Some Itinerary questions UPDATE

[Jenn Lynn]

We will be in WDW October 2-9. We will be staying at the Polynesian. Traveling will be Me, DH, MIL, DD(3). I have my itinerary written out, but am rethinking a couple of things . I would appreciate the input. Thanks!

Saturday October 2: Arrive MCO2:30pm, grocery stop, check in Poly.
*My original plan was to have dinner at Sci-FI at 5:45pm (have PS), ride RnR and TOT. But now I do NOT want to do Sci-Fi.

Options:Eat at Kona cafe, swim, relax, etc.
Eat at Coral Reef (DH, MIL,&DD would LOVE the fish.)
Eat at Brown Derby (I currently have PS for BD on the 6th, but I think it will be rushed or we might not be hungry.)

If we go to a park we would do a few rides, not stay late, back to hotel for EE on Sunday.

Sunday October 3:Breakfast in room, EE MK. Counter service lunch. Swim/Nap after lunch. MNSSHP:LTT PS at 5:30.

Monday, October 4th:Breakfast in room, MGM at opening. Lunch 50's Prime Time Cafe 12pm PS. MIL & DH go to Epcot while DD and I swim/nap.
Epcot: 6:30 PS Le Cellier. Illuminations.

Tuesday, October 5th: Breakfast in room. AK at opening. Counter service lunch (where ever we are in the park.)
MAYBE swim/nap (DH loves this park and I am sure DD will too.)
Dinner at Ohana's: 5:30 PS
MK for Spectromagic & Wishes (no rides planned for tonight.)
*Will we have enough time to eat and make it to Spectromagic? It starts at 8pm.)

Wednesday, October 6th:Breakfast in room. Epcot EE. Counter service lunch. Back to Poly DD &DH swim/nap. MIL and I GF tea at 2pm.
MGM: Brown Derby PS at 5:50 (see day 1)
*Where should we eat if we at BD on day 1? Mam Melrose?
Fantasmic.

Thrusday, October 7th (our anniversary ) Breakfast in room. Typhoon Lagoon. Lunch TL. leave around 2-3pm. Nap! MIL and DD 5:20 PS at 1900 Park fare. DH & I 6:20 PS at California Grill.
*DH and I might change after dinner and go to PI.

Friday October 8th: This day is up in the air. I have PS for 1900 Park Fare at 8 am. Probably should cancel and do something else-what? I originally had us going to MK in the AM and DTD in the afternoon/evening.

But now I am thinking DTD in the AM and ???in the evening. I am open to suggestions. Whenever we go to DTD I plan on eating at Earl of sandwich.
*We cannot go to MK in the evening because there is MNSSHP.

Saturday, October 9th: MK. Breakfast at Crystal Place 9:05 PS. Ride favorites one last time. Lunch Columbia Harbor House.

Flight leaves at 3pm.

Thanks for reading all of this!

 

[jordanyosh]

Since no one else has replied yet, I'll throw in my .02 cents.

On your first day, if you haven't been to the Poly before I would hang out and relax. Get accustomed to where things are;check out the grounds....

If you've been to the Poly before and you know your way around, then I would head to Epcot and the Coral Reef. Since you have monorail access, it seems like it wouldn't be too much of a hassle to make a trip just for dinner. Coral Reef is good to do once. We really enjoyed the ambience and the fish. The food was good, but nothing memorable.

On Monday, your DH and MIL will be going from 9 in the morning til at least 10pm at night.......If they are commandos this is no problem, but 13 hours can be a long stretch.....

On Friday, I would leave it open. You may feel like you missed something during the week. This leaves you alot of options..

On Saturday, you may not have enough time to do all that you want to do. If you finish your breakfast at 10am and your flight leaves at 3pm...You should be heading to the airport at about 12:30pm which means you should be at your hotel at around noonish which leaves you 2 hours for attractions and lunch.......

Just some thoughts

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Thank you!

That is a good thought about the monorail being easier to Epcot than a bus to MGM.

DH and I have been to the Poly before. MIL and DD have not. I think I will go with Coral Reef for dinner the first night. I am going to suprise DH.

Monday for DH and MIL: They can decide what they want to do. They may even go to ESPN and have a beer and relax there. I just wanted to give them some time together away from DD and I.

Friday: I think I will keep my 1900 Park Fare PS and play it by ear. I am still torn on DTD in the AM or PM. I will really have to wait and see with this day what we get accomplished on other MK days.

Saturday: I am not worried about getting on many rides. Just a couple of DD's faves and that will be fine.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

We always used to run to MK after checking in. Last time, we spent the afternoon by the pool and then went to Chef Mickeys for dinner. I now prefer this way better.

How about the Cinderella & Friends dinner at 1900 Park Fare on Saturday night? This way, your princess can meet Cinderella and you do not have to race to MGM after a long travel day.

 

[Jenn Lynn]

DD is doing Cinderella with Grandma on the night DH and I go to dinner for our anniversary. Special time for them.

Good idea though.

 

[susy]

Love the new picture opf Avery. She looks ready!

I would plan something for Friday and leave a day in the middle of all that for your free day. After a few days, you might be ready to do nothing.

We have found that if the restaurant we want to eat at serves lunch and we are in that park anyway, it is worth it to do the sit-down lunch and then just grab a counter service dinner somewhere. It allows for less running around and more flexibiltiy as far as the end of the day goes.

Sounds good, just be flexible and don't push it. WDW isn't going anywhere. I'm sure this will be a first of MANY wonderful trips throughout Avery's lifetime!

 

[tn4mickey]

Don't forget you'll be there during the Food and Wine Festival at Epcot! We really enjoy trying different foods, and some can be quite filling.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Well, I'm not a BD fan, so I won't be suggesting that one. I've never been to Coral Reef and that does sound nice. DD is going to be excited and it might be nice to go "somewhere", but somewhere "easy" and quick, so you can still come back and relax or swim. I was also thinking of Chef Mickey at the Contemporary, Crystal Palace at MK would also be fun and easy to get to. It would give you a "relaxing" first walk into MK, without rushing to the rides, just to look at the castle, take in the atmosphere etc. Then she can come back in the AM to do rides. Plaza Restaurant at MK has good food also.

Sunday---looks good and see you at the party!!!!!!!!!

Monday--I agree with the previous poster. That's a long day for DH and MIL, but I see what you're doing and I like the idea of mother/son time. My son loves Epcot and I know we'd have a good time doing that, especially with the Food and Wine Festival going on too. I'd leave the option of going back even for an hour break. It's a short trip and might be worth it.

Tuesday---if all goes well you can make it, but realize that Ohana's has the coconut races and hoola hoop stuff, so you might want to allot extra time. Also, you'll have to be to the parade about 7:00 or so if you want to "stake" out a curb spot for Spectromagic. I usually plan 1 1/2 hours in the summer, but I doubt it would be that bad off season. But take that into consideration, that Ohana's could take a little time and you might want to get to the parade a little early.

Wednesday--looks good except for that BD reservation, but I think you should try it if you want. We probably just hit a bad day. Most people like it. Did you get the package???

Thursday--I think DTD in the AM would be nice and Earl of Sandwich for lunch. Also in the afternoon you could play miniature golf and Winter/Summerland. We did Winterland and it's lots of fun, your DD would like it. I wouldnt' do Fantasia Gardens. You could also go back to "fun rides" that afternoon. Dinner at Chef Mickey, if you didn't do it the first night, or you could do a Boardwalk restaurant, or one at the Beach Club or Yacht Club and check out the Boardwalk. Beaches and Cream, Cape May Cafe, Spoodles, would DH like the ESPN Club???

Friday--If you haven't done Chef Mickey YET, you gotta do it now!!! teeth: Just kidding, but that would be a nice "closer" to the week. The Chef Mickey brunch is very good, you could even stop at MK one last time on your way back to the resort. Otherwise, it might be a nice time to eat at Kona Cafe too.

 

[scoutsmom99]

Saturday: I think the Coral Reef sounds like fun, but maybe it would be easy to just eat at Kona Cafe or Chef Mickeys and then after dinner you could watch the Electrical Water Pagent or maybe go see Spectro? I'm torn I will be there the same time you are and I'm thinking I will see Spectro on Sat night becuase I'm worried if it rains on Tuesday I won't be able to see it at all...So my Saturday will be spent at MK as well as Sunday night for MNSSHP!

Sunday: See you at the Party

Monday: Sounds Good

Tuesday: I think you will be fine having a 5:30 PS and making it to see Spectro in time...the offseason is not as busy and I have been able to get a decent spot on Main Street to see Spectro as little as 20 minutes before it starts. Plus Ohana's opens at 5:00pm so I would think you should be seated promptly.

Wednesday: I'm goint to the GF Tea on Sat...I think you will really enjoy Brown Derby it is one of my favorites...Last time I ate there they had really kewl Mickey Mouse straws.

Thursday: Sounds like a nice relaxing Anniversary.

Friday: Have breakfast at Park Fare then maybe head to AK or MK and then enjoy your afternoon break. I would then do DTD in the evening. I love the way DTD looks at night and I don't think it will be as packed plus it is cooler outside at night so you can enjoy some time people watching or letting your daughter enjoy the fountains and you won't feel as rushed becuase when you are done you can just go back to the resort and relax vs. going in the morning and then wanting to go to a park later.

Saturday: Wow its Saturday already your plan sounds splendid for the day.

I hope you enjoy your trip

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Originally posted by scoutsmom99
Saturday: I think the Coral Reef sounds like fun, but maybe it would be easy to just eat at Kona Cafe or Chef Mickeys and then after dinner you could watch the Electrical Water Pagent or maybe go see Spectro? I'm torn I will be there the same time you are and I'm thinking I will see Spectro on Sat night becuase I'm worried if it rains on Tuesday I won't be able to see it at all...So my Saturday will be spent at MK as well as Sunday night for MNSSHP!

Sunday: See you at the Party

Monday: Sounds Good

Tuesday: I think you will be fine having a 5:30 PS and making it to see Spectro in time...the offseason is not as busy and I have been able to get a decent spot on Main Street to see Spectro as little as 20 minutes before it starts. Plus Ohana's opens at 5:00pm so I would think you should be seated promptly.

Wednesday: I'm goint to the GF Tea on Sat...I think you will really enjoy Brown Derby it is one of my favorites...Last time I ate there they had really kewl Mickey Mouse straws.

Thursday: Sounds like a nice relaxing Anniversary.

Friday: Have breakfast at Park Fare then maybe head to AK or MK and then enjoy your afternoon break. I would then do DTD in the evening. I love the way DTD looks at night and I don't think it will be as packed plus it is cooler outside at night so you can enjoy some time people watching or letting your daughter enjoy the fountains and you won't feel as rushed becuase when you are done you can just go back to the resort and relax vs. going in the morning and then wanting to go to a park later.

Saturday: Wow its Saturday already your plan sounds splendid for the day.

I hope you enjoy your trip

I *think* what I am going to do is change my PS to Coral Reef. I *think* I should be able to get into Kona with no PS. Then we can just see what we feel like when we get there.

Tuesday: I am not too worried about seeing Spectro. I wasn't planning on it until I saw that they were going to show it. If we don't see it I will be ok with that, but I think we should be able to make it.

Brow Derby: We are mainly doing this one for MIL because she has mentioned to me that she LOVES Cobb Salad.

Friday: Maybe I will let DH and DD choose MK or AK. Then DTD in the afternoon.

It's so hard to just decide later when I am such a planner!

 

[swilphil]

Plan on eating in World Showcase for your counter service meals--lots of good variety!

Can you get the Brown Derby Fantasmic dinner package? That way you don't have to wait in line forever for a seat. Call now. I've heard they go fast.

For your Crystal Palace PS, I would make it at 8:05-8:15. I love getting in the park early before it's open. Then you can eat--great food and characters--and be ready to go on your favorite rides right when the park opens. This will really help since it's your last day.

 

[newholiday]

we're staying at the VWL Oct 2-8 then going to MILs in Melbourne 8-10
Sat - checkin, Chef Mickey's
Sun - sleep in, MNSSHP
Mon - sleep in, EpCot, Boardwalk?
Tues - IOA/Univ, Downtown Disney?
Wed - AK, O'Hana's
Thurs - Disney park? waterpark? IOA/Univ?
Fri - checkout, SeaWorld
Sat & Sun - MILs, fly home late Sun

will you be able to get your family up early for Mon EE when you'll be out till after midnight Sun night?

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Originally posted by swilphil

For your Crystal Palace PS, I would make it at 8:05-8:15. I love getting in the park early before it's open. Then you can eat--great food and characters--and be ready to go on your favorite rides right when the park opens. This will really help since it's your last day.

Thank you for the Crystal Palace idea. I switched my PS to 8:10 which was the earliest they had available. So now we should be ready to go at park opening or close to it.

Thanks again!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Originally posted by newholiday

will you be able to get your family up early for Mon EE when you'll be out till after midnight Sun night?

The latest my DD has ever slept was 7am. And that was in August when she was in SIL's wedding. Up at 6:15am and no nap all day. Fell asleep at 11pm on the way to the hotel from the reception.

I think we will be ok. I know she might sleep later at WDW, but with naps it should all even out.

Mom and Dad, on the other hand, might be dragging. But if we have to be up with her anyway might as well be at a park!

 

[Jenn Lynn]

Update:

Well, I canceled Sci-Fi and have 5:45 pm PS for Coral Reef.

I am leaving Friday up in the air. I have 2 *plans* so we will just wait and see which one we got with. I know we will go to DTD some time on Friday. I also canceled 1900 Park Fare breakfast and booked 8am Kona Cafe PS instead. I wanted to eat there anyway.

Saturday Morning I changed my 9:05 Crystal Palace PS to 8:10 (thank you swilphil ). We should get on a couple more rides that way. Crystal Palace is a must do with my 3 year old Pooh fan-atic.

DH and MIL can do whatever they want during their *scheduled* time. If they want to take a nap it's fine with me. I just wanted to remember to suggest it to them so I wrote it down.

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions everyone!