Would someone kindly critique my MK touring plan?

[bethy]

WDW touring Experts: I would be SO grateful for your time!

Quick summary: we are Disneyland Vets headed to Florida for other stuff. Basically we decided we couldn't travel that far and not at least lay eyes on WDW (and Harry Potter world) since we've never been to either. So we are planning a short day on a non-MNSSHP day to see the essentials - which to us are attractions that make WDW special and different from Disneyland. We chose MK because we are Disney freaks and want to see Cinderella's castle and Wishes. We will regrettably save AK and Epcot for another time.

Here is our plan. Please let me know what I am not thinking of:

Wednesday, Oct 21 - Staying at Animal Kingdom Villas

- Sleep in due to small kids and jet lag

- Enter the MK at 2pm with convention tickets

- Wander around aimlessly, soak it in, enjoy the sights, sounds, treats, try and see Country Bears and Liberty Square

- 5:35p.m. - Fantasyland - Dinner ADR at BOG

- 6:40 - 7:40 p.m. - FP+ Enchanted tales with Belle (we have a 4yo princess)

- 7:45 - 8:45 - FP+ SDMT

- 9:35 -9:55 - FP+ Wishes

Afterwards I want to see the second MSEP (I miss it so much at DL!), and possibly Mickey's Philharmagic. COP and Peoplemover are also on my list if possible.

Note: There is EMH till 1 a.m. and we will be 3 hours jet lagged with no major plans the next morning so I'm hoping to close down the park.

Experts: What am I missing? Are there any connections that are too tight?

 

[slickpoetry]

you're making your 4 year old go until 1 AM?

 

[bethy]

you're making your 4 year old go until 1 AM?

No - only if things are going well. We will take a cab back to the hotel if she's not doing well. It will feel like 10 p.m. to her due to jet lag. She is the third child with much older siblings and is used to being up late on occasion and going with the flow. Also we have zero plans for her the next day other than hanging out at the resort and chilling.

I know my child, but thank you.

 

[slickpoetry]

No - only if things are going well. We will take a cab back to the hotel if she's not doing well. It will feel like 10 p.m. to her due to jet lag. She is the third child with much older siblings and is used to being up late on occasion and going with the flow. Also we have zero plans for her the next day other than hanging out at the resort and chilling.

I know my child, but thank you.

I know you know your child and I am not criticizing. Just wanted to make sure there was a contingency plan in place in case she ends up in uncontrollable meltdown mode. Maybe it's just my kids that get into that mode, though. lol. When my son was 4 he couldn't handle more than 8 straight hours in the park. It became a bit of a disaster. Anyway it seems you have that contingency plan in place.

 

[bethy]

I know you know your child and I am not criticizing. Just wanted to make sure there was a contingency plan in place in case she ends up in uncontrollable meltdown mode. Maybe it's just my kids that get into that mode, though. lol. When my son was 4 he couldn't handle more than 8 straight hours in the park. It became a bit of a disaster. Anyway it seems you have that contingency plan in place.

We have travelled extensively with our children, including many trips to DL and so I always have at least 2 contingency plans for everything. But you are right, a meltdown is always a risk but luckily I get many warning signs before it comes to that. 15 years of hard-won parenting experience in my back pocket.

 

[slickpoetry]

I don't know if Disneyland carries Nutella Waffle Sandwiches or not, but if this is your first time at WDW, then it is a must do.

 

[ColoradoDis]

try and see Country Bears and Liberty Square

I would skip Country Bears (unless it's a must do for you) - highly recommend Mickey's Philharmagic

 

[sharonabe]

Not everything is open during EMH. The list is below. You'll need to plan accordingly. It looks like COP is NOT, so hit it earlier, and it would be a MUST, MUST do for us!

Magic Kingdom:

Astro Orbiter
Barnstormer
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Country Bear Jamboree
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Enchanted Tiki Room
Jungle Cruise
Haunted Mansion
"it's a small world"
Mad Tea Party
Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (1st hour)
Peter Pan's Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Space Mountain
Stitch's Great Escape!
Swiss Family Treehouse
Tomorrowland Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid

 

[bethy]

Thank you! I cannot wait to finally see the famous COP! And for the earlier poster, the Country Bears are just a bit of nostalgia for me since they've been gone from Disneyland for a long time. I think my 2 youngest kids will adore them.

 

[summerw]

I grew up with Disneyland so I know what you mean about the Country Bears. It was so fun to see after all these years. You might also want to do the Swiss Family Tree House for the same reason. Obviously not a prime attraction, but I felt like I was walking through a piece of my childhood.

I would also do the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor if you have time. We thought it was really funny. Definitely skip Stitch. Although I wouldn't worry about the Dumbo ride, the play area is really cute and a good way to help the little ones burn off some of the travel feistiness. If you don't hate it, I also thought Small World was worth seeing the different version. And the new Peter Pan queue is supposed to be really fun if you want to step in line at the end of the night.

We took DS when he was 3.5 and he was always a night owl and between that and the time difference from CA, he was totally fine at 1am. Best evening of our trip.

And if you're not starving when you check in for Be Our Guest, ask for either a table against the windows in the ballroom or if you're kids don't mind darker, we really liked the West Wing room, as long as you don't think the 4 year old won't like the atmosphere. It will take longer for a table against the windows of course, but if you're only going once...

 

[bethy]

I grew up with Disneyland so I know what you mean about the Country Bears. It was so fun to see after all these years. You might also want to do the Swiss Family Tree House for the same reason. Obviously not a prime attraction, but I felt like I was walking through a piece of my childhood.

I would also do the Monsters Inc Laugh Floor if you have time. We thought it was really funny. Definitely skip Stitch. Although I wouldn't worry about the Dumbo ride, the play area is really cute and a good way to help the little ones burn off some of the travel feistiness. If you don't hate it, I also thought Small World was worth seeing the different version. And the new Peter Pan queue is supposed to be really fun if you want to step in line at the end of the night.

We took DS when he was 3.5 and he was always a night owl and between that and the time difference from CA, he was totally fine at 1am. Best evening of our trip.

And if you're not starving when you check in for Be Our Guest, ask for either a table against the windows in the ballroom or if you're kids don't mind darker, we really liked the West Wing room, as long as you don't think the 4 year old won't like the atmosphere. It will take longer for a table against the windows of course, but if you're only going once...

Thank you this is super helpful.

If anyone can help I'm also especially wondering if my reservation times are too close? I would have preferred an earlier BOG time just so we have end of time but I had to take what I could get of course.

I had originally planned on going to the FP attractions at the beginning of their windows. But BOG will force us to go toward the end. Although I do plan to do BOG as quickly as possible without rushing. Both to save money and to save my 4yo's patience lol.

 

[summerw]

Thank you this is super helpful.

If anyone can help I'm also especially wondering if my reservation times are too close? I would have preferred an earlier BOG time just so we have end of time but I had to take what I could get of course.

I had originally planned on going to the FP attractions at the beginning of their windows. But BOG will force us to go toward the end. Although I do plan to do BOG as quickly as possible without rushing. Both to save money and to save my 4yo's patience lol.

Theoretically you should be more than fine, especially since BOG and ETwB are right next to each other, and you can check in up to 15 minutes early, usually. Of course, there's no way to know if the restaurant is running behind that night etc, but I think we took just about an hour plus about 15 waiting for the table. Obviously being efficient about order and asking for your check will help.

 

[bethy]

Theoretically you should be more than fine, especially since BOG and ETwB are right next to each other, and you can check in up to 15 minutes early, usually. Of course, there's no way to know if the restaurant is running behind that night etc, but I think we took just about an hour plus about 15 waiting for the table. Obviously being efficient about order and asking for your check will help.

Thank you!!

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

you're making your 4 year old go until 1 AM?

What's wrong with that? My fondest Disney memory is chasing my then 3 year old daughter back to the entrance of Space Mountain moments before midnight with her screaming "one more time Daddy" all the way.

Some families find it much easier to let their kids stay up late than to make them get up early.

 

[5Hfan]

I know you know your child and I am not criticizing. Just wanted to make sure there was a contingency plan in place in case she ends up in uncontrollable meltdown mode. Maybe it's just my kids that get into that mode, though. lol. When my son was 4 he couldn't handle more than 8 straight hours in the park. It became a bit of a disaster. Anyway it seems you have that contingency plan in place.

eh we've had our 3rd at emh until 3 am when he was 1, 3, 5 and 6. He never once hit even tired or cranky mode let alone uncontrollable meltdown mode.

 

[slickpoetry]

What's wrong with that? My fondest Disney memory is chasing my then 3 year old daughter back to the entrance of Space Mountain moments before midnight with her screaming "one more time Daddy" all the way.

Some families find it much easier to let their kids stay up late than to make them get up early.

I never said there was anything wrong. OP and I discussed why I asked the question already.