We are rookies, please look at our 4-day plan!

[dunkin44]

Me (33), wife (33), daughter (10), son (6) will be staying at Carribean Beach Resort Mon, Sept. 25 - Fri., Sept. 29.

Monday -- flight lands 12:21, hit Epcot this evening.
Tuesday Animal Kingdom in the AM, MGM in the afternoon (wife wants to go to Fantasmic dinner & show)
Wednesday Magic Kingdom & swim at resort
Thursday back to Magic Kingdom
Friday...flight leaves at 3:37, what would be a good Friday morning activity? How early should we plan to leave the resort for the airport (via Disney transportation).

Your suggestions for this rookie family are greatly appreciated! Anything here totally not make sense? How would you veterans plan with our age of kids/days we are there?

Thanks!

 

[krissyh]

A lot in a short time but if you have a plan for what you really want to hit and use fastpasses, you could "get a lot done".
Are you one the dining plan and either way - to you have your ADRs if you want to eat a certain TS restaurants?
Do you have ressies for the fantasmic and dinner?

 

[bell.of.the.ball]

Doing AK and MGM in one day can be a stretch. You will lose a lot of time with Fantasmic. People wait around 1-1 1/2hrs to get a good seat waiting for the show to start. You might want to use that time doing other rides, kids will get boredwaiting

 

[mommyintn]

Downtown Disney is always a fun thing to do on a free morning, that would be a suggestion for Friday before your flight.

 

[roadtripper]

My only suggestion with kids that age is that they may like the pool as much as the parks, if they're anything like my kids. Planning downtime at the pool is a good way to prevent meltdowns at night. Also, even my nine year old sometimes naps at WDW due to all the stimulation--you may want to put the six year old down and take the 10 year old to the pool. Re: wait time for Fantasmic-- with the dinner package, you will have preferred seating, so you will not need to be there a few hours early. 2 Days at MK is a good choice for first timers. Have a great time!

 

[Kristina]

to the Dis! I think your plan looks great although I agree that doing AK and MGM on the same day isn't the best but if that's the only way then go for it! The best thing to do is to get to the parks just before they open so you can first beat the crowds but also see the opening shows. We were really tickled by the MK one and the lack of crowds that morning in Oct. last year was really lovely. We did a whole lot in Fantasyland and just had a blast before heading over to the Crystal Palace for breakfast with Pooh and the gang .
I believe ToonTown opens a little later so after Fantasyland I'd be right there for the opening of that, and then head right over to Mickeys tent if you want to have your photos taken with the characters. Saves time being one of the first in line!
Eating an early lunch again just before the crowds arrive can be a good idea for the kids, so they can take a little break. They will probably also want to swim in the pool alot to so that's good that you have time roped off for that. The Wendsday that you have planned for the MK I see is a special little ones morning (or whatever it's called) which should be good and then of course you can never get enough MK so going the next day again, perfect ! Plus even that day is a EMH morning, cool! For a rookie I think your doing pretty good

September is coming up fast so call DisneyDining and get that Fantasmic dinner reservation (we like Hollywood and Vine) and also, Sci Fi Cafe is brilliant for kids and adults alike! Although it's not part of the Fantasmic dinner package so maybe save that one for next time, because there is always a next time at Disney!

Have fun

 

[kellyf2626]

I think your plan looks great! I think you can do both AK and MGM in one day...as long as you get to AK at opening. Go straight to the safari, get a fast-pass for Everest (or Kali River Rapids).

Also - I see you have only 1 night for Epcot. You may want to sqeeze in some more Epcot time. I know your kids probably won't love walking around the countries, but you and your wife will really enjoy this!! Many have wine tastings and excellent shops - and rides!

Have a great trip. Go slow...and take it all in!

 

[44disney]

My kids are 9 and 6, and if I had your itinerary I would go back to Epcot on the last day. My kids love Test Track and Soarin and would definitely want to ride them again. Make sure you do these rides on the first day so you can see if they want to return. Or maybe they would want to go back to the AK? Why don't you leave it open and ask them where they want to go? When my daughter was 3 she and I went back to the MK on our last day while my DH took my son to AK and Epcot for a few favorites. Just go with the flow and have fun!!!