Okay... who wants to create my intinerary?? Oh, come on....!! wink wink

[moopdog]

Yes, you heard me right? I'm starting to get burned out with the planning of this trip and think a fresh pair of eyes just might do a better job of helping me with the itinerarry (I know I wrecked that word). Here's some basic info:

We're going to ASM on Friday 9/23/05, our flight comes into Orlando at 1:00. My family consists of DD almost 3; DS almost 5, DD 13 and my DH and I.

After two days at ASM, we are checking out on Sunday morning, going to a park and then coming back to Old Key West for the rest of the trip, leavin at 3:10 on the 30th.

My kids will probably not get a nap every single day, but most days. I do plan to go early each day, but probably won't stay "out" past 8 or nine at the latest - more likely we'll be getting back to hotel each night by 7 for baths and downtime.

I think we're opting for a 7 day ticket, but no hopper. On one of the days if we can get an amazing discount between now and then we may get tickets to Typhoon Lagoon. I'd like to take the boat from OKW to DTD at least once, maybe twice. I'd like to see Wishes one night and Illuminations one night... and the parade at MK once. I'd like us to eat once at Whispering Canyon, possibly Ohana and possibly Sci-Fi Drive In.

Those are our only ideas at this point, but not sure how the "flow" should go. I assume going to AK should be the one day we're at ASM, since it's so close... am I right?

Anyway, if someone wants to tackle this I'll be forever in their debt!! inkbounc

Thanks soooo much in advance (if anyone DOES have enough strength to do this that is). -Moopdog
BTW - I did post this on another board in case you recognize it, I thought that way maybe one or two people might reply... ha ha.

 

[bears163]

OK first thing you will need to do is get a tour guide. and my family and i will be happy to volenteer. just send us our plane tickets and we'll take car of the rest :animwink: :animwink: . get ps as soon as you can. check the nights the fireworks are to make sure you see them. we went last september 9th-15th and had a great time. longest wait was 15 minutes. as far as what parks to go in on what days. it really does not matter. usually we planed the day before what park we were going to. to much planning can take away from the fun. we are going in december for the decorations. we cannot wait.
so i can really say is relax have fun don't plan to much cause things might happen to throw you off a schedule. plan the major things like PS and the fireworks then plan your days around that. hope this helps alittle atleast. have fun. 294 more days till we go :brick:

 

[wild01ride]

moopdog,
I'd be happy to send you a copy of a slightly modified itinerary from my Sept. '04 trip.
I have a copy that you can look at and I can fine-tune some of the things if you want to go with it.
You can let me know and I can put something together for you or you can custom tailor it using the one I send you.

Just let me know where I can send the Excel file!

 

[DisneyWood]

Beat me to the punch..

OK first thing you will need to do is get a tour guide. and my family and i will be happy to volenteer. just send us our plane tickets and we'll take car of the rest :animwink: :animwink: . get ps as soon as you can. check the nights the fireworks are to make sure you see them. we went last september 9th-15th and had a great time. longest wait was 15 minutes. as far as what parks to go in on what days. it really does not matter. usually we planed the day before what park we were going to. to much planning can take away from the fun. we are going in december for the decorations. we cannot wait.
so i can really say is relax have fun don't plan to much cause things might happen to throw you off a schedule. plan the major things like PS and the fireworks then plan your days around that. hope this helps alittle atleast. have fun. 294 more days till we go :brick:

Well, I would be happy to be the tour guide for your vacation. I will even carry a megaphone and wear a bright solid shirt for your convenience. :wave:

I would get some PS relatively soon for character breakfasts/dinners. They are well worth it. You can plan the character breakfast around the park you want to go to that day. For example, GF, Poly & Crystal Palace have great character breakfast and are near the MK. Also, I think Donald Duck has one at the AK. I would make a reservation at the Crystal Palace (Winnie the Pooh & friends) b/c you will be able to get in the park early. Each of those places also has a character dinner as well, however, I would recommend Chef Mickeys @ the Contemporary. It is fabulous.

Spend a 1/2 day @ MGM and the other 1/2 @ DTD. You will be able to spend a full day @ MK, Epcot, AK (due to the size). Also, spend time at the hotel pool and let the children run around and explore somewhat.

You will have a great trip, so don't worry about hitting everything based on a timeline. Relax and have a great time and enjoy the atmosphere w/ your family.

 

[Ergens2]

have you checked www.mapleleaftickets.com for discounted tickets? We use them everytime we need Universal tickets and they are great! I just saw a recent price list for MYW tickets with them and their prices were really good! They also come highley recommended by Deb at www.allearsnet.com

Shelley :wave:

 

[jesserin]

To go along with shelley - Pam from Kingdom Konsultants also sells the disounted tickets from MapleLeafTickets... be sure to contact her as getting the best deal, combined with a travel agent really are the way to go!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ok, as for your trip:

First Day - check in, get settled, nap if needed, then gather the family and head down to Downtown Disney - enjoy the feeling of just being in WDW by relaxing and enjoying a nice dinner (my personal recommendation is The Rainforest Cafe - perfect for families and wonderful food! - great photo ops here as well!) Head back to the hotel and get everyone settled as tomorrow will be a busy day!


Second day of your trip (especially b/c you have little one's) should be spent at the Magic Kingdom - I always recommend this as it really makes you feel like you've finally arrived in WDW. Get a Wake Up call (stick one of your kids next to the phone so they can answer it in the morning) and head to the park bright and early. If it's an extra magic hour morning - be sure to be there by opening to really take advantage of the low attendance! Eat a quick lunch at Casey's Corner (a long time inexpensive favorite! - Tip here: Split a large fry and drink with the kids - just ask for extra cups - it's all of a .50 difference in price and will pass around nicely) After lunch head back to the hotel for a nap with the kids - maybe your older daughter can head for a swim to relax... then after dinner at the resort (great pizza deliverary!) head back to the Magic Kingdom to finish up anything you didn't do earlier and to see Wishes - this will be a later night as Wishes usually doesn't show before 8pm... take it easy after the fireworks and grab some fudge and a bench... chill until the crowds die down a little and then head back to the bus station.

Third Day - Check out of the hotel early (have your luggage transferred to the OKW - all you have to do is call when you arrive at the OKW later in the day and they will deliver everything to your door!) And head to Animal Kingdom. This is a great day to take it a little slower after all the craziness of the previous day. Take time to look at the animals while enjoying the park - they really are an attraction in themselves! After you've done everything you feel you need to do here - grab the kids and head for the OKW - check in, relax and get settled. A short nap wouldn't hurt and then everyone head to the Wilderness Lodge (take a bus to the MK and then ferry over to the WL) for a wonderful dinner at the Whispering Canyon. Relax and enjoy your dinner - this is a great time to take it all in that you're on vacation!

Fourth Day - sleep in. Yes, I said it, relax a little - enjoy breakfast at the resort, before taking the kids over to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon - Personally of the two TL is great for kids b/c of the wave pool - when in the shallow end the wave pool can be lots of fun and lots to take in for little people! Relax on the lazy river and just enjoy the sunshine! Head back to your resort later in the after noon and prepare for a wonderful dinner at Ohana. What a great way to finish off the day than with a family swim before bedtime... Be sure to enjoy OKW as it is a gorgeous resort and is worth spending some time there enjoying it!

Okay this is all for now - i'll finish it a little later!

 

[jesserin]

Ok continuing...

Fifth Day - Rise and shine - after your relaxing day - today is a day for EPCOT!!! Be sure to arrive rather early to enjoy most of the larger attractions (tip: if one of the adults in your party doesn't do the "thrill" rides - then maybe they could take the kids over to the Living Seas for the first hour or so - lots to do - especially with Crush, meanwhile your 13 yr. old and the other adult could be riding some rides... meet up for lunch at the Garden Grill (character lunch - very fun with excellant food - be sure to tell them if you are celebrating any birthdays, anniversarys, graduations, etc. - they make quite a big deal out of celebrations) After lunch grab the kids and head back to the OKW for some swim time and a nap - after everyone is refreshed head back to Epcot and tour the countries - lots of fun and inexensive things to do for dinner... make sure to stay for Illuminations! Unlike Wishes - this is a show that you could easily miss the last 5 min of and be alright - so towards the end start walking towards the exit - bus rides here can take awhile so get in line early so y'all can get back to the resort around 10pm or so (Illuminations is at 9:30 nightly)

Sixth Day - rise and shine and head over to MGM! A great way to enjoy this park is to start from the back and move forward - what I mean is start with Star Tours, and then tour around the back of the park doing Muppets, Animation, Backlot, and then making your way around to the side, Sci-Fi Diner for a late lunch - prices go up for dinner so eat a late lunch to fully enjoy this restaurant without spending $$$. Make your PS ahead of time b/c this restaurant nearly always has a long wait. Fantasmic is an excellant show which the kids will love - and b/c it starts around 7pm - you'll still be able to get the kids in bed by a decent hour.

Seventh Day - This could go one of two ways - Since you said you are staying 7 nights - you'll have 7 days for the parks - but if I did my math wrong and you are leaving today - then enjoy your morning and check out at your liesure...

If you have one last day for the parks - then back to the Magic Kingdom for one last day of fun... relax and go slow today - hit the "must see's" first and then head back to the hotel to relax - wether you go back or not, make sure you take some time on this last day to really enjoy your vacation - make sure you have any souvineers the kids wanted, and make sure all your details for your flight home are settled... Relax and spend some time by the pool... by doing this you'll feel rested for the journey home...

Hope this helps you out a little! Enjoy your trip - no matter what - be sure to get plenty of relaxation in... after all, that's what vacations are for! Also, if y'all follow this schedule you won't need to purchase a 7 day ticket - you'll be able to do a 4/5 day park ticket (depending on that last day) and purchase a one day water park ticket (mapleleaftickets - through Pam offers discounted water park tickets too!) This could allow you to do a couple extra "big" meals like character breakfasts!