Submitted for Your Approval: Our Itinerary

[barreloflaughs]

Our family of 4 is returning to Orlando this August for this first time since Jan. 1999. As this will be our first summertime visit I'm a bit concerned about the heat and the crowds. I've put together the following plan and was hoping for some feedback from the experts.

I devised this plan assuming that the EMH will be the 'regular' schedule not the new, improved version that they are testing in the coming weeks. That said, I kind of fudged it so that we can take advantage of the new improved version if it is implemented. For the most part we're avoiding EE days instead going to the park which had EE the previous day.

so without further ado...............

Saturday:

Arrive MCO....very late....check in @ Holiday Inn Select near MCO

Sunday thru Tuesday:

Royal Pacific, Universal....doing the Universal thing.


Wednesday:

Early breakfast in room and checkout @ Royal Pacific
Check in @ Swan
AM: MGM
Lunch: PS @ Sci Fi Dine In
afternoon break
PM: MK (possible EMH?)
Dinner: PS @ Liberty Tree

Thursday:

AM: EPCOT
Lunch: Counter service @ EPCOT
afternoon break
PM: AK (possible EMH?)
Dinner: Tusker House or Rainforest (while exiting park)

Friday:

AM: MK (possible EMH?)
Lunch: PS at Crystal Palace (earliest seating)
afternoon break
PM: MGM
Dinner: Fantasmic Dinner Package..Hollywood & Vine

Saturday:

AM: AK
Lunch: AK counter service or at resort (Tubbi's)
afternoon break
PM: Magic Kingdom
Dinner: counter service MK

Sunday:

AM: MGM or MK (kids choice)
Lunch: counter service somewhere
afternoon break
PM: Epcot (possible EMH)
Dinner: PS @ Le Cellier or Alfredos

Monday:
we are outta here......

My concerns:
* We are hopping like the Easter Bunny. In the past we've never hopped like this but with the heat and the summer hours I think we can afford the afternoon break and the change of scenery.

* Not enough Epcot time? We may need to squeeze another Epcot segment in there somewhere...maybe the whole last day? I dunno...

any and all feedback appreciated.......

carl
barrel

 

[brandip22]

Not sure, but the experts can give you help. Really, just thought I help you BUMP this up! Have a great time!

 

[Magic2000]

Your itinerary looks fine! As far as needing more Epcot time, I would play it by ear.

My kids love Epcot - and my little one likes making her "mask". We usually only do one day at Animal Kingdom (sometimes, just a little more than half a day), and spend more time at Magic Kingdom and Epcot. We spend one day at MGM.

Again, your family may really want to see more of a park. We usually park hop too during the summer. I definitely suggest going back to the room for that afternoon break! Also, for your counter service lunch at MK - may I suggest Plaza Restaurant!! They have really good burgers and shakes!!! And, the restaurant is air conditioned!

Good luck and have a great time!!!!

 

[Micca]

I would sure choose RFC or Tusker House at AK. I would also find a different restaurant at MGM. Looks good!

 

[barreloflaughs]

Thanks to all for your feedback!

With any luck Wed. & Friday will be E-Ride nights at MK. We're already planning on doing MK both days anyways.

Question: Does anyone think it is feasible to do 'Fantasmic' at 9PM and make it to MK for a 10PM start of E-Ride night? (I assume we'd be at least a little late for E-Ride). Am I nuts for even thinking of doing this?

thanks again..............................

carl
barrel of

 

[cmrules]

How old are your kids? That had a lot to do with how I would gauge my opinion.

Fantasmic @ 9 and Eride at 10 won't work. Fantasmic is not a quick show. It is fabulous but not quick. Then EVERYONE is trying to get out of the park. Besides, you would be EXAUSTED.

Good Luck.

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Thursday:

AM: EPCOT
Lunch: Counter service @ EPCOT
afternoon break
PM: AK (possible EMH?)
Dinner: Tusker House or Rainforest (while exiting park)

By the time you eat lunch and get to AK which is on the other side of the property you won't have much time in AK, UNLESS there is EMH.... only problem I see.

And yes something other than Sci-Fi we were not impressed at all here.

And no Fatasmic at 9pm leaves not nearly enough time to get to MK for 10pm... the show will end around 9:30 or so, I don't think you'll even be to the exit till around a few of 10... then it's quite a ride to MK... lines for buses, etc.

We managed a 8pm Fatasmic in Early December (very small crowds) and got to EPCOT with about 1/2 hour to spare before 10pm Illuminations, and EPCOT is closer to MGM than MK.

 

[DVCTiff]

You could always try Prime Time instead of Sci-Fi. My DH and I loved it there though the food gets mixed reviews. We had a great lunch, did not get messed with too muc and loved watching all the action. We didn't eat anywhere else at MGM so we're a little biased.

 

[barreloflaughs]

Originally posted by cmrules
How old are your kids? That had a lot to do with how I would gauge my opinion.

Fantasmic @ 9 and Eride at 10 won't work. Fantasmic is not a quick show. It is fabulous but not quick. Then EVERYONE is trying to get out of the park. Besides, you would be EXAUSTED.

Kids are 11 and 14.

Yeah...I didn't think we'd be able to make it to MK in time. Of course, I'm assuming that there will BE an E-Ride night on that Friday (8/6). I'll probably leave the schedule as is and hope for an E-Ride night on Wed. 8/4 when we plan on being at MK in the evening anyhow.

Thanks for the feedback!

carl
barrel

 

[RLewis]

We have a tough time filling up 1 day at AK, much less 2.

You could go to MGM on thurs (instead of AK). It's much closer (a boat ride) to EPCOT than AK. See Fantasmic that night.

Spend al day Friday at MK

Saturday - Ak, then EPCOT.

 

[barreloflaughs]

Originally posted by 2angelsinheaven
Thursday:

AM: EPCOT
Lunch: Counter service @ EPCOT
afternoon break
PM: AK (possible EMH?)
Dinner: Tusker House or Rainforest (while exiting park)

By the time you eat lunch and get to AK which is on the other side of the property you won't have much time in AK, UNLESS there is EMH.... only problem I see.]

THe way I figured this will be probably be early entry day at EPCOT. Maybe we'll get there good and early and get out by 11:30. That way we can eat lunch at the resort and get to AK by 3PM. That'll give us 3 hours if it closes at 6.

Ack! Planning would be much easier if I knew what the heck the hours were gonna be!

And yes something other than Sci-Fi we were not impressed at all here.

Yeah, we've eaten there before. The food was...uh....well...not great BUT we LOVE the atmosphere!

And no Fatasmic at 9pm leaves not nearly enough time to get to MK for 10pm... the show will end around 9:30 or so, I don't think you'll even be to the exit till around a few of 10... then it's quite a ride to MK... lines for buses, etc

Yeah....bad plan..

thanks!

carl
barrel of