Will someone please critique my September MNSSHP trip? First time!!!

[glohoffman]

We are booked at the Poly Labor day week, check in Sunday September 6, checkout Saturday September 12. EasyWDW posted a preliminary crowd calender, and I am trying to get my ducks in a row for my dining window. I have never attended a MNSSHP before, and this is actually only my second trip I have planned to Disney, so still kind of new! Can someone look at my plan and tell me if it seems to flow and work well, with dining, travel, everything? I have chosen all recommended parks from Easy WDW, and dining is hopeful reservations. Each day (mostly) we plan on taking cool down breaks at the hotel since we have a 6 and 4 year old.

Sunday- Will probably check in early, then visit one of the water parks (haven't decided which one, recommendations?). Dinner at Ohana.

Monday (Labor day)-Animal Kingdom day. 8am breakfast at Tusker House. MNSSHP night, so we would more than likely finish AK after lunch sometime (probably 1 or 2), take a break at hotel, then head over to MK for party.

Tuesday- Epcot- We plan on sleeping in (we usually rope drop) and visiting mostly the World Showcase this day, maybe visit some other easy attractions at Epcot. Late lunch or Dinner at Akershus.

Wednesday-Magic Kingdom- 8am breakfast at Crystal Palace.

Thursday- Epcot. Dinner at 1900 Park Fare.

Friday- Magic Kingdom. Dinner at BOG. MK closes early for Night of Joy (I think) but we figured since we would already have the late night at MNSSHP and another MK day, we would take advantage of the light crowds due to this and then spend some evening time at the hotel. Does this sound like a good plan?

Saturday- Breakfast at Ohana. This day we will either swim more at the hotel, or maybe visit HS for part of the day (not our fave park, planned on skipping but can't decide) and check out.

Does this sound like a good plan? Only thing I am nervous about is only having one choice for MNSSHP, what if we get rained out? Are most of the character meets indoors? We dont mind rain, actually prefer the light crowds and cooldown in brings, just want to make sure the kids can meet the characters the want, and see the parade!
I welcome any other advice from someone who has went during this time and can give me tips!

 

[bcrook]

We are booked at the Poly Labor day week, check in Sunday September 6, checkout Saturday September 12. EasyWDW posted a preliminary crowd calender, and I am trying to get my ducks in a row for my dining window. I have never attended a MNSSHP before, and this is actually only my second trip I have planned to Disney, so still kind of new! Can someone look at my plan and tell me if it seems to flow and work well, with dining, travel, everything? I have chosen all recommended parks from Easy WDW, and dining is hopeful reservations. Each day (mostly) we plan on taking cool down breaks at the hotel since we have a 6 and 4 year old.

Sunday- Will probably check in early, then visit one of the water parks (haven't decided which one, recommendations?). Dinner at Ohana.

Monday (Labor day)-Animal Kingdom day. 8am breakfast at Tusker House. MNSSHP night, so we would more than likely finish AK after lunch sometime (probably 1 or 2), take a break at hotel, then head over to MK for party.

Tuesday- Epcot- We plan on sleeping in (we usually rope drop) and visiting mostly the World Showcase this day, maybe visit some other easy attractions at Epcot. Late lunch or Dinner at Akershus.

Wednesday-Magic Kingdom- 8am breakfast at Crystal Palace.

Thursday- Epcot. Dinner at 1900 Park Fare.

Friday- Magic Kingdom. Dinner at BOG. MK closes early for Night of Joy (I think) but we figured since we would already have the late night at MNSSHP and another MK day, we would take advantage of the light crowds due to this and then spend some evening time at the hotel. Does this sound like a good plan?

Saturday- Breakfast at Ohana. This day we will either swim more at the hotel, or maybe visit HS for part of the day (not our fave park, planned on skipping but can't decide) and check out.

Does this sound like a good plan? Only thing I am nervous about is only having one choice for MNSSHP, what if we get rained out? Are most of the character meets indoors? We dont mind rain, actually prefer the light crowds and cooldown in brings, just want to make sure the kids can meet the characters the want, and see the parade!
I welcome any other advice from someone who has went during this time and can give me tips!

No matter what you do will be fun. Something I have noticed and planned over the years...

I really LOVE Animal Kingdom late in the evening. The crowds clear out. It is fun to ride Kali River Rapids several times in a row (most of the time, I don't even have to leave the raft) late in the day. Tusker House Breakfast is fantastic though.
Also, if you do stick with your plan, when you book your FP+, I would choose the Safari for right after breakfast. Personally, I would do the Early Epcot day opposite the MNSSHP, simply to give me the option of the late stay at DAK.

I would never skip Hollywood Studios. I would have to at least go in and walk around!

 

[ParrotBill]

doing any planning at all puts you ahead of the crowd. Have a plan, but be ready to change it! Yes, rain is a risk for your special event, but learn to handle the rain with ponchos or umbrellas and a change of shoes & socks when you get back (or plastic sandals!) I know the kids tolerance will be harder but you sound like you understand how to take it easy and take breaks. that's true for rain also. You are visting at a great time when it is still warm but crowds are low so enjoy it!

 

[glohoffman]

Thanks for your input. We did Hollywood Studios on our last trip (last May) and we were there half a day and it was underwhelming. Our kids don't really love sitting for shows, they would prefer to be on rides or meeting characters. Any awesome Hollywood Studios experiences you can share that would make me want to go back?! We thought we may use that Saturday to do more pool time or go over to Downtown Disney if we do skip HS. We loved Epcot and only had one day there last trip, so we thought we would omit HS and add an extra Epcot day this trip. And since World Showcase opens late, we thought that would pair well with our sleep in plan. (Again new to the sleeping in, we didnt stay super late in the parks last trip)
We did the early morning tusker breakfast last trip and LOVED it, and did exactly as you advised and did the Safari immediately after breakfast, so we were the first ones in line. It was great! We also like the cooler (if you want to call it cool? lol) mornings when the animals are most active!

 

[ammag]

I agree that two days at Epcot is more worthwhile than a day at HS. We liked HS well enough but there's just so much more to do at Epcot. We also like to divide the days at Epcot one day for world showcase one for future world. I am starting to plan a trip for this fall and I think we will do HS as a half day because we do love the star torus ride and store, as well as TSMM. We are going to try fantasmic so we will get there around 3.

 

[Dislover1991]

We are going at that same time as well and Monday's MNSSHP is the only party we will be able to attend- I'm wondering how crowds will be since that's the only party that week plus it's Labor Day. Makes me nervous! We'll be at MK too on Friday and plan to attend Night of Joy

 

[TwizzleMouse]

We went the same time this past year and spent our MNSSHP day going to DTD to finish our shopping for the trip and had our stuff shipped home. Then got relaxed at the hotel and got ready for the party and headed over (since you can get in on party day with your MNSSHP tix starting at 4pm that day). We did some rides and got something to eat before the party started. Just something to consider. I hope you have a great time. I loved going to the party, esp since I am a huge HM fan and got to see it all decked out for the party! Enjoy!

 

[glohoffman]

We are going at that same time as well and Monday's MNSSHP is the only party we will be able to attend- I'm wondering how crowds will be since that's the only party that week plus it's Labor Day. Makes me nervous! We'll be at MK too on Friday and plan to attend Night of Joy

I have read on a couple different threads here that the labor day party last year wasn't too bad. So I am not too concerned about how busy it is! I am sure it will be fun no matter what, and still less busy that the parties closer to Halloween. I am so excited though! Hoping that staying at a monorail resort will help with convenience of travel as well...this is our first time for that!

 

[glohoffman]

We went the same time this past year and spent our MNSSHP day going to DTD to finish our shopping for the trip and had our stuff shipped home. Then got relaxed at the hotel and got ready for the party and headed over (since you can get in on party day with your MNSSHP tix starting at 4pm that day). We did some rides and got something to eat before the party started. Just something to consider. I hope you have a great time. I loved going to the party, esp since I am a huge HM fan and got to see it all decked out for the party! Enjoy!

Thank you! I thought about doing a free day before, but we are driving and I really wanted our check in and check out days to be more relaxed than touring, and since we couldn't extend our trip any we decided to do AK that morning, because last year when we went it was a very relaxing park for us, and we kind of did it all at our own pace instead of rushing to get to the next attraction. Our girls were definitely more interested in the safari and seeing all the animals than any of the rides (they weren't tall enough for most of them anyway) so it makes it a great half day park for us. I am pretty excited for the party, my girls and husband are big Nightmare Before Christmas fans, so we can't wait to meet Jack and Sally! It is number one on our party "to do" list!

 

[TwizzleMouse]

Thank you! I thought about doing a free day before, but we are driving and I really wanted our check in and check out days to be more relaxed than touring, and since we couldn't extend our trip any we decided to do AK that morning, because last year when we went it was a very relaxing park for us, and we kind of did it all at our own pace instead of rushing to get to the next attraction. Our girls were definitely more interested in the safari and seeing all the animals than any of the rides (they weren't tall enough for most of them anyway) so it makes it a great half day park for us. I am pretty excited for the party, my girls and husband are big Nightmare Before Christmas fans, so we can't wait to meet Jack and Sally! It is number one on our party "to do" list!

Definitely make sure that you get in line to see Jack and Sally as the first thing you do at the party. They were right to the left by City Hall this past year but make sure you check ahead of time as they may move from year to year. They are VERY popular (even at parties that early in the season).

 

[bcrook]

Thanks for your input. We did Hollywood Studios on our last trip (last May) and we were there half a day and it was underwhelming. Our kids don't really love sitting for shows, they would prefer to be on rides or meeting characters. Any awesome Hollywood Studios experiences you can share that would make me want to go back?! We thought we may use that Saturday to do more pool time or go over to Downtown Disney if we do skip HS. We loved Epcot and only had one day there last trip, so we thought we would omit HS and add an extra Epcot day this trip. And since World Showcase opens late, we thought that would pair well with our sleep in plan. (Again new to the sleeping in, we didnt stay super late in the parks last trip)
We did the early morning tusker breakfast last trip and LOVED it, and did exactly as you advised and did the Safari immediately after breakfast, so we were the first ones in line. It was great! We also like the cooler (if you want to call it cool? lol) mornings when the animals are most active!

I enjoy doing the Star Tours multiple times to see how many combos I can get! Animation Studio two-three times. Toy Story a couple of times. I like both Great Movie Ride scenarios. I enjoy walking around the streets of America. I'm also a big fan of Tower of Terror, but your kids are probably too young for that!

 

[mommajo143]

We are checking in the weekend you check out & have a very similar plan except we are actually considering attending night of Joy. The alternative for us is Hoop de Doo or doing pirates & Pals fireworks ... Anyone know Do they even do fireworks on NOJ???

 

[CampbellzSoup]

What is with all the Halloween talk lately - it's so crazy we're still in February.

 

[bochnikm]

We have gone twice in September and did the MNSSHP. Your plans look great. On Sunday I think Typhoon Lagoon will be slightly better with a 6 and 4 year old. Your Monday plan is perfect. If you can rest/nap in the afternoon your children may be able to stay up latter and see the second Holloween Parade which always has less of a crowd.

I agree that HS is not that great with a 6 and 4 year old, so be flexible on your Saturday.

Note for mommao143Mouseketee - There are no fireworks or nighttime parade for the NoJ (Night of Joy)

 

[mommajo143]

@bochnikm TY - I couldn't find anything definitive except the concert line up for NoJ

 

[Missyrose]

I have chosen all recommended parks from Easy WDW, and dining is hopeful reservations. Each day (mostly) we plan on taking cool down breaks at the hotel since we have a 6 and 4 year old.

Monday (Labor day)-Animal Kingdom day. 8am breakfast at Tusker House. MNSSHP night, so we would more than likely finish AK after lunch sometime (probably 1 or 2), take a break at hotel, then head over to MK for party.

I wouldn't do a pre-opening breakfast the morning of your MNSSHP. Even with an afternoon break, it will make for a long night. Getting to and from your resort for afternoon breaks takes longer than you realize. So if you plan to leave AK by 1, you won't get back to the resort until around 2. And if you wanted to get to MK to enter the party with your ticket at 4, you'd have to leave your resort again by 3ish. Not much of a break.

I would plan for a pool morning at your resort on the morning of your party, everyone (kids and adults) will enjoy the party better that way.

 

[glohoffman]

I wouldn't do a pre-opening breakfast the morning of your MNSSHP. Even with an afternoon break, it will make for a long night. Getting to and from your resort for afternoon breaks takes longer than you realize. So if you plan to leave AK by 1, you won't get back to the resort until around 2. And if you wanted to get to MK to enter the party with your ticket at 4, you'd have to leave your resort again by 3ish. Not much of a break.

I would plan for a pool morning at your resort on the morning of your party, everyone (kids and adults) will enjoy the party better that way.

I had thought about that, but my kids are up early any, doesn't matter if we have a breakfast planned or not...they would be up. And since we don't do rides or anything at animal kingdom (besides safari) it's a pretty leisurely park for us...plus our kids sit in the stroller almost the whole time anyway lol, and being in the pool for my kids would probably actually make them more tired for the evening...they tend to swim pretty hard! We don't really find it that important to be in the park by 4 for the party, just as long as we are in early enough to get in line for Jack and Sally we are fine... which I think I read somewhere 5:30- 6 is a good time? So hopefully it works out just fine! I'm not sure where else I would fit animal kingdom in...which is a must for us!

 

[glohoffman]

Anyone know how long the busses take from the Poly to ak?