Suggestions on my itinerary?

[mla973]

I was wondering if anyone might be able to help with advice or their own personal opinions of my trip itinerary. We (myself, DH, DBF and DBF's DF) are taking our first couple's trip to WDW from November 7-14. We are all mid-20's.

I'm open to any suggestions...


Nov 7 - Arrive approx. 12:00 pm
Magic Kingdom
- Dinner at Pecos Bill Café
- Watch parade/Wishes fireworks show

Nov 8
Animal Kingdom
- Watch Awakenings and Parade
- Get “Meal Plus” certificate if they have it
Dinner at Boardwalk – ESPN Club/Big River Brewing Co
- Walk around Boardwalk/Beaches and Cream for ice cream
- Go to Jellyrolls

Nov 9
MGM Studios
- Lunch at Sci-Fi Drive-in Diner
- Watch Parade/Fantasmic
Go to a resort for drinks?

Nov 10
Epcot Center
- Eat lunch at Mexico/China/Electric Umbrella?
- Eat dinner at International Food and Wine Festival booths?
- Watch Illuminations

Nov 11
Free Day
- Golf Tee Time - to be made 30 days prior?
- DTD Shopping?
- DisneyQuest?
- Resort hop? Coronado Springs to eat?

Nov 12
Back to what we missed at MGM/Epcot/DAK?
Blizzard Beach? / Pleasure Island?
- Nice dinner

Saturday, November 13
Magic Kingdom a.m.
- CRT PS
- Watch parade?
Go to DTD/Pleasure Island/DisneyQuest

Nov 14
- Depart approx. 3:00 pm
Go to DAK for morning/DTD for last minute shopping?

 

[Amirah95]

That intinerary looks good to me and I'm about 20 years old than you guys. Blizzard Beach will be open at the time you'll be there. Also, which resort will you be staying?

 

[mla973]

We are staying at All Star. We don't plan on being in the room much, and we've stayed here before and like it okay.

We're trying to do a bit of a budget trip, but as usual, it's turning out to cost more than our 8 day honeymoon to an all-inclusive resort in Jamaica!!!

 

[Amirah95]

I'm an all inclusive baby!!!! Which all inclusive company did you book with? DH and I have done Couples, Super Clubs, and Sandals all over the Carribean. And yes, they can get expensive depending on the room categories you pick.

 

[Disnutty]

I would definitely move the visit to Pleasure Island to one of the first nights like right after Fantasmic or instead of ESPN (The guys will probably love ESPN because of all the sports channels that are there but you have to like sports to really appreciate the atmosphere). Pleasure Island has nice restaurant options and their night life (Music, comedy, DJ, Bars etc.) are great. There is even fireworks at 12 midnight and a featured band that plays outside. Going there makes it hard to get up early the next morning but it is fun for the over 21 crowd. Because they have so many Bar options, going there early will allow you to come back if you like one of the options or if you did not get to see one of the bars or bands. I would save Beaches and Cream and ESPN for the EPCOT night, right after the illumination show walk out the EPCOT's International Gateway and go to get ice cream and or ESPN for Nachos or burgers etc. Its an easy stroll around the lake to either from there. Just remember that if you drove to EPCOT that day to park at the Boardwalk Resort lot otherwise getting back to your car from the Boardwalk is difficult because they close the international gateway. If you took the Bus then just catch the bus back to your hotel from the front of the Boardwalk or you can get a cab from there too.

Also unless you are really into video games Disney Quest may be a disappointment. It is geared towards appealing to teens who can not yet get into Pleasure Island. However if you like video games go check it out but I would not make it a priority.

 

[mla973]

Disnutty - great point about moving the Beaches and Cream experience to an after Illuminations time. That makes perfect sense.

I have eaten at ESPN before. It's okay. None of the other BW restaurants appeal to DH and I except for Big River Brewing, so we're goign to decide between the two of them when we get there. I'm a little partial to ESPN because when I was in college, I met Grant Hill of the NBA at ESPN Club where he was just hanging out. I got his autograph and everything!!! He talked with my parents in the BW lobby and then we followed (!) him to ESPN. Plus, our guys are doing the Cinderella Breakfast for us, so this is the least we can do in return. (Both guys are sports nuts.)

I agree about DQ as well. DH loves it - I don't. I think the girls will take a shopping tour at DTD while we leave the guys at DQ!!! I interned for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in college, so I am also planning on meeting up with a few cast members, and I thought DQ would be a good place to park my DH if he doesn't want to go.

Amirah95 - On the off-topic, we actually got married at Sandal's Ocho Rios last year. It was wonderful. Second only to a WDW wedding, but only the two of us were there, and we've done WDW do much that we wanted a non-Disney honeymoon. This upcoming trip is actually a late first anniversary celebration!!! I would definitely recommend if you have not been there.

 

[Amirah95]

A friend of mine got hitched at Sandals Montego Bay in April 2004...what a wonderful resort. We had a great time. We are going to Sandals Regency in St. Lucia next May. Category 12 baby!!!! I can't wait. I've never been to St. Lucia, but I've caught up with some people who have been and they say it's right on the ball. I've seen "real" pictures of Sandals Ochos Rios on http://www.tropictravelonline.com (my favorite All inclusive forum) and they look great. You can also post up your trip report and some pictures because it helps others trying to make decisons.

 

[Disnutty]

Although your plan does not call for you to be at MGM on the 13th and or 14th, be aware that the last two days you are there is ABC Super Soap Weekend. Therefore unless you are a soap fan stay away from MGM on Saturday and Sunday. MGM will be very very crowed.