Itinerary Critique Please

[StantonHyde]

We are going to Disney Sunday, May 30 and will get to Orlando around 4 so not planning on going to the park that day. (we are staying offsite at a Marriott Residence Inn)

Monday, May 31: MK, lunch at Crystal Palace
Tuesday, June 1: MK
Wednesday, June 2: Kennedy Space Center
Thursday: AK
Not sure what to do on Friday. Is D Hollywood too many shows? My kids don't like those as much--would rather do rides. Now, if the Harry Potter place is open at Universal Studios, we will be there with bells on!!! Is the rest of Universal too much for a 5 yo and 7.5 yo?
Saturday--fly home

TIA! I don't have tix yet. Am I doomed?? (i have hotel and plane res)

[Momof3Labs]

Why not Epcot on Friday? On our last trip, my boys were 6 and almost 3, and they begged for Epcot every chance they got. They still talk about how it is their favorite park. AK is a half-day park for us, but DS2 isn't into shows, and a couple of the thrill rides were just too much for DS1 on our last trip. That seemed to knock out half of our AK options, leaving only about a half day of touring.

I'd consider doing a different park on Tuesday than Monday, and then returning to MK later in the week. Makes it all new again, kwim?

[billysmommy]

Why not Epcot on Friday? On our last trip, my boys were 6 and almost 3, and they begged for Epcot every chance they got. They still talk about how it is their favorite park. AK is a half-day park for us, but DS2 isn't into shows, and a couple of the thrill rides were just too much for DS1 on our last trip. That seemed to knock out half of our AK options, leaving only about a half day of touring.

I'd consider doing a different park on Tuesday than Monday, and then returning to MK later in the week. Makes it all new again, kwim?


Agreeing with Lori :)

Our boys are pretty much the same ages and love Epcot, although FantasyLand is still DS2's favorite.

They also love Hollywood Studios because that's the only place to see Lightning McQueen & Mater, the Power Rangers who are huge favorites!!! And Little Einsteins for Ds2.

I would probably do something like MK Monday, Epcot Tuesday, DHS Thursday and MK again on Friday.

[StantonHyde]

Because last time (2 years ago) they could not get enough of MK--seriously 2.5 days there!!! And they want it all at once. Otherwise--I would totally do what you suggest.

I am just not sure about Epcot. Seems more adult oriented to me. (e.g. boredom factor) Seeing characters is a hit for them. Still pondering...

[SnuggleBuggles]

Epcot rocks. Do Epcot.

Beth

[egoldber]

We spent probably 75% of our time at Epcot this last trip. My 3 and 8 year olds both love it.

There are a lot of characters at Epcot.

[JTsMom]

I have to agree- I'd skip AK and do DHS, and do Epcot. I feel like I'm on an AK bashing kick this week, but there just isn't all that much there, especially if they are ride nuts. Pretty park, just not worth using a whole day on during a short trip imo.

Epcot has Test Track and Soarin, and Norway's boat ride is fun. DS always has a lot of fun there.

DS also likes DHS, and he's not a big show fan either. Midway Mania is a favorite though, and he loves seeing the Cars guys. I think the parade there is really fun as well. Don't forget Tower of Terror and Rockin' Rollercoaster, which are probably my two favorites anywhere.

And no problem at all on the tix, although I'd get them ahead of time just so you don't waste time standing in line.

[SnuggleBuggles]

You know they like MK but I'd really not do 2 days there. They might like one of the other parks even more! :)

Beth

[TwinFoxes]

If I had to skip one park at DW it would be AK. I personally love Epcot. I think some kids could be bored by it, but there really is a lot to do. But I would also pick DHS over AK, because tower of terror and rock n rollercoaster are awesome!

You know, after going to the Kennedy Space Center, Mission: Space at Epcot might be a real hit.

You can get tix at any time. The real hassel is getting dining reservations. Have you done that?

[bubbaray]

Do you have your dining ressies yet? We booked our trip to DL very much at the last minute and planned our week based on when we could get dining reservations. It was pretty slim pickin's. I would start with your dining and go from there....

[StantonHyde]

We won't be eating much on site. Breakfast at the hotel. Last time, we were able to get lunch easily. We are D.O.N.E. by 4 or 5 and don't want to go back. Last time it was nice to come back to the hotel, feed the kids some microwave kids meal and we got take out and wine and just ate in the room. Very relaxing. Which is one of the big reasons we do residence inn type places. (I do have res for the Crystal Palace lunch though--got those a long time ago)

The kids are big animal lovers so AK will be a big hit for them. Tower of Terror I have heard is really for adults (and I do not do rides). Epcot is looking more like a possibility.

Thanks for giving the ole brain a stir!

[egoldber]

I forgot to say that my older DD's hands down favorite activity this year was the Kim Possible Missions at Epcot. It was fabulous!!

[billysmommy]

I forgot to say that my older DD's hands down favorite activity this year was the Kim Possible Missions at Epcot. It was fabulous!!

I forgot about those too. Ds1 (6y) had a blast with them. Actually we all liked it :)

[StantonHyde]

I just saw that and thought it looked awesome!

[bnme]

Just adding some thoughts on rides since my kids are about the same ages-
EPCOT has some really cool rides that are not to be missed for your kids ages that love rides. My 5 & 7 yos loved Test Track, Soarin, Nemo. We keep missing Spaceship Earth but I think they'd love it. And they like the rides in Mexico & Norway. I think I may be forgetting something too. DH and my kids really don't have the attention span for the countries (I love them though) so that really depends on your group. Browsing the World SHow case just to see the few things you want to see and grabbing some tasty snacks is a good and lower key way to end the day. If you are not getting hoppers it may be hard for you to spend the whole day here. But if you are happy calling it a day at 4 or 5 that may be fine for you.

We also love DHS. Star Tours (Star Wars theme) & Toy Story Mania were huge hits, as well as seeing Darth Vadar at the light sbaer duel (forgot what it is called). The Backlot Tour and the Movie ride are a lot of fun. I think the rest is mainly shows (my boys loved the Indiana Jones Stunt show and the car stunt show, plus the parade and all the Pixar characters and seeing the Power Rangers). We also love Fantasmic. We did Tower of Terror but the kids were not interested in going on again! It was a little too scary and they do everything else they can get on and are never scared (Big Thunder Mntn, River Rapids, Haunted Mansion, etc).

We like AK, too. We usually get there early and are done by 2 or 3ish. There aren't many rides, though. We love the safari and rapids. And they liked the Tough to be a Bug and Lion King show.

[MichelleRC]

I forgot to say that my older DD's hands down favorite activity this year was the Kim Possible Missions at Epcot. It was fabulous!!


We just did this yesterday and had a blast! My kids favorite show is The Amazing Race and they were pretending they were on the Race :)

[fivi2]

Would 4.5 yos care about Kim Possible at all? It looks cute, but I can't tell if it is too old for them?

Thanks!

sorry for the hijack!

[StantonHyde]

Donna--your kids sound just like mine!!!! The Star Wars and Indiana Jones features are what would totally draw me to those locations.

Good question on the Kim Possible--my DD will turn 5 at Disney. I think she would like it because there are clues and an adventure involved--but maybe she is too young??

[ChunkyNicksChunkyMom]

Why not Epcot on Friday? On our last trip, my boys were 6 and almost 3, and they begged for Epcot every chance they got. They still talk about how it is their favorite park. AK is a half-day park for us, but DS2 isn't into shows, and a couple of the thrill rides were just too much for DS1 on our last trip. That seemed to knock out half of our AK options, leaving only about a half day of touring.

I'd consider doing a different park on Tuesday than Monday, and then returning to MK later in the week. Makes it all new again, kwim?




Ditto thiS! We loved Epcot and did two days. Soarin and Test Track are twao of the best rides in the parks!!! And that thing that launches you to the moon, love that one!!!