Planning Advice Needed

[jwsqrdplus2]

I'll try to make this brief, but my stories never end up short!

DH (38), me (36), DD1 (6) and DD2 (3) have a trip planned to WDW in Sep (Sep 24 thru Oct 2). We have a room only at Pop for the first night, then 7 nights at AKL, 7-day MYW with hopper option and the dining package. Usually when we go on WDW trips we throw a note out to the families saying this is what we are doing when and feel free to join us. Sometimes we are taken up on the offer, but more often not. No big deal to us.

This time around, DH's dad and step mom (who live in Atlanta) said yes, and they would also like to bring step mom's grandkids from her previous marriage. Great idea. DD1 loves her "cousins"; DD2 barely remembers meeting them, but she hears her sister talk about them all the time. The cousins (13 yo boy and 9 yo girl) have never been to WDW.

So in a flurry of e-mails with DH's step mom, I finally gleaned their "plan." They want to drive down on Sun, Sep 25th, spend Mon and Tues in the parks, then go back to Atlanta on Wed, Sep 28th. They will be staying off site. Since I am the resident Disney freak and anal retentive planner, I get to plan the visit.

So now, I have to plan 2 park days with no hopping (not really a big deal), for 8 people including 2 kids who have never been to WDW, and may not get the chance to visit again. MK one of the 2 days is a given. They would prefer AK or MGM on the other park day.

With all that history, any recommendations on how to make it happen? DD6 will hang for a commando day or two since she will be with her cousins. DD3 might make one commando day, but we will probably need a nap break for her. Thoughts?

 

[jmclester]

My choice would be MK and MGM. But my fam never does an entire day at AK. MGM would allow a break mid afternoon and always closes later than AK (for an evening commando session!)

Have a great trip!

 

[mommytutu]

I would go for MGM. Both parks have more shows then rides, but MGM has the Tower of Terror and the Rock n Rollercoaster and maybe y'all could see Fantasmic.

Actually, my 2-day would plan would be:

Monday: Breakfast at Crystal Palace. PS around 8:20-8:30. Get to walk down Main Street before park opens (if it's not an early entry day) and take awesome pics of kids in front of castle with no people in the background. Spend the morning in Adventureland and Frontierland. Head back to resort for lunch and swimming and naps. Have 5:00 PS for dinner in the Castle, request window seat when making PS (can they seat a larger party by a window?) Spend the evening in Tommorrowland and Fantasyland. If there is time, go to Toon Town to Micky's house and then to Judge's Tent to meet Mickey. End the night with Wishes (hopefully, they will show it).

Tuesday: Breakfast in rooms and then off to MGM. Ride Rock N Rollercoaster, Tower of Terror, and then Star Tours, play at the Honey, I Shurnk the Kids Movie Adventure Set, grab a quick lunch at ABC Commissary or Toy Story Pizza Planet. See shows and do "inside stuff" in the afternoon...Beauty and the Beast or Voyage of The Little Mermaid. PS for dinner somewhere. See Fantasmic.

OR on Tuesday I might try to fit Chef Mickey's in there for lunch, especially in unable to see Mickey at Toon Town and then just have a quick dinner at MGM before seeing fantasmic.

And maybe, dd(3) could take a little nap during a show, if y'all are inside and it's dark...Who wants to be a Millionaire is about 25 minutes long (not sure if it's "napable" or not though, or maybe if she's tired enough she'll fall asleep in the stroller.

And I would try to get them to stay at POP. If they got a discount with AAA or if a code came out it really could be cheaper then staying off site.

Have fun planning!

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

And I would try to get them to stay at POP. If they got a discount with AAA or if a code came out it really could be cheaper then staying off site.

I know that! I tried. I got a AAA rate of $68.02 with tax for our first night. I have found them a 2-br condo offsite for $89/night. They like that idea better than all 4 of them in a single room!

Thanks for the ideas. I am leaning towards MGM myself, but it's always nice to have your instincts confirmed!

 

[mommytutu]

I know that! I tried. I got a AAA rate of $68.02 with tax for our first night. I have found them a 2-br condo offsite for $89/night. They like that idea better than all 4 of them in a single room!

Thanks for the ideas. I am leaning towards MGM myself, but it's always nice to have your instincts confirmed!

If they don't want to share a room with kids maybe you could get connecting rooms and put the kids on one room and the adults in the other. Would they sleep in a room with you? Just an idea...

Another thing to think about is where are they going to meet you at in the mornings? Will they meet you at your room and just go ahead and hop on the bus with you? The transprotation is supposed to be used by guests only. They would have to pay for parking and deal with all that...busses drop you off right at the gate. And if you do go back to the room for a swim/nap would you just bring them with you...pools are also supposed to be used by guests only. I highly doubt anyone would even know they aren't staying there since they will be with you. I mean, sure, they'll have great convinences at night with a 2 bdrm condo, but the inconvinences of not staying on site..., well, they'll still have a great time and it will all work out. Y'all have fun!

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

Bumping for the evening crowd and more advice!