When: July 2nd through July 8th 2015 (I will be doing LIVE reports each night)
Staying: Pop Century
Who: Me (30) and my daughter (5) who are both first timers
Background: I feel like I did a lot of research before coming to Disney. Thanks to all the liners who endlessly answered my questions. I am very OCD and huge on planning & being prepared. First & foremost, we are going to Disney for the experience, so we planned our time to really try to take in the environment, rather than get to every ride or event… we know we will only see about 10% of what we are planning. IF we only make it to our character meals, we will be happy!
HOTEL: After a lot of weighing back & forth, I decided on Pop because it’s affordable & it has it’s own bus system. I originally was going to stay at the Contemporary for the convenience of walking, but when I saw the price difference, I just couldn’t rationalize it.
TO RENT OR NOT TO RENT: I decided NOT to rent a car, my daughter said what she was really looking forward to is me being able to enjoy the bus with her!? How could I rent a car after a statement like that!!! Plus, I hate driving! I chose to bring my stroller, although my daughter is 5 & hasn’t used it in years… she gets grouchy & cranky after about 30 minutes of walking, so it’s the safe bet. I actually did a lot of “test runs” ahead of time to build up her stamina & 30 minutes was the max walking she could handle.
FOOD: My daughter loves to eat often, although when she does eat it’s very little. She also LOVES going out to eat, it’s a magical experience to her, from picking the food to ordering from the waitress to soaking in the cool posters on the wall. So I chose to get the Deluxe Dining plan (3 table service & 2 snacks a day). To some it’s a lot of food, to me it’s perfect because my daughter will need it, plus it forces us to take a break. I also chose to do a lot of character dining, which was to help my shy daughter interact with characters… we have had experiences at other parks where she would wait in line, then freak out once it was her turn to say hello. I would hate to waster 30+ minutes waiting for a character in the heat, just for her to panic at the last minute. So I asked her which characters she wanted to meet and then planned the meals around that list.
Breaks: I planned afternoon breaks everyday, as I get over stimulated easily, so I can only imagine how my 5 year old will be! Also, we are from VT, so the heat will get to us!
So now you know a little about us. Here is my plans & I will update you guys as we go, so you can see if my planning worked!! YAY DISNEY!
Day 1, Part 1: Flight
Up by 3:00 AM to drive to the airport to check in. Flying Jet Blue from Vermont to Florida with a layover in NYC. We will be landing in Orlando around 11:30 AM, then taking the Magical Express to Pop Century Resort. I requested an early check in, but have little hope that it will happen (I hear it’s rare). I asked for a room on the bottom floor, near the buses (I don’t want to be carrying my 5 year old up & down stairs at night when she’s zonked out & tired).
Day 1, Part 2: Magic Kingdom / Fantasyland
3:00 - Bus to Magic Kingdom & lots of photos on main st
4:45 - Dinner @ Crystal Palace
RIDES: Mickey’s Philharmagic, Carrousel, Seven Dwarves (FP), La Fou’s Brew at Gaston’s Tavern, Meet Anna/Elsa (FP), It’s a small world, Visit Rapunzel’s Tower, Peter Pan’s Flight (FP)
9:00 - Bus to Hotel
Day 2: Magic Kingdom / Fantasyland
6:30 – Bus to MK
7:40 - Welcome Show
RIDES: Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mad Tea Party, Dumbo, Barnstormer, Meet Ariel (FP), Under the Sea, Enchanted Tales with Belle (FP)
9:25 – Breakfast @ Be Our Guest
12:00 - Festival of Fantasy Parade
1:00 – Bus to Hotel, Lunch & Afternoon Break
5:00– Bus to MK
6:00 – Bibbity Boppity Boutique for a Princess Makeover
RIDES: Meet Rapunzel (FP) & Carousel
8:10 - Dinner @ Liberty Tree Tavern
10:00 – July 4th Fireworks
1030-1130 – Bus to Hotel
Day 3: Animal Kingdom
7:00 – Bus to Animal Kingdom
8:10 – Breakfast @ Tusker House
RIDES: Meet Pochantas, Meet Minnie (FP), Kali River Rapids
12:00 – Lunch @ Yak & Yeti
RIDES: Kilmanjaro Safari (FP), Wildlife Express, Conservation Station, Kusafiri Bakery for snack
3:00 – Bus to Pop, Quick Rest and Change in Dresses (our “fancy” dinner night, kiddo wanted a dress up dinner)
5:45 – Taxi to Grand Floridan & Dinner @ 1900 Park Fare
8:00 – Taxi to Pop
Day 4: Magic Kingdom / Frontierland & Adventureland
6:30 – Bus to MK
8:10 – Breakfast @ Cinderella’s Royal Table
RIDES: Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Jungle Cruise, Thunder Mountain RR (FP), Splash Mountain (FP), Country Bear Jamboree
12:00 – Lunch @ Peco’s Bills
12:50 – Pirates League Makeover for Mom & Daughter - girl pirates or mermaids
RIDES: Photos at Swiss Family Tree House & Meet Tinker (FP)
2:30 – Bus to Pop & Rest
6:30 - Taxi to Contemporary
6:55 - Dinner @ The Wave
9:00 – Pirates & Pals Cruise
11:00 – Taxi to Pop
Day 5: Epcot
7:00 – Bus to Epcot
8:30 – Breakfast @ Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
RIDES: Journey into Imagination, What If labs, Soaring (FP), Seas with Nemo
12:15 – Lunch @ Coral Reef
RIDES: Turtle Talk & Seas Exhibits
1:30 - Bus to Pop & Afternoon Break
5:30 – Bus to Epcot
7:00 – Dinner @ The Garden Grill
9:00 – Illuminations
10:00 – Bus to Pop
Day 6: Hollywood Studios
7:00 – Bus to HS
8:05 – Breakfast @ Hollywood & Vine
RIDES: Reserved Seating for Frozen Processional, Disney Jr Live (FP), Toy Story Mania (FP)
12:30 – Lunch @ 50’s Prime Time Café
1:45 – Bus to Pop, Afternoon Break & Dinner
5:00 – Bus to HS
6:00 - Dinner @ Sci-Fi Diner
RIDES: Frozen Sing Along (FP), Star Tours, Reserved Seating for Frozen Fireworks
10:30 – Bus to Pop
Day 7: Magic Kingdom / Tomorrowland
7:00 – Taxi to Polynesian Resort
7:30 – Breakfast @ Ohana
9:00 – Monorail to MK
RIDES: Monsters Inc Laugh Floor, Buzz Lightyear Space Spin (FP), Tomorrowland People Mover, Tomorrowland Speedway (FP), Mad Tea Party
11:30 – Lunch @ Cosmic Ray’s
1:10 – Dream Along with Mickey Show
2:00 – Bus to Pop & Afternoon Break
5:00 – Bus to MK
6:00 - Dinner @ Tony’s Town Square
RIDES: Main St Rail Road to Fantasyland, Meet Minne/Daisy at Pete’s Sideshow, Main St Electrical Parade (FP), Celebrate the Magic, Wishes
11:00 – Bus to Pop
Day 8: Magic Kingdom / Last Day
7:00 – Bus to MK
RIDES: Under the Sea, Barnstormer, Dumbo, Meet Merida, Big Thunder Mountain (FP), Splash Mountain (FP), Magic Carpets of Aladdin
11:00 – Walk to Contemporary
11:50 – Lunch @ Chef Mickey’s
2:00 – Taxi to Pop
3:00 – Magical Express to Airport & Home