I just can't decide what to do! (m)

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Registered: 03-27-2003
I just can't decide what to do! (m)
7
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 9:11am

I'm in a little bit of a mess...not a BAD one, mind you...just need to get my head around scheduling my ADRs and days at the park.

We're not going until the 3rd week of October. So far, my plan is to go down on Saturday and stay off-site near Sea World Sat, Sun and Mon nights. I'd like to do Sea World - probably Saturday late-afternoon and all day Sunday (is it worth it to go two days... I mean with the "second day free"...or can we really see it all in one?). Then we'll have all day Monday for exploring other stuff in Orlando -- Character Warehouse (outlet shopping), DTD and maybe tour the AKL if they'll let us.

Then get up early Tuesday and make our way to WL to check in. I know our room won't be ready in the morning, but I would like to have our tickets so we can get an early start in the parks.

We'll stay through Sunday and leave around noon or 1:00.

So here's my quandry -- or a list of them in Alphabetical Order...lol:

1. ADRs - I'll be on the dining plan and want to make the most of my TS credits. We'll use up 2 each for the HDDR. I had thought we'd do Chef Mickey's, but since we backed away from the Contemporary (to stay at the WL), I don't feel like we HAVE to do CMs (we have never done it though). It seems like people have good things to say about the Liberty Tree Tavern dinner...has anyone done this? Also, we'll have one more TS meal coming to us. I think we'll do the WC at the WL - it gets generally good press. Just WHEN to do it, I don't know. Maybe breakfast.

2. Cinderella's Royal Table. I was planning all along to try to get an ADR here...and since they have 3 meals now, I figured on being pretty successful. However, the reviews on Deb's site have been mediocre to poor. If I'm using two TS credits for it, it ought to be great! And it seems that you don't get the princesses at dinner -- perhaps only breakfast? I *think* I have decided to scrap it and do the princess breakfast in Norway instead. That one is only one table service credit which would free us up for one more sit-down dinner somewhere (see above - probably WC at WL)

3. Fireworks/Nighttime shows - I really wanted to get Fantasmic in this trip since we didn't do it 3 years ago. Plus, I really CAN'T miss Wishes or Illuminations! - those are some of my best memories from our last trip. However, with the shortened hours in October, I'm having the hardest time figuring out when we'll tour the parks each day AND see all the shows.

OK - that's all for now. Anyone want to plan my days so I can SEE IT ALL?!

Tracie

Avatar for laurieh88
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Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 9:43am

I am not a huge help, but I wanted to say that your trip sounds like a BLAST! You are going to have so much fun.

We are not big on fancy meals (my kids put eating at the bottom of their list of important things to do!), but we did CRT a few years ago for breakfast. I didn't care if they fed me crackers and water, I was there for the atmosphere. Eating in the castle was WAY cool! I personally thought breakfast was great, and I'd love to do that again sometime.

We visit in December most often, and I know it's hard to plan with shortened hours. Not impossible though! I make a spreadsheet for myself beforehand. On each day, I put the opening and closing hours for each park as well as the times for parades and shows. Once it's on paper like that, it's easier to plan. It's also easier to attend all the shows and such with hopper passes, but we did OK this past year with single day tickets. I would never, ever want to miss Fantasmic - it's my abosulute favorite and amazes me every time! I hope you can fit everthing you want to see and do into your schedule. :)

Laurie, mom to
Alex, 11 years old
Julianne and Leah 9.5 years old
Audrey, 2 years old

Disney trips in 1973, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005!

LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:


Alex, 1

Avatar for mianator
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Registered: 03-08-2003
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 10:37am

If you don't already know about this, I would also point out that October is the month for the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party at MK. It's a lot of fun! People dress up in costumes and they give out candy to trick or treaters. We went twice last year--Sept 30 and Oct 2. I would definitely recommend going. They also have a really fun and 'spooky' parade and fireworks show. It's at the MK after the park closes on the early days, and the entrance is limited. It is a special ticket event. The Liberty Tree Tavern has a special Halloween dinner where all the characters are dressed up in Halloween costumes, and it's very hard to get into so if you are going to do that, make your ADR as soon as you can. We couldn't get in for it so I don't know how good it is, but it's very popular.

We ate lunch in the castle, and Cinderella was in the lobby in her throne in between showings of Cinderellabration, so DD got to meet her. I wasn't very impressed with the food, but I'm a vegetarian and I didn't like the option they had for me. It was fun to be in the castle, but now that we've done it--I don't think it will be a priority for us. My 4 yo DD really enjoyed breakfast with the princesses at Norway though, and I would go back there.

I haven't been to Sea World for years--I think my kids are just too little for it--so I can't say about 1 vs 2 days. I'd personally rather be at WDW.

Well, I better run now, have fun planning!

Chantel

Avatar for beckymk
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Registered: 03-23-1998
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 11:24am

I'm going to be with the crowd of I don't know how much help I'll be but....


We ate at Liberty Tree Tavern - I liked both Chef Mickey's and Liberty Tree Tavern but if it was a choice.

Becky - Mom to Carolyn (17), Aaron (15), Kyle (11) & Luke (8)
Send a free greeting card on me!!
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Registered: 09-15-2005
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 1:15pm

LOL Tracie! I love that you alphabetized your quandry!! LOL

Val, Co-CL Disney Vacations

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Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 3:23pm

I knew I'd get what I needed here! I'd love to know how you know the show schedule. I looked ALL OVER for that information and couldn't get it. Knowing that Fantasmic is scheduled every night at 7:30 was helpful (I thought the park CLOSED at 7:30, though) but even more helpful was the Wishes/Spectro times! Since those are not offered each night, it will help to "nail those down" and let the others fall where they may. My only other hitch is that my Dad and DSM will be touring with us on the weekend. My plan was to do just about everything before we had them with us -- they will likely be taking a slower pace, and also we will know ahead of time the "can't miss" attractions for them.

So...It may shape up like this:

Tuesday (Oct 24) - check into WL early and hit MK, probably. Fantasmic at MGM.
Wednesday - EMH at AK. Lunch at Tusker or Flame Tree. Leave after parade.
Shower/change. Go to MK for LTT, Spectro and Wishes (or Wishes & Spectro --
or Just Wishes...)
Thursday - PSB at Norway - maybe 8:30. EHM at Epcot. Tour EPCOT - maybe go back to WL
for R&R/swim - back to EPCOT; counter service dinner in WS; Illuminations!
Friday - Breakfast at WC(?)(Dad & DSM join us probably) MGM - my Dad would LOVE MGM -
Hotel shower/change for HDDR at 7:00 for Dad's birthday (big "7-5").
Saturday - Split parks EPCOT and MK - hit nighttime spectacular.

Sunday - Last Hoorah - probably MK one last time - before we leave...boo hoo!

OH - and a question...when it says EMH does it mean early and late? Or do I have to wait to find out if it is early or late. Soooo many questions!

Finally - if WDW offers something really great for Fall travel (in 2003, they offered a 4+3 package), I might add a day at the beginning, checking in on Monday instead of Tuesday. I wonder when Fall promos will come out?

Tracie


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Registered: 09-15-2005
Mon, 04-03-2006 - 11:20pm

Val, Co-CL Disney Vacations

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-10-2006
Tue, 04-04-2006 - 12:11am

Hi Laurie

I was just reading nad understand that your last trip was in Dec and thats when you usually go to Disney. I'mplanning on going with my dh and kids this Dec 06 and would love to see speedsheet or itinerary. I have a dd who will be 10 and a ds who will be 5 when we go. We are hoping to go at the beginning of Dece and I'm trying to talk my dh in going between 7-9 days. How long do you go when you visit? Please if you can help me in any way or give me any advise as this is our first trip and we are hoping to see as much as we possible can. I have one other question how important is it to have a place with a pool as I'm wondering how much it gets used in December with there temp?

TIA

T