Touring plan thoughts down day timing

[jenifferf00]

So my husband and I discussed our plans with each other. Then discussed it again and realized we both thought the other one meant something else... It happens.

So here's the deal. We have 8 day park hoppers with a one day ticket to a water park, we are staying at BC in August with our 2 kids 7 & 9. This is their 3rd or 4th trip so we all have a good idea of what we want to do. We plan for one park for the day, but after we take a mid day break we often hop over to a different park for their night time activities or to take advantage of EMH.
Original plan:
Thursday- arrive at hotel around 12 head to Epcot
Fri-MK
Sat-AK
Sun-HS
Mon-Water park
Tues-Epcot
Wed-MK
Thur-HS
Fri-AK
Sat- Depart hotel around 5
relax at hotel for the day

So the miscommunication was my husband thought we were having a down day during the week. I thought we were having a down day on our water park day. We probably would only be there until 2/3 and that gives us a good portion of the day to relax. But then he brought up a fantastic point of if we had a down day mid week we could grab dinner at O'hana and spend the day relaxing by the pool.

So here's a revised plan. Keep in mind I have a couple star wars fans in our group, that being said, HS has closed so much and we plan on going there 2xs.

Revised plan:
Thursday- arrive at hotel around 12 head to Epcot
Fri-MK
Sat-AK
Sun-Relax at hotel Dinner at O'hanna
Mon-HS
Tues-Water park
Wed-MK
Thur-Epcot
Fri-AK
Sat- Depart hotel around 5
HS until lunch time


So what are your thought? What would be your preference and why? We've never done a down day at the resort, but we typically take mid afternoon breaks and swim for a bit most days. I'm torn, and think both ways would be nice. What's your take?

 

[ErinsMommy]

if im looking at it correctly it looks like instead of 2 days at HS you're down to 1 day? only you know which parks you like and after one day will be happy with just that one day. for me and my family AK is not a 2 day park whereas HS is.

 

[jenifferf00]

if im looking at it correctly it looks like instead of 2 days at HS you're down to 1 day? only you know which parks you like and after one day will be happy with just that one day. for me and my family AK is not a 2 day park whereas HS is.

HS would still be 2 days, the second would just be on departure day. So instead of being there rope drop to 1 then the option of going back 5 to close it would be more of a rope drop to 1 and that's it for the second day. We would absolutely make sure we did Star Wars fireworks within the week even if it was a different park day and we hopped there for the evening.

 

[glassslippergirl]

Both plans look good. You've said both ways would be nice. So you really can't go wrong. That said, I'd go with option 2 for a few reasons. First and foremost, you will make your husband happy by having a mid-week rest day. In case the kids don't want to spend so much time hanging around the hotel, you can have an alternative activity planned, like shopping a Disney Springs or exploring the Boardwalk. You can take them while Dad rests. Second, you will have enough time at HS with what you've allotted. A lot is closed. You will have six whole FP's based on the time you've budgeted in plan two. That's plenty. Third, you're giving yourself an extra evening, after the water park, for another leisurely family dinner in addition to O'Hana-- maybe HDDR?

 

[loves to dive]

I say play it by ear and don't plan a down day, just let it happen. Often we will go back to the room mid day thinking it's a mid-day break and end up not going back to a park or we get to a park around 10, hang out until lunch and go back to the resort and hang out the rest of the day. It's never planned and I don't think we have ever taken an entire day outside of a park. We often only spend a couple of hours in a park though, then either resort hop or swim or hang out at the bar/pool while my son watches sports.

 

[Shellyb84]

I would go with option 2. We love BC and DD7 would be happy spending half our trip just at the pool. Last year we did a resort day on arrival day, then again in the middle of the week. This summer we have 3 planned. On one of the days DD will do the Pirate's adventure cruise (she had so much fun on that last year she's begging to do it more than once next time!). We're staying 11 nights and also have the 8 day park hopper ticket and one water park day.

 

[Beer Me]

I like plan 2 but staying at BC gives you lots of flexibility. You could always decide to spend a couple of hours at Epcot or DHS on your rest day.

 

[Meldev]

We love a down day - typically we have a down day and attend MVMCP or MNSSHP --- we also usually 2 days at HS, and have done exactly what you're planning where you visit HS for the 2nd time on departure day.

 

[chris benton]

Do all of the dates you are considering have emh dates/times included? If you're staying at BC, and you have hoppers, the EMH, imo, would dictate some of the park choices, since getting to HS or EP is a snap.