Starting to look at maps and get in my head where to go what to do...

[Jessica Meier]

So we are fast approaching double digits on the countdown (WOO HOO!) and I was up thanks to a late nap this afternoon. I was thinking about my daughter's birthday and the day we have planned. For those of you who don't know, we will start out with a breakfast ADR at Akershus at 8:05. Then head over to MK for a day full of princess fun. When we get to MK the only thing we have to do is Bippity Boppity Boutique at the castle at 10:55. We are gonna try to eat at BOG for lunch. This is our only MK day planned for the trip. I imagine we will get in some MK time before leaving on our last day, but don't want to put everything off until then.

So here is my question, with the times and scheduled events how would you structure your day? Some of our musts will require FP or long wait times. Here is the list of what we want to do:



Walt Disney World Railroad
Castle

Stitch's Great Escape
Buzz Light Year
Astro Orbiter
Monster's Inc
Tomorrow Land Speedway

Splash Mountain (Adults ?)
Big Thunder Mountain (Adults ?)
Liberty Square Portrait Gallery
Meet Tiana

Jungle Cruise
Pirates of the Carribbean
The Enchanted Tiki Room

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
The Barnstormer
Casey Jr Splash N Soak
Mickey's PhilharMagic
It's a Small World
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Peter Pan's Flight
Journey of the Little Mermaid
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Mad Tea Party
Meet Merida at Fairytale Garden

Main Street Electrical Parade
Wishes Nighttime Spectacular
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade


So as you can see, it's a long list. And probably not all possible. Suggestions?

 

[bsiev1977]

So we are fast approaching double digits on the countdown (WOO HOO!) and I was up thanks to a late nap this afternoon. I was thinking about my daughter's birthday and the day we have planned. For those of you who don't know, we will start out with a breakfast ADR at Akershus at 8:05. Then head over to MK for a day full of princess fun. When we get to MK the only thing we have to do is Bippity Boppity Boutique at the castle at 10:55. We are gonna try to eat at BOG for lunch. This is our only MK day planned for the trip. I imagine we will get in some MK time before leaving on our last day, but don't want to put everything off until then.

So here is my question, with the times and scheduled events how would you structure your day? Some of our musts will require FP or long wait times. Here is the list of what we want to do:



Walt Disney World Railroad
Castle

Stitch's Great Escape
Buzz Light Year
Astro Orbiter
Monster's Inc
Tomorrow Land Speedway

Splash Mountain (Adults ?)
Big Thunder Mountain (Adults ?)
Liberty Square Portrait Gallery
Meet Tiana

Jungle Cruise
Pirates of the Carribbean
The Enchanted Tiki Room

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
The Barnstormer
Casey Jr Splash N Soak
Mickey's PhilharMagic
It's a Small World
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Peter Pan's Flight
Journey of the Little Mermaid
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Mad Tea Party
Meet Merida at Fairytale Garden

Main Street Electrical Parade
Wishes Nighttime Spectacular
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade


So as you can see, it's a long list. And probably not all possible. Suggestions?

If you are really only going to do one MK day, not get there at open, and spend time at BBB, you'll never get everything done that you've listed. If you accept that, you'll enjoy the day more. The castle is easy to see, it's just there, you can walk underneath,but there's nothing to see inside unless you are eating at Cinderella's Royal Table.

To maximize your day at MK, I would suggest signing up at TouringPlans.com. Doing so allows you use their touring plans. They have quite a few premade plans. Also, you can build a custom plan. Like, if you choose your top ten attractions to see, they'll build you a plan that will make the most effecient use if your time.

 

[englanddg]

So we are fast approaching double digits on the countdown (WOO HOO!) and I was up thanks to a late nap this afternoon. I was thinking about my daughter's birthday and the day we have planned. For those of you who don't know, we will start out with a breakfast ADR at Akershus at 8:05. Then head over to MK for a day full of princess fun. When we get to MK the only thing we have to do is Bippity Boppity Boutique at the castle at 10:55. We are gonna try to eat at BOG for lunch. This is our only MK day planned for the trip. I imagine we will get in some MK time before leaving on our last day, but don't want to put everything off until then.

So here is my question, with the times and scheduled events how would you structure your day? Some of our musts will require FP or long wait times. Here is the list of what we want to do:



Walt Disney World Railroad
Castle

Stitch's Great Escape
Buzz Light Year
Astro Orbiter
Monster's Inc
Tomorrow Land Speedway

Splash Mountain (Adults ?)
Big Thunder Mountain (Adults ?)
Liberty Square Portrait Gallery
Meet Tiana

Jungle Cruise
Pirates of the Carribbean
The Enchanted Tiki Room

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
The Barnstormer
Casey Jr Splash N Soak
Mickey's PhilharMagic
It's a Small World
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Peter Pan's Flight
Journey of the Little Mermaid
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Mad Tea Party
Meet Merida at Fairytale Garden

Main Street Electrical Parade
Wishes Nighttime Spectacular
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade


So as you can see, it's a long list. And probably not all possible. Suggestions?

As noted above, there's no way you are gonna get all that done without EM, maxing out FPs and basically rushing around.

Eating at Akershus, what time is your ressie? Even if it's 8a, it will be an hour long meal, so you are out at 9a, then another hour to the monorail (to include wait at the station) then 30 minutes to get to TTC, then 15 - 20 minutes to catch the local loop to MK...that's cutting it VERY close. You'd have to hit every monorail right on time to make that work.

BBB is going to eat up easily an hour, and your kid will most likely be get uncomfortable in the heat of the day in her makeup and costume.

Why only plan one day at MK? It's easily a 2 day park (taking it at a kids pace not an adult pace)...

 

[Jessica Meier]

Yeah, the more I look at the more I see this. Our first day there we are going to AK, and I figure that might be a good time to go over to MK and knock a few things off the list. MK is our largest list. We love Epcot and plan to just do a lot of relaxing walking about that day. So imagine we will probably have short days at HS and AK since they are our least fave. I am hoping breakfast will get us to MK no later than 9:30 but won't count on it. So we will see.

 

[Jessica Meier]

We only have 5 days so only 1 for each park and then the last day will probably be park hopping trying to do things that we missed.

 

[bsiev1977]

Yeah, the more I look at the more I see this. Our first day there we are going to AK, and I figure that might be a good time to go over to MK and knock a few things off the list. MK is our largest list. We love Epcot and plan to just do a lot of relaxing walking about that day. So imagine we will probably have short days at HS and AK since they are our least fave. I am hoping breakfast will get us to MK no later than 9:30 but won't count on it. So we will see.

Your AK day is definitely a good day to get in more MK time. Even if you stay at AK till closing, it generally closes several hours before the other parks do. Especially during the summer, you'll have several hours to get in a little Magic Kingdom time.

 

[Jessica Meier]

Your AK day is definitely a good day to get in more MK time. Even if you stay at AK till closing, it generally closes several hours before the other parks do. Especially during the summer, you'll have several hours to get in a little Magic Kingdom time.

We had thought of doing Downtown that evening, but may see whether the parents have finished a lot of their to-do lists by the time we arrive (they are getting there 4 days before us). That is part of my problem. My list includes things EVERYONE wants to do. If it was up to me we would concentrate on the new things (Fantasyland) and the stuff we haven't done(a lot of Tomorrowland). I beginning to think Bippity Boppity might need to get canceled.

 

[englanddg]

Yeah, the more I look at the more I see this. Our first day there we are going to AK, and I figure that might be a good time to go over to MK and knock a few things off the list. MK is our largest list. We love Epcot and plan to just do a lot of relaxing walking about that day. So imagine we will probably have short days at HS and AK since they are our least fave. I am hoping breakfast will get us to MK no later than 9:30 but won't count on it. So we will see.

Are you staying on property? Do you have access to EMH?

 

[englanddg]

We had thought of doing Downtown that evening, but may see whether the parents have finished a lot of their to-do lists by the time we arrive (they are getting there 4 days before us). That is part of my problem. My list includes things EVERYONE wants to do. If it was up to me we would concentrate on the new things (Fantasyland) and the stuff we haven't done(a lot of Tomorrowland). I beginning to think Bippity Boppity might need to get canceled.

Ok, can I have a swing at your schedule, just for giggles? When do you arrive? Are you staying on property, can do EMH?

 

[Jessica Meier]

Are you staying on property? Do you have access to EMH?

We are staying at the Contemporary. So yes, EMH for MK will be on Thursday our last day there.

 

[Jessica Meier]

Ok, can I have a swing at your schedule, just for giggles? When do you arrive? Are you staying on property, can do EMH?

Sure. We arrive Sunday September 15th and leave Thursday September 19th. We drive and will arrive pretty close to opening on Sunday and can stay as long as we want on Thursday. We technically will be driving down on the 14th and will visit some family in New Port Richey area and drive over from there Sunday morning. Staying at the Contemporary, checking out the morning of the 19th but have park tickets that day.

 

[englanddg]

Well, in Sept you won't have too much of an issue with lines. That's a great thing!

I do think your idea to do AK on Sunday is a smart one. MK does EMH until 1a that day (I checked disneyworld.com), same as our trip. Normally we do AK on sundays in August at AK, and then do MK EMH that night.

So, mind you this is just how I'd do it...

Sunday - Tuskers breakfast before Rope Drop at AK, then off to the Safari stopping by Everest to get fast passes. Do the Safari, then depending on FP time, do the walking paths near it. Then off to Everest. Go to Dinosaur and snag FPs, do Chester and Hesters, ride Dinosaur. See Nemo. See Flik. Go to Lion King, then head over to an ADR at Yak and Yeti for a late lunch. Do various rides / attractions, catch the afternoon parade, and leave for the hotel. Shower and change and head to MK. BBB, and dinner at the Castle afterwards. Then catch the Electrical Parade, followed by Wishes directly in front of the castle, on the warm pavement. Spend the rest of the night doing various rides.

Monday - Sleep in, snacks for breakfast. Go to EPCOT after Rope Drop. Send one member of the party to get fast passes for Sourin', and then just work the pavilions in order, only skipping that order to do Sourin, if it comes up during that time period. Eat lunch at Garden Grill. Then, snag a phineus and ferb phone and head off to World Showcase. Drinks for the adults (they have virgin drinks as well for the kids) at La Cava right before heading to Le Cellier for dinner. 9p, snag a seat on the pavement for Illuminations in the area between the Canada pavilion and the UK pavilion.

Tuesday - Wake up early and hit HS at rope drop. Send one member of the group to get fast passes for Toy Story Mania. Meet up at Tower of Terror and/or Rockin Roller Coaster. Work the park from that area around, skipping the Backlot tour, and paying attention to showtimes for the Stunt Show and Indy. Eat lunch at one of the venues that offers preferred Fantasmic seating, and choose the later show (if they are doing two). Finish out the day with Fantasmic.

Weds - Sleep in. Go to MK in the morning and sweep up rides you haven't done. Spend the rest of the afternoon at DTD.

Thurs - Free day.

 

[Jessica Meier]

Sounds good. Here is what I have planned.

Sunday-AK Get FP for Everest and then head back to the safari and do that first. Eat at Flame Tree Then hit up Lion King. Parade.Take some pics of the Tree and then head over to DinoLand and Nemo show if we have time before park closing. Head to the hotel for a swim and then get cleaned up. I forgot we have the Pirates and Pals Cruise that night so will do that at 7:30. Imagine bed will be calling our name after that.

Monday-Breakfast at Akershus. Head to MK. BBB at 10:55. Hit up all the rides and visit as many princesses as we can. Try to eat late lunch at BOG. rides. more rides. head back to the hotel for swimming and have a picnic birthday dinner on the beach at our hotel. Go back to our room for a special cake and birthday gifts.

Tuesday-Epcot. Soarin. Character spot. test track. Nemo. Travel the world visiting princesses. Lunch at Chefs de France to visit with Remy. More traveling and some cocktails. Visiting with princesses. Dinner at Biergarten. Margaritas and maybe a revisit to Soarin or Test Track if time allows before Illuminations.

Wednesday-Breakfast at Chef Mickeys. Head over to HS. Beauty and the Beast Stage Show. Tower of Terror. Disney Junior area and Character Meet and Greets. Head over to Star Tours. Meet Lightning and Mater. Head to Downtown Disney for Dinner at Ragland Road. Shopping enjoy our last night with my parents.

Thursday- EMH at MK. Finish up whatever we haven't done and head home.

 

[englanddg]

The only day I think you'll run into issues with is the Akershus to MK day. Trying to get from EPCOT to MK in that sort of timeframe is very tight.

 

[Jessica Meier]

The only day I think you'll run into issues with is the Akershus to MK day. Trying to get from EPCOT to MK in that sort of timeframe is very tight.

See I talked to the CM on the phone about that and she said it should be fine. I think I am gonna call back and see if I can get a later BBB that way she isn't walking around in it all day. We can go later in the day and that way she is all dalled up. Or if she isn't that into it, just cancel. She loves dressing up at home but hates having her hair done and make up.

 

[englanddg]

See I talked to the CM on the phone about that and she said it should be fine. I think I am gonna call back and see if I can get a later BBB that way she isn't walking around in it all day. We can go later in the day and that way she is all dalled up. Or if she isn't that into it, just cancel. She loves dressing up at home but hates having her hair done and make up.

My kid did BBB once in 2011...I wouldn't imagine her enjoying a full day of rides at MK after that. I'd aim for doing it closer to the end of your day.

 

[englanddg]

See I talked to the CM on the phone about that and she said it should be fine. I think I am gonna call back and see if I can get a later BBB that way she isn't walking around in it all day. We can go later in the day and that way she is all dalled up. Or if she isn't that into it, just cancel. She loves dressing up at home but hates having her hair done and make up.

Also, the CM is wrong, if you plan to use the monorail. 8a meal, you'll be done by 9a at the earliest, then a 15 minute walk to the monorail, and at worst a 20 - 30 minute wait for it. It's already your BBB time, and you haven't even gotten to TTC to hop onto the local loop.

I just think that whole plan is very tight. You'd almost do better to skip the monorail and use busses.

 

[Jessica Meier]

Hmmmm....got me thinking. She will probably where her princess dress to breakfast. Then we can change her before heading to MK. Enjoy the day there and if she wants to do BBB I will schedule it for that evening.

 

[Jessica Meier]

I'm thinking bus may be better for heading over to MK from Epcot. But if I move it we don't have to worry about it. I don't remember monorail taking that long. But better to be safe.

 

[englanddg]

Hmmmm....got me thinking. She will probably where her princess dress to breakfast. Then we can change her before heading to MK. Enjoy the day there and if she wants to do BBB I will schedule it for that evening.

Just as an example...imagine her getting splashed on Splash Mountain, after spending nearly an hour getting made up?

I mean, every kid is different, but I think BBB is a better evening / nighttime event. Just my opine.

My kid chose Jasmine for her theme, and we did CRT afterwards and then fireworks as a family. It worked out well.