Pushing the limits: Commando Mom takes the family to WDW! Tentative schedule

[sprousehouse]

My name is Sarah and this is my first trip to Walt Disney World! I grew up in So Cal so I know Disneyland very well having had season passes a few times but WDW is new to me. I LOVE to research and plan so I'm sure I will be here a lot.

We have booked a trip for Nov 28-Dec 7th. We will be staying off-site at the Hilton Grand Vacations resort on International Drive as my in-laws had bonus points they needed to use up. A three bedroom for 10 days is worth it although I would have loved to stay on property. We will have our van so we'll be driving to parks each day.

We probably won't start hitting the parks until at least Monday but we'll see how the prices shake out on the tickets. The in-laws will likely arrive Monday and my Mom probably Tuesday or Wednesday. Considering a day off in the middle but we may just do a short day at one of the parks instead.

Our kids are the main focus of the trip. Alexandra is 7 and is an adrenaline junkie! The bigger and scarier the better for her. My son James is 5 and slightly less adventuresome but he will try most anything once. Neither of them really cares about characters much so we won't be planning any character dining or using FastPass for meet and greets. Their #1 priority is Jedi Academy as they are huge Star Wars fans (they've been Luke & Leia the past two Halloweens) and Star Tours (which Alex rode 3x at Disneyland last year - James wasn't tall enough).

I think we will do a Candlelight Processional Dining Package and I know that will be a big hit (especially with the grandmothers) and I'm going to try to get a reservation at Be Our Guest. Maybe one more nice dining for the hubby & I to have a date night.

We eat very healthy at home (primarily Paleo) so while we will have treats we will likely bring lunch and snacks into the parks a few days., My son has a soy allergy and while they can accommodate it (sort of) our kids don't eat typical "kid" or theme park food much so we'll chose our dining out options carefully.

Looking forward to the crowd calendars and show scheduling getting more detailed so I can get more planning done!

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

Following along!

 

[sprousehouse]

Thanks!! Also, I have a friend going the same time and I'm thinking of asking if she wants to share Memory Maker - has anyone done this? My FIL is coming and he is a professional photographer so he will take lots of pictures but I hate that he is never in them. I'm also thinking we would like the ride photos and videos and maybe a few magic shots.

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

We've done photo pass but that's about it. Sorry no help there

 

[cogero]

Joining in.

 

[sprousehouse]

Thanks! I'd to hear any suggestions or advice anyone has. One question I was thinking about: My Mom is traveling with us and she had a bad fall a few years ago where she broke her pelvis so I was trying to think of rides that she shouldn't do because I know that if she hurts her back she will be out of commission. At Disneyland CA things like Matterhorn are too jerky. I think she would be ok on Splash Mountain type rides because even though there is a big drop it's a bit smoother. I'm also thinking about approaching her and asking her to consider getting a scooter if she needs it. I'm not sure that will be received well as she is very proud and may be even more reluctant because my in-laws are along. They are good friends but I think my Mom will believe it makes her look weak (although they wouldn't think that at all). She does work pretty much full-time as a nurse in a retirement home so she is on her feet a lot but she also goes home early and sleeps a full 8+ hours which isn't likely to happen in WDW. Just trying to figure out the best way to help her enjoy the trip and not compromise her health.

 

[lilpixiebabe101]

I'd say Big Thunder, Dinosaur for sure would be out. Things like Mission Space and Star Tours. They can get very very bumpy. Maybe call and get some quotes from the scooter rental places and find out cancellation policy? If on of them has a book within 24 hours, or a cancel within 24-48 hours of booking, maybe those could be options? If they have a good cancellation, you could book one for maybe 2-3 days into the trip. If you see there's a need be like "hey mom here's this" If its not needed then cancel. Of if they can book that fast, keep their number handy just in case. ( Don't know if that all made snse.)

 

[sprousehouse]

Good ideas. I'll check policies and figure out how to talk to her about it. She may just prefer to go back to the hotel but I think the ECV would be find. If my 7 year old can ride in a stroller (and she will!) my Mom should be ok with an ECV at least a few days.

 

[sprousehouse]

Tentative schedule - would love input!!

Sat 11/28 - Drive in from NC, check in, grocery shop

Sun 11/29 - MK, no plan, get acquainted with park or try for 1900 PF late breakfast & tour that & Wilderness Lodge to see decorations (leaning towards an extra park day as it will be cheaper than breakfast for 4 & will help me get organized for touring later in the week - thoughts?

Mon 11/30 - HS - kids want to see how many times they can ride Star Tours for a different experience (they are SW fanatics!) In-laws arrive from CA? (Not sure what they will do just yet) Fantasmic! Maybe (possible calendar changes may allow that another day)

Tues 12/1-MK RD - execute day 2 of EasyWdw 2day plan - Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Sq- try for BoG - lunch or dinner- possibly Head to Epcot for dinner (not staying for MVMCP) My Mom arrives from NC (flying)

Wed 12/2 - HS RD - Grandparents take kids to sign up for JTA, hubby & I hit RRC, try FP+ for TSMM, TofT, Little Mermaid, (current calendar has an early close at6pm but in 2014 they opened it later every night & did 2 Fantasmic! showings. Would love to hit an early Fantasmic! and do Osborne Lights

Thurs 12/3 - MK RD Try for FP+ for 7DMT, SM & Enchanted Tales with Belle, follow EasyWDW day 1 plan- Tomorrowland, Fantasyland (again not staying for MVMCP so maybe early dinner at home or EP)

Fri 12/4 EP- try for FP+ for Soarin, Turtle Talk, Ride the Seas w/ Nemo - use EasyWDW touring plan Day 1 - hit Canada, UK, France, Morocco, Japan. Do Candlelight Processional dining pkg for lunch at Biergarten (could switch this with Sun 12/6 EP if narrator or availability is preferable)

Sat - 12/5 - AK - try for FP+ at Kilamanjaro Safari, head to Everest first, lunch at Flame Tree, possibly hop in afternoon or home for dinner

Sun 12/6- EP - try for FP+ fit Test Track, Spaceship Earth & Mission Space Green, tour Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, (either CLP or head home for dinner, maybe eat big lunch in the park)

Mon 12/7 - drive home (Mom joins us for drive home), In-laws fly to CA

Thoughts? Will we really use the Park Hopper option? Also, I will try for BOG any night so that may necessitate moving MK days around. I don't think my crew will make MSEP/Wishes although hubby & I may stay or head to MK one night for that. Might try for dinner for 2 at LeCellier one night too.

I'm planning to pack lunch in most days or lots of late evening snacks if we do have lunch (like AK or if we get BoG lunch).