Okay... who LOVES to do itineraries?? Any volunteers to help little old me?

[moopdog]

Yes, you heard me right? I'm starting to get burned out with the planning of this trip and think a fresh pair of eyes just might do a better job of helping me with the itinerarry (I know I wrecked that word). Here's some basic info:

We're going to ASM on Friday 9/23/05, our flight comes into Orlando at 1:00. My family consists of DD almost 3; DS almost 5, DD 13 and my DH and I.

After two days at ASM, we are checking out on Sunday morning, going to a park and then coming back to Old Key West for the rest of the trip, leavin at 3:10 on the 30th.

My kids will probably not get a nap every single day, but most days. I do plan to go early each day, but probably won't stay "out" past 8 or nine at the latest - more likely we'll be getting back to hotel each night by 7 for baths and downtime.

I think we're opting for a 7 day ticket, but no hopper. On one of the days if we can get an amazing discount between now and then we may get tickets to Typhoon Lagoon. I'd like to take the boat from OKW to DTD at least once, maybe twice. I'd like to see Wishes one night and Illuminations one night... and the parade at MK once. I'd like us to eat once at Whispering Canyon, possibly Ohana and possibly Sci-Fi Drive In.

Those are our only ideas at this point, but not sure how the "flow" should go. I assume going to AK should be the one day we're at ASM, since it's so close... am I right?

Anyway, if someone wants to tackle this I'll be forever in their debt!!

Thanks soooo much in advance (if anyone DOES have enough strength to do this that is). -Moopdog

 

[Briarprincess]

I'm willing to help if I can. But there's is the slight problem that times for parks in Sept. are out yet and it can be hard to plan certain things without those times. A basic overview, and I mean BASIC would be something like this I think:

The day you check in (25), go to MGM and do dinner at Sci-Fi (see if there is a PS available for the dining package for -->) and do Fantasmic. OR go to DTD (we always do this the day we get there if it's not "enough" time to do a park )
The next day (26), either EPCOT or MK (not sure how a Sat. will be that late in the month, not too too bad I'd think). Spend the day there, but take a break since it'd be the first full day, after the parade. Go back in the early evening for the fireworks (if you want to be out until then).
The third day (27) head to either MK or EPCOT (which ever you didn't before). Watch the parades and such, if you're at MK have dinner over at Whispering Canyon.
On the 28th, go to a water park in the morning, and then AK for the afternoon. If you don't do a water park- AK in the morning, rest in the afternoon and boat to DTD and have dinner there (Rainforest!)
On the 29th, head to DTD if you didn't the day before, and hit any parks you missed something in.
For the 30th, I would say relax and hit the hotel pool before you leave. Maybe have breakfast at Chef Mickey's.


Now, I don't know how old your kids are, so that could play a factor into this, among a BUNCH of other things. Including on if you plan on using Disney transportation or driving yourself. If there's anything else, let me know, cause like I said, this is just a really basic idea of what I would do in your shoes.

 

[cwnhokie]

We just decided to go to WDW in May, about a week ago. I thought I was silly for starting to plan already. My whole family makes fun of me because of all the research and planning I do for our vacations. But this one really looks like it needs some planning. After a week of research, my head is spinning. I have a 2 and 4 year old. This is our first trip to Orlando. There is so much to do, but I don't want to overschedule and burn them out either. I need some help too, what are the must see attractions or parks for 2 and 4 year olds. What can we skip? Thanks and good luck with your trip.

 

[moopdog]

Yes -that looks like something to work with for sure. My kids are 2, 4 and 13 (but they'll be very close to 3, 5 and 13 due to two upcoming bdays). We will be using Disney Transportation. One thing I should've mentioned before is this... if we're at MK & take the monorail to say the Poly and have dinner at Ohana, isn't there a better way to get back to hotel than going back to MK and then taking a bus??

 

[ErinInCT]

Hi Danielle,
I will be happy to try a plan for you (got your pm). But as another poster mentioned, it will be easier to plan when the Sept calendar comes out (90 days in advance). I have no clue what days will be the extra morning hour so you can tweak the days once you have more info.
We went the last week of Sept this past year (just after Hurricane Jeanne so I guarentee you'll be watching the Weather Channel daily for the entire month!).
It was very uncrowded so you should have no problem doing & seeing & riding everything you want. In fact a lot of the time the FP machines were not even running because you could just about walk on all the rides.

Here is my recommendation: Check out www.mapleleaftickets.com for discounted MYW tix.
I would get a 6 day basic (no hop) ticket plan. I would not go into the park on the day you arrive or the day you leave.

Arrival day: Check in, unpack, swim, early dinner at Chef Mickeys (fun character meal to get you in the mood) & then take a monorail ride from the Contemporary around the loop (ask to sit up front with the pilot, they allow 4 people so decide ahead of time who has to sit in the regular train), early to bed.

Sat 9/24 AK (since it is close to ASMo). You should be able to do everything you want by early afternoon. Hotel for naps, swim. I would use this day to go to WCC for dinner (since you don't have the kitchen yet) around 5pm, Then maybe go to FW for the hayride, campfire sing-a-long with Chip & Dale & the movie (or the cartoon at the beginning of the movie if it is too late for you).

Sun 9/25 MK Fantasyland, Toontown, Tomorrowland. Check in at OKW. If you rented a car, go grocery shopping. If not, use www.wegoshop.com (planned ahead of time) for grocery delivery service. (Try to plan for all breakfasts & lunches in the room) Unpack, swim, naps, dinner in room. Boat to DTD.

Mon 9/26 EPCOT FW am, back to OKW for lunch, swim, nap. WS pm, I know you wanted to eat at OKW but if you eat most breakfasts & lunches in the room you'll save enough for dinner in WS, so many cool things to try!

Tues 9/27 MK Liberty Square, Adventure & Frontierlands am, back to OKW for lunch, swim, naps, early dinner. Back for Spectro, Wishes (stand near Plaza Ice Cream, you can get ice cream for dessert!)


Wed 9/28 MGM am, back to OKS for lunch, swim, nap. Back for parade, Sci Fi drive in for dinner & Fantasmic.


Thurs 9/29 Sleep in, Water park am (opens at 10am so have a good breakfast in your room so you can have a late lunch), back for late lunch in room, then EPCOT WS pm for dinner & Illuminations for last night.


Fri 9/30 Sleep in, Pack up, Ohana's late breakfast. Maybe one last trip to DTD for souvenirs!

Some advice about each park:
AK - the kids will probably all enjoy the same thing.
MGM - your ds may not want to do B&TB or VotLM. And your youngest dd may not want to do Start Tours or Indy or that new car show. So you may have to split up. Maybe the older ones can go on TOT & RNR while you & dd3 watch B&TB (they are all pretty close to each other). Maybe you & dd3 can do VotLM & PHD while the older kids & dad go to Star Tours, Indy & the car show. Everyone would probably like GMR. Maybe older dd can take the little ones to the HISTK playground while you & dh play WWTBAM.
EPCOT - Everyone can probably do stuff together except the youngest may not be able to do TT or MS & just have to hang out & wait or use Child Swap. There are neat things to do while you wait, like watch the fountains or shows (Jammiotrs is outside TT), etc. Your older dd may be bored with the kidcot stations but she can always look in the gift shops or talk to the CM's.

MK - Everyone can do everything since everyone feels like a kid again at MK! If the older ones want to do the mtns & dd3 is too little I'm sure you can find something to entertain dd3!

Let me know if you need any more help!! Hope this will get you started!

 

[ErinInCT]

Yes -that looks like something to work with for sure. My kids are 2, 4 and 13 (but they'll be very close to 3, 5 and 13 due to two upcoming bdays). We will be using Disney Transportation. One thing I should've mentioned before is this... if we're at MK & take the monorail to say the Poly and have dinner at Ohana, isn't there a better way to get back to hotel than going back to MK and then taking a bus??

From what I understand, You can get a bus from the Poly to OKW.

 

[moopdog]

Does anyone know anything about the bus from Poly to OKW??

 

[ErinInCT]

Does anyone know anything about the bus from Poly to OKW??

Try the transportation board. One of the people who respond pretty often is one of the bus drivers!!