Would love help planning first park day (MK)

[DIS_AWC]

I'm so grateful for all of the wonderful advice I've gotten so far since joining the boards!

Let me start by saying that I am a total Type A planner by nature, but I'm trying very hard to plan some parts of our trip and leave room for flexibility and spontaneity.

We'll be traveling down to WDW for the very first time over the first week of September. There will be 4 adults and my two daughters, aged 5.75 and almost 3 at the time of the trip.

We arrive on Tuesday 9/1 in the late afternoon and we'll be spending that afternoon/evening getting settled at the Wilderness Lodge.

Our first day at the parks will be Wed 9/2 and we're planning to go to MK. We're all very early risers - at home if my girls sleep until 6:30 that is considered sleeping in! So our plan is to do the majority of our best park time in the mornings.

We're also planning to do character meals on that day - a breakfast or brunch at Chef Mickey's and the Cinderella dinner at 1900 Park Fare. I've sketched out two ideas for how the first day could go and I'd love any advice, especially from families with young kids who have been to MK in the hotter months.

Plan 1
Breakfast at Chef Mickey's @ 7:20 am
Morning at MK
QS park lunch
More park time, including the parade at 3
Early dinner at 1900 Park Fare @ 4:30 pm
Back to resort for early bedtime

Plan 2
QS early breakfast at WL
MK for rope drop
Monorail to Chef Mickey's for mid-day break @ 12:45
Back to WL for naps/pool time
Later dinner at 1900 Park Fare @ 7:45 pm
Back to resort for bed

Plan 1 is ambitious considering that my younger daughter does still take a nap most days. She will sleep in the stroller sometimes, so with the busy morning and the heat she would likely do that at MK. We will be going to MK a second day during our trip, so if we went with Plan 2 then we would definitely stay for the parade on the second visit.

Also adding that our second park day will be a relaxed half-day at Epcot, starting with a 9:15 breakfast at Akershus, so if the girls slept in a bit later because of the later bedtime in Plan 2, it wouldn't necessarily disrupt a super early morning plan for the next day.

I still have a few weeks before I can set up fast passes, which could also influence the plan. The Holy Grail of FP - Anna and Elsa - is a must-get for us, so times available for that could change all of this.

I'd love to hear people's opinions/advice. Thank you!

 

[barbliny]

Plan 2 - I am a huge believer in taking a mid-day break especially with very young children on hot days.

Since this is your first trip and first day - I wouldn't plan on being in the MK for a full day with no breaks. You don't know how your girls will react to the park and once a child is pushed to the brink at WDW, there is no stopping the free-fall that is about to happen. I have seen some pretty big meltdowns (physically and emotionally) walking through the parks in the late afternoon (I've even had some ).

 

[Lucius Best]

If you're a planner and have morning people with you and going in September, you should have no problem seeing everything despite the heat. Should also have no problem getting FP+ for everything 60 days out.

Regarding Plan 1, there is a boat that runs between WL and Contemporary, but I have no idea when it starts running in the morning. Note also, you can walk between MK and CR (5-10 minutes), the resort monorail runs clockwise, so if you take the monorail from CR to MK, you are making 3 stops along the way (TTC, Poly, GF). From MK, the CR is the first stop. So you might have a problem getting to Chef Mickey's that early, and that place gets very busy so then you are probably missing rope drop (which is closer to 8:45am on a 9am opening day).

For those reasons, and the lack of a break, I would choose Plan 2. You can get a ton of rides done at rope drop, you could use your 3 FP+ around 10am/11am/12pm. Note that FPs have one hour return windows that cannot overlap, you can return 5 minutes early and possibly 15 minutes late, and FPs can overlap with ADRs. Monorail to Chef Mickey's for lunch, would be a good break during the hot crowded afternoon. Then there is room for spontaneity after lunch: pool break, or nap break, or back to park for afternoon for those who want to. People who wanted to return to MK after lunch could get 4th FP at kiosks before Chef Mickey's. Note also that for 1900 Park Fare there is no direct way to get from WL to GF unless you have a car. Would need to boat (or bus) from WL to MK, then different boat or monorail to GF. Or boat to CR, then monorail to GF.

 

[nat8199]

Your Day #1 is exactly how we tour, and our kids are very similar ages. We wake up early, do a pre-park ADR, explore the park all day, do a 5:30 dinner, then back to bed for the kids. It worked really well for us in 2013 and I am really looking forward to it in Sept. This way our kids stick as close to their normal bedtimes as possible (6:30/7pm to 6am). There is simply no way we could do a late dinner, though, not with them getting up so early in the morning.

 

[nat8199]

Oh, and we did a 7:20 ADR at Chef's in 2013 and had not problem making it to RD at MK.

 

[DIS_AWC]

Plan 2 - I am a huge believer in taking a mid-day break especially with very young children on hot days.

Since this is your first trip and first day - I wouldn't plan on being in the MK for a full day with no breaks. You don't know how your girls will react to the park and once a child is pushed to the brink at WDW, there is no stopping the free-fall that is about to happen. I have seen some pretty big meltdowns (physically and emotionally) walking through the parks in the late afternoon (I've even had some ).

Thank you for weighing in! My gut has definitely been telling me to go with Plan 2 because I just know everyone (the girls, especially, but even my parents!) would be happier with a mid-day rest built in to the first day. I'm a little concerned for myself at the parks honestly - I'm a bit of an introvert and tend to get overwhelmed by crowds, but we want to do this for our princess-obsessed girls so I'm going to put on my brave face! Our second visit to MK will be on our third park day of the trip (a short day at Epcot in between), so I think by then we could probably build up to staying for the 3:00 parade, which we all really want to see.

 

[DIS_AWC]

If you're a planner and have morning people with you and going in September, you should have no problem seeing everything despite the heat. Should also have no problem getting FP+ for everything 60 days out.

Regarding Plan 1, there is a boat that runs between WL and Contemporary, but I have no idea when it starts running in the morning. Note also, you can walk between MK and CR (5-10 minutes), the resort monorail runs clockwise, so if you take the monorail from CR to MK, you are making 3 stops along the way (TTC, Poly, GF). From MK, the CR is the first stop. So you might have a problem getting to Chef Mickey's that early, and that place gets very busy so then you are probably missing rope drop (which is closer to 8:45am on a 9am opening day).

For those reasons, and the lack of a break, I would choose Plan 2. You can get a ton of rides done at rope drop, you could use your 3 FP+ around 10am/11am/12pm. Note that FPs have one hour return windows that cannot overlap, you can return 5 minutes early and possibly 15 minutes late, and FPs can overlap with ADRs. Monorail to Chef Mickey's for lunch, would be a good break during the hot crowded afternoon. Then there is room for spontaneity after lunch: pool break, or nap break, or back to park for afternoon for those who want to. People who wanted to return to MK after lunch could get 4th FP at kiosks before Chef Mickey's. Note also that for 1900 Park Fare there is no direct way to get from WL to GF unless you have a car. Would need to boat (or bus) from WL to MK, then different boat or monorail to GF. Or boat to CR, then monorail to GF.

Thank you so much for all of the info on traveling to and from the WL! I am still getting a grasp on how we get from points A to points B and how long it may take, so when people share their knowledge and experience about that it really helps budget in travel time and think about the convenience of getting around!

My gut definitely tells me to go with Plan 2.

 

[DIS_AWC]

Oh, and we did a 7:20 ADR at Chef's in 2013 and had not problem making it to RD at MK.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! It's helpful to hear that you've had success with your young kids doing a long day at the park. And very helpful to hear that you had no problems getting to rope drop after a 7:20 breakfast at CM. I know my girls would love to see the welcome show on one of the MK days, so I'd like to try and make that happen. I know we have to be there very early for the chance to see that though.

 

[JZCubed]

Thank you!

If you get bored, and can afford the expense, the few hours in MK on arrival night might go a long way to accomplishing your 'must-do' list.

No way for Plan #1 - breakfast that makes you rush is a waste of time. If you had breakfast at Cinderella's Table or Crystal Palace to beat rope drop, that would make sense, but not Chef Mickey's - people underestimate time and energy (particularly for young children) getting from place to place.

Anyway, Plan #2 (with suggestions/comments):
--Even if everyone awakes early, your goal to be at rope drop for 8:20 (assuming a 9am open) and that means leaving Wilderness Lodge by 7:20am. Take some time to gather yourselves, it's gonna' be a long day. QS should charge your batteries fine.
--Rope Drop. Yes, arrive by 8:20 to be at front of line. Arrive much later and you save little time. Now you're appreciating the smaller QS breakfast.
--12:45 seems a bit early for Chef Mickey's. If Mickey & friends are necessary, Tusker House on your AK day is an alternative.
--Two sit-down meals can be too much for some young children - unless you know Characters will make a difference. My child (now 6 y.o.) has enjoyed Camps for a few years already, she'd rather relax with 'friends' instead of having another meal with adults. Characters would not change her mind, but the Characters at 1900 Park Fare for dinner just might. But a 2nd sit down at 7:45pm after getting up early….you know you're family best….so,
--Cinderella's Royal Table is not much more expensive than 1900 Park Fare, and you get more MK time.
--No matter where you dine for dinner on Monorail line - have you considered the time of the Fireworks at MK and how they impact plans?
--Wilderness Lodge has a Kids Camp and makes a date-nite at Artists Point all the more easy.

 

[DIS_AWC]

If you get bored, and can afford the expense, the few hours in MK on arrival night might go a long way to accomplishing your 'must-do' list.

No way for Plan #1 - breakfast that makes you rush is a waste of time. If you had breakfast at Cinderella's Table or Crystal Palace to beat rope drop, that would make sense, but not Chef Mickey's - people underestimate time and energy (particularly for young children) getting from place to place.

Anyway, Plan #2 (with suggestions/comments):
--Even if everyone awakes early, your goal to be at rope drop for 8:20 (assuming a 9am open) and that means leaving Wilderness Lodge by 7:20am. Take some time to gather yourselves, it's gonna' be a long day. QS should charge your batteries fine.
--Rope Drop. Yes, arrive by 8:20 to be at front of line. Arrive much later and you save little time. Now you're appreciating the smaller QS breakfast.
--12:45 seems a bit early for Chef Mickey's. If Mickey & friends are necessary, Tusker House on your AK day is an alternative.
--Two sit-down meals can be too much for some young children - unless you know Characters will make a difference. My child (now 6 y.o.) has enjoyed Camps for a few years already, she'd rather relax with 'friends' instead of having another meal with adults. Characters would not change her mind, but the Characters at 1900 Park Fare for dinner just might. But a 2nd sit down at 7:45pm after getting up early….you know you're family best….so,
--Cinderella's Royal Table is not much more expensive than 1900 Park Fare, and you get more MK time.
--No matter where you dine for dinner on Monorail line - have you considered the time of the Fireworks at MK and how they impact plans?
--Wilderness Lodge has a Kids Camp and makes a date-nite at Artists Point all the more easy.

Thank you so much for weighing in with your experience and advice!

Our flight lands at 4 in the afternoon, so I think by the time we get to WL via the Magical Express the kids will be too tired from a day of travel to head out to the parks.

For plan 2 we would definitely plan to be at MK by 8:15 or so.

Our trip only includes four days in the parks and we knew we wanted to do two of those days at MK. We all got to cast a vote on how to spend the other two days and Epcot and HS came out as the winners, so we aren't going to AK on this visit. I have heard wonderful things about Tusker House though!

We booked this trip well after the 180-day window, so unfortunately at this time there are no CRT reservations to be found. We figure with 1900 PF dinner and Akershus breakfast the girls should get their fill of dining with the princesses.

I don't think we'll be able to keep the girls awake late enough to see the fireworks, unfortunately. I'm hoping that maybe on the last day of our trip, which we're spending at HS, we could somehow get them rested enough to be able to see the Frozen Fireworks that night. But we're going into the trip assuming we won't be able to see any fireworks this time around (or maybe my husband and I could plan to see them after the girls have gone to bed).

I'm always trying to keep in mind that this is our very first trip and I'm sure we'll be planning future trips that will allow us to experience more as the girls get older.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

We had a 3 year old in tow last year and plan 2 would absolutely be our plan of attack. The only thing is I wouldn't monorail to Chef Mickey's, I'd walk. If you have a stroller napper, I'd leave the MK by 12 and maybe she'll fall asleep on the walk, where there is very little to stimulate them. Had no luck getting my son to sleep in the park, but that walk to CR was a life saver. Also that mid day break is what made us hanging around to see Wishes possible.

 

[caroline1851]

Without a doubt, #2. Don't waste the morning (cooler, low crowds) potentially being stuck longer than expected at a breakfast.

 

[JZCubed]

Thank you so much for weighing in with your experience and advice!

Our flight lands at 4 in the afternoon, so I think by the time we get to WL via the Magical Express the kids will be too tired from a day of travel to head out to the parks.

For plan 2 we would definitely plan to be at MK by 8:15 or so.

Our trip only includes four days in the parks and we knew we wanted to do two of those days at MK. We all got to cast a vote on how to spend the other two days and Epcot and HS came out as the winners, so we aren't going to AK on this visit. I have heard wonderful things about Tusker House though!

We booked this trip well after the 180-day window, so unfortunately at this time there are no CRT reservations to be found. We figure with 1900 PF dinner and Akershus breakfast the girls should get their fill of dining with the princesses.

I don't think we'll be able to keep the girls awake late enough to see the fireworks, unfortunately. I'm hoping that maybe on the last day of our trip, which we're spending at HS, we could somehow get them rested enough to be able to see the Frozen Fireworks that night. But we're going into the trip assuming we won't be able to see any fireworks this time around (or maybe my husband and I could plan to see them after the girls have gone to bed).

I'm always trying to keep in mind that this is our very first trip and I'm sure we'll be planning future trips that will allow us to experience more as the girls get older.

Even with our well-seasoned Disney daughter, late nights are difficult.

We used to plan like you - not expecting nighttime activities.

Seems as if you've given plenty of thought to your plans.

That's the most important thing - having some type of plan.

You know your family best.

Enjoy your vacation!!

 

[DIS_AWC]

We had a 3 year old in tow last year and plan 2 would absolutely be our plan of attack. The only thing is I wouldn't monorail to Chef Mickey's, I'd walk. If you have a stroller napper, I'd leave the MK by 12 and maybe she'll fall asleep on the walk, where there is very little to stimulate them. Had no luck getting my son to sleep in the park, but that walk to CR was a life saver. Also that mid day break is what made us hanging around to see Wishes possible.

Thank you so much for sharing your advice! I can completely see how it would be hard for even the most tired toddler to nap at MK while surrounded by so much noise and exciting stuff to look at, so I have low expectations for my daughter napping in her stroller. It's very helpful to hear that most folks with young kids recommend a break in the middle of the day so no one melts down.

 

[DIS_AWC]

Without a doubt, #2. Don't waste the morning (cooler, low crowds) potentially being stuck longer than expected at a breakfast.

That makes sense for sure. I originally thought it would be great to start the trip right off with a bang seeing Mickey and his friends at the CM breakfast, but after thinking it through and hearing other people's opinions I definitely think we'll switch to the later brunch there instead. It will be super exciting for all of us to be at rope drop for our first day ever in the parks.

 

[Ladcassidy]

Even with naptime and an afternoon break, schedule your dinner earlier than 7:45, unless that's the time you usually feed your kids at home.

 

[DIS_AWC]

Even with naptime and an afternoon break, schedule your dinner earlier than 7:45, unless that's the time you usually feed your kids at home.

I do hope I'll be able to! Unfortunately the only reservation options available to me booking later than 180 days were the 4:45 early option or the 7:45 late option, which is what set these plans into motion at the start. I'm checking every day and hoping something closer to 6:30/7 will open up as the trip gets closer, although I know that's the most popular dinner time slot.

 

[Ladcassidy]

My DD7 is toast by the end of a Disney day. We made the mistake of skipping our afternoon break . . . once . . . never again. We would probably opt for the 4:45 time slot over the bedtime slot. That said, keep looking for your preferred time. Availability changes daily, but especially at 60 days out (after people choose their FP+), 45 days out (when they pay for packages), and 1-2 days out (when they face cancellation penalties). Good luck!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Threads asking for trip planning help are now moved to the trip report board?

 

[Gracefulskinny]

Either plan is sound and I would say you know your kids best Here are the things that I see as potential problems in either plans.

Later dinner at 1900 Park Fare @ 7:45 pm

Keep in mind that these meals run long. Bare minimum of a hour and half. Add in an hour and a half after to get back to your resort and you are looking at a late night. In Early may our reservation was for 7:30 and we didn't finish dinner till around 9 and didn't get to bed until after 10 pm. It worked for us because we have a night owl but if your girls are early birds I could see some melting happening.

Plan 1
More park time, including the parade at 3

Standing around for that parade can get everyone hot and dehydrated quickly hanging around on your first day of the trip to watch the parade my concern will be that you will not have adjusted to the extreme humidity yet and won't yet be familiar with its effects on the littles. (FLorida Humidity is its own devil that comes with a learning curve. Even as a born and raised southerner FL humidity can catch me off guard at the beginning of a trip.)

My gut says Plan one with maybe considering dropping the Chef Mickey's and focusing on some cool down restful attractions right after lunch. (Peoplemover and carousel of Progress together make for a wonderful rest)