What suggestions would you make for these plans:

[Anne5555]

We are a family of 4. My daughter is 8, and she met most of the princesses on her first and only Disney trip last year (plus Prince Charming, step mother, and sisters at 1800 Park Faire.) Her main goals are to to ride the 7DMT, Small World, and pick a pearl. (We did not visit World Showcase last time- a 3 1/2 day trip.) She does not like "scary" rides. Son, 10, has special needs and loves Toy Story. He does not scare as easily.

Arrive Tuesday night (1 night earlier than planned) and will stay off property first night (not sure where yet.)

Wed. low crowd day-Epcot & MK
drive to Epcot in morning -
obtain DAS pass for son
ride Soarin, Test Track, others without fastpasses but using DAS when possible
Visit Japan and a few countries
maybe meet Mulan and Belle in blue dress (missed them last time)
leave in afternoon and Check in at resort - Port Orleans
dinner - ???
take bus to MK or pay to valet park at Contemporary or GF.
try to have fastpasses for 7DMT, MSEP, and Wishes (we have not seen these in park with kids yet)

Thursday - DHS
visit Buzz and Woody, ride Toy Story Mania with FP
Star Tours, Muppets, etc.
lunch Pizza Planet (a requirement for my son)
Dinner ?????
not sure if we should see Fantasmic again. Last time we had an awful view from the very back row, but it must be better with Fastpass is possible to obtain. Or we could swim at resort and eat dinner there or at another resort.

Friday - MK - closes early for party but low crowds prior to close at 7 pm.
FP 7DMT,
maybe meet Merida and Tiana (missed them last time.)
I want to eat at Be My Guest for lunch or dinner
not sure what to do after park closes -
eat dinner at Boatwrights and visit pool?
Eat at Grand Floridian? (my husband's favorite from last trip and a must-do sometime)

Saturday - AK - this is the only park we have not visited ever, and MK is not recommended that day.
See the Lion King and Finding Nemo shows.
some rides...Expedition Everest too scary and not sure about Dinosaur
lunch - maybe Tusker House or Flame tree BBQ
Park closes 5 pm -
would downtown Disney be too busy on a Saturday? We have not visited it yet.
This might be a good night to visit La Nouba if tickets available and not too pricey.
Or maybe revisit a favorite park

Sunday - check out and drive home.

Any suggestions for daytime or evening activities or can't miss activities? I'm not sure if and when we should visit downtown Disney and La Nouba.

Or restaurants we should visit? We do have the regular dining plan. i can't decide if we should try for a dinner at Cindy's Royal table, despite the double meal credits. But it's unlikely we could get a reservation, anyway. I considered Akershus, but I doubt it would suit my son's gluten free and dairy free requirements and picky eating habits. If it doesn't serve (gluten free) hamburgers, pizza, chicken nuggets or mickey waffles, he won't be happy. The only must-do restaurants are Be My Guest, Grand Floridian, and Pizza Planet.

Thanks!

 

[Grandma G]

Wed. low crowd day-Epcot & MK
drive to Epcot in morning ... leave in afternoon and Check in at resort - Port Orleans ... dinner ??? ... take bus to MK or pay to valet park at Contemporary or GF ... try to have fastpasses for 7DMT, MSEP, and Wishes
Suggestions: Lunch either in World Showcase or at Port Orleans. Valet park at Grand Floridian | Dinner at Grand Floridian | Magic Kingdom

Thursday – DHS
visit Buzz and Woody ... etc ... lunch Pizza Planet ... Dinner ????? ... not sure if we should see Fantasmic again. Last time we had an awful view from the very back row, but it must be better with Fastpass is possible to obtain ...
Suggestion: Book the Fantasmic! Dinner Package (Participating Restaurants: The Hollywood Brown Derby/Two Table Service Credits, Hollywood and Vine/One Table Service Credit and Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano/One Table Service Credit ) - complete with VIP seating at the evening's show. Voila!

Friday - MK - closes early for party but low crowds prior to close at 7 pm.
I want to eat at Be My Guest for lunch or dinner ... not sure what to do after park closes ...
Suggestion: Drive to Fort Wilderness in the morning. Park and take the tram to the Magic Kingdom boat. Schedule Be My Guest for lunch. At Park Close, return by boat to Fort Wilderness for (to me, always a "Can't Miss!") The Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue/Two Table Service Credits ... or ... Dinner at Trails End Buffet /One Table Service Credit. Stay for the Campfire/Marshmallows/Singalong and the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach. Also available: Wagon Rides/Pony Rides, etc. At the end of your evening, take the tram back to your car. The kids will love it!

Note that there is also bus service between the Magic Kingdom and Fort Wilderness​

Saturday - AK - this is the only park we have not visited ever, and MK is not recommended that day.
See the Lion King and Finding Nemo shows ... some rides ... Park closes 5 pm ... downtown Disney ... ? ... This might be a good night to visit La Nouba if tickets available and not too pricey ... Or maybe revisit a favorite park.
Suggestion: All of those things sound great. One additional alternative - Dinner at The Animal Kingdom Lodge (Boma's/One Table Service Credit or Jiko's/Two Table Service Credits) followed by a Campfire and Marshmallows, Animal Watching via Night Vision Goggles and a tour of the Resort. It's absolutely beautiful.

Sunday - check out and drive home.
Suggestion: Have a wonderful trip …

ETA: I don't have any experience with dietary restrictions. So, if I've made impractical dining suggestions, I apologize. But there is this regarding The Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue:

This location can accommodate most special dietary needs. Advance notice may be required and cancellation fees may apply. Please indicate any special dietary needs at time of reservation booking. Accessibility: May Remain in Wheelchair/ECV.

Standard Menu Below:

Join the Pioneer Hall Players for 2 hours of rousing Wild West dancing, singing and zany vaudeville comedy.

You never know what to expect when Claire de Lune, Johnny Ringo, Dolly Drew, Six Bits Slocum, Flora Long and Jim Handy hit the stage. But you do know that it’s not going to be dull! Get ready to clap your hands, stomp your feet, sing along and have a good ol’ time at rustic Pioneer Hall ...

In between skits and song standards, chow down on buckets of all-you-care-to-enjoy fried chicken and smoked BBQ pork ribs, as well as a tossed green salad, baked beans, fresh-baked cornbread and strawberry shortcake. Unlimited draft beer, wine and sangria are included for Guests 21 years of age and up (proper ID required). Soft drinks are also included.

 

[mummabear]

I second doing the F! dining package for your DHS day.
On your Friday MK day you could watch the fireworks from the beach at Poly or do the pirates and pals cruise.
I also recommend the chip and dale campfire at FW.

 

[Anne5555]

Thank you for the great suggestions! I hope I can get the ADRs and reservations!

 

[SueM in MN]

Thursday - DHS
visit Buzz and Woody, ride Toy Story Mania with FP
Star Tours, Muppets, etc.
lunch Pizza Planet (a requirement for my son)
Dinner ?????
not sure if we should see Fantasmic again. Last time we had an awful view from the very back row, but it must be better with Fastpass is possible to obtain. Or we could swim at resort and eat dinner there or at another resort.

did you have someone with a wheelchair, or were you using a stroller as a wheelchair?
The back row is wheelchair spots and the 2 rows in front of that are for the families of guests with wheelchairs/mobility devices. Other guests are not allowed to sit there.

There are a few wheelchair accessible spots in the very front row, but you nee to be there early for hose and they are in the very front row.

Or restaurants we should visit? We do have the regular dining plan. i can't decide if we should try for a dinner at Cindy's Royal table, despite the double meal credits. But it's unlikely we could get a reservation, anyway. I considered Akershus, but I doubt it would suit my son's gluten free and dairy free requirements and picky eating habits. If it doesn't serve (gluten free) hamburgers, pizza, chicken nuggets or mickey waffles, he won't be happy. The only must-do restaurants are Be My Guest, Grand Floridian, and Pizza Planet.

Thanks!

we were at Akershus a few years who for breakfast with my niece who needed gluten free. There is a buffet bar with some items - the chef walked her through that with what she could/should not choose. The hot foods are brought on large plates to serve family style at your table. There was always a plate of safe foods for her (including waffles).