Planning strategy ???

[MouseEars4us]

Just wondering if anyone has any advice on itinerary planning...

We have only traveled in the value season. Very short to no lines. This time we will be in WDW Thanksgiving week, (more crowded than what I'm used to planning for) and a party of 9... 4 adults 5 kids, 3 girls-16,12 & 11, 2 boys-8 & 3. Most of the kids are pretty active, even the 3 year old goes with out a nap and every night drops on the floor at 10pm fast asleep. I think we could skip a few afternoon breaks...

Some say use EE days, some say avoid that park totally...Meal times; early breakfast vs late breakfast, early lunch vs late lunch, if you do a mid-day break,what's a good time? Do you miss the afternoon parades then?

My experiences have been, use EE days, leave park early afternoon, hop to another park, sometimes taking a break at the hotel. We had both late and early breakfast etc, depending on the days plans, but we always seem to miss the afternoon parades. I'm not sure that what I'm used to planning will work during a busy season!

Suggestions?

 

[XStAnt]

You actually have a lot of issues going on right now. Most of them have no right or wrong answers. However, I'll be happy to give you my thoughts, FWIW.

First, you have a large group of varying ages. Do you want to stay together all the time? Has anyone gone before? Will everyone go on the same schedule (such as everyone waking up early)? I'd recommend some time together and some time separate (I'd imagine the girls would love a little independance for an afternoon, plus they may not be interested in the same rides as the 8 and 3 yo). You may wish to keep everyone in the same park and just let them split up at times in that particular park. Use cell phones or family radios to keep in touch. Perhaps do things together in the am split up after lunch and meet again for dinner.

Don't forget to use FP. Read up on how to maximize it's use so that you're always holding at least one FP.

As to EMH, I believe it is great for crowded times IF you will get up early and take advantage of the full hour. If you won't get there until 8:30 then don't go to the EMH park. You'll have lost the advantage of the extra hour. Others will tell you to avoid the EMH park--there is no right answer to this.

As for meals, DW and I usually just get coffee and muffins for breakfast. With your group I imagine that's not feasible. If you're doing EMH eat very early or around 9:30 am. Lunch at counter service restaurants will be less crowded before 11:30 am or after 1:30 pm. Definitely eat at off hours to avoid crowds. Who wants to spend 2 hours fighting lunch crowds when it should only take an hour for lunch.

As for dinner, if you're going to do a sit down meal (even for lunch) make a PS. You can make the PS 60 days before that date.

Now comes the nitty gritty: which park on which day. If you're doing EMH that helps get you started as it generally determines which park you'll start your day at. After that it gets a little tougher without knowing how many days you'll be there and what else you want to do. Do you want to see Cirque? HDDR? Luau? Will you be going to DQ? BB? TL? Will anyone be going to PI?

Try coming up with a rough itinerary of what you want to do and start filling in the days. Then post your proposed itinerary here and people will offer you their thought.

I hope this helps.

 

[MouseEars4us]

XStAnt,

Thanks for the thoughts...

Everyone has gone before except the three youngest...so we have some idea what to expect...most are early risers...and for the most part we plan to tour together...

I'd imagine the girls would love a little independance for an afternoon, plus they may not be interested in the same rides as the 8 and 3 yo). You may wish to keep everyone in the same park and just let them split up at times in that particular park. Use cell phones or family radios... Don't forget to use FP. Read up on how to maximize ...

However, I also considered this, and wanted to check into some kind of family radio...(you're right the girls do think they are so much older)...
You're right about FP too, we've used it, but at slow times so, I'll have to know what I'm doing...

If you're doing EMH eat very early or around 9:30 am. ... Definitely eat at off hours to avoid crowds. Who wants to spend 2 hours fighting lunch crowds when it should only take an hour for lunch

I think this is what we'll try for, an early, light, breakfast, EMH, and a later character (?) breakfast or early lunch around the 11:00 hour. When I get a sample itinerary, I'll be sure to post it. It is a little intimidating to plan for that week with all the negative stuff I've heard about crowds... Thanks Again for the help!!