Ok, here's our 3 week itinerary for July, how's it look???!!

[Dazza]

Would really appreciate any feedback on this!!

My itinerary (http://www.aopo95.dsl.pipex.com/holiday_ver2.htm)

PS Whoa, hoa, seven weeks today it all starts!!

[Bob_and_Dawn]

That's one detailed itinerary.

Enjoy your holiday:D

Bob

[Dazza]

Thx :D Was hoping that I hadn't missed anything out!

[Matty777]

Hi, just seen this thread thought I would input :)

I think your first week needs to be jiggled around a bit 7 straight days of parks will be exhausting. We like to spread it like this. Park one day then shopping or water park which is less tiring. Or 2 days parks followed by a relax day.

Have fun, we'll be sharing the first 2 weeks with you as we fly out on Thur 30/6.

One definite for us too, will be a trip to Kennedy to see the Shuttle on the Pad, shame first day of launch window is the night before we cross the Pond.

[thinktink]

My thoughts:

Yes DEFINITELY MK on your first day, it just has to be!

Would suggest you go to EPCOT a little later in the morning, say 10 or 11, and then stay for the fireworks to avoid a full day. You will easily see all of these attractions in this time.

Seaworld looking good, remember to plan around show times.

By day 4 I would be suggesting a water park to relax and rebuild energy - you'll need it!

A.K. - definately head straight to Kilimanjaro Safari - if you leave it too late you will see less animals because of the heat.

I would stay at Typh all day, and doubt you will have time to fill in the afternoon. How about a twighlight tour at boggy creek aligator watching?

Beach - my fave is clearwater

Same for wet n wild as typh, I would stay all day. If you want to do something else, why not just revisit Seaworld for the fireworks.

A.K. at typh in one day is not something I would recommend as it is a big hassle for changing clothes etc.

But apart from that no major problems. Enjoy, and I'm v v v v jealous!!

Tinks x x x

[edie_w]

Looks like you are very organized, but just a couple of pointers

Your kids are unlikely to be big enough to do Men in Black, Jurassic Park or Spiderman and they will be scared out of their wits on Dinosaur.

Be prepared that most of the indoor rides and shows are dark and in some places loud or with surprising elements. Your kids may be fine, but not all of them are, and you'd be horrified at the number of parents who drag their screaming terrified kids on rides :mad2:

Where are you staying? I know Walmart gets rave reviews but hnestly if you are miles from one and all you are after is a poncho, a stroller and a fan then you can get these at a Publix.

July 4 is likely to be madness - Epcot is a good choice but be prepared just to soak up the atmosphere and maybe do one or two rides on that day.

Have a great time!

[Dazza]

Hi all,

Many thanks for the info!! Thought i'd put people off it by making it too large to read. Haven't updated anything yet, but i'll create a version 2 in the next few days with the changes made.

Really just listed the rides that may be suitable for the kids. My 4.5 year old is quite adventureous, but i'll probably have to revamp some of those choices.

We are staying on International Drive beside Wet and WIld, so not sure if Walmart is near here. We have decided to take our current buggies away with us anyway, so they won't be getting purchased. Our friends have also given us some of their ponchos from a trip they had last summer.

Thanks again, i'll update to ver 2 asap. This time 3 weeks we'll be in the Magic Kingdom!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[REH]

I would suggest booking a couple of PS ie on the 4th July, Also a character breakfast/dinning Chef Mickeys is my fav. Also how about a fantasmic DP hollywood & vine is a great choice for families

[Dazza]

Hi REH,

Any recommendations for where we should dine in EPCOT on 4th July?

When should we make the booking for Chef Mickeys? Suppose I am WAY too late for Cinderellas royal table?

Have you tried the dining with Shamu?

Thanks

Dazza

PS Any other recommendations for place to eat (Anywher) would be most appreciated!

[Homer'sWife]

Hi Dazza

Loved reading the itinery - it's going to be great! I agreed with what the others had suggested as well. Just thought I would mention that in Epcot Honey I Shrunk the Audience could scare young kids same as It's tough to be bug in AK. Each time we have done these there have been loads of preschoolers bawling their eyes out at the special effects! If you haven't seen a Disney 3D show before they are VERY realistic! Also Bodyworks at Epcot not brilliant.
We went to Epcot on 4th July 2003. Had a great day, very patriotic. Busy but manageable. Would do it all again in a heartbeat!

Have fun
Toni:D

[Matty777]

Your nearest BIG Walmart is on Sand Lake Drive about 10 mins drive. Checkout location and Maps on www .walmart.com (no gap but apparently the site thinks as Im new I can't link to walmart site.....ermmmmmmmmm)

Big tip, you can buy walkie Talkies really cheap there, so you can split up in parks etc. $10 for 2 decent tiny walkies.

[Dazza]

Thx Toni,

Originally posted by Homer'sWife
Hi Dazza

Loved reading the itinery - it's going to be great! I agreed with what the others had suggested as well. Just thought I would mention that in Epcot Honey I Shrunk the Audience could scare young kids same as It's tough to be bug in AK. Each time we have done these there have been loads of preschoolers bawling their eyes out at the special effects! If you haven't seen a Disney 3D show before they are VERY realistic! Also Bodyworks at Epcot not brilliant.

We went to Epcot on 4th July 2003. Had a great day, very patriotic. Busy but manageable. Would do it all again in a heartbeat!

Have fun
Toni:D

I might give the Bodyworks a miss then. Never experienced any of these type of attractions before. Might take them into one first, and see how it goes, any suggestions on which one?

Did you stay all day in Epcot, or go out for the afternoon and back in the evening? ANy recommendations for places to eat for that particular day?


Thanks

Dazza

[loadsapixiedust]

Hi there Dazza!

Love your itinerary, it looks nice and busy, just like mine.
We share almost the same dates, we fly out on June 30th for 3 weeks and surprisingly our paths cross only 3 times. On the 7th we are also at IOA, on the 15th we are also at MK and on the 21st we will be at MK in the morning before we fly home. Maybe we will see each other, please say hi if you spot our Dibb logos.

I would say, as first timers be flexible and open to changing your plans at short notice. Go armed with crowd level charts and opening times so you can reschedule things if you need to. Your first week is very full on for small kids and also being 4th July week, crowds will not help. We have avoided Disney parks for most of this week and decided to concentrate on other (hopefully less crowded) attractions for the first few days, although we are hoping to catch the MGM and DTD fireworks on the 4th after Discovery Cove.

You will enjoy yourselves so much more if you go at your kids pace. Let them nap when they need to and eat when they want. We find a midday break for a swim or a nap before dinner refreshes you for the evening ahead when we are ready to hit the parks again. It is really worth the effort of going back to the parks later as they take on a whole new magic after dark.

If you want to eat at Disney (and I recommend doing at least one character meal) I would call now and make reservations so you are not disappointed. You never know that CRT spot may just be available. It will be nice to know you have a spot reserved to sit down out of the sun and relax over a meal.

You have obviously done your homework, you will appreciate how important all that planning is when you get there. I hope your plans work out and you all have a wonderful time.

Fingers crossed here too for that shuttle launch. We have seen one before and it was just awesome.

[Homer'sWife]

Originally posted by Dazza
Thx Toni,



I might give the Bodyworks a miss then. Never experienced any of these type of attractions before. Might take them into one first, and see how it goes, any suggestions on which one?

Did you stay all day in Epcot, or go out for the afternoon and back in the evening? ANy recommendations for places to eat for that particular day?


Thanks

Dazza

Dazza!
If I remember rightly Bodyworks is a simulator ride and not 3D. We didn't like Bodyworks as it threw you around a great deal while taking you on a journey through the human body and we all felt a bit squemish! If you want to test the kids on 3D first then the best one is Muppets 4D at MGM as it's aimed at a younger audience. In Honey I shrunk...a giant snakes head comes out right at you(or so it seems with your 3D specs on!!) and in Its Tough to be a bug there are bugs and spiders. They are all great shows but test the water with the Muppets!
You are lucky to have a third pair of adult hands I think, we always have and it's great to have the extra help.
We are not big on eating at full service disney restaurants because (a) budget and (b) two fussy eaters in the party. While at Epcot we like The Electric Umbrella - burgers, fries etc, or the American Pavillion in World Showcase - burgers, fries etc. While we were there on July 4th we stayed all day so around 6pm we exited via International Gateway and walked across to the Boardwalk for a look around and we ate Pizza there. There is also the ESPN club to eat in plus a few others. Its nice to do if you have the time and easy to get to. To be honest I think you dont really want to exit in the afternoon and come back in the evening because it could be very busy and there is always a danger they may be at capacity?? Its easier to find a quiet spot for a while to rest -which by the way go to Japan, find the Mitsukoshi shop(the big one there) and instead of going in walk up to the small bridge which looks like it's going into a the fort/castle and while we were there an exibition of Japanese Baseball was inside - it was deserted but perfectly cool and with seats for an afternoon stop!!
It was a lovely day but you need to stake out your spot for Illuminations early if you are staying.

Toni:D

[Dazza]

Made a few changes!!!!!