My Itinerary ~ EVERYTHING is booked now!

[duchess1576]

I'm so happy!!!​

:sohappy:

I have EVERYTHING booked and ready for our April 23-30 vacation! Tickets and hotel reservations are made and plane tickets are bought and meal reservations have been made!

Here's my intinerary:

We chose to go during the week after the school's April Vacation week, hoping that the big Easter and Spring Break crowds will have died down a little by then. We'll be flying into Fort Myers on Wednesday, April 19th to stay and visit with friends for 4 days. We rented a Chevy Equinox and will be driving to Orlando on Sunday, the 23rd, morning! We got the 7-day with Water Park extra and of course the fabulous Dining Plan, which we LOVED last year! We didn't choose Park Hopper because last year we got it and didn't even hop once. I have one park planned a day anyway, so we'll be fine without it I think.

Sunday, April 23rd: We chose to stay at Pop Century! We stayed at All-Star Sports last year and absolutely adored it! We almost chose to stay at All-Star Music this year, but when we found out that Pop has its own buses and doesn't share with the other value resorts, we looked into the resort and totally fell for it. I don't think we'll be disppointed. We expect to arrive around 12:00 noon and will drive straight to Pop. After check-in and some unpacking and a quick dip in the pool, we will drive to Dolphin Resort to drop off our rental car. We're dropping it off here instead of at the WDW car care center so we can hop right on the boat from there to EPCOT. We decided to just do World Showcase this day and do Futureworld another day. Last year we only did a quick walk through World Showcase and only stopped for Maelstrom and margaritas in Mexico. This year we will take our time and see every country. For dinner, we wanted to do the character meal at Akershus. But the Norwegian food didn't look too appetizing to me. So we chose to do the Princess Breakfast on our other EPCOT day. For this night, we made reservations at Garden Grill. I think it was closed for remodeling last April. Our reservations are at 6:50. After dinner, we will head right over to get a good spot for Illuminations. Last year we ended up in a bad spot and didn't really enjoy the show.
Monday, April 24th: We will spend this day, and the following, at Magic Kingdom! I even divided the two days into Adventureland, Liberty Square and Frontierland this day and the other side of the park the next. Last year we only had one day at MK and really rushed through it. This year is all about taking our time, relaxing and noticing all the little things we missed last year. We have 9:00 AM reservations for the 'Ohana character breakfast. We're going to grab a Fastpasses for Splash Mountain as soon as we come out of breakfast, and then get right on Big Thunder Mountain. I think we'll have a small lunch at Pecos Bill's and I also have to make sure I stop at Aloha Isle so I can try the world-famous Dole Whip! A couple attractions that we didn't have time for last year that we have to make sure we do this time are Hall Of Presidents and Enchanted Tiki Room. I'm disappointed that the Riverboat will be down because we missed that last year too. Oh well. For dinner, we have reservations at Liberty Tree Tavern at 7:00. After dinner we will stake out a good spot, preferably near a trash can I can balance my camera on for good night-pictures of Wishes.
Tuesday, April 25th: Our second Magic Kingdom day! We will have breakfast at Everything Pop at the hotel. I might even get up early and go grab breakfast while DH and DS are showering and bring it back to the room, that might be quicker. This day we will do Main Street, Fantasyland and Tommorowland. We're going to grab Fastpasses for Space Mountain right away. Some attractions we missed last year that we have to be sure to do are the Mad Tea Cups and the Tommorowland Transit Authority. We'll watch the Dream Come True parade if we didn't see it the day before. We have dinner reservations for 5:50 at 1900 Park Fare. After dinner, we will watch Spectromagic!
Wednsday, April 26th: For breakfast, we have 9:00 reservations for Cape May. After breakfast we're going to play mini-golf at Fantasia Gardens! Then we're going to go to Typhoon Lagoon! We didn't visit any of the waterparks last year, and chose Typhoon Lagoon because of Shark Reef. It looks awesome! Then we will spend some time at the hotel and have dinner at Everything Pop.
Thursday, April 27th: Breakfast at Everything Pop and then off to Animal Kingdom. We want to get there at park opening because we didn't get there very early last year and saw hardly any animals. We heard that the animals are more active early in the morning. So we will grab Fastpasses first thing for Expedition Everest and then head over to Kilimanjaro Safari. One ride we missed last year was Kali River Rapids, so we will be sure to do that this time. We're going to hang out at AK until lunchtime, and then head down to Downtown Disney. DH and DS will spend the afternoon at Disney Quest while I hop on the ferry across the way to Saratoga Springs for a spa visit! I've never been to a spa before and I can't wait! I think I'm going to choose the Adirondack Stone Therapy. We have dinner reservations at Planet Hollywood for 5:45 and we'll have coupons, so we will pay cash for that dinner.
Friday, April 28th: This day we will spend at MGM. Breakfast at Everything Pop again. We will grab Fastpasses first thing for Tower Of Terror and then wait in line for Rock'N'Rollercoaster. We also want to make sure we do Lights Motor Action and the new Narnia attraction. And of course, my favorite parade, Stars and Motor Cars. After that, we have dinner reservations at 50's Prime Time Cafe at 6:05. Then, of course, Fantasmic!
Saturday, April 29th: This will be our second EPCOT day, just for Future World. We'll have our Princess Breakfast at Akershus at 9:50 AM. Then we will grab Fastpasses for Soarin' and then jump right on Test Track. I don't think we will need to spend an entire day just in FutureWorld, so if there's anything we missed in World Showcase on Sunday, we'll go back there. Otherwise, we're going to go do some shopping in Downtown Disney. We're also gonna try to make it back to Boardwalk to Beaches and Cream for the famous Kitchen Sink.
Sunday, April 30th: Our last breakfast at Everything Pop. Then we will pack up and check out and get ready for our Magical Express pick-up at 10:30. Our plane leaves on Song at 12:00 noon and we will arrive back in Hartford, CT at 2:28!

Everything sounds perfect, ya think?

:sohappy: I can't wait!!! :sohappy:

Thanks for letting me express my happiness by writing all this up here!

 

[barnum42]

Looks like you got it all figured out. Personally my planning involves waking up in the morning and seeing what sort of park mood I'm in :lol:

Regarding seeing Animals - personally I love the last hour at Animal kingdom. They do a thing where they put the gorillas to bed, which can be anything from fifteen minutes to three quarters of an hour before closing. Ask a CM during the day and they will tell you when it is scheduled.

What happens is that the three teens of the bachelor group have to sit at specific places to allow the old boy to go to bed in peace. They are rewarded with treats. Also you get the opportunity to talk to the actual keepers.

Many of my gorilla photos were taken at this time:

http://joechester.fotopic.net/c325453_1.html

If they Gorillas are in bed early enough I then swing over to the tigers as they will be quite active at the end of the day - getting ready to go in and have their supper. You will also find that you can stay watching them for a while after closing - cast members will be doing a sweep of the trail, when they get to you, you either head off or join them in a stroll and chat around the rest of the trail.

Again, a lot of my tiger photos come from this time, particularly the really close up ones where one of the girls is right up against the glass:

http://joechester.fotopic.net/c341241.html

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Seems like a well thought out plan - have you scheduled bathroom breaks :lol:

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey Duchess, Your plans sound really good actually. Not too much on any given day and built in time for relaxing!!! I do think that there is quite a bit more to EPCOT than you are giving the park credit for. Sunday ( the first EPCOT day) you MUST catch Off Kilter in the Canadian Pavilion. They will NOT be playing on Saturday (your 2nd EPCOT day) Also make sure you catch Soarin' That is one AMAZING attraction. Also had you considered eating in one of the other countries? My personal favorites are Le Cellier and Teppanyaki Grill. Also make sure to look up Mulch, Sweat & Shears in MGM Studios!!!! Belle

 

[Craig & Lisa]

Hey Duchess, Your plans sound really good actually. Not too much on any given day and built in time for relaxing!!! I do think that there is quite a bit more to EPCOT than you are giving the park credit for. Sunday ( the first EPCOT day) you MUST catch Off Kilter in the Canadian Pavilion. They will NOT be playing on Saturday (your 2nd EPCOT day) Also make sure you catch Soarin' That is one AMAZING attraction. Also had you considered eating in one of the other countries? My personal favorites are Le Cellier and Teppanyaki Grill. Also make sure to look up Mulch, Sweat & Shears in MGM Studios!!!! Belle

there is more , and the part about Soarin is right on the money. Can't say enough about that attraction, one hint don't doubt Belle's suggestion about Off Kilter, I think if Belle ever went to WDW and did Not see them they would have to carry her out. Belle, how are the prices at those two places to eat? We might try them in April.

 

[wannabeBelle]

there is more , and the part about Soarin is right on the money. Can't say enough about that attraction, one hint don't doubt Belle's suggestion about Off Kilter, I think if Belle ever went to WDW and did Not see them they would have to carry her out. Belle, how are the prices at those two places to eat? We might try them in April.

Hi there !!!!!! Yeah I really dig Off Kilter!!! Hey, at least everyone knows where to find me on any of my trips!!!! Besides obviously it isnt only me Off Kilter was voted the number one musical act in Disneyworld in one of the last issues of the Disney Magazine!!! Nice to know I Am not alone in my insanity!!!! I adore Le Cellier and Teppanyaki. Both are great and run right around$40.00 per person. Le Cell takes the DDE card Teppanyaki doesnt for the 20% discount. Belle

 

[Monty]

I adore Le Cellier and Teppanyaki. Both are great and run right around$40.00 per person. Le Cell takes the DDE card Teppanyaki doesnt for the 20% discount. Belle

But both are on the DDP list and well worth using Table Service for... :slurp:

Actually, my next trip I'm tempted to get parker hoppers and book the vast majority of our Table Service meals at World Showcase, there are lots of really great restaurants there and with the DDP, some of the best value-for-dollar choices.

 

[wannabeBelle]

But both are on the DDP list and well worth using Table Service for... :slurp:

Actually, my next trip I'm tempted to get parker hoppers and book the vast majority of our Table Service meals at World Showcase, there are lots of really great restaurants there and with the DDP, some of the best value-for-dollar choices.

Absolutely true!!! The DDP and the DDE card are two different types of plans and as such dont have the same restuarants included in each. The Dining Plan is a great option and for an almost cash free vacation cant be beat. I did that option myself in October and it was wonderful. Belle

 

[RU42]

Hi Duchess!

While you are at the pop, if you see a guy with a black photographers backpack with a tripod tied to the front, say hi to RU! I am at the Pop at the same time as you (4/24 to 5/9)

My itinerary is not as detailed as yours but I do have Parks planned out at least to start my trip:
25 & 26 - MK
27 & 28 - AK
29 & 30 - EP
1 - DS

From there it becomes a bit random.

RU

 

[nelsonj3]

Wow! We're leaving this Wednesday, March 15th for 6 Days and 5 Nights at the Pop Century Resort, and I don't have any kind of itinerary even close to that.

I guess we've been to WDW enough that we won't be too upset if we miss a few selected attractions.

Your plan looks good. I personally enjoy park hopping, but to each his own. You will like Pop Century. I've stayed in every major Resort except Grand Floridian and Contemporary, and I really like Pop Century for the price. I also like the fact that it has it's own buses like you said. We've stayed at the All-Stars before and head LONG waits for buses.

Have fun!

 

[duchess1576]

Hi Duchess!

While you are at the pop, if you see a guy with a black photographers backpack with a tripod tied to the front, say hi to RU! I am at the Pop at the same time as you (4/24 to 5/9)

My itinerary is not as detailed as yours but I do have Parks planned out at least to start my trip:
25 & 26 - MK
27 & 28 - AK
29 & 30 - EP
1 - DS

From there it becomes a bit random.

RU

Hey, cool!

Yeah, I love making up detailed itineraries, as you can see. But if I were staying in WDW as long as you are, I would probably float around aimlessly too. Have fun and take lots of pretty pics for us!

If you see a redhead with a little sony cybershot glued to her hand yelling, "hey you ru42!!!", that's me.

(Thanks for bumping up my thread, too!)

 

[DisneyMarg]

Sounds like a GREAT plan! My only advice is to leave a little room for re-doing a ride. Some of our most "magical" experiences were when we got an extra "go".

We did the same thing at MGM that you are planning - FP for ToT and standby for RnRRC. But, when we finished on the coaster and went back to ToT, the standby line there was pretty short, so we jumped in it, saving our FP, and then immediately used our FP to repeat ToT right after we got off. Doing it twice in a row added a whole deja vu thing to the experience.

Likewise, we rode Kali River early, as you are planning to do, and no one was in line as it wasn't hot yet. When we got back to the beginning of the ride, we asked to just stay on, and they let us. We rode 3 times without getting off. We were completely drenched, but it was so much fun.

Oh, and don't forget, you'll be there during the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot, so leave a little extra time for walking around and looking at all of the wonderful displays.

Finally,


take me! take me!

 

[SallyShine]

Planning is a must if you are going during a busy time and using the ddp. I can't think of anything worse than not being able to use a table service credit because you can't get in anywhere. Your plans look great! Have a blast!

 

[mitchk]

That's a very nice itinerary you have there. I also love to plan everything, but my girl prefers we play everything by ear. I secretly have a plan in my head, so I'll act like I am just pitching ideas for things to do, and most the time it goes my way. Well, have a magical time... I'll be at All star sports, maybe I'll see ya in the parks. :wave:

 

[surfsupdon]

Hi there !!!!!! Yeah I really dig Off Kilter!!! Hey, at least everyone knows where to find me on any of my trips!!!!

Ohh, I caught you there, rocking away to the group. It was really fun!!

 

[forbidden donut]

Hi Duchess!

While you are at the pop, if you see a guy with a black photographers backpack with a tripod tied to the front, say hi to RU! I am at the Pop at the same time as you (4/24 to 5/9)

RU

And if you see a guy with a camera bag with a monopod strapped to it, say hi to the Forbidden Donut! I will be at the Pop at the same time also (4/28 to 5/8).

 

[rmp_king]

Magic Express only picks you up an hour and a half before your flight? I always remember spending an hour in the security line up at Orlando airport.
Sounds like a good trip plan!! Have fun !