Would Anyone Like To Cast Their Expert Eye Over The First Draft Of My Plan? (LONG)

[Korbs]

I know I'm a bit early but i couldn't wait to get started, so i thought i'd start planning what to do each day and when the actual times and stuff come out it can be tweaked. Any better idea's or tips, please let me know. The general idea is that when doing the disney parks, we'll do the EMH park first thing and then hop over to a quieter park in the afternoon, with possibly a break depending on how we feel.

We will be there monday, sept 6th to monday, sept 20th. Going will be myself (21 over there), DBF (24), DM (45), DSF (55), DB (16) and DB (8). My DM and DSF will probably not do EMH and meet us in the afternoon on these days.

Before i start, I know this plan looks very hectic, but as far as we're concerned, we can rest when we get back home and if anyone is tired they can go back for a rest. It is flexible.

By the way, we don't have a car, so if we're at on I Drive, we're staying there all day. It's not possible to go backwards and forwards and i want to try and eat as much as poss on I Drive as it would be cheaper than Disney.

Mon 6th
Day = Flying from UK. Arrive approx 5.30pm.
Eve = Settle in and look round hotel, (AKL). DTD for dinner and possibly an hour or two in DQ. Depends how tired we are.

Tues 7th (long day)
Day = Brekkie on I Drive. Spend day at Islands Of Adventure.
Eve = Dinner on I Drive, (I'm leaning towards Bahama Breeze), maybe a quick look around Pointe Orlando after.

Wed 8th
AM = EMH at Epcot
PM = Magic Kingdom
Eve = Based on past hours MK will close quite early, so maybe have dinner at one of the resorts and back to the hotel for a reasonably early night. Any suggestions for a resort to eat at?

Thurs 9th (rest day)
Day = Spend most, if not all day at Blizzard Beach.
Eve = DtD and DQ

Fri 10th (MY 21ST BIRTHDAY)
AM = EMH at Animal Kingdom (only a 1/2 day park for us)
PM = Hotel Pool
Eve = Early dinner at Boardwalk followed by illuminations cruise (hopefully i'll be able to snag one). I'm thinking maybe Jellyroll's after (and i'll be able to have a drink) (i was shocked last birthday, I completely forgot about the 21 age thing in the USA), unless anyone came recommend somewhere else.

Sat 11th
Day = Discovery Cove - this is not booked yet, i put it there so there was a free day if i decided in the next few months that i wanted to do it, i could fit it in. I've more or less convinced myself it is worth the $ (and it is my birthday holiday). This will be just me and DBF. Mum and the boys will probably have a day off. (they'll be exhausted)

Sun 12th (shopping day)
AM = Character Breakfast (Recommendations?) and start off at the Premium outlets.
PM = Make a start on Belz.
Eve = Dinner on I Drive

Mon 13th
Day = Seaworld
Eve = Dinner at the Boardwalk

Tues 14th
AM = EMH at MGM
PM = Typhoon Lagoon or Hotel Pool
Eve = DTD for dinner, maybe Pleasure Island?

Wed 15th
AM = Typhoon Lagoon/Blizzard Beach?
PM = MGM
Eve = Fantasmic, maybe dinner in MGM?

Thurs 16th
Day = Busch Gardens - it's in here in case we want it but we're not sure if we want to go this time.
Eve = Dinner on I Drive

Fri 17th
Day = Universal Studios
Eve = Dinner at Citywalk

Sat 18th (shopping day)
AM = Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores - never been, any good? is there a bus to these?
PM = Belz and maybe revisit Premium Outlets
Eve = Dinner on I Drive

Sun 19th
AM = EMH at Magic Kingdom
PM = Epcot (WS)
Eve = Dinner at Epcot

Mon 20th
AM = revisit any parks and poss an hour in the pool or water park for the day.
PM = Fly home late afternoon.


So, what do you think. Any better ideas? Any input greatly appreciated!

Thanks
Karina

 

[XStAnt]

I think it looks pretty good, as long as you're willing to stay flexible (as you say you are). For example, I think you may want some more time in the Disney parks. But, you have options. On Tues the 14th and Wed the 15th you have time scheduled in the water parks. This will be your second and third water parks days. I tend to think you only need one day at each water park, although I realize you probably love them and might want to spend all week in them . If you find you need/want more park time I'd change one of those water park days to a park day.

If you're not renting a car how are you planning to get to Universal Stuios, IOA, Sea World, Discovery Cove, and the outlets. All those cabs could cost a lot of money. You may wish to think about renting a car, at least for a week or so. I know it will probably be expensive for someone from the UK b/c of the need to but insurance, but it may actually be cheaper than taking all those cabs. It certainly would be more convenient.

On Tues the 7th I'd skip breakfast on I-Drive and just eat at AKL. Head right to IOA without wasting any time.

What kind of park tickets do you have. With all your non-park days I hope you don't have UPHs!!

On Wed the 8th why not try 'Ohanas at the Poly for dinner. It's near MK and has great views at night.

Boy, it must be nice to spend 2 weeks in Orlando. I'm so jealous

Have a good time.

 

[Korbs]

Yes, the 14th and 15th can be easily switched round to other parks if we feel the need.

The reason we don't have a car is that my stepdad is an Isreali (maniac drivers, we want to come back alive!) , neither my mother or my boyfriend want to drive, so that leaves the only person willing is me and being under 25 (under 21 for the first part), the insurance is way too expensive. We will use busses to get to the universal parks and back, but maybe a taxi if it's too late for busses. We did this last year but the other way round as we stayed on I Drive, and had no problems.

Ohana's sound like a good idea. I really want to have a look at the poly, I've never seen it. Can you see any fireworks or anything from there?

Thanks for your reply.

 

[afsi3838]

YOu can see wishes from the beach at the poly. We had dinner at the poly then went to the beach to watch the fireworks, it was really nice and had a pretty good view. If you time it right, you can request to have a table by the windows so you can see the fireworks. Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

**You could always go to pleasure island for your 21st bday too. Also Citywalk may be fun.

 

[XStAnt]

If you get a window seat at 'Ohanas you can see the fireworks. I think they also pipe in the music, but I'm not sure.

Taking buses will be the cheapest way to get around, but not the easiest or most efficient. You can hire Mears to take you from the airport to your resort and also to the non-Disney parks. However, with a group your size it may make more sense to hire a limo. Obviously it will be more $$$ than a bus but it will take you from point A to point B without delays and additional stops. Buses will be hard to use. I'm pretty certain there isn't a direct bus from Dusney to Universal. That means delays because you will have to transfer at some place. America (especially Orlando) does not have the mass transit system like most European cities.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[dcmbshafe]

Another option for watching the MK fireworks would be to get a PS at California Grill for around 30 minutes prior to the show.

Also, just wanted to warn you that during that time in September, there are a plethora of "love bugs" everywhere...these are small winged insects that normally are attached in pairs (hence the term "love bugs")...they do not bite or sting, but they can be somewhat annoying - just be aware and you'll be fine. Also, make sure if you plan on taking food or beverages, to have a long containers that close.

 

[Korbs]

Originally posted by XStAnt


Taking buses will be the cheapest way to get around, but not the easiest or most efficient. You can hire Mears to take you from the airport to your resort and also to the non-Disney parks. However, with a group your size it may make more sense to hire a limo. Obviously it will be more $$$ than a bus but it will take you from point A to point B without delays and additional stops. Buses will be hard to use. I'm pretty certain there isn't a direct bus from Dusney to Universal. That means delays because you will have to transfer at some place. America (especially Orlando) does not have the mass transit system like most European cities.

Good luck and have fun.

We have transport to and from the airport, and with six of us it would be expensive to use mears to get to universal, which is why i mentioned a taxi (or towncar? What's the difference?). Anyone have a rough idea how much it would cost in a taxi? We had no problem last time transfering busses a couple of times each way, but my mum might not want to be bothered. If she was fed up with the busses though, she would probably just pay for a taxi for the convenience. Is it still the number 21 that goes to universal?