Please comment on our 1st trip plan

[Christopher Robin]

Hi Kids. 1st fmaily trip to the World. 1st time DIS poster, long time reader though. Looking for comments on our plan and answers to a couple questions (and I'm sure I'll have more questions later) about our upcoming trip 19 SEP through 24 SEP. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Here's our plan so far. How's it look? (Note: I'm DH, and the planner of the family)

Monday, arrive POP via Magic Express at about 3, drop off DW and DD1.5, take DS7 to either BB or TL (just to get our Disney feet wet, so to speak) till close at 6, p/u DW and DD at POP and go to EPCOT for dinner ressie at Rose&Crown at 8 for Illuminations at 9.

Tuesday, all day at MK, CRT lunch ressie at 1:55, Wishes at 8.

Wednesday, AK from rope drop till about 2, lunch at Flame Tree, POP for a break till 5, MGM Sci-Fi Dine-In ressie for 5:40, get FP before dinner then ride TOT before Fantasmic at 8.

Thursday, BB or TL till about 2, POP for a break till 5, Concourse Steakhouse ressie for 6, EPCOT EMH till close.

Friday, MGM till about 2, lunch at Pizza Planet, POP for a break till about 5, DS CHOICE till close.

Saturday, Chef Mickey ressie at 8:40, DS CHOICE till 3, POP for Magic Express home.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

I noticed you didn't have any time in Epcot. Although your kids are young, I would suggest spending at least a couple hours wandering the park and seeing some of the countries and attractions.

 

[babar41]

First of all welcome! I know about the long time reader before finally posting. Think I read for about 2 years first!

As far as your schedule is concerned I have a few suggestions.

Monday: Smart move to leave DW and DD 1.5 at POP giving them a chance to rest. Also smart to go to a water park with DS to help him burn off some energy, but I would suggest leaving the park by 5 so DS and you can have a short nap before going to Epcot. The sun and the water can take it out of you, especially on a travel day. Leave Pop and head over to Epcot about 6:30 so you can take your time walking over to Rose and Crown. Since your dinner reservations are at 8 unless you are lucky enough to get an outside table you won't be seeing Illuminations. They do dim the lights, but from inside the restaurant you can't really see Illuminations.

Tuesday: Great day for Magic Kingdom, but I would take a break mid-day and go back to the room for 2 hours rest, especially if you are staying for wishes.

The rest of your stay I don't see any problems other than the increased crowds at Epcot on Thursday evening.

Have a great time!!!

 

[polarboi]

My biggest worry is that arriving mid-afternoon for a water park in September could be a bit overwhelming in terms of crowds. I don't have much experience at the water parks, but the first time I went, I went in the off-season in the middle of the afternoon, and I was totally unprepared for the incredibly long waits in the hot sun. We were only able to do one slide before we were so hot, tired, and cranky that we left. (I guess I had been spoiled by our local water park, which isn't as big and doesn't draw as many crowds.) It really ruined the Disney magic at that moment; I was so used to FastPassing my way through all the major lines everywhere else.

Then again, we were in line for a major attraction, so I couldn't say whether this would have had the same impact on us if we were doing something tamer. Maybe if you're doing kid-friendly attractions, it wouldn't be as much of an issue; I don't know. (Hopefully others could shed light on this?)

I will say, good for you for planning downtime and not trying to see everything in one trip! You'll enjoy things so much more that way, and then you have stuff to look forward to when you go back!

-p.b.

 

[Avalanche]

Great plan. We love visiting water parks on our travel day. BB would be your best bet since it is closer to Pop (also, TL buses also go to DD during the day which we have found makes for a long commute)

Water parks are the least crowded on Mondays (and usually start to clear out around 3) so crowds should be okay.

 

[ShariVT]

I think the plans sound good I would be careful with travel times between place to get from pop to concourse steak house could take longer then you think. I would also leave the major slides out of your TL or BB and do the lazy river and wave pool we found that a very relaxing way to spend the afternoon.

 

[Christopher Robin]

Thankx for the quick responsess so far. Now a few more specific questions (with more to follow I imagine).

About how long from arrival at MCO, using Magic Express, and arriving at POP (on a mid-Sep Mon mid-PM)?

How long to check-in to POP (on a mid-Sep Mon mid-PM)?

How long to get from POP to the theme parks and water parks, generally?

How long to get from the theme parks and waterparks back to POP, generally?

If we don't get an outside table at Rose & Crown, do they still let you go to the outside viewing deck during Illuminations and hold your table and dinner/desert for you till after the show?

Again, thanx for the wisdoms!

 

[Christopher Robin]

bump, please

 

[jann1033]

we stayed at pop in Jan, dead slow time and found the 1 hr travel times were pretty accurate, sometimes a little longer, sometimes a little shorter. the park trips were fine as we usually got on the first bus that came, evening resort to resort trips (like for dinner, via dtd)were bad news, sometimes much longer than 1 hr.

we were there when POp was booked completely and check in was only maybe 1/2 total, including wait times

 

[babar41]

I doubt they would hold your dinner and dessert so you could go outside to see Illuminations. That is a rather long show. Also, there isn't really a viewing deck, the deck has tables that people are eating at. If you go out there you might make other diners a bit uncomfortable if you were standing over their table. As late as your dinner reservations are, chances aren't real good that you'll get an outside table. People go as early as 6 to 6:30 to get those tables and then they do not leave.

Never done the water parks, so I can't help you on that.

Have a great trip.

 

[polarboi]

About how long from arrival at MCO, using Magic Express, and arriving at POP (on a mid-Sep Mon mid-PM)?

According to information I found on another website, they're estimating 45 mins. for Magical Express from the airport to the front desk of your hotel. I can't vouch for how accurate that is, but it could give you an estimate to work with.

-p.b.

 

[ScoJo15]

As far as how long it takes to get from POP to the other parks, try this site:

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.asp?action=rts

I'll be there the same week! Let's hope for good weather...

 

[disgal1]

how about on tuesday, going to crystal palace for an 810 breakfast with winnie the pooh and tigger? that is a non emh morning I think, you'll be in the park before any one else, and can get great pix in front of castle befor e you go in to eat., you should be done by 9 or so, just as the MK opens up.

since you aren't eating at
CRT till later lunch, you should be fine to eat a big breakfasts.

this is our favorite ritual we do every trip.

just make sure that the morning you book crystal palace is a NON early entry morning!

 

[Christopher Robin]

bump.