Sorry for the week of inactivity, but Dad’s been called away on a secret Disney Dad mission. You can expect to start hearing from him again in a few days. Until then…
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Hi,
Love your blog.
I booked our first trip to WDW for May 9th to the 16th….
Wow what a great help this site has been for me……I am a stressed out over-worked desperately needing some quality family time holiday….
In a perfect world DH and I would have gone somewhere relaxing sitting on a beach drinking slushy drinks all week but decided since our oldest who is turning 18 years old next month will likely never want to go on holidays with us again we should do something family oriented!
I managed to take advantage of the pay for 4 get 3 free which brought us to going to WDW for the week of May 9th.
So it will be – Me, DH, Son (17) Son (12) Son (10) embarking on a fun filled family vacation at WDW.
We are staying in the family suite @ All star music.
I am hoping I can draw on all of your experience and knowledge planning a good trip for us.
Oldest son and myself cant do rides (Vertigo) and he is non too pleased about going with us- figured I would use Mom guilt to get him to come with us – he finally agreed on one condition that we go to Kennedy Space Center so that being said – I checked on line and noticed there was a scheduled launch on the 12th – I really don’t want to deal with the crowds and decided we would go the day before- Son (10) really wants to swim in the ocean so we are going to go to Cocoa beach (Or that is the tentative plan) after Kennedy – that way both will be happy.
I have only picked on restaurant so far to make ADR and still have to figure out the rest – I really do not have a ton of time to research all the restaurants between working full time- taking care of my sick Mom and the family….. I am hoping that suggestions might be made where we can make ADR. Or – do you really think they are necessary for this week? I really don’t want to be tied down to reservations – I find it so difficult to believe that we have to do this?
So far after hours of research this is my tentative itinerary – could you please look it over and give me your opinion?
I really really appreciate it.
Saturday May 9th
Flight arrives @ 2:30pm – get rental car @ airport – stop and get some groceries and head over to All Star Music, unpack
Dinner – T Rex?
Downtown Disney – Disney Quest –
Sunday May 10th
Morning – Epcot – lots and lots of walking
Evening – Magic Kingdom – closes @ midnight.
Monday May 11th –
Kennedy space center and Cocoa beach – shopping downtown Orlando – outlet malls
Tuesday May 12th
Animal Kingdom
Hollywood – closing show
Wednesday May 13th Animal kingdom open until 8pm
Typhoon Lagoon
Animal kingdom ?
Thursday May 14th
Magic Kingdom
Hollywood Studios
Friday May 15th
FREE TIME – Blizzard beach??
Epcot – open till midnight
Saturday May 16th – home day – check out – return rental car @ Airport
I have heard that the bus systems to and from all-stars is less than wonderful nor speedy – is this true?
Sorry to be throwing so many questions at you – I am feeling so overwhelemed planning this holiday I am feeling like I am going to need a holiday from planning this one.
Thanks so so much – any response is greatly appreciated.
Thanks again
Debbie
Debbie,
Thanks for taking the time to send me your plan. I’m looking over it now, and will have some ideas for you tomorrow. Sorry for the delay, but I want to do this right.
Have a great day,
Dad
Thanks so much.
I am so sorry your work was stolen like that – I hope you have told him to take it down?
I really appreciate your website and the effort you have put into this site.
By the way – is there any way I can edit my first post to you – I put my email address it it??
DOH!
Thanks again
Deb
Debbie,
I’ve sent you an email.
This message will self-destruct in 12 hours.
Debbie,
Here’s what I’ve come up with.
First – ADR’s
If you want to eat in any of the sit down restaurants, you will need ADR’s (Advanced Dining Reservation for those of you wondering). You can eat at any of the quick service restaurants without an ADR. So if you don’t mind “fast” food the whole week you won’t need a reservation. Our last trip we only made 4 for a whole week.
A couple of restaurants that we really like are ‘Ohana in the Polynesian Resort (a great place for lots of good food) and Teppan Edo in Epcot (the restaurant where they chop up your food right at your table).
Next – Your Plan
I’m not a big fan of park hopping as a general rule. We used to park hop when the kids were smaller and we were leaving the park for a nap. Since the kids are bigger, we tend to try to spend the whole day in one park, and maybe slip over to another park for the fireworks in the evening. We will also plan one day per week for catching rides we missed, or a roller coaster day, where we jump from park to park and just ride the roller coasters.
One thing that jumps out to me right at first is that Fantasmic is only shown on Sundays and Thursdays, so you won’t be able to see the closing show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Tuesday. Also, Thursday will be an absolute zoo at Hollywood Studios because of Fantasmic.
So here’s the plan I would suggest for your family
Saturday –
Downtown Disney and Disney Quest is a great idea.
Sunday –
Blizzard Beach –
Magic Kingdom – (open till midnight)
Monday –
Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach –
Tuesday –
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Magic Kingdom (open till 10:00 pm)
Wednesday –
Animal Kingdom (open till 8:00)
Thursday –
Epcot – Eat lunch at Boardwalk Pizza Place
Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Fantasmic at 9:00 or 10:00, park closes at 10:00. You’ll need to be in line at least 45 minutes before the show.)
Friday –
Typhoon Lagoon
Epcot – (open till midnight)
About the bus system… Yes, the bus system from the All Stars can be cumbersome. Since you will have a rent a car, I’d suggest you drive to the parks every day. It will be faster, especially for park hopping. The buses will come in handy if your party wants to split up. Part of you can take the bus, part can take the car.
I hope this helps.
PS. You owe me $149.95. (just kidding)
Thanks so much
I will be following your itinerary because it makes so much more sense….I just read your latest post – space mountain is closed….Oh I am going to have one upset hubby….oh well.
I have another quick question – I know i read somewhere there is a restaurant that offers views to the Fantasmic show? Do you know anything about that or am I losing my mind??
I super appreciate your speedy replies and so thankful for guidance.
Thanks again
Deb
Debbie,
Yep, Space Mountain is closed until November and there are a lot of upset people. But at least you know before you go.
I’m glad you like my itinerary. I thought it flowed better and gave you a better chance to see as much as possible.
For the Fantasmic Show, you can try to get reservations for the Fantasmic Dinner package. It’s dinner at one of the following restaurants – The Hollywood Brown Derby, Mama Melrose or Hollywood & Vine. The package gives you access to special seating (very good seats) at the show. At this late date, you may not be able to book it. It fills up pretty quickly, but I’d give it a shot. Call Disney and see if there are any slots. Don’t be picky about the restaurant and you might have a chance.
Good luck.
Thanks again so much.
Now if I could just get over the panic instilled in me about this stupid swine flu – here in Canada that is all they are talking about….saying the pandemic is just around the corner.
and your last post with the confirmed case just freaked me out !!!
Thanks again
Deb