Sept 2018 plan evaluation and a few questions

[bernina]

Hi!

We're planning a 7 night, 4 park day stay in late September at Boulder Ridge (Wilderness).
We'll have 4 adults in early/mid 40s and 3 girls (9,7,7). All should be 48" by time of trip and enjoy thrill rides. We won't be heavily focused on character or princess greets, parades or fireworks (will probably watch one night from ToWL).

My family has been to Disney many times and have annual passes. The second family is a first time (and probably only time) Disney family. They'll be buying base 4 day tickets (no hopping). I'll be handling all the planning (which actually makes things easier).

Crowd levels are low to medium for most of the week and I've used a combo of crowd calendars to select our park days. We won't utilize EMH since we're not morning people, and other than 1 night for DVC moonlight magic @HS, we won't be in the parks probably past 9pm.

I have a TP subscription (first time and loving so far), am an ultra planner and think I have a pretty good of how to go about this.

After that long intro, here is my first question.

With 4 days in parks (no hopping), would we be better to do 1 at each park, OR since we will hopefully get tickets for DVC Moonlight Magic @ HS, should we make that our HS day (can get in as early as 7/7:30pm and utilize a few same day FP if there are any!) and do 2 days at Magic Kingdom?

Since the Halloween parties are going on that week, most likely our MK day would only be open until 6pm. We do want to try to hit about 11 attractions, is that too aggressive for 1 MK day? TP can make it work, even at the most relaxed setting, an hr lunch, plus 2 breaks (25 min, 45 min). I am famous for trying to cram in too much, and don't want to make everyone miserable. So ideally 2 MK days would be perfect, but given TSL will be open, not sure we can realistically hit TOT, Frozen Sing, and at least Slinky Dog (and would love TSMM) by around midnight which is about as late as I think the kids can make it.

Thank you all and I hope you don't mind I'll be adding more questions based on feedback to the first!!

 

[sponica]

For a first time (and possibly only time) I would focus on the Magic Kingdom unless the other family has needs/wants outside of the MK. Any chance of them adding a 5th day? Then you can do 2 days at MK and one day at the other parks.

 

[bernina]

For a first time (and possibly only time) I would focus on the Magic Kingdom unless the other family has needs/wants outside of the MK. Any chance of them adding a 5th day? Then you can do 2 days at MK and one day at the other parks.

I think 4 days is about all I'm going to get out of them! Although with only about $15/ticket maybe I can convince them to add that fifth day if I promise to make the other days less stressful and long

 

[mousehouse23]

I'd probably do MK two days as well, just understanding that the group won't experience as much of HS as the other 3 parks. The other family will likely enjoy MK the most, though. (And no, I don't think 11 attractions is too much for a MK day, especially on a party day where crowds will be lower.)

You might be surprised by your touring efficiency during the HS special event. Maybe someone who's experienced Moonlight Magic will chime in here with their recent experience.

 

[mamamelody2]

I would do 2 days at MK and just the DVC event at HS.

 

[bernina]

Thank you all for the replies and suggestions! I'm busy creating a second set of plans with 2 MK days and only Moonlight Magic at HS. That way I'll have a back-up if MM doesn't come through (we're staying on-site so I hope we can get tickets!)