Please review my itinerary and tell me what you think

[riu girl]

Please review and give me your opinion. Have not been to WDW in 21 years so this is all NEW to me.

Also: While reading, please keep in mind that DD7 has severe ADHD. She never stops , unless I make her. In the itin, I have alloted quite a bit of ASMo time (so she can simply slow down: read, draw, watch tv, swim etc). Without this down time, she over does it and can end of very ill. Happened on last vacation and I don't want it to happen again.

Day 1 (Friday Dec. 17): Drive to Buffalo and stay at Comfort Suites. Parking, shuttle and bagged breakfast included. Hope to arrive at hotel in early afternoon so we can have a lot of down time. Will order dinner in.

Day 2 (Saturday Dec. 18) Fly BUF-IAD-MCO. Arrive MCO just after noon. Pick up rental and drive to ASMo. Explore resort and spend the rest of the day there.

Day 3 (Sunday Dec. 19) Go to DTD for a few hours, have lunch at Earls and ice cream at the ice cream shop (have a couple two for one coupons) . Early afternoon: ride the two monorail routes and check out GF (to see gingerbread house). Will not do a park that day since kids will be tired from getting up at 3 am and then travelling. Go to bed early.

Day 4 (Monday Dec. 20) MK - This will be a long day since we want to be there at open and will stay for Wishes. Will rent a double stroller for DD7 and DS4 for the day. Will take their blankets with them in case they want to nap in stroller.

Day 5 (Tuesday Dec. 21) Spend morning in FW (petting zoo and pony rides) and WL. Will have lunch somewhere there, but not sure where yet. Counter service preferred since we have a PS for that night and don't want to overeat at lunch.
Early afternoon - Quiet time - ASMo
4:30 pm - drive over to Swan and Dolphin and check out their decorations
5:30 - PS at Gullivers (Character dining with Goofy and Pluto). DS4 and I are very small eaters so couldn't justify a buffet or family style plated meals for character dining. We can simply order from the menu here.

Day 6 (Wednesday Dec. 22) AK. Will rent a double stroller for kids.

Day 7 (Thursday Dec. 23) Checkout of ASMo and then drive over to AKL to see the animals and decorations. Drive back to MCO, pick up new rental car (had to do a split rental to use a great discount code) and then drive to Daytona Beach.

Day 8 - Day 16 (Dec 23 - Dec 31) Kick back and relax at a beachfront hotel just north of Daytona (Ormond Beach)

Dec 31 - Fly home (MCO-IAD-BUF).

What do you think? Please be honest. I think that I should try to get to MK and AK earlier (to avoid building Christmas crowds) but not sure how. DO NOT want to go to either park on an EE day.
Also, all breakfast will be eaten in our room (food I've brought from BUF). Lunches and dinners will be counter service except PS at Gullivers.
I am also going to post this over on the theme parks board in hopes of getting as many replys as possible, so please don't waste your time reading it over there again.
Again, ANY tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you, Suzy V.

 

[Scratch42]

Lookin' Good!

Day 3 ~ why not stop at the Poly and The Cont to check out their Christmas decorations also!

Have A Great Time!

Scratch

 

[hellooothere]

I really like your holiday plans! You have taken lots of time for rest and still will be seeing a lot!

We are planning a similar type of holiday Disneyworld/Beach Vacation but our plans are completely different. I think I like your planning better but it is too late to change our minds.

What kind of park tickets to you have? How did you choose those 2 parks only?

I think you made good choices with your meals too! I really like how you planned to take the day after you arrive off to just let the kids recover from the travelling day. I wish we had that luxury!

Good job and I can't wait to read your trip report.



I CAN'T BELIEVE WE WILL BE IN FLORIDA IN 11 DAYS!!!

 

[MaMudduck]

Suzy

How come only 2 parks?-

If you have park hoppers, I would hop over to MGM studios on your AK day. Animal Kigdom closes early ( or you can leave after the parade at 4pm)- And go and see Fantasmic which is after dark. Takes a restful time getting there and eat dinner there and go into Fantasmic ( get to Fanstamic min of 1 hour before it starts, go can get food inside and make sure you take you stroller in as far as they'll let you.. it's a long walk)

Other stuff I would get the kids to at MGM if time allows: Mupperts 3D (not scary for little ones),Voyage of the Little Mermaid ( Ursella can be a little scary by the black light puppets are amazing), Beauty & the Beast, (if time allows) But Fantamic is really good try to see it.

PS- by chance I got to met/ on the phone with Marilyn R (that lives on my street) small world huh?

 

[riu girl]

Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to look at what I have written and comment on it.


We have decided on only two parks for two reasons:


1. Finances - As you can see we are doing what I think would be referred to as a BUDGET WDW holiday. I am trying to keep the costs low so we can have some $$ for Daytona as well. Does this make sense???
2. I have read that these WDW parks can be physically exhausting. The last time we did a theme park (Canada's Wonderland), both kids were wiped the next day. Thats why we thought two parks would be the best for this WDW trip.

We are planning on buying the two day/two park ticket. This will allow us to go to 2 different parks on two different days (but not park hop). The price of this ticket is about $5 less then two single day admission tickets.


We will make sure that we will try and visit all of the monorail hotels to see their decorations (thanks for the tip). I took the kids to the Festival of Trees last night in Peterborough and they were BLOWN AWAY. I can't wait to see their reaction to the decorations at Disney.

Any other tips/suggestions??????????

Thanks again,

Suzy V.

 

[Scratch42]

Don't forget to have your pics taken with Santa at DTD!

Check out the Boardwalk area also.

Scratch

 

[riu girl]

Please tell me about the Boardwalk area.
Thank you

Suzy V.

 

[jersey shark]

Just had a quick glance at your itinerary, two things came to mind:

a) maybe too much time in Daytona-Ormond Beach (not the greatest part of Florida imho) and December temps there should only be low to mid 70s at best...if you have wheels (which you do) and time (which you do) I'd consider going down to south Florida where you'll have better weather/more to do, or even stay in Orlando longer for the same reasons...a lot of the non-Disney stuff is great for families!

b) if you're trying to do this on a budget...stay off-site and get a hotel with free breakfast and free parking etc...I didn't understand your hotel abbreviation so don't know where you're staying...also, why lug food from Buffalo????

Just my initial thoughts,

Jersey Shark (and huge Disney veteran)

 

[Scratch42]

Day 5 ~ The Boardwalk area is right by the Swan/Dolphin. It's where the Boadwalk Villas and the Beach Club are located. It should be beautifully decoreated and they have games and entertainers, shopping.

Scratch

 

[riu girl]

Thanks for all the info. eveybody. ASMo = All star movies. We are staying there (and on-site) vs. off-site since we got a great rate ($55/nt).

Believe me, I would prefer to stay somewhere in southern FLorida vs. Daytona area. But the price was very good 45 /nt for an oceanfront room with a full kitchen, plus a balcony plus a nice heated indoor pool.

If anyone can suggest any place farther south, on/closeby a beach, within the same price range please let me know. I would love to stay in southern Florida (for the warmer temperatures) but was unable to find anything cheap.

Thanks again,
Suzy V.