Would someone critique my agenda?

[iwritemax]

We are going next month on the 8th to WDW for the first time and staying at POR. Origianlly driving, we are now flying. I have done alot of reasearch on the boards and books so I have put together an agenda, but being that it is only head knowledge, I wonder how I did. Keep in mind, though it looks arbitrary perhaps, there is a reason for almost everything I did, including using EE mornings and considering the fact that MK fireworks are only shown on Wed and Sat when I am there (and I don't want to fight Sat crowds). We have a 7 day park hopper with 4 options.

Sunday-- tour resort, Downtown Disney
Monday-- Typhoon Lagoon, Chef Mickey's, Poly (water parade)*Note, we were going to originally arrive on Monday afternoon and I had made PSs at Chef Mickeys and have a good seating time, thus a NON PARK Day
Tuesday-- MK til it closes at 7
Wed --Epcot(EE), rest at resort, MK PM for fireworks/parade only
Thursday MK AM (EE), rest at resort ,PM MGM Fantasmic only
Friday MGM til about 6
Saturday--sleep in AK (about 1 PM), maybe Epcot later evening
Sunday MK AM, rest at resort, Epcot PM (if haven't seen Illuminations)
Monday AK(EE) AM, rest at resort, Boardwalk PM
Tuesday Blizzard Beach
Wed--flying home

I know alot of people have said maybe it is too much park hopping but truly, we will be traveling back to rest in the afternoon, what is the difference where you go back to in the evenings?

I would appreciate anyone's info. I want to be flexible but I made alot of good PS times that I know I can't get now (tried), like Liberty Tree Tavern at 4 on Tues, Rose and Crown 7:30 Sunday...anyway, a million thanks for anyone's input.

 

[IndyJammer]

How many people are you traveling with & what ages? (I assume you have at least one little one!)

Your plan looks pretty good - the only question I foresee is arriving at 1:00 to the AK on Saturday. The AK will probably close at 6:00 & you probably won't be able to get a lot done - that is the busiest time of the day & the animals are least active in the midday. But, you do have it planned to go again on EE, so you will probably be fine there too!

Hope that helps!

 

[DancingBear]

Personally, I can't imagine a seating time at Chef Mickey's that would keep me out of the parks on my first full day at WDW. Have you tried to move Chef Mickey's to your arrival day? Or switch to 1900 Park Fare? I'd much rather use the park off day to break up the week.

Your plan looks good. I agree with the comment that you might shoot to get to AK earlier on Saturday.

 

[erikthewise]

Basically it looks pretty sensible and relaxed. But I think maybe you have a little too much time scheduled for MK (unless you want to repeat a lot of rides), and not enough for Epcot and perhaps MGM. MGM is really more than a one-day park, and even two days in Epcot is not enough for some people. Just stay flexible from 2nd Sunday on and do what you feel like.

 

[spectro man]

I would try to move Chef Mickey's reservation and start your vacation with a BLAST! Hit a park for some R&R on day one.

Also, I wouldn't go to Downtown Disney right off the bat. Your first 2 days don't include a park visit.

I would recommend going to MK early and you will be IN THE MAGIC right away!!!

Remember to be flexible with your intinerary and NO BEE LINING to attractions. RELAX, & ENJOY the parks!!!


HAVE FUN

 

[Rneighh]

I agree my family would be crazy if we didn't do a park for two full days. You may have to switch everything if it rains on your water park days. I find DQ a good alternative on rainy water park days. I think you will find shopping at DD on the first day won't be as much fun as shopping on your last day.

Renee

 

[iwritemax]

Thank you all sooooo much! Yes, my plans went haywire when we decided to fly and flying a day earlier saved me about $200.00 so I couldn't resist....but before I had planned for MK on Tues after arrriving Monday and just never changed my agenda.

As for AK, I thought even if we went on Saturday just to get a feel for the place before EE Monday, when we make a beeline for KS I would feel more relaxed. I was hoping that the Sat. PM visit would allow leisure time, the parade and maybe one show and then we could leave by 1 or so on Monday.

BTW, sorry, I forgot to mention, DH and I will go with dd's aged 11 and 14.

I wish the fireworks/parade would be Monday and I could scrap Tues and Wed for the MK.

We are getting up at 4 AM on Sunday to drive 2 hours to the PIT airport and my logic was that by Monday that would catch up with us and we would need to chill out before we hit it hard.

I think maybe I put too much stock in these PSs, they are hampering me now!!!

Anyway...thanks again, I am very open to suggestions. I am trying to schedule relaxation time and remember to enjoy the vacation.

 

[Harambe]

I think you did quite well for planning on research only!

I think you are fine with the late arrival at AK on Saturday plus the EE at AK. As you said, this will allow you to see the parade. It's really fun!

You can get caught up in those PS's, can't you?!? Maybe take a look and decide if a PS is that important. Since you have two non-park days to schedule, it is ultimately better to stagger them throughout your stay. Luckily your kids are older, but you still need those relaxing times at your resort.

I love to plan PS's, but now always plan my days first, then fit the PS's in. Believe it or not, my favorite PS to have is one at our resort, midway thru our stay, for a quiet evening with an early bed time.

Anyway - you should be really proud of yourself!

 

[TRAPPED-PARENT]

I think you did pretty well; however, I agree you might want to visit a park on the first full day.

Again, keep an eye on the weather report and adjust your schedule accordingly. If you are planning on a water park late in your visit and then it rains you are SOL.

We have been to WDW as a family 9 times now and only just made one PS for dinner at O'Hana on a non-park day (great restaurant). I think I'm probably in the minority here, but I'm not a big believer in being tied to a reservation when visiting a theme/amusement park. There are too many variables in making sure that you are somewhere at a specific time. Plus, I don't like to "waste" the price of my entrance ticket sitting in a restaurant when there are so many nice ones available at the resorts on non-park days.

Like I said, I think I am in the minority with that opinion ... but that's what we follow and my kids, ages 17 & 18, still like to travel with us, so I think it is a strategy that works.

 

[Planogirl]

Whatever you decide to do during your first full day, I would keep the plans to visit Downtown Disney your first evening. This is a fun way to start off your trip plus you can go ahead and check out the souvenirs. You may even want to go back to Downtown Disney one evening if you have the energy since the shops stay open late.

I think your planning is really good. Just try to be flexible especially later on in your trip.

 

[iwritemax]

I really appreciate everyone's input. I am probably going to do Downtown Disney the first night since I thought it would be a fun boatride from POR and I truthfully don't plan to see the entire area, esp. Pleasure Island with the kids. As long as we get some atmosphere that is okay with me.

Well, I am rethinking Monday and maybe going to go to MK that day after all! If only they would have fireworks that night I would be able to skip my Wednesday evening visit. Do you think since it's the first day we should head back to POR mid day for a break of just go for it? I have a feeling on the first day we will be able to conquer the world, but maybe then and only then....lol

Does anyone think that parade/firework schedule will most likely change? I don't know how different the May schedule turned out to be as opposed to what was posted on the Disney web site.

Thanks again everyone. I just found this board last week! Love it!

 

[Dancind]

Not sure, but there might be an E-night at MK on your Tuesday or Friday nights. You should definately add that to your plans. I would second (or third) not going to DTD on Sunday. For some reason, DTD is wall-to-wall people on Sunday afternoon/evening. It's even hard to walk, much less find a place to eat. Diana

 

[iwritemax]

I never thought of the wall to wall people...hmm...that's something to consider.

I did make PSs at Rainforest Cafe at 6:30, I thought we would just do dessert. I will keep thinking on that one. Thanks.

I would also like to go to the Boardwalk one evening. Any ideas where that might fit in nicely?

 

[K and K's Mommy]

You could go to the Boardwalk on one of your Epcot nights. Just one more thought, you can always cancel a PS. Go ahead and make them, and then if you are having fun and far away from it, just cancel and do counter service. Also, we park hopped every day of our trip last week! I love to go to Epcot for dinner!

 

[WIcruizer]

The biggest thing I noticed were the days you're going to the MK. I may be wrong, but I think MK is open late on Wed, Sat and those are the nights of the electric light parade (or whatever they call it now). So you may want to switch a day around and plan to stay at MK late on Wed or Sat.

And two full days at MK sounds more than reasonable to me, we always do that. To each his own, we prefer a half day at Epcot. Test Track a couple times and then leisurely walk through the countries...that's enough for all of us.

 

[Dancind]

Just a note on the Rainforest Cafe, they are not good about seating you anywhere close to your PS time. We were there during slow season, and still waited 45 minutes for our PS. Never went back. I think they want to have you wait so you will buy something from their shop. Many other wonderful places to get dessert in WDW! Diana

 

[tar heel]

Given the ages of your kids, I think you have insufficient time planned for MGM. Many, if not most, kids that age are going to put ToT, RnRC and Millionaire among their absolute favorite attractions.

 

[DancingBear]

With the age of your kids, I don't think a mid-day trip back to the hotel is necessary, particularly on your first day; however, MK is open until 9 p.m. that Monday, so you'd have time to take some kind of break if you like. Maybe instead of returning to PO, you could leave MK and take the boat to WL and eat at Whispering Canyon Cafe, or to Kona at Poly or Grand Floridian Cafe at GF. Or have a relaxing sit-down meal at Liberty Tree Tavern.

 

[iwritemax]

Where is another good place to have dessert at DD?

Also, I was wondering if we could take breaks like you suggested in the parks rather than going back to POR every day or would those make of too long of days? I think we will need more of a break from the heat rather than naps.

 

[DancingBear]

Re breaks in the parks---we've found that a nice meal (in the A/C if during the warm months) helps recharge our batteries. Liberty Tree Tavern in MK, many choices in Epcot (perhaps Biergarten or Le Cellier), Brown Derby or 50's Prime Time Cafe at the Studios. Also, take a break for a snack at a sit-down location rather than an ice cream on the run.

Also, take advantage of the A/C in Country Bears, Hall of Presidents, a relaxing ride on TTC; Wonders of Life and the Land at Epcot (with multiple attractions under one roof), Muppet Vision or Great Movie Ride at Studios; Its Tough to be a Bug at AK.

If the heat is not too oppressive, you can relax in sitting areas outside in the shade. Nice area behind Liberty Tree Tavern at MK; up the hill from the pagoda in Japan at Epcot.

I mentioned how you could leave MK for a lunch break; our favorite is GF Cafe. From Epcot, you could also go out the International Gateway to one of the Boardwalk area resorts for a break, such as at Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club. Some very comfortable and relaxing sitting areas in the resorts. From AK, I'd be tempted to take a bus to AKL for lunch at Boma---the AKL is worth seeing on its own anyway.