September Itinerary-first ever EasyWDW post.

[Br'er Brian]

Hey all. I'm new to this site and this is my first ever post. Seems like a lot of good people here. Josh's blog is awesome and often a riot as well.

Anyway, this is my itinerary for September 26 to October 2. It will be me, wife, son 8 and daughter 7. It is our second family trip. We will be traveling from Boston with an arrival time of 10:45AM at MCO. We are staying at the Polynesian with deluxe dining. We will be using disney transportation, and taxi when necessary.


Wed 9/26 Arrive 10:45AM at MCO; Magical Express to Poly; explore resort; maybe quick trip to MK; 5:15 ADR Spirit of Aloha

Thu 9/27 RD at Hollywood Studios; 11:25 ADR Sci-Fi Diner; afternoon break; 6:10 ADR Jiko

Fri 9/28 RD at Animal Kingdom; 11:30 ADR Yak & Yeti; afternoon break; 5:00 ADR Kona Cafe; MNSSHP

Sat 9/29 Rest day; 8:45 ADR O'hana Character Breakfast; chill at pool & enjoy Poly; 5:30 ADR California Grill; MK for MSEP

Sun 9/30 RD at Magic Kingdom; 11:35 ADR Liberty Tree; 1:40 Bibbidi; afternoon break; Neverland Club-kids night out;
6:25 ADR Citricos-parents night out

Mon 10/1 RD at Epcot; 12:10 ADR Les Chefs; afternoon break; 5:05 ADR O'hana; Epcot world showcase & Illuminations at 9:00

Tue 10/2 Pack up & check out; Magic Kingdom for mild touring and 1:15 ADR Cinderlela's Royal Table; back to Poly to catch
Magical Express; 7:45PM departure from MCO


That's what I got so far. Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
Brian

[doodlemama]

The one glaring thing for me is the early morning ADR after a party night...Can you move it later? Also, That 5:05pm Ohana will have you heading to epcot around 7pm...just fyi - another late night

[mousehelper]

I probably wouldn't have so quite so many things in the plan-- but it generally looks very good. Maybe just the teensiest crowded. Of course- if you are leaving too late for breaks, then it gets very crowded! I'm assuming 1 -2:00?

My party day would be much quieter, and I wouldn't go to MSEP. That's it. Well-- I don't like a prepaid event on arrival day. But, well, it's in your resort, and I can see why you chose to do it.
: )

[gorsh]

Sounds like a really fun (and yummy ) plan! I don't think I would do MSEP on your break day. I would rather take it easy back at the resort (possibly a night swim?) and watch wishes from the Poly beach!

I agree with what mousehelper said about the plan looking "tight" but you can adjust as necessary. One adjustment you might end up wanting to consider is a later dinner on your AK day. You will probably continue touring after your lunch and then even if you leave AK at 2ish you won't be back and settled until 3 and you will be hot and tired. With dinner at 5 that doesn't give you much time for resting, and really no time for swimming, before you have to get ready for dinner. We had a similar situation--we had an early ADR for Kona (staying at Poly) and we really wanted more pool time. There were no later ADRs available so we ended up ordering room service (2 dining credits) so we could eat and go right back to the pool. This was a really delicious meal!!! Room service at the Poly is a combination of Ohana and Kona menus, so not the exact menu as Kona, but similar. Just something to consider!

[ke_page]

Fri 9/28 RD at Animal Kingdom; 11:30 ADR Yak & Yeti; afternoon break; 5:00 ADR Kona Cafe; MNSSHP

Sat 9/29 Rest day; 8:45 ADR O'hana Character Breakfast; chill at pool & enjoy Poly; 5:30 ADR California Grill; MK for MSEP

These two days are the ones that concern me.

9/28 this day is too packed for me... MNSSHP opens at 4pm so an adr at 5 puts you not getting there until much later and missing some prime touring time. I'd probably look at a CS in the park this night. You aren't going to have much time for actual touring at AK either. After lunch you will need to leave to get any sort of break in. Will your family be ok with just 2.5 hours at this park? For us it would be a little short but it depends on what you are hoping to accomplish.

9/29 I'd definately move this ADR later. It's a credit card reserve and there will be nothing worse than having to set an alarm after a really late night at a party. The rooms at the Poly are dark and even my children who refuse to sleep past 6am can be found sleeping in after a late night mid-trip.

[gorsh]

These two days are the ones that concern me.

9/28 this day is too packed for me... MNSSHP opens at 4pm so an adr at 5 puts you not getting there until much later and missing some prime touring time. I'd probably look at a CS in the park this night. You aren't going to have much time for actual touring at AK either. After lunch you will need to leave to get any sort of break in. Will your family be ok with just 2.5 hours at this park? For us it would be a little short but it depends on what you are hoping to accomplish.

Oh YIKES! I totally missed the party on the day...I was having you take the later dinner or room service so you could have a nice long break & pool time and a relaxing evening, having forgotten that you listed the party on that day. That is a SUPER long day! You might want to do CS at AK for lunch and CS for dinner at MK. With those ADRs you can decide that at the last minute (right? that hasn't changed has it?).

[Pampered Mom]

Fri 9/28 RD at Animal Kingdom; 11:30 ADR Yak & Yeti; afternoon break; 5:00 ADR Kona Cafe; MNSSHP

Sat 9/29 Rest day; 8:45 ADR O'hana Character Breakfast; chill at pool & enjoy Poly; 5:30 ADR California Grill; MK for MSEP

Sun 9/30 RD at Magic Kingdom; 11:35 ADR Liberty Tree; 1:40 Bibbidi; afternoon break; Neverland Club-kids night out;
6:25 ADR Citricos-parents night out

I'd look at pushing the Kona reservation back to maybe 6 and drop MNSSHP for this night. That is a terribly long day. You wouldn't really be able to enjoy the party. As was mentioned, you can get into MK at 4pm with the party ticket. How about doing MNSSHP on 9/30 and readjust your plan over those 3 days? Maybe not RD MK but have a wee bit of a later start unless you're sure everyone will get in a good rest during the break. Or, RD MK on 9/29 knowing you'll be back for the party and do your Ohana breakfast on 9/30?

[mousehelper]

I don't think it's that bad. If you have a short to do list at Ak, and leave after YY, you will be home by 1:30ish. Then, it s a matter of how you are approaching the party. Arrive at 5 and go til 10? Or, get there at 7 and stay thru midnight? Kona Cafe does' have a no show penalty, so you could decide right then what you are doing.

Is there a reason you can't just eat Counter Service sometimes? I know you aren't maximizing the credit that way... But that really isn't what should dictate the flow of your vacation. Sometimes, a CS meal may be the best choice. All those TS would get on my nerves after a bit-- and we have no kids with us most of the time.
: )

[utlegaleagle]

I'm certainly not the expert, but I have been planning my own trip for about 18 months. My dates overlap yours - September 27 to October 7 - and it appears that we have very different itineraries. We, too, are at HS on 9/27, Epcot on 10/1 (although I have a light day planned due to the wild card of it being the 30th anniversary and not knowing what crowds will be like - all that we're doing is RD, Soarin and a few rides, an 11:30 ADR at Le Cellier, a few rides like SE and Imagination, and then out), and MK on 10/2.

If it was me on your dates, I would look heavily at that 9/30 MNSSHP. I almost blew up my whole trip to move my MNSSHP date to 9/30. It will likely be very uncrowded due to low local crowds on a school night. After asking folks here, though, it didn't make sense for me to move my date (I'm set for 10/5, which will be crowded on a Friday night but just makes sense with my whole itinerary). If I was you, though, I would at least consider grabbing that 9/30 MNSSHP.

Besides that, my reaction mirrors everyone else's. I know that I'm doing a CS for my MNSSHP date so that I can maximize my party time. I also am staying out of the parks until MNSSHP starts - only doing a late ADR at Cape May Cafe for brunch, a round of mini golf, and rest time back at Port Orleans. I am very jealous that you get some time sans kids, though. My youngest son doesn't qualify (too young), so there is no Mommy-Daddy time for us.

It should be a fun time to be there. Low crowd levels, not horrible heat (hopefully). Have fun!

[pfalcioni]

Welcome to the forums!

I'm just going to chime in here regarding TS on your party night.

You are paying a premium for the party, so I think it would make sense to make that your priority on this particular evening. If it were me, I'd plan on getting there right at 4pm, eating CS somewhere, and then staying until the kids are tired. If you plan on getting there later after a TS dinner, you run into the possibility of everyone being full and sleepy and wanting to leave after only a few hours at the party.

That 5pm reservation means you are actually paying to be doing 2 things at the same time (TS meal and MNSSHP).

Do any of the two TS credit meals appeal to you? If so, then you could schedule one of those for a different day and not feel like you're wasting your credits on the 28th.

[Br'er Brian]

Gosh darn it! You guys are Good! Never got that kind of response from the stagnant forums on the last site I was using..

Okay, so it seems the consensus is that my mnsshp day is way to long, but there is no way I can change the party date now. I have to many ADRs as well as neverland club and bibbidi reservations as well. Not to mention that I already bought the mnsshp tickets. The last time we went (exactly two years ago from date of this trip) we did the party after doing AK and then ADR at whispering canyon-we were staying at Wilderness lodge. We still had a great party experience. Although I admit we were a bit stressed and rushed to get to the party. I think I may reconsider my ADR at Kona cafe and just do a counter service at Cosmic Ray's at the party...Makes sense, thanks.

As far as the MSEP on our rest day, I blame it all on my wife. She is a parade freak. We saw it last time and it was great, but we are already seeing the much better(in my opinion) halloween parade. We saw it last time and I thought it was awesome. However, the monkey wrench in our disney vacation is that my in-laws ( who are coming from St. Pete area that day) are meeting for breakfast at Ohana and then accompanying us at Cali Grill as well. It all depends on what they want to do. I agree with hanging at Poly that night instead and enjoying fireworks and water pageant from beach....I'll try to influence them in my direction...

And about my last night...I was gonna leave it open to decide on the fly. I definitely want to do the Ohana dinner but after that it is debatable. I really want to see the Illuminations show, but it is not a must this time around. We plan on coming back again in a year or two to stay at beach club. We will enjoy the Illuminations and Fantasmic! on that trip when it is more convenient.

It's so hard to accept that you can't do everything on one trip. This is my second trip with my family and I'm already eager to plan the next. I think I am just becoming another Disney addict. I guess that's not so bad.

[pfalcioni]

I think I am just becoming another Disney addict. I guess that's not so bad.

Bwahahaha!!! Hooked another one!

[mousehelper]

It's so hard to accept that you can't do everything on one trip. This is my second trip with my family and I'm already eager to plan the next. I think I am just becoming another Disney addict. I guess that's not so bad.

That explains some stuff, actually. There's a learning curve to this. It takes a few trips to start letting some things go that you 'always do'. But, you will start to see that if you don't let the old things go, you can't add in new things. I mean -- time not stretching, and all.

What happens though is that trip 2 and usually 3 (which is about where the bough breaks) end up being too crowded. You want new things, but aren't yet willing to give up the old ones. By trip three, you either change your approach, or totally overdo it.

Maybe recognize this, and it will help you move past it faster?

Your response was great. Sounds like you have a clear head about the whole thing. I have no worries.
: )

[pfalcioni]

You know, the funny thing for us is that usually every trip brings new favorites, and what we loved last time is sometimes just okay this time. Weather plays a part, and maybe a general park vibe, I don't know. One year HS and Fantasmic were our favorite park and nighttime show, another year AK was the park we both really enjoyed the most. Our first year we couldn't get enough of Epcot and I think watched Illuminations about 4 times.

Sure, there are certain attractions and shows that are consistently our faves, but I'm always surprised by how each time we go our perceptions of things change, and we have a totally new batch of "favorites" and happy memories.

[Br'er Brian]

Okay, latest update. Convinced wife to skip msep on our rest day and just chill at Poly after dinner / watch wishes from beach. In-laws may stay at Cali grill to watch the fireworks...we'll see.

Next dilemma is my Hollywood studios and Epcot touring days. I'm thinking of flip-flopping them due to the Epcot anniversary on 10/1. If I make this change I won't be able to see the Illuminations show as it will be too late of a night before our busy MNSSHP day. On the other hand, it would allow us to see Fantasmic! instead on our last night in the world. So the question is...

Should we switch the days, skip illuminations this time around, and have Fantasmic! as our trip finale? Or keep the itinerary the way it is and go to world showcase and watch illuminations as our last evening event? Bear in mind we have not yet done either Illuminations nor Fantasmic!

As always, thank you in advance for any input.

[blyday]

In all honesty......Illuminations is my second favorite evening event with F! as my favorite. Of course....we personally still skip F! and go to Illuminations but we also go to DLR every year and never miss F! there. Okay....that was a very wordy way of saying that I think F! might be the way to go.....assuming of course that your kids won't be terrified by it. I would probably watch it on YouTube and make sure that it is something that they will be okay with. They are both a little older so will probably be okay but I'd still have a look at it. If you think they are good to go.....then I'd go with F!.

Of course.....now that I have said all of that.....just make sure that your switch keeps you in recommended parks and then it is a good switch!!!!

[fizboBunny]

When we went in 2010 we did our party day similar to yours. AK morning, Y&Y, break and then party. But we ate sandwiches in the room instead of going out for dinner. We did the same week as you did too and it the parks were not crowded at all. We pretty much walked on everything (with the exception of TSM & Soaring), even in the afternoon. However, we did Epcot early in the trip before Food and Wine Fest started. Epcot was significantly more crowded at the end of the trip.

[LuvSnowWhite]

Okay I just have one question and suggestion for you. Are you locked in to the deluxe dining plan? Because my friend and I had that last December and it really was A TON of food. It would be more worth it for you if your kids were older but we spent ALOT of time eating. For your guys because your kids are younger you will have more than enough food on the regular or counter service plans. Are you getting free dining? If you are then that's the regular plan.
I am also going this September. First two weeks. Have a great time. Poly is really nice. Also don't forget I think at most of the resorts they have outdoor movie nights as well.

[Br'er Brian]

Thanks again for all the input. I ended up switching the HS and Epcot days after all. Both parks are more recommended on the days I changed them to anyway. Managed to flip flop my ADRs too so we can still see Remy at Les Chef on our Epcot day. On our HS day I got another Sci-Fi rez , but also a Mama Melrose Fantasmic! ADR. Keeping my options open for now...Is it that important to do the Fantasmic! dinner package? I would rather go to Sci-Fi for the theming....My kids will love it. Oh yeah, I also pushed my Ohana breakfast back a bit too to allow for a little more rest after MNSSHP. And yes I am locked in to the dining. Got the promotional free dining and upgraded to deluxe. This will probably be the last time for dining plan though, as I now know that it is not much of a value. However, I am a foodie and a glutton....so, who knows...


So this is my latest draft...and I don't mean beer off the tap....that would be DRAUGHT!


Wed 9/26 Arrive 10:45AM at MCO; Magical Express to Poly; explore resort; maybe quick trip to MK; 5:15 ADR Spirit of Aloha

Thu 9/27 RD at Epcot; 12:00 ADR Les Chefs de France; afternoon break; 6:10 ADR Jiko

Fri 9/28 RD at Animal Kingdom; 11:30 ADR Yak & Yeti; afternoon break; 5:00 ADR Kona Cafe or CS dinner; MNSSHP

Sat 9/29 Rest day; 9:30 ADR O'hana Character Breakfast; chill at pool & enjoy Poly; 5:30 ADR California Grill; Resort Movie night? Wishes from Poly beach

Sun 9/30 RD at Magic Kingdom; 11:35 ADR Liberty Tree; 1:40 Bibbidi; afternoon break; Neverland Club-kids night out;
6:25 ADR Citricos-parents night out

Mon 10/1 RD at HS; 11:15 ADR Sci-Fi or 12:20 Mama Melrose Fantasmic! package; afternoon break; 5:05 ADR O'hana; 8:00 Fantasmic!

Tue 10/2 Pack up & check out; Magic Kingdom for mild touring and 1:15 ADR Cinderlela's Royal Table; back to Poly to catch
Magical Express; 7:45PM departure from MCO

Criticism welcome...

[blyday]

Sat 9/29 Rest day; 9:30 ADR O'hana Character Breakfast

Still think this is WAY too early of an ADR after the party. Even if you only throw on clothes and go....you are still talking about needing to be up and moving by 9 AM after a night that could potentially have you not back in your room until 1 AM. I would try for a 10:30 ADR if they have something.....I think that you will all be happier if you do.

Mon 10/1 RD at HS; 11:15 ADR Sci-Fi or 12:20 Mama Melrose Fantasmic! package; afternoon break; 5:05 ADR O'hana; 8:00 Fantasmic!

You have an ever tough choice here then Sci-Fi verse Mama Melrose.......you have to decide between O'hana's verses Fantasmic. You will not be done with that O'hana's until about 6:30 PM which means not in HS until 7:30 PM and you need to be in your assigned seats by then with the package and without it.....you need to be in line by 7:15 PM. I think that a better plan would be to get a Sci Fi ressie for dinner (say 5:30 PM) so you are in the park when you finish dinner and can then go to F! (That way you get both.)

[Havoc315]

I don't think the morning ADR will be an issue, as it's at your hotel.

Looks like a solid plan.

My 1 bit of advice -- when going from Poly to Epcot, just walk to the TTC, especially if you have a well located long house. Much faster than taking the resort monorail around the whole loop. We requested the Tokelau long house -- great location. About a 7 minute walk from TTC, just 2 minutes from the main building and Volcano pool, right next to the quiet pool.

[gorsh]

Listen to Brenda she knows her stuff . The 9:30 ADR might be OK for you guys based on your last trip? What did you do/how were you functioning the day after your party last time? It is hard for me to imagine my children sleeping in until 9 no matter what we did the night before, BUT I think my son did do this on one trip after a late night. We just readjusted our plan, but with the current cancellation policy you won't be able to readjust if someone needs more sleep. You have more park days, so I wouldn't want to take away sleep if it is needed!

[Babysparkle]

It looks like our trip overlaps your trip. We are doing mnsshp on the 30th. We scheduled a late night with Illuminations the night before and will use most of the 30th as a rest day. Then get ready to be at mnsshp for 4. The next day is Oct 1st and we will head to World Showcase for their 11 opening. No rushing and we get to sleep late. (just doing mnsshp that day saves us the cost of a park ticket)

Remember that all the time at TS restaurants is time you could be in the parks. Our last trip we had the Deluxe Dining and felt like we were breaking our necks to get to ADR's and totally missing everything else. I will never ever do that again.

[Br'er Brian]

I'm being pulled in so many different directions, I don't know what to do! I couldn't get any later ADR for the Ohana character breakfast but I really am not that concerned. My kids are very early risers, even after late nights. This summer has proven it time and again, much to my romantic life's regret (they just stay up too late and still get up so early! When do I get some attention?!!!)

Secondly, that was the only dinner ADR I could get for the Ohana dinner. Never been there and since we are staying at Poly there may never be a better time to dine there. I trust Brenda's advice but i still want to keep that rez. I'm hoping that we can chew and screw and still make it to HS for Fantsmic! We will take a taxi if we have to in order to save time. Perhaps the low Septembrer crowd levels will make this possible. If we have to just hang at Poly for the night...that's fine too. I had already resigned myself to not seeing Fantasmic! before this latest itinerary edit.

I think I might just keep the Sci-FI lunch, then get out of H.S. before 2:00. Eat and then get out of Ohana by 6:30 maybe? I think I can make that happen as long as we get seated close to our ADR time of 5:05. I know how much people hate having to rush to and from ADRs but I know I can make it work. Believe it or not, this trip is much more relaxed than our first trip we took 2 years ago. On that one we were only in WDW for 5 days with no break days. We fit in a comparable number of ADRs-CRT and other signatures included, did MNSSHP, HDDR, MSEP, WISHES, CRT and RDs most days. Kid's stayed at Cub's Den At WL where we were staying while wife and I had a great dinner at AP. We even fit in some relaxing pool time at the Lodge. We had very little burnout or complications other than my sciatica which flared up just a week before the trip. Furthermore, that trip was only booked and planned two months out, not to mention I was a Disney vacation planner virgin at the time...

That being said, I have complete faith in this trip being even better than the last (which was awesome by all accounts) especially considering our preparedness and my kids' greater maturity this time around. I know it won't be perfect, but nothing ever is as far as I'm concerned...There is always room for improvement, especially when it comes to the SELF.

Thank you all for your comments and criticisms. You have been an invaluable resource in my vacation planning. Feel free to chime in with whatever else you think you can get through my thick skull. I really am listening....

[blyday]

I think I might just keep the Sci-FI lunch, then get out of H.S. before 2:00. Eat and then get out of Ohana by 6:30 maybe? I think I can make that happen as long as we get seated close to our ADR time of 5:05. I know how much people hate having to rush to and from ADRs but I know I can make it work.

If you are out by 6:30 PM......you might be okay.....especially if you take the cab (but even with a cab....it will take about 30 minutes at best from the time you walk out of the restaurant until you will be in line for F!.) I just want you to be prepared for it to not work as planned. O'hana's is notorious for taking a long time to seat people (even right at opening.) I have had that time before and waited almost 20 minutes to be seated.....so be prepared.....arrive by 4:45 PM at the latest in hopes of being one of the first to be seated. And......because of the way that the meal is served......we found that it generally does take the full 90 minutes. It doesn't matter how fast we eat because the food is served when it is served. That said.....if you let your waiter know as soon as he first arrives to your table that you are in a hurry and want to be done eating and out the door as quickly as possible.....that might help. And make sure you ask for your check to arrive with your dessert....if not earlier.

Hopefully it will all work out for you. I'm not saying it is impossible......but it is going to be pushing it so be prepared and know before you get there that you might have to give up F! if that dinner doesn't go as smoothly as you are hoping.