Opinions?

[jenkx872]

I need opinions from seasoned DW travelers about my itinerary. I’ve never been, and because of some health problems, will probably never be there again. So, it’s very important to me to get this right. I’m aware that none of you can know what my family would enjoy. I just need to know if this plan is feasible or if it’s filled with flaws or impossibilities as far as time and facts.

We will be there in early May. I have the Extra Magic Hour schedule for our dates, but I don’t know the chances of it changing before then.
We will be staying at Pop Century.
We have the Magic Your Way package with the park hopper option and dining plan. (I’m fairly certain that I understand the dining plan). And I’ve already called for priority seating for all my table service meals.
We plan to use Disney transportation, but don’t mind driving around when it’s a better plan.

You’ll notice I’ve left a lot of down time. That’s because my 8-year-old daughter has High Functioning Autism. I want to have plenty of time for her to unwind. If she over does it, then we’ll all be miserable

Okay…here goes.

Day 1
Arrive at resort around 10:00am. Go to Magic Kingdom for a few hours. (Mostly for nostalgia. I want to walk up Mainstreet, see the castle, and ride the train.) Back to resort around 4:00pm to unpack, relax by the pool, ect. After a long drive, I think we’ll be too tired to do much else.

Day2
Up early. GO to Animal Kingdom till 1 or 2.
Back to resort for a while.
We plan on having dinner at the Contemporary this night. From our resort, I think we should go to Epcot TTC and take the monorail from there. (Opinions please)
Magic Kingdom stays open very late this night for extra magic hours. We want to go there and stay as long as my 8 year old can take it.

Day 3
Sleep in. Go to MGM for the day. I’m very excited about FANTASMIC!

Day 4
Husband and Teenage Son are planning to go to Epcot early (extra magic hour). My daughter and I plan on taking it easy around the resort. Maybe, we’ll wash some clothes and watch TV.
Then we are going to meet at the Boardwalk for lunch. Then we are off to Fantasia Garden for some mini-golf.
In the evening, we are having dinner at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I can’t wait to explore this resort.

Day 5
Up early for Character breakfast at Magic Kingdom. Stay in park till about 2:00. Go to Epcot for evening.


Day 6
Sleep in. Go to MGM for a few hours. Then to Animal Kingdom around 4:00 for evening extra magic hours.

Day 7
This day is open. We plan to leave by 1:00 or 2:00pm to go to the beach. Any suggestions would be great.


Thanks so much for looking this over for us. Any advice, opinions, or criticisms would be enormously helpful.



Kristi

 

[spiceycat]

I would have breakfast at the AKL so you can see the animals.

when it gets dark they can be hard to see - not sure when Disney pulls them away for the night.

the only other problem is the day you are planning to eat at BW then do the golf - you realize you must walk to it. You can park at the dolphin or swan for a charge - so I would stay parked at the BW and just walk over.

if you want to go without a car. then ride the bus to Studios (not epcot) - then take the boat or walk to the BW. (if you go to Epcot you will waste a park ticket walking over to BW)

for the Cont you can drive over since you have dinner reservations. Or you take the MK bus. then you can walk over to the Cont or take the monrail. You don't need to go through the TTC.

 

[mapny90]

Sounds like a good plan with suggested modifications. I too have a child with high-functioning autism (undiagnosed for his first two visits at ages 5 and 7). You are right to build in some rest time. As my son got older, we played it by ear. Sometimes he wanted to stay at the parks for a long time and sometimes he would get anxious and need to get out of the parks. Overall, we have always had a good time as long as we listen to his needs. Good luck and have fun!!!

 

[TikiGoddess]

I thought it sounded really good. I had a few small suggestions, but I'm not sure what your dinner ADR is on Day 2. I was going to suggest going to AK a later in the day and then taking the bus straight from there to your dinner. That way you don't have to do bus changes. But just a suggestion. Also I was going to say I wouldn't kill myself to get there early at MGM, especially if you plan on doing Fantasmic. You can do most things there all in a day...I hope you have lots of fun!

 

[Andrea]

wow those are great plans to me, i cant even think about planning that good

 

[hickchick]

Pop Century is our favorite and your plan with dining plan and park hopper passes is great. I like all of the low-key things you have built into your plan that we have never made time for.

The only suggestion I would make it you might want to spend your last morning in Epcot, since it doesn't look like you planned much time there. And it will be during the flower festival, which is really neat to walk around and look at all of the displays.

Have a wonderful trip of a lifetime!

 

[byoung]

Sounds good, have a great vacation.

 

[wdwlvr629]

You put great thought into it, looks like you'll do just fine! Have a wonderful time!

 

[spiceycat]

oh forgot - if you haven't already told WDW your son's problem do it NOW.

some of pop century is nice and quiet. Other parts of Pop Century is pretty darn loud....

you want a nice and quiet part I think.

so be sure not to do the preferred - this is the 60's building and the one near the pool is the loudest by far.

I would try for the 50's building near the lake.

but that is what I like. If he likes noise then you will be fine.

also reconfirm when you check in - make sure they understand you need a quiet room - they will do their best for you.

including move you if your neighbors are the noisy type....

 

[msklcassidy]

When you go to the Boardwalk for dinner, you can also take the boat to the Swan/Dolphin and then walk from there to mini-golf. It's a short walk....and a short boat ride. Also, definitely take the bus from you resort to Magic Kingdom and then walk to the Contemporary (or, if your kids LOVE the monorail, like mine does, take the monorail from Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary). Also, be sure to ASK the first Cast Member (CM) you see at the Monorail if you can ride up front with the driver. They allow up to 4 people to ride up front and they will give you a driver's license (that my 7 year old adores). He likes the ride up front from the Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary, but his favorite is the ride from the TTC to Epcot.

Have a great trip.

 

[MzDiz]

If there are two showings of Spectro on the night you're at MK, wait for the second. If you think your DD can handle the wait, spend the time during the first spectro taking in some attractions or just chilling out away from the crowds, watch Wishes, then see the second spectro. It's so much less crowded.