Please Review My September Itinerary

[Patrick G.]

My wife and two kids (boy and girl, 11 and 10) will be making our fourth trip to WDW this Sept 4-11. We will be staying at the Wilderness Lodge. The following is the itinerary I have planned so far (dining reservations included), but I'm looking for any obvious flaws or potential improvements. I'm still trying to get over the fact that Splash Mountain closes for refurb the week before we arrive, so any positive that comes out of this post will be a welcome anticipation booster!

• Monday - Fly in and arrive at Wilderness Lodge around 8:30 pm. 9 pm dinner @ Whispering Canyon Cafe.
• Tuesday - Arrive Epcot at opening time, and then leave in time for 8 pm dinner @ T-REX at Disney Springs (because we have seen Illuminations three times).
• Wednesday - 8:05 am breakfast at Cindy's Royal Table, MK all day, Be Our Guest dinner @ 6:45 pm, stay for Happily Ever After.
• Thursday - Sleep in, swim, head to MK @ 3:30 pm for MNSSHP including 6 pm dinner @ Crystal Palace.
• Friday - Arrive AK mid-morning, considering Tusker House Rivers of Light dining package, but hearing mixed reviews of Rivers of Light, so still not sure what I want to do with this evening.
• Saturday - Arrive HS at opening time, 6:25 pm dinner @ Mama Melrose's, Fantasmic!
  • Open to other nighttime option though since we have seen Fantasmic! three times as well.
  • Now planning to see Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular instead of Fantasmic!
• Sunday - Arrive at MK early morning and stay all day, 8 pm dinner @ Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs.
• Monday - Depart at 11 am.

Thanks in advance!

 

[tsme]

It sounds good, but you do have some long days planned. You might want to pencil in an hour or two of rest mid day on those long days. And September is hot.

 

[Patrick G.]

And September is hot.

You're not helping my whole bummed-about-Splash-Mountain-being-closed situation. ;-)

Thanks for the review!

 

[Daniela Rose]

What about Star Wars on your HS night instead?

 

[Patrick G.]

What about Star Wars on your HS night instead?

I'm sorry, can you please elaborate? Star Wars?

 

[Daniela Rose]

I'm sorry, can you please elaborate? Star Wars?

Star Wars: a galactic spectacular (fireworks)

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/hollywood-studios/star-wars-galactic-spectacular/

 

[LSUfan4444]

Arrive Epcot at opening time, and then leave in time for 8 pm dinner @ T-REX at Disney Springs

Im sure you have your reasons but I can think of probably 50 places I would choose ahead of T-Rex. If it was a day you did not have park tickets thats one thing but you could much better inside of Epcot before leaving for the evening, at your resort or anywhere close at one of the monorail resorts.

Friday - Arrive Animal Kingdom mid-morning, considering Tusker House Rivers of Light dining package, but hearing mixed reviews of Rivers of Light, so still not sure what I want to do with this evening

Tusker House is a solid value for the dining package and if you plan on seeing it booking the dining package with a late arrival would free up a FP+. It's a costly plan but if you have the DDP its certainly a good use of s credit. While I have not seen Rivers of Light I have not heard or seen anyone with credibility advising to NOT see it. Some people have said they like aspects and see where it can be improved but advised that most guests should still see it if they are interested.

Sunday - Arrive at MK early morning and stay all day, 8 pm dinner @ Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs.

I'll go back to the same thoughts with Tuesday. There are so many outstanding dining options in Disney Springs to chose from and even more when you consider the parks and resorts, Planet Hollywood would not be enough to pull me from Magic Kingdom on my last full day.

 

[LSUfan4444]

What about Star Wars on your HS night instead?

Agreed. Star Wars Fireworks would be a must do.

 

[Patrick G.]

Star Wars: a galactic spectacular (fireworks)

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/hollywood-studios/star-wars-galactic-spectacular/

OMG - How did I miss this!? Thank you!

Im sure you have your reasons but I can think of probably 50 places I would choose ahead of T-Rex. If it was a day you did not have park tickets thats one thing but you could much better inside of Epcot before leaving for the evening, at your resort or anywhere close at one of the monorail resorts.

Tusker House is a solid value for the dining package and if you plan on seeing it booking the dining package with a late arrival would free up a FP+. It's a costly plan but if you have the DDP its certainly a good use of s credit. While I have not seen Rivers of Light I have not heard or seen anyone with credibility advising to NOT see it. Some people have said they like aspects and see where it can be improved but advised that most guests should still see it if they are interested.

I'll go back to the same thoughts with Tuesday. There are so many outstanding dining options in Disney Springs to chose from and even more when you consider the parks and resorts, Planet Hollywood would not be enough to pull me from Magic Kingdom on my last full day.

But can you think of that many dining options that two kids, ages 10 and 11, who love both movies and dinosaurs, would enjoy more than T-REX and a newly-renovated PH?

 

[Patrick G.]

What would be the ideal dinner reservation time if I plan to see Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular immediately after (but also want a great seat)? I'm guessing my 6:25 may be a little too early.

 

[dolewhipdreams]

Are you certain you want to use MNSSHP time for a TS meal? If you have already thought about it and that's what you want, then disregard this. But that's at least an hour of valuable party time doing something you can do on a normal day. I've personally not eaten at Planet Hollywood but have heard less than stellar reviews. Could you try to get an ADR at Crystal Palace for that night instead?

As I said, disregard if you've decided those are your priorities!

 

[LSUfan4444]

But can you think of that many dining options that two kids, ages 10 and 11, who love both movies and dinosaurs, would enjoy more than T-REX and a newly-renovated PH?

I can't quantify it and say I know places they would like more but I can say there are places they would like that are better, closer and much better values....It doesnt appear that you have park hoppers so I am going to run with that assumption

On Tuesday (depending on their dietary preferences) Biergarten is a fun place for kids that age if you wanted to stay in the park, Ragland Road is a solid choice if you want to head to Disney Springs and if you would consider other resorts how about Whispering Canyon or Ohana? All are substantially better than T-Rex.

On Sunday you'll be in Magic Kingdom but have already done BOG and CRT so since you're willing to leave the park how about heading to Animal Kingdom Lodge and watching the sunset over the savannah then trying either Boma or Sanaa? Heck, even the Mara would be a culinary upgrade from PH.

If you kept your ADR at the same time (8pm) you could get to Animal Kingdom lodge and spend some time relaxing before dinner.

 

[Patrick G.]

I can't quantify it and say I know places they would like more but I can say there are places they would like that are better, closer and much better values....It doesnt appear that you have park hoppers so I am going to run with that assumption

On Tuesday (depending on their dietary preferences) Biergarten is a fun place for kids that age if you wanted to stay in the park, Ragland Road is a solid choice if you want to head to Disney Springs and if you would consider other resorts how about Whispering Canyon or Ohana? All are substantially better than T-Rex.

On Sunday you'll be in Magic Kingdom but have already done BOG and CRT so since you're willing to leave the park how about heading to Animal Kingdom Lodge and watching the sunset over the savannah then trying either Boma or Sanaa? Heck, even the Mara would be a culinary upgrade from PH.

If you kept your ADR at the same time (8pm) you could get to Animal Kingdom lodge and spend some time relaxing before dinner.

Great suggestions! However, we stayed at AKL last trip (savanna view room), so we're very familiar with its beauty, and the deliciousness of Boma and Sanaa. I was probably just looking to do something different this time. We also did O'hana last trip, and we're already doing Whispering Canyon on Monday night.