WDW schedule question/s? **Update, any thoughts?**

[Dan Murphy]

Back in June, when I was able to get down there for a quick weekend, I asked all your advice on what day to do MK, Saturday or Sunday. Consensus was Sunday, Epcot on Saturday, and you all were so right on. Epcot was empty on Saturday. MK, I heard, was packed, but Sunday was very pleasant. Made for a nice trip.

Now I have another, a bit more complicated, confusing, LOL. I will be there from the Nov 30th to December 10th. If it was just me, as it usually is, I just do my thing, either solo, or very often meeting up with other DIS'ers there. Always a LOT of DIS'ers at that time of the year. This year, I have the pleasant fact that Natalie will be joining me for 4 days, Thursday, Dec 2nd, around noon, to Sunday, Dec 5th, around 6 PM. And so very happy for that.

I am hoping to do the four parks in the four days. Epcot on Thursday, AK on Friday (I'll come back to this), MK on Sat (Natalie's birthday), the only day Spectro is done while she is there, and MGM on Sunday. I have a PS at Rose and Crown for 7:50 (Thurs) (hoping for a nice Illuminations), an 8:30 PS (Sat) at Cape May for character breakfast and a PS at Plaza Restaurant for 6:30 (hoping for nice spot for Spectro and Wishes) and a lunch PS (Sun) at Prime Time. How does that sound so far?

And any more advice here? I want to do AK on Friday, including, hopefully, Jammin' Jungle (now Christmas themed), which is at 4, and try to be at MK for the flag retreat at 5, to take some pictures for someone, then an open evening for whatever. Any ideas on that, time-wise and all?

It has been since '99, when my family was there with me, that I have had to plan for anybody but myself. And I am trying to have a super four days for Natalie, birthday and all. Wish I had more time, LOL, would love to do Cirque, and so many other things.

So, what are the experts thoughts???

 

[Tigger&Tink]

NO EXPERT here,,but it all sounds FANTASTIC!!!!! It sounds like it will be a GRAND TIME!!!!I am sure anything you had planned Natalie enjoy and this all sounds like you put a lot of thought and LOVE into it!!! HAVE A BLAST,,and hope to see ya on the 7th!!!!


TINK--Linda

 

[txSleepingBeauty]

everything sounds great, but I don't think you'll make it to the MK from DAK by 5. DAK is so much further away, by the time you got to the parking lot ....I think you only chance there is to hope onto a bus going to the Contemporary then you could walk over to MK and MIGHT make it.

Good luck, I"ll be there at the same time almost (9th-13th) can't wait!

and happy early birthday to Natalie

 

[madaboutMickey]

Dan,
I agree with Kari. One suggestion might be to make sure you are at the beginning of the parade route at AK. Then leave asap. This will give you a little more time to get to MK.
Have a great time!

Cathy

 

[Tuffcookie]

Dan, Let me know what you think of Rose & Crown. I have a ps there for New Year's Eve.

TC

 

[Pooh's Pal]

What no Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party with Natalie?

It's playing on the 2nd and the 3rd...while you're there. Maybe when you make the flag retreat you could stay in MK on the 3rd and visit the MK attractions for a bit, see the parade, wishes then call it a day? I can't imagne not going to see Wishes with her.
Just a suggestion.

 

[flaps]

No advice, but I hope you and Natalie have a great trip together.

 

[disneyfreakjackie]

WOW!! You are "Disney organized" like ME!! My DH always asks if I scheduled in time for a bathroom break!!! (I'm not really that bad, REALLY!)

My DD's are hoping to qualify for the Pop Warner National Cheer Competition the week of 12/7-10. Hope you don't mind cheerleaders and football players, it's Pop Warner week in WDW!! Hope we're there with ya, they both compete on 11/20, if they place first or second, we're there!! GO MIDDLESEX EAGLES AND FALCONS!!

HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!

CRAZY CHEER MOM/COACH!!

 

[PandyPaws]

Sounds wonderful, Dan
If it were me, though...I'd avoid the MK on Saturday, always crowded...and AK's busiest on Fridays due to early entry. Why not do the reverse, with MK on Friday and AK on Saturday, (usually the least crowded day for AK ), just a thought.

Also, the AK parade will be at 3:45 by the time you arrive.

Have fun planning, Dan....hope to see you while you're here

 

[TLinden16]

I agree with Pandy Paws on this one. I would switch the MK and AK days. But then, I would go over to the MK just for Wishes and Spectro that evening.

Also, isn't the Christmas parade usually filmed the first weekend in December? If that's the case, it would give me double reason to avoid the MK on a Saturday.

Karen

 

[LJC1861]

Sounds great Dan!

if you are looking for something a bit unusual to do, how about the Segway Tour? Lisa and I loved it so much we have done it twice.

Have a great trip!

Linda

 

[Dan Murphy]

I always know where to go for advice, on anything, and especially WDW stuff. Great ideas, never thought of flip flopping (hey, who just said that...not me ) Friday and Saturday. That might work well, MK on Friday (maybe MVMCP too, even though I am doing it on the 30th and the 7th ), then AK on Saturday, and back over to MK Saturday night for evening of Spectro and Wishes. Great points, EE, crowds, parade, Donna and Karen. And good ideas there too, Kari and Cathy, was not really thinking of AK to CR.

TC, on R&C, I have eaten there before, once with Doc and once with Ray Sharpton, both times were great, really enjoyable. I was trying to think of a nice place for Natalie, and with Illuminations, hard to top, if you can get outside seating. Even without, standing in that area is wonderful. I do recommend.

Linda, as far as the Segway tour, I have kicked around the idea (I am out of tours unless I want to go scuba diving/snorkeling , having done 9 of the tours), but I think while Natalie is there it would be too much. Looking at our time available, trying to do all four parks, it seems like Thursday is our Epcot day and she is in too late for the AM tours. I may do myself sometime though, it is intriguing, having read some of what you have said along with DIS'ers, Elissa and Robb's pictures and video.

Any other thoughts from the experts? You guys are great, as always.

 

[Lynn CC]

Sounds like you are having so much fun planning Dan!
I can hear the excitement in your words, I can't wait to see the pictures!!
It's always so special celebrating a Birthday at WDW, How old is Natalie going to be? My guess is around 24...

 

[Beanie]

Sounds wonderful, Dan!! Have a great time with Natalie at the world!!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Dan, be sure to request Auntie Claire at Prime Time and tell her "Mare says HI!".

Have a great trip...sorry I'll miss you.

 

[always quiet]

No words of wisdom here but just wanted to wish you all the happiness and magic during your time with Natalie!

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Hey Dan, here's an activity for you! You'd be one cute elf!

Elf Lessons – You’ll be wiggling your ears, dancing, and singing Christmas Carols along with Santa’s helpers who will instruct you in how to be an Elf. Each child who participates will receive a certificate upon completing this fun course.

Elf lessons are scheduled prior to Twilight Magic in the Dolphin lobby on November 26, December 3, 10, 17, 28 & 31.

 

[grinningghost]

It sounds awesome Dan. And while you're there - have some pot roast at Prime Time for me. Every trip I live for that stuff.

 

[melk]

Sounds good Dan, but I too recommend switching your AK/MK days. We just went Thursday-Monday and here's what we did:
Thursday: MGM
Fri: EE at MK(worked out very well)
Sat: AK (again, worked well, not crowded); did MK at night to see
Wishes and then SpectroMagic
Sun: Epcot

I hope you and your daughter have a wonderful time!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Great ideas from you guys.

Here is my new schedule for those four days, what do you think?

Natalie gets to MCO about 10:30 AM. We do Epcot, Rose & Crown, Illuminations on Thursday. MK on Friday, with CP breakfast at 8:15 (actually going to try to get a cancellation for CRT ), MK all day, flag retreat pictures at end of afternoon. Then over to MGM, Osbornes and maybe Fantasmic! for the evening, maybe dinner somewhere on Boardwalk, Y&BC or DtD. Cape May breakfast (or maybe Donald's Breakfastosaurus) on Saturday (her BD), then AK till closing, over to MK for dinner at Plaza Restaurant, Spectro, Wishes. And then MGM on Sunday, lunch at Prime Time and off to the airport late afternoon.

You know Auntie Claire, Mare? Me, an elf?

Again, thanks for your nice thoughts here and great ideas.