Things to See

We thought we should all post things that we would like to see. After showing Joshy the DVD we went to the website and looked at ALL the attractions, shows, etc. We asked Josh, should we see that and he would say Yes or No. Here is what Joshy wants to see. Put up a post with anything your really want to see. For the big kids, maybe you can do a Universal list.

Magic Kingdom

Ariel's Grotto
Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
Country Bear Jamboree
Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade
Donald's Boat
Dream Along With Mickey
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Fantasyland Play Area
It's a Small World
Judge's Tent
Jungle Cruise
Liberty Square Riverboat
Main Street Vehicles
Mickey's Country House
Mickey's Philharmagic
Minnie's Country House
Peter Pan's Flight
Pirates of the Caribbean
Spectromagic Parade
The Crystal Palace (Character Breakfast)
The Enchanted Tiki Room
The Haunted Mansion
The Magic Carpets of Alladin
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Tomorrowland Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority (Peoplemover)
Tom Sawyer Island
Toontown Hall of Fame
Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
Walt Disney World Railroad
Wishes Nighttime Spectacular (Fireworks)

Epcot

Dragon Legend Acrobats
Epcot Character Spot
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Cabelleros
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience
Illuminations, Reflections of Earth
Imageworks - The Kodak What If Labs
Imagination Pavillion
Innoventions
JAMMitors
Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Kidcot Fun Stops
Mariachi Cobre
Mission: SPACE Advanced Training Lab
Off Kilter
Spaceship Earth
Spirit of America Fife and Drum Corps
Test Track Pavillion
The Seas with Nemo & Friends
Turtle Talk with Crush

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Block Party Bash
Fantasmic
Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure
Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
Muppet Vision 3-D
Lights, Motor, Action Extreme Stunt Show
Playhouse Disney Live on Stage
Toy Story Mania!
Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Disney's Animal Kingdom Park

Affection Section
Camp Minnie Mickey Greeting Trails
Conservation Station
Festival of the Lion King
Finding Nemo - The Musical
Kids Discovery Clubs
Kiliminjaro Safari
Mahahrajah Jungle Trek
Mmickey's Jammin Jungle Parade
Pangani Forrest Exploration Trail
The Boneyard
The Tree of Life
Wildlife Express Train

Time Share Layout

Papa sent a room layout. Enjoy!

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.