May 2014!!!

[Brandon Bowman]

Finally got our Itinerary together and need some help! Our 2nd day at Epcot is a little boring and we LOVE checking out secrets hidden in the parks! Bring on the suggestions!


THE DISNEY VACATION FOR MAY 2014!!!!

Art Of Animation- Quietest rooms are east facing in building eight and south facing in building seven


May 10th- Arrival Day!

• •Lunch? (Depends on Flight/Drive)
• •Check into Hotel
• •Disney Quest
• •Dinner -Earl of Sandwich

May 11th- Magic Kingdom

• •Lunch- Be Our Guest
• •Dinner- Plaza restaurant
• •Snacks- Aloha Island (Pineapple Dole Whip)
• •Magic memories and You Show
  
• •EVENING PARADE- Top of Railroad station or potential Fastpass + viewing ( 30 mins early )
• •WISHES FIRE WORKS
  
• •Regal Carrousel- Ride Last Ride of the night for awesome pictures!

May 12th- Animal Kingdom

• •Breakfast- At AOA (Mickey WAFFLES!!!)

• •Lunch-Flame tree Barbeque
• •Snacks- Royal Anandapur tea company
• •Afternoon Parade Mickeys jamming jungle parade- viewing at Camp mini mickey about 10 mins after parade time listed (If parade still runs)
  
• •See Divine
• •Downtown Disney for Snacks and Late Dinner (Raglan Road)

May 13th- Hollywood Studios

• •Lunch: Toluca legs turkey company
• •Dinner: Min and Bills Doc Side Diner

May 14th- Epcot

• •Lunch: Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie
• •Dinner: Sommerfest
• •Street performers in the world show case
• •Illuminations- Watch from La Hacienda de san angel (Hour early reservation)

May 15th- Epcot

• •Lunch: Sunshine seasons
• •Dinner: York shire county fish shop
• •Snack- Boulangerie Patisserie
• •Flower and Garden Festival Events (Must see topiaries)

May 16th- Magic Kingdom

• •Lunch: Cosmic Ray Starlight café
• •Dinner-Be Our Guest
• •DREAM ALONG WITH MICKEY
  
• •AFTERNOON PARADE
• •Electrical Float Parade (Not sure where to watch from) (Frontierland/Big Thunder Mountain Side)
  
• •Tour Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Polynesian Resorts (Maybe others)

May 17th- Departure Day

 

[LizC]

Great Plans. I love to see another super planner. Do you have children in your group?

As far as doing more on our Epcot day, have you thought about spending some time checking out the Flower & Garden Festival? I haven't been in a few years, but it seems even better than it once was. Now it includes many food and beverage booths. Here is a link from a recent post on the Disney Food Blog http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013/...cot-international-flower-and-garden-festival/

 

[ToTBellHop]

So you aren't disappointed, there will likely be no parade at DAK by May.

 

[Brandon Bowman]

Ya i was hoping there will still be a parade but I won't keep my hopes up.
No children just my Girlfriend and I! But I will def be researching some more into the flower and garden festival we will definitely be spending some time around the various stands!

 

[Tuvalu]

Some clarifications:

• •MAGIC memories and YOU- Nighttime on the CASTLE Videos and photos are featuring on castle the castle shimmers and sways. Pictures of people through the park are displayed through out the show. This show is now called Celebrate the Magic and no longer features pictures of park guests. It changes seasonally, currently there is a Villains segment. Great show, shown 10 minutes prior to the start of Wishes.

• •EVENING PARADE- Most popular place would be the Magic upper platform of railroad station. Good for Parades and Fire Works. ( 30 mins early ) If you plan to wait here, be at least an hour early as the limited space is snatched up fast. In front of the Hall of Presidents (Liberty Square) is a good spot to watch the evening parade.
• •WISHES FIRE WORK Show Must see- Fire works all the Disney characters will be presented though the show. There are no visible Disney characters other than Tinkerbell during Wishes. There are some character voices heard in the soundtrack.

Illuminations- Watch from La Hacienda de san angel (Hour early reservation) I noticed you mentioned eating at Sommerfest for dinner this day, were you planning on eating again at La Hacienda? La Hacienda is a table-service restaurant and does have several good window tables for Illuminations viewing, but you must be eating there. La Cantina is adjacent to La Hacienda and is the counter-service outdoor venue with tables, but not a particularly good spot for watching Illuminations.

Electrical Float Parade (Not sure where to watch from) You can watch the Electrical Water Pageant from the Poly beach at 9 p.m. or the Grand Floridian boat dock at 9:15 p.m.

 

[Figgy1]

Sounds wonderful. I can make EPCOT a 3 day park. We love just strolling and shopping in WS. Have you seen all the movies each country has to offer? Have you done a behind the scenes tour? We loved Behind the Seeds. Just slow down and enjoy. I never manage to find time to see all the street performers in one day and sometimes not even in 2. Have a most magical time in my favorite park.

 

[real mad hatter]

Well looks good except for 2.... Only my opinion.......Yorkshire fish & chips for dinner..Grabbed a couple of fish suppers in 2008 whilst walking past..Had to fling the fish back into the lake..It's against Scottish law to eat fish that's under 6" in length......And curious to what your dinner is going to be at Min & Bills diner.?...Apart from that..have a magical time.

 

[Brandon Bowman]

Some clarifications:

• •MAGIC memories and YOU- Nighttime on the CASTLE Videos and photos are featuring on castle the castle shimmers and sways. Pictures of people through the park are displayed through out the show. This show is now called Celebrate the Magic and no longer features pictures of park guests. It changes seasonally, currently there is a Villains segment. Great show, shown 10 minutes prior to the start of Wishes.

• •EVENING PARADE- Most popular place would be the Magic upper platform of railroad station. Good for Parades and Fire Works. ( 30 mins early ) If you plan to wait here, be at least an hour early as the limited space is snatched up fast. In front of the Hall of Presidents (Liberty Square) is a good spot to watch the evening parade.
• •WISHES FIRE WORK Show Must see- Fire works all the Disney characters will be presented though the show. There are no visible Disney characters other than Tinkerbell during Wishes. There are some character voices heard in the soundtrack.

Illuminations- Watch from La Hacienda de san angel (Hour early reservation) I noticed you mentioned eating at Sommerfest for dinner this day, were you planning on eating again at La Hacienda? La Hacienda is a table-service restaurant and does have several good window tables for Illuminations viewing, but you must be eating there. La Cantina is adjacent to La Hacienda and is the counter-service outdoor venue with tables, but not a particularly good spot for watching Illuminations.

Electrical Float Parade (Not sure where to watch from) You can watch the Electrical Water Pageant from the Poly beach at 9 p.m. or the Grand Floridian boat dock at 9:15 p.m.

Thanks for some of the clarifications! We wrote them down just to kinda remember beforehand what was in store as well as everything we wanted to see. As for Watching illuminations we were going to eat Dinner at Sommerfest and then grab a table just for snacks and a drink while waiting for the show (Will get table reservation 180 days in advanced) we wanted to watch the show and be able to relax.

Also thanks Hatter! What would your suggestions be otherwise then? We decided we would try out some new places at HS since there food offerings are quite poor. Epcot however has alot to offer so we may try tangerine cafe instead?

 

[Tuvalu]

As for Watching illuminations we were going to eat Dinner at Sommerfest and then grab a table just for snacks and a drink while waiting for the show (Will get table reservation 180 days in advanced) we wanted to watch the show and be able to relax.

Have you been to La Hacienda before? We ate there in August and in October of last year, and while there are a few appetizers on the limited menu, I wouldn't consider it a place for snacking. And you can request a window table (upon arrival, not beforehand) but no guarantee you will get one. Just wanted you to be informed.

 

[Brandon Bowman]

I have eaten there once before and watched illuminations from there as well. I have not however gone after a dinner. I planned on requesting a window table if at all possible otherwise I will have to re-think my illuminations spot viewing strategy. Last time I went we ate dinner at Rose and Crown and watched the show, it was a great view

 

[Matt_Black]

Oh, Rose & Crown is an absolutely lovely spot. My family had dinner on Christmas Day there last year, and we had a wonderful table on the outside terrace. I was quite fond of the food, as well (if you like spicy, try the chicken curry; it's fantastic).

 

[Figgy1]

Oh, Rose & Crown is an absolutely lovely spot. My family had dinner on Christmas Day there last year, and we had a wonderful table on the outside terrace. I was quite fond of the food, as well (if you like spicy, try the chicken curry; it's fantastic).

A most magical welcome!

 

[Matt_Black]

A most magical welcome!

Thank you, I'd been lurking for a while. Planning my Halloween trip, so I thought I'd decloak and interract.

 

[Mot]

Might see you there. We'll be arriving on the 13th which the 1st day is always MK. I'm letting my wife and daughter plan everything out this time but I do know everything is already on paper. We are now awaiting our 180 days out for ADRs. Then the 60 days out for FPs. This time we've got seven days so I'm hoping for a more relaxed trip. Have a great time.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Sounds great, and I like the variety in the restaurants you chose -- we'll be leaving from a 6-night stay on the 10th, so I'll send you a figurative high-five on our way out as you are arriving.

A couple of thoughts on your plan:

(1) The Plaza is not the most exciting place to dine in the Magic Kingdom, although it is one of the best table-service values. If you're on the dining plan, you might consider Liberty Tree Tavern or the Crystal Palace. If you're paying out of pocket, then never mind -- you'll get more for your money dining at the Plaza.
(2) On May 12th, I suggest you have your DTD dinner at Raglan Road (or its next-door, same-theme counter service companion, the name of which is escaping me at the moment). The food at Raglan Road is phenomenal (Serious Steak and Bread-and-Butter Pudding, oh my!) and there is live Irish step-dancing in the evenings. Ask for a table in the main dining room where the stage is.
(3) You indicated you didn't know from whence to watch the Electric Light Parade. I suggest watching it from the Big Thunder Mountain end of Frontierland, and then heading straight to Big Thunder Mountain (or, if you prefer, Splash Mountain) the moment the last float passes by, to enjoy one last ride or two with absolutely no wait. (The waits at all of the attractions are almost nonexistent during parades, so on nights you're not watching it, this is a great time to hit the headliners.) Big Thunder and Splash Mountain are totally different experiences at night.
(4) You saved time for the "Flower and Garden Festival events" at Epcot. You may want to consult the festival schedule when it comes out to see if there's anything (e.g., presentations by designers, evening concerts) you're truly interested in. For the casual visitor, the Festival is primarily marked by beautiful topiaries around Epcot and some extra snack kiosks in World Showcase.

 

[Brandon Bowman]

Sounds great, and I like the variety in the restaurants you chose -- we'll be leaving from a 6-night stay on the 10th, so I'll send you a figurative high-five on our way out as you are arriving.

A couple of thoughts on your plan:

(1) The Plaza is not the most exciting place to dine in the Magic Kingdom, although it is one of the best table-service values. If you're on the dining plan, you might consider Liberty Tree Tavern or the Crystal Palace. If you're paying out of pocket, then never mind -- you'll get more for your money dining at the Plaza.
(2) On May 12th, I suggest you have your DTD dinner at Raglan Road (or its next-door, same-theme counter service companion, the name of which is escaping me at the moment). The food at Raglan Road is phenomenal (Serious Steak and Bread-and-Butter Pudding, oh my!) and there is live Irish step-dancing in the evenings. Ask for a table in the main dining room where the stage is.
(3) You indicated you didn't know from whence to watch the Electric Light Parade. I suggest watching it from the Big Thunder Mountain end of Frontierland, and then heading straight to Big Thunder Mountain (or, if you prefer, Splash Mountain) the moment the last float passes by, to enjoy one last ride or two with absolutely no wait. (The waits at all of the attractions are almost nonexistent during parades, so on nights you're not watching it, this is a great time to hit the headliners.) Big Thunder and Splash Mountain are totally different experiences at night.
(4) You saved time for the "Flower and Garden Festival events" at Epcot. You may want to consult the festival schedule when it comes out to see if there's anything (e.g., presentations by designers, evening concerts) you're truly interested in. For the casual visitor, the Festival is primarily marked by beautiful topiaries around Epcot and some extra snack kiosks in World Showcase.

I am hoping a dining plan comes out but until then it is out of pocket. That is SO funny we were talking about going to Raglan Road last Night! Good to know others think so highly of it. Oh and that is a great idea so we do not even have to leave the park to watch the ELP! And the schedule does not have much on it yet but we do love the awesome topiaries. Hopefully there is something interesting to look forward to!

 

[disneygirl1]

We'll be there the same time! 5/8-5/17! Can't wait!

 

[Brandon Bowman]

Awesome! Maybe we will see you there! Does anyone have some suggestion for viewing the electrical Water Pageant?

 

[disneygirl1]

Awesome! Maybe we will see you there! Does anyone have some suggestion for viewing the electrical Water Pageant?

Maybe! Our plans are very similar for 5/11, 5/13 and 5/14! Funny we are actually trying to figure out the best place to see the electrical water pageant too... We have seen it in the past on a sheer whim exiting the monorail but I think on 5/13 we are going to have a late dinner at Grand Floridian Cafe and try to catch it from the beach there

 

[Brandon Bowman]

We wanted to do the Wishes viewing with the dessert bar and ive been told if MK stays open late you can view it from there. Im really not sure anymore haha