Tentative Itinerary/Strategy - what do you think?

[ParkHill]

Wow, I'm so impressed with how much info is on this forum, and how much knowledge everyone has about WDW!

Thought I'd just run this past you guys and see what you think - any glaring issues or things we're missing?

We're travelling 12/5-12/10 with our 10 yr old son. He's been to Disney once, 5 yrs ago (we do lots of other travel, though). We are not doing the dining plan, and we are staying at Port Orleans - FQ, and will do most bkfasts as granola bars, etc..not big bkfast peeps.

12/5 - Flight lands at 1pm
Spend balance of afternoon/evening at HS - check out park, rides, Osborne lights (Is it possible to take boat from POFQ to HS?)
Dinner on the fly
Back to hotel, unpack, unwind, etc.

12/6 - Bkfast in room
MK in morning - Extra Magic Hrs
Maybe take Monorail to Contemporary and eat lunch there before heading back to POFQ?
Pool/Resort/Hangout in afternoon
Back to HS to check out whatever of the park we missed, hope to get him signed up for the Jedi fighting and also do Fantasmic.
8:15 reservation at California Grill and watch 9:30 fireworks from MVMCP

12/7 - Bkfast in room
AK in morning
Lunch at Sanaa @ AKL
Pool/Resort/Hangout
Epcot in the late afternoon/evening (Magic Hrs) - will do IllumiNations

12/8 - am - maybe Breakfast at a resort somewhere
Pool/Resort/Hangout (or catch a park where we have missed something)
afternoon/evening - MK and Electric Light Parade

12/9 - Bkfast in room
Epcot in morning
Pool/Resort/hangout
Boat to Downtown Disney for evening/dinner/shopping
This is our last full day, so can squeeze in things we still haven't done, or missed.

12/10 - Flight leaves at 4:47...will leave this day open for last minute requests, etc.

Random Questions/Thoughts I'd like your opinion on:

Thinking of skipping the MVMCP this year and do the Electric Light Parade insteady - we did the Christmas Party last time.

Wouldn't mind catching a movie night at one of the resorts...is it worth it??

What resorts are "must-sees" at Christmas time?

Definitely want to take the monorail at some point...where to fit that in?

At age 10, are there any themed meals or other events that would be a good idea?? (he's not nutso over Disney stuff, but he's definitely still a kid )

 

[mesaboy2]

Wow, I'm so impressed with how much info is on this forum, and how much knowledge everyone has about WDW!

Thought I'd just run this past you guys and see what you think - any glaring issues or things we're missing?

We're travelling 12/5-12/10 with our 10 yr old son. He's been to Disney once, 5 yrs ago (we do lots of other travel, though). We are not doing the dining plan, and we are staying at Port Orleans - FQ, and will do most bkfasts as granola bars, etc..not big bkfast peeps.

12/5 - Flight lands at 1pm
Spend balance of afternoon/evening at HS - check out park, rides, Osborne lights (Is it possible to take boat from POFQ to HS?)
Dinner on the fly
Back to hotel, unpack, unwind, etc.

12/6 - Bkfast in room
MK in morning - Extra Magic Hrs
Maybe take Monorail to Contemporary and eat lunch there before heading back to POFQ?
Pool/Resort/Hangout in afternoon
Back to HS to check out whatever of the park we missed, hope to get him signed up for the Jedi fighting and also do Fantasmic.
8:15 reservation at California Grill and watch 9:30 fireworks from MVMCP

12/7 - Bkfast in room
AK in morning
Lunch at Sanaa @ AKL
Pool/Resort/Hangout
Epcot in the late afternoon/evening (Magic Hrs) - will do IllumiNations

12/8 - am - maybe Breakfast at a resort somewhere
Pool/Resort/Hangout (or catch a park where we have missed something)
afternoon/evening - MK and Electric Light Parade

12/9 - Bkfast in room
Epcot in morning
Pool/Resort/hangout
Boat to Downtown Disney for evening/dinner/shopping
This is our last full day, so can squeeze in things we still haven't done, or missed.

12/10 - Flight leaves at 4:47...will leave this day open for last minute requests, etc.

Random Questions/Thoughts I'd like your opinion on:

Thinking of skipping the MVMCP this year and do the Electric Light Parade insteady - we did the Christmas Party last time.

Wouldn't mind catching a movie night at one of the resorts...is it worth it??

What resorts are "must-sees" at Christmas time?

Definitely want to take the monorail at some point...where to fit that in?

At age 10, are there any themed meals or other events that would be a good idea?? (he's not nutso over Disney stuff, but he's definitely still a kid )

No boats run between POFQ and DHS. Boats run between POFQ and Downtown Disney, and different boats run between DHS and Epcot.

For Jedi Training Academy, all spots will likely be taken long before you get there in the late afternoon, and I'm not sure there'll still be JTAs going on that late even.

 

[Jenna319]

Wow, I'm so impressed with how much info is on this forum, and how much knowledge everyone has about WDW!

Thought I'd just run this past you guys and see what you think - any glaring issues or things we're missing?

We're travelling 12/5-12/10 with our 10 yr old son. He's been to Disney once, 5 yrs ago (we do lots of other travel, though). We are not doing the dining plan, and we are staying at Port Orleans - FQ, and will do most bkfasts as granola bars, etc..not big bkfast peeps.

12/5 - Flight lands at 1pm
Spend balance of afternoon/evening at HS - check out park, rides, Osborne lights (Is it possible to take boat from POFQ to HS?)
Dinner on the fly
Back to hotel, unpack, unwind, etc.

12/6 - Bkfast in room
MK in morning - Extra Magic Hrs
Maybe take Monorail to Contemporary and eat lunch there before heading back to POFQ?
Pool/Resort/Hangout in afternoon
Back to HS to check out whatever of the park we missed, hope to get him signed up for the Jedi fighting and also do Fantasmic.
8:15 reservation at California Grill and watch 9:30 fireworks from MVMCP

12/7 - Bkfast in room
AK in morning
Lunch at Sanaa @ AKL
Pool/Resort/Hangout
Epcot in the late afternoon/evening (Magic Hrs) - will do IllumiNations

12/8 - am - maybe Breakfast at a resort somewhere
Pool/Resort/Hangout (or catch a park where we have missed something)
afternoon/evening - MK and Electric Light Parade

12/9 - Bkfast in room
Epcot in morning
Pool/Resort/hangout
Boat to Downtown Disney for evening/dinner/shopping
This is our last full day, so can squeeze in things we still haven't done, or missed.

12/10 - Flight leaves at 4:47...will leave this day open for last minute requests, etc.

Random Questions/Thoughts I'd like your opinion on:

Thinking of skipping the MVMCP this year and do the Electric Light Parade insteady - we did the Christmas Party last time.

Wouldn't mind catching a movie night at one of the resorts...is it worth it??

What resorts are "must-sees" at Christmas time?

Definitely want to take the monorail at some point...where to fit that in?

At age 10, are there any themed meals or other events that would be a good idea?? (he's not nutso over Disney stuff, but he's definitely still a kid )

Like PP said, no boat from POFQ to DHS. Just my personal preference- I rarely will go to a park on our arrival day. With a 1pm flight getting in to Orlando, the earliest you would probably get into the park is 3pm. However, if making the most of your time and starting with a couple hours at the park is the plan, DHS is a great 1st stop to see the Osborne lights at night. I would do Downtown Disney and relax the 1st night but thats just me.

12/6- I wouldn't waste time going to Contemporary for lunch when you are going over there for dinner later that day. I would stay in MK and do lunch in the new Fantasyland at the quick service Be our Guest! I can't wait to check that one out!

12/8- breakfast- maybe a character breakfast? Would this be something your son would enjoy? Depending on if you want to do a park that morning, location decision would revolve around which park. If Epcot, Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club has an excellent character breakfast. Yacht and Beach Club have some great xmas decorations to explore the resort and then afterwards, you can visit the Boardwalk and walk in to the World Showcase entrance at Epcot. At Magic Kingdom, Crystal Garden has Winnie the Pooh and friends but if you are doing MK at night, you may want to choose a different park in the morning. Otherwise, my MUST-DO breakfast place every trip is the Kona Cafe at the Polynesian. The Pineapple Macadamian Nut Pancakes are too die for!!! (some prefer the much more popular Tonga Toast), and the prices are very economical. Then, after breakfast, instead of lounging at your resort, I would visit some resorts, be sure to check out the gingerbread house over at the Grand Floridian. Take the bus over to the Wilderness lodge from MK, it is also decorating fabulously for xmas.


Can't speak on the movie night at the resort, as I've never done it but I'm sure your son would enjoy and I know that one time when I walked through POFQ, they had movies in a courtyard at night so when you check-in, they should give you an events calendar. Just inquire at the front desk about movies offered.

Also make sure to get the beignets for breakfast from POFQ and take a horse drawn carriage ride around your resort! Fort Wilderness also has horse-drawn "sleigh rides" and many of the occupants there decorate their trailers for xmas. I've never seen but heard some really go all out with the decorating!

Hope this helps! Love Disney at Xmas time and patiently waiting the 48 days until our trip! Have a great time!