rough itinerary advice

[in2013]

day one:

have breakfast at cape may café
head to Hollywood studios
have lunch at mama melrose's as part of the fantasmic dinner package

...

day two:

head to magic kingdom
quick breakfast in the form of pastries, etc
have lunch or supper at crystal palace

...

day three:

have breakfast at chef mickey's
head to epcot
have lunch or supper at akershus

...

day four:

have breakfast at tusker house
spend day in animal kingdom
head to spirit of aloha party in early evening

...

day five:

breakfast at o'hana
appts at bibbidi bobbidi boutique
hoop dee doo revue

...

day six:

have breakfast at 1900 park fare
lunch or supper at rainforest café or boma (the kids love anything animal themed)

I really have no concept in regards to how long it actually takes to get seated/have your meal at Disney restaurants, so whether or not the restaurants I've chosen will hugely eat into our park time..i don't know.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just a comment. I hope you don't have your first trip planned for Christmas week.

Next, if you plan on the deluxe dining plan, you will be eating on average three sit down meals per day. That takes a lot of time from your park time. You can plan on at a minimum, one hour for each meal. And you will need to check in 20 minutes before your ADR time, so add that to the one hour. That's four hours of your day, eating or waiting to eat.

Add in all the extras you are doing and you have severely limited your actual park time. Plus you haven't noted the ages of your kids, so younger kids might get tired out if they aren't used to being on the go, go, go.

We did the luau on our first trip and our son slept right through it.

 

[kiramay]

Have you made dining reservations yet? You can book at 180 days (6 months) out, and a lot of the prime reservations fill up quickly. I'd start there.

 

[Niewoe]

I hope you have a wonderful first trip!! See my thoughts below in blue... not sure if you will agree, but it's my 2 cents.

hi everyone,

I am traveling to Disney with my family of four in the coming months. this is our first trip. I have done up a rough itinerary and am looking for feedback about whether it is doable/practical. I haven't been there before so this is all very new to me. it is very likely that this will be the only time we ever go to Disney so I want to make sure we are making the most of our experiences, but without being overbooked and chaotic. we aren't worried about whether or not we miss a lot of things...we have our list of must-sees...the rest is just added bonus

How old are your kids? What dates are you traveling?


here is what we plan on doing each day in terms of parks visited/dinner reservations. we are staying at pop century with a deluxe meal plan.

3 table service meals is a LOT. Have you considered the regular dining plan with one table service, 1 counter service and a snack? This will free up more of your time and you won't have to schedule your time around meals. Have you made ADRs yet?

day one:

have breakfast at cape may café
head to Hollywood studios
have lunch at mama melrose's as part of the fantasmic dinner package
I would plan for breakfast in HS if you want a table service meal. If your children are young, Hollywood & Vine is a fun character meal. I would plan for either before rope drop, or a little later in the morning, so you can get FP for TSM. If you are participating in FP+, this will be less of an issue.
...

day two:

head to magic kingdom
quick breakfast in the form of pastries, etc
have lunch or supper at crystal palace
appts at harmony barber shop
dessert party at tomorrowland terrace for fireworks

Again, I have concern for the Deluxe DP. A pastry could count as a snack - and breakfast is done. I tend to opt for a 1:00 lunch ADR at crystal palace. Great break, good food, fun characters, and you can ride during the peak 12:00 lunch time. (1:00 is also considered peak, but I don't like to eat too late. This is all IMO of course!
...

day three:

have breakfast at chef mickey's
head to epcot
have lunch or supper at akershus

If you have an early (7am-ish) ADR for CM, this should be fine. Otherwise, you may be arriving at Epcot in time for your lunch ADR. I'd be way too full for that!
...

day four:

have breakfast at tusker house
spend day in animal kingdom
head to spirit of aloha party in early evening
We love the Tusker House breakfast. I have not done the aloha party, so can't comment on that. AK is usually an earlier park night for us, so we usually plan something in the evening. Even if it is just resort time.
...

day five:

breakfast at o'hana
appts at bibbidi bobbidi boutique
hoop dee doo revue
holiday sleigh ride
marshmallow roast/campfire/outdoor movie at ft. wilderness
This is a lot for one day. Really depends on what time everything is. Is this a non park day? Are BBB ressies at DTD?
...

day six:

have breakfast at 1900 park fare
lunch or supper at rainforest café or boma (the kids love anything animal themed)
What park are you planning on? or none? You're starting near MK and ending near AK. I would reconsider having dinner in MK if you plan to stay the day there.


I really have no concept in regards to how long it actually takes to get seated/have your meal at Disney restaurants, so whether or not the restaurants I've chosen will hugely eat into our park time..i don't know.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

One major thing that impacts the feasibility of your plans, will you have a rental car or will you be relying on Disney transportation? If no car, add 1 hour to travel to each meal that is not at your current location, and 1.5 hours if you need to get between two Disney hotels, and not a park for a meal because it will require a bus transfer. For example, it will take a while to get from pop to cape may without a car, are you prepared to spend all that time traveling for meals?

Also, you will need reservations for most sit down places, so when you say lunch or dinner at Akersus, you better have already made those two reservation options already or you may be out of luck.

 

[in2013]

hi there

thanks so much for all your input!

to answer a few questions:

my children are 8 and 10. they are not overly excitable children, in the sense that i can guarantee we'll be moving at a decent pace, as their interest in each attraction will wane fairly quickly. they have very good personalities, in the sense that they are not irritable children and they don't get stressed out easily.

we have ADR at all of the places i listed. i can cancel them at any time before we actually leave for our trip, of course.

we are driving to florida. it's a three or four day drive. don't even ask me why because i'm not entirely sure why i decided on such a ridiculous idea! hahaha. just kidding. but yes, we will have our own car, and we don't mind having to drive from place a to place b as need be.

we are going to be there from december 8 - 13.

the 12th and 13th are nonpark days. well, we can go to the parks, of course, but what i mean is that we have no plans for specific parks. the activities we do plan on doing as of right now are the BBB and fort wilderness activities, as mentioned above.

i'm seriously questioning whether or not i should 'waste time' going to the aloha party. i'm not sure that it's something the kids would enjoy, so i do have my doubts. if i cancel, we can use that time in the parks instead.

i chose my days based on utilizing the EMH, which may or may not be a good idea. i've read opinions that go both ways.

as for the deluxe dining plan, i booked that based on my step sister's recommendation. money isn't too big of an issue for our trip so that wasn't really a factor. here's the thing, and perhaps this will sound silly. my children LOVE dining experiences. they would have dinner parties every darn day in restaurants if i let them. our sit down restaurant experiences are going to be a huge part of the fun for them. when we talk about disney, that's what they talk about most. neither of them can swim so we won't be spending too much time farting around pools. also, they are afraid of heights so any rides that go high and/or fast will be crossed off our list. animal kingdom, as boring as it may be for adults, will likely be their top favorite, along with restaurant experiences. to be honest, i'm really not sure how much interest they will have in places like HS and EP. but i plan on doing those parks anyway because i feel like it might be a waste to miss out on them entirely.

we aren't going to mickey's christmas party, so that will cut into our magic kingdom time, unfortunately, since it is offered three nights during our stay.

 

[laughinplace199]

Do you plan to get to the parks each day right at their opening time? That's what we do to get the most done before the lines get too long.

If you want to be there for rope drop, I'd cancel some of the breakfasts, especially the ones that are not in a park. Those meals will take at least an hour (Chef Mickey's even longer).

If getting to the parks at rope drop is not a big deal, then a nice big breakfast each day sounds good!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I think I would change to the standard dining plan. You'd get one table service, one counter service and one snack per night of your reservation. I don't think you really need the Fantasmic package to get a seat at Fantasmic during that week. It shouldn't be too crowded. Once your kids get to WDW, they are going to want to see the parks. They might enjoy dining, but there is so much to see in the parks that they will want to see that.

I would also cancel the luau. Like I said, we did the luau on our first trip, but it was a Mickey themed story with characters way back when. Your kids might get bored. I thought the luau cove seating was very uncomfortable.

You could also skip two meals on your last day. Eating breakfast and then another for lunch is quite a bit of eating.

Where are you driving from? We have driven every trip except for one. And that one was a nightmare for transportation (our plan left six hours late and messed up our first day, we had a connecting flight and had to find a new connecting flight, weather was bad going back and we almost missed our connecting flight back home). We have a fourteen hour trip and usually break it up into two days, with the first day being a long day and the second a very short drive.

 

[in2013]

i don't think i can change back to the standard dining plan now, as far as i know

i am definitely considering cancelling the luau. i watched it on youtube and it just seems kind of...stupid. well, not really for 'us', i suppose you could say. if i cancel the luau, that gives us the entire evening to spend at magic kingdom because there is no mickey's christmas party that night, which would be great (the extra evening there).

our trip also consists of seaworld and discovery cove, so if the kids miss out on a lot of things at disney...well, they'll just have to deal with it, haha. since they have so many other special things going on, as well, you know what i mean?

they can't swim very well but we did book the dolphin swimming package at DC with lifejackets. i think they will absolutely die with excitement over such a special experience. so, all in all, if they miss out on some special experiences at disney, they will at least be making up for it elsewhere.

what sorts of things are there to do at HS and EP aside from the rides? i've watched them on youtube and there's not a chance in hell they're going to get on most of those rides. they'd be scared out of their wits.

 

[mapleleaf4ever]

Just a quick comment about your MK day. If you are doing the desert party I would eat at Crystal Palace around 1 or 2. Would not do a meal after 3 at CP, or you may not enjoy the deserts as much.

 

[in2013]

thanks so much! that makes good sense

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

i don't think i can change back to the standard dining plan now, as far as i know i am definitely considering cancelling the luau. i watched it on youtube and it just seems kind of...stupid. well, not really for 'us', i suppose you could say. if i cancel the luau, that gives us the entire evening to spend at magic kingdom because there is no mickey's christmas party that night, which would be great (the extra evening there). our trip also consists of seaworld and discovery cove, so if the kids miss out on a lot of things at disney...well, they'll just have to deal with it, haha. since they have so many other special things going on, as well, you know what i mean? they can't swim very well but we did book the dolphin swimming package at DC with lifejackets. i think they will absolutely die with excitement over such a special experience. so, all in all, if they miss out on some special experiences at disney, they will at least be making up for it elsewhere. what sorts of things are there to do at HS and EP aside from the rides? i've watched them on youtube and there's not a chance in hell they're going to get on most of those rides. they'd be scared out of their wits.

The weather can be iffy in December so prepare for that also. We have visited in December in the past, it can be 80 one day and 50 the next.
Just adding that because you said you were visiting DC.

 

[Deb & Bill]

i...what sorts of things are there to do at HS and EP aside from the rides? i've watched them on youtube and there's not a chance in hell they're going to get on most of those rides. they'd be scared out of their wits.

Epcot has wonderful attractions. Soarin' in the Land is very nice, but you'll probably want a FP for it. The Land boat ride is really neat if either of your girls are into gardening and plants. In the Seas area, there is a Nemo clamshell ride that takes you to the aquarium. Then there is Turtle Talk with Crush that kids love. You can't miss Spaceship Earth, it's a slow moving ride up inside the globe and down again that shows you the evolution of communication. Ellen's Energy Adventure is another slow moving ride with dinosaurs. Not scary. And that skips Mission: Space and Test Track

In the World Showcase, there are a couple of very interesting movies (France and Canada have great ones). Mexico has a fun boat ride, similar to Small World. Norway also has a boat ride (with trolls). But going through the different countries can be fun for kids if you get them an Epcot passport that they get stamps and signatures from the CM from those countries. In Dec, they have Christmas around the world, too.

DHS has the Beauty and the Beast stage show, Voyage of the Little Mermaid show, Muppetvision 3D, Great Movie Ride is fun, slow moving ride through various movie sets like Wizard of Oz. In December it will have the Osborn Lights set up (Jennings Osborn from Little Rock, AR, had a million light display that LR wouldn't let him display after the neighbors complained. So Disney bought it and set it up at DHS.).

 

[Mousemom234]

Sounds good, if a bit ambitious. I'd agree with the others, that this will cut into your park time a bit, but if you time it right, you should be fine.
My thoughts:

day one:

have breakfast at cape may café
head to Hollywood studios
have lunch at mama melrose's as part of the fantasmic dinner package

If you have the BeachParty Breakfast, you probably will want a very late lunch at MM. Cape May breakfast is, IMO, the best on property, and has a HUGE selection. You won't have room to eat again til dinner

day four:

have breakfast at tusker house
spend day in animal kingdom
head to spirit of aloha party in early evening

If you didn't already, schedule Tusker House for before park opening.
But -- if you're thinking of cancelling the aloha party, though, make it a late breakfast (10:30) at TH, and this might possibly slide you into lunch, so you can pick up a small sampling of that, not just the breakfast stuffs.

 

[NEDisneyFans]

Just a quick comment about your MK day. If you are doing the desert party I would eat at Crystal Palace around 1 or 2. Would not do a meal after 3 at CP, or you may not enjoy the deserts as much.

I'd go a step further and suggest you have breakfast at CP (personally, I like it better than their L & D options), then have a "lunch/snack" of baked potato soup (yum!) or something else lighter for lunch (all menus can be found on another site, www (dot) allearsnet (dot) com) before the dessert event.



Also, if your kids enjoy dining experiences, I'd highly recommend Afternoon Tea at the Garden Lounge of the Grand Floridian!

 

[in2013]

The weather can be iffy in December so prepare for that also. We have visited in December in the past, it can be 80 one day and 50 the next.
Just adding that because you said you were visiting DC.

oh believe me, i've been quite concerned about that! lol. my husband was granted vacation time for this pay period, unfortunately, so beggars can't be choosers, i guess!

 

[in2013]

Sounds good, if a bit ambitious. I'd agree with the others, that this will cut into your park time a bit, but if you time it right, you should be fine.
My thoughts:
If you have the BeachParty Breakfast, you probably will want a very late lunch at MM. Cape May breakfast is, IMO, the best on property, and has a HUGE selection. You won't have room to eat again til dinner


If you didn't already, schedule Tusker House for before park opening.
But -- if you're thinking of cancelling the aloha party, though, make it a late breakfast (10:30) at TH, and this might possibly slide you into lunch, so you can pick up a small sampling of that, not just the breakfast stuffs.

thanks so much for your help. i do tend to do everything in life with a bit over ambition, lol. so...here's hoping it works out okay!

we have cape may breakfast scheduled for 7:30 am. we have mama melrose fantastmic dinner package booked for 12. i'm not sure if we'd still be hungry enough by then or not. i do find that my kids aren't particularly huge eaters in a given setting. they would go through maybe a plate, plate and a half of select foods. most likely fruit and yogurt and a muffin or something. i think they'd be starving again by lunch time, but we could always do a quick service instead of mama's. i love the look of the mama's menu, so i'd sort of like to keep that reservation - but like you said, it could be a waste if we aren't hungry enough.

as for tusker house...the ONLY time i could get a breakfast was 9:45

i've been keeping my eyes on it in hopes that something else will pop up. that is extra magic hours day at animal kingdom, so it opens at 8 am. we would be there right in time for rope drop. i'm thinking perhaps we could try to get on the safari and see a few other small attractions and then go to tusker, but i'm not sure if that's really practical. perhaps we wouldn't be able to fit much in before 945?

 

[in2013]

thanks so much for your help. i do tend to do everything in life with a bit over ambition, lol. so...here's hoping it works out okay!

we have cape may breakfast scheduled for 7:30 am. we have mama melrose fantastmic dinner package booked for 12. i'm not sure if we'd still be hungry enough by then or not. i do find that my kids aren't particularly huge eaters in a given setting. they would go through maybe a plate, plate and a half of select foods. most likely fruit and yogurt and a muffin or something. i think they'd be starving again by lunch time, but we could always do a quick service instead of mama's. i love the look of the mama's menu, so i'd sort of like to keep that reservation - but like you said, it could be a waste if we aren't hungry enough.

as for tusker house...the ONLY time i could get a breakfast was 9:45

i've been keeping my eyes on it in hopes that something else will pop up. that is extra magic hours day at animal kingdom, so it opens at 8 am. we would be there right in time for rope drop. i'm thinking perhaps we could try to get on the safari and see a few other small attractions and then go to tusker, but i'm not sure if that's really practical. perhaps we wouldn't be able to fit much in before 945?

and our chef mickey's breakfast on our epcot day is at 730. the park opens at 9.

 

[Happyjen27]

While I completely understand what you mean about kids loving to go out to eat (I have a pair of those), you must remember the serious competition meals will have at Disney. It isn't like at home, or on a beach vacation, when the restaurant provides a novel break from the other activities of the day. At Disney, there are SO MANY more fun things to do than trek from meal to meal.

You're right, you're locked into the DxDP right now, or you pay a penalty for the change, even so, the penalty might not be as stiff as sticking with the DxDP. If you negotiate to stay at a higher priced resort if you can get rid of the DxDP, they might not even charge you the penalty. In general they only charge for you going down in price, not up.

As others have pointed out, you probably won't be hungry at MM after Cape May breakfast. If you're not staying at a Boardwalk/YC/BC area resort and can walk to Cape May, I would cancel in favor of riding rides and seeing attractions at DHS.

Cancel Tusker House if you can't get a good time, that 9:45 is smack in the middle of your touring morning. I would try for noon, so you've had time to hit all the biggies and won't have to rush from across the park 75 minutes after you've arrived.

I think you've decided to cancel the luau, solid choice. So many better things for an 8 and 10 year old to do than watch a luau show.

Given the sheer volume of food you'll be consuming, I wonder if the Tomorrowland Dessert Party will even be appreciated and worth the extra money. I love spending money on vacation, but bear in mind, you're spending A LOT of time eating this trip. Unless you're paying the premium for the excellent viewing spot, then go for it.

In all, even if you remain on the DxDP, be willing to cancel some food activities in favor of rides and attractions if that is the feedback you're getting from your kids. I had my first Disney trip last year, and I can assure you, the food is not that great, and better food can be had in your hometown if you're from the DC area. What can't be had in the DC area is the Pirates of the Caribbean, and Big Thunder Mountain, and all the wonderful and amazing Disney moments you can't get at home.

 

[in2013]

As others have pointed out, you probably won't be hungry at MM after Cape May breakfast. If you're not staying at a Boardwalk/YC/BC area resort and can walk to Cape May, I would cancel in favor of riding rides and seeing attractions at DHS.



i think i might cancel either cape may or chef mickeys. it sounds like they have the same characters there? would i feel like we are just basically repeating a character meal? if you were me, which would you cancel?