Newbie Itinerary need help!

[mommi97]

As you can tell I am leaving very soon for Disney and just in the beginning stages of my itinerary. We are sort of the type of family that takes things as they come, but with Disney being so big with so much to see I wanted to get in as much possible. I have been reading these boards for a while and gotten lots of great tips. Any suggestions would be great (downfall I know is visiting MK on Sat. but only day we can see parades and spectro)
Saturday

August 23, 2003

Magic Kingdom

·must visit Big Thunder Mountain as it closes August 25th
·Share a Dream Come True Parade at 3:00 p.m. (can skip this due to going back Friday)
·Spectro Magic at 8:30 p.m.
·Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks 9:30 p.m. go to hub after fireworks to see kiss goodnight 45 mins. after show.
·Park closes at 10:00 p.m.
·Attend sword in the stone ceremony behind the castle

Sunday
August 24, 2003

Animal Kingdom

·must visit Lion King Theatre as it closes August 25th
·4:00 p.m. Mickeys’ Jammin Jungle Parade
·Park closes at 5:00 p.m.


Monday:
August 25, 2003

Blizzard Beach
·Opens at 10:00 (must be there very early to get a spot! About an hour early)
·Park closes at 6:00 p.m.
·Go back to room and change
·Maybe do Downtown Disney /Disney Quest

Tueesday:
August 26, 2003

MGM Studios (Early Entry)

·Rides that are open during early entry (Muppets 3-D, Rockin Roller Coaster, Star Tours and Tower of Terror)
·5:00 p.m. Disney Stars and Cars Parade
·8:30 p.m. Fantasmic
·Park closes at 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday:
August 27, 2003

Epcot (Early Entry)

·Rides that are open during early entry ( Spaceship Earth, Test Track, Universe of Energy)
·Go to guest services to get the hidden mickey map.
·2:50 p.m.Ice-cream Social at 2:50 p.m. at the Garden Grille
·Futureworld closes at 6 p.m. (be sure to do passports while in Future world)
·9:00 p.m. Illuminations
·Park closes at 9:00 p.m.


Thursday:
August 28, 2003

Typhoon Lagoon
·Opens at 10:00 a.m. (Must be there early to get a spot! About an hour early)
·Park closes at 6:00 p.m.
·Go back to room and change
·Go to boardwalk


Friday:
August 29, 2003

Magic Kingdom Again
If missed Dream Come true Parade then do it at 3:00 p.m.


Saturday:
August 30, 2003

Kids Choice of park
Leave to come home

 

[grinningghost]

Sounds pretty good. We'll be there the same time as you. My first day 8/23, is pretty much the same as yours. Gotta ride BTMRR and see Spectro, and have to get to AK for FOTLK too. We're lucky to just be missing the cut off on the rehabs. Have an excellent trip!

 

[mommi97]

I was upset cause I thought the Lion King was going to be gone by the time we got there, I was so excited when I checked their site yesterday to see it was that Monday. But then I was bummed when I saw BTMRR was also closing so I had to This is also my kids first trip to Disney they are 5, 3, and 7 months. My mom is coming along also to help out and enjoy Disney as well. We are all so excited but not excited about the driving part.

 

[mommi97]

I was upset cause I thought the Lion King was going to be gone by the time we got there, I was so excited when I checked their site yesterday to see it was that Monday. But then I was bummed when I saw BTMRR was also closing so I had to really jimmy our schedule to fit in both! This is also my kids first trip to Disney they are 5, 3, and 7 months. My mom is coming along also to help out and enjoy Disney as well. We are all so excited but not excited about the driving part.

 

[jordanyosh]

Are you planning any down time at all during your stay? From what it sounds like you plan to stay the whole day in each park...with 3 small children, that may be asking alot of them. Where are you staying? That would determine if you have time to nap in the afternoons. For instance, on your EPCOT day, you could take a break in the afternoon and return later in the day. Two full days at both waterparks is a long, long time. Consider getting there at opening and leaving early. You then have time to head to MGM or World Showcase later in the afternoon and still have time to do what's on your itinerary. Just some thoughts....

 

[mommi97]

We will be staying at the Old Key West. Usually my 5 and 3 year old keep on the go all the time whenever we are at a park so I was going to feel them out and most likely will go back to the hotel to rest in the afternoons just didn't put it in the iternary but if we have to skip a parade here and there we can. But I was wondering has anyone stayed at Old Key West, will it take too long for us to go back to hotel to rest and then get back to the parks? Thanks for the info about the waterparks, the parks are only open til 5 p.m. and I was also wondering if a whole day would be too much.

 

[holcomb-mania]

Part of your plan is similar to mine. We are planning to hit BB and then the next day hit MGM. My thinking is that we can do most of BB by 2-3pm, then go back to the room and rest. Instead of going to DtD like you propose, we are gonna go to MGM and look around, eat a leisurely dinner/snack (turkey leg must pay!), and wait for Fantasmic.

Then the next day, we hit MGM again to do everything else, eat a leisurely dinner, and ride stuff/enjoy the park while everyone else waits for Fantasmic.

We did MGM last year all day with Fantasmic tacked onto the end, and that made for a LONG day. Fun, but LONG. I hope my plan will let us have fun on both the BB day and the MGM day, but at a pace that doesn't exhaust us.

 

[mommi97]

Wow that does sound like a good plan, going to MGM after Blizzard beach so the next night we don't have to wait around for Fantasmic!

 

[holcomb-mania]

Also, you may want to look into Disney Quest. If you have an Ultimate Park Hopper, you won't have to pay admission. I'm kinda bummed we won't be doing Typhoon Lagoon. On the other hand, I've heard DQ is lots of fun, for kids AND adults! There are virtual rides, arcade games and creative stations (like classes to learn to draw a certain Disney character) that your young ones may love. In addition, this could be your DtD day, as well. In fact, you could fit this in the evening after AK, but DQ gets crowded when the parks close.

There is WAY too much to do down there in just a week's time. Maybe I'll start saving up for our next trip (in 2005?!?!?) so it can last 10 days.