Newbie Needs Itinerary Help WDW/MNSSHP 10/22-29th!

[All Ears]

Calling all DIS veterans, please!

I recently stumbled upon this site and have been lurking and reading...It's like finding a secret civilization! It is very overwhelming though because although we have been to Disney a few times, we were among those that just stroll and are happy to be in Disney...Never realized how much there is to do and see! When does the giddiness subside?

Planning a surprise trip for my little princess, DD will be 6 on 10/22...Leaving for Disney that morning, along with DH, DS 2 1/2, my sis, BIL and their 2 little ones, ages 4 & 1. Can't wait to see their faces, the kids don't know yet!

So planning has fallen on me and I am hoping some veterans will find time in your busy days to give me some good tips on which parades and shows to see, where to see them best, which areas of which parks to visit first/last, etc. Our kids are great travelers, and as long as they get their 2 hr afternoon nap (they've done in strollers, on picnic blankets, DH's shoulder...) they are ok. We've found that if we allow some "running around time" we are better off letting them take a quick nap rather than going back to "home base". Whenever we've done that they have crashed for the day rather than "recharged" themselves. Don't want them turning into someone else's vacation nightmare, so I want us all to be able to see a lot, but be realistic in terms of some sort of itinerary/touring plan and that is why I am hoping to get some help from all the wonderful DISers I've read posts from.

This is the plan so far:
10/22 - Arrive Orlando, check into Liki Tiki Village Condos...Maybe DD in PM??
10/23 - Epcot (3pm Princess Storybook Lunch PS)
10/24 - MGM (5pm Hollywood & Vine Dinner PS w/"reserved" Fantasmic seating)
10/25 - Seaworld
10/26 - MK (8pm PO Ohana Luau Dinner reservation)
10/27 - Universal
10/28 - <REST!!> (MK MNSSHP in the pm)
10/29 - Pack and leave (God that went fast!!)

Suggestions, tips, ideas, and seasoned advice is greatly appreciated!

PS: I swear my lime green Mickeys are doin' the jig! What's in this pixie dust anyway??

 

[Safari Queen]

One of the best tips I've seen is visiting the Child Care Centers in the parks. There's a quiet indoor play area and it's away from the intense stimulation of the parks themselves. Sounds like it might be perfect for the short down time your kids prefer.

Your itinerary looks good and you have some nice dining planned. For little ones, recommend Beauty & the Beast and Playhouse Disney at MGM; Small World and Micky's Toontown at MK; Living Seas and Imagination in EPCOT; Kilamanjaro Safari, Pangani, and Dinoland Dig Site at AK. All the parades are a hit. Rather than Universal, I'd suggest Islands of Adventure for Seuss Landing, unless you can do both!

Have a great, great time!

 

[All Ears]

Dear Queen,
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
I am off to a great start, have made all my notes regarding your suggestions.
Will definitely consider IOA i/o Universal only because we have done Universal before, never IOA...Might be nice to try as DH wasn't a huge fan of Universal...But Barney was there and he had no choice last time!
Thanks again!

 

[Olallamom]

My DH and I will be watching for your group. Our schedules are similar.
We are on 10/26 , doing Typhoon Lagoon that day and Epcot/Mk in the PM
10/27 Universal/IOA- 2 parks/1 day. No kids with us
10/28 MNSSHP/ Just purchased tickets. We will be a pirate and a wench.

Have Fun

 

[All Ears]

Hi All,

Thank you for the replies, please keep the tips coming, I'm ALL EARS!
Olallamom, will look for pirate & wench, will you be wearing green Mickeys?
We will be (DD) China Doll, (DS) Cowboy, with DH & I being Native Americans...Sis will be Cinderella, BIL will be decked in Luau garb, their DD will be Barbie Fairytopia, and costume for littlest guy (1 YO) is still up in the air.

Are you limited to how much trick or treating you can do?? Are there many stations and do they only give out candy? Man is our DDS gonna be happy we're going.

PLEASE don't disregard the ORIGINAL post/thread!!!
Still need help with order of "lands" at the parks...Anyone have a good touring plan of Epcot (which lands to do first/last) or any other parks?
This will be most helpful!

8 days to go before we leave!!

 

[MiknMinMouse]

At EPCOT they used to and probably still have kidcot. They are little craft tables at each of the lands where the kids sit and color something or do some simple craft. It's nice down time for the kids and only one adult needs to stay and watch the kids while the others can explore that particular land.

I would also say if you can do a character dinner. Chef Mickey has been a hit for my kids forever. It's now our family tradition to go there on our first nite at WDW.