[ak172]

There will be 8 of us going with three children ages, 5,9,11. None of the children have been to WDW so please give us your opinion on what parks for what days. I was trying to post a poll but too much infor for the poll so please just let me know what you guys think....

OPTION 1: Day 1 (1/2 day) MGM, Day 2- AK (going to MVMCP that night), Day 3 Epoct & MK, Day 4 MK and Day 5 MK, Last Day (1/2 day) DTD


OPTION 2: Day 1 (1/2 day) Epoct, Day 2-AK (going to MVMCP that night), Day 3-MGM and then MK, Day 4 MK, Day 5 MK, Last day (1/2 day) DTD


OPTION 3:Day 1 (1/2 day) AK, Day 2 Epcot (going to MVMCP that night), Day 3 MGM and MK, Day 4 MK, Day 5 MK, Last day DTD (1/2 day)


OPTION 4:Day 1 (1/2 day) AK, Day 2 MK (MCMVP that night), Day 3 Epcot and MGM, Day 4 MK, Day 5 MK, Last day DTD


OPTION 5:Day 1 (1/2 day) Epcot, Day 2 MK- MVMVP that night, Day 3 AK and MGM, Day 4 MK, Day 5 MK, last day DTD

Any help would be great.

[bribren]

Are you in a resort at WDW? Depending on your check in, Id stay at the resort that night...

All of these options have Day 4 & 5 full MK days, which I would not do. I would do AK the morning of MVMCP, with a big nap. You also need to look at park hours to see what is going on in the evenings. I alwaysfollow 2 rules

1. I always split parks with a rest or a nap
2. I never do parks back to back if possible

With that In mind, Id go MK day 5 and AK with MVMCP, and the rest MGM am/Epcot pm, MK am MGM Pm, Epcot am Wildcard PM (perhaps a resort dinner or quiet eve. by the pool.)

[Soundgod]

Are you talking Dec 20, 21, 22, 23, 24? If so, you're in for crowds! The Christmas Party on the Friday before Christmas will be NUTS! And sold out. What time are you departing WDW on the 24th and do you really think DTD is the best place to be on Christmas Eve and the last shopping day before Christmas? If I were flying, I'm not even sure how much time I'd even spend in the parks that day. If anything, that last day, just look at the Christmas decorations in some of the deluxe resorts. I'd also plan for mid day breaks and hop to different parks in the morning and afternoon. AK is always best first thing in the morning when all the animals are just coming out and are still active. AK is always the earliest park to close, even on EMH nights.
I'm not sure I'd vote for any of your options based on the dates you are visiting

[ak172]

We are flying in on the Dec. 20th and will be at the resort I would bet around 11:30 to noon. We are staying the Boardwalk Inn Villas. We will leaving on the 25th, christmas day that evening around 5pm in order to give us enough time to catch the plane at 8.

We have park tickets (hopper option) for the 20th-24th. We already have the MVMVP tickets for the 21st. The last day we were planning on eating Christmas Breakfast at Chief Mickey's and then going DTD to hang out, shop and play down there and not doing any of the parks that day. Just a day to do that or go to different hotels.

I have never thought about doing the parks back to back. I am lost when it comes to this part of the planning. I would like to give us enough time at MK since that is where the kids are most excited to go. Other than that not sure so anyone with any ideas on how to do it please let me know.

Thanks for all your help.

[emamasa]

well, epcot has to have its own full day, for us! Ak could be a 1/2 day for us & MGM is a full day, but if I had to choose, I'd make it a 1/2 day over epcot. Have fun!!

[Soundgod]

One of the few times I'd change Chef Mickey's is Christmas Day. The Yacht Club Galley has a true brunch buffet, offered only on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. If you have reservations for CM, hold them, but I'd strongly suggest the brunch instead.
If you're using Magical Express, which I never have, I drive, be sure you're allowing enough time for everything to happen, remember, you may be in WDW, you may be in Orlando, but it's a major holiday, so services could be reduced.
Don't plan on being able to get into your room before 3 when you check in, but you will be able to have them store your baggage while you either go to a park or just explore the Boardwalk.
Still won't offer any suggestions for what park and what day, but I will remind you that there's also the nightly treelighting ceremony in Epcot with Mickey and friends, Illuminations has a special holiday ending, and the candlelight processional, featuring different guest narrators three times a night. MGM has the Osborne Family (Dancing)Lights. AK has the Jingle Jungle Parade, AK parades are at 4 PM. Don't forget all the special entertainment in the Magic Kingdom during the Christmas party either.

[beachlovers5]

If I were you I'd sign up for Tour Guide Mike and get his scheduling info for this very busy time-it will help you tremendously and you'll be so pleased when you're there. Friends of ours went this time last year and had a terrible experience overall with crowd levels-but then they didn't do TGM. Hope this helps!

[bribren]

I never back them up because, great as they are, I do get burn out. Some time in between heightens the anticipation. At Christmas, you wan't to be in each park (sans AK) at least 1 night for the holiday events.

[Dana]

What are the park hours and who is having Extra magic hours. My decision on your plan would need that info.

[ak172]

They said the EM hours would not be posted for at least another month. We are going to wait for sure to see what the hours are and then decide. Thanks for all your help and will forsure check out the website.

[keljen]

I picked Option 4 as it looks a lot like our plans for our trip

[Monique]

I voted for option 5

[col19]

You definitely need a full day at MGM and Magic Kingdom. A 1/2 day at Epcot is fine if you are not planning to see the world showcase. I've never been to AK but we are planning only a 1/2 day there. I hope this helps.

[jaljayjar]

I have to say that this trip (which was our first trip) we did this...
Day 1 (1/2 day) MK
Day 2 MGM
Day 3 Epcot...left early because the kids were bored. Everyone told me I would need 2 days atleast for this park, but turns out kids didn't enjoy it has much as the others.
Day 4 AK...we did everything here and ended up leaving at around 5-6pm
Day 5 MK
Day 6 MK...last day to reride any favorites or catch anything missed. We still felt as though we didn't see it all there.
Also, we didn't take any breaks...my kids were fine, but we are a very busy family and are on the go 24 hours a day so it didn't phase my crew at all. Different for everyone though.

[dac921]

As someone said, you really need a whole day in Epcot.
AK is only open till about 6pm or so... not sure of the time, so the day you are going to to the Christmas party you might think of going there.

We have been to the halloween party and I should have made that day our free day and gotten some rest before the party... it was a busy night... we were up real late so a midday nap would have helped (atleast me).

Have a great time and we need PICTURES!