Travel Strap Update

In regards to the straps for putting the car seats on the back of your rolling carry on, Lisa and I made two of them on our own and it cost us like $4. If anyone would like us to make a couple more, Chris and Marlea, just call us and we will pick up the d rings we need and we still have enough of the material.

It worked out so good and Lisa likes it so much, we may patent it and sell them online ourselves. For less than the original and with a cooler design.

Suggested Travel Plan

Papa was discussing kind of ideas on when to hit what parks and so forth. I worked out a kind of suggested travel plan below. Taken into account were "Extra Magic Hours" which would make certain parks more crowded on those days. I feel this will allow everyone to be flexible, but still maximize what they can see without rushing anything. Post any suggestions in the comments. I know that the rest of you will be there before us so I have left those days untouched.

Mike and Lisa

Friday, May 8

Arrive at airport 10:30 am
Relax all day and evening

Saturday, May 9

Boys, golf in the morning
Family BBQ w/Lurlene and family
Relax – Evening

Sunday, May 10

Magic Kingdom – At opening
Breakfast reservations for 12 at 9:20 am – Crystal Palace
We need to be there by 9:00 am
Go back to room mid afternoon
Parents are watching kids in evening. Older kids are going out.

Monday, May 11

Epcot – Morning
Afternoon Break at room
Epcot – Evening, catch illuminations at 9pm

Tuesday, May 12

Animal Kingdom at opening – best time to see animals on safari
Go back to room afternoon
Magic Kingdom – Evening, catch Wishes fireworks

Wednesday, May 13

Mom and Dad watch kids for the day. Older kids go to Universal.

Thursday, May 14

Disney Studios – Morning (fewer lines)
Go back to room mid-afternoon (depends on how kids doing)
Might be good time for family dinner Papa wants to do
Relaxing evening at timeshare

Friday, May 15

Huge Breakfast!
Checkout of timeshare in morning, move to new hotel
Theme parks to catch stuff we missed, probably Magic Kingdom for kids
Lunch in parks
Michael wants NYPD Pizza for dinner!

Saturday, May 16

Most of family flies back early morning
Michael, Lisa and boys fly back late afternoon
Huge Breakfast!
Taco Bell for Lunch!

Travel Plan

So it should probably discussed, a basic travel plan. I will post what I was thinking in the next couple of days. Not a rigid travel structure, but one that is kind of open and makes sure we see most of what we all want to see.

For us bigger kids, my buddy Mike has secured us free tix for Universal. The best day to go would be either Tuesday or Wednesday. I am suggesting Wednesday as Mike has school on Tuesday and Thursday. It would work easier to get the tix.

Park Hours

I just wanted to post Park Hours for when we will be down there for the trip. I know some of us will be down there a couple days earlier. I have included that information as well. I think it will help in thinking about a basic plan for when to go to what parks.

Magic Kingdom

Wednesday May 6 – 9AM – 9PM
Thursday May 7 – 9AM – 10PM
Friday May 8 – 9AM – 9PM
Saturday May 9 – 9AM – 10PM
Sunday May 10 – 9AM – 9PM
Monday May 11 – 9AM – 10PM
Tuesday May 12 – 9AM – 9PM
Wednesday May 13 – 9AM – 9PM
Thursday May 14 – 9AM – 10PM
Friday May 15 – 9AM – 9PM
Saturday May 16 – 9AM – 10PM

Parades and Fireworks

Wishes Fireworks

May 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 15 – 9PM
May 7, 9, 11, 14, 16 – 10PM

Spectromagic Parade

May 7, 9, 11, 14, 16 – 9PM


Epcot

Future World – 9AM – 7PM
World Showcase – 11AM – 9PM

Illuminations – 9PM


Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Wednesday May 6 – 9AM – 7PM
Thursday May 7 – 9AM – 8:30PM
Friday May 8 – 9AM – 7PM
Saturday May 9 – 9AM – 7PM
Sunday May 10 – 9AM – 9PM
Monday May 11 – 9AM – 7PM
Tuesday May 12 – 9AM – 7PM
Wednesday May 13 – 9AM – 7PM
Thursday May 14 – 9AM – 9PM
Friday May 15 – 9AM – 7PM
Saturday May 16 – 9AM – 7PM

Parades and Fireworks

Block Party Bash – 3PM Daily

Fantasmic
May 7 – 8:30PM
May 10, 14 – 9PM


Animal Kingdom

Daily – 9AM – 5PM

Mickey’s Jungle Jammin’ Parade - ?


Universal Studios Florida

9AM – 6PM

Islands of Adventure

9AM – 6PM

Food

Just a couple of comments and we wanted to post a question about food. Speaking with Papa, he has stated he is planning to cover most of the food cost on the trip. For example, I know that he will be stocking the timeshare units with food. For us that covers breakfast and lunch and helps a great deal.

I also know that he is covering the cost of our character breakfast and a dinner out he wants to do. Our question was, what else is being covered? Papa mentioned the possibility of a daily allotment given per family to help with other food during the day to grab a meal in the parks. We believe this will help everyone to realistically finish out budgets for the trip and know what to save. I do know that Papa mentioned he would like us to cover any special dinners we may be doing ourselves.

Air Travel With Kids

We wanted to share with everyone something that we have found that will greatly help in traveling with the youngins'.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JHN3AS/ref=s9_sdps_c2_s5_p75_t3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1KXK2HRER6K3W21DZ9DB&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463383371&pf_rd_i=507846

You can probably make your own for about 3 bucks. That is what we are going to do. However, if you don't want to make your own you can't beat the price. As we have layovers this will be extra awesome. Plus, since we are going to take our own stroller we can just check that as regular luggage.