Pls Help review my plan!!

[zachsmomie]

Ok..Here are the people involved: Myself (turning 36 during our trip), Hubby, 48, son age 12 and my mom and dad (let's just say old enough but not too old ) This will be the 3rd trip to Disney for my family and the first for my parents.

We arrive 7/24 and we are staying at the BC Concierge. The concierge upgrade is a surprise for my parents! We decided to do this because my mom has a heart condition and my dad a bad back. We thought they would enjoy the ammenities when they are at the hotel. We've never stayed concierge before but I must say the staff has been excellent.
7/24 - arrive and swim, late hours at MGM so dinner at 50's Prime Time and Fantasmic
7/25 - Epcot Early entrance, pool in afternoon, Downtown Disney in evening, Kitchen Sink that night (my son's idea for his ice cream loving Grandpa!)
7/26 - my birthday! Animal Kingdom Wildlife Excursion for DH, DS and self, pool in afternoon (maybe take son to a water park during this time--which one???) Yachtsman Steakhouse for dinner, Illuminations Cruise and visit Boardwalk afterwards
7/27 - Magic Kingdom, Afternoon Tea at Grand Floridian for mom and I, return to Magic Kingdom in the evening for Parade and Fireworks, late evening at Magic Kingdom
7/28 - Boardwalk and depart for Disney Wonder Cruise
7/28-31 Disney Wonder (Palo dinner one night and couples cabana massage for only my husband and I since he is such a great guy who has been so understanding of my need to make this a spectacular vacation for my parents and son.)

I have T-shirts for everyone to wear one day (which day???) that say Bixby-Murray Family Vacation, Walt Disney World July 2005 in a circle around a picture of the disney characters. On the front is a solid Mickey hea with the person's name underneath.

I also am making a set of the tie-dyed Mickey shirts for each person to wear one day (don't know which one...any ideas???) I am going to be in Orlando for a Kindergarten teacher's conference the week before so I am going to Downtown Disney and getting some pins to be delivered to the resort and waiting for my son when we arrive.

Here's my poblems:
1) When to wear the shirts?
2) What else do you suggest to make this a spectacular vacation? I want my son to always have this great memory of his only Disney vacation with his grandparents and visa versa for my folks.
3) What have I missed? What do I still need to plan/do?

Thanks so much for you input!

 

[SamanthaL]

You could do dessers on the Illumination Cruise. I think they still do it. Sounds like a great trip!

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Since you are going in a busy season please reconsider the evening EMH on your plans. We just returned and I totally agree with most of the people here on the DIS that the evening EMH are way too crowded to enjoy. We only tried the Studios on Sunday night and it was a complete mob scene. We only got to ride Tower of Terror and only because we heard a CM tell someone that they reopen the FP machines when the EMH starts. The stand by line was 85 minutes and after we used our FP the next time on the FP clock was something like 1 1/2 hours. All the times listed on the board were crazy so we just went back to the hotel.
I really don't know if you want to be in such large crowds unable to ride much of anything. It's best to skip the EMH parks and go to another. If you can get going early that is the best strategy for all the parks.

 

[Pixiedusttravel]

It sounds like your family will have an awesome vacation!

Personally, I think you should wear your shirts on your Magic Kingdom day. You'll get lots of attention and who knows what pixiedust may come your way from those Disney CM's! I have to agree with the poster who advised to stay away from the evening EMH. It really is a madhouse. Have a wonderful time!!

 

[Pixiedusttravel]

Oh, one more thing that I forgot to add. Don't overly worry about making this the most spectacular vacation ever!! Huge mistake!! In my experience that pressure that you put on yourself makes you stressed out the whole trip trying to make sure that everyone is having the time of their life!

Please, it sounds like you've got everything planned out wonderfully. Once you get there, keep your mind open that there will be times when things may not work the way you planned. Take it slow, and make sure to stop and smell the roses while you and your family are there. It really will go by fast and if you're all stressed out the whole time your trip will be remembered as a huge blur.