Planning for Family Trip in October, don't want to over or under plan

[lacp]

I am so excited . . . we are staying for 4 nights in early October at the GCH. We will be there Sunday through Thursday (leaving Thursday). We have a toddler and an infant. Some of the days we will have grandparents there. I am hoping to get some great theme park time in, but also have some R&R by the pool and actually get to RELAX. I don't want to over plan because I don't want to feel so scheduled. The only reservation I have right now is for one of the mornings early breakfast at the Plaza Inn. It is before DL opens.

I am thinking I will probably also want to do a meal with the princesses at Ariel's and maybe a dinner at Napa Rose if the grandparents can allow the Huz and I to escape one night! Do I absolutely need to make reservations for Ariel and Napa Rose far in advance?

Anything else I should really make reservations for?

Thanks so much!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Depending on what time you want to eat, yes, you should make your Disney Dining Reservations in advance (reservations open 60 days out). Not only will it make your trip easier, you won't have to worry about not getting a table if you need to eat during peak hours. If you want to eat at Carthay Circle Restaurant or do any WOC dining packages (WCT or CCR), those also need a reservation. Do you want to do Fantasmic! VIP Seating? Reservations are required for that and open 30 days out. Reservations for Blue Bayou are helpful, since it is such a popular restaurant. You can also make advance reservations for restaurants in Downtown Disney, if any of those look interesting to you. Again, if you dine during non-peak hours, you shouldn't have trouble getting a table. But if you need a busy time, then reservations can't hurt. There is no penalty for cancelling dining reservations at DLR (they appreciate as much advance notice as you can give them), so I would go ahead and make the reservations for what you want. (NB Fantasmic! VIP seating requires full payment when you reserve and there may/may not be refunds -- I've heard different stories on this.)

 

[Girimama33]

I am so excited . . . we are staying for 4 nights in early October at the GCH. We will be there Sunday through Thursday (leaving Thursday). We have a toddler and an infant. Some of the days we will have grandparents there. I am hoping to get some great theme park time in, but also have some R&R by the pool and actually get to RELAX. I don't want to over plan because I don't want to feel so scheduled. The only reservation I have right now is for one of the mornings early breakfast at the Plaza Inn. It is before DL opens.

I am thinking I will probably also want to do a meal with the princesses at Ariel's and maybe a dinner at Napa Rose if the grandparents can allow the Huz and I to escape one night! Do I absolutely need to make reservations for Ariel and Napa Rose far in advance?

Anything else I should really make reservations for?

Thanks so much!

I would make reservations for these places as well. The only other one I would suggest a resie for is Blue Bayou. If you are going within the first few weeks of October, there may be more crowds, so some of the TS places may have waits if you walk up...but it is hard to say for sure.

 

[gatorfreud]

I always plan the mornings. Go early and take advantage of EE. Pretty much do everything you want before about 11 or 12. Eat lunch. Relax by the pool. Wander back in at night for minor rides, dinner, and entertainment.

Kim