Ok experts, PLEASE HELP

Kebby

DIS Veteran
Joined
May 9, 2004
Messages
642
Hi All!

I have been lurking for a couple of days, and now I am out of the closet and I need your help. I am leaving for WDW on Sunday Morning, and this is our first trip. Although I have learned alot form you guys already, one thing I am having trouble with is itinerary. PLEASE give me suggestions as to what you think the best itinerary is for us for May 16-23!!

Info: Arriving at MCO Sunday May 16 at 9:15 am ( hoping on sunday to do DQ, relax by the pool, mini golf ect)

PLayers: Me ( 23) DH ( 23) -This is our 1 year anniversary
My DM-49 ( turns 50 on May 19th while we are there)
My DF- 49, and my DB- 21

We are staying for 7 days at Marriott Grande Vista, and have 5day PHP. We would only liek to eat out maybe a few times. We have a car, and want to do U/S one of the days we are there, and would like to do DD at night one some of the days.....

OK there you have it, PLEASE HELP ME!!! Will the crowds be bad?? When it says Scattered Thunderstorms, should I worry?? HELP!

:wave: Karin
 
Hi Karin! We are glad you came out of the closet. LOL

Happy anniversary!!!

As far as the weather, don't sweat it. Have ponchos and go anyway. Most of the time, the storms pass fast, the parks empty out a little, and for awhile, the parks aren't crowded.

You are also going at a good time. Crowds should be on the lighter side anyway.

I would suggest that you make a list of what you want to do in each park. It is very easy to walk around and not remember what you want to see.

Check the schedules. Wishes and some parades aren't everyday, so you want to plan MK for a day when they are showing.

We aren't big eaters, so we rarely do a big meal. There are plenty of places to eat light.

Take some time out to enjoy your pool.

One of our favorite things to do at night is to visit Port Orleans Riverside and enjoy Pianoman Bob Jackson. He plays a mean piano and has sing alongs, dances (like the chicken dance, etc.) and really gets the crowd going. It's family orientated entertainment and free!!! I think he plays Wed-Sun.

You will probably get many suggestions. Just remember that you are on vacation, have a great time, and enjoy.

::MinnieMo
 
:wave2: Hi Karin,
Boy I wish my trip was as soon as yours ;) ! First question, how many pluses do you have on your tickets? I am going to assume 2.

You are probably going to want to avoid the parks with EMH on the EMH days. I'm going to put the park name and an asterisk next to those parks on the days for you.

Sunday, May 16 -- *Epcot (eve)

Monday, May 17 -- *Ak (morn)

Tuesday, May 18 -- *MGM (eve)

Wednesday, May 19 -- *Epcot (morn) *MK (eve)

Thursday, May 20 -- *AK (eve)

Friday, May 21 -- *MK (morn)

Saturday, May 22 -- *MGM (morn)

Sunday, May 23 -- *Epcot (eve)

I would suggest skipping US/IOA. You will have 6 full days, not counting travel days and I would concentrate on WDW. Which parks are you the most interested in visiting? Are you planning a waterpark day or using your pluses for PI?

Hope this helps a little :D .
 
With a 5 day pass and a group of adults I would assign one day to each park, making sure the park you choose is not EMH. I would plan a PS in that park for a late lunch. This will give you some down time since it won't be so easy for you to return to your resort for a rest.
On your 5th day you can park hop or pick the one you like the most. Don't forget to make a PS for a World Showcase meal. You may also want to take some time on one of your "no park" days to visit a few of the resorts. You can hop on the monorail in the MK and see the GF, Poly and the Cont. all in one shot. You can also take the ferry from MGM or Epcot and visit the YC, BC, BW and the Swan and Dolphin hotels. Beware though, it will give the bug to stay onsite next time!:hyper:
 

I agree with vald1977 to avoid the park associated with Extra Magic Hours on the day it is affected, however, the test ends on the 22nd. So on the 23rd, I think the correct EMH is back to the normal morning Early Entry at Magic Kingdom.
 
first , make Priority Seating arrangments before you leave (407-WDW DINE). Look around this site or allearsnet.com for option/menus. Also, always get to the parks early (try to arrive at least 1/2 hour before opening).

Mon- MK: since this is your first time there, I think you should start off with the main event. For lunch make PS at Cinderella Royal Table (in the castle). For dinner, make PS at Concourse Steakhouse or California Grill (both are in Contemporary Hotel so you can ride the monorail).

Tues - EPCOT: There are many restaurants here, make PS for lunh and dinner. NOTE: You can also make PS at any of the Boardwalk area restaurants as they are within walking distance of EPCOT.

Wed - AK. You'll probably be done by 3pm or so (maybe earlier). Go back to the hotel to relax. Take mon out to dinner for her birthday.

Thur - MGM: Sci-Fi is "fun" plce to eat as is the 50's Prime Time diner. I think your parents would enjoy either for lunch. Brown Derby is a nice place for dinner. MAKE SURE you stay for Fantasmic.

Friday-MK and EPCOT. Your choice what to do first. Note that there are more/better dining experiences in EPCOT, so you may want to do MK first then EPCOT. Take the monorail from MK to the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC), then the long monorail to EPCOT. Coming back (to get your car) you just get off at TTC.

Saturday, US - I think this is well worth the visit.

Sunday - relax - or go to IOA if you still have some gas in the tank.
 
ill be there the same time as you..were going 13-19th....we got worried when we saw the scattered T-storms..i just ewnt to the dollar store and got ponchos 2 for a dollar....
have fun!!
 
/
I really like RLewis's suggestions! You get everything in and have the birthday night open to do whatever your DM would like to do!

Have a great time and let us know how it goes!
 
Welcome to the Dis! I can't add too much to what has been said already. At least nothing of importance, except this, take it easy on your trip. It's so hard to see it all. Like dizneycc said, make a list of what you want to see at the parks and try to see those things and anything else is a bonus. The weather should be nice, it's not our rainy season quite yet. And as for the crowds, they shouldn't be that bad. At least I hope not. I have a daytrip planned for EPCOT on Tuesday, May18. So I hope I'm right. Have a safe trip. See ya there!:)
 
We will be there the same time.
On Tues at mk
Parades and Fireworks
Share A Dream Come True Parade3:00pm
SpectroMagic Parade 9:00pm
Wishes™ nighttime spectacular10:00pm

Star War weekends are Friday-Sun

And check the flower power concerts at Epcot.
 
I also like RLewis' schedule. I'll add the following comments:

Since you are all adults (and your parents are still young) I think you can do 5-6 days of commando touring. By that I mean I don't think you need an "off" day. You can rest up when you get home.

On Sunday I'd go to DQ in the afternoon. You can also check out the stores at DTD, if you want. Earlier in the day (after freshening up from your flight) you can ride the resort monorail, tour a resort, etc.

Your PHP will give you 2 plus options. One should definitely be for PI. Go to the Comedy Warehouse and the Adventurer's Club. They are great. I would definitley go to PI on your AK day. This park closes early and usually doesn't take a full day anyway. That leaves the evening open. It's a perfect time to go to PI.

Using your second plus is a little more detailed. If it's your first trip to Disney and you want to go to US (which I agree you should do) then I don't recommend going to a water park. You just don't have enough time this trip--save it for another trip. If you want you could go to PI on your first night (Sunday) as well as on your AK day. If you (or perhaps your DB) want to do a water park I'd save it for Friday (the day you set aside to repeat any park you want). You can play it by ear and see how much you get done at each park. In other words, if your DB doesn't to go back to MK because he feels he rode everything he wants to then he can go to BB in the am and meet up with you in the pm at Epcot.

I agree to definitely eat one nuce meal at Epcot. Try something different like Japanese, Morroccon, Norwegian, etc. Also, make sure you stay for Illuminations.

One last suggestion: go see Cirque du Soleil. It's unbelievable and everyone in your group is the perfect age. Perhaps you can do that on Sunday instead of PI. Go to DQ in the afternoon, stay for dinner at DTD and go to Cirque. A nice way to start your vacation. I know it's expensive, but I think it's worth the money.

Good luck and have fun.
 
Buy the Birnbaum's official guide book. It will give you a brief description of the attractions and that will help you prioritize what you want to see. I go through it with my kids before we leave, so no one will be mad that we missed something.

Touring with adults will be fun, but don't forget to slow down and people watch once in a while. One place that is fun to visit folks is at EPCOT. Right outside Mission Space is a water popper fountain, you know, the ones built into the concrete. Kids and adults play in the water. I spent about an hour here on my last trip. I met a very nice family from Boston MA. But, if I wouldn't have stopped to watch the kids play, I wouldn't have met them.

By the way, the mickey bars are great! Remember to eat at least one!

Marie
 
My suggestions.

Get to parks at opening. You will be able to do rides in less time with shorter lines.

Remember the atmosphere and theming are the best things about WDW. So don't get too busy that you can't enjoy JUST BEING THERE.

Pick a few MUST SEEs at each park and a couple of extra attractions in case you have time.

Do a day at Epcot -- you guys are old enough that I think you'll love World Showcase. Do a nice meal at one of the restaurants there in the evening and see Illuminations. Take time to stroll around and enjoy landscaping, fountains, etc.

Go to MGM in AM and do the real popular rides. In the evening either stay there for Fantasmic, go back to Epcot for Illuminations or go to MK for Spectromagic and Wishes.

Spend a whole day at MK. Schedule your evening meal at one of the hotels on the monorail. Then go back for the parade and fireworks or do some rides that are emptied out by then. Spend some time wandering through the Main Street shops on the way out. (I've not done it but some people like to get their hair cut on Main Street.)

Go to US if you want one day.

On the last day do what you didn't get to do that you wanted to do. Or enjoy some of the shows at the Garden Festival at Epcot -- Flower Power concerts, butterfly release, etc.


Leave one day left on your tickets and a few rides unseen as an excuse to go back.

Be sure to take time to do at least one meal in a Disney hotel, preferably on the Monorail. Like Ohanas with a MK view.

Again, don't just run from ride to ride without enjoying BEING THERE. For the people who love Disney, that's the real reason they do.

whatever you decide HAVE A GREAT TIME.

:earsboy: :wave: :earsboy:
 
Thanks guys!! all your suggestions were great!! Keep em coming!!

Karin
 
Hello Kebby!!!!

I am so excited 4 u to go to WDW for the 1st time.. congrats!

Listen to me - u MUST see the following or u will not get the full experience:

1. MAGIC KINGDOM (day and nite)
-rides: Pirates of Caribbean, Dumbo, Main Street Stores, Thunder Mtn. Railroad
eat at Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner in LIberty Square.

2. UNIVERSAL STUDIOS!!! YOU MUST GO HERE!
We are not "thrill ride" people and this is the best place, better (in my opin) than MGM. The rides are awesome and u can easily spend entire day here.
You all will thoroughly enjoy this park - all ages.
Rides u must go on: 1. Back to the Future 2. E.T. 3. JAWS
See the rides at universalstudios.com (go to parks/resorts, then Orlando)
or go to orlandoinfo.com

3. EPCOT (day & Nite) u will see the countries at the world showcase (better than las vegas)

4. TITANIC - THE EXHIBITION - www.titanicshipofdreams.com
YOU MUST GO HERE TOO! You will see hundreds of real artifacts from the sunken ship, and recreations of the ship inside . Takes hour and half to go thru. check it out. you will love. IT's in the "Mercado Shopping Center" on International Drive and you and your friends will have a great time at night going to the wonderful shops and restaurants- great rest. there called "Charlies Lobster House" rated excell. in zagats.

ENJOY!! TRUST ME ON THESE 4 THINGS!:Pinkbounc
 

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