Someone help - scheduling - am I on the right track?

[Sharpdisney]

Hi all -

Super early planner here, but a busy summer leaves only a little free time and I'll be looking for ADR's in August. First time to WDW and trying to process lots of great info.

Can someone chime in to let me know I'm even on a good track with my very preliminary plans? I just want to get an idea if I am splitting time in a decent fashion or way off kilter!!!

Party: 3 adults, one child: M37, D37, DS5, MIL. Going Feb 24, 2015 (after Presidents Day, before Spring Break rush!)

Want to see and do alot but NOT marathon it; we want to have time to goof around and let magic happen. I just want to get some idea of where to go and what order to do things in so we aren't backtracking and looking at eachother saying, well what should we do now?

Staying at POP for 7 nights, planning 6 park days. No park on arrival day - doing DTD.

(As much as I can tell, I've planned park days based on 2014 historical calendars using "best days to visit"; when real calendars come up, of course I'll switch EP and HS or whatever I need to.) I'll get my FP+ of course. No hopper for us.

Day 1: MK - Rope Drop day, Fantasy Land and TomorrowLand. Full day, maybe open to close, but a large afternoon break is planned.

Day 2: AK - rope drop, full day, no break scheduled as park may close at 5 p.m. DS absolutely loves animals.

Day 3: HS - rope drop, full day, large afternoon break scheduled. Fantasmic 7 or 8:30. If 8:30, we'll give ourselves a larger afternoon break.

Day 4: EP - Either full day with afternoon break - or - and here's where I need help. I have an "extra" day on Day #6. I'm thinking of splitting Epcot into Future World on Day 4, early start, but then leave in afternoon to have downtime/nap/pool/ dinner elsewhere. Good idea after 3 pretty busy days?

Day 5: MK again. But, this time I think we'll let ourselves sleep in, and go afternoon and evening, seeing Adventure land, Liberty Square, Frontierland.

Day 6: "free" day, but I'm thining of instead doing Epcot, later arrival for World Showcase, dinner ADR, Illuminations. (Could get Soarin or Test Track FP+ again for a 2nd ride)

So.... what do you experts think? My first three days are full, but I absolutely booked an afternoon break each day so I'm hoping we'll do alright. Then we can wind down on days 4-6 with chances to maybe do other things; resort hop, more DTD, who knows.

 

[amym2]

I think you are on the right track! We have found that it's best if we DON'T break on our first park day. We are always too excited to rest. I'd plan to skip the break and get to bed at a decent hour instead. Plan to do Wishes, etc on your 2nd MK day.

Yes, absolutely break EP into two days. We've tried to do it all in one day and it doesn't work for us. Your plan sounds good for those days.

 

[minnie mum]

Easywdw.com has put up the preliminary Feb. crowd calendar, so you can take a look at which parks are recommended for each day of your stay.

Josh also has some excellent touring plans that he calls "cheat sheets". Have a look at them. They are very common sense and he will recommend what attractions to get FP for, and when. The nice thing about these is that you don't have to be chained to them. You can use them as a plan or as a guideline.

As for your non-park day- we schedule ours in the middle of the trip. Even when we take mid day breaks (and we usually do), by the 4th day we are ready for a break. Then we're rested and ready to tackle the rest of the week. Just an option to consider. But I can see the benefit of just doing a half day on your 4th and 6th days too. Especially since February is cooler - the heat won't be exhausting you as much as it does at other times of the year.

 

[Sharpdisney]

Hi Amy -
Thanks for that advice (and confirmation!). I was thinking that too, what you said about day 1. Especially since we plan to fly at a reasonable hour the day before, and no park on arrival day, we should be nice and rested for Day 1 and ready to go like crazy! So, maybe i'll update my plan, and cut out the break, and cut out Wishes (move to Day 5, and make that a more reasonable night.
I'll play around with that on my touringplan and see what I come up with!

Question - only problem with idea above, my touringplan for both MK days is PACKED! And, I know we will not keep up or see it all. I think I'll just add everything onto the plan and if we don't feel like seeing something, running out of time, feel like ice cream, then fine. We'll just skip a few items and pick up a few steps ahead. What do you think?

 

[dkrauss]

Great start........some questions

1. 3 straight days of "rope drop", Very ambitious given your resort location and its the first 3 days of your vacation.

I would believe to make rope drops from your location you might have to be up early, especially if you plan ADR Character breakfasts. Never stayed at the POP before so I can't speak to bus schedules which could be an impact too

Have you considered spreading those "rope drops" out so has not to cause morning burn out?


2. On day 1 what do you mean by "full day, open to close but with large afternoon break planned"?

Do you plan on returning to your resort for this break? If so you need to consider the travel time back and forth.


3. You don't mention "Park Hoppers" do you have those?

If you have park hoppers you could split your days up with the afternoon breaks much cleaner. It be like a new day........every day........and gets away from park burn out IMHO

4. Do you have a proposed list of ADR's?

You'll need to coordinate your ADR's with this schedule. I'd spend some time with that and see what you find. You may need to adjust to fit all the locations you desire. Note: BOG is tough to get.........we're going for the FP+ lunch.

Another thought is keep your lunches mostly QS.........good for breakfasts too (other than a character meal here and there).

Flexibility is key...........What we do is pick 1 or 2 prime things you want each day and work around them.

Doug

 

[Sharpdisney]

Thanks for more great tips...
You are right, I am nervous about the 3 RDs with my son. However, on non-vacation days the kiddo is up by 6:30 and we are up by 5:30. A 7 or 7:30 a.m. wake up is doable I think.
I think this might be easier too, if I follow the advice of Amy and make MK Day 1 ending before Wishes, maybe at 6 or 7. Not too late of a night, can get up early for RD on Day 2 AK. That park will close by 5 (or maybe 7 if hours are adjusted, currently easywdw lists 5 pm) so another not-too-late night. So, that will make our last RD day on day 3 manageable as well. Then, we'll be done w/ RD days and "take it easy" the other days.
Otherwise I considered spreading the RD out, but am trying to follow the easywdw and other sites for recommended park days. Our priority is not getting trampled and squished, so crowds level is important to us.

On the days where I scheduled a break, I did add in alot of time for travel (breaks around 2-3 hours each). POP has dedicated buses so hopefully that helps...

And, yes, I am working on some ADR ideas (to be scheduled next month). That's why I wanted to get a guide for my park days and if I should plan dinner in or out of the parks. Your comments are a HUGE help.

Another question - if I decide to RD on day 1 for MK, but maybe leave around dinner time, how about taking monorail over to a resort for dinner? Thinking Poly for Kona Cafe or something? I'd be happy to taxi back from there if we are tuckered out after dinner. Just a thought!

 

[wareagle57]

I would suggest hoppers but looks like you prefer not to have them. If that's the case I would make one suggestion. I would keep the schedule like you have it, but switch the days around. I like to start and end my trip at MK. If I can't do both, I at least want to end there.

Day 1. RD MK full day.

Day 2. RD AK full day

Day 3. Sleep in, Epcot WS, illuminations, fastpasses to a few rides

Day 4. RD HS

Day 5. RD Epcot, downtime afternoon/evening

Day 6. Sleep in, end with MK and Wishes.

This way you never have more than 2 rope drop days in a row and days 3-6 all involve either sleeping in, leaving early, or a long afternoon break.

 

[Sharpdisney]

I appreciate that input. However it would contradict easywdw as far as preferred park days on my Day 3 and 4 due to EMH making parks busier.

What I planned was Day 3 = Feb. 27 = HS (recommeded day; EP was NOT recommended).
Day 4 = Feb 28 = EP (recommended day, HS not recommended).

BUT, now that I look, Per touringplans has kind of the opposite:

Feb 27: Epcot crowd 3, HW crowd 5

Feb. 28: Epcot crowd 5, Hollywood 6

Maybe I should switch as you've recommended? Will we perish in a crowd level 6 at HS? (Note we won't do RnRC due to son's height).

 

[dkrauss]

Thanks for more great tips...
You are right, I am nervous about the 3 RDs with my son. However, on non-vacation days the kiddo is up by 6:30 and we are up by 5:30. A 7 or 7:30 a.m. wake up is doable I think.
I think this might be easier too, if I follow the advice of Amy and make MK Day 1 ending before Wishes, maybe at 6 or 7. Not too late of a night, can get up early for RD on Day 2 AK. That park will close by 5 (or maybe 7 if hours are adjusted, currently easywdw lists 5 pm) so another not-too-late night. So, that will make our last RD day on day 3 manageable as well. Then, we'll be done w/ RD days and "take it easy" the other days.
Otherwise I considered spreading the RD out, but am trying to follow the easywdw and other sites for recommended park days. Our priority is not getting trampled and squished, so crowds level is important to us.

On the days where I scheduled a break, I did add in alot of time for travel (breaks around 2-3 hours each). POP has dedicated buses so hopefully that helps...

And, yes, I am working on some ADR ideas (to be scheduled next month). That's why I wanted to get a guide for my park days and if I should plan dinner in or out of the parks. Your comments are a HUGE help.

Another question - if I decide to RD on day 1 for MK, but maybe leave around dinner time, how about taking monorail over to a resort for dinner? Thinking Poly for Kona Cafe or something? I'd be happy to taxi back from there if we are tuckered out after dinner. Just a thought!

Great answers

Obviously you are flexible and thinking about it.

Hope your plans work for you and you have a GREAT vacation....

Doug

 

[Happyjen27]

Some people love DTD, but, since you've already got 6 park days, I would skip DTD and do a park. Not much of a difference in price, but takes the pressure off those long park days to get a lot done.

Full disclosure, I've never been to DTD, so I might be completely missing the boat, and utterly wrong. But, if I'm taking a bus somewhere and walking around somewhere, then I'd rather do that in a park than in a shopping area.

Otherwise, just be aware that late nights before early mornings sometimes make for tough mornings. I call it the "turn and burn" and it's tiring.

 

[BrianL]

I have been there at this time and I would totally avoid parks with EMH. In fact, I would use the EMH as much as possible. Crowd levels are super low on those dates, and you will find that even the non-recommended parks aren't that crowded, especially if they are only not recommended because of the EMH. Look at the EasyWDW calendar, but if the days are 2s and 3s then I woiuldn't worry to much.

 

[amym2]

Hi Amy -
Thanks for that advice (and confirmation!). I was thinking that too, what you said about day 1. Especially since we plan to fly at a reasonable hour the day before, and no park on arrival day, we should be nice and rested for Day 1 and ready to go like crazy! So, maybe i'll update my plan, and cut out the break, and cut out Wishes (move to Day 5, and make that a more reasonable night.
I'll play around with that on my touringplan and see what I come up with!

Question - only problem with idea above, my touringplan for both MK days is PACKED! And, I know we will not keep up or see it all. I think I'll just add everything onto the plan and if we don't feel like seeing something, running out of time, feel like ice cream, then fine. We'll just skip a few items and pick up a few steps ahead. What do you think?

I'd absolutely decide what is most important to you. Maybe pick 5-6 things each day and anything else is an extra bonus. You will not get through everything at MK even in 2 full days, but that's okay!

As far as dinner on your first MK day, eating at a resort is a great idea. You could do Kona or 'Ohana at the Poly, Chef Mickey or The Wave at the CR, or GFC at the GF. Getting back to POP you will then just need to take the monorail back to MK and catch the POP bus from there. When we stayed at the WL a few years ago and my sister stayed at POP, we found that her buses were faster than ours because POP buses don't stop at other resorts. Or as you said, take a cab if you don't feel like dealing with buses.

We've never had an issue with multiple rope drops in a row as long as we aren't up super late. Our kids (12 and 10 now) were always up by 6:30am at home no matter how late they were up, so 7:30 wake ups for an 8am departure were easy. We'd just bring along some granola bars and fruit to eat for breakfast. Now that the kids are sleeping in a bit and we're able to keep them up later, we actually have a harder time with RDs. Take advantage of them while you can!

Yes, afternoon breaks take time, but for our family they are SO worth it. If you find you're doing fine and don't need them, then don't take them, but I agree with your plan to factor them in in case you do need them.

 

[Jack & Monica]

Hi Sharp! A couple of things to consider. I highly recommend doing the Hoop-de-doo revue. I would use My Disney Experience and book your ADR 6 months our. Make your fast pass reservations 2 months out following the guidance already given above at the strategy sites mentioned. I am envious of your timing. I am going next week and the place should be a little more crowded. You are looking good!

 

[wareagle57]

I appreciate that input. However it would contradict easywdw as far as preferred park days on my Day 3 and 4 due to EMH making parks busier.

What I planned was Day 3 = Feb. 27 = HS (recommeded day; EP was NOT recommended).
Day 4 = Feb 28 = EP (recommended day, HS not recommended).

BUT, now that I look, Per touringplans has kind of the opposite:

Feb 27: Epcot crowd 3, HW crowd 5

Feb. 28: Epcot crowd 5, Hollywood 6

Maybe I should switch as you've recommended? Will we perish in a crowd level 6 at HS? (Note we won't do RnRC due to son's height).

Most prefer to use EasyWDW but it really is a crap shoot, as no one knows what the crowd levels will actually be. But the time of year you are going, it will never be bad. And using EMH will give you more time in the parks. And if you got the park hopper you could start at a park with EMH in the morning and then hop to the recommended park in the evening.

 

[Sharpdisney]

Thank you all... You've helped me re-evaluate. Plus, I had my MIL over this weekend and as we all sat bleary-eyed drinking our coffee and not speaking at 8:30 in the morning, I have reconsidered my 3 days in a row with RD!

What about this new plan:

Day 1: MK - Rope Drop day, Fantasy Land and TomorrowLand. No break, but I plan to end the day around 4 p.m. and maybe get dinner at our resort or monorail resort. Early night.

Day 2: AK - rope drop, full day, no break scheduled as park may close at 5 p.m. DS absolutely loves animals.

Day 3: EP - later start, maybe 10 a.m., using FP and seeing mostly WS. Dinner around 5 in WS, or leave to eat at resort or elsewhere. Early night.

Day 4: HS - rope drop, full day, afternoon break scheduled. Fantasmic 7 or 8:30. If at 8:30, we'll give ourselves a larger afternoon break.

Day 5: MK again. But, this time I think we'll let ourselves sleep in, and go afternoon and evening, seeing Adventure land, Liberty Square, Frontierland.

Day 6: EP - Late afternoon arrival, maybe 2 pm, no break, mostly FW touring. ADR in Epcot. Stay until Illuminations at 9 p.m.

Thanks for everyone's input here. It has really helped me. And thanks to Amy - great advice to just make the big touring plan, and focus on the 5-6 things we really want to see. If we fit more in, great, but if we instead fit in ice cream and shopping for Mickey Ears, that's OK too.

 

[BStew]

Thank you all... You've helped me re-evaluate. Plus, I had my MIL over this weekend and as we all sat bleary-eyed drinking our coffee and not speaking at 8:30 in the morning, I have reconsidered my 3 days in a row with RD!

What about this new plan:

Day 1: MK - Rope Drop day, Fantasy Land and TomorrowLand. No break, but I plan to end the day around 4 p.m. and maybe get dinner at our resort or monorail resort. Early night.

Day 2: AK - rope drop, full day, no break scheduled as park may close at 5 p.m. DS absolutely loves animals.

Day 3: EP - later start, maybe 10 a.m., using FP and seeing mostly WS. Dinner around 5 in WS, or leave to eat at resort or elsewhere. Early night.

Day 4: HS - rope drop, full day, afternoon break scheduled. Fantasmic 7 or 8:30. If at 8:30, we'll give ourselves a larger afternoon break.

Day 5: MK again. But, this time I think we'll let ourselves sleep in, and go afternoon and evening, seeing Adventure land, Liberty Square, Frontierland.

Day 6: EP - Late afternoon arrival, maybe 2 pm, no break, mostly FW touring. ADR in Epcot. Stay until Illuminations at 9 p.m.

Thanks for everyone's input here. It has really helped me. And thanks to Amy - great advice to just make the big touring plan, and focus on the 5-6 things we really want to see. If we fit more in, great, but if we instead fit in ice cream and shopping for Mickey Ears, that's OK too.

Looks great!!

 

[Sharpdisney]

Thanks for the help! I think I'll work with this plan. Not the most perfect as far as best crowd days, EMH, etc but I think a good mix for my family for now!

 

[connie254]

Definitely consider adding Park Hopper. When you tire of one park, go to another. We usually get free dining so the table service dinner is either at the second park or close to it.
Pop is fairly close to Epcot and Studios. Not close enough to walk but if you are the resort at the same time as Illuminations and Fantasmic you will hear the booms. It's fairly centrally located so bus rides aren't that long(except DTD).
Know how to get from one area of Disney property to another.
Crowds in February are less and the park hours are reduced. Consider that also.
Waits for buses coming back from DTD are notoriously long. Either have patience or consider a cab.
Really just listen to cues from your family and go with the flow. We have no problem with waking up at 6 or 630 and hitting the morning EMH of the day/switching parks/plan on seeing the night shows at some point during the vacation. If we get tired, we go back to the room/resort. We don't try to do everything.
Take a morning to walk around Pop and read the signs along the walkways or walk over the bridge and eat breakfast at AoA. Relax and enjoy all the details Disney put into everything. Pop can be loud with kids and adults screaming-we stay on the wing away from the main area of each decade-so you can really rest when you want to rest.
Pre-internet, I bought the Unofficial guide to WDW. Studied it. Simple rules-zig when everyone zags. Eat at off times. Look at restaurant menus so you have a list somewhere of places that you might like.

 

[Sharpdisney]

I am trying to really consider easywdw's crowd ideas and so have tried to re-arrange this way... Please give me a little more feedback. I appreciate everyone's help and patience.

Day 1: MK - Rope Drop day, Fantasy Land and TomorrowLand. No break, but I plan to end the day around 4 p.m. and maybe get dinner at our resort or monorail resort. Early night.

Day 2: AK - rope drop, full day, no break scheduled as park may close at 5 p.m. DS absolutely loves animals.

Day 3: HS - later start, maybe 10, 10:30 am. Full day, but leisurely with lots of free time. Fantasmic 7. If Fantasmic at 8:30, we'll give ourselves an afternoon break (shorter transport from POP to HS).

Day 4: EP - later start, maybe 10 a.m., using FP and seeing mostly WS. Dinner around 5 in WS, or leave to eat at resort or elsewhere. Early night. But, since we are not planning a RD the next morning, if we feel like it and are bored, we could return to EP after dinner.

Day 5: MK again. But, this time I think we'll let ourselves sleep in, and go afternoon and evening, seeing Adventure land, Liberty Square, Frontierland. Wishes at close, so a later night.

Day 6: EP - Late afternoon arrival, maybe 2 pm, no break, mostly FW touring. ADR in Epcot. Stay until Illuminations at 9 p.m.