What do you think of this plan?

[megan&joeysmommy]

We are so excited that our trip is almost here! Please comment on what will or won't work and how to improve. This is our 1st trip and we probably won't be back for several years.

We fly out on 9/2 with myself, DH, DS-3 1/2 and DD-10mo. We will arrive in FL at 5:15pm and I figured we wouldn't be checked into ASMo until after 7:30 or so. Our plan is to look around the resort and swim until bedtime.

Wed. 9/3: Visit MK until about 2pm. Take the bus to MGM. See parade, Playhouse Disney, B&B-Live, & Muppets. (not interested in thrill rides so this is all we're doing at MGM)

Thurs. 9/4: EE at MK. Stay all day and see fireworks at 8:30pm. (plan on using certain attractions for rest/naps)

Fri. 9/5: EE at AK. Stay until about 1pm. Take bus to DTD. Check out toy store and Lego store. Take bus back to ASMo at about 6pm and swim for the evening.

Sat. 9/6 Epcot until about 7:30pm. Sometime during the afternoon, we thought we'd take a walk to the BC to have a snack at Beaches & Cream. (not sure about how long this walk will take)

Sun. 9/7 EE at MK until 1 pm. Take monorail to Epcot. Visit Epcot until about 7:30pm

Mon. 9/8 Visit MK all day. See 8:15 fireworks if it's worth seeing again.

Tues. 9/9 Fly home.

Notes and Questions:

-Which day would be better to see the parade at MK? Thurs or Mon

-When should we start to line up for parades if crowds are low?

-We hope for the napping and resting to happen on Disney transp. or attractions. If the 1st day doesn't go well, we'll go back to the resort after that. Our kids are the type that fall asleep when in motion and wake up when stopped and moved so they probably wouldn't go back to sleep for a nap in the room.

-From what I've read, the crowds should be low and we'll be able to get right on rides, but do we still need to have a plan for what to do when in MK? (like do this 1st, FP for that, etc.)

-Have I allowed enough time for each park? We'd like to meet characters and smell the flowers!

Thanks for all your input!

 

[golfmaven]

My first impression is that it looks like you're going to spend an awful lot of time at MK (.5 + 1.0 + .5 + 1.0 = 3 full days) at the expense of the other resorts (only .5 MGM and .5 AK). My kids are also 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 and I applaud you for having the courage to spend that much time in the park with the kids. Personally, I would reduce the amount of time at MK and devote some more to AK or MGM. It might be difficult to do all you want in the short time you've alloted to those parks. I'm not so worried about the kids pooping out (they can always nap in the stroller), but I do worry about you guys being exhausted, especially with all the EEs extending out to park closing!

 

[riggins]

I know that you said your kids will rest on transportation/while moving, but I really think you should plan for more rest time. If you count the time from when you leave your hotel room in the morning until you return to your hotel room at night, you have a week full of 10-14 hour days. This will exhaust any fit adult on park commando mission, much less a small child or an adult trying to care for a small child. I think you may be setting yourself up for more meltdowns than you bargained for. I know you said you'd change your plan and rest each day if the first day doesn't go well. My fear is that it will take several days to recover from a bad first day. If you plan the breaks and then decide you don't need them, you will be better off.

This is just my advice based on my kids and things I've read from other posters. You may see different advice from others.

Good Luck!

 

[golfmaven]

Another thought...everything you've planned involves the theme parks, why not try visiting the Petting Zoo at Fort Wilderness, or the playground at the Contemporary and combine that with a leisurely day spent at the pool or a character lunch at one of the resorts (chef mickey's for lunch).

 

[megan&joeysmommy]

Just to clarify a few things...

We weren't planning to go full speed ahead in any of the parks, but MK seemed to be the one we thought the kids would get the most out of, followed by Epcot. We weren't sure about AK so that will be extended and DTD would get shorter. We were kind of picturing mornings being the time to get things done, afternoons to wander and relax around the parks, and evenings be done early (7 or 8 is early for us.)

Our plan is to take it slow. We want to take in all the little things like scenery, flowers, fountains, etc. People watching is fun too. I don't picture commando style at all, but we do have a list of things we'd like to do.

Thanks for the input so far.

 

[swilphil]

We have a 3 yo and 1 yo and went this summer. We did take afternoon breaks, but the parks were open late in the evenings, so we were able to enjoy them then.

At MGM my 3 yo loved Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast shows. The shows are nice when it's hot or you just want to sit a little more. He also liked the character greetings there and two trips to Pizza Planet. He's a huge toy story fan. We only got the pizza once. He could have stayed all day at the HISTK playground.

The Epcot WS was also a big hit. It's a different atmosphere and there's lots of room just to wander around and "smell the flowers." DS loved the Kidcot stations.