Planning Trip need advice from you pros!

[alicia080979]

DH and I decided that we wanted to go to Disney this year for my bday (big 30) in the beginning of August to have one last trip before we start trying for a family but with the free dining deal, we decided to push the trip to the end of Sept. for his bday. Well my mom who turned 50 this year has never been so we told her we would take her. Then my aunt & uncle who have 4 boys (13, 13, 9, & 7) decided they wanted to go. I am the only one out of all of us who has ever been. The thing is...I've never planned anything there or been on any type of dining plan so I'm kinda lost with some of this but everyone is counting on me to plan everything for the entire trip!

Our dates are Sept. 19-26th. We are driving on the 18th & 27th so we get the most out of our 8 days.
Here are the places I have chosen so far and would love input and help planning which days to do what on.

Boma (I spent a month in Africa a few years ago and thought this would be great!)
Chef Mickeys
Whispering Canyon
Ohana
LeCellier (thought DH & I could go here while everyone else did Coral Reef)
Crystal Palace or Liberty Tree
??
??

I still need something from DHS. I was thinking of maybe splitting us up again and sending my aunt, uncle, cousins to Sci-Fi thinking the boys would love that and taking DH & DM to PrimeTime.

I just can't figure out what days to do what. We have a park hopper and have 8 full days to see the parks but I have a feeling everyone is going to want to go MK on day 1 even though I think we might be better off somewhere else that might not be as crowded.

Any help is appreciated...sorry for the long post!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I use www.touringplans.com and their crowd calender for best park days. Once I know which parks I will be in on what days, then I can schedule my ADRs at restaurants that will be close by on that day.

 

[barbiecruiser]

there are many things you need to look into. Park ours and EMH times will effect what days you go to what parks. Select a schedule of what park on what day first, then pick your meals around that and make reservations. You will need to make them 90 days in advance. Your date is quickly approaching.

Some other sit down options at Epcot (since Le cellier is practically impossible to get) are
Tutto Italia, Chef de France, and Teppan Edo
We personally liked coral reef (and im sure the little ones will) but many people on here dont seem to like it (odd)

If the boys are into Pooh Crystal palace is perfect!

My advice is make a day by day semi park plan and then pick restaurants. I will be willing to help you with either. You can PM me

 

[alicia080979]

there are many things you need to look into. Park ours and EMH times will effect what days you go to what parks. Select a schedule of what park on what day first, then pick your meals around that and make reservations. You will need to make them 90 days in advance. Your date is quickly approaching.

Some other sit down options at Epcot (since Le cellier is practically impossible to get) are
Tutto Italia, Chef de France, and Teppan Edo
We personally liked coral reef (and im sure the little ones will) but many people on here dont seem to like it (odd)

If the boys are into Pooh Crystal palace is perfect!

My advice is make a day by day semi park plan and then pick restaurants. I will be willing to help you with either. You can PM me

Thank you so much! This board has so much info it can be overwhelming! I am half tempted to call for reservations...see what I can get when and then just plan our parks around that! I keep getting conflicting info about weather or not we should do the parks with EMH on those days or not. Too much pressure!

 

[muffinstuffin]

We are going those same days but traveling on the 19th and 26th. PM me you e-mail address and I will send you our planning spreadsheet with touringplans info.

 

[patriceo1]

We've eaten a most of the restaurants that you have on your list and liked all of them. You really can't go too wrong.

My bit of advice is that unless you have a car or are an expert with Disney transportation system, it will take you a bit of time to get from one park to another so figure out what parks you are going to be in then pick the restaurants.

Wispering Canyons is a must for the boys. The food was good, but the Ketchup chasing was so much fun. Chef Mickey's is great too. And Coral Reef has amazing food.

The really important thing is don't get too overwhelmed. I feel a lot of the fun of a Disney vacation is the planning and anticipation. You're getting your plan together so you're off to a good start. Have fun with it.

DL Offsite - 2008
WL - 2007
DTDD - 2003
POR - 1998
DL Offsite - 1996
Offsite - 1982
FW Camping – 1974

 

[squirrel]

Since you have 9 people you qualify as a Grand Gathering. There are some special ADR's that are on select days that you can go to and use your TS credits or pay oop.

I think there is a special number that you can call for booking your ADR's.