Wanna critique my whirlwind WDW family trip?

[Maine_Belle]

Tomorrow is my FP+ reservation day!!! ​

This is the 1st visit for the kids (and 1st return for DH in 20+ years) and I've been pouring over my plans for weeks now. I think I've got a itinerary that will work if we follow it, still leaves us flexible enough if the 3, 7, and almost 40 year old decide we need to switch it up!

What does The DIS think? Enough time to see the sights, ride the rides, and enjoy some family time without melting in the August sun or making ourselves nuts for a quick 3 day trip?

Wed, Aug 24 – Arrival & Magic Kingdom (Evening EMH)

Drive from Tampa as early as possible (8 AM?) after packing lunches, check in to POR online
10 AM Hopefully get to POR, ditch bags either at front desk or in room
10:30 AM Arrive at MK; Get silhouettes of kids on Main Street (must have souvenir), head under castle to head towards Fantasyland
11 AM FP Peter Pan, ride any "short" line rides like the carousel a bit, heading towards Liberty Sq. If Haunted Mansion looks ok, ride it. Take a heat break in Hall of Presidents
1 PM Eat bagged lunch, maybe on Tom Sawyer's Island, then hang around Frontierland (Thunder Mtn closed)
1:30 PM FP Splash, get Child Swap
2:30 PM FP Pirates (try to get Jungle Cruise FP for later if one happens to be available)
3-6:30 PM (or earlier) Adventureland & maybe Splash swap, yummy treat along the way, back to hotel
7:40 PM Boatwright's ADR at resort for dinner, maybe swimming before or after depending on timing
If the kids are cuckoo, we could go back for late EMH, but I really doubt we'll do that.

Thu, Aug 25 – Epcot, (Morning EMH)

7 AM Attempt to get out of hotel for EMH, Drive to Epcot
8 AM Soarin' and Living with Land a few times, head to Imagination!
9 AM Figment
9:30 AM FP Turtle Talk, Living Seas, Nemo ride, snack
10:30 AM FP Spaceship Earth
11 AM Maybe Ellen Energy for downtime, maybe Innovations to see characters, maybe Mission Space Green with the big kid if he's up for it and the line is mellow; Head towards WS, Mexico
12 PM FP Frozen
1:20 PM Nine Dragons ADR in China
2-7 PM Clockwise through World Showcase at a leisurely pace, passports for kids, drinks for adults, finding A/C to chill down
7:30 PM San Angel Inn ADR in Mexico
Maybe watch Illuminations from a mediocre spot

ALTERNATE PLAN IF NECESSARY- FP Frozen 6:30 PM and start World Showcase in Canada and go counter clockwise

Fri, Aug 26 – Magic Kingdom (Morning EMH) & Departure

7 AM Attempt to get out of hotel for EMH
8 AM Ride Space Mountain (if the big kid wants to, or maybe single rider for the adults), Buzz Lightyear, and Tomorrowland stuff
10 AM FP Belle (but not go until 10:30), Head to Barnstormer so little one gets to ride a roller coaster, start Fantastyland, snack
11 AM FP Seven Dwarves, get/do Child Swap
12:30 PM FP Haunted Mansion (If we got to ride HM on Wed, I would swap to Jungle Cruise or something else like that we skipped before.)
1 PM Lunch at Columbia Harbor House
1:30-2:30 PM Splash Child Swap if we haven't already, whatever we feel like
2:30 PM Potentially find a spot to watch the parade
3-? PM Whatever til we are pooped
? PM Drive back to family in Tampa, eat at some point somewhere

I'm not really sure when/how I can settle our bill if we still want to charge stuff on the MagicBand that last day. I'm happy to store our stuff at the front desk of POR and go back for it (and our car!)

 

[disneyAndi14]

We will be there the same time, we are there from 8/22-8/29, you have the dates off by a day for dates, it got me nervous because I have made all our plans and thought oh no! Wednesday is 8/24/16 so hopefully it was just a quick typo and your plans are not really a day off. We got all our FP+ we wanted and ADR's, looks like fun plans for you all.

 

[Mom2Kids2003]

I think it looks great! The only thing I'm not sure I would do is the two ADRs in Epcot because I think we'd still be pretty full after the late lunch one and would probably just snack it up for dinner. Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[tlmadden73]

I went last year at near the same time (8/27-8/30) .. Same thing .. Whirlwind trip .. 2nd trip for my boy (who turned 3 years old during the trip). I opted for only two park days and a day off to enjoy the pools and to just explore some resorts in the afternoon.

The plan looks great and not TOO overbooked. Just remember you CANT do it all, and just go in with that attitude and you'll have a good time.

Honestly, this is the type of Disney trip I am used to. I can't believe the people on here who do 7-14 day trips! That just seems like overload (and darn expensive). Though it is my goal to do a big trip someday.

I chose to stay a bit later to get more done since I only had two park days, though we made sure to leave as the night shows were starting to avoid the crowds and being there too late with a toddler.

I chose to do Hollywood Studios over Epcot (but that was because Frozen didn't exist yet and the Frozen Fever was satisfied at DHS with their special "Frozen Summer" events.

We had to deal with thunderstorms everyday so the heat was never really an issue as the afternoon rains cooled things off. MK day we had to wait in the rain for our ADR window at BOG. At DHS the skies ripped open at dinner and we were able to make the mad dash from Muppets to Pizza Planet.
FP+ helps a lot with the heat too as you can skip the big lines!

Charging things to Magic Band . .since you have a credit card on file I am guessing they would just automatically charge it eventually.

Enjoy!

 

[Maine_Belle]

We will be there the same time, we are there from 8/22-8/29, you have the dates off by a day for dates, it got me nervous because I have made all our plans and thought oh no! Wednesday is 8/24/16 so hopefully it was just a quick typo and your plans are not really a day off. We got all our FP+ we wanted and ADR's, looks like fun plans for you all.

Oh, you're totally right- I have the wrong date numbers! They are right on my spreadsheet, but I can't keep them straight in my head! Combine that with flying in on Tues but not doing WDW until Wed, and I totally keep getting days of the week and dates messed up! Now to figure out how to edit the post... LOL

 

[Maine_Belle]

Mom2Kids2003 - We are pretty big eaters- I don't know where my tiny kids put it, though mine is clearly hanging in my muffin top. It's a good suggestion though- we'll have to not let our eyes be bigger than our stomachs with lots of sides and appetizers and desserts...

tlmadden73 - I would love to do a full week and spend afternoons at the pool and be leisurely, but that's wicked expensive to pull off and DH was not having any part of it since he isn't convinced this won't all be a stressful disaster. Maybe for the next trip in 6-8 years! We'll stick to our short trip this time and keep expectations set for the kids that we are not going to get to do it all and we're on the same team, so STOP WHINING!

 

[100AcreWood]

I think you did a great job planning! Your kids are at a great age to enjoy the parks for a few days and then head back to relatives for some down time. Seems very smart.

I love memory maker (I was always the one missing in the photographs) so I'll throw that suggestion out there if you haven't thought about it. Have fun!

 

[Maine_Belle]

I think you did a great job planning! Your kids are at a great age to enjoy the parks for a few days and then head back to relatives for some down time. Seems very smart.

I love memory maker (I was always the one missing in the photographs) so I'll throw that suggestion out there if you haven't thought about it. Have fun!

Thanks- I'm certainly trying to make it a productive trip while still being fun! (Note I never use the word relaxing about being in the parks!

I'm definitely on the fence about Memory Maker. On one hand, I love the idea of having all the pictures available for download/printing and having all the ride photos and trying out the fun pictures where they insert a cartoon. But the cost for just 3 days is tough to swallow. I considered paying the per day rate, but I could only do 2 days to save costs. And what if I only end up with 10 or less pics I like- I could just buy those outright for the same cost. (Can you tell I've been thinking about all of this SO MUCH!?! LOL!) It's good to hear a vote in the FOR party for it!

 

[warrenz1963]

You're going to have a wonderful time, looks like a good plan. Quick FYI: on your third day you mention Space Mountain. There is no single rider for SM, only standby and FP. Have a great trip!

 

[dkrauss]

Tomorrow is my FP+ reservation day!!! ​

This is the 1st visit for the kids (and 1st return for DH in 20+ years) and I've been pouring over my plans for weeks now. I think I've got a itinerary that will work if we follow it, still leaves us flexible enough if the 3, 7, and almost 40 year old decide we need to switch it up!

What does The DIS think? Enough time to see the sights, ride the rides, and enjoy some family time without melting in the August sun or making ourselves nuts for a quick 3 day trip?

Wed, Aug 24 – Arrival & Magic Kingdom (Evening EMH)

Drive from Tampa as early as possible (8 AM?) after packing lunches, check in to POR online
10 AM Hopefully get to POR, ditch bags either at front desk or in room
10:30 AM Arrive at MK; Get silhouettes of kids on Main Street (must have souvenir), head under castle to head towards Fantasyland
11 AM FP Peter Pan, ride any "short" line rides like the carousel a bit, heading towards Liberty Sq. If Haunted Mansion looks ok, ride it. Take a heat break in Hall of Presidents
1 PM Eat bagged lunch, maybe on Tom Sawyer's Island, then hang around Frontierland (Thunder Mtn closed)
1:30 PM FP Splash, get Child Swap
2:30 PM FP Pirates (try to get Jungle Cruise FP for later if one happens to be available)
3-6:30 PM (or earlier) Adventureland & maybe Splash swap, yummy treat along the way, back to hotel
7:40 PM Boatwright's ADR at resort for dinner, maybe swimming before or after depending on timing
If the kids are cuckoo, we could go back for late EMH, but I really doubt we'll do that.

Thu, Aug 25 – Epcot, (Morning EMH)

7 AM Attempt to get out of hotel for EMH, Drive to Epcot
8 AM Soarin' and Living with Land a few times, head to Imagination!
9 AM Figment
9:30 AM FP Turtle Talk, Living Seas, Nemo ride, snack
10:30 AM FP Spaceship Earth
11 AM Maybe Ellen Energy for downtime, maybe Innovations to see characters, maybe Mission Space Green with the big kid if he's up for it and the line is mellow; Head towards WS, Mexico
12 PM FP Frozen
1:20 PM Nine Dragons ADR in China
2-7 PM Clockwise through World Showcase at a leisurely pace, passports for kids, drinks for adults, finding A/C to chill down
7:30 PM San Angel Inn ADR in Mexico
Maybe watch Illuminations from a mediocre spot

ALTERNATE PLAN IF NECESSARY- FP Frozen 6:30 PM and start World Showcase in Canada and go counter clockwise

Fri, Aug 26 – Magic Kingdom (Morning EMH) & Departure

7 AM Attempt to get out of hotel for EMH
8 AM Ride Space Mountain (if the big kid wants to, or maybe single rider for the adults), Buzz Lightyear, and Tomorrowland stuff
10 AM FP Belle (but not go until 10:30), Head to Barnstormer so little one gets to ride a roller coaster, start Fantastyland, snack
11 AM FP Seven Dwarves, get/do Child Swap
12:30 PM FP Haunted Mansion (If we got to ride HM on Wed, I would swap to Jungle Cruise or something else like that we skipped before.)
1 PM Lunch at Columbia Harbor House
1:30-2:30 PM Splash Child Swap if we haven't already, whatever we feel like
2:30 PM Potentially find a spot to watch the parade
3-? PM Whatever til we are pooped
? PM Drive back to family in Tampa, eat at some point somewhere

I'm not really sure when/how I can settle our bill if we still want to charge stuff on the MagicBand that last day. I'm happy to store our stuff at the front desk of POR and go back for it (and our car!)

I think you're timing expectations are a bit aggressive.............on arrival day, you're giving yourself 30 min to check-in (before actual check in time) and get to the MK..........from the TTC (I assume you're driving)..........you're going to need to be really fast.........and really lucky. Then your getting a silhouette souvenir of your younglings and getting to PP in 30 min.............I'm sorry I just don't see it.

The plan from an attraction perspective is ok............the timing is just so aggressive. At Epcot even at 8am more than 1 ride of Soarin' and Living with the Land seems so aggressive to me. I see your trying to pack it all in during the morning when its cooler.........but are your kids (especially the 3 yr old) going to be able to move around so quickly?

I do like the World Showcase Counter Clockwise idea though..............I need to try that.

Hey you know your family best...............whatever happens have a wonderful trip.

Doug

 

[Maine_Belle]

I think you're timing expectations are a bit aggressive.............on arrival day, you're giving yourself 30 min to check-in (before actual check in time) and get to the MK..........from the TTC (I assume you're driving)..........you're going to need to be really fast.........and really lucky. Then your getting a silhouette souvenir of your younglings and getting to PP in 30 min.............I'm sorry I just don't see it.

The arrival morning is definitely sketch- if I were going to identify a weak point, that would be it! We'll be online checked in ahead of time, but I won't want to leave our bags just hanging in the car, so there is a time sink there to interact with the concierge/drop stuff off at a room if it happens to be ready. (I tried to get a sense of online check in and timing in the POR thread but didn't get a reply, so I'm assuming 30-45 min.) I want to use the buses to get in (I'm not dealing with parking and trams to the TTC and then to the gates!), and I have no idea how much time that is all really going to take beyond at least 20 min. Then who the heck knows when I'll actually leave the in-laws and make it through traffic and construction from the west coast to even hit the border of Orlando. A LOT of variables, so my morning time goal is strictly get to Peter Pan within the hour FP timeline. I can always do silhouettes at the end of our second MK day and we don't have to do any other Fantasyland rides that first morning.

Thank you for the candor though- not having a sense of how long it's going to take to ride rides and walk to places and transport ourselves makes it tough.

.....but are your kids (especially the 3 yr old) going to be able to move around so quickly?

She'll move as fast as I tell her to move- hup-to sweetheart!

But no really, we'll have a stroller and will pass on some things if the kids show a particular interest in something. Or just need time to not meltdown and catch up! (And we'll only ride Living with the Land once, and only if we're killing time- I don't really care about the Mickey shaped oranges!!) Again though, the spirit of your comment helps because I can't tell if experienced DIS-ers will think "she thinks it's going to take 2 hours in Tomorrowland when you can knock it out in 1" or "she's delusional if she thinks 4 hours is enough for Future World." Keeping low expectations will help keep us happy.!

.....whatever happens have a wonderful trip.

THANK YOU!!!!

 

[Starclassic]

My advice-- Don't stress over having a strict plan. Don't be afraid to deviate from your schedule and don't get upset if everything isn't going exactly according to it. Just relax, have a good time, and enjoy yourself and your family.

 

[Mainemama]

Looks great. I would consider a midday break on your Epcot day. Swim/ rest and come back later. Yes it cuts into park time, but your kids and likely DH will be feeling the heat after lunch. My kids always choose swimming over anything else. You should still have plenty of time to return for WS. In this case, I would do San Angel for lunch and then snack or grab QS for dinner. I would also let go of the silhouette idea. Let's just say I have wanted to do that every trip, but kid desires have overruled. Hard to stop and sit still when you see the magic beckoning down Maine Street. Last tip--- check out touring plans. I use it and benefit from it every trip!

 

[amycakes]

I would move your fastpass for PP to 12:30 to give you a little extra time to get to the park, have lunch, and get your silhouettes. Then you will not feel the pressure of arrival time. If you are running late, you could move silhouettes to afternoon.

Hope you got all the fastpasses you wanted!

Have a great trip!

 

[ArielSRL]

I think you're timing expectations are a bit aggressive.............on arrival day, you're giving yourself 30 min to check-in (before actual check in time) and get to the MK..........from the TTC (I assume you're driving)..........you're going to need to be really fast.........and really lucky. Then your getting a silhouette souvenir of your younglings and getting to PP in 30 min.............I'm sorry I just don't see it.

The plan from an attraction perspective is ok............the timing is just so aggressive. At Epcot even at 8am more than 1 ride of Soarin' and Living with the Land seems so aggressive to me. I see your trying to pack it all in during the morning when its cooler.........but are your kids (especially the 3 yr old) going to be able to move around so quickly?

I do like the World Showcase Counter Clockwise idea though..............I need to try that.

Hey you know your family best...............whatever happens have a wonderful trip.

Doug

I'm going to agree with this. We just got back from a trip two weeks ago and it really took a long time to get anywhere! I have a 2 yr old and 4 yr old. It won't take as long bussing it to MK but you may have to wait up to 20 min for a bus to pick you up. Then you have bag check. And yes, I think one - you need some time to just soak up the Main Street/castle view atmosphere and two - a bit more time for the silhouettes.

I could be wrong. Your family may be quicker than us though. Just relaying our experiences.