Critique My Itinerary!

[YoJDew]

Yo!

OK, so... we are at the Poly Dec. 19-23. Me, DH, and little Princess 3-year-old. Not concerned about the construction. Can't resist a bargain and psyched about the 10-minute boat ride to MK and monorail to Epcot! Also, Tonga Toast.

Itinerary:

• Day 1 arriving in the afternoon. MK -- we've got FP+ for Dumbo, Mickey M&G, Peter Pan, and MVMCP. My little one (see avatar) will be wearing her Merida dress for the party, so we will definitely be paying Merida a visit.
• Day 2 MK -- Welcome Show/Rope Drop and try for A&E M&G because see below (Monday). Morning is totally open for exploration, shorter standby rides (Small World, HM, etc.). Nap around noon. Afternoon we have FP+ for Ariel & Rapunzel, Barnstormer, 7DMT (splitting up FPs to take turns on 7DMT)
• Day 3 Breakfast at Kona! mmmmm Tonga Toast... Then on to AK -- FP+ for Lion King, Everest (essential), Safari, and Tough to Be a Bug. Evening is open, maybe for relaxation/free Blizzard Beach passes, possibly hang with my sister for EMH at MK... after a nap, of course!
• Day 4 MK & Maybe Epcot or DHS -- Crystal Palace during EMH & make another try for A&E. FP+ for 7DMT (dad's turn), Winnie, Mermaid. Nap. Then DHS or Epcot, reservation at the new Trattoria al Forno (might cancel that, depending on how we feel), then back to MK for the ONLY time I could get for A&EM&G - 9:10PM. HOPING we can get on a reasonable standby earlier in the trip (see Day 2 above), so that we can release our 9PM FP and use it for something earlier in the day and spend more time at Epcot/DHS.
• Day 5 Checkout! Wahhhhhh Then head over to Epcot for Biergarten lunch, Christmas around the world, and then back to Poly to catch the Magical Express back to the airport for a late flight home.

Questions/Advice:
1) I bought MVMCP for the experience -- the parade, the snow, the shows, the character greetings, the magic -- and not for the chance for smaller crowds and shorter lines... BUT... do you think there's a good shot at getting on some of the more popular attractions like A&E, Space Mt, BTM, etc. during the party, without missing the party?
2) Given the massive crowds expected during this time frame, do you think I've over-scheduled us? I've included big windows each full day for nap time, since we are so close to "home" at the Poly. I'm concerned that I'm trying to fit too much in. The FP+ really helps with that but it also makes me feel a little crazy!
3) Is the Frozen sing-along still going on at DHS? I heard a rumor that it was going to be closing before our trip. If that's the case, it might not be worth going to DHS at all. Thoughts/opinions?

TIA!

 

[RMichael21]

Yo!

OK, so... we are at the Poly Dec. 19-23. Me, DH, and little Princess 3-year-old. Not concerned about the construction. Can't resist a bargain and psyched about the 10-minute boat ride to MK and monorail to Epcot! Also, Tonga Toast.

Itinerary:

• Day 1 arriving in the afternoon. MK -- we've got FP+ for Dumbo, Mickey M&G, Peter Pan, and MVMCP. My little one (see avatar) will be wearing her Merida dress for the party, so we will definitely be paying Merida a visit.
• Day 2 MK -- Welcome Show/Rope Drop and try for A&E M&G because see below (Monday). Morning is totally open for exploration, shorter standby rides (Small World, HM, etc.). Nap around noon. Afternoon we have FP+ for Ariel & Rapunzel, Barnstormer, 7DMT (splitting up FPs to take turns on 7DMT)
• Day 3 Breakfast at Kona! mmmmm Tonga Toast... Then on to AK -- FP+ for Lion King, Everest (essential), Safari, and Tough to Be a Bug. Evening is open, maybe for relaxation/free Blizzard Beach passes, possibly hang with my sister for EMH at MK... after a nap, of course!
• Day 4 MK & Maybe Epcot or DHS -- Crystal Palace during EMH & make another try for A&E. FP+ for 7DMT (dad's turn), Winnie, Mermaid. Nap. Then DHS or Epcot, reservation at the new Trattoria al Forno (might cancel that, depending on how we feel), then back to MK for the ONLY time I could get for A&EM&G - 9:10PM. HOPING we can get on a reasonable standby earlier in the trip (see Day 2 above), so that we can release our 9PM FP and use it for something earlier in the day and spend more time at Epcot/DHS.
• Day 5 Checkout! Wahhhhhh Then head over to Epcot for Biergarten lunch, Christmas around the world, and then back to Poly to catch the Magical Express back to the airport for a late flight home.

Questions/Advice:
1) I bought MVMCP for the experience -- the parade, the snow, the shows, the character greetings, the magic -- and not for the chance for smaller crowds and shorter lines... BUT... do you think there's a good shot at getting on some of the more popular attractions like A&E, Space Mt, BTM, etc. during the party, without missing the party?
2) Given the massive crowds expected during this time frame, do you think I've over-scheduled us? I've included big windows each full day for nap time, since we are so close to "home" at the Poly. I'm concerned that I'm trying to fit too much in. The FP+ really helps with that but it also makes me feel a little crazy!
3) Is the Frozen sing-along still going on at DHS? I heard a rumor that it was going to be closing before our trip. If that's the case, it might not be worth going to DHS at all. Thoughts/opinions?

TIA!

Everything on the intinerary looks great! One thing however is that I wouldn't take a 3 year old into It's Tough to be a Bug. The 4D effects are very frightening, even for me and the smells, sights and sounds used would most likely frighten her. If you really want to experience this as a family, use caution and sit near the exit and be prepared to buy an ice cream afterwards. My number one tip for trying to see Anna and Elsa is to be at the park early, and be right through the gates at rope drop. However, you may have to sacrifice a good view of the welcome show for this. For your questions...

1) I think you could be able to do a good portion of the E-Ticket attractions, as we did during MVMCP in 2009. HOWEVER, that was in 2009 and it was pouring down rain that night so those factors would most likely effect crowds. If you plan right, you should be able to check many rides off your list. Don't wait to experience the larger attractions for MVMCP though, still try to ride them during normal hours. Pretend like you aren't going to the party and try to complete as much as you can. It's a great mindset and works for us. Then, at the party, you can re-ride your favorite attractions and also experience the ones you haven't seen.

2) I feel that you really can't decide on this until your in the moment. Make good use those breaks and you should be fine. However, on your trip if you feel you need more break time, just work around your schedule or cancel FP+ if you have too.

3) Nope, the Frozen Sing-Along is still around, it's just in a different location then when the Frozen Summer Fun was around. I'm not sure exactly where, but it's still there for your family to enjoy.

I hope that helps you and I really hope you have a magical vacation!

 

[stevehousse]

The lines at the party even for big rides are really short...we ride splash and big thunder 2-3 times in a row without getting out of our seats!

 

[Dafid Duck]

Our anniversary is the 19th and we have been to Disney twice to celebrate it. We have found the days just before Christmas to be busy but manageable, and that was before FP+. I personally dont think MVMCP is worth it. This year the last day of it is the 19th. After that, the Christmas parade becomes the daily parade. I'd be more concerned about seeing the new regular parade on the 19th since you will have other opportunities to see the Christmas parade throughout your trip.