Plans for first trip ever-help

[suslynn]

This will be the first time that anyone in our family has been to disney world. Here are the tentative plans-I would appreciate any suggestions or help!
My husband and I have two daughters-6 and 15.

6/18-arrive AKL (around 3) PS for Boma's(5:00) and explore resort

6/19- EMH MGM, hotel to rest, Ice Cream Social at Epcot stay for Illuminations

6/20 EMH MK, Cinderella's at 10:40 (PS), rest at hotel, back to MGM for Hollywood and Vine Fantasmic dinner

6/21 sleep in PS at Rainforest Cafe for lunch, afternoon open

6/22- Animal Kingdom morning, rest at hotel, MK spectromagic in evening

6/23 EMH Epcot, rest at hotel, Animal Kingdom afternoon???

6/24 EMH MK, rest at hotel, Epcot

6/25 very early flight out

We have vouchers for the CRT breakfast and Rainforest. We have Q&C vouchers for the other meals. Will have to pay there for Ice Cream Social and Hollywood and Vine.

What do you think? Any suggestions? Thanks for your help!

 

[zurgswife]

Here are my thoughts

6/18 sounds good..
6/19 good
6/20 If you PS 10:40 do you plan to go straight back and rest?? or will you go back into the park at this time...it will probably be packed by about 12pm...

Others sound good...but unless you just love AK you probably will spend enough time there in just one morning....

 

[crazelion]

I spend some time in Downtown Disney for the fun. They have some excellent shops to explore. Also I would spend time swimming in the hotel swimming pool.

The rest tour plan looks excellent.

 

[disneyag]

AK in the afternoon is really crowded and extremely hot! I'd spend the time at DTD instead. Have a great trip!!!!

 

[iluvtink]

My only question is regarding your AK morning... is it EMH? If it isn't, and there is a way to change your itinerary to include an EMH at AK, my family thinks that's pretty important. Not only will the lines be shorter at the Safari, but we have seen the most animals being the most active on EMH. Also, that park gets really hot and muggy, and we are usually out of there by 11:00 a.m. Just something you may want to think about.

And... congratulations on not over-planning! You will have so much more fun by realizing that there's no way to see it all, and killing yourselves by trying to do so will only make everyone miserable. Have a magical trip!

 

[jkjjhuddle]

I just went for the first time and returned Friday. Your plans sound great! My family really enjoyed AK and we were there from 9 until 3.

Each family is different in the needs of the children so be aware when they are reaching their limits and need rest.

Don't be so strict with your plans that you do not realize when you need to change them. We had plans very similar, but we adjusted them as needed (around PS of course). We had a great time and I am sure you will also.

 

[suslynn]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Our AK morning isn't EMH, but we could EMH there on Monday then go to lunch and then sleep in on Tuesday morning. That may make more sense!

I hadn't thought about downtown disney but that would be good for the non park afternoon or evening... Thanks for the help!

 

[Rapunsel]

It is good to plan a rest, but remeber that you have to put in about 30-min to get back to the hotel and then back to a park. We went with a DS2 last year and it was more of an inconvience to go back to the hotel than to just find a bench and sit and people watch. Also you don't want to miss Wishes at MK.

Also you might want to spend one entire day at Epcot. You can see it all and stay late for the Illuminations..

Rapunsel

 

[ejgmom]

Having just returned, my advice is to be flexible. Planning is important, but so is flexibility. Too much of a schedule will make everyone cranky! We found EMH difficult to stick to. The best park for EE is MK because it has the most attractions open. Also AK because it is a necessity for riding Safari and Kali (which doesn't open until 9:30!! We fast passed it at 9:00am and still didn't get on until 12pm!) Try to fit in a water park. We loved Typhoon Lagoon!! Watch all of the EE!! You will be worn out. Sometimes it's better to go to a park that isn't EE the crowds are sometimes lessened. However, we found MK to always be crowded. Fast passes make the parks manageable! Use them!! Just make sure you check the return time before getting them and as soon as you are eligible get your next ones. Watch out though, if you try to early, they will penalize you minutes.
Have fun!!!

 

[lovesdumbo]

Sounds like a great trip you've got planned. I think you might want to make your 1st night PS a bit later. It always take me longer to get to hotel, settle in and be ready for a nice meal than I think it will. In Jan we arrived at MCO around 2 and we were late for our 6:30 PS at our hotel. Of course having 3 kids 4 & under slows us down.

Also, you could try the DD Rainforest Cafe for your non park day though I don't know if you can do a PS there.