Never fit it all in!!

[helinutz]

First of all, hi from a newbie to this site. I'm looking for some advice and reasurance from those that have gone before :)

Party consists of 6 including myself, Wife, 2 special needs sons (22 and 24), Daughter (13) and her friend (13)

I have bought freedom tickets for 14 consecutive days which means all the below is achievable.

Also hired an 8 seater van for the duration, so transport is sorted.
Arriving 01:00hrs on 21st March (Good Friday!! not good planning) for 16 days

Draft Itinarary below

Fri AM - Sleep
PM - WallMart / watch the scheduled rocket launch / Fireworks

Sat All Day - Epcot

Sun All Day - Disney Studios (MGM)

Mon AM- Rest
PM- Typhoon Lagoon then Fireworks in evening (Epcot or MK?)

Tue All day - Kennedy Space Center

Wed All day - Universal Studios

Thu All day - Shopping then Fireworks in evening (Epcot or MK?)

Fri All day - Magic Kingdom

Sat AM - Blizzard Beach
PM - Rest

Sun All day - Animal Kingdom

Mon All Day - Seaworld

Tue All day - Aquatica

Wed All day - Rest Day/Shopping/Epcot (depending on stamina)

Thu all day - Islands of Adventure

Fri All Day - Wet'N'Wild

Sat AM - Pack and shopping
PM - Flight home (departs 18:00hrs)

Phew, gonna need a holiday after that :confused2
So any suggestions, swaps etc. I have tried to keep to the parks on their alleged quiet days etc (although I did put a water park in for one of the saturdays)
Also suggestions on shows, eating, based on the itinerary.
Thanks in advance
Phil

[loadsapixiedust]

:wavey: We are also there over Easter. I think as long as you allow for the crowds and plan accordingly you will manage fine. Go early to the parks and use Fastpass. You can never fit it all in, but what you have planned is do-able. Have a great time!

[helinutz]

Maybe stupidly, but I'm hoping Epcot will be quieter on the Saturday as everyone goes over to MK for the easter parades. Am I right in thinking that could happen, or am I kidding myself.

[BevS97]

I think Epcot (and everywhere) will be busy over the Easter Weekend, however I would still say Epcot is a good choice as it seems to cope with the crowds better than most parks. It's the sort of place where you can spend an enjoyable time without going on many rides, so if the lines are long, then head into World Showcase and just soak up some atmosphere.

The one caveat to that is, Saturday night during food and wine when it was SO busy that you couldnt' even walk easily. When it's that busy, I think it's best to cut your losses and leave, and try and come back later as it's just not fun. But I think that's a pretty rare event.

[essexmick]

with the water park days i would stay all day as there is nothing nicer thatn having a rest in the wp's themselves, unless the sun will be a problem of course and also the boys as well

[helinutz]

Dont think the boys will be a problem all day at the water park, however keeping the wife, daughter and her friend awy from the shops may well be!

[purple myra]

looks like a nice busy...but do-able itinerary.
as previous poster has said...make full use of the fastpass system.
have a great time

[helinutz]

Well, I have finalised the itinarary and booked all the ADR's etc.
Below is our very hectic schedule.
What do you think?

Fri 21st - Arrive 00:40 hrs. Sleep then Wall Mart, then drive to
viewing area for rocket launch at 17:40 hrs Quiet Evening
or Possibly go to Fireworks at MK or Epcot
Sat 22nd -Epcot ADR 12:30 hrs at Nine Dragons in “China” then finish
with IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth - 21:00 hrs
Sun 23rd -Hollywood Studio’s - Watch Block Party Bash at 15:00 hrs
ADR 16:20 hrs at Hollywood and Vine Fantasmic Deal
Fantasmic Show at 20:30
Mon 24th -Rest then Typhoon Lagoon then Epcot Illuminations at
21:00 if not seen on 22nd
Tues 25th-Kennedy Space Center inc Dinner with Astronaut. Quiet
evening at Villa
Wed 26th-Universal Studios all day
Thu 27th -Lie-in then Shopping. Rest or Fireworks at MK or Epcot in
evening
Fri 28th - Magic Kingdom - Dreams Come True Parade 12:30 hrs
ADR 18:50 hrs at Crystal Palace SpectroMagic Parade
21:00 hrs Wishes Nighttime Spectacular 22:00hrs
Sat 29th -Free Time and Blizzard Beach when ready.
Sun 30th -Animal Kingdom - ADR 13:00 hrs at Rainforest Café Mickey's
Jammin' Jungle Parade - 4:00pm
Mon 31st -Aquatica all day, quiet evening at villa
Tues 1st -Seaworld including Dinner With Shamu
Wed 2nd -Free Day
Thu 3rd -ADR 09:00 hrs at Confisco Grill in IOA Then Islands Of
Adventure all day
Fri 4th - Wet’n’Wild all day, Quiet Evening or Fireworks
Sat 5th - Pack and Shopping then Orlando Airport for 16:00 hrs to go
home

[loadsapixiedust]

Your first day is a bit ambitious, we'd never manage all that and jetlag, the rest looks hectic but fun.

Hope you have a great trip!

[james weir]

After a rocket launch the traffic is usually wall to wall,last time we
went it took nearly 3 hours to get back to kissimmee.

[helinutz]

After a rocket launch the traffic is usually wall to wall,last time we
went it took nearly 3 hours to get back to kissimmee.

Hmm, hadnt thought of that. I'm still very keen to watch the launch, but open to advice on how near to actually get.
Is there a better viewing option that isnt one of the official viewing areas?

[debs2028]

Well, I have finalised the itinarary and booked all the ADR's etc.
Below is our very hectic schedule.
What do you think?

Fri 21st - Arrive 00:40 hrs. Sleep then Wall Mart, then drive to
viewing area for rocket launch at 17:40 hrs Quiet Evening
or Possibly go to Fireworks at MK or Epcot
Sat 22nd -Epcot ADR 12:30 hrs at Nine Dragons in “China” then finish
with IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth - 21:00 hrs
Sun 23rd -Hollywood Studio’s - Watch Block Party Bash at 15:00 hrs
ADR 16:20 hrs at Hollywood and Vine Fantasmic Deal
Fantasmic Show at 20:30
Mon 24th -Rest then Typhoon Lagoon then Epcot Illuminations at
21:00 if not seen on 22nd
Tues 25th-Kennedy Space Center inc Dinner with Astronaut. Quiet
evening at Villa
Wed 26th-Universal Studios all day
Thu 27th -Lie-in then Shopping. Rest or Fireworks at MK or Epcot in
evening
Fri 28th - Magic Kingdom - Dreams Come True Parade 12:30 hrs
ADR 18:50 hrs at Crystal Palace SpectroMagic Parade
21:00 hrs Wishes Nighttime Spectacular 22:00hrs
Sat 29th -Free Time and Blizzard Beach when ready.
Sun 30th -Animal Kingdom - ADR 13:00 hrs at Rainforest Café Mickey's
Jammin' Jungle Parade - 4:00pm
Mon 31st -Aquatica all day, quiet evening at villa
Tues 1st -Seaworld including Dinner With Shamu
Wed 2nd -Free Day
Thu 3rd -ADR 09:00 hrs at Confisco Grill in IOA Then Islands Of
Adventure all day
Fri 4th - Wet’n’Wild all day, Quiet Evening or Fireworks
Sat 5th - Pack and Shopping then Orlando Airport for 16:00 hrs to go
home

Looks great
I would only think about swapping your water park on the SAt as that is going to be very busy.
If you are going to go I would get there early and leave earlier to get your rest.
Have a great holiday

[helinutz]

Just checked on the KSC web site, and it looks like the launch is off :(
one on the 15th before we arrive, and one middle of April when we are home again.
Oh well, just add it to the list of reasons to book another Florida trip :grin:
Gotta look on the positive side I suppose.
Getting quite exited now, less than 2 weeks to go!!!

[diby5]

Hi Helinutz, welcome to the Dibb. Don't be too rigourous over the plan, I see you've built in some contingency, but some of the most beautiful things about "the world" are only experienced when you slow down a little

[helinutz]

Just over a week to go now, getting really exited.
Day one has changed a bit as theres no launch. Its a shame, but the down time will probably do us good after a 12hr flight.
Epcot on the Saturday will probably be busy as its the start of the flower festival thingy, but as has been recommended, we will try and pace ourselves so we can enjoy it more.
All ready convinced I will need to book another trip to catch all the things we miss :)
(that wont be this year though)

[jlw34]

Some may not agree but the best purchase we made Easter 2006 was Express passes for US and IOA. They were fantastic, we never waited more than 10mins for a ride and kids were so much happier not queueing... I know its more money but with the amount spent on a trip to Florida it was so worth it for us :)

[lynneandnick]

well your going to be busy but we to also try to fit in as much as possible, remember you will be back though!!!!

[sunsetlakes]

Welcome to the Dibb & have a brilliant holiday - looks like you have a packed time ahead - have fun xx

[mickeyears]

Welcome to the Dibb. Your itinery looks alot like our first one. There were 10 of us and the day after we got home was the best layin I've ever had. The holiday is sooo tiring but soooo worth it. So much so we went and did it again 2 years later and looking forward to doing it again next year. Can't wait.