Our first DW Trip ever, I think....

[vega_box]

Let me first say Hello,

You may be wondering why I'm confused if this is my first DW trip. I'm 35 and my father is retired Navy and one of his stations was Orlando. It was early in my ears around 4th-5th grade and we have moved so many times memories get tangled up. And I have never asked my parents for any pictures of a DW trip because at this point I had never really put forth a plan to visit. I'm married with kids and live in San Diego and Disneyland use to be a yearly trip for our family since my daughter turned 3 (she's turning 13 in year). We did Aluni this year for this 1st time and had a blast. After that Disneyland didn't feel the same. So I have been saving up for a 5 day trip, 4 park vacation that my wife just recently cut into a 3 day trip because she think Animal Kingdome is not necessary...
So this October we will be going during Oct 15-18. We are on a tight budget and those dates worked the best and was the best suggested month by a co-worker who use to love there. We are staying offsite, this time but my plan is to go back again in another 2 years and stay @ one of the resorts. I'm using this trip as a stepping stone to plan everything out. I spent the last 2 week stressing out over tickets for air fair and stay and finally pushed the button last night. We'll be staying at Summer Bay which from what I gathered, looked like the best choice since it has a kitchen and space and relatively modest price.
MY next headache is trying to plan on each attraction and what day to go so we are not wasting time.
That's where I'm struggling because there is so much to do and we'll only have 3 FP to use @ each park each day. I've been doing some reading in the threads trying to have my plan mapped out. But a mix of not planning it out right and anxiety and making me feel like no matter what I write down probably 1/3 will go as planned. Just going is a big accomplishment but want to make sure it not 3 days is packed stress but fun. I need help planning for a first timer.
From my understanding 1 of the 3 days we are going the Mickey Not So Scary Halloween will be taking place and the park will be closing @ 7. So now I have to work around that too.

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

So, it's you, wife, and 13 yo daughter? Are you doing parks 15th-17th or 16th-18th? When are your flights? Is there room in your budget to get park hoppers and do 1/2 days at AK and HS instead of totally eliminating AK?

 

[vega_box]

Me, wife, 13yr old daughter and 7yr old son. We arrive 10/14 @ 5:30. We’ll do the parks 10/15-10/17. Tuesday 10/16 is MNSSH so I’ve decided to do HS that day. Epcot 10/15 because I’ve read MK is busiest on Mondays of all weekdays, so Wednesday we’ll do MK. We have been to Disneyland plenty so I’ll cancel out the rides that are at booth parks. So you’re saying that MK and HS could possibly be done all in the same day?

 

[TheOneWithTheTriplets]

So you’re saying that MK and HS could possibly be done all in the same day?

Not MK and HS, MK is easily it's own day. I was thinking that you could do half days in HS and AK so that you don't miss AK entirely. Plan to rope drop one, hop at lunch, and do the afternoon/evening in the other. Are you guys trying more to hit rides, shows, characters? If your focus is rides, either of those parks only has a half day of real rides vs shows, character meets, etc.

 

[vega_box]

We don't have a strict plan yet as far as rides and shows. I wouldn't mind seeing some shows. I'll have to look at the park map and see how many rides DW has that are the same as DL. The main thing is the experience. I told my wife is for the kids but she knows its really for me.

 

[Shanti]

I recommend spending a day at MK, then a day at Epcot, then a day at HS. (I personally prefer AK to Epcot, though. It has some great rides & is well-themed. It isn't just a zoo.) You'll want your full energy & excitement for MK, so that should definitely be done first.