll take care of all your Priority Seating arrangements as well. (Including the hard to get stuff like an Illuminations Cruise, and Cinderella's Royal Table, if you want it). Best of all, their service is free.

Have a FANTASTIC honeymoon!

 

[RyMickey]

Welcome to the DIS!

These boards are definitely the place to find tips.

Animal Kingdom closes early (probably by 5 or 6 during October). You could possibly go and see Cirque du Soleil later on that evening (which is great, by the way).

We always have "free" days scheduled towards the end of our trip so that we can go to whichever park we want (or just sit at the pool).

I would suggest taking a look over the boards and asking more specific questions if you have them. Everyone here has helped me a lot and they're all very knowledgeable about all things WDW.

RyMickey

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I suggest you go over to allearsnet.com. They have tons of info on the parks, dining and menus, shows, etc. Sort through and figure out what you want to do and what you will skip. Then you can determine what days for what parks.
Enjoy!!!!

 

[DisneyMSF]

If you don't mind getting up early, then go ahead and maybe do a couple of EMH mornings. Otherwise, just don't go to an EMH park on its EMH day. Also avoid the MK on Saturdays, though the other parks are doable. We've gone in October often, and we usually don't get up early enough for EMH, but have always found the crowds not bad by just avoiding the EMH park.

Also be sure to take advantage of FastPass as much as possible.

Also, are you planning on doing Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) at the MK. It's a lot of fun, and if you're not already planning to do it, you might want to consider it.

 

[Focusdude]

We went on our honeymoon to WDW in October, 1996 (we loved it so much that we went back 6 months later!!). It was 8 years ago - so there was no Animal Kingdom, unfortunately!

We really didn't like EPCOT when we were there on our honeymoon - we spent less than one day there. We took our kids for the first time in March of this year - and now we love it!

You should schedule in a water park or two - we went to Blizzard Beach and loved it! Also, we played golf one day at LBV (and were practically the only ones on the course!).

The biggest suggestion that I have is that you shouldn't feel that you have to stick to your schedule. I am the biggest scheduler - I had every breakfast, lunch and dinner planned for our honeymoon! But once I got there - I ended up changing reservations (which is very easy to do!).

Enjoy yourself - you'll need it after the wedding!!

 

[ericatunc]

I haven't thought about the MNSSHP, but I will now and read up some on it. Do most people dress up for this party?

I guess my biggest this is to either visit the parks in order of Epcot, AK, MGM and MK or, visit them on Early Entry. My fiance had never been and I want it to be the best time for her. My initial plans are this:

10/12 (Tues) Universal Studios
10/13 (Weds) Islands Of Adventure
10/14 (Thurs) Epcot 1/2 day and Cirque duSoleil
10/15 (Fri) Animal Kingdom
10/16 (Sat) Day Off - Aloha Luau at Polynesian Resort
10/17 (Sun) MGM - Dinner somewhere or MNSSHP?
10/18 (Mon) Magic Kindom - Dinner somewhere or MNSSHP?
10/19 (Tues) Off - Water park, pool, disney quest?
10/20 (Weds) Epcot 1/2 Day
10/21 (Thurs) Magic Kingdom 1/2 day
10/22 (Fri) <sniff><sniff> Go home...

Does anyone see any big red flags with this?

Thanks,
Eric

 

[jann1033]

we have never had a problem with crowds going to emh then staying in that park during the less than peak attendance times. if it isn't cowded when you go it is easier if you don't switch parks and saves time. we only spend 1 day and "maybe" an additoinal morning at the most at mk but go to epcot a few evenings ( we go in winter and MK closes early) plus at least 1 or usually 2 full days. mgm is 1 day and maybe an emh for rnr or tot only , ak we loved so that was 1 3/4 days this last trip. I guess how much time you spend in each park really depends on what interests you and you won't know that till you get there! . we always plan an off day mid trip since we go to the parks from opening to closing. last time we had 11 days so had 2 "off" days when we don't schedule in any park . I plan ps for a leisurely breakfast ( went to Boma and Trails end this time) on those days and we get up later. this time went to see the mickey statues & only philharmagic at MK ,shopped at dtd , visited some resorts we hadn't stayed at ect one day, went to ak the other as extra time there.

 

[dzneelvr]

I wouldn't waste a day at a waterpark in October. Just lounge around your resort if you need that break.

Consider doing APs around the world at EPCOT. Such as appetizers at Mexico, salads at Italy, entrees at Canada, and dessert at France. You could do this on one of your "free" days or one of your EPCOT days. I've always wanted to do the entire meal (or at least a few courses) but we have teens who aren't patient enough right now.

OHanas at the Polynesian is another not-to-be-missed dining experience. Mention that you're on your honeymoon, and you'll get seranaded.

when you are cruising the disboards, be sure and ask for attractions down for rehab. That may save you some time at one park that you could use at another.

Congratulations and have a "magical" time

 

[ericatunc]

Now, here's just a few more questions

Will it be ok if MNSSHP is the first time my fiance see's MK? Or should we do 1/2 there before we go to the party. I wasn't sure if MNSSHP should be her first MK experience or not.

Also, since its October, will it really be hard to get dinner reservations, that day or a day in advance?

Thanks,
Eric