December Itinerary

[BrookieD34]

We are taking our first trip to Disney Nov 29-Dec 6. It will be myself, DH, DD age 8 & DS age 4. Here is the rough itinerary I have planned. I can make ADR's next week. I'd appreciate opinions from people that have actually done this before! Thanks!

1) Sat-Arrive at 10:30. Check out resort, grab lunch & head to Epcot.
ADR-Dinner @ Akershus
2) Sun-Hollywood Studios Day
ADR's-Lunch @ 50's Prime Dinner @ Sci-Fi
(Can anyone give me info on the Fantasmic dinner package? Is it worth it? Is Fantasmic age appropriate for us? Should I replace one of the ADR's with the package?)
3) Mon-Animal Kingdom Day
ADR-Breakfast @Boma
4) Tues-Magic Kingdom Day! MVMCP
ADR-Breakfast @ Chef Mickey's
(Is MVMCP worth the price? It is so expensive, but feels like something we should do! Lol)
5) Wednesday-FREE day. Go back to park of our choice, check out some resorts or DTD
ADR-Dinner @ 'Ohana
6) Thursday-Epcot Day & Candlelight Processional
ADR-Dinner Package (How hard are these to get? Should I make a back up ADR?)
7) Friday-Magic Kingdom
ADR-Be Our Guest Dinner Back Up-Whispering Canyon Cafe
(Anyone have opinions on the Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage?)
8) Sat-Travel Day
ADR-Breakfast @ 1900 Park Fare or Whispering Canyon (if we didn't use it as a back up)

If we stick to this schedule, we shouldn't need park hoppers. Do most people park hop or is it normal to stick to one park a day?

Thanks for your input!!

 

[CheshireCat12]

If you have never been to WDW before, don't hop. Take your time and absorb each park individually. Hoppers are better when you know the place and have a specific series of attractions you intend to cover.

 

[ginadee]

Wow, that looks great! You have some of my favorite restaurants. 50's, Sci Fi, 1900, Ohana, BOG, Whisp Cany. All great. I noticed you had breakfast at Boma the day you go to AK. Just making sure you know that Boma is in the resort. If you have car great but if not you have to take bus to a park and then to resort. Tusker House was my favorite character breakfast at AK. Fantasmic of course is great for any age. Used to be my favorite show. Now its Illuminations. The last I knew the dinner package had reserved seating all the way to the far right. Not the best seats but if you sit as far to the left of that right side section should be ok. I personally wished we had not spent the money on the MVMCP. I wasn't sure what it was and we had already spent all day in the park and the only difference I saw was it was night. Just a waste for us but I do know Im the minority. Most everyone raves about it. I think your trip sounds great and looks like you have everything under control. Good job.

 

[LAKid53]

We are taking our first trip to Disney Nov 29-Dec 6. It will be myself, DH, DD age 8 & DS age 4. Here is the rough itinerary I have planned. I can make ADR's next week. I'd appreciate opinions from people that have actually done this before! Thanks!

1) Sat-Arrive at 10:30. Check out resort, grab lunch & head to Epcot.
ADR-Dinner @ Akershus
2) Sun-Hollywood Studios Day
ADR's-Lunch @ 50's Prime Dinner @ Sci-Fi
(Can anyone give me info on the Fantasmic dinner package? Is it worth it? Is Fantasmic age appropriate for us? Should I replace one of the ADR's with the package?)
3) Mon-Animal Kingdom Day
ADR-Breakfast @Boma
4) Tues-Magic Kingdom Day! MVMCP
ADR-Breakfast @ Chef Mickey's
(Is MVMCP worth the price? It is so expensive, but feels like something we should do! Lol)
5) Wednesday-FREE day. Go back to park of our choice, check out some resorts or DTD
ADR-Dinner @ 'Ohana
6) Thursday-Epcot Day & Candlelight Processional
ADR-Dinner Package (How hard are these to get? Should I make a back up ADR?)
7) Friday-Magic Kingdom
ADR-Be Our Guest Dinner Back Up-Whispering Canyon Cafe
(Anyone have opinions on the Pirates & Pals Fireworks Voyage?)
8) Sat-Travel Day
ADR-Breakfast @ 1900 Park Fare or Whispering Canyon (if we didn't use it as a back up)

If we stick to this schedule, we shouldn't need park hoppers. Do most people park hop or is it normal to stick to one park a day?

Thanks for your input!!

I don't think the dining package for Fantasmic is worth the extra cost. Just get a FP+ for the night you want to attend. We've done both and got good seats with a FP+. That's all the dining plan gives you - better seats. It may be a little scary/intense for your 4 year old son with the fire and all.

Sci Fi Dine-In Theatre is a blast - the tables in old 1950s cars is a great concept. We had breakfast there during Star Wars Weekend and it was such fun. Your husband will love it.

If your daughter is a Belle fanatic like mine, she is going to love Akershus, especially when she gets her picture taken with Belle in her ball gown.

Yes, I would definitely get tickets for MVMCP, just to see it snow in Orlando. Your children will enjoy all the special Christmas parades.

As soon as the tickets are available for the Candlelight Processional, I would get them. A friend did it a year ago and she said it was beautiful.

And as soon as you can make an ADR for BoG, do it. You don't need a resort reservation, just the 180 day window to open up - at that time of year, ADRs will go fast.

Since you are thinking of Whispering Canyons for breakfast the morning you leave, are you staying at the Wilderness Lodge? If so, you will fall in love with it. At Christmas time, they decorate the lobby with this massive Christmas tree - it's stunning. More importantly, if you request a room on the 2 highest floors on the north side (the Magic Kingdom side), you will be able to see the fireworks from your room balcony.

I would take breakfast at Whispering Canyons over Park Fare. I think both your children will enjoy the "show" - the servers are a hoot. I will warn you, be careful about asking for ketchup - you will end up with a table full. Plus, they have the BEST Mickey waffles.

Since this is your first visit, I would forgo the park hoppers. Disney transportation can be daunting for first time visitors. You cannot go from Downtown Disney to any of the parks and vice versa. I would take the time and spend the day at just one park, so you can experience the park without worrying about getting somewhere else. And take advantage of extra magic hours for each park.

And as soon as you get the e-mail notice to make your FP+ selections, do it. The best times for the popular rides go fast and you will end up with a time not good for your family.

You will love Disney at the holidays - the parks, especially the Magic Kingdom - are beautifully decorated.

 

[iluvMainStMagic]

There are some great suggestions here! The only thing I would add is that it also "snows" during the Osbourne Lights. I can't remember exactly when they begin, but it's one of my favorite Christmas experiences at the "World".
[I know it was said a while back that they would not be there this Christmas season due to work in that section of DHS, but I believe I read more recently that those changes had been postponed and the "Lights" would be back again at least for this year (2014).]

 

[ginadee]

There are some great suggestions here! The only thing I would add is that it also "snows" during the Osbourne Lights. I can't remember exactly when they begin, but it's one of my favorite Christmas experiences at the "World".
[I know it was said a while back that they would not be there this Christmas season due to work in that section of DHS, but I believe I read more recently that those changes had been postponed and the "Lights" would be back again at least for this year (2014).]

The Osbourne Lights was the most spectacular thing I saw this past dec. I could have stayed there all night. Sooo festive and magical with the music, lights and snow.

 

[iluvMainStMagic]

The Osbourne Lights was the most spectacular thing I saw this past dec. I could have stayed there all night. Sooo festive and magical with the music, lights and snow.

I totally agree!! At one point we just sat down on the curb and tried to take more of it in, but that still wasn't enough.