short vacation--need suggestions

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Registered: 03-29-2006
short vacation--need suggestions
8
Mon, 11-13-2006 - 11:45am

We are going to Disney for 1 day, Epcot for one day, beach one day and flea market shopping another. What would you recommend as a "must see" for Disney and Epcot? We will be taking my 9 yr old son, 10 year old step daughter, 14 year old stepson, and 12 week old daughter. Any suggestions you can provide would be greatly appreciated. We will be at Disney on 11/24 and Epcot on 11/25. TIA.

Annette

Loving Mommy to Paige 8/22/06 and Logan 11 Years

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Registered: 10-14-1999
Mon, 11-13-2006 - 1:19pm
when you say disney i assu;me you mean you'll be at magic kingdom on the first day. are you staying on property if so check out when the extra magic hours are and take advatage of them. When we go to epcot the kids always do the Funspot at each country they enjoy it and its FREE. we usually go in morning and then go back to rooms take a break and head back over at 4 we do the future world in am and then do the countries in late afternoon and evening, and go on the rides we missed imbetween while we wait for the illumination show. THIS IS A MUST SEE. It usually is at 9 depending when parks close but check that out too. We usually go through the park maps annd see what everyone wants to do and then try and plan from there you have a few days READ READ READ this baord annd there are so manny suggestions. littlebitt
Avatar for laurieh88
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 8:42am

There is a "touring plans" (dot com) site that has lists of *must sees* for both of these parks:

Magic Kingdom:

Pirates of the Carribean
Winnie the Pooh
Mickey's Philharmagic
Peter Pan's Flight
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Splash Mountain
The Haunted Mansion
Space Mountain
and....don't miss the Spectromagic (night) parade

Epcot:

The American Adventure
Spaceship Earth
Living with the Land
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
Test Track
Soarin'
and....Illuminations night-time show

I will agree with these recommendations. Of course, my family has some other favorites (Buzz Lightyear's ride comes to mind, as well as Small World), but these are good starter lists. We love Future World at Epcot and can spend all kinds of time just walking around, checking things out. I find Epcot to be a more relaxing and low-key park, which is nice.

If you need them, the baby care centers at these parks are wonderful! A good place to change a diaper, nurse, rest, etc.

Have a great time!!!!!

Laurie in OH, mom to

Alex, 11 years old
Julianne and Leah, 10 years old
Audrey, 2 years old

WDW visits in 1973, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005!
Currently planning a December 9-16, 2006 trip!

LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:


Alex, 1

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Registered: 03-29-2006
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 9:47am

Laurie,
Thanks for all the suggestions. Every recommendation helps. I haven't been to Disney since I was a kid! The kids are really looking forward to going next week. Whew....next week. Seems wierd to say that. Time went really fast to get to this point! Have a great trip next month!

Annette

Logan 9 years
Paige 11 weeks

Loving Mommy to Paige 8/22/06 and Logan 11 Years

Avatar for laurieh88
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 10:28am

When I first started going to Disney again with DH and the kids, I hadn't been since the 80s. What a difference! Lots more to do....and fast pass, which is a great option. Do you know about baby swap? If you have 2 adults, one can ride with the older kids, while the other adult sits with the baby. Then the second adult will have a pass to go with the kids again when the baby is swapped. Just as the person working each ride that has restrictions how to go about getting this pass. My older kids love that they can ride things twice in a row.

It does seem like the wait is so long for an upcoming Disney trip....until that last week. I'm always in a panic! :)

Laurie in OH, mom to

Alex, 11 years old
Julianne and Leah, 10 years old
Audrey, 2 years old

WDW visits in 1973, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005!
Currently planning a December 9-16, 2006 trip!

LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:


Alex, 1

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-04-2005
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 4:09pm

I agree with all the MK suggestions, but I don't agree with

Photobucket
Avatar for laurieh88
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Tue, 11-14-2006 - 4:55pm

Oh boy, we LOVE American Adventure and usually see it twice during our trip. It makes me tear up at the end, and I often get the song stuck in my head. My 2 year old asks me to play the song in the van and knows all the words.

Just goes to show that everyone is different.....and the best bet is to visit the Disney site, read about the rides and attractions, and then make a list that best suits your family! There's definitely something for everyone.

Laurie in OH, mom to

Alex, 11 years old
Julianne and Leah, 10 years old
Audrey, 2 years old

WDW visits in 1973, 1986, 1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005!
Currently planning a December 9-16, 2006 trip!

LAURIE IN OH, Mom to:


Alex, 1

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 11-17-2006 - 3:05pm

With that being the weekend after Thanksgiving it will be crowded. You will want to use Fastpass so be sure you understand how it works.

With the older kids I don't know if they'll be as into the Kidcot Funspots as the younger kids. They get a mask that they can stop at each place and decorate, basically color with markers, sometimes there are other things and they attach on a diecut representative of the country. It's free.

Try really hard to get to the parks before opening time. At Epcot get a FastPass for either Soarin or Test Track. Ride the other by waiting in line. Ride Mission Space. These are the 3 must sees. Then ride the other rides that interest you in Future World, using your FP at the appropriate time. You might want to save Spaceship Earth for later in the day, it is the most crowded when people are first arriving because it is the first line they see.

At Magic Kingdom Splash Mtn and Big Thunder Mtn are close to each other so get a FP for one, ride the other and some other things in the area while you are waiting for your FP time. Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion are on that side of the park. Or if they are more excited about Space Mtn, get a FP for it and ride Buzz Lightyear, Stitch's Alien Encounter while waiting for the FP time. The Rockets are fun but the lines build up fast, if you want to ride them, hit them first thing. You'll have to accept that of those two sides of the park one will go smoothly if you hit it early and the other will have lines, waits, and crowds.

In the middle is Fantasyland, Small World is a traditional favorite and Philharmagic is a great 3D movie. If you can manage the FP, try to do Peter Pan on Fastpass.

Be sure to catch Wishes at MK and Illuminations at Epcot.

Elisa

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2006
Mon, 11-20-2006 - 12:44pm

Thanks for the suggestions! I'm looking forward to leaving tomorrow! My baby's name is Paige as well!

Annette
DD 8/22/06
DS 11/15/97

Loving Mommy to Paige 8/22/06 and Logan 11 Years