Please help me figure this out

[my2dogs]

We'll be in WDW Nov 28-Dec 4th. There is Nana (me), PopPop, DD 33 and grandgirls 4,7. This is our first trip. I made our ADR's but can't figure out which park to do when. We do have park hoppers and are staying at Caribbean Resort. We do want to see Fantasmic, Wishes, and Illuminations.

We arrive on Tuesday 10:15 at MCO.

Tuesday- 1900 Park Fare 5:00 pm

Wednesday- Chef Mickey 5:00 pm

Thursday Crystal Palace 1:00 pm

Friday Kona 5:00 pm

Saturday O'Hana 5:00 pm

Sunday Princess Storybook 10:10 am

Monday - our flight leaves at 2:55 pm

So.... what should our basic plan be???? Suggestions, please!!

 

[TinaLala]

OK, based on what you you indicated for meals here's what I would do parkwise. We're going to be there the 1-10 and I'm hoping the weather is going to be great so we can have some pool time!!

M - MK - only because the kids are going to be so excited to see the castle
T - MK - to follow up on any excitement.
W - MGM - be sure to stay for Fantasmic
TH - Downtown Disney or DisneyQuest based on your tickets
F - AK
S - MK
S - Epcot

I only based the parks by where you were having your dinner. Regardless if you have a park hopper you can start any day at one park and then end it at a park closests to your dinner so you can watch that night's show.

Have fun!!

 

[skier_pete]

Nice ideas Tina!

Things to think about when planning...
1) Are you (and family) early risers or night-owls? that should affect your choices.
2) Does the little one still take a nap most days?
3) Do you think the kids (or yourself) will need breaks during the day?

If the family can handle the later nights, I recommend on the days where you have 5 PM dinners, pick one park for the morning/early afternoon. Take a break if necessary, the get to your ADR and in the evening hit the park that has the Extra Magic Hours. Even with the hopper option, you are better off sticking to one park and no more than two per day. Also, with little kids, it's a good idea to plan one "full" day, and then follow it with a "lighter" day, where you go back the hotel early and just hang out. It's easy to exhaust yourself.

As far as with your ADRs, a couple of obvious days are MK on Thursday and EPCOT on Sunday. Since all your reservation are in the vicinty of MK and EPCOT, my suggestion is that the days you do AK and MGM plan on being "full" days. As with TinaLaLa's suggestion, take AK on Friday until 3:30 PM or so, then head over to your dinner reservation, and if the family is still up to it, hit MK or EPCOT for a few hours.

If you have park passes for Monday, you'll have to leave by noon to get your flight, save leave that last few hours unplanned and go do either the one thing you regret you missed, or repeat what was your favorite.

Hope that helps...
SkierPete

 

[my2dogs]

Thanks Tina and SkierPete! Your suggestions have helped get me pointed in the right direction.

Linda

 

[skier_pete]

Glad to help!

Another thing occurred to me after I paid closer attention to when you are going, Mickey's X-mas party, a separate pay event, is occurring on Nov 28th & 30th, and Dec 1st. Unless you want to pay the extra price for this (I think like $40 a person), you should plan your evenings at MK around this. I personally think for a first timer that this is probably a waste to spend the extra money, as there is so much to see here with no need to spend that extra cash.

At MK, if you are going to be around for the WISHES fireworks show, make sure you also catch the Spectromagic Parade. This in my opnion is better than WISHES. The kids will love it! Sunday is a good evening for Spectromagic / Wishes if the kids can take the late night because it is Extra Magic Hours, that way, you don't need to fight the crowds to the exits after the fireworks are over, can stick around and ride a few rides. (Crowds are still pretty good for EMH though.)

Also, at AK, do not miss the Festival of the Lion King show, especially if either of your gkids like Lion King. This show is absolutely fantastic, and great for kids of all ages. (It's like going to the Circus, only better.) A good one to catch later in the day when the feet are getting tired.

SkierPete