Our first day at the Disney World....ever... does this sound feasible?

[ob1thx1138]

This is a cut/paste from my planning spread sheet for our first day. Which is Sunday June 27, 2010. If you would please look it over and let me know if I am planning too much or if my times are not very feasible. The touring schedule is basically the first day of the two day touring plan from the touring plans web site. The times are built around ADRs for Raglan Road and HDDR. Any chance we will get to see all of these attractions?

5:00:00 AM Get up Kissimmee Baymont Pack and load van
5:45:00 AM Breakfast Kissimmee Fast Food, maybe hotel
6:45:00 AM Leave Kissimmee Baymont
7:00:00 AM Arrive Port Orleans Riverside Check in, get tickets, let the magic begin
7:45:00 AM Bus Terminal Port Orleans Riverside Get on bus to Magic Kingdom
8:15:00 AM Bus Terminal Magic Kingdom arrive and see the Rope Drop
9:00:00 AM Magic Kingdom Rope Drop
Magic Kingdom Space Mountain FP
Magic Kingdom Buzz Lightyear FP
Magic Kingdom Many adven of Whinnie the Pooh FP
Magic Kingdom Peter Pans Flight FP
Magic Kingdom Philharmagic FP
Magic Kingdom Small World
Magic Kingdom Haunted Mansion
1:00:00 PM Magic Kingdom Be at the Bus Terminal for DTD
2:30:00 PM Down Town Disney Lunch at Raglan Road
3:00:00 PM Down Town Disney Room Should be ready
4:00:00 PM Port Orleans Riverside move into room and rest or swim
8:00:00 PM Port Orleans Riverside Get on Bus to Magic Kingdom
8:30:00 PM Magic Kingdom Arrive at Bus Termianl head to marina
9:00:00 PM Magic Kingdom Get on Boat to Fort Wilderness
9:30:00 PM Fort Wilderness Hoop De Doo Review
11:30:00 PM Fort Wilderness Get on Boat to Magic Kingdom
12:00:00 AM Magic Kingdom Fun till we get tired
Magic Kingdom Hall of Presidents
Magic Kingdom Country Bear Jamboree
Magic Kingdom Tom Sawyer Island
Magic Kingdom Stitches Great Escape FP
Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland Transit Authority
2:00:00 AM Magic Kingdom Park Closes

Thanks for your feed back. Oh and I do have one concern with travel. Can I travel from MK to DTD via bus or would I have to change over at a resort. In which case I guess I should just walk to Contemp and catch the bus to DTD there....right...???

 

[Jay & Sue]

If people are returning to ride Pan with fast passes, the Pan stand-by line will move very very slowly. You would be better off to ride HM twice in probably the same amount of time. You might want to consider watching the July 3rd fireworks at Epcot which is really a great show. All my opinion of course!

 

[durangojim]

Sounds feasable but extremely tiring.

Two things though:
1. I wouldn't go to the TTC to get to DTD, I'd take the monorail to the contemporary or a boat to the GF and take the bus from there.

2. Now make sure you keep this on the down low. Don't forget that you can use your "expired" FPs on the same day even if it's past the time shown on the ticket. This might help out when you go back to the park later. Keep this between you and me, because the Fast Pass police might come and get you:lookaroun

 

[DVCOwner]

Just slow down and enjoy. Do less and enjoy it more.

 

[dixiegirl]

What kind of illegal substances are you on - 21 hours on your first day !!!! and you've still got 7 more days :snore:
Perhaps this should have been posted in the "Running at Disney" section - this is a vacation NOT a marathon.

Replan,

Slowdown

Less is more

ENJOY

LOL almost spit my coffee out!!
But those were my thouhts exactly!

 

[dixiegirl]

Just slow down and enjoy. Do less and enjoy it more.

My thoughts as well! We find the less we plan, ADR's and such the slower our vacation goes by!! Which while your at Disney as we all know is great!

 

[cemeb4dk]

why stop at 2 AM, keep going just stay up the full 24 hours, you can do it!!!!:ROFLOL::ROFLOL:

Like all the others have said, relax and enjoy yourselves we have all made schedules, but something always comes up and throws a wrench in it, kids get tired, longer lines and what not. Just relax slow down and enjoy yourselves. It has gotten to the point now, we don't make a plan anymore we make a few Adr's and just wing the rest of it. Trying to stick to a schedule and be here and there at certain times killed the magic for us. You have 8 days in the happiest place, you dont want to crash and burn on day 3, so take a step back and enjoy.

 

[Bocko57]

I would take the advice of many posted here especially the following:

Since your meals are set in stone and they are not at MK, drive yourself and avoid the buses. The buses are a nice Disney experience but they can slow you down when trying to get somewhere fast. After taking Disney Transportation for years and enjoying that experience, I now drive to all the parks. Of course I still take a few rides on the Monorail.

Since you are leaving the park and coming back, you will be lucky to do all those things. And if you do, you will most likely ruin the next few days of trip being tired, sore, exhausted, and Grumpy. Going to Disney in the summer is crowded and hot so trying to do to much will make the trip more miserable. All of my trips since 1996 have been from May to August so I have learned from my summer experiences.

Take your time and enjoy!

 

[slappy magoo]

Unless you know you will never ever go to the Magic Kingdom again, I'd seriously suggest paring down. I'm not going to go into too much detail for two reasons.

1: You're getting a lot of specific advice about your agenda already and more opinions will probably make your head explode.
2: I don't know what aspects of the MK are most important to you or your family.

Let me ask you this: I know that a WDW trip is not cheap, but unless there is now officially "no room at the inn," is there any way you can swing the money to get to Riverside a day earlier? Because that extra night, while undoubtedly more expensive than the Baymont, what it does mean is:

-You've already checked in to your resort. You don't have to worry about getting to Riverside at 7am (assuming all else went well up to that point) only to find out a tour bus got there a few minutes ahead of you and you're spending more time waiting to check in than you've anticipated, throwing off your schedule.

-You and your family have had a night to explore the grounds, swim at the main pool or one of the quiet pools. It's a resort with an attention to detail that should be savored. The grounds are lovely.

-You're a boat ride away from DTD a night early so, if at all possible, you could have lunch or dinner at Raglan Road THAT day or night, rather than scrambling from MK to Contemporary to DTD, then back to your room for official check-in and unpacking and hopefully some rest...ugh, I tells ya. Ugh.

-You're not getting up at 5 in freaking AM for this marathon of a day. You can treat yourselves like kings...and get up at like 6:15 Seriously, with the day you have planned, you'll need it.

If you can do all of that, THEN the rest of your day seems not only more possible, but more palatable. Also, instead of trying to get to Raglan Road for lunch that day, you could try eating at one of the monorail resorts. Just getting out of the park for a short while may be all the recharging you need and then you'll be eager to go back. But if you need more rest, getting back to the MK from the monorail resorts and then to Riverside shouldn't be too much of a hassle.

You may be made of stronger stuff than I, and I am a serious planner when it comes to a WDW trip. Other vacations I take things as they come, plan as I go, but WDW, I've got an agenda, an alternate agenda, my meals are booked, and I still leave plenty of loose time, so if my wife needs a nap but I don't (I'd say "or vice versa" but tht never happens), we'll get her back and then I'll go to the nearest park, or water park, or have some fun at the resort. Having said all of that, if I tried to execute a plan like yours - even if I were alone and didn't have to accommodate anyone elses' needs or wants - the next day would be a complete washout, just resting my weary bones. Probably the day after that, too.

Oh, and might I add....THE FREAKIN' FLORIDA SUN?!?!?! Don't know where you're from, but if you're not used to it, believe me, it'll knock you on your asterisk. Even if you're used to heat, you may not be used to Florida heat. Just being in it drains you, even if you're standing around doing nothing. Even if you're in the shade but outdoors, that humidity sucks the will or ability to do almost anything your first day there. Another reason why I SERIOUSLY suggest trying to get into Riverside one day earlier. It'll be money well-spent. I don't care if your flight doesn't get into Florida until 10 at night, you're better off checking in the night before if you're going to attempt a day like that at the crack of dawn.

But if you do insist on attempting that schedule, I wish you the absolute best of luck. Rather than tell you to revise anything in your schedule (except, as has been said) that Tom Sawyer's Island will probably close at dusk), I'd suggest this: At least one person needs to carry a bag with some insulation in it, and some ice packs. Keep water and snacks in that bag, especially so the snacks don't melt or wilt in the sun. Have plenty of sunscreen handy, and reapply it every couple of hours at the very least (hey, it's something you can do on-line) If one member of your family is in a position to get Fastpasses for everyone else at any given attraction while the rest of your group is on a bathroom break or getting snacks, you'll take better advantage of your time. Good luck. Godspeed.

 

[ShadyLady]

Drive!

We drive 13 hours to Disney just so we can have our car. We stay at All Star Movies, so I am sure the transport is much worse there, but I also remember staying at the Polynesian trying to get to DTD and what a nightmare that was.

You will save a TON of time by driving yourself around the world!

It is really great to plan, esp to have a plan of what rides you are going to FP while riding others that dont really require them, but my biggest tip is to remember to relax & slow down & enjoy - for yourself and your family. You really dont have to do it all.

I would avoid DTD except for very early in the am or late - parking is a nightmare there too.

Try making your lunch reservations that day in MK - try the Liberty Tree Tavern or the Plaza for lunch!

 

[wvdisneyfamily]

Wow. I'm a Disney commando, but wow. Seriously, this will make you miserable. There is no room for long bus lines or anything. Honestly, you will NOT be able to get through check-in that fast either. I also agree that leaving MK twice to eat is a waste of time. However, I applaud you for doing some serious planning. Too many people go into this blind.

 

[wdwmagic]

My advice would be to scrap this plan. Have a rough idea of what you are doing, but don't try to hit everything on a list. You'll have a much better time if you take it easy. There is always another day, and another trip. You are running the risk of absolutely hating Disney.

 

[ob1thx1138]

Okay, I have canceled the ADR for Raglan Road. Reserved a noon time Lunch there on the fourth, which I plan on being a sleep in day due to us being at MK on the 3rd, and after eating and shopping we will be heading to HS basically just to see Fantasmic!. Also we are eating at the Brown Derby at 7:00 that night.

I think this will really simplify our plans for the first day there, may even take a break earlier in the day if the room is ready then head back to MK to catch a few attractions before we catch the boat to FW for HDDR, of course I will plan on plenty of time for travel, but I am seriously considering using my van to go to MK in the morning and then park it at Riverside when we move into the room.

I don't want people to think that I am expecting to see all of these attractions. Also I don't plan on this being a marathon. I do plan on taking my time and trying to take it all in. Not to mention take lots and lots of pictures. ( I have 32GB worth of new SD cards sitting next to me on the desk just for the trip lol ) I am just really OCD when it comes to being prepared, I guess I took the Boy Scout thing to heart. lol.

Thanks again for everyone's advice. and maybe tonight I can post my plans for our second day so everyone can rip those apart for me. ( a little spoiler it includes AK with ADRs for Tusker and Yak and Yeti).

 

[wdwmagic]

Thanks again for everyone's advice. and maybe tonight I can post my plans for our second day so everyone can rip those apart for me. ( a little spoiler it includes AK with ADRs for Tusker and Yak and Yeti).

LOL. If you post, we will rip

 

[DisneyJoe]

May I make a suggestion?

This is how I would share my plan:

5:00:00 AM Get up Kissimmee Baymont Pack and load van, eat breakfast
6:45:00 AM Leave Kissimmee Baymont
7:00:00 AM Arrive Port Orleans Riverside Check in, get tickets, let the magic begin
8:15:00 AM Bus Terminal Magic Kingdom arrive and see the Rope Drop
9:00:00 AM Magic Kingdom Rope Drop
Begin MK touring plan
1:00:00 PM Lunch and continue touring plan
3:00:00 PM head to POR, rest or swim
8:00:00 PM Port Orleans Riverside Get on Bus to Magic Kingdom, then transfer to boat to Ft Wilderness
9:30:00 PM Fort Wilderness Hoop De Doo Review
11:30:00 PM Boat to Magic Kingdom and enjoy MK park?
2:00:00 AM Magic Kingdom Park Closes

This way we aren't swamped with the Touringplans details....

 

[wolf359]

If you aren't park hopping I'd simply plan each day centered around a particular park, and match up the dining reservations with the park or resort area you plan on visiting that day to save time and effort.

I also think if you are spending an entire day in a park it isn't really necessary to come up with a minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour plan. Just go with the flow and take it easy. Leave yourself time to catch an attraction that has a short line when you walk past, or time to ride something a second time in a row just because you really liked it.

The crowds are often quite unpredictable, especially in the summer, and can easily throw off an excessively overplanned itinerary.

The most important thing to have on a Disney vacation is also the hardest to plan for: the chance to just relax and enjoy yourself.

 

[ob1thx1138]

May I make a suggestion?

This is how I would share my plan:

5:00:00 AM Get up Kissimmee Baymont Pack and load van, eat breakfast
6:45:00 AM Leave Kissimmee Baymont
7:00:00 AM Arrive Port Orleans Riverside Check in, get tickets, let the magic begin
8:15:00 AM Bus Terminal Magic Kingdom arrive and see the Rope Drop
9:00:00 AM Magic Kingdom Rope Drop
Begin MK touring plan
1:00:00 PM Lunch and continue touring plan
3:00:00 PM head to POR, rest or swim
8:00:00 PM Port Orleans Riverside Get on Bus to Magic Kingdom, then transfer to boat to Ft Wilderness
9:30:00 PM Fort Wilderness Hoop De Doo Review
11:30:00 PM Boat to Magic Kingdom and enjoy MK park?
2:00:00 AM Magic Kingdom Park Closes

This way we aren't swamped with the Touringplans details....

Thanks for the advice. That is how I will do it in the future. With that said here is my schedule for Monday June 28

8:30 Leave Riverside for Animal Kingdom gives us 1:45 to get to ADR maybe sleep in a bit and drive ourselves
10:15 Breakfast at Tusker House with Donald
See Animal Kingdom
4:00 Dinner at Yak and Yeti
9:00 PM Park EMH ends
Pass out

We are not park hopping and I have done my best to schedule the meals in the park that we are seeing, but our breakfasts are all over the place (Tusker house, 1900 park fare, Cape May, Ohana, Chef Mickey's, and Crystal Palace). DW was adamant about having a character breakfast every morning except the first, but I think when she sees what it is like missing the rope drop due to eating with characters she will change her mind for the next trip. Don't get me wrong, I think we will all enjoy the breakfasts, but I fear it will cut into our park time too much, but that is what the "next trip" is for.

I have to go ahead and say this will probably be the last trip that we schedule Breakfast each day. Its a little late to go back on it now, but I am still trying to talk DW into letting me cancel at least a couple of them. But she is pretty convinced that this first trip is about seeing as many restaurants as possible, and if that is what makes it magical for her then maybe that is what we will have to do. Just a little explanation to the madness.

 

[mp2bill]

Yeah, the FP's the biggest problem I see here. Other than that though, why would you want to go to DTD in the middle of the day? That's probably take you 90 mins to 2 hours in overall traveling time. I, personally, would either stay at MK or take the monorail to EPCOT (if you have the park hopper option).

 

[DisneyJoe]

our breakfasts are all over the place (Tusker house, 1900 park fare, Cape May, Ohana, Chef Mickey's, and Crystal Palace). DW was adamant about having a character breakfast every morning except the first

My 20yo niece just reminded me of this story yesterday - we had an 8-day trip in September 2001 (22-29 if I recall correctly) - I also made ADR's for a character breakfast each day. Her and my son both loved all-you-can eat buffets....by the middle of the trip, both of them shouted "ENOUGH" and we canceled a few of the remaining breakfasts and ate some nice SMALL breakfasts from the food court - AND made it to some rope drops!

 

[JohnLocke]

Thanks for the advice. That is how I will do it in the future. With that said here is my schedule for Monday June 28

8:30 Leave Riverside for Animal Kingdom gives us 1:45 to get to ADR maybe sleep in a bit and drive ourselves
10:15 Breakfast at Tusker House with Donald
See Animal Kingdom
4:00 Dinner at Yak and Yeti
9:00 PM Park EMH ends
Pass out

We are not park hopping and I have done my best to schedule the meals in the park that we are seeing, but our breakfasts are all over the place (Tusker house, 1900 park fare, Cape May, Ohana, Chef Mickey's, and Crystal Palace). DW was adamant about having a character breakfast every morning except the first, but I think when she sees what it is like missing the rope drop due to eating with characters she will change her mind for the next trip. Don't get me wrong, I think we will all enjoy the breakfasts, but I fear it will cut into our park time too much, but that is what the "next trip" is for.

I have to go ahead and say this will probably be the last trip that we schedule Breakfast each day. Its a little late to go back on it now, but I am still trying to talk DW into letting me cancel at least a couple of them. But she is pretty convinced that this first trip is about seeing as many restaurants as possible, and if that is what makes it magical for her then maybe that is what we will have to do. Just a little explanation to the madness.

It is probably best to at least alternate a little between the breakfasts and Dinners. I think last time we did around 3 or 4 of the them out of the 7 days we were there and most of us had a good time each day. For me though, I really like to get the Breakfast scheduled for as early as possible to get in the parks ahead of time, going to the Norway Breakfast at a little after 7 or so with almost no one else in the park was really cool.

 

[ob1thx1138]

It is probably best to at least alternate a little between the breakfasts and Dinners. I think last time we did around 3 or 4 of the them out of the 7 days we were there and most of us had a good time each day. For me though, I really like to get the Breakfast scheduled for as early as possible to get in the parks ahead of time, going to the Norway Breakfast at a little after 7 or so with almost no one else in the park was really cool.

Yea that is what I am planning for next time. The only Breakfasts we will do will be at the park we are visiting or the resort we are staying at. One of those live and learn sort of things. The one good thing about doing it the way we are for our first trip is that we will get to see all of the resorts we are interested in for our next trip...well most of them... lol