Two weeks is not enough!!!!

[mkingdon]

Having just put together my first draft itnierary (sp) for August, I have very quickly run out of days. After building in a couple of rest days, as we will have DDs with us who are 7 and 5, the holiday is over b4 you know.

I can't fit in Busch Gardens, and am juggling about 4 other things around that I want us to do.

Must remember....book 3 weeks next time....you only live once

Anyone any tips on how to fit everything into 2 weeks, (even though I know you can't). It's my 8th time to WDW, and nowadays there is just too much to do!!!!

 

[BevS97]

Well, personally, we don't bother with rest days - I mean, we don't go full commando mode for 14 straight days, but we certainly have something planned for every day - I am not a 'sit around the pool' type of person anyway.

let us see your plan, and what else you want to squeeze in, and maybe we can help.

Bev

 

[pegasusEH]

We've managed to fit the all the Disney Parks, two Universal Parks, Sea World and Busch Gardens into two weeks - don't ask me how we did it. We had to do it all as we didn't think we would be going again and wanted our son to have memories from everywhere.

The only night show we managed to fit in was Epcot though.

We came home totally exhausted, needing another holiday.

It was fun, but tiring.

This time we are not doing so much, 2 Disney parks, Universal & IOA, Sea World, W&Wild and Busch. That's still plenty for 2 weeks.

 

[mkingdon]

We are....

Me - Disney obssesive and planner
Louise - DW, loves Disney but thinks I take it to the extreme
Emily - DD, 7, wannabe Ariel
Rebecca, 5, gonnabe Belle


15th August - Travel
Arrive in villa around 5pm
Unpack - eat and sleep

16th August
AM - Easy Morning/Pool
PM - Epcot/Boardwalk
Spoodles for dinner

17th August
AM & PM - MK
Parade & Fireworks

18th August
AM & PM - MGM
Fantasmic dinner package

19th August
AM & PM - Epcot
Illuminations

20th August
AM - Rest/Pool (after late night for DDs)
PM- Shopping (can't be avoided I'm afraid)

21st August
AM & PM - DAK

22nd August
AM & PM - Universal/IOA

23rd August
AM - Rest/Pool
PM - MK (dinner at Cali Grill)

24th August
AM & PM - Sea World

25th August
AM & PM - IOA

26th August
(Done some juggling and Busch could go here)
AM & PM - Busch Gardens

27th August
AM & PM - MGM
Fantasmic again 'cos we love it

28th August
AM & PM - MK plus revisit other favourite bits

29th August
AM - Pool/Pack
PM - Travel home

I'm not sure about the 16th, as I know we'll be up really early so maybe we could let the kids get the pool out of their systems and still have time for a nearly full day in one of the parks.

This would free up some more time elsewhere.

I'm more chilled now.....only another 8 months to get it right

 

[Dimplenose]

We went for almost the same dates last year and found park hopping suited us better as the heat knocked us out by early afternoon. So we would do our "main park" of the day first then go back to our hotel for a rest or go for a leisurly lunch somewhere before going to a second park. (We had our "rest" at the cinema one day.)

The only exception to this were when we did non-Disney parks.

Also we were awake so early on the first morning (as our bodies were still on UK time) that we were able to get to MK for park opening without feeling the least bit tired. We got up later as the fortnight progressed!

We managed to visit all the Disney parks, Blizzard beach, Disney Quest, Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure and Busch Gardens in 2 weeks. Our children were 11 and 8 and did very well keeping up with us!!!

It suited us as we had Ultimate Hopper tickets so we didn't mind leaving after just a few hours as we weren't "wasting" our tickets.

Anyway it's nice to know that you can't do everything as it gives you an excuse to go back!

Libby

 

[SimonY]

Two weeks to do so much is difficult. We had a carefully crafted plan covering 5 full days at Disney, Universal/IOA, Sea World full days with others only part planned (e.g. late character breakfast and afternoon off for shopping etc.). I carefully took into account the days parks are supposed to be at their busiest etc. and, with 3 small(ish) children (8, 5 and 22 months) tried to ensure that we only ever did 2 full park days in succession. And it all planned really well.

And then the first Saturday we were there (Animal Kingdom day) it rained. Not just a bit but pouring down all day and into the evening - 1.75" in the day (the full November allowance) so we didn't go. This shot our plan to pieces so we ended up doing 5 full park days in 6 at the end of our 2 weeks. 2 results of this - we were all tired and the last day at Magic Kingdom was so crowded we gave up at lunchtime.

Moral - you can plan all you like but you can't account for the weather.

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

I agree with Libby that a whole day in any one park during the heat/humidity of August is very tiring. We always take an early afternoon break (either a sleep or a lazy time in the pool) before returning to a park around 5 or 6pm. This also avoids the worst of the queues. We often visit a different park in the evening as we find we like the variety.

On the 16th I would plan to visit a park - you will be awake early becuase of the time difference, and I'm sure you will all be keen to start your holiday with a bang (despite the day's travelling on the 15th).

Finally, I would say don't feel under pressure to see it all in one holiday. This is an impossible ambition, but assuming you will return to Orlando at some stage in the future, you will be able to see the stuff you've missed on another visit. On our first visit we only did the Disney parks, knowing that we were returning the following year to see Universal, etc.

Regards

Rob

 

[vernon]

With regular visits I find I have to "drop" some parks each visit. I do find this helps to enjoy those parks a little more when you haven't been for a couple of years, a little of the "absense makes the heart grow fonder" I guess. It's usually either IOA/US or BG for me and I'll drop one out of Epcot and MGM. I might drop SW next visit as I've been there last 5 visits in a row. I think it helps you from getting state with the parks and also gives you enough time for rest days or other things.

 

[wendy_uk]

When we visited Florida for the first time last February we wanted to do as much as possible in case we couldn't afford to go again. We fitted in Wet & wild on the first day as the weather was nice and it was a day to relax and get adjusted to the time. Then we started the parks and I dont think we stopped. We did MK twice,
Seaworld, I of A, Universal, AK (in the pouring rain), Epcot, Mgm, Busch. We watched the parades and fireworks.
We had breakfast at CM, but only ever had dinner on the I Drive as that is where we were staying. We also went to bed fairly early well 10.30pm. Up early dont think our body clocks adjusted in the two weeks we were there.
Our DS 9 and DD 7 managed really well, but we ould of done with another week on the keys or somewhere to relax before we flew home.
Well have a lovely time and do just as much as you and the family can possibly manage.

 

[mkingdon]

Thanks for all your advice. I'm sure you are right in that we can't do it all.

Thinking about the last time we went, it *seems* that we did loads, in fact everything we wanted to do (or is it just how you remember it?). The kids were only 4 and 6 then, and by the time we go they will be 6 and 8....and hardened WDW vetereans

So I think we'll surprise ourselves. God knows it's hard enough getting them to go to bed on a school night, so I'm not accepting any wimpy excuses for them being tired before 10.30.

We are in a house this time (as opposed to ASMu last time), so I think we'll do the mid day rest thing in our own lovely pool and come back later, now that the kids should be able to stay up longer. Last trip they were done in by 8pm, so we stayed all day in the parks till they dropped.

Back to the planning....ok...remind me...how are we going to pay for this holiday then?????