Post Your Itinerary Here (7-Day Especially)

Family of 7. 2 grandparents, parents, and kids (1,4,7) . No table service meals, the kids (and my husband) hate them
Oct 10 (today!!) driving down
Oct 11 -magic kingdom (not recommended) - we like to start here, and we're coming back so we can skip anything busy
Oct 12- Hollywood studios (recommended park, likely an early day)
Oct 13 - blizzard beach
Oct 14 - magic kingdom (mid day break then fireworks)
Oct 15 - epcot ( going back until close while kids stay with grandparents)
Oct 16 - animal kingdom (usually a short day)
Oct 17- magic kingdom
Oct 18- up in the air
 
We are going to be there Thanksgiving week, staying at the Wilderness Lodge. I try to plan it so we never stay up late and get up early the very next day.:

Saturday: Arrival, relax at resort, dinner @ WCC, watch the Water Pageant

Sunday: MK- Rope drop, early night

Monday: AK- Rope drop, lunch @ Tusker House, early night

Tuesday: DHS- Rope drop, lunch @ H&V, early Fantasmic

Wednesday: Epcot- Rope Drop, dinner @ Beirgarten, Illuminatioins

Thanksgiving: Sleep in, DHS midday to catch a few shows, Dinner @ Trails End, Golf Cart rental at FW for the afternoon-evening

Friday: Sleep in, breakfast @ WCC, MK midday to closing, MSEP & Wishes

Saturday: Check out, late breakfast @ Chef Mickey's, Downtown Disney shopping, late flight home.
 
In order to get a rough idea of what I was doing for an upcoming trip, I first marked any important ADRs (CRT, Ohana) and worked around things from there. After that, it was a matter of putting together where I wanted to go within those limitations, and taking a hint of the park crowd calendars into consideration.

Day 1- MK/EP/MK
Day 2- MK/EP/HS
Day 3- MK
Day 4- Universal IOA/US
Day 5- AK/EP
Day 6- MNSSHP
Day 7- HS/DTD
Day 8- MK

EXPENSES ESTIMATOR FOR OCTOBER 2014 WDW TRIP

DATES: 8 days/7 Night
Total Budget: $1,000 ($125/day MAX)

Day 1
Breakfast (@ The Mara - AKL)
Bounty Platter - $8.99
Espresso - $2.99

[From AKL, go to Magic Kingdom for 'Disney First'.]

Lunch (@ Golden Oak Outpost - MK)
Tex-Mex Waffle Fries - $5.99

[From Magic Kingdom, go Epcot for evening.]

Dinner (@ Rose and Crown Pub - EPCOT)
Trio of United Kingdom Cheese - $12.49
Fish and Chips - $19.99

[Return to Magic Kingdom for night, then go back to room for night.]

Total: $50.45

Day 2
Breakfast (@ The Mara - AKL)
Mickey Waffles - $6.39

[From AKL, go to MK for morning fun and SOTMK game. Take Monorail to Epcot.]

Lunch (@ Food & Wine Festival - EPCOT)
BOOTH ITEM - $10.00

[From Epcot, take boat to Hollywood Studios for FP+ selections and F!]

Dinner (@ The Mara - AKL)
Chicken Pita - $9.19

Total: $25.58

Day 3
Breakfast (@ Cinderella's Royal Table - MK)
Specialty Breakfast - $58.15 (PRE-PAID)

[Take the Monorail or boat to the Grand Floridian for lunch.]

Lunch (@ Garden View Tea Room - GF)
The Grand Tea - $29.00

[Return to Magic Kingdom for the evening.]

Dinner (@ Casey's Corner - MK)
Chili Cheese Dog - $9.79

Dessert (@ Plaza Ice Cream Parlor - MK)
All-American Sundae - $5.39

Total: $44.18

Day 4
Breakfast (@ The Mara - AKL)
Bounty Platter - $8.99

[Take Mears bus to Universal for day.]

Lunch (@ The Burger Digs)
Cheeseburger Platter - $8.49

Snack (@ Butterbeer Cart)
Frozen Butterbeer - $4.99

[Leave Universal Studios at 7PM, return to resort.]

Dinner (@ The Mara - AKL)
Mara Salad with Chicken - $9.19
Hand-Carved Turkey Sandwich - $9.19

Total: $40.85

Day 5
Breakfast (@ Ohana - Polynesian)
Specialty Breakfast - $26.62

[Take the bus to Animal Kingdom. Stay until lunch or close (5PM). Head to Epcot upon Animal Kingdom closing.]

Lunch (@ Food & Wine Festival)
BOOTH ITEM - $10.00

Dinner (@ Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria - EPCOT)
Carciofi Signature Pie - $21

Total: $57.62

Day 6

[Pack bag with costume and take bus to any park, transfer to Caribbean Beach.]

Breakfast (@ Old Port Royale - Caribbean Beach)
Mickey-Shaped Waffle - $4.99
Spinach and Feta Omelet - $8.49

[Head to MK. Change into costume before 4PM.]

Lunch (@ Columbia Harbour House - MK)
Broccoli Peppercorn Salad - $8.59
French Fries $2.99

[Cue MNSSHP.]

Dinner (@ Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe - MK)
Angus Bacon Cheeseburger - $10.19

Total: $35.25

Day 7
Breakfast (@ The Mara - AKL)
Bounty Platter - $8.99

[Head to Hollywood Studios for early morning rides, leave in afternoon for Downtown Disney.]

Lunch (@ UNKNOWN)
UNKNOWN - $15.00

[Head to Wilderness Lodge.]

Dinner (@ Whispering Canyon Cafe - Wilderness Lodge)
Organic Mixed Green Salad - $6.99
Grilled Western Buffalo Meatloaf - $20.99

[Head back to room.]

Total: $51.97

Day 8
Breakfast (@Contempo Cafe - Contemporary Resort)
Breakfast Burrito - $6.49
Mickey-Shaped Waffle - $4.99

[Head to Magic Kingdom for remainder of day.]

Lunch (@ Be Our Guest - MK)
Carved Turkey Sandwich - $11.49

Dessert (@ Plaza Ice Cream Parlor - MK)
Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Cone - $4.49

[Return to AKL early enough to make food for plane ride.]

Dinner for the Plane (@ The Mara - AKL)
Vegetable Flatbread - $9.99

Total: $37.45

Pre-Grand Total: $343.35
Tax: $22.32
Tipping 20%: $30.68
Final Total: $396.35

MISSING:
Beaches and Cream
Estimated cost - $25.92
Sassalouga's Float
Estimated cost - $14.36
Raglan Road
Estimated cost - $41.00
Kona Cafe
Estimated cost - $20.21

ADDITIONAL EXPENSES:
Popcorn (Chocolate/Caramel/Bacon)
Flavored popcorn - $6.95 each and up
Estimated cost - $35.00
Chocolates
Chocolate from German Pavilion - $4 each and up
Estimated cost - $15.00
Starbucks drinks
Venti soy chai with single shot of espresso - $7-8
Estimated cost - $64.00
Soy milk
Single serve containers - $3.19 each
Orange juice
Single serve container - $3.99 each
Butterbeer ice cream and other Harry Potter snacks
Ice cream - $5 per cup
Chocolate frog $10 each
Pumpkin juice - $8.95 each

SOUVENIRS (Non-Food):
Disney World
Pins - $7.95
Air fresheners - $5.95
Bowl - $12.95
Universal
Pin/Keychain - $8.95
Build-A-Minion $16.95
 
We decided to break our trip up since my husband can only get away for a week and traveling from the West Coast, DS5 and I want to take a few extra days prior. That means re-doing the original plan for all of us together for the whole trip. Am I sick that instead of being annoyed to throw out the old plan I'm excited I get to plan a new one? Now I have to plan a single week for DH, DS and I all together.

Since the schedule is much more standardized for non-peak or holiday times, I was thinking it would be great to see all the planning ideas you all have for a standard week now that EMH's etc are so consistent. I'm still working on mine, and will post when I'm finished, but I'd so love to see how you all approach a single week-long trip. Well, I'd love to see anyone's plans, but the week-long ones would be especially helpful. Thanks!!

For us, different hotels determine variations to itinerary. We determine a path that follows 'Best' recommendations from EasyWDW.Com. We avoid AM EMH unless we are in walking distance to a Park; we enjoy PM EMH at Magic Kingdom and for Osborne Lights. So, for instance, staying along Boardwalk and Animal Kingdom would change our plans versus staying at Monorail resorts. We love, and upcoming trip will be staying at Bay Lake for the convenience of walking into Magic Kingdom with grandparents, who have never stayed at Bay Lake, who are willing to care for 5 year old for an evening. Given recent medical restrictions and that we will have car to buy groceries to use in kitchen of Villa, fewer ADR's this vacation.

1.) Arrive Friday after spending Thanksgiving night at Grandma & Grandpa (my in-laws). Magic Kingdom FP+ for 5pm (Splash), 6pm (Big Thunder), 7pm (Buzz). Leave by way of refurbished Astro Orbiter, Laugh Floor, People Mover. Option to view MK Wishes Fireworks atop Bay Lake at 10pm.

2.) Arrive Animal Kingdom for rope drop. Kilimanjaro Safari....Lion King (10am), Birds of Flight (10:45am), Nemo (1pm). No FP+ in AK. Pool time at Bay Lake or more Park time (weather is the determining factor). Magic Kingdom open until 12am - FP+ from 6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:30pm. Haunted Mansion (closing for scheduled repairs balance of vacation), first time riding 7-Dwarfs, Big Thunder - daughters favorite ride with FP+ return time giving option to see start/finish of Electrical Parade. Wishes Fireworks - option from inside MK or atop Bay Lake.

3. EPCOT - Test Track FP+ at 10:30am; Soarin' only if we are running early. World Showcase from 11am-1pm'ish. Nemo & Meet-n-Greet (Minnie); more likely to become pool time if weather permits. Hollywood Studios EMH to view Osborne Lights. Hoping to go stand-by for Toy Story when Fantasmic begins and Park closes. Presently have Frozen Premium Package which would also include Sing-a-Long and Dessert Party; will cancel if reviews are poor.

4. Hollywood Studios. FP+: Star Tours @ 9:20am - 'throwaway' FP+ that might not get used. FP+ Toy Story (10:30). Beauty & Beast Show @ 11:45am. Sing-a-Long FP+ 12:20pm (will not get used if Premium Package enjoyed the night previous). Obtain 4th FP+ before leaving HStudios for either Rockin' Coaster or Fantasmic. Give child to Grandparents; Date Night. Return to Hollywood Studios for Return Time of 4th FP+ (dinner at Brown Derby). See Fantasmic. Go to Magic Kingdom for 10pm Wishes. MK EMH 'til midnight.

5. Magic Kingdom all day with Grandparents. FP+ at Jungle Cruise (10am), 7-Dwarfs (1pm), Anna & Elsa (2pm). ADR at Artist Point 6pm; daughter goes to Cub Camp. Option to see MVMXP Fireworks atop Bay Lake or stroll Grand Floridian Lobby Gingerbread House.

6. Cinderella's Royal Table for 12pm lunch (first time for G'ma & G'pa). Parade FP+ for 2:45pm. Grandparents leave from Bay Lake. Return to MK for both Electric Parade & Fireworks FP+. This day will be our test of the FP+ for the Parades for future choices.

7. Magic Kingdom AM EMH. We may go to EMH. No need to decide now. FP+ 7-Dwarfs @ 9:30am, Big Thunder @ 10:30, Splash @ 11:30. Hotel Pool. Downtown Disney to shop and Cirque de Soleil.

8. We have FP+ 7-Dwarfs 9:15, Big Thunder 10:15, Tinker Bell (near MK Exit ) 11:15. Car to Airport at 1pm; Flight at 3:30pm. Obviously, my family benefits from using FP+.

Enjoy your journey, however you may tour and/or travel the Parks at Disney.
 

Recent August Trip:

Tuesday: Arrive at 1, Chef Mickey at 5:30, Monorail tour, bed.
Wednesday: Crystal Palace at 8am, MK all day.
Thursday: Downtown Disney AM, MK afternoon, pool/movie at resort in the evening
Friday: Hollywood & Vine 8am, DHS all day
Saturday: Tusker House 8am, Safari, Epcot from 10:30am through evening
Sunday: MK all day
Monday: Chef Mickey breakfast, departure.
 
DH and I like to take advantage of both morning and evening EMH pretty often. For morning EMH, we hit some headliners during the extra hour and then ride a few secondary attractions before eating lunch. Then we hop over to the recommended park for the day (or at least a park with a pretty low crowd level). For the evening EMH, we sometimes won't even get to the park until close to regular closing time. Here's what our January schedule looks like:

January 24-31

Saturday - Land in Orlando at 12:10, get to MK as soon as possible, ADR Whispering Canyon at 6:30, back to MK for EMH
Sunday - Epcot - ADR Cape May 5:05 --> HS for EMH and Fantasmic!
Monday - AK --> MK - ADR Cali Grill at 7:25
Tuesday - Epcot all day - ADR Teppan Edo 5:30 - ADR Beaches and Cream (Dessert) 9:00 (subject to change based on transportation)
Wednesday - HS - ADR Sci-Fi 12:25 --> AK or MK depending on our mood
Thursday - MK all day - ADR 'Ohana 5:20
Friday - HS --> Epcot - ADR Le Cellier 5:35
Saturday - Most likely MK, flight leaves at 4:15 so Magical Express around 1:00ish

We may throw in some Downtown Disney time as well. I'd like to check out the new Marketplace Co-op. We don't generally plan DTD time in advance, we just go when the mood strikes us.

Happy planning!
 
Touring somewhat differently for our upcoming NYE trip - less about rides, more about atmosphere, holiday activities, and good food! We'll use any FP+'s we're able to get, and whatever we can do at RD until it gets too crowded. We're staying at BWV (me, DH, DS19 and DD18).

Dec. 26 - arrive late afternoon, dinner at Boma
Dec. 27 - RD@HS, lunch@50sPT, break, dinner@Mama Melrose, Osbourne Lights
Dec. 28 - 10:30 Gospel Brunch, 4:30 Via Napoli, Candlelight Processional
Dec. 29 - RD@AK, lunch@Y&Y, break, dinner@Artist Point and rented a golf cart to ride around Fort Wilderness to see the Christmas lights
Dec. 30 - sleep in, brunch in the villa, 3:30 Christmas Parade, 4:05 late lunch@Plaza, 7:15 fireworks, dinner@BOG 8:35, 11:45 fireworks
Dec. 31 - sleep in, brunch in the villa, 3:00 late lunch at Rose&Crown, 6:00 IllumiNations, 8:25 dinner at Tutto, 11:45 fireworks
Jan. 1 - sleep in(!), no concrete plans until DS's dive at 4:30, followed by dinner at Kona
Jan. 2 - RD@MK, FoF parade at noon, lunch at LTT, start drive home sometime that afternoon
 
We will be in Disney April 11-18. We are driving down from Central, NJ. Heres my plans so far. Now i cant make any ADRs until Tuesday, but these are my hopefuls that I will be trying to book. We also have the Deluxe Dining Plan as well. Heres our Itinerary!

April 10 - leaving NJ @ 5AM driving to Florence, SC. Staying overnight in Florence, SC.

April 11 - Driving from Florence, SC to Florida. We are staying 1 night off site at a hotel 1 mile away from DTD. (We went to DTD this year and with all the construction parking was a nightmare. So we decided this year we would get to DTD for when they open). Anyways we are going to hit Disneys Boardwalk this night to have dinner and see some of the entertainment there.

April 12 - Sleeping in a little bit and hit the Continental breakfast offered by our hotel. We are planning on getting to DTD for 10AM when the Marketplace opens. Shop from like 10 - 12, then have lunch. I am still unsure about lunch. We will be paying OOP so we are trying to decide if we should do a table service at either Planet Hollywood, TREX, or Rainforest Cafe or if we should just go quick service at Earl of Sandwich. After lunch we are going to head to the contemporary to check in then head to Magic Kingdom for a few hours hopefully able to get an ADR for BOG. Planning on getting fast passes for Under the Sea, Peter Pan, and Small World

April 13 - Going to Magic Kingdom this day. Planning on have breakfast at Crystal Palace, Lunch at Liberty Tree Tavern, and Dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table. Planning on getting Fast Passes for Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and 7 Dwarfs Mine Train.

April 14 -This is our Epcot Day. Epcot is having Early Morning Hours, so we are hoping to do an early ADR at Ohana for Breakfast. Going to Coral Reef for Lunch and then going to head over to Beaches & Cream for dinner. Planning on getting Fast Passes for Test Track, Nemo, and Figment.

April 15 - Going to Hollywood Studios today. Getting an early ADR for Hollywood and Vine for Breakfast than 50s Prime Time Cafe for Lunch, and Sci Fi Dine in Theatre for Dinner. Hoping to get fast passes for Toy Story Midway Mania, Disney Junior on Stage, and if its still available the Frozen Sing-A-Long.

April 16 - This is our Magic Kingdom Early Morning Extra Hour, so planning on getting like a 7AM ADR for Chef Mickeys for Breakfast, Lunch I am still not sure of, we are thinking about The Wave of American Flavors, but not sure yet. And Dinner is at 1900 Park Fare. Hoping to get Fast Passes for Anna & Elsa, Buzz Lightyear, and Winnie the Pooh.

April 17 - Going back to Epcot...having Breakfast at Akershus Royal Banquet, Lunch at Tutto Italia Ristoranta, and dinner at Sanaa. Hoping to get fast passes for Test Track, Turtle Talk, & Space Ship Earth. Test Track is my sons favorite ride in the world so if we do that ride a couple times in 1 vacation he will be super excited, and Spaceship Earth is my husbands favorite ride, so I know we will prolly do this ride earlier on the trip without a fast pass, but again if we doing this ride more than once my hubby will be happy, lol. And I think my 20 month old will get a kick out of Turtle Talk, lol.

April 18 - This is our check out day, but before we check out we have to get a few more things in, lol. We are planning on have breakfast at 1900 Park Fare and then heading into Magic Kingdom for a few hours before we say goodbye to Disney for another year, lol. Hoping to get fast passes for Tinkerbell M&G, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jungle Cruise. After we are all done we are heading out to drive back to Florence, SC to stay over night.

April 19 - We are leaving Florence, SC to drive back up to Central NJ. :rainbow::rainbow::rainbow::rainbow:
 
This is awesome. Thanks everyone who's responded so far!! I definitely have some questions for a few of you, but I want to absorb it all first. :-)

Probably one that comes up a lot is: Do you take afternoon breaks during non-peak times (i.e., shorter park hours). I really love the idea of them, but just can't figure how to work more in. It seems unless you're headed to MK or EMH in the evening (which is only 3 evenings and one is Saturday), or are fine with just dinner and fireworks at Epcot, breaks would be hard to plan.

We have an extra challenge in that there's no way I'm getting my husband, who will be coming from 3 hours later on Saturday, up for rope drop before Tuesday. He might agree to it, but if history is a guide, we will all suffer for this. :-)
 
This is awesome. Thanks everyone who's responded so far!! I definitely have some questions for a few of you, but I want to absorb it all first. :-)

Probably one that comes up a lot is: Do you take afternoon breaks during non-peak times (i.e., shorter park hours). I really love the idea of them, but just can't figure how to work more in. It seems unless you're headed to MK or EMH in the evening (which is only 3 evenings and one is Saturday), or are fine with just dinner and fireworks at Epcot, breaks would be hard to plan.

We have an extra challenge in that there's no way I'm getting my husband, who will be coming from 3 hours later on Saturday, up for rope drop before Tuesday. He might agree to it, but if history is a guide, we will all suffer for this. :-)

Taking breaks can be difficult.

But I find a person does not realize how tired they are until they sit down away from the organized chaos of the Parks.

Frankly, we do not take breaks just to take breaks, we do so because it allows us to pivot to another fun activity before we get bored with the previous activities.

In other words, we never drag along, we move forward at an emotionally healthy pace. Then we decide if staying in a Park is better than taking time poolside.....either with a focus on an additional nighttime plan in another Park, ADR, or Event (i.e., Fantasmic, Cirque, etc.).

I will add, since we go to Disney at least once a year, we never feel as if we 'must see' everything. We can always leave a Park experience for the next visit.
 
Monday 12/15 Universal Studios Islands of Adventure
Tuesday 12/16 Universal Studios
Wednesday 12/17 Magic Kingdom
Thursday 12/18 Hollywood Studios
Friday 12/19 Epcot
Saturday 12/20 Either Animal Kindom or Magic Kindom again

We have no park hopper options. 2 day Universal Studios and 4 Day Disney and since we are most excited about Universal Studios and Magic Kingdom we are doing them early in the week before the Christmas crowds get too intense. Saturday we will either go to Animal Kingdom or get more bang for our buck and do Magic Kingdom again. (Since Wednesday there will be no Christmas parade, it starts on Thursday)
 
Here's the plan for my first solo trip :goodvibes: I am an AP holder so can park hop and have TiW, so table service meals are part of the plan. I am staying off-site at Wyndham Bonnet Creek as I want to check it out as a possible split stay option for our family trip in August 2015.

11/29: Flight arrives at 5 pm. No specific dinner plans. FP+ for 7DMT, MSEP, and Wishes if jet lag permits :)
11/30: MK all day (short hours). FP+ for 7DMT, PP, FoF parade. Lunch at Columbia Harbor House and dinner at Kona Cafe. Will take a monorail/resort break after the parade if needed.
12/1: DHS in the morning. FP+ for TSMM. Lunch at Trail's End then a break. Late afternoon at EP. Dinner at Il Mulino. Illuminations if feeling up for it.
12/2: AK in the morning. FP+ for KS, FotLK, FN musical. Lunch at Sanaa then a break. MVMCP in the evening, so no dinner reservation.
12/3: DHS in the morning if needed. Could skip if too tired from the party. Lunch at Beaches and Cream, then a break. Late afternoon at MK. FP+ for 7DMT, MSEP and Wishes.
12/4: EP in the morning. FP+ for Soarin'. Lunch at Chefs de France, then a break. Back to EP. Would like to see the Candlelight Processional, so will queue as needed for that. Dinner at Sunshine Seasons when it fits in.
12/5: AK in the morning if needed, or a water park if weather permits. Lunch at a counter service restaurant, then a break. Late afternoon at DHS. FP+ for TSMM. Dinner at the Brown Derby, then Osborne Lights.
12/6: Check out, then shopping at the outlets. Flight back home at 7 pm.

ETA: I forgot to mention that I use easyWDW park recommendations to choose parks each day.
 
First trip not on dining plan and in a 1 bedroom villa. Last year we went on a 10 day trip and I drove the family nuts with trying to run around everywhere. This year I have three sleep in days built in when we do MNSSHP.

10/25 - Arrival at noon, AK

10/26 - Chill at Kidani, MNSSHP, Saana lunch, LTT for dinner

10/27 - EPCOT - Via Nalopi lunch, Beaches and Cream dinner

10/28 - Chill at Kidani, MNSSHP, Crystal place dinner

10/29 - DTD, DisneyQuest, T-REX lunch, Mara dinner

10/30 - HS - SciFi for lunch, 'Ohana for dinner

10/31 - Chill at Kidani, MNSSHP, LTT for dinner

11/1 - Free day (blizzard beach maybe), leave for airport at 5pm. No meals planned
 
Tentative Plans for our December trip. Things may get changed around once we are able to do FP+ at 30-days (stay off-site with friends). We have park hoppers and most of these days will not be open to close park days:

Saturday 12/6 - Arrive in the evening at MCO
Sunday 12/7 - Magic Kingdom
Monday 12/8 - Hollywood Studios AM and Epcot PM. Birthday dinner at Le Cellier.
Tuesday 12/9 - Animal Kingdom
Wednesday 12/10 - Epcot. Dinner at The Garden Grill.
Thursday 12/11 - Kennedy Space Center :)
Friday 12/12 - Magic Kingdom. Lunch at The Plaza.
Saturday 12/13 - Animal Kingdom AM and Epcot PM. Dinner at the Rose and Crown Pub.
Sunday 12/14 - Magic Kingdom.
Monday 12/15 - Hollywood Studios. Lunch at 50s Prime Time. Osborne Family Lights.
Tuesday 12/16 - Lunch at Earl of Sandwich in DTD, flight home in the evening.
 
We have a pre-Christmas trip planned. Typically we travel Saturday-Saturday for a weeklong trip, but we got a super cheap fare by flying out late on a Friday, so we're mixing things up a bit.

Friday, December 12: Fly in to MCO; staying at the Hyatt since our flight arrives so late.
Saturday, December 13: Check in at WL; spend mellow day at MK (SOMK, FoF, and do 3 favorites rides with FP+, but don't plan on much else; early bedtime)
Sunday, December 14: RD MK, CRT for lunch, leave for break/rest, then MVMCP
Monday, December 15: Sleep in, then DHS
Tuesday, December 16: AK (late arrival, stay still close)
Wednesday, December 17: DHS; 8:00 ADR at H&V, and this will be our JTA day; possible hop to MK for MSEP
Thursday, December 18: Epcot
Friday, December 19: MK, this will be a RD-close day (but park closes at 7:00)
Saturday, December 20: MK from RD to noon, then catch DME back to MCO for flight home
 
driving down from upstate NY
11/29 arrival (hopefully in the morning) relax, 1900 adr dinner
11/30 Epcot- RD-8 ADR Garden Grill CP, 6:45 CP (early afternoon see storytellers as a break)
FP for Mission Space, Spaceship Earth, Test Track
12/1- HS- RD-8 ADK Mama Melrose F!, 6:30 Fantasmic, Osborne Lights on way out
FP for TSMM, Frozen Singalong, Star Tours
12/2- MK- RD-noon, Break 12-3, MVMCP 4-12 No ADR
FP Splash, 7DMT, ETWB
12/3- late MK- morning off, MK 3-10ish, ADR CRT
FP Anna/Elsa, 7DMT, MSEP
12/4- Epcot- late arrival to whenever- ADR Akershus
FP Nemo, Turtle Talk, Test Track
12/5- AK-late arrival- ADR Tusker House
FP Safari, FOTLK, EE
12/6- MK despite my better judgement (it's Christmas parade taping day- will be very crowded)- as close to RD as we can make it until about 2-3pm. Kids really wanted MK as the last day so I caved. If need be, we will hide on Sawyer Island... ADR Crystal Palace (1pm then leave immediately after)
FP Anna/Elsa (will change if we meet them on Wednesday), 7DMT, BTMRR
Leave to start 20 hour drive home...
 
I'm going to try to get to everyone as I appreciated your responses so much! I want to break it up though. I'm also going to abbreviate all your quoted posts so doesn't make for too much scrolling.

11/28 - Arrival, going to MK just for MSEP and Wishes
11/29 - Epcot, Future World mostly
11/30 - MK
12/1 - Hollywood Studios, later Fantasmic
12/2 - MK
12/3 - Off day
12/4 - Epcot, Candlelight Processional via lunch package, World Showcase mostly
12/5 - Animal Kingdom

Do you go rope drop to close? And then rope drop again? DH was not as crazy about Epcot as AK, so I'm trying to convince him we need more time there as you have. We'll see. :-)

So we do a different park on each of the first 4 days. Day 5 is a non park day to sleep in, relax, recharge, and hang by the pool or golf. Then a second day each at MK and Epcot. We usually stay longer than that, though, so we can throw in a couple more park days and another day off.

Our last trip was longer and DS and I will have a few days on our own, but I love the longer trips to "throw in a couple more"!!

Sun - late afternoon/evening in MK
Mon - Epcot
Tues - HS
Wed - MK
Thursday - more MK! likely just for a few hours
Fri - AK
Sat - whatever they want to visit again

Do you have young kids? Definitely a lot of great time in MK. Are you going opening to close each day?

I'm traveling with a big group ages 2-67, no park hoppers and a full day to us is 8-10 hours without the 3 hour midday break some people do.

Sun- arrival, MK for counter service dinner and fireworks
Mon - MK (it's a party day, but we don't have party tickets), lunch at BOG and dinner at Chef Mickey
Tue - rope drop DHS to get Jedi training sign ups. Fantasmic dinner pkg at Hollywood & vine
We'd - AK - probably a bit of a sleep in day, dinner at Boma
Thurs - breakfast at Akershus in Epcot most of the day dedicated to world showcase
Fri - MK, lunch at the castle
Sat - Epcot - mostly plan to be in future world (expect it to be very busy in world showcase as a weekend at food & wind festival)

I'd love a full day in WS. I'm totally impressed your 67 year olds keep up. We took my mom last trip and the whole crowd required some motivating. I'm hoping to plan so there's less need to motivate them. :-)

Dec. 13-Sat.- Arrive 1:00 pm- MK- Pm EMH
14-Sun- Universal-Islands of Adventure
15-Mon.AM- HS/PM-EP for Candlelight processional
16-Tues. AM-DTD / PM- MVMCP
17-Wed.- Late AM- AK / PM-HS- Fantasmic
18- Thurs.- AM EMH-MK /PM- EP
19- Fri.- AM- EP / ?AK/ PM HS-Osborne lights

I think it would be so much fun to tour like this and always be seeing multiple parks in a day. Does the all the park entering and exiting wear you out? Do you take breaks in the middle? How long?

Mine is a little different because it's February and a "race-cation" but we're there for 7 nights and I always look at crowd calendars.

2/20 - Arrive
2/21 - 10K & DTD
2/22 - PHM & Epcot
2/23 - DHS
2/24 - MK
2/25 - Universal
2/26 - AK & Epcot
2/27 - DHS or MK

We also do park hoppers and if we feel the need we'll switch it up. Those are definite because of ADRs.

You do all that and the races? Wow. Hats off to you. I think you and I might be on the same wavelength about AK. :-)

10/16-22
Day 1: Arrival (9:30am) Downtown Disney. ADR Hoop Dee Doo @ 4:00pm
Day 2: MK RD then splitting up for dinner when the in-laws are taking the kids and me and husband are checking out Food & Wine Festival and Illuminations.
Day 3: Animal Kingdom ADR Tusker House Breakfast 8:10am // DHS for ADR Sci-fi Drive-in @ 4:00.
Day 4: Epcot (in laws are leaving after lunch) // DHS ADR @ Hollywood & Vine Fantasmic pkg
Day 5: DHS RD (probably head back to hotel for a break) Then MK for EEH
Day 6: Relax for the morning...hang out at the pool...a trip to MK before or after ADR T-Rex @ 3pm...haven't decided.
Day 7: sleep late, get ready and have a nice breakfast. Flight leaves at 1:30

Congrats the trip is so close!! Super jealous. That would be so grew to have in-laws to help for part of the trip, and then get to have some family only time. Another for the half-day AK! Maybe this will help convince DH. :scratchin
 
We are going first week of February.

Arriving Sunday to Fort Wilderness--will be eating at Trails End and hanging out at the fort.
Monday--Epcot with lunch at Coral Reef, dinner at Sunshine Seasons
Tuesday--Boat to Magic Kingdom, lunch at Crystal Palace, dinner at Pinnochio Village Haus
Wednesday--Back to Magic Kingdom, lunch at Liberty Tree, dinner at Be Our Guest
Thursday--Day off from parks. Breakfast at Cape May Cafe, then playing in Beach Club arcade and mini golf at Fantasia Gardens. Lunch at Wolfgang Puck Express and a little shopping at Downtown Disney. Then back to the fort for pony rides. Boat to contemporary resort or Magic Kingdom and then riding the monorail around to the Polynesian for Kona Cafe for dinner.
Friday--Hollywood Studios. Lunch at Sci Fi, dinner at Pizza Planet. Fantasmic at 7PM (first time ever for the kids!)
Saturday--Animal Kingdom. Lunch at Tusker House. Dinner at Trails End
Sunday--Breakfast at Trails End. Hang out on the playground at the fort, and then hit the road for the long drive home.

Are you doing rope drop to close? I love the idea of the nice TS break in the middle of the day, but sometimes all the heat and walking put me off food, especially anything warm. And I can't imagine skipping some of the best dishes. There are way too many blogs about DW food. :-)

Thursday - Arrive and Universal
Friday - Universal & MK for Wishes and MSEP
Saturday - AK or BB if warm enough - Dinner at T-Rex
Sunday - HS - late dinner at scoff
Monday - MK - dinner at Wishes
Tuesday - Epcot - afternoon ADR at Beaches & Cream for a Kitchen sink & dinner at Biergarten
Wednesday - MK again or AK - Ohana breakfast with Mickey & Stitch! - leaving that afternoon :(

Planning extra waterpark and pool time is definitely one of my challenges. Very envious or your hours. I don't think I could get DH or DS to agree to no days off. :-)

Tentative plans for last full week of January...

Saturday - fly in at 7:30pm and just chillax at the resort (AofA)

Sunday - full day at MK from rope drop until Wishes, 4:50 ADR @ CP

Monday - rope drop HS until noon, head to Epcot for 1pm ADR @ Akershus and stay until close

Tuesday - sleep in, head back to HS from noon'ish until close, 12:30 ADR @ MM (F! package)

Wednesday - AK 8:10am ADR @ Tusker House, 1:30 ADR @ Rainforest Cafe (My moms request!), head to MK until close with 6:10 ADR @ BOG

Thursday - Possibly parkhop from HS to Epcot until 2pm or so, and then head to DTD for shopping and dinner ADR @ T-Rex

Friday - full day at MK from rope drop, very early dinner ADR @ 1900 Park Fare, and Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party for Wishes

Saturday - Check out, head to MK and hit whatever we can before flying out at 8pm :)

Great full schedule. I like all the character meals!

We are there for 8 night/9 days. We do not park hop and normally either take afternoon breaks of head back to the resort for the day by 5 or 6. We are also morning people so Rope drop is on the list every day except the last MK day.

Day 1 -- Checking and then Dinner @ epcot stay for illumination
Day 2 -- HS (lunch at H&V)
Day 3 -- Epcot (breakfast at Akershush)
Day 4 -- MK (breakfast at Crystal Palace)
Day 5 -- No park/resort/rest day
Day 6 -- MK (Dinner at 1900 PF)
Day 7 -- AK (late breakfast at Tusker house) DTD evening
Day 8 -- MK (late breakfast at Ohana and Dinner at BOG) stay for EMH
Day 9 -- Maybe return to a park before catching plane home

I can tell MK is a favorite! :-) What time do you general head out of the park? How much travel time do you leave on each end? Thanks!

11/30 MK CM@12:25
12/1 HS H&V@11:15
12/2 MK CP@1:10
12/3 Universal/IOA Mythos@1:00
12/4 Epcot late arrival Biergarten@12:25
12/5 AK TH@11:30

Great minds think like Josh. ;)

:rotfl: I started reading his site and am addicted. No breaks for you either. I'm impressed at how many people go a week straight.

We're not following touring plans but have based on what works best for us and what we want to see (e.g. Electrical Parade)

Sunday - Arrive at MCO at 1:30pm. Few hours at MK. Dinner at Ohana
Monday - MK. Dinner at BOG. Stay for Electrical Parade.
Tuesday - HS - Rope drop to try for Jedi Training. Dinner at H&V. Fantasmic
Wednesday - Day off. Breakfast at Boma
Thursday - MK. BBB for DD in early afternoon. Dinner at CRT. (Party night so leaving after dinner)
Friday - Epcot. Rope drop to try for Test Track. Brunch at Akershus. Leave at 3ish. Head to MK for MNSSHP
Saturday - Breakfast at Chef Mickeys. Depart for airport

No AK? Do you drive or bus? Where are you staying? I'm always weighing my desire for resort meals with travel time to/from them. Sounds like a great trip for kids!

Day 1: Arrive evening / Relax at Condo / Dinner out
Day 2: Sleep In / Titanic Attraction on I-drive / Resort Day - tennis / swimming
Day 3: SeaWorld ($55 week day pass)
Day 4 Universal/IOA Park to Park pass (expensive one day park to park ticket)
Day 5 Magic Kingdom (expensive one day Disney MK ticket)
Day 6: Resort Day -- tennis / swimming / park at Polynesian checking out monorail resorts at Disney (I fly home -- others will fly home day 8)
Day 7: SeaWorld again with $10 admission for second day (stop oat customer service desk to purchase before leaving the park on day 3)
Day 8: Fly home

Looks like you are getting the best of Orlando! Thanks for the response!
 
This is the itinerary for our 2/28-3/7 girls trip with DD13 and DD11, we are staying at CBR.

2/28 Arrival Day/Animal Kingdom/DTD at night
3/1 Epcot
3/2 Off day....swim at resort and riding around the MK monorail line and resort hopping after dinner at Ohana
3/3 Hollywood Studios
3/4 Magic Kingdom
3/5 Off day/Resort hopping (POFQ for breakfast, AOA for lunch, and AKL for dinner at Boma's)
3/6 Magic Kingdom
3/7 Departure Day

The days off seem like they will make for a very nice and relaxing trip. Do you go rope drop to close the other days? Do you do CS only on your park days? Thanks!

I don't have a date specific plan to post, but we generally like to have 2 MK days, 1.5 to 2 Epcot days, and one each of the others. We don't park hop. I look at EasyWDW for suggestions and try to go with his first or second pick. Last trip though, I had our second Epcot day scheduled for our last day and the general consensus was that we would rather have a second AK day so we switched FP the night before! We only get 1 or 2 ADRs for the week, so we are not tied down too much to those.

Sounds about the breakdown of parks we do and the same EP/AK debate we have. Thanks!

We are all adults aged 26-62 (10 of us) and our plan is a little more relaxed than most.

13 Dec: Arrive...walk arounf DTD...ADR at Raglan Road that evening
14 Dec: Morning at AK...probably close to RD...head to EPCOT around 4:00pm and do the Drink Around the World Showcase Passport...stay for Illuminations
15 Dec: (Sons birthday)...late breakfast at Kona Cafe (may need a late start due to the Drink Around the World adventure)...noon Tee times for the guys...shopping for the ladies...no park that day...ADR at JIKO that evening
16 Dec: Morning Tee time for golf...hang around the pool in the early afternoon...head to MK at 4:00 pm for MVMCP...stay until Midnight
17 Dec: Spend the day at DHS...leave park after seeing the Osbourne Lights...ADR at Whispering Canyon Cafe
18 Dec: Head to MK at RD...it's a Party night, so out of there by 4:00pm...relax at the rersort...ADR for Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue at 8:30pm
19 Dec: RD for EPCOT...perhaps a break during mid day...ADR at German Buffet with seating for the CP...Illuminations to cap the day
20 Dec: Head back to SC

So just 1/2 day at AK? I love all the non-park time you have scheduled!

working arrival and departure times, combined with park hours and crowd calenders ours looks like this:

Fri 12/12 - Arrival, going to MK just for MSEP and Wishes
Sat 12/13 - Epcot
Sun 12/14 - MK
Mon 12/15 - Hollywood Studios, later Osborne lights, Fantasmic
Tues 12/16 - AK
Weds 12/17 - MK
Thurs 12/18, open day, late afternoon departure

We live near Disneyland and having gone so much, it is so nice to plan (or not plan) our days. Makes for such nice time in the park

Family of 7. 2 grandparents, parents, and kids (1,4,7) . No table service meals, the kids (and my husband) hate them
Oct 10 (today!!) driving down
Oct 11 -magic kingdom (not recommended) - we like to start here, and we're coming back so we can skip anything busy
Oct 12- Hollywood studios (recommended park, likely an early day)
Oct 13 - blizzard beach
Oct 14 - magic kingdom (mid day break then fireworks)
Oct 15 - epcot ( going back until close while kids stay with grandparents)
Oct 16 - animal kingdom (usually a short day)
Oct 17- magic kingdom
Oct 18- up in the air

Again, grandparents would be such a nice help. Definitely nice to have that much MK time with kids that age.

We are going to be there Thanksgiving week, staying at the Wilderness Lodge. I try to plan it so we never stay up late and get up early the very next day.:

Saturday: Arrival, relax at resort, dinner @ WCC, watch the Water Pageant

Sunday: MK- Rope drop, early night

Monday: AK- Rope drop, lunch @ Tusker House, early night

Tuesday: DHS- Rope drop, lunch @ H&V, early Fantasmic

Wednesday: Epcot- Rope Drop, dinner @ Beirgarten, Illuminatioins

Thanksgiving: Sleep in, DHS midday to catch a few shows, Dinner @ Trails End, Golf Cart rental at FW for the afternoon-evening

Friday: Sleep in, breakfast @ WCC, MK midday to closing, MSEP & Wishes

Saturday: Check out, late breakfast @ Chef Mickey's, Downtown Disney shopping, late flight home.

I love the idea of rope drop and early nights, but between the time change from PT and that no one in the family is a morning person, I would have a mutiny. :-) It must be so nice to hit the parks all early and cool and clean each morning.
 
We're going for 6 days in February. I don't have everything completely planned (leaving some things "open" for flexibility in the afternoons). But our plans so far are:

2/22: Arrival at MCO at 9:15am. Check in, go to EPCOT. Have lunch at EPCOT. Mid-day break. Dinner at Downtown Disney. Disney Quest at night.
2/23: Breakfast at Whispering Canyon Cafe. MK for the day. Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner.
2/24: EPCOT. Dinner at Coral Reef.
2/25: HS in the morning. Lunch at Sci Fi. Afternoon undecided.
2/26: AK. Dinner at Yak and Yeti.
2/27: MK again. Will try to get FP+ for BOG lunch.

We depart 2/28.
 












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