Which Parks for short girls trip? HELP!

[Aishaahm]

I need your help! My friends and I planned a girls trip for Dec.16-18. We get in pretty early on the 16th at 10am(MVMCP night) and leave late on the 18th 5pm (flight id at 8). We already have lunch at Sanaa and dinner reservations at California Grill 12/16 and that is the only thing we are set on. We are staying at AKL. Only one of my friends has been to Disney and she has only visited MK. The other friend is up for an adventure, but I worry if we are on the go too much we might miss out enjoying AKL.

My question is, if you were us would you...

A- Resort day, Dinner/Fireworks at Cali grill 12/16, Park hop MK/EPCOT 12/17, DS 12/18 before flight leaves

B- 1/2 Resort day then MVMCP and dinner at Cali Grill 12/16, Single park Epcot 12/17, DS 12/18

OR

C-1/2 Resort day then MVMCP and dinner at Cali grill 12/16, Park hop AK(has am EMH that morning) then EPCOT in evening 12/17,DS 12/18

All options seem doable, just not sure which! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I'd skip Cali Grill and instead enjoy the excellent restaurants at AKL. I'd also include a visit to AK, especially while staying at AKL. By the way, the thread title led me to think you wanted advice specifically for short people.

 

[Aishaahm]

Haha short girls trip! We had snagged Cali Grill from the touring plans reservation finder, and I chose that one specifically in case we decided not to do MK (so we could at least watch the holiday fireworks).

I keep hearing about how great the dining at AKL is. Availability seems pretty open from what I am seeing on MDE. I love Animal Kingdom, especially FoP. So little time, so many options! Which of the restaurants at AKL is your favorite if you had to pick one?

 

[DaisyDuck001]

Haha short girls trip! We had snagged Cali Grill from the touring plans reservation finder, and I chose that one specifically in case we decided not to do MK (so we could at least watch the holiday fireworks).

I keep hearing about how great the dining at AKL is. Availability seems pretty open from what I am seeing on MDE. I love Animal Kingdom, especially FoP. So little time, so many options! Which of the restaurants at AKL is your favorite if you had to pick one?

I feel that Cali Grill is not a great value, as it's very expensive and I didn't like the food as much as many other WDW restaurants.

My favorite restaurant at AKL is Boma, as it has so much variety.

It looks like your options B and C have MVMCP and Cali Grill dinner on the same evening? I don't see how that could all happen at the same time.

 

[rwdavis2]

Look into California Grill for brunch. Expensive but worth doing at least once.

 

[Mome Rath]

C-1/2 Resort day then MVMCP and dinner at Cali grill 12/16, Park hop AK(has am EMH that morning) then EPCOT in evening 12/17,DS 12/18

I would tweak C. Resort day, then MVMCP (would drop Cali grill). Next day rope drop AK (you could go back to resort for early-ish lunch or a break if you wanted), then hop to EPCOT. And then DS (this is Disney Springs I assume) last day, with resort time in the morning.

 

[kwdw]

Option One:

Arrival day - 10am - just arrive at resort, wander around, enjoy savanna, take pictures, go to pool if you are okay you might not be in room by time you need to head to MVMCP. Maybe get a later lunch at Sanaa (almost 2pm). Head to MVMCP and be at MK at 4pm for start of party. Skip Cali Grill - it just doesn't fit in to a short trip and it's not worth it.

Full day - EPCOT

Departure Day - pick AK or HS. I'd probably suggest AK.

This is only a 2 day base ticket and a party ticket.

Option Two:

Arrival Day - 10 am - arrive at resort - drop off bags - head to MK until you have to leave because of the party. Park hopper to a park open late. Or - if you really want - a Cali Grill reservation AFTER you have to leave MK (so after 6 pm).

Full Day - Breakfast at Boma - spend time really seeing the resort - head to park. Maybe hop late in day.

Departure Day - just hit one park.

This is a three day PH ticket.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would cancel Cali Grill, get a 2-day base ticket and MVMCP tickets and skip DS. This gives you 1/2 a resort day, MVMCP, one park day (at your leisure, you could certainly add some resort time in here), plus more than 1/2 a day in another park. Cali Grill is lovely, but for people who've never been to WDW, I'd go to the parks instead. DS is just an outdoor shopping mall. I would go to a park instead!

 

[Selket]

I also read your title as asking for advice for "short girls" - lol. I'd do the MVMCP and not leave for a Cali Grill reservation. The MVMCP would be my #1 priority (personally) because I think the parties are so special. You can get in the park around 4pm (I think?) with your party ticket - so I'd plan to stay at the resort on arrival day and have a nice lunch - then MK for the party. I'd plan to have dinner near the park or in the park before the party starts. If your heart is set on Cali Grill - can you move that reservation to another day and/or another meal time? If you could get Cali Grill for an early dinner on the 16th (5pm?) that would work.

I would chose option "c" but leave out the Cali Grill or try to move it to the next night.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I'd plan to have dinner near the park or in the park before the party starts.

Same here, and some possible options are:
outside the park -- late afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian, or late lunch at The Wave. Or if you prefer something quick, Contempo Cafe.
inside the park -- Skipper Canteen is my favorite in the park. Also, I haven't tried this yet, but the new menu at Diamond Horseshoe looks great. My third choice in the park would be Liberty Tree Tavern.

 

[Skippyboo]

Is the pool at Jambo House going to reopened by then? I know it’s being shut down in September through Dec this year for rehab.

 

[Aishaahm]

I would tweak C. Resort day, then MVMCP (would drop Cali grill). Next day rope drop AK (you could go back to resort for early-ish lunch or a break if you wanted), then hop to EPCOT. And then DS (this is Disney Springs I assume) last day, with resort time in the morning.

You know, that is what I was thinking might be best too! Thank you for your suggestions!

 

[Aishaahm]

Is the pool at Jambo House going to reopened by then? I know it’s being shut down in September through Dec this year for rehab.

Reopen date is down as 12/4. Thinking even if they are behind schedule it should still be open by then hopefully!

 

[Aishaahm]

I would cancel Cali Grill, get a 2-day base ticket and MVMCP tickets and skip DS. This gives you 1/2 a resort day, MVMCP, one park day (at your leisure, you could certainly add some resort time in here), plus more than 1/2 a day in another park. Cali Grill is lovely, but for people who've never been to WDW, I'd go to the parks instead. DS is just an outdoor shopping mall. I would go to a park instead!

I like this plan, personally because I am very much a park-lovin girl. I think I have to feel out the other two. I am getting vibes from one of them that she is going to relax so need to clarify what she is up for!

 

[Aishaahm]

Look into California Grill for brunch. Expensive but worth doing at least once.

I would love to Brunch at Cali Grill, problem was I couldn’t even get MDE to show a brunch option for any of our dates ironically. Not sure if changes are in the works or if they are waiting to release spots?

 

[Aishaahm]

I also read your title as asking for advice for "short girls" - lol. I'd do the MVMCP and not leave for a Cali Grill reservation. The MVMCP would be my #1 priority (personally) because I think the parties are so special. You can get in the park around 4pm (I think?) with your party ticket - so I'd plan to stay at the resort on arrival day and have a nice lunch - then MK for the party. I'd plan to have dinner near the park or in the park before the party starts. If your heart is set on Cali Grill - can you move that reservation to another day and/or another meal time? If you could get Cali Grill for an early dinner on the 16th (5pm?) that would work.

I would chose option "c" but leave out the Cali Grill or try to move it to the next night.

I think I might try and set up another ADR finder for a better day/time for Cali Grill. Based on feedback....

 

[Aishaahm]

Option One:

Arrival day - 10am - just arrive at resort, wander around, enjoy savanna, take pictures, go to pool if you are okay you might not be in room by time you need to head to MVMCP. Maybe get a later lunch at Sanaa (almost 2pm). Head to MVMCP and be at MK at 4pm for start of party. Skip Cali Grill - it just doesn't fit in to a short trip and it's not worth it.

Full day - EPCOT

Departure Day - pick AK or HS. I'd probably suggest AK.

This is only a 2 day base ticket and a party ticket.

Option Two:

Arrival Day - 10 am - arrive at resort - drop off bags - head to MK until you have to leave because of the party. Park hopper to a park open late. Or - if you really want - a Cali Grill reservation AFTER you have to leave MK (so after 6 pm).

Full Day - Breakfast at Boma - spend time really seeing the resort - head to park. Maybe hop late in day.

Departure Day - just hit one park.

This is a three day PH ticket.

I like your first plan best for us. We started out thinking this would be a couple of low key days maybe a park day and it has certainly evolved. While I would love to park hop, I don’t want to make my friends feel rushed and I think as first timers base tickets might be best. Thank you for taking the time to help me with your suggestions

 

[clutter]

I took a first timer for a 2-night stay earlier this year. We did the fireworks from Top of the World (yay, DVC) the first night. Our one park day, we hopped. Went to Epcot for F&G, popped over to DS for Star Tours and TSM, then over to AK for the rest of the day, doing FOP standby to end the evening. Sure, it was tiring, but a blast!

Of all the parks, MK was the natural 'miss' for us, although had we been there for MVMCP, we absolutely would have gone. Now you are there at a fairly crowded time, so doing rides standby will be tough.

Maybe do a three day ticket. Go to HS on your arrival day - with FP you could probably get the rides that interest everyone done. Then go go MVMCP. Do your second day at a more leisurely pace, with a late start, at AK. Maybe even an early lunch at Saana first? Third day at Epcot. As for meals, I think there are better options than Cali Grill.

Alternatively, I'd do 2-day hoppers, get FP for DS on the second morning, then hang out at Epcot. Do AK the last day.

Remember the best thing about disney is that everything can be adjusted.

 

[Aishaahm]

Thank you everyone for all of the suggestions! We have taken the advice of many of you and decided to drop Cali Grill and just do MVMCP. We also will plan to park hop to AK in the morning and Epcot in the evening second day. Third day we are keeping Disney Springs just to do some final souvenir shopping and eat at Chef Art Smith’s before heading out. I appreciate everyone sharing your advice/expertise with me!!!