Please critique my itinerary - 1st time going!!

[mrzrich]

Wait! You cancelled Test Track for Living with the Land!!!!

No! No! Quick! Change it back before you lose it!

Lines for Living with the Land are frequently non-existent.

 

[mrzrich]

Also not sure if you realize that Wishes starts right after Celebrate the magic. Might as well do both on the same night.

Is there some reason why you are short changing AK so much! It is an awesome park for kids your age. The FOTLK, Nemo and Flights of Wonder shows are all must see.

 

[mshanson3121]

It looks better, still possibly a few things. I'll just add my comments in your quote.

mshanson3121, thank you for the replies back and the advice. I never thought about the breaks for my kids and I just wanted to pack in as much Disney as possible since it's their 1st time.

I have updated the itinerary.....can you look at it again to see if it's better?

Monday April 25, 2016 -

Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Cinderella's Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare
7:35 PM

Go back to resort to rest for the next day.

Perfect day


Tuesday April 26, 2016 -

Disney's Contemporary Resort-

Chef Mickey's Fun Time Buffet Breakfast at Chef Mickey's
7:00 AM

Magic Kingdom Park -

Meet Cinderella and Rapunzel at Princess Fairytale Hall
9:00 AM - Reminder: this is not a reservation.

FastPass+ -

Peter Pan's Flight
9:55 AM - 10:55 AM

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
11:10 AM - 12:10 PM


Magic Kingdom Park -

Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade
3:00 PM - Reminder: this is not a reservation.

FastPass -

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
4:05 PM - 5:05 PM


Magic Kingdom Park -

Celebrate The Magic
9:45 PM - Reminder: this is not a reservation.

This definitely looks better. If you plan on staying all day, I would definitely leave after 7D and enjoy the evening at the resort since you're not going to have an afternoon break. However, the other option is you could leave after Pooh, go back to your resort for lunch/rest, and then come back in time for the parade. Do a couple more low-key rides after 7D, maybe have a CS supper in the park and then head back to the resort by bedtime. Either way, I'd skip Celebrate the Magic/Wishes, and plan on being back at the resort by 8:00, since a 7:00 am ADR means a very early morning and a long day.

Wednesday April 27, 2016

Epcot -

Chip 'n' Dale's Harvest Feast Breakfast at The Garden Grill
9:00 AM

FastPass -

The Seas with Nemo & Friends
10:35 AM - 11:35 AM

Living with the Land
11:50 AM - 12:50 PM

Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot
1:10 PM - 2:10 PM



Princess Storybook Dining Lunch at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
3:15 PM



Meet Aladdin & Jasmine in Morocco
5:35 PM - Reminder: this is not a reservation.

Meet Snow White in Germany
6:20 PM - Reminder: this is not a reservation.


IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
9:00 PM - Reminder: this is not a reservation.

This day is a tough one. Your Akershus reservation really ruins the possibility of an afternoon break. You need to plan on 90 minutes for the meal. Which means the earliest you'd be able to get out and head back to the resort for a rest is probably 4:45. You won't be back to your resort till probably around 5:30. In order to be back in time for IllumiNations, you'd need to be in the park, in your spot by about 8:15, which means you'd have to leave your resort by 7:15. You'd have less than 2 hours, which means it's a waste of time and energy to try leaving.

So... you can try and pull an all-day and just let the kids nap/rest in their stroller. Understanding that if they get seriously over tired, it's probably going to ruin your plans for the next day. Or, you may have to choose what's more important: doing the dinner or seeing IllumiNations. If you want to see IllumiNations, skip the dinner and go back for a rest after your character M&G. Plan on being back in park for 7:00 to spend some more time. Or, skip IllumiNations and just leave after your dinner or meeting some characters in WS.

Myself personally, given the ages of your kids, I'd hands down skip IllumiNations and instead do the Princess dinner, especially if they are into princesses. It's such a great way to meet several characters without having to stand in line. But that said, you're also doing CRT, and while it's a different restaurant, it's still kind of the same experience, you're going to be duplicating some of the princesses. With that in mind, maybe you'd rather drop the dinner and do IllumiNations instead.

As for dropping the TT FP+, I know some will think it's a mistake. Myself, I don't. My 5 year old was terrified of TT, and your 2 year old won't be able to ride it anyways. But, that's a personal choice.


Thursday April 28, 2016

Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park

FastPass -

Kali River Rapids
9:20 AM - 10:20 AM

Kilimanjaro Safaris
10:55 AM - 11:55 AM

Festival of the Lion King
12:30 PM - 12:50 PM


Magic Kingdom Park

Be Our Guest Lunch - QSR
2:15 PM

Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party
5:40 PM - Reminder: this is not a reservation.

Main Street Electrical Parade
9:00 PM - Reminder: this is not a reservation.

There is no way you'll make your 2:15 BOG. The Lion King show doesn't start until 1:00, and it's 30 minutes long. By the time you get out of the show, and up to the front of the park, it's going to be 1:45. There is no monorail from AK to MK, so you'll be relying on the busses (or driving yourself). Waiting for/taking the bus alone, will take probably 20+ minutes, and then you have to go through the park gates etc... So, it's just not going to happen. You'd have to be at the front of AK by 1:15 at the latest, ready to leave for MK.

Myself, I'd skip BOG, and spend the day at AK. There is a lot there for children to enjoy: other characters, the Boneyard playground, the animals/trails, Nemo show, Wilderness Explorers (my 5 year old LOVED this), Conservation Station. You could even try and switch your Kali FP+ to later, and try and ride it once at rope drop, and then again later (my 5 year old LOVED this ride, and it was a repeat request).

However, if you really want to keep BOG, you'll have to either skip FOLK (which I wouldn't), or try and rearrange your FP+ so you're leaving the park by 1:15. Regardless of what you do, I would skip MSEP tonight and save it for your last night of watching Wishes, especially since you're going to have a late night tomorrow night with Fantasmic.


Friday April 29, 2016

Disney's Hollywood Studios

FastPass -

Disney Junior - Live on Stage!
10:10 AM - 10:25 AM


Hollywood & Vine Lunch Fantasmic 1st Show
11:30 AM

FastPass -

Toy Story Midway Mania!
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM


Beauty and the Beast-Live on Stage
5:00 PM - Reminder: this is not a reservation.

For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
6:30 PM - Reminder: this is not a reservation.


FastPass -

Voyage of The Little Mermaid
8:20 PM - 8:35 PM

Fantasmic!
9:00 PM - Reminder: this is not a reservation.

Unfortunately the timing here will not work. You will not be able to do the Voyage of the Little Mermaid that late, even with your dinner package, you're still going to need to be in line for F! by I'd say 8:40 at the latest. Especially since they are now only running 1 show a night. And even beyond that, by the time the Mermaid show is done, you get out, and walk over/get into F!, not only will it already be started, but you run the risk of not having any seats left (or having crappy ones). So, the latest you can do Mermaid is 7:40. If you can't get a FP+ for it, you can probably still do it without one, if you're in line by 7:10 or so.


Definitely leave after TSMM for an afternoon break, and come back in time for Frozen (meaning you'll want to be in line by probably 6:10). You'll have to skip Beauty & the Beast. But since you're doing Enchanted Tales with Belle at MK, this isn't really such a big deal.


Saturday April 30, 2016

Magic Kingdom Park

FastPass -

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
9:10 AM - 10:10 AM

Enchanted Tales with Belle
10:10 AM - 11:10 AM


Fairytale Dining Lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table
11:55 AM


FastPass -

Meet Anna and Elsa at Princess Fairytale Hall
2:20 PM - 3:20 PM


Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

'Ohana Dinner
7:55 PM

Magic Kingdom Park

Wishes nighttime spectacular
10:00 PM - Reminder: this is not a reservation.

This looks better, however, it's the same issue: you do not have time to do dinner at O'Hanas, and make Wishes at MK. I would skip this dinner and instead, leave after meeting A&E for a break. Come back in time to watch MSEP and Wishes from within the park. Plan on being back in the park by 7:30 or so, you can stroll around, do a ride, maybe two, and plan on being in place by 8:15 or so to watch the parade/fireworks.


You've definitely made some improvements, but there are still some problem areas. I realize the desire to want to see and do it all, but the reality is you just can't. It's impossible. And, by pushing your young children to do 7 days in a row of sun up to sun down days, you risk ruining your entire vacation. Is that the memory you really want to leave them with? Of rushing from park to park, reservation to reservation, of being exhausted, because you wanted to see and do it all. Your kids are very young, chances are you'll be able to go back to Disney again some day, even if it's 5 years down the road, to do more. Personally, I think you have too many long dinners planned. I understand wanting to take advantage of the dining plan but a) those reservations really screw up some of your options for breaks/rests b) significantly cut into the time you could be spending in the park doing other things (shows, rides etc...) that are far more fun for a 2 & 5 year old than eating a meal c) most of your meals are very loooong. You need to realistically consider how well a tired 2 year old is going to sit in a fancy restaurant for 60-90 minutes.

Also, you need to plan realistically for times. To get from your resort into a park, you need to allow a full hour. You need to allow a full hour to transfer between parks. From the time you are at a park entrance to leave, you need to allow about 45 minutes for being back in your room. Sit down dinners take at least 60 minutes (some even longer) and ones like CRT, Akershus etc... take 90+. If you're at the back of the park trying to walk to the front to leave, you need to allow 10-15 minutes walking time.

 

[JGBC]

mrzrich, I cancelled Test Track because my kids won't enjoy it. I checked out a YouTube video of it and it would thrill me, but my kids would be ready to jump off because it's boring.

Unfortunately at my children's age, I doubt they will stay up for both Wishes / Celebrate the Magic. That will have to be my wife's decision.

I short changed AK because our dining reservation is in MK (BOG), so I didn't want our family to go back and forth between 2 parks. Unfortunately, our dining reservation is stuck due to no other available times.

 

[mrzrich]

Umm...Test Track is the least boring ride at Epcot. I think whatever you tube video you watched is short changing it.

As for your BOG predicament. Lunch there is OK, but I would not miss all that AK has to offer a 2 and a 5 year old to just to eat lunch there. As an aside, reservations for lunch at BOG open up all the time. Even the night before. I would keep trying to get BOG on a more convenient day.If I couldn't get it on a better day. I would let it go seriously. Its a nice lunch, but the stuff that you'll miss at AK for a first timer with kids your age is much better.

 

[mrzrich]

An alternative is to strictly go to MK on 4/28 and go to AK on 4/30 instead. Perhaps after 9:15 breakfast at the castle?

 

[KittyKitty]

Things you may already know. You can walk between the Poly and Grand Floridian, and walk between Magic Kingdom and Contemporary. There is a bus between Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom. Double stroller for your children. You will easily walk 6-10 miles a day.

And don't worry if you change your plans once you get there. I always do!

Have a great time!

 

[mshanson3121]

mrzrich, I cancelled Test Track because my kids won't enjoy it. I checked out a YouTube video of it and it would thrill me, but my kids would be ready to jump off because it's boring.

Unfortunately at my children's age, I doubt they will stay up for both Wishes / Celebrate the Magic. That will have to be my wife's decision.

I short changed AK because our dining reservation is in MK (BOG), so I didn't want our family to go back and forth between 2 parks. Unfortunately, our dining reservation is stuck due to no other available times.

Celebrate the Magic is before Wishes It's just a little pre-show projected onto the castle. So, if you're there for Wishes, you'll see it.

 

[mshanson3121]

Umm...Test Track is the least boring ride at Epcot. I think whatever you tube video you watched is short changing it.

As for your BOG predicament. Lunch there is OK, but I would not miss all that AK has to offer a 2 and a 5 year old to just to eat lunch there. As an aside, reservations for lunch at BOG open up all the time. Even the night before. I would keep trying to get BOG on a more convenient day.If I couldn't get it on a better day. I would let it go seriously. Its a nice lunch, but the stuff that you'll miss at AK for a first timer with kids your age is much better.

Definitely. I can pretty well guarantee your children would prefer more time in AK doing the fun stuff there, than sitting in a restaurant eating a meal. Friends of ours took their 2 year old, and AK was hands down his favorite park at that age, consequently theirs as well: less time spent in lines, more time to let them explore what they want. It's just a very different pace, very laid back and relaxed when compared to the other parks. I think we parents tend to under estimate how much children enjoy having time to explore, to wander around and see what they want. It doesn't always have to be about rides and entertainment for them. The Wilderness Explorers program is awesome, and most kids really enjoy petting zoos. There's some great meet & greets at AK, too if your kids are into the characters. My 5 year old daughter loved AK. Kali was her favorite ride out of ALL of WDW. She loved Maharajah Jungle Trek, the petting zoo, the safari. Everywhere you turn at AK there is something to see. They never stopped oohing and aahing the entire time we were there.

 

[Catvondita]

You aren't going into the park on the first day? Honestly if it is your first time ever seeing wishes I would suggest seeing it up close in the actual park. It's much more magical and a great start to your trip!

 

[JM Oliveri]

I would 86 the epcot character spot. you are already going to chef mickey.. same characters
also FYI snowwhite and cinderella are also at akershus ,unless rapunzel is a must, id skip waiting in line for characters. character dining is the way to go. photos, autographs and the come to you... and food.

 

[SeeDisney]

at your hollywood studios day, after fastastmic show you should be mindful stick around and watch the Stars Wars fireworks. it's amazing!!!

 

[aleksandr]

Hello everyone,

My wife has gone before, but my kids and I, it's our 1st time!! We are going from end of April to early May and staying at the Polynesian.

This is a GREAT time to go. We go every year during the end of April/beginning of May. Beautiful weather, not too hot, typically very little rain, and crowds are on the lighter side. In fact, we will be there again this year during that time frame.

Question here - which time do we choose for Chef Mickey's Fun Time Buffet, 7:00am, 11:15am, or 8:10pm? The agent booked all 3 times.

Well, that helps explain why I can never find a reservation at Chef Mickey's

I guess it really depends on what you are looking for. If a character breakfast, go for the 7:00am. While that is not my choice to be up for a 7:00am breakfast, given the choice between 7 and 11:15, you are much better with 7.

Arrive b/t 10:35am and 11:35am - The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Arrive b/t 12:10pm and 1:10pm - Test Track
Arrive b/t 1:30pm and 2:30pm - Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot

You'll likely not need that FP for Nemo. I've never seen more than a 2-3 minute wait, if that long at Nemo and Friends during that time period. The other two choices are good.

Question here - What else can we do this day?

What time is your return flight? How much time do you have?

How about miniature golfing at Fantasia Gardens or Winter Summerland? Or some shopping at Downtown Disney, errr, Disney Springs?

 

[aleksandr]

I would 86 the epcot character spot. you are already going to chef mickey.. same characters
also FYI snowwhite and cinderella are also at akershus ,unless rapunzel is a must, id skip waiting in line for characters. character dining is the way to go. photos, autographs and the come to you... and food.

Aren't Joy and Sadness there now from Inside Out?

I believe that is the only location to see those two characters, and they will only likely be there for a year or so before being gone forever.