Pre-Trip My 12th trip, but I feel like I've never done this before

Since 2019, I have followed many trip reports but have stayed silent not knowing how I felt about WDW or what to say. We had no idea when (or if) we would ever venture back. Now, we have a trip coming up (for reasons I will explain later)...planned in so much less time that I am used to. I have so many questions, and no answers. My anxiety is getting the better of my, so I am calling on the EXPERTS for help/advice. Please take pity on me (and my glass of wine), so that my husband (Brian) and my son (Gus, age 9 1/2) don't have the worst WDW experience of their lives (and I don't have to check myself into Betty Ford!).

I will lay out the plans I have made, and questions I have. All input will be greatly appreciated!

 

[wdwfamilynh]

Day 1 - Arrival / Animal Kingdom
An early flight out of CT will put us in MCO around 10AM. We will need to pick up one checked bag and head to Mears for transport to AKL-Kidani (2-bedroom, Savanna view villa). After dropping off said checked bag (and all of our carry-ons), we will head to AK for the afternoon. The goal is to do Discovery Island Trails, It's Tough To Be A Bug and Dinosaur, with a stop at Flame Tree BBQ for lunch, before heading back to Kidani for some pool time before an ADR at Sanaa (this is our latest tradition for a first day at WDW).

Day 2 - Epcot
Getting to Epcot for Early Entry, the goal is to do the following (in order):
1. Test Track;
2. Soarin;
3. Living with the Land;
4. The Seas with Nemo (and all the other aquarium stuff - Gus is fascinated with The Magic of Disney's Animal Kingdom on Disney+);
5. Figment (I may let Brian and Gus do this one alone, just like last time);
6. Spaceship Earth.
Lunch may be something quick at Epcot, or at the pool back at Kidani (depends on how much heat three New Englanders can take). Back to Epcot for dinner at Via Napoli and, if we have not run out of energy (Brian's job has us in a early-to-bed routine), Epcot Forever. Will also try for a Guardians of the Galaxy boarding group (not sure who will actually ride just yet), although I have no idea how to do this. Help, please?!?!?!

 

[wdwfamilynh]

Day 3 - Magic Kingdom
Getting to MK for Early Entry, the goal is to do the following (in order):
1. Peter Pan;
2. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train;
3. Big Thunder Mountain RR;
4. Country Bear Jamboree;
5. Haunted Mansion;
6. Mickey's PhilharMagic;
7. It's A Small World;
8. Under the Sea;
9. Winnie the Pooh;
10. WDW RR;
11. Dumbo.

Lunch may be something quick at MK or (again) at the pool back at Kidani. Back to MK for dinner at Be a Our Guest (we are doing this for the experience, not the pre fixe meal) and we can try to tackle anything we did not have time for earlier in the day before/after dinner. Finishing off the night (depending on energy/tolerance levels) with Happily Ever After. Gus has also requested a stop at Gaston's Tavern for a cinnamon roll at some point during the day (given the sub-par experience in 2019, Brian and I could pass).

Will try for a Tron boarding group, if I can figure that out. Help, please?!?!?!

Day 4 - Magic Kingdom
Back to MK for Early Entry, the goal is to do the following (in order):
1. Tomorrowland Speedway (Gus' favorite);
2. Space Mountain (this would be a first for Gus, not sure if Brian will ride);
3. TTA PeopleMover;
4. Carousel of Progress (I don't think Brian or Gus have ever done this one);
5. Pirates of the Caribbean;
6. Magic Carpets of Aladdin;
7. Jungle Cruise;
8. Swiss Family Treehouse (I am certain Brian or Gus have never done this one);
9. WDW RR (we can't ride just one time, right??).

Lunch may (again) be something quick at MK or at the pool back at Kidani. Dinner at Jiko, and then back to MK for Happily Ever After (if we did not see it the night before, or need to see it again) and to tackle anything else we did not have time for earlier in the day. Dole whip pineapple upside-down cake at Sunshine Tree Terrace is a must x3. Will try for a Tron boarding group (again, or if I have no luck the day before).

How does ILL (to quote @Tuvalu) work?

 

[wdwfamilynh]

Day 5 - Hollywood Studios
Getting to HS for Early Entry, the goal is to do the following (in order):
1. Rise of the Resistance;
2. Millenium Falcon - Smuggler's Run;
3. Star Tours (yes, Gus and I are big Star Wars fans...I think Brian just tolerates the two nerds in the house, or he secretly has a thing for a certain gold bikini);
4. Slinky Dog Dash;
5. Mickey & Minnie's Runaway RR (I could pass on this one - not a fan of the "new" cartoon characters);
6. Muppet Vision 3D (this is a non-negotiable since the only way my bedtime was ever extended was on a Monday to watch The Muppet Show);
7. Tower of Terror (this strictly depends on who, besides me, is feeling brave);
8. Indiana Jones Stunt Show (only if time permits and everything else has been checked off the list);
9. Toy Story Mania (again, only if time permits and everything else has been checked off the list - Brian and I are NOT Toy Story fans, per se).

Lunch may be something quick at HS or at the pool back at Kidani. Back to HS for dinner at Mama Melrose's (only because @Tuvalu has given such good reviews over the years) and Fantasmic. I think we will be able to tackle anything we did not have time for earlier in the day before/after dinner.

Day 6 - Epcot
Getting to Epcot for Early Entry, the goal is to do the following (in order):
1. Remy's Ratatouille ("Rat Patootie") Adventure (this would be the first time for all of us!);
2. Frozen Ever After (as much as we (i.e., Gus and I) are Frozen fans, we will pass this up if the standby time is too long - I still want to protest the re-theming);
3. Gran Fiesta Tour;
4. Impressions de France (this will likely just be me);
5. Canada Far & Wide (how can we not? - we are closer in proximity to Canada all summer (and randomly throughout the rest of the year) than than nearest grocery store and hospital).

Lunch will be at the pool back at Kidani. Dinner will be "eating around the world" at Epcot, which will give us time to tackle anything else we did not have time for earlier in the day (or during our prior day at Epcot). Les Halles is a must-do, since I cannot have a trip to World Showcase without French pastry.

 

[wdwfamilynh]

Day 7 - Animal Kingdom
Getting to AK for Early Entry, the goal is to do the following (in order):
1. Kilimanjaro Safari;
2. Gorilla Falls Trail (Brian and I could pass on this, but Gus really wants to try to see Gino);
3. Expedition Everest;
4. Kali River Rapids (donning swimwear since Brian and I have always gotten soaked!).

Lunch will likely be at the pool back at Kidani - but there is a mandatory stop at Dawa Bar while at AK (a Bloody Mary with candied bacon is A MUST for Brian, and I can always use a good cocktail - plus, this has been an every-trip tradition for Brian and me since Gus' first trip (at age 2) when our parents would take Gus to The Lion King show). ADR at Terralina, with (maybe - LEGO store) a few other stops in Disney Springs.

Day 8 - Animal Kingdom
This may seem like AK overload (I'm looking at you,@Tuvalu and @TrolleyFollower91), but AK is one of our favorite parks.

Back to AK for Early Entry (again), the goal is to do the following (in order):
1. Flight of Passage (a first time for Gus, but Brian may skip this or spend most of the time with his eyes closed)
2. Na'vi River Journey;
3. Maharajah Jungle Trek.

Lunch will certainly be at Satu'li Canteen, and then to the pool back at Kidani. The agenda for today is light, but it will give us flexibility if there is anything we have not been able to do at AK the prior day and a half. ADR for dinner at Paddlefish, and then back to Kidani to to do final preparations for the dreaded eviction the next morning.

Day 9 - Eviction
We have no plans here, since our flight out of MCO is mid-afternoon which puts us back in CT around dinner. We will need to figure out dinner in the midst of the drive north to home, keeping in mind Brian will be back to work very early the next day and Gus will be back at school. I have the "luxury" of taking another day off - but that day will be spent on countless loads of laundry, food shopping and triaging work emails so that I don't lose my mind on my first day back.

I know I have only typed out the end of this trip, but I am already feeling sad it is over.

 

[wdwfamilynh]

FINAL THOUGHTS/QUESTIONS...
1. How do I link my MDE app with Brian's? I have tried to follow the online instructions, but I cannot figure out how to do this without un-doing his info in my app.
2. How does ILL work? Cost, access, etc?
3. Am I crazy in the planning I have done?
4. I reserve the right to add to my questions going forward! I am sure I missed something here, or something else will present an unknown situation.

Again, thank you for any input you have!

 

[meggo819]

Dole whip pineapple upside-down cake at Sunshine Tree Terrace is a must x3.

I think you’ll actually find this at the nearby Aloha Isle. So good!

 

[wdwfamilynh]

I think you’ll actually find this at the nearby Aloha Isle. So good!

Yes! I always call the wrong thing, but get to the right place. Thanks

 

[rshell68]

Wow! I'm tired just reading JK....enjoy your trip!!!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

FINAL THOUGHTS/QUESTIONS...
1. How do I link my MDE app with Brian's? I have tried to follow the online instructions, but I cannot figure out how to do this without un-doing his info in my app.

He should create his own profile if he hasn't already.

Then, inside YOUR account, go to MyDisneyExperience, My Family & Friends. You should see his name and it says "Plans managed by me" in gray next to it.

Click update.

Click "Share Planning with Brian."

Put his email address, click continue, and it will send him a friend request (for lack of a better term).

After you're fully linked, you're going to want to go back to the same place and "Update" Gus so that Brian can also see and manage Gus.

2. How does ILL work? Cost, access, etc?

Genie+ is better than ILL, especially when two of the ILL attractions have free virtual queues.

3. Am I crazy in the planning I have done?

Yes. Plan parks, or even parks and lands. But planning individual attractions in order is setting yourself up to go insane. Especially if you're using Genie+ (which you should for at least one Magic Kingdom day). If you force Genie+ to fit your predetermined plan, it won't work for you. If you take what Genie+ gives you and roll with the punches, you can be hugely efficient with it.

You'll also need Genie+ to do everything you have scheduled for Hollywood Studios in one day, and even then it will be tight.

Your plans look a lot like mine though. 8 nights, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Animal Kingdom heavy.

Highly recommend Boma twice (once for breakfast, once for dinner), plus Tusker House if you're interested in a character meal. We like TH around 10am because it doubles well as breakfast and lunch.

Satu'li Canteen is the new king of AK quick service. Flame Tree BBQ is so 2016.

 

[wdwfamilynh]

Wow! I'm tired just reading JK....enjoy your trip!!!

Thank you

 

[Tuvalu]

Welcome Back!

Suspected you're from New England but always assumed NH based on your user name, not CT.

I'm happy to provide input for your vacation based on my experience. No need to apologize for your family's fondness for AK (I'm fascinated with The Magic of Disney's Animal Kingdom myself!) or AKL, which sounds like the perfect location for your family.

@CaptainAmerica helped with linking your MDE to your husband's and I agree with his recommendations of Boma, Tusker House and Satu'li Canteen. He is also spot on in his assessment that planning individual attractions in order is a recipe for disaster in terms of stress. You did not mention if you plan to purchase Genie+ (not ILL, that's different) which can help save time in lines, especially if you don't utilize early morning entry.

Since you plan on early entry (good!) you can get much accomplished without purchasing Genie+. What is unclear to me if you expect to do ALL the attractions on each day BEFORE lunch. Unless you lunch in mid-afternoon and the parks are empty (you also did not mention your trip dates), I think you've set your expectations too high. The half-hour early entry gives you a jump on crowds, but at best you'll get 3 quick attractions (like a dark ride) done....more likely it will be 1 attraction. I didn't even get out of Peter Pan until well after regular opening despite getting in line right at early entry.

The process for joining the virtual queue for Guardians or TRON is easy. Disney will send an app notification the day prior to remind you of your eligibility in the morning. Open the app around 6:55 am and you will see "join virtual queue" on the home page. Refresh the app and have someone watch the clock at time.gov and count down the last ten seconds prior to 7am. You are gonna push the button (and keep pushing, as the screen will change) until you are notified you're either in a group or not. If unsuccessful, try again at 1pm when the odds improve of your getting into a group.

If you want to avoid the stress, I recommend purchasing the ILL at 7 am for either attraction (or 7DMT, Rise or FoP....Captain and I disagree on spending money for ILL.) On the Genie page you will see the option to purchase.

Hope you have a wonderful time!

 

[amjt660]

if you plan to purchase Disney+

Watching The Mandalorian will help me get on rides faster??

Max

 

[amjt660]

The process for joining the virtual queue for Guardians or TRON is easy

If unsuccessful, try again at 1pm when the odds improve of your getting into a group.

Max

 

[wdwfamilynh]

He should create his own profile if he hasn't already.

Then, inside YOUR account, go to MyDisneyExperience, My Family & Friends. You should see his name and it says "Plans managed by me" in gray next to it.

View attachment 711352

Click update.

Click "Share Planning with Brian."

Put his email address, click continue, and it will send him a friend request (for lack of a better term).

After you're fully linked, you're going to want to go back to the same place and "Update" Gus so that Brian can also see and manage Gus.


Genie+ is better than ILL, especially when two of the ILL attractions have free virtual queues.


Yes. Plan parks, or even parks and lands. But planning individual attractions in order is setting yourself up to go insane. Especially if you're using Genie+ (which you should for at least one Magic Kingdom day). If you force Genie+ to fit your predetermined plan, it won't work for you. If you take what Genie+ gives you and roll with the punches, you can be hugely efficient with it.

You'll also need Genie+ to do everything you have scheduled for Hollywood Studios in one day, and even then it will be tight.

Your plans look a lot like mine though. 8 nights, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Animal Kingdom heavy.

Highly recommend Boma twice (once for breakfast, once for dinner), plus Tusker House if you're interested in a character meal. We like TH around 10am because it doubles well as breakfast and lunch.

Satu'li Canteen is the new king of AK quick service. Flame Tree BBQ is so 2016.

Thank your for the MDE info!

Although I said we were going to do everything in order, the order I meant was preference and I totally understand what you mean about making myself insane (I'm actually pretty good at that!).

As long as Brian and I have coffee in the AM, we's good to go. Gus' breakfast will be in-room - we ordered from Garden Grocer.

We love Satu'li Canteen and will be sure to lunch there - Flame Tree BBQ was our first lunch last trip, and we may pass it by if we're not in the mood.

 

[wdwfamilynh]

Welcome Back!

Suspected you're from New England but always assumed NH based on your user name, not CT.

I'm happy to provide input for your vacation based on my experience. No need to apologize for your family's fondness for AK (I'm fascinated with The Magic of Disney's Animal Kingdom myself!) or AKL, which sounds like the perfect location for your family.

@CaptainAmerica helped with linking your MDE to your husband's and I agree with his recommendations of Boma, Tusker House and Satu'li Canteen. He is also spot on in his assessment that planning individual attractions in order is a recipe for disaster in terms of stress. You did not mention if you plan to purchase Genie+ (not ILL, that's different) which can help save time in lines, especially if you don't utilize early morning entry.

Since you plan on early entry (good!) you can get much accomplished without purchasing Genie+. What is unclear to me if you expect to do ALL the attractions on each day BEFORE lunch. Unless you lunch in mid-afternoon and the parks are empty (you also did not mention your trip dates), I think you've set your expectations too high. The half-hour early entry gives you a jump on crowds, but at best you'll get 3 quick attractions (like a dark ride) done....more likely it will be 1 attraction. I didn't even get out of Peter Pan until well after regular opening despite getting in line right at early entry.

The process for joining the virtual queue for Guardians or TRON is easy. Disney will send an app notification the day prior to remind you of your eligibility in the morning. Open the app around 6:55 am and you will see "join virtual queue" on the home page. Refresh the app and have someone watch the clock at time.gov and count down the last ten seconds prior to 7am. You are gonna push the button (and keep pushing, as the screen will change) until you are notified you're either in a group or not. If unsuccessful, try again at 1pm when the odds improve of your getting into a group.

If you want to avoid the stress, I recommend purchasing the ILL at 7 am for either attraction (or 7DMT, Rise or FoP....Captain and I disagree on spending money for ILL.) On the Genie page you will see the option to purchase.

Hope you have a wonderful time!

Your suspicion was right - we are from NH but like flying out of CT better.

We are not purchasing Genie+ - can't justify the extra cost. ILL might be considered if we don't have any luck with certain attractions, but I will feel about paying for something that used to be included.

Thank you for the trip advice! I am anxious to see how this trip goes, since I am the only one doing the planning and hoping to meet the boys' expectations .