Would a few Disney vets mind glancing over this first timer's rough draft itinerary?

[Ducky'sMom]

Hello all!

My family's first Disney trip is fast approaching, and honestly the realty of how much planning there really is has hit me hard. I've done my best so far to get a general plan going, but I'd appreciate it if those of y'all with more experience take a look at it to see where I could improve or if I'm making any rookie mistakes. I've changed things several times while trying to work with the availability I have, but I'm not quite sure if I'm doing a good job. The last thing I want is to load us up too much and tire us out too soon. It's me, my husband, and our daughter who's 9. Hubby and I are night owls, but Ducky rises at the crack of dawn and can stay up til about 10 before crashing.

We have 6 park hopper ticket days, plus a bonus to go to BB, TL, or one of the mini golfs. We're scheduled for 1 MNSSHP.

Tues, Aug 28-

Arrival via car at Beach Club, freshen up, hit Disney Springs for daughter’s ear hat/browsing and dinner at Earl of Sandwich.

Wed, Aug 29-

0805 Akershus Princess Breakfast then straight into FEA and Ana and Elsa’s M&G. Perhaps do some of future world w/o FPs, because I’d like for us to hop to either HS or MK and use FPs there, but I can’t decide which. (Will MK be more crowded d/t the later hours?)

Thurs, Aug 30-

Main Epcot day with EMH and opening of F&W. Currently have 8:00am ADR for Garden Grill which I’m looking to push later in the morning, otherwise we’ll be sure to do all the minor future world attractions the previous day. Current FPs: 10:05am Soarin, 11:05am Spaceship Earth. We’ll eat around the world for the rest of the day.

Fri, Aug 31-

Main MK day with EMH (park should also be less crowded d/t MNSSHP, yes?). Current FPs: Splash Mtn 9:15am, BTMR 10:15, Peter 11:40. Hoping to then be able to book more. Would like to do the main things in Adventureland, Frontierland, and Fantasyland if possible. Dying to try a dole whip! Lunch at Peco Bill’s or Columbia Harbor House. Want to try to take monorail from MK to Epcot and eat in the World before heading back to hotel.

Sat, Sept 1-

Main AK day with EMH. Trying to rope drop FOP and Navi before ADR for Tusker House @ 10:20. (Possible?) Current FPs: Killi Safaris 11:20, Kali 2:05, EE 3:05. Can’t wait to try the pods at Satu’Ii, and husband and Ducky want Flame Tree BBQ. I feel like we might need another day or half?

Sun, Sept 2-

MK. ADR at CP for 9:15am. Current FPs: Buzz 10:35am, Space Mtn 11:45, 7DMT 5:30pm.

Mon, Sept 3-

Resort day and MNSSHP. Cape May ADR @ 9:15 then enjoying Stormalong Bay until our 2:30 ADR @ Beaches n’ Cream. Then get ready and head to MK for the party! (Main priority there is Jack and Sally)

Tues, Sept 4-

Do our favorites! We do have a FP for SDD @ 10:05am (it was the only SDD time I could get).

Wed, Sept 5-

Checkout day! I planned for the Bon Voyage breakfast @ 10:30 before we head out—thought it would be a nice way to end things.


We also have the ability to go to Blizzard Beach 1 day (it was from the TA) but I can’t see fitting it in..? Would we only need a few hours for BB?

I greatly appreciate any feedback from the board members! Thank y'all so much!

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Looks good! Only thing I see is the day with your PPO at GG, you can RD Soarin after and use the tier 1 FP you have for it for something else. You could do a water park on your MNSSHP day. And you don’t have any FPs for your first park day yet? Make them soon if not. Sounds like s good plan overall! Have fun! Also, try to make time to enjoy Stormalong bay!

 

[sharonabe]

Thurs, Aug 30-

Main Epcot day with EMH and opening of F&W. Currently have 8:00am ADR for Garden Grill which I’m looking to push later in the morning, otherwise we’ll be sure to do all the minor future world attractions the previous day. Current FPs: 10:05am Soarin, 11:05am Spaceship Earth. We’ll eat around the world for the rest of the day.

Is this an early EMH or late EMH day? If it's early, I think I would try for a lunch ADR at GG. With your two days here, you've got most of the big stuff covered except for Test Trak. I would want to use early EMH for that and not be eating for that golden hour.

Sat, Sept 1-

Main AK day with EMH. Trying to rope drop FOP and Navi before ADR for Tusker House @ 10:20. (Possible?) Current FPs: Killi Safaris 11:20, Kali 2:05, EE 3:05. Can’t wait to try the pods at Satu’Ii, and husband and Ducky want Flame Tree BBQ. I feel like we might need another day or half?

If you don't find another time for AK, you'll have to flip a coin on where to eat. You could go to AK on your first day after EP. Maybe see Lion King or Nemo, do a late safari just before dusk, then head to Pandora to see it in the evening and have dinner. You might even luck out with a shortish wait for Na'vi so you don't have to do that on your EMH morning. AND if you stay all the way to closing, get in line for FOP about 15 min before close! You may still wait 45 min or so, but it's worth it.

 

[DaniMoon]

I agree, I would keep the PPO at GG and go right to Soarin when you are done. I would switch to a Test Track FP. Ooops, Edited -- if it's an 8am EMH this doesn't work

We rope dropped FOP several times last year. If you get there early enough you should be able to do both rides before your Tusker House ADR. They have been opening AK earlier than posted, so keep an eye out on that. We will be there in August (15-28). Keep looking for FOP FPs, they released a bunch at the end of June, so maybe they will dump some more into the system the end of July??? It could happen

 

[crazylady]

Looks good! On the 29th, I would go to HS over MK in the evening, maybe after some pool time. Your plan seems to be a little light on HS if you don't do that.

One note on riding the monorail from MK to Epcot for dinner, tgat ends up being alot of walking. The world showcase restaurants seem really far away from the front of the park if you are hot, tired and hungry. You might consider taking the bus to BC to rest a bit before headinf to world showcase.

 

[Alesia]

My responses are in red.

Hello all!

My family's first Disney trip is fast approaching, and honestly the realty of how much planning there really is has hit me hard. I've done my best so far to get a general plan going, but I'd appreciate it if those of y'all with more experience take a look at it to see where I could improve or if I'm making any rookie mistakes. I've changed things several times while trying to work with the availability I have, but I'm not quite sure if I'm doing a good job. The last thing I want is to load us up too much and tire us out too soon. It's me, my husband, and our daughter who's 9. Hubby and I are night owls, but Ducky rises at the crack of dawn and can stay up til about 10 before crashing.

We have 6 park hopper ticket days, plus a bonus to go to BB, TL, or one of the mini golfs. We're scheduled for 1 MNSSHP.

Tues, Aug 28-

Arrival via car at Beach Club, freshen up, hit Disney Springs for daughter’s ear hat/browsing and dinner at Earl of Sandwich.

Wed, Aug 29-

0805 Akershus Princess Breakfast then straight into FEA and Ana and Elsa’s M&G. Perhaps do some of future world w/o FPs, because I’d like for us to hop to either HS or MK and use FPs there, but I can’t decide which. (Will MK be more crowded d/t the later hours?)

Yes, MK will be more crowded. I would pick DHS

Thurs, Aug 30-

Main Epcot day with EMH and opening of F&W. Currently have 8:00am ADR for Garden Grill which I’m looking to push later in the morning, otherwise we’ll be sure to do all the minor future world attractions the previous day. Current FPs: 10:05am Soarin, 11:05am Spaceship Earth. We’ll eat around the world for the rest of the day.

If it's morning EMH, ditch the breakfast.

Fri, Aug 31-

Main MK day with EMH (park should also be less crowded d/t MNSSHP, yes?). Current FPs: Splash Mtn 9:15am, BTMR 10:15, Peter 11:40. Hoping to then be able to book more. Would like to do the main things in Adventureland, Frontierland, and Fantasyland if possible. Dying to try a dole whip! Lunch at Peco Bill’s or Columbia Harbor House. Want to try to take monorail from MK to Epcot and eat in the World before heading back to hotel.

Sounds good! I would eat in the world Showcase every day if I could.

Sat, Sept 1-

Main AK day with EMH. Trying to rope drop FOP and Navi before ADR for Tusker House @ 10:20. (Possible?) Current FPs: Killi Safaris 11:20, Kali 2:05, EE 3:05. Can’t wait to try the pods at Satu’Ii, and husband and Ducky want Flame Tree BBQ. I feel like we might need another day or half?

If you're willing to show up an hour before the park opens, you should be able to ride FoP and NRJ in about 30 minutes or so. If you get there right when the park opens, plan on more like 2 hours.

Why don't you send your husband and daughter to flame tree while you pick up what you want at Satu'li Canteen and then you can meet them at flame tree. There's no need to choose between the two

Sun, Sept 2-

MK. ADR at CP for 9:15am. Current FPs: Buzz 10:35am, Space Mtn 11:45, 7DMT 5:30pm.

I would try to move those fastpasses earlier. I like to book them from around 10 am through 1 pm. You can't get extra fastpasses until you use the first three,so you're really cutting down on the number you can get by scheduling them so late.

Mon, Sept 3-

Resort day and MNSSHP. Cape May ADR @ 9:15 then enjoying Stormalong Bay until our 2:30 ADR @ Beaches n’ Cream. Then get ready and head to MK for the party! (Main priority there is Jack and Sally)

Keep in mind that people will be lining up for Jack and Sally at 4:00. They don't start meeting until 7:00.

Tues, Sept 4-

Do our favorites! We do have a FP for SDD @ 10:05am (it was the only SDD time I could get).

Wed, Sept 5-

Checkout day! I planned for the Bon Voyage breakfast @ 10:30 before we head out—thought it would be a nice way to end things.


We also have the ability to go to Blizzard Beach 1 day (it was from the TA) but I can’t see fitting it in..? Would we only need a few hours for BB?

A few hours are sufficient if you go right when the park opens or later in the evening. Avoid going mid-afternoon.

I greatly appreciate any feedback from the board members! Thank y'all so much!

 

[MomOTwins]

Adding my thoughts in bold:

****************

Tues, Aug 28-

Arrival via car at Beach Club, freshen up, hit Disney Springs for daughter’s ear hat/browsing and dinner at Earl of Sandwich.
If I were you I'd try to sneak in a short swim either immediately when you arrive or at night after Disney Springs. You are going to want to try out that pool once you and DD see it! Also, unless you really like Earl of Sandwich, I personally prefer to avoid fast food options at Disney that you can get elsewhere because there are so many awesome dining options unique to Disney.

Wed, Aug 29-

0805 Akershus Princess Breakfast then straight into FEA and Ana and Elsa’s M&G. Perhaps do some of future world w/o FPs, because I’d like for us to hop to either HS or MK and use FPs there, but I can’t decide which. (Will MK be more crowded d/t the later hours?)
Good plan - I vote MK. Even though it will be crowded, there is more to do there than HS, and since you will be in Future World when you are ready to leave it is easier to get on the monorail than hike all the way back to international gateway for a boat to HS.

Thurs, Aug 30-

Main Epcot day with EMH and opening of F&W. Currently have 8:00am ADR for Garden Grill which I’m looking to push later in the morning, otherwise we’ll be sure to do all the minor future world attractions the previous day. Current FPs: 10:05am Soarin, 11:05am Spaceship Earth. We’ll eat around the world for the rest of the day.
Why only two FPs? You need to exhaust three FPs before you can book another Tier One FP, so I would make a 9am one somewhere (e.g. living with the land) just to burn it and be able to try to book Test Track as your fourth FP after spaceship earth.

Fri, Aug 31-

Main MK day with EMH (park should also be less crowded d/t MNSSHP, yes?). Current FPs: Splash Mtn 9:15am, BTMR 10:15, Peter 11:40. Hoping to then be able to book more. Would like to do the main things in Adventureland, Frontierland, and Fantasyland if possible. Dying to try a dole whip! Lunch at Peco Bill’s or Columbia Harbor House. Want to try to take monorail from MK to Epcot and eat in the World before heading back to hotel.
Good plan. No comments.

Sat, Sept 1-

Main AK day with EMH. Trying to rope drop FOP and Navi before ADR for Tusker House @ 10:20. (Possible?) Current FPs: Killi Safaris 11:20, Kali 2:05, EE 3:05. Can’t wait to try the pods at Satu’Ii, and husband and Ducky want Flame Tree BBQ. I feel like we might need another day or half?
Rope drop strategy seems fine. I would move up Kali and EE earlier. That is kind of a long time between FPs. I would do the pods as an early afternoon snack and dinner at Flame Tree.

Sun, Sept 2-

MK. ADR at CP for 9:15am. Current FPs: Buzz 10:35am, Space Mtn 11:45, 7DMT 5:30pm.

CP ADR seems a bit early as it will take up the first hour after park opening, which is prime touring time at MK--especially since you are losing out on FP ability virtually all day because of the 7DMT time slot. I would try to switch to pre-park opening or a later brunch. And keep checking for an earlier 7DMT time.

Mon, Sept 3-

Resort day and MNSSHP. Cape May ADR @ 9:15 then enjoying Stormalong Bay until our 2:30 ADR @ Beaches n’ Cream. Then get ready and head to MK for the party! (Main priority there is Jack and Sally)
Sounds awesome.

Tues, Sept 4-

Do our favorites! We do have a FP for SDD @ 10:05am (it was the only SDD time I could get).
Sounds good but again, book all three FPs. Unless you are planning to park hop right after SDD, there is no reason not to get three HS FPs in advance.

Wed, Sept 5-

Checkout day! I planned for the Bon Voyage breakfast @ 10:30 before we head out—thought it would be a nice way to end things.
Perfect!

 

[Carla1183]

Sounds good! I was dying to try Satu'li and my family is not as adventurous. With the MDE ordering it was no problem for me to order in advance when we were over there, eat while they hung out in Pandora, and then we all walked to Flame Tree together on our way to the next thing. Like PP said, if its just the pods you want those would be a great snack another time of day too! No need to do one or the other.

 

[KittyKitty]

Main AK day with EMH. Trying to rope drop FOP and Navi before ADR for Tusker House @ 10:20. (Possible?)

You may know this, but be at the gate at AK at least 45 min.-1 hr before opening. The gates usually open 30-45 minutes early. You walk to a bridge. Then they start taking ppl to the FoP right about 15 prior to opening(rope drop).This could save your an hour in line.

Your itinerary looks good. Do you plan on being at the parks during early EMH? If so, what rides do you plan to do during those hours?

 

[tbre1982]

On Friday 8/31 Your fast passes are pretty early during a time you may not need them.

If you get there at park opening you should be able to ride btmr and splash with very minimal wait...then save the fast passes for later in the day

Or go to fantasy land right at opening and bang out a ton of quick short rides with minimal wait, again saving your fastpasses for 11/12/1 or 12/1/2.

 

[glassslippergirl]

The big thing that jumped out to me is that your days are without breaks. WDW days are hard and long. I try to plan the day in two parts— morning and evening with a break at the hotel in between. Even if it’s just an hour or so, you will feel better. If your DD doesn’t want to nap or rest, you can spend some down time at the pool.

I also notice that you do not have plans to attend the evening fireworks shows at the various parks. In my honest opinion, these are not to be missed. I know you said your DD crashes around 10, but most shows are over by then, and she can sleep on the ride back to the hotel.

Based on DD crashing at 10 usually, plan nap time on your MNSSHP day.

Finally, Touring Plans has a YouTube video where the host does FOP and Navi at RD. Check it out for the tips.

Have a good trip.

 

[Ducky'sMom]

WOW! Thank you all so much for all the advice!! I'm a little wiped from work now, but I'll reply as I can.

The big thing that jumped out to me is that your days are without breaks. WDW days are hard and long. I try to plan the day in two parts— morning and evening with a break at the hotel in between. Even if it’s just an hour or so, you will feel better. If your DD doesn’t want to nap or rest, you can spend some down time at the pool.

I also notice that you do not have plans to attend the evening fireworks shows at the various parks. In my honest opinion, these are not to be missed. I know you said your DD crashes around 10, but most shows are over by then, and she can sleep on the ride back to the hotel.

Yes, having room for breaks was something I was worried about! (Hence the gap in FPs on the AK day) As for the fireworks, I honestly haven't looked at times for them or the parades yet. Work has made me behind on my touring planning!

Adding my thoughts in bold:
Sun, Sept 2-

MK. ADR at CP for 9:15am. Current FPs: Buzz 10:35am, Space Mtn 11:45, 7DMT 5:30pm.

CP ADR seems a bit early as it will take up the first hour after park opening, which is prime touring time at MK--especially since you are losing out on FP ability virtually all day because of the 7DMT time slot. I would try to switch to pre-park opening or a later brunch. And keep checking for an earlier 7DMT time.

Yeah that day I had planned to be more leisurely since we usually aren't early risers. 7DMT's just happened to be the earliest I could get at the time (but I am still looking!)

One note on riding the monorail from MK to Epcot for dinner, that ends up being a lot of walking. The world showcase restaurants seem really far away from the front of the park if you are hot, tired and hungry. You might consider taking the bus to BC to rest a bit before headinf to world showcase.

Good point-- I had thought taking the monorail would be a fun way to travel between the parks, but you're right about how long it would be to walk through all of future world just to get to the beginning of world showcase. At least with the bus to BC, we'd end up at world showcase.

 

[Alesia]

Good point-- I had thought taking the monorail would be a fun way to travel between the parks, but you're right about how long it would be to walk through all of future world just to get to the beginning of world showcase. At least with the bus to BC, we'd end up at world showcase.

The walk from the front of the park to the world Showcase is pretty much the same distance as walking through the Beach club to the world Showcase. Your original plan is basically the same amount of walking and will be faster than taking the bus. It's the better plan if you aren't planning on stopping for a rest

 

[Wild4Walt]

Great plan and very well thought out. I noticed you did your FPs in the relatively same area so you don't have to criss-cross around the park. Love it!

 

[maryj11]

Wow you did really well planning your first trip! I'm impressed . There are only a few things I see that might need some thought.
On your Epcot day I would try to get a later breakfast at Garden Grill if this is the morning extra magic hours day. That hour before the park opens to the public will be the best time to ride rides. I would also get a 3rd fastpass. Living with the Land is a nice ride. We really like it. We always get FP for it and Soarin and put them back to back since they are close to each other.
MK will be more crowded on a day they have night extra magic hours. Since you have hoppers you could go there and hop if it is to crowded for you.
One more thing is if you rope drop FOP you will need to arrive about an hour before park opening to be at the front of the line. If not you will end up having a long wait. Navi is not a problem getting on right at opening but everyone heads to FOP.