11 months away!
Find a Conversation
| Tue, 06-26-2007 - 10:45am |
Hi, ladies! I've been lurking here for a while and finally decided to post. My DH, DS's, who will be 10 and 8 when we go, my mom, and my MIL will be going to Florida for a week the end of July. We're staying off-site in MIL's timeshare. Where do I start for planning? What to do? HELP!!! Two years ago my father died after two years fighting brain tumors. One of his dreams was to take the entire family to Disney World. We're paying for this trip with money he inherited after his death. I'd love to do something in his memory. Ideas?
Some things I want to try to work out...my boys are HUGE Star Wars fans. Ask my oldest any trivia question from any of the 6 movies and he'll know the answer. We scheduled this trip specifically to take advantage of the Star Wars Weekends at MGM. Advice?
Now what about the rest of the trip? We're planning on being there 5 days. What's this about Tom Sawyer Island? Oldest DS loves the books. Would he like this? What other rides would you recommend as must-do's? How does Fast Pass work? My younger DS is really excited about Epcot--we watched a Travel Channel show on it. Advice?
What about Park Hoppers? Should we do that? What about the Water Parks? Part of me says I don't want to waste time at a water park, but I'm sure they're more fantastic than anything we've ever done before.
I'm sure I'll have more questions. Thanks in advance.
Kathy

Welcome Kathy!!=
First of all I just wanted to say what a great thing it is that you're fulfilling your dad's dream and how it would be wonderful to somehow include your dad's memory in the trip. I'm not one of the experts here by a long shot, but I know it can be done and will be incredibly special. You'll get tons of answers to your questions! One lady specifically about the Star Wars stuff, she's been there tons (and now I can't remember her name, sorry) and has three little 'jedis' on her siggy :) I think it's great that your sons sound so well rounded, interested in Epcot and Tom Sawyer as well. I'm looking forward to taking my son (9yo) around the countries! The kidcot stations sound more little-kid oriented but I'm planning on getting him a passport that he can get stamped, learning a few words of the language in each country, etc. The Tom Sawyer island is mainly a place to romp about, as a break from the crowds (you get on a little raft to get there, so not too many people at a time, I think), and the high-tech rides and shows. THere's a fort and "injun Joe caves" that are pitch dark and maze-like inside (I remember these from my first trip as a kid! Thrilling!) and a place to get a snack and sit and relax while the kids run about (or go explore with them!) I'm excited for you, we're going in 42 days and part of me wishes I still had 11 months to plan it all (but I'm already starting to pack! LOL) Take care, I look forward to seeing more posts from you.
Oh, one more thing: be sure to budget $20+ per child (and at least an hour) for your sons to build their own lightsabers at DTD! I'm sure there'll be a ton more things you'll hear about that...
Hmmm, also: How far away is the time share? I think you'll probably be faced with the same dilemma I am about whether or not to try and take mid-day breaks away from the park...my kid is definitely not a night owl so I worry about past-bed-time crankyness with all that stimulation...but neither DH nor I really want to "waste" park time going back (even though for us it would be relatively simple since we're staying on site)...Just something to think about.
Aaaand last question: Did your dad have a special park/ride/character/place in WDW he looked forward to or talked about? That might be a place to start...
Sorry, Down Town Disney is a shopping area within WDW. It's also where Disney Quest (the "big arcade" or "indoor theme park") is, along with Cirque du Soleil, a bunch of restaurants like Planet Hollywood...and Pleasure Island (the nightclub area).
We're not big shoppers, but do plan to go there one morning to browse the giant Disney store, play at the Lego store (cool giant Lego sculptures outside!) ...and then DH and DS will possibly hit Disney Quest while I browse some more! Then lunch and a water park!
As for the water parks, since you asked, I also feel they're a bit of an anti-climax compared to the theme parks. But they are one of the things my son looks forward to the most ! (He loves to swim AND isn't afraid of the thrilling super-slides so, good combination I guess!) I went to Typhoon Lagoon with just DH and his grown children several years ago, and was less than impressed, would have been just as happy at the hotel pool with a book (LOL). This time we're trying Blizzard Beach one afternoon (crowds are supposed to clear out somewhat in mid afternoon, and water parks are open until 8pm when we're going) and also MAYBE Typhoon Lagoon one afternoon depending on how things go, but I refuse to make the water park the main goal of our day, kwim?
DTD is DownTown Disney - it's the main shopping area with restaurants etc - actually a very fun place just to walk around.
How many of you are in your party? Disney has a program called Grand Gatherings especially for family trips - reunions etc - not sure how many you have to have to be a "Grand Gathering" though.
What a lovely way to remember your Dad, what a great idea.
I have to add my "yes" for waterparks - for us no trip to Disney World would be complete without a waterpark day - especially for my DD - she is such a fishy. Typhoon Lagoon is our fave because of the huge waves in the main lagoon, the swim with the sharks pool and other things but Blizzard Beach is fun too.
Carole
Carole
You are going to have a great time on your trip. There are many great ideas on this board. I was thinking about what you could do special in honor of your father and thought about the pictures, names that are in the giant monuments at Epcot. Perhaps someone else knows more about this however, at the entrance to Epcot there are several gaint wall-like scuptures that have pictures of families etc on the wall. I am not sure about cost or if they are still adding these to the wall, but it may be a special way of remebering him. You might could call to find out more information.
Have a wonderful time
I read recently that Epcot stopped taking new Leave a Legacy
More questions...
When do I need to start doing specific planning? Making reservations? What order would YOU do the parks in? Why? Advice on getting tickets? HELP!!!! :)
ADR's need to be made about 180 days out. If you are doing Cindy's castle or want a prime time at Le Cellier for DInner, tehn that one need to be made, too since I have been told by more than one CM that that one is getting harder to eat at than the castle! I cna't help with teh tickets since I always book a package direct with Disney.
That being said, if you do not get what you are looking for the first call, take what you can get, but try back often. I was able to snag ADRs at Le Cellier for lunch 2 separate times (I was moving my days around) but we are eating at an off time (the first time was 2:40 before we switche dit to a different day at 1:30)
I belong to Tour Guide Mike (Worth the $17 I paid!) so Park order is not important to me, I plan to go on the least crowded days. Last year we started at MGM, this year we are starting at EPCOT. We try to do MK on departure day, but this year we may end at MGM.
I am 45 days out and I have a bit more tweaking to do to my schedule (Chanigng two adrs AGAIN LOL!) but then I will finish my touring plans and be done. Even with my park Hoppers, we try to match our Park touring with our ADRs. Actually, with exception of LE Cellier, I try to match my ADRs with my park touring which is matched with my "least crowded days" schedule.
SO I guess my plans go like this....figure out cheapest days to fly out and back. Run dates by DH to settle exact days so he can request off. Make package reservations for dates. Watch Airfares. Book when I get within the price range I am looking for. Join TGM and read his suggestions for best days. Rough up a plan including alternitives for AM and PM. Figure out what Sit Down Meals we are planning this trip, along with 2 alternitives. 180 days out (Or as soon as possible if booking less than 6 months out) call to try to match ADRs wanted with my touring plan.
Tweak tweak tweak! Watch Airfare and call to change as necessary (So far I am down to $69 PP each way on direct flights) Put planning away for a few days and pull out to look at with fresh eyes. (TOday I realized I was trying to force and ADR into a day that didn't fit, but I found a better day that it fits nicely in!)
After today, I really do not anticipate much more changing other then the "must rides" from our children and us. We each try to pick our 2-3 per park and make those a top priority. We also have a list of "Would be nice tos" that will not make or break our trip if we do not see them. I also check ride closures so there are very few surprises when we get there.
It sounds like I m a serial planner, and maybe I am, but I know we have down time scheduled if we need it and lots of fun stuff planned. We have one sit down meal a day planned, a miz of breakfast/ lunches nad dinners at a variety of new and favotire places. We are staying a bit longer than usuall and added the Water Parks nd MOre option this year. I honestly think even though we are doing more, this will be our most relaxing trip ever! Its amazing what adding a day or two to your trip will do to the pace!
THat being said, you know your family best, but also be aware that even if you THINK you MIGHT want to try a Sit down restraunt, make your ADR as early as you can, then cancel as soon as you realize it is no longer a priority since walk ups are getting very scarce! I know my family NEEDS its one sit down meal a day.
Most of all, plan to be surprised!! If you had "Ride Barnstormer 2 more times before you leave on the last day" on your plan and you wake up to thunder showers with no hope of it letting up, its OK to be disappointed, but have a back up plan!
I hav eno advice on getting tickets since the last couple of trips were packages booke dwith Disney. Our Honeymoon trip we bought Tickets at AAA on our way there. I've never dealt with any ticket brookers.
ALl in all, have fun, but don't overschedule to the point of micro managing and no longer enjoying it!
HAVE FUN!
~Elena