Tentative schedule for first Trip to WDW - Suggestions PLEASE!!!

[Mom from MA]

DH & DD (8) and I are going to DW for the first time in October. We booked a "spur-of the moment" trip last month when we realized DD had reached 44 inches - (we promised her we would go when she was "tall enough"!)
I have a tentative schedule but would LOVE some feedback about - if this is posible? What do you think we should change? Are we trying to do too much in 4 1/2 days? Should we eliminate certain things in favor others? If 4 parks is too much - what would you eliminate? (we all love fast, scarey rides - only issue could be DD hight

I found this board a few weeks ago and have been taking notes ever since - this is my first post and I so anxious to here feedback

Wednesday: Arrive airport at 6:00 PM - rent car at and drive to hotel. We are staying in Downtown Disney. Have a quick dinner in area and go to bed early.

Thursday - MK all day. (EE for us)
no breakfast plans - something light Suggestions for sometinng not a sitdown?
11:55 PS lunch at CP.
7:00 PS at Shoula's

Friday - AK or MGM from early until 1
no PS for lunch - Suggestions??
2-5 ish ... pool/rest at hotel
6:00 PS LTT
7-9 MK

Saturday - MGM from opening to 1 or 2
No Lunch plans - somethign light - maybe go back to hotel to rest and swim
to to Epcot in Afternoon
3:00 PS for Ice Cream Social
No dinner plans - some place nice in Epcot - any suggestions?
Watch Illuminations

Sunday - Character Breakfast at Hotel
10-2 or 3 at TL or BB
Return to Hotel & rest
Easy dinner in Downtown Disney
MNSSHP 7-Midnight

Monday - Either MK or Epcot - what ever we want to see more of
Need to leave for Airport at 1:30

I expect us to make more regular trips in the future so we can always save some things for "next time"

Thanks all for your wonderful tips - this board has been a life saver!

 

[Lora]

What kind of passes do you have?

I'm assuming you have a length-of-stay or whatever they call it now since you're hopping and also doing a water park.

One thing that I noticed was that you're planning to stay in the MK the whole first day. Since it's an EE day, make sure you arrive early and get the most out of it. Then, I would recommend leaving that park after your lunch at CP. The park will probably be pretty crowded. You may benefit from taking the monorail to Epcot or a bus directly to another park if you're not going back to your room.

With only 4 1/2 days, I would probably not be interested in as many sit-down meals as you have planned. If that's your style, then that would be fine. I just tend to want to get the most out of my time in the parks. It looks like you're planning some nice down-time at the hotel pool. A little of that and a sit down meal maybe once a day would suit me.

I've never been to the ice cream social, so I really can't comment on it. If that's not been highly recommended by others, I would skip it.

 

[3for Me]

I think you have managed to get a lot done in a short time AND built in rest breaks - good first attempt.

Suggestions for lunch on Friday - if you are at Animal Kingdom - we always like to eat lunch at Rainforest Cafe. It is right there - a sit down meal that is not fast food and nice and cool.

If you end up at MGM that day - I would recommend Sci Fi Dine In (mainly for the fun atmosphere and I think your DD would love it) or Prime Time - both fun places with decent food that is not too expensive and a unique experience.

On Sunday if you decide to keep your plans as an easy dinner in DTD you better make it early and get to the MK before 7PM so that you are not waiting in line forever to get in to MNSSHP. Allow plenty of transportation time from wherever you are going.

Have a great first trip!!!!

 

[kdibattista]

First of all....

WELCOME TO THE DIS!!!


Everything sounds good!!! Here are a few suggestions:

Thursday breakfast - maybe grab something at the Main Street Bakery
Friday lunch - Rainforest Cafe if you go to Animal Kingdom and Sci Fi if you go to MGM

 

[Bethel]

If you like rides then Blizzard Beach is best, if you are only interested in big wave pool then Typhoon Lagoon. We like Blizzard Beach hands down.

The fast food in Japan at Epcot is fun and fast.

Be sure and try out the Ice Station (think that's right) at Epcot - it's cool and you get to try out all kinds of sodas from other countries. Just right for an 8 yr old.

 

[XStAnt]

You mentioned you are staying at DTD. PLease note that only the Hilton participates in EE. If you're not staying at the Hilton you may want to rearrange your Thurs plans at MK. Go to a different park that day. If you are eligible for EE get there right at opening--you'll probably need the extra time.

Your schedule packs a lot in with a lot of downtime. There's nothing wrong with this (and probably a good idea with an 8 yo). However, you and DD should understand that you will not be able to do everything. In fact, if you leave AK and MGM by 1:00 pm you will likely miss some of the shows/parades. If you, DH and (especially) DD can live with that, then it's a good plan. If you want to get as many rides/attractions in as possible I'd suggest skipping the water park this time. I love BB but if my choice is a water park vs. more time in the main parks I'll take the main parks any day.

One other suggestion: Try to fit in Fantasmic at MGM. Perhaps you can do this on Friday night instead of MK. Even if you go to AK that day (which I recommend) go to MGM and see Fantasmic that night. It's great.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[jann1033]

I think I second the idea to skip the waterpark unless you really love water parks....if you really want to swim you could do it when you are resting at the hotel and have more time for the parks. like I think you are only at mgm till 1 and if it's busy I think you'd miss a lot of it. even when our kids were little 1 day was enough for MK but epcot takes a lot longer just cause of the size.

of course a lot depends on the stamina!

I'm sure you'll have fun any way!

 

[CourtasanSatine]

see Off Kilter at Epcot if you can