Pulling My Hair Out Please Help!

[Jack's Mom]

My mind is Disney mush- between yard work- 50 hours work week- husband's 60 hour work week - raising a DS 3 & trying to finalize plans & ADR for Disney in December I'm going crazy. I need advice. This is the current plan. Here's our team- Myself, DH, DS (3.5- 43" tall) & BS (our 20 year old sitter- this trip is our gift to here & also our opportunity to all enjoy ourselves) Staying at POR- have dining plan & park hoppers (not sure if I even need them now)

Day 1 : Arrive appx 5 pm Tue. 11/29- considering Chef Mickey's for 8:30.
Day 2. Magic Kingdom-11/30 CS breakfast & lunch- break early afternoon back for nap- Concourse for dinner 5:30-6:00- (is that enough time to make it back for Wishes @ 8) Then send BD & DS back to room while DH & I wander the park and take in EMH
Day 3: MGM-12/1 CS Breakfast- Sci-FI lunch appx 1:00-2:00. Then back the resort for rest- Have tickets to MVMCP (meeting up with my mom- who is at Wyndham Hotel for conference same week) 4-5:00 head over to MK for MVMCP
Day 4- [/B] 12/2 ????? Do we take a day to rest ????? Or hit AK in the am. Then Epcot for the afternoon- early dinner maybe LeCellier or Maybe wander to boardwalk and getting dinner. Make it back for Illuminations.
Day 5 12/3 Epcot in AM & Animal Kingdom in afternoon. Then DTD for dinner or dinner back at POR?
Day 6 12/4 - MK again park hop and maybe hit things we didn't see or want to do again. Fantasmic early or late show?

As you can see my plans really fall apart after the first two days. I think we can do the morning EMH with our little guy as we are early risers naturally anyways. But I can't figure out when they really are & if they fit in our plans.

I just need help in general- Advice wanted.

 

[pennst8r]

there are those who plan everything, and those, like me, who figure it out once we get there---except for ADRs!

So, IMHO, I would see how everyone felt the evening of Day3, and decide then if you want to take some time for pools, relaxing, or if there are certain parks you want to go back to. aw:

 

[disney queen]

jack's mom, have you made any ADRs for your trip? you are going at a time of year that some you have mentioned might be difficult to get. chef mickey's and lecellier are extremely popular and could possibly be booked for your trip. also, if you are considering boatwright's for dinner one evening, i have read this books quickly also. just something to keep in mind.

 

[bigmac5]

Day 4 -Rest??? I would do AK. It is my favourite park and I found it relaxing. Depending how busy it is you can see a lot. We did Safari, jungle trek, Kali x2, Dinosaur x2, Primeal Whirl, Tarzan and Bug before we had lunch at Flame Tree(a must). We then saw the 1pm show of Lion King. We did not rush as my DH has a bad knee and hip. but the crowds were minimal. I would pick what I really want to see-see them and the rest is a bonus. (we were there Aug/Sept)

 

[dzneelvr]

I'd do a park a day. so AK on day 4 and EPCOT on day 5 instead of splitting those two parks on 2 different days. Why waste time on buses if you can go once and stay. Definitely do Le Cellier or even Biergarten while at EPCOT and catch some of the extras that are going on in the world showcase until Illuminations begin. You may get lucky and DS will catch a nap in cool and dark Mexico and the rest of you can relax as well. With the crowds in December, you won't want to be waiting in line to get on buses if you can help it. Day 6 will be a good one to end in MK. If you want to park hop on the last day, try the monorail over to EPCOT for the experience rather than get another bus ride. RELAX. You will not hit everything you intend the first trip. We've been going for years and there's always something new for the next trip. One more suggestion, if you are focused on WISHES, try for an AP at the castle rather than the Concourse. You will save transport time and the characters at the castle are awesome.

 

[goofy4tink]

I usually try to plan one ADR for each day...at a time I think will work, usually an early dinner with little ones. So, with that in mind, I would make those right now, if you haven't already done so. A lot of the popular spots, Chef Mickeys, LeCellier, fill up fast!! I usually like to do a character meal for our first day dinner. That gets us in the mood right away.
As far as AK goes..it is a very laid back type park. I always feel quite lazy when I'm in there!!!! I just take my time. So, that might be a nice park to do on one of those mornings that you just can't seem to get moving really early!!
Should you plan every day?? I don't think so. You have a little one that isn't going to have to see and do everything. So, make a 'tentative' plan for each day...one that is easily changed if you find that you want to do something different.

Sometimes, we here on these boards, seem like we are planning every minute of every day that we are there. Sure, some people do. But, even if you have a terrific plan going in, you are not going to be able to see it all, do it all in one trip. I have gone at least 8 times now, and I have stayed there on average, about 7 days each time. I still see/do something new each and every trip. So, don't obsess too much. See what is important to you. Leave some time free. That way you can go back and do something you may not have known about, but found out about while in that particular park.
The best advice I can give you is this...stop and smell the roses. Yes, I know it seems trite. But some of the most magical times we have had are when we stopped rushing from attraction to attraction and just slowed down. Seeing WDW through the eyes of a young child is one the most wonderful things in the world. Be sure to watch his face....you will be rewarded. Now, go and have fun. I'll be there at the same time...be sure you stop and watch/listen to the storytellers in WS in Epcot.

 

[henrylovespooh]

I couldn't rest while there. Go to AK.

And call now to make those ADRs if you haven't already - don't want you to be disappointed!

 

[Jack's Mom]

Thanks for all the help- I hope I didn't come across like I'm the only busy person in the world- but may it can get overwhelming. I know I've probably waited too long to the all the ADR's I wanted. I WILL GET THEM DONE TOMORROW. Sunday night is Mom's night (Desperate Houswived & Grays Anatomy) so I may lock myself away while they are on tonight and finalize everything- for now (ha) and maybe I can relax-

Keep the idea's coming,

Thanks Again

 

[spot28]

Help, I've seen this alot ...What is ADR ?