The countdown has started, and I’m feeling so not ready. Expect to see a lot of Disney-related blog posts in the next few weeks.
We booked the Disney Dining Plan, which includes one table dining (which means one sit-down service), one counter service (fast-food or QSR style) and one snack (and that would be my daily coffee.)
Actually. Its not. I thought the coffee would be the daily meal snack, but then I learned that you can buy a resuable cup in your resort and refill it for free, as many times as you want to, in your resort. So that’s my morning coffee. Which leaves a “snack” a day, per person.
Back to the plan. I’ve made 6 of our 7 ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations). Still trying to settle on the last one.
Day 1: Arrive early afternoon and grab lunch in the airport. Use the Express Check-in, briefly find our room (can anything be brief at Disney?) and head over to Magic Kingdom. Dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe at 6:50. Tell me, is this a good time? Will we make it to a park to see fireworks or a parade? Am I killing myself with this idea? I didn’t originally want to go to MK the first day, thinking it would be too rushed. But the huz thinks there’s just no way to arrive at WDW with a 6 year old and 4 year old and not run run run to Magic Kingdom.
Day 2: Character breakfast at Ohana at 7:50. Then we’re spending the day at Magic Kindom. We’ll pack a lunch of sandwiches and go until we need a break. Dinner that night will be counter service either at the hotel or at Epcot.
Day 3: We have no ADRs for this day. Hoping to just stumble on something we like, though we’ll likely eat breakfast in the hotel room, pack a lunch and do a counter service meal. We’re planning to visit Hollywood Studios and see where the day takes us. Figure that after Day 2 at Magic Kindom, a day of laidback, unplanned park-hopping may be in order.
Day 4: This is the day we’re planning to sleep in and not rush to a park. I do have an ADR at Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios at 2:15. This is the last reservation to see the characters (have to visit with the Little Einstiens!) and also get the Fantasmic Package. But I wonder, is it worth it? Its kind of our day off, so is it crazy to go into a park for lunch, then leave, then come back at 5ish for Fantasmic? hmmm??? I feel like this plan wastes one of our 7-day passes.
Day 5: No ADRs again, but I need to make one. My parents will be joining us and I need a great dinner spot. Fun for all of us, definitely with a parade, show or something fun. We’ll eat breakfast in the room, and have a picnic lunch. This is our second Magic Kingdom day. The Huz and I will also head to Le Cirque this evening, just the two of us (wahoo!) Let’s hope we’re still awake when the show starts.
Day 6: We’ll start with a character breakfast at Tusker’s in the Animal Kingdom. Breakfast is at 8:10 and the park doesn’t open until 9, so I hear this is a fabulous way to start our visit. With my parents, we’ll explore the Kingdom and enjoy the safari. Lunch will be picnic and dinner will be counter service at Epcot.
Day 7: I plan to do Epcot this day, but I’m still not certain. We’re staying at The Boardwalk Villas, which means we’re right next door. Just not sure if this is worth a day for a 4 year old, 6 year old and 6 month old. Anyway, ADR is for dinner at the Garden Grill in Epcot at 5:10. Hmmm… still considering changing this day. Maybe we should just spend our last day at Magic Kingdom? We could still do Garden Grill and just explore Epcot in late afternoon on both day 6 and 7, right?
Day 8: We’re leaving in the afternoon on the eighth day and I’m not entirely certain what to do with this day. We only have 7 days of tickets. I have an ADR for Chef Mickey for breakfast. But then what do I do for the rest of the morning before we pack up and go?
And this is why I’m stressing. I’m wondering if we should just skip Fantasmic and Hollywood & Vine and not go into any of the parks on Day 4, then use the 7th-day ticket on Day 8? Or are we crazy to spend a 1-day ticket on Day 1 and another on Day 8, when we really only have half days?
Oh my goodness!! All these crazy thoughts going through my mind. If you haven’t planned a trip to Disney before, please make note that its, seriously, a full-time job. Seriously. Its sick.
© 2010, Julie Meyers Pron. All rights reserved.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, I just came across your blog from the Martha Blog show, and thought I’d pass on some Disney ideas. We have been to Disney twice…in 2007 with our 3 and 4 year old and in Dec. 2009 when the kids were 6 and 7. Here’s my blog about Disney…http://txtanya.blogspot.com/search/label/Vacation.
Suggestions:
Day 1: I think it would be alot to do a table service meal at another resort and then magic kingdom too. Don’t underestimate how long the transportation will take from place to place. In 2007, we ate a counter service meal and headed to magic kingdom for the parade and that worked great.
Day 2 and 3: sounds great. Depending on what time of year you go, I wouldn’t really count on stumbling on a table service meal that you like.
Day 6: The Tusker house is a great way to start Animal Kingdom.
Day 7: Epcot could definitely be done in a half day for little kids. They do have crafts at all the countries, as well as the Nemo ride. On our trip this year, my kids were able to enjoy the Kim Possible spy game with the “pretend” cell phone/spy gadget. Your 6 year old might like it.
Other ideas:
Some of the dining we liked: Princess breakfast at Epcot Akershaus, Crystal Palace in Magic Kingdom, Liberty Tavern in Magic Kingdom. Have also heard good things about Aquarium restaurant in epcot.
Not sure when you’re going, but the pools are heated so you can swim year round. We swam on both trips in Dec and Jan.
Downtown Disney is a great outing to fill a day that you don’t have plans. The Lego store is fun, as well as the new T Rex restaurant.
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Hope this helps! Tanya
Hi, I stumbled across your blog through Musings of a Housewife! I love all things Disney and love planning so I was thrilled to see this post.
Your plan looks great! I know you were wondering about Day 4 and Fantasmic. If you guys can swing it, it is definitely worth it. It was one of our favorite things that we did during the trip and the kids absolutely loved it. Would it work for you guys to just stay at DHS after lunch until Fantastmic? You could just leisurely do some rides while you wait for Fantasmic to begin.
Also, one of our favorite counter service places to eat is in MK: Columbia Harbor House in Liberty Square. They have clam chowder and tuna sandwiches – a nice change from the chicken fingers and burgers you see other places.
I’m so jealous!! have a great time =)
I’m in the planning stages of our trip to Disney World in May. Love reading your Disney posts for all the tips. I would love to know how all your ADRs went and how long travel times between locations was. Also, how was the breakfast at the Tusker House. I currently have us planned to eat at Tusker House the day we are in Animal Kingdom but after reading some reviews I’m wondering if I should cancel.
Can’t wait to get to Disney but all this advanced planning is becoming quite tedious and I am feeling like this is going to be more stressful than relaxing. It seems like I will need a vacation after my Disney vacation. I’m most worried about my three year old melting down, the fact that my family does not do well with early starts, and the travel time between Disney locations.
I guess I just need to let go and acknowledge that with a three year old (one who is high spirited and highly tempermental) things might will not go as smoothly as I want no matter how well I plan things. I keep telling myself that if all else fails we can just enjoy the pool at our resort and order room service or whip something up in the kitchen in our villa.
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