2nd attempt at itinerary...1st timer...help!

[BrookieD34]

Ok...lets try this again. I keep planning rough itineraries & then realizing problems & starting over!! This is actually more like my 7th or 8th attempt at an itinerary, but only the 2nd one I've posted here. Lol. We are 1st time visitors...is this normal? Haha! I have to make ADR's Monday morning so I really need to have a good idea of what we're doing. We are staying Sat-Sat. We fly in 11/29 & leave 12/6. We are currently booked at AoA LM room. However, I feel positive that I will change this to the WL resort...or at least do a split stay. Any advice on that would be appreciated. Here is what I have come up with this time:

11/29-arrive in Orlando at 10:30am. Check in, grab lunch & head to Epcot.
ADR-Dinner @ San Angel Inn

11/30-Magic Kingdom Day!! It is the MVMCP so the park will close early. We are planning to attend the party one night this week, but I am thinking of saving it for the last night. Thoughts?
ADR-Breakfast @ Chef Mickey's - What time should we make the reservation in order to make MK rope drop? Or is that possible?
ADR-Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare - Not sure what time

12/1-Hollywood Studios Day
ADR-Lunch at Sci Fi
Afternoon break & then Fantasmic!/Osborne Lights

12/2-Animal Kingdom Day
ADR-Dinner @Boma

12/3-FREE DAY-Maybe Resort Hopping for Xmas Decor?
ADR-Dinner @ 'Ohana

12/4-Epcot Day
ADR-Candlelight Processional Dinner Package (Considering Biergarten Lunch or Via Napoli)
Illuminations-Should we make a point to see this? My kids are 4 & 8. Any tips?

12/5-Magic Kingdom Day-planning to do MVMCP
ADR-Dinner @ Whispering Canyon before heading back for party?
We want to do lunch at Be Our Guest if possible

12/6-Our return flight leaves at 2:45pm - What can we fit in this day? Maybe a breakfast @ Whispering Canyon & do something else the day before?

Questions:
I know that we want to do a Pirates & Pals Fireworks Cruise-any thoughts on the best night to do this? I've read that they only do them Fri-Mon so I guess it would have to be the 1st few nights of our trip. I don't want to overload my kids, but I know they would love it & really want to fit it in.

I also wanted to fit in Hoop Dee Doo Revue...but can't seem to find a good place. Would this be better than Boma? I feel like with the Pirates Cruise & MVMCP, Hoop may be too much. Thoughts?

I am open to any suggestions or advice from people that travel frequently to WDW with kids. Also advice from families that have been during the Xmas season. I will happily consider any suggestions!

 

[CheshireCat12]

Trying to fit in the Hoop Dee Doo and the Fireworks cruise with everything else you have looks a bit tricky. I would recommend choosing what you think will interest your family the most of these options. I see you have 1900 Park Fare for dinner on your MK day- is that a purposeful choice for character dining? If not, I would change that to the Hoop since you have no late plans on that day. The dinner at San Angel- make it a lunch, say 1:00 or 1:30. Then book the Fireworks cruise for that night.
Yes, you should do Illuminations! I think it is the best fireworks show- it has great music and lots of pyrotechnic stuff. The kids will be awed.
12/5- don't leave MK for dinner at WC- have a later lunch at BOG and snack your way through a fun MVMCP evening. 12/6- Breakfast at WC is a good choice, if your flight leaves at 2:45 then your DME pickup will be 11:45 AM. Be sure your breakfast is around 8:30 or 9:00 and no later. You won't have time for much else, it definitely is not worth a park admission. Enjoy your trip!

 

[momof1princess]

I agree with @CheshireCat12 but would add to skip the split stay. In my opinion, it's not worth it with small kids and just takes up time. I'd stay at WL since you seem to want to do more there.
My six year old loved the Hoop De Doo last year, maybe swap that out on your free day? It's a long dinner show.
I might have more to add later if you don't mind multiple replies!

 

[BrookieD34]

Trying to fit in the Hoop Dee Doo and the Fireworks cruise with everything else you have looks a bit tricky. I would recommend choosing what you think will interest your family the most of these options. I see you have 1900 Park Fare for dinner on your MK day- is that a purposeful choice for character dining? If not, I would change that to the Hoop since you have no late plans on that day. The dinner at San Angel- make it a lunch, say 1:00 or 1:30. Then book the Fireworks cruise for that night.
Yes, you should do Illuminations! I think it is the best fireworks show- it has great music and lots of pyrotechnic stuff. The kids will be awed.
12/5- don't leave MK for dinner at WC- have a later lunch at BOG and snack your way through a fun MVMCP evening. 12/6- Breakfast at WC is a good choice, if your flight leaves at 2:45 then your DME pickup will be 11:45 AM. Be sure your breakfast is around 8:30 or 9:00 and no later. You won't have time for much else, it definitely is not worth a park admission. Enjoy your trip!

Thanks so much for your reply!! I make ADR's in the morning & I had not even thought of some of your recommendations. Lol.

Yes, I put 1900 Park Fare in because I wanted my DD to have at least some princess interaction in case we can't fit it in the parks.

Here is my 3rd attempt: Please give feedback!!

Day 1-Rest from early flight & have CS lunch
ADR-Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare
Use any leftover time to check out decor at monorail resorts
Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage!! (Don't know why I never thought to do this the first night!)

Day 2-Magic Kingdom (early closure for MVMCP)
ADR-Hoop Dee Doo Revue

Day 3-Hollywood Studios
ADR-Lunch @ Sci Fi
Fantasmic/Osborne lights

Day 4-Animal Kingdom
ADR-Dinner @Boma

Day 5-Epcot
ADR-Dinner @Ohana

Day 6-Epcot
ADR-Candlelight Processional Dinner Package (Lunch @ San Angel Inn)
Illuminations

Day 7-Magic Kingdom
ADR-Breakfast @ Chef Mickey's (mid-morning)
MVMCP

Day 8-Departure Day
ADR-Breakfast @ Whispering Canyon

 

[BrookieD34]

I agree with @CheshireCat12 but would add to skip the split stay. In my opinion, it's not worth it with small kids and just takes up time. I'd stay at WL since you seem to want to do more there.
My six year old loved the Hoop De Doo last year, maybe swap that out on your free day? It's a long dinner show.
I might have more to add later if you don't mind multiple replies!

Thanks so much. Please look above for my 3rd attempt at an itinerary & let me know what you think! Yes, I really want to stay at WL & have subconsciously planned for that it appears. Lol! I believe I'm going to bite the bullet & make the change!

 

[mousehockey37]

Only thing I'll add is to be open with your nights. Last trip we had Wishes planned for one night and Illuminations another. The storms that came through had us rearrange our plans, and it was quite awesome how it all worked out.

So have a contingency for the fireworks at both parks should you go. The weather may not always agree, so if you have a good night to get to see them, jump on it! If you have some evening EMH and the kids are able to handle it, and you've already been through the fireworks, the lines for most of the rides are non-existent!!! We went from the speedway, to dumbo, to the carousel to haunted mansion, all in a matter of the start to end of Wishes.

So be in the know of your weather.

 

[kamr211]

These are just my opinions and suggestions...
I would book 50's Prime Time over Sci Fi at the Studios.
Depending on the age of your kids, Hoop is more for the adults. I would skip it and spend an evening at one of the parks, esp if weather is a factor.
Downtown Disney is a great first day adventure. Guarantees early bedtime to make it to rope drop.

 

[DVCPluto]

See my thoughts below in blue... Good luck with ADRs tomorrow!!

Day 1-Rest from early flight & have CS lunch
ADR-Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare
Use any leftover time to check out decor at monorail resorts
Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage!! (Don't know why I never thought to do this the first night!)
Love day 1!!

Day 2-Magic Kingdom (early closure for MVMCP)
ADR-Hoop Dee Doo Revue
Love day 2!!

Day 3-Hollywood Studios
ADR-Lunch @ Sci Fi
Fantasmic/Osborne lights
We haven't eaten at sci fi, but I know when my son was 4, he would have been freaked out. Dining is slim in HS... If your looking for characters, your young one will enjoy Hollywood & Vine - I would do an early breakfast, if hoop isn't too late.

Day 4-Animal Kingdom
ADR-Dinner @Boma
Sounds fun! I would get a 6ish ADR and head over to AKL early to see the animals.

Day 5-Epcot
ADR-Dinner @Ohana
Haven't done Ohana for dinner, but it looks nice. I think I would split this day with MK. If there is a party that night, do MK in the morning, the. Hop the monorail and do late afternoon and dinner at EP. Especially if you stay at WL. I have a boy, so we haven't done it, but friends of ours loved Akurshus. You could do breakfast or dinner.

Day 6-Epcot
ADR-Candlelight Processional Dinner Package (Lunch @ San Angel Inn)
Illuminations
Love it!!

Day 7-Magic Kingdom
ADR-Breakfast @ Chef Mickey's (mid-morning)
MVMCP
Haven't done MVMCP, but it sound like an awesome way to end the trip. LOVE CM for breakfast!!

Day 8-Departure Day
ADR-Breakfast @ Whispering Canyon
Perfect!!

Wonderful vacation is in your future!!!!!!

 

[RMichael21]

Sic Fi at DHS is great! We went there a few years ago and we had a great time. We especially loved how you actually sit in a fake car and watch a movie. Also, I have heard spectacular things about WL, so if you can get the extra cash needed to stay there, I would. That's probably a good idea because it sounds like your kids are excited for MK and the boat ride to MK from WL is pretty quick. I'm so happy that you're going to do Hoop Dee Doo! It truly is an amazing show. I have so many amazing memories there and I'm sure family will make some lasting ones there too. Finally, don't forget t try a Dole Whip, a Mickey Premium Bar and a Turkey Leg!

 

[BrookieD34]

Ok...I have realized that there are a thousand different itineraries & different ways to do this! It is so hard to choose & I'm sure after our trip I will find things I should've done differently. Lol. Thank you so much for all your input & ideas. It really did help! This is what I ended up doing.

Day 1
Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare (6:30pm)
Pirates & Pals Fireworks Cruise (8:45pm)

Day 2
Magic Kingdom
Dinner @ 'Ohana (6:50pm)

Day 3
Hollywood Studios
Lunch @ Sci Fi (12:10pm)

Day 4
Animal Kingdom
Hoop Dee Doo Revue (6:15pm)

Day 5
Epcot
Dinner @ Raglan Road (6pm)

Day 6
Epcot
Waiting to make CP dinner reservation

Day 7
Magic Kingdom-MVMCP
Breakfast @ Chef Mickey's (8:30am)

Day 8
Travel
Breakfast @ Whispering Canyon (9:05am)

 

[BrookieD34]

Oh & I changed our resort to the Wilderness Lodge!

 

[momof1princess]

That sounds great! I hope you have a great time, I'm counting down until our next trip in October and I've changed our plans several times, so don't feel bad if you want to change them again.

 

[boilerpicc]

We did the candelight processional package with a lunch at the Biergarten. I highly recommend it. The band that plays is outstanding, and the buffet has good German food along with kid-friendly choices. Our reservation was at 1, which let us watch the entire oom-pah band show.

 

[lunchbox1175]

Ok...I have realized that there are a thousand different itineraries & different ways to do this! It is so hard to choose & I'm sure after our trip I will find things I should've done differently. Lol. Thank you so much for all your input & ideas. It really did help! This is what I ended up doing.

I think your plan is great, if I was going to change anything it would be the stuff in blue. Also, are you taking advantage of the EMH?

Day 1
Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare (6:30pm) - I would change this to Chef Mickey's or Cali Grill since P&P leaves from Contemporary anyways, plus Cindy is the only princess, so if you are looking to add princess see below.
Pirates & Pals Fireworks Cruise (8:45pm)

Day 2
Magic Kingdom
Dinner @ 'Ohana (6:50pm)

Day 3
Hollywood Studios
Lunch @ Sci Fi (12:10pm)

Day 4
Animal Kingdom
Hoop Dee Doo Revue (6:15pm) - Might want to push this back to the next show since you only have one day at AK.

Day 5
Epcot - Epcot 2 days in a row? I would add Akersaus Breakfast, see more princesses. Then go to DTD for dinner and shopping.
Dinner @ Raglan Road (6pm) - Trex for Dinner at DTD (kids will probably enjoy this a lot).

Day 6
Epcot
Waiting to make CP dinner reservation

Day 7
Magic Kingdom-MVMCP
Breakfast @ Chef Mickey's (8:30am)

Day 8
Travel - If you can get up early, I mean like 6:30, you can get checked out, grab something quick, and head to HS for Extra Magic Hours at 8am. What is more fun that doing TSMM, RnRC, and Tower before heading home.
Breakfast @ Whispering Canyon (9:05am)

 

[BrookieD34]

I think your plan is great, if I was going to change anything it would be the stuff in blue. Also, are you taking advantage of the EMH?

Day 1
Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare (6:30pm) - I would change this to Chef Mickey's or Cali Grill since P&P leaves from Contemporary anyways, plus Cindy is the only princess, so if you are looking to add princess see below.
Pirates & Pals Fireworks Cruise (8:45pm)

Day 2
Magic Kingdom
Dinner @ 'Ohana (6:50pm)

Day 3
Hollywood Studios
Lunch @ Sci Fi (12:10pm)

Day 4
Animal Kingdom
Hoop Dee Doo Revue (6:15pm) - Might want to push this back to the next show since you only have one day at AK.

Day 5
Epcot - Epcot 2 days in a row? I would add Akersaus Breakfast, see more princesses. Then go to DTD for dinner and shopping.
Dinner @ Raglan Road (6pm) - Trex for Dinner at DTD (kids will probably enjoy this a lot).

Day 6
Epcot
Waiting to make CP dinner reservation

Day 7
Magic Kingdom-MVMCP
Breakfast @ Chef Mickey's (8:30am)

Day 8
Travel - If you can get up early, I mean like 6:30, you can get checked out, grab something quick, and head to HS for Extra Magic Hours at 8am. What is more fun that doing TSMM, RnRC, and Tower before heading home.
Breakfast @ Whispering Canyon (9:05am)

Thanks so much for the input! I purposely didn't choose CM for dinner because I kept reading that the breakfast was so much better. Will it take too long to get from the GF to Contemporary? I would love to eat at CG, but had trouble fitting in what I would consider an 'adult' meal. I thought it might be a boring dinner for the kids to start off with.

I thought long & hard about Akershus. But, my DD isn't overly girly. She is the type that would probably like the step sisters as much or more than Cinderella. Lol. She would still love to do the princess meals...but I didn't think her level of interest justified the meal.

I thought the December calendar showed AK closing at 5pm this day? I may have looked at wrong.

We will definitely take this tip under consideration. As of right now, I don't have tickets bought for our last day. We will be picked up for our flight before noon. I hated to pay for an extra day when we would have so little time...especially if we are all exhausted by this point! Lol.

 

[LWB]

If it's not a must to see more of the princesses, you'll be super pleased with 1900 Park Fare! The characters are fantastic at that dinner!!!! They even interact with each other. The step-sisters are hilarious!!

It won't take long at all to get from GF to Contemporary. You'll go from 1900 Park Fare on 1st floor up to the 2nd floor to catch the monorail. Contemporary is your 2nd stop on the monorail!!

 

[lunchbox1175]

Thanks so much for the input! I purposely didn't choose CM for dinner because I kept reading that the breakfast was so much better. Will it take too long to get from the GF to Contemporary? I would love to eat at CG, but had trouble fitting in what I would consider an 'adult' meal. I thought it might be a boring dinner for the kids to start off with.

I thought long & hard about Akershus. But, my DD isn't overly girly. She is the type that would probably like the step sisters as much or more than Cinderella. Lol. She would still love to do the princess meals...but I didn't think her level of interest justified the meal.

I thought the December calendar showed AK closing at 5pm this day? I may have looked at wrong.

We will definitely take this tip under consideration. As of right now, I don't have tickets bought for our last day. We will be picked up for our flight before noon. I hated to pay for an extra day when we would have so little time...especially if we are all exhausted by this point! Lol.

I agree with you that CM is way better for breakfast than it is for dinner, frankly, all of the character meals are that way, the dinners are a bit underwhelming, but Anastasia, Drizella, and Stepmother are hilarious, 1900 is well worth it just for them. As for the distance, no, they are not far away, but you never know what will happen with transportation on the monorail. I figure if you have dinner at 6:30, then you will probably take an hour to hour and a half for dining, that gets you out of there at 8:00, then you have a 10-15 minute wait/ride to the Contemporary, I believe that you have to start checking in for P&P at 8:00 or 45 minutes before hand, so for me that would be cutting it really close, easier if you are in the same building, or maybe move your reservation up a little.

And yes, AK does close at 5pm that day, what I was saying was that since you are only going to AK the one day, then you will probably be there until 5pm, by the time you get on a bus it could be 5:20, and if you are going to go back to the room and change or clean up before going to dinner, you won't make the 6:15. They tell you to give yourself 1:30 minutes to get to any reservation, and I totally agree with that, as you never know how long its going to take....most of the time, I haven't had any issues, but there have been a couple of times where it has taken 1:45 minutes to get from a park to a dining reservation, and that is with 2 adults and no children.


Long story short.....I love your plan and all your reservations, I would just make sure to give yourself a solid buffer of time before them.

 

[BrookieD34]

I agree with you that CM is way better for breakfast than it is for dinner, frankly, all of the character meals are that way, the dinners are a bit underwhelming, but Anastasia, Drizella, and Stepmother are hilarious, 1900 is well worth it just for them. As for the distance, no, they are not far away, but you never know what will happen with transportation on the monorail. I figure if you have dinner at 6:30, then you will probably take an hour to hour and a half for dining, that gets you out of there at 8:00, then you have a 10-15 minute wait/ride to the Contemporary, I believe that you have to start checking in for P&P at 8:00 or 45 minutes before hand, so for me that would be cutting it really close, easier if you are in the same building, or maybe move your reservation up a little.

And yes, AK does close at 5pm that day, what I was saying was that since you are only going to AK the one day, then you will probably be there until 5pm, by the time you get on a bus it could be 5:20, and if you are going to go back to the room and change or clean up before going to dinner, you won't make the 6:15. They tell you to give yourself 1:30 minutes to get to any reservation, and I totally agree with that, as you never know how long its going to take....most of the time, I haven't had any issues, but there have been a couple of times where it has taken 1:45 minutes to get from a park to a dining reservation, and that is with 2 adults and no children.


Long story short.....I love your plan and all your reservations, I would just make sure to give yourself a solid buffer of time before them.

Ok great. Thanks so much. The last thing we want is to be rushing around like crazy, making all of us miserable. Lol. I may look into those changes!

 

[adisneyprincess]

Day 1 (11/29): Personally, I prefer the other Mexican restaurant, not the one in the pyramid. La Hacienda de San Angel. I had a bad experience at San Angel Inn because they lied to us. They removed a menu item (my family had been going there several times, and my grandparents knew all of the head chefs in Epcot), and we asked them to make it, and they said they did not have chorizo. Meanwhile, this ingredient was used in about 75% of the other menu items. I think you get a better atmosphere and service in La Hacienda. I believe it is easy to get a reservation there because I hav enever had a problem. It is much calmer and you get a beautiful view of the Lake.
Day 2 (11/30): For the MVMCP, I want as a child when I was around 8 or 10 years old, and while I did have a lot of fun, of course, I would liked having another opportunity to go on my favorite rides another day in the Magic Kingdom, but that is just me.The reservation for breakfast should be around 7 just to ensure you'll get there in time for a 9:00 opening. (Figure an hour and a half for breakfast and monorail, and allow time to breathe for traffic. The opening show is a few minutes before, so you should get there early!)
Day 3 (12/1): Seems like a good plan!
Day 4 (12/2): Sounds good! If you want a quick bite to eat- Restauranosaurs is always my go-to! Counter service, McDonald's like.
Day 5 (12/3): I would go to Downtown Disney for Christmas merchandise. They have a shop for Disney Christmas decorations. Resort hopping is very fun for unique items, though!!
Day 6 (12/4): Via Napoli! My FAVORITE restaurant on property! I speak Italian, so the experience is lovely for me. It is a bit noisy, but the food is absolutely perfection. I recommend the Antipasto for two (I forgot what it was called), and their pizzas are excellent. Wonderful service, I totally recommend! Illuminations is also my favorite fireworks show. There is a bit of downtime during this show with a globe moving to the middle of the lake, but there are laser lights and the show is absolutely amazing and beautiful!
day 7 (12/5): I've been to Whispering Canyon, not my favorite. What I would do would be eat in the park just so you don't have to go to the front and come back in an hour later. Pecos Bill is a nice quick restaurant in Frontierland. If you can get it, I of course recommend Be Our Guest!

I've never done the cruise, but I think you have to get their early, I know I've been there when everyone was lining up. If at all possible, do it on the Animal Kingdom night. Go back to the hotel for some down time, pool or something, and then go over to the Contemporary and it'll be a nice and relaxing night! Hoop dee Doo is an amazing experience. It's VERY funny, but I think it's more catered to adults, personally. I went to this restaurant as a child, and I didn't always understand the jokes, but I had a great time and I was always laughing. Good, family style food that is refillable, but it is pricey.

For AK- Personally, I prefer Yak and Yeti... I think it is the best AK restaurant, imho! If you have any questions, please ask me! ) I hope I was helpful and I hope you have an AMAZING time! That is a GREAT time to go!!

 

[mrdrift]

Your plans sound great. Just remember to have a wonderful time while you are there.