Ellie's Revised May 2-6 Itinerary

[ellie]

Well, my first itinerary was perhaps too ambitious for my boyfriend's
first trip. After reading Sheli's posts and hearing that she could give up
Fantasmic I thought, that would simplify our lives as well. I had never seen
F! and it was high on my list, but also important was making this vacation
enjoyable for my boyfriend as well. First post is Ellie's May 2-6 Itinerary.
I also nixed the Dessert Party... we decided on the meal plan because
we like to sit and eat dinner so we'll be getting too many desserts already.
In general dinners are more restful than plan 1 and breaks at the hotel
are after dinner instead of late afternoon. I changed the AK and MK days.

So, two adults, East Coast, 2.5 hour direct flight.. and a leisurely post lunch
flight down. Staying at GF and perfectly happy to make extensive use
of taxis to avoid crowds/save time. Park hopping option. Planning to be at park
openings at 9a.

My boyfriend usually only sleeps 11:30p-7a so with taxis in the mornings to
the parks and breakfasts in the room (coffee and a cereal bar for him) he won't
get less sleep than normal.

I'd appreciate any feedback.

Mon 02 May
3p arrival MCO, 2.5 hr direct flight East Coast
ME to GF, checkin
monorail to EP (taxi if late)
7p dinner Les Chef de France
9p Illuminations
look at topiaries before monorail back to GF

Tue 03 May
taxi to AK
AK until 3:30p
bus to AKL
rocking chairs overlooking savanna before dinner
5p dinner Boma
taxi to GF for rest/pool
9p Wishes and Electric Water Pageant from GF

Wed 04 May
bus or taxi to HS
5:15p dinner Sci-Fi Dine In
bus to GF for rest
10p Wishes from Main Street

Thu 05 May
taxi to EP
EP until 3:30p
monorail to PR
5p dinner 'Ohana (on way back to GF)
monorail to GF for rest
bus to DD for 9p Cirque Nouba
taxi to GF

Fri 06 May
MK until 3:30p (Grad night day)
boat back to GF (4:30p ME pickup for 7:40p flight)

[Brandie]

Wed 04 May
bus or taxi to HS
5:15p dinner Sci-Fi Dine In
bus to GF for rest
10p Wishes from Main Street


It appears to me that this is the only day you plan on park-hopping. Are you adding PHer for just the view of Wishes, or will you be touring the park, as well?

[ellie]

Brandie, thanks for pointing that out. The original plan had 2 days of park hopping. This one does only have that one day.
That makes those fireworks right on Main Street more pricey.

[josh]

That looks much, much more reasonable. You might want to look into rental car prices. I would say that you could save a ton of money by moving to a different resort, but if you're okay with the cost I'm okay with it too.

[ellie]

Thanks, Josh. I checked rental cars; they're surprisingly pricey. $290 with AAA for an economy size.
The taxi trips should be a lot less with the bonus of door to door service and no driving-in-strange-place stress.

We did consider Coronado Springs (I stayed there with my sister last time and loved it) for about $1000
less. My boyfriend preferred GF. The Polynesian was another contender but it was more expensive with
less chance of a balcony. I don't mind paying more.

[ellie]

Thanks Brandie and Josh! Your input was really helpful.

I rethought some more. We dropped the meal plan and park hopper.
Now counter service the first night at Epcot and gave up Boma so we can spend all Tue at MK and see Wishes from Main Street.

Here's the latest.

Mon 02 May
3p arrival MCO, 2.5 hr direct flight East Coast
ME to GF, checkin
monorail to EP
dinner, counter service
9p Illuminations
look at topiaries before monorail back to GF

Tue 03 May
MK with afternoon break at GF
6p dinner The Plaza Restaurant
more rides/FP use
9p Wishes from Main Street

Wed 04 May
bus or taxi to HS
5:30p dinner Sci-Fi Dine In
bus to GF for rest
to Polynesian Resort for drinks on beach to see
(maybe Electric Water Pageant and) 10p Wishes

Thu 05 May
taxi to EP
EP until 4p
monorail to PR
5p dinner 'Ohana (on way back to GF)
monorail to GF for rest
bus to DD for 9p Cirque Nouba
taxi to GF

Fri 06 May
AK until 3:30p
taxi back to GF (4:30p ME pickup for 7:40p flight)

[josh]

Looks good to me :RpS_thumbup: