Our First Trip in Oct.....how do these plans look?

[indycindy]

Hi, I've been planning for the last couple of weeks (although I have been READING and planning in my mind for the last 4 years!). I have finally decided on a resort and have made my ADRs. My daughters will be 7 and (almost) 10 at the time. My husband is going too. I was wondering if you could please look over my plans and let me know if you see any major (or minor) flaws, and the BIG question is this......DO I NEED TO RENT A CAR???

Day 1:arrive in Orlando airport at 5:20
Check in at Coronado Springs
Dinner at 7:30pm Maya Grill
Go to bed right after dinner

Day 2: (first) Magic Kingdom Day
Breakfast Chef Mickey's 7:00am
Lunch at Be Our Guest 1:00pm (No ADRs.....stand in line)
Return to resort for rest and swim after lunch (2:30pm??)
Dinner Artist Point 7:05pm (but I will change this to California Grill at
a good time to see Wishes from there (8:00pm ish) if I can get an ADR
after they star taking those again, in which case, I would push back our
Be Our Guest lunch to 2:00)

Day 3 (only) Animal Kingdom Day
Breakfast Boma 7:30am
Return to resort to rest and change at 3:00pm
Dinner Jiko 5:30pm
Early to bed!

Day 4 (first) Epcot Day
Breakfast Akershus 8:10 am
Lunch Coral Reef 1:30pm
Return to resort to rest and swim after lunch
Dinner at Le Chefs de France 7:00pm
IllumiNaions at 9:00pm

Day 5 (second) Magic Kingdom Day
1900 Park Fare 8:10am
Cinderella's Royal Table 2:00pm
Return to resort to rest after lunch
Head back to MK for MNSSHP at 6:00pm
No dinner reservations
HalloWishes 9:00pm

Day 6 (only) Hollywood Studios Day
Cape May Cafe 7:30am
Return to resort to rest at 1:00pm
Sci Fi Drive-in 5:40pm
Fantastic 7:30pm

Day 7 (second) Epcot Day
Captain's Grill 7:30am
Return to resort to rest & swim 2:00pm
Narcoosee's 7:50pm
Hopefully get a window table to watch HalloWishes with our dessert

Day 8 (third) Magic Kingdom Day
The Wave 7:30am
Crystal Palace 2:35 pm
Flight hope departs at 7:40pm

We bought the deluxe dining plan, so with four of us, we will have a gazillion snack credits to get us through the days that we only have 2 meals planned (we only have 3 meals planned on two of the days). We also have one leftover meal credit. I'm not sure how we should use that. I was thinking we could just get a counter service meal at MNSSHP so as not to waste too much of that time sitting in a restaurant. Or, do you think we would be better off making ADR at a MK restaurant?

If you have the time and the inclination to scrutinize someone else's trip plans, I would truly appreciate it if you could let me know if you see any major (or minor) flaws in my plans. I am going to try to follow touring plans from touringplans.com for our mornings at the parks.
I REALLY TRULY appreciate any and all thoughts and suggestions as this will probably be my family's one and only BIG Disney trip. This is a BIG splurge for us, so I want to be sure I make it worth it

 

[JillC LI]

Looks good overall. A lot of sit down meals, but if that's what you want, then it looks good. Make sure you visit the Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT - you can use tons of those Snack credits at the kiosks. Also, keep in mind that you can get back into the MK at 4pm with your MNSSHP tickets even though the party doesn't start til 6pm. You might want to cancel the CRT lunch that day. I recommend Cosmic Rays for dinner for good BBQ food and a performance by Sonny Eclipse. As for the rental car, with all that back and forth you've written into your schedule, I strongly recommend you DO rent the car. We did not rent one our first trip but we have every single time since then. Since you are staying on site, there is no parking fee. The only park you might want to consider not taking it to is MK.

 

[Allygator]

I guess that I wasn't clear, I meant that I wanted the reservation to be at 8:00pm at California Grill, if I can get it, once they start taking reservations again. But I thought HalloWishes was at 9:00pm.....thank you for telling me it is at 9:30. Now I will try to get the ADR at 8:30ish. I didn't realize that there was a deck either. Sounds PERFECT!

Still, does anyone think that with the early morning ADR and then coming back in the afternoon for a few hours before returning that I would be better off renting a car? I can rent a small car for the whole week for less than $250. I am trying to decide if that is worth it.....

Oops and I forgot you weren't going to narcoossee's. lol. Yeah there's a viewing area at the grill too.

 

[indycindy]

Ok, So......Once Disney gets their reservations up and running again, I am going to.......

1. Cancel Coral Reef and Le Chefs and change to Mounseur Paul (sp?) for an early evening dinner.

2. Cancel 1900 Park Fare and have snacks in the morning and then enjoy our Castle meal (that's not an option....my 7-year-old LOVES Cinderella). Then we can do whatever we feel like that evening during MNSSHP. (How's THAT for flexible ;-) )

3. I'm really not too excited about Hollywood Studios, so I have decided that we will sleep in on that day to recover from MNSSHP - Then we can do a late breakfast at Cape May and then head over to HS. Then, instead of Sci Fi and Fantasmic, I think that we will leave HS and go to the Hoop Dee Do Revue.

4. Instead of going back to the resort every day in the afternoons, we will only go back on Monday (Epcot), and Tuesday (to rest for MNSSHP). Then we can decide how we feel on Thursday at Epcot. (see, more flexibility ;-) )

 

[coachwnh]

I guess that I wasn't clear, I meant that I wanted the reservation to be at 8:00pm at California Grill, if I can get it, once they start taking reservations again. But I thought HalloWishes was at 9:00pm.....thank you for telling me it is at 9:30. Now I will try to get the ADR at 8:30ish. I didn't realize that there was a deck either. Sounds PERFECT!

Still, does anyone think that with the early morning ADR and then coming back in the afternoon for a few hours before returning that I would be better off renting a car? I can rent a small car for the whole week for less than $250. I am trying to decide if that is worth it.....

You can always use a cab. Especially early morning or late. We do that several times each trip (our kids are now 10 and 8) to avoid lines for buses when it's late. Then there is no need to walk to a lot for a car. Even if you used a cab daily it won't add up to $250. We stay at least 2 weeks and have never spent that much in cab fares. Just an idea for you

 

[luv]

If you can afford to rent a car, you should. It will save you a lot of precious time. It's also much more pleasant than bus stops and riding with stinky strangers and their ill-behaved children! But if you can't afford the car, busses will get you where you need to go...it's just much slower. Allow 60-90 minutes transportation time, just like they told you when you made the reservations.

I don't think you've scheduled enough time for your kids to sleep. They're going to be crabby and unhappy if they don't sleep, may be falling asleep in the parks...and eventually you'll miss a morning.

Remember that it can take an hour to get from a park to a hotel at park close. Easy. So if you watch MK fireworks at, say, 9:00, it can easily be 10:30 before you're back in your room.

You've scheduled a lot of meals there. Just remember that a meal is another 60-90 minutes away from attractions. Me, I'd cancel early breakfasts.

Not trying to pick on your plans, which include many great things. But if you were my friend and asked for help, that's the help I'd give.

 

[farrellbarrel]

That looks fun! I like your meal choices, though a lot, if it works for you great!!!! Have so much fun!

 

[jaklgreen]

Oct is much slower so the "go at rope drop and mid day break" touring is not really necessary that time of year. I have been to WDW many many times and in Oct for the last 3 years. I have 2 girls now ages 11 & 12 and they have been going every year since they were 1 & 2. We found that sleeping in until everyone wakes up naturally(no alarm clocks) and having breakfast at the resort food court then going to that parks is what is the least stressful for us. We do our main meal either a late lunch or very early dinner. We like to go to the evening extra magic hours. It is not as crowded and we get to go on the stuff we might have missed during the day. We never go back to our room mid day since we started out later. I found that we also do not eat as much as usual probably because of the heat and we drink more water. We also like to just "snack" thru the day. After a couple of days of getting up early and rushing to breakfast your troop might get a bit tired and cranky. I would cut back on the dining plan and do less breakfasts.

 

[princessmommy]

no car needed!

 

[GSP Guy]

Personally I like your plans as I too really enjoy the TS dining. I also must have a car, I guess I just feel more in control of my vacation that way.

 

[Hot Lava]

I think it might be tough, if not impossible, to make it to a dinner at 7:30 if you arrive at 5:20.

Even assuming you get in on time, there is time for getting off the plane, getting your luggage, and the car (still time even if you take the Disney transport). Plus that is rush hour time. I don't know how bad it is btwn WDW and the airport, but any travel during rush hour must take the possibility into account.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Good plans. However, and this is just me, I'd try and schedule time to go to Downtown Disney.

 

[ShookieJones]

Forgive me. If i miss something because im reading this on my phone.
I just paged through this including everyone's suggestions.

First im not sure why everyone is commenting that its " a lot of food" you stated u r on the deluxe plan - maybe I'm wrong but isn't that the point ; ) sounds like you have some great plans in place - including using credits for some great signature dining. The only thing I saw that seemed off to me was waiting in line for BOG. Seems like a big waste of time for a meal that may not be worth it.
I will say one other thing - rent a car!!!!!
We do it because we park hop a lot and always head back to the resort for a swim and then to dinner and often a park afterwards. I cant express enough how much time you will get back daily. For a small (for us no more than 160 for 8 days) investment it has a huge pay off.
Sorry one last thing - when are u going? If its during the f&wf or f&gf you can use ur snack credits at the food kiosks!!

 

[Disvillain63]

We drive down but we rarely use our car on property, so renting is not necessary.

I agree with the others about a lot of food. When we went in November, we had the Dining Plan (1 TS, 1CS, and 1 snack each day). It was more than enough food. We even had leftover snacks and just got them to go as we headed home.

At the ages of your girls and in October, we went from rope drop to close with our two kids. They didn't give up the fight until we were back at the hotel...then they were out cold until the next morning...ready to go again.

 

[StarWarsGirl]

Ok, So......Once Disney gets their reservations up and running again, I am going to.......

1. Cancel Coral Reef and Le Chefs and change to Mounseur Paul (sp?) for an early evening dinner.

Is this because you are using two entitlements? I've never been to Mounsieur Paul, but Les Chefs de France is very good. Mousieur Paul just requires two entitlements.

2. Cancel 1900 Park Fare and have snacks in the morning and then enjoy our Castle meal (that's not an option....my 7-year-old LOVES Cinderella). Then we can do whatever we feel like that evening during MNSSHP. (How's THAT for flexible ;-) )

Good idea.

3. I'm really not too excited about Hollywood Studios, so I have decided that we will sleep in on that day to recover from MNSSHP - Then we can do a late breakfast at Cape May and then head over to HS. Then, instead of Sci Fi and Fantasmic, I think that we will leave HS and go to the Hoop Dee Do Revue.

It's up to you, but that sounds good to me.

4. Instead of going back to the resort every day in the afternoons, we will only go back on Monday (Epcot), and Tuesday (to rest for MNSSHP). Then we can decide how we feel on Thursday at Epcot. (see, more flexibility ;-) )

I would just see how you feel every day. If you need to go back, go back, if not, stay.

 

[Mother of 5]

I think you plans sound great. We just got home last week and we had a car it was a huge help for getting places quicker and not waiting for busses. We also did the deluxe dining plan we have 5 hungry growing boys and can I tell you it was not a waste of money at all yes it is a lot of sitting down but that is what vacations are about too relaxing and enjoying your food me and my family always sat relaxed and talked about our day. It is also nice to go into the park nice and full so you can get right to the action. I think your plans are great remember you are asking others for their opinion but in the end you have to do what you and your family will enjoy no matter what you will have a great time.

 

[SAV]

This is coming from a park Commando and someone who isn't a Foodie, so take that into consideration.

I see WAY too much time that you aren't in the parks. It is your first trip, so you should be there enjoying them and all they offer. Not racing off back and forth to the resort. I mean back there each day to rest? The kids are plenty old enough to handle staying in the park all day. Not to mention that they may not want to leave to go back to the resort and rest, when the wonders of Disney are there for them to explore. I mean my kids would throw a fit if we left the parks mid day because they had to go and relax. It's a Disney Vacation. Rest when you are back home. There's too much to do.

So with all of that back and forth you have scheduled, I would suggest using the discount codes on Mousesavers.com and getting the rental car. That will allow you to maximize your time instead of waiting on busses.

 

[ypcat]

I would not think you will need to go back to the room and rest mid-day. In October, it will not be as busy, and it will not be as hot. Plus with all the sit down meals you have, there is plenty time you have built in for your kids to rest.

I would not think you would need a rental car. For me, the benefit does not outweigh the extra cost. When we drive down, we take our car to the parks, but when we fly, we never have had issues with the bus. If you stay until park close, just be prepared for a wait.

Like others have said, that is a LOT of food. I am a big guy, and when we have gotten just the regular dining plan, I have felt stuffed. But if this is a once in a lifetime trip, I can see wanting to try some of everything. I would not change leaving DHS early for Hoop-de-doo. I think Fantasmic! is a much better show, and something your kids would enjoy more than corny jokes.

The one thing I see missing from your itinerary is time to enjoy your resort. Coronado has a great pool. My boys love the water slide. You might think about doing some things around the resort and skip the early bedtimes

Have fun. Sounds like you will be well fed and exhausted when you get home.

 

[Tom 55]

Hi, I've been planning for the last couple of weeks (although I have been READING and planning in my mind for the last 4 years!). I have finally decided on a resort and have made my ADRs. My daughters will be 7 and (almost) 10 at the time. My husband is going too. I was wondering if you could please look over my plans and let me know if you see any major (or minor) flaws, and the BIG question is this......DO I NEED TO RENT A CAR???

Day 1:arrive in Orlando airport at 5:20
Check in at Coronado Springs
Dinner at 7:30pm Maya Grill
Go to bed right after dinner

Day 2: (first) Magic Kingdom Day
Breakfast Chef Mickey's 7:00am
Lunch at Be Our Guest 1:00pm (No ADRs.....stand in line)
Return to resort for rest and swim after lunch (2:30pm??)
Dinner Artist Point 7:05pm (but I will change this to California Grill at
a good time to see Wishes from there (8:00pm ish) if I can get an ADR
after they star taking those again, in which case, I would push back our
Be Our Guest lunch to 2:00)

Day 3 (only) Animal Kingdom Day
Breakfast Boma 7:30am
Return to resort to rest and change at 3:00pm
Dinner Jiko 5:30pm
Early to bed!

Day 4 (first) Epcot Day
Breakfast Akershus 8:10 am
Lunch Coral Reef 1:30pm
Return to resort to rest and swim after lunch
Dinner at Le Chefs de France 7:00pm
IllumiNaions at 9:00pm

Day 5 (second) Magic Kingdom Day
1900 Park Fare 8:10am
Cinderella's Royal Table 2:00pm
Return to resort to rest after lunch
Head back to MK for MNSSHP at 6:00pm
No dinner reservations
HalloWishes 9:00pm

Day 6 (only) Hollywood Studios Day
Cape May Cafe 7:30am
Return to resort to rest at 1:00pm
Sci Fi Drive-in 5:40pm
Fantastic 7:30pm

Day 7 (second) Epcot Day
Captain's Grill 7:30am
Return to resort to rest & swim 2:00pm
Narcoosee's 7:50pm
Hopefully get a window table to watch HalloWishes with our dessert

Day 8 (third) Magic Kingdom Day
The Wave 7:30am
Crystal Palace 2:35 pm
Flight hope departs at 7:40pm

We bought the deluxe dining plan, so with four of us, we will have a gazillion snack credits to get us through the days that we only have 2 meals planned (we only have 3 meals planned on two of the days). We also have one leftover meal credit. I'm not sure how we should use that. I was thinking we could just get a counter service meal at MNSSHP so as not to waste too much of that time sitting in a restaurant. Or, do you think we would be better off making ADR at a MK restaurant?

If you have the time and the inclination to scrutinize someone else's trip plans, I would truly appreciate it if you could let me know if you see any major (or minor) flaws in my plans. I am going to try to follow touring plans from touringplans.com for our mornings at the parks.
I REALLY TRULY appreciate any and all thoughts and suggestions as this will probably be my family's one and only BIG Disney trip. This is a BIG splurge for us, so I want to be sure I make it worth it

Are you using Disney Magical Express to get from airport to hotel. As long as you do that you should not need a rental car.
Of all the parades I have watched at Disney the most crowded was MNSSHP. So plan to pick a spot 30+ minutes before start.

 

[Zortek]

Rent a car, don't rent a car, eat, don't eat, rest, don't rest. I think based on this thread it's pretty clear that there is no one way to spend a week at Disney World. I think you have a good plan and you have clearly done some research which is better than a lot of people. You know your family better than anyone and what they will require in order to have a good time. I think one of the most important things when having a plan like this is to be willing to accept that it may change when you are there. Don't be afraid to be flexible and don't let it ruin your experience when the plan goes off the rails a little bit.