Suggestions for our trip in Nov, please...

[AngieWin]

In our family, we have dh (sports fanatic, thrill rides), ds1 -10 (same), dd - 11 (pre-teen diva), ds2 - 2 (loves dinosaurs and all characters) and ds3 - 2 months (goes with the flow). We are staying on site (all-star sports) and will have 3 days for all four parks (I'm a school teacher and lucky I get to take off that much time during the year). Both ds 2 and 3 are very flexible and will nap in strollers. Our plan is...

Thursday Nov 3 - Morning at MGM (Early lunch at Sci-FI), Afternoon at Epcot evening EMH
Friday Nov 4 - EMH - All day at MK (dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern, characters)
Saturday Nov 5 - EMH - Morning at AK (restaurantosaurus), afternoon at MGM (Hollywood and Vine)

My questions...
Does this sound doable?? I know we will not be able to see it all, and that isn't my goal. We will take advantage of the EMH to see the more popular rides.
Since we are planning 1/2 day at AK and Epcot, what are must sees for my group?
What is better left undone?
We have ADR for Sci-Fi, LTT, Restaurantosaurus and H & V. Suggestions for Epcot TS?
What else am I forgetting?

Thanks everyone!!

 

[MiknMinMouse]

You're jamming a lot in. My suggestion is to do one full day at EPCOT. You're using two days for MGM and there's not as much to do there I don't think. Unless you're tied to Hollywood and Vine I'd skip that and do EPCOT. The thing is to see what time everything is open until while you're there. AK is always better done in the morning then use the afternoon for whatever park is open the latest. We usually end at EPCOT because they close the latest when we're there. Not sure if that helps any. Hope you have a great time.

 

[Mersmom98]

I would leave out the 2nd day at MGM and instead do another 1/2 day at MK or Epcot. That is, of course, unless you are wanting to see Fantasmic at MGM. Maybe you should wait and decide exactly what you want to do on your last day after AK. You'll know by then which park you think you would like to spend a few more hours in. Have fun!!!

 

[AngieWin]

Our reasons for 2 partial days at MGM is so we can do the RnR and ToT and Playhouse in the morning, leave after 11:15 lunch at Sci-Fi, and then Sat after AK, finish what we didn't do and see Fantasmic. I anticipate most of those days will be at the other parks.

 

[hockeybabe]

It's do-able, not relaxing, but who goes to Disney to relax? A few suggestions:

A great table service restaurant for the family is Biergarten in Germany. Typical kids fare (mac n cheese, nuggets), and really good German food that isn't too weird, like sausage, snitzel (like breaded chicken) and great salads, and pretzel bread...mmm! Buffet style, always a good thing with kids and picky eaters. But the floor show is included, and has a german band complete with lederhosen My kids love the different instruments, they play the Riccola horns (amazing!) and bells, and of course, toasts and even polka dancing! It is a fun show and the food is great too.

If you are doing AK, the Dinosaur ride is VERY intense, even for dino lovers. DH even said it was intense (I stayed with dd who chickened out, which we were glad she did).

If doing Epcot World showcase, get disposable cameras for the kids who you think might get bored. Our DD and DS (9 and 10) loved WS when we told them to take pics to show the world architecture to their classes, and DS bought the $10 passport which he got stamped and signed at each country, in thier language, he thought it was cool. So DH and I actually got to look around the countries without the kids wondering where the rides were

Have a great trip!

 

[MissionMouse]

You didn't mention if this is your first trip or not. I was also curious if your kids have any level of awareness of what WDW offers and what rides they may also be oriented towards.

Most children within the same age range of your children prefer Magic Kingdom 63%, Disney Studios 18%, Epcot 14% and AK 5%, referenced from Birnbaum's WDW for Kids by Kids book. So my point is I think you are covering a lot of parks within three days. Give it a try but use your kids to gauge what to do and not to do...have a back-up plan to do fewer parks.

Also beware that early entrance day parks can get a little crowded around 11am with longer and longer lines. This is a time we typically hop to another park since the early entrance time really spoils you since you can ride a ride 3 times within the same line wait time at 11am.

Epcot Table Service: We have enjoyed table service restaurants in Mexico, France, and Italy. We haven't been to Germany TS in a long time..when it wasn't a buffet, but hear good things about it especially kid friendly. Just realize it takes considerable travel time to get to Epcot World Showcase locations, even more if you are coming from another park.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Agree with several of the previous posters. I think this is doable, but first you're going to have to be flexible. If everyone gets cranky and crabby, take a break, even if it's in the park. At MK a nice place is Tom Sawyer Island. You're going to have to stop and stand in line for character autographs and or pictures for the 2 year old. That's probably all he'll want to do.

Second, I agree with Biergarten. Although I don't think it's the BEST food, DH likes it and it's still good, they do have the polka band and a little dance floor for entertainment. Plus a buffet for that group would be good. Also, reasonably priced.

Go to a website, I'm sure the Disney one has a list of all the rides at each park and write down you're priorities. Do those first, so that if you don't get to them you've at least done your favorites.

At AK, we like, the Safari, Lion King, It's Tough to be a Bug, (room turns dark, warning for 2 year old), and Kali River Rapids. By the time you eat, that's all you may get in. Be sure to plan that Bug is 20 minutes or so long, plus up to 20 minutes wait time, depending upon if they just let a group in, check out Lion King times. You can go to this site http://pages.prodigy.net/stevesoares/index.htm click on the appropriate park at the top and find out the times of all the park shows before you get there, that will save time.

Epcot- we like Test Track, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, (again, make sure the 2 year old understand the concept of 3D, that things may look like they're coming at you), and the globe (I'm blanking on the name!!! Can't believe it) and if you want Mission Space.

Even if you have to carry around a little list to keep you focused. Hit headliners first and make use of FPs.

Remember you will never get everything accomplished. Make sure you remember that it doesn't matter as long as you're having a good time. Even if you need an hour break in the pool in the afternoon. Maybe you'll make better use of park time if everyone is refreshed for the evening instead of whining and arguing. This may sound crazy and rushed, but believe me, having a plan like this when you go, will save allot of time thinking and planning when you get there and leave more time to take it easy as you do these things. Planning ahead, makes it more relaxing there.

 

[shewelch]

The Haunted Mansion closes on the 5th for renovations- be sure to get there by the 4th! We, unfortunately, arrive on the 6th....

 

[AngieWin]

We did WDW in 2002 and Disneyland in March. The older kids are familiar with quite a few of the rides and are looking forward to their favorites (the mountains, ToT). We were surprised that DS (10) wanted to see the World Showcase, they seemed bored there in '02. DS (2) is the animal/dino lover and I think he will really enjoy AK (although I know he won't like the Dinosaur ride and will sit on my lap without glasses for Tough to be a Bug).

Thanks for the suggestions!! Anyone else?