Disney Trip planning help?

[marie3246]

We are going for 5 nights in Jan 2016. We rented DVC points for Animal Kingdom Kidani villa. We will have a car. SIL and BIL will be joining us for 3 nights and my parents are thinking of coming as well (but they aren't likely). We used to live in Orlando (8 years ago) and have been to Disney a lot and will go back at least 1 more time if not more in 2016. We have not done a lot of table service or character dining though and have not been since we had DD. DD will be a month away from 2. I have been reading the crowd reports and am trying to figure out what reservations to get and what days to visit each park. We will go to MK, Epcot, and AK and will not have park hoppers. 


Some things I would like to try and do, but will be fine if we aren't able:
-do an early breakfast at MK to be able to get in before the park opens
-Eat at Be our Guest, the lunch menu is the most appealing to us. 
-dinner at Ohana would be neat with fireworks
-try to have it be as relaxing as possible. I don't want to get up at the crack of dawn everyday and rush to the parks with EMH (unless its the best thing ever!) DD usually gets up at 7:30 so that should give us enough time to get to the park by 9 without having to rush. 

** I added my current reservations, I have way too many and obviously need to narrow them down***


Day 1 (Thursday) MK fireworks are at 8pm which is perfect for DD. 
-Check in 4pm
-Dinner??
    --8:15pm was the only time I could get reservations though. 
    --6:15pm Sanaa 
    --6:35pm Boma

Day 2 (Friday) EMH early at MK which we would avoid and go to either Epcot or Animal Kingdom



Day 3 (Saturday) EMH at AK, this was the only day I was able to get ADR for CRT, but Wishes is at 10pm which I do not think DD can stay up that late even with naps. 
-8:05 Crystal Palace
-8:15 CRT breakfast (I think Dd would like the princesses)
-1:10 lunch at BOG (this is a little late for DD not to have a nap, 

or if we do Epcot (but I don't really care about going into Epcot super early, later reservations are very open)
-8:25 Akershus

Day 4 (Sunday) This is another possible day for MK, but early breakfast ADR aren't available, Wishes is a 9pm
-9:00am Crystal Palace
-9:15am BOG

8:10pm Ohana (during wishes) this was the only night that had available during the fireworks. 

Day 5 (Monday) Mk fireworks are at 8pm

-8:05 Ohana (I'm not sure if I could check in early, find a spot to see the fireworks or be able be seated before they start, but I don't want to be walking to our table missing the fireworks. 

 
Day 6 (Tuesday)
we could do breakfast at a resort or something else that doesn't require us to go into a park.

Any tips/suggestions? I am afraid to add a bunch of dinner reservations because I'm not sure what time DD will nap and I don't want to be stressing about getting to certain places at certain times. Morning reservations are good because its almost guaranteed she will be up and in a good mood. 

Some other ADR's we are looking at are Tusker House, Crystal Palace, the princess one at Epcot. 

[Deleted]

We stayed at Kidani for 1 night recently. There is so much to do at AKL I would plan a whole resort day to go to the pool ( it's divine & heated) see some animals,do the cookie decorating & have lunch at Saana or breakfast at BOMA.

[marie3246]

thanks! I was thinking it was unlikely we would swim since it would be on the cooler/colder side, but a day at the resort sounds really nice!

[lishie]

We just came back from 5 nights at Kidani. It was our first time staying there and my boys absolutely loved it.

I highly recommend having a meal at Sanaa. We love it there (we also really like Boma at jambo). my boys thought eating at a table by the window with one of the birds from the savanna staring at us was the best thing ever.

We really enjoy dinner at Ohana. If you want that, I'd book it soon, as it's a popular dinner. With an 8:15 reservation you could watch the fireworks from the poly beach and then check in for your dinner.

There is a ton to do at AKL. You can easily fill a full day there. You may have surprisingly warm weather--we swam during our December and February trips last year (it hit 80 both trips). The splash pad at Kidani is great for little kids.

We're staying at Boardwalk when we go back in January 2016--I fear the boys will be disappointed it's not AKL. So far I've only booked two dinners, one of them at BlueZoo at the dolphin, so I can take advantage of the 2 free hours of child care they offer at the kids club

[marie3246]

Sept 30, 2015 7:09:24 GMT -5 @peggyolson said:

I would try to get meal reservations ASAP and then base your plans around what is available.

I  was able to get a few more reservations last night, so I updated above. I was surprised to be able to get as many reservations as I have so far. The main issue is that the ONLY time I could get either CRT or CP in MK was Sat am. Everything else wasn't until well after the park opened. Wishes is at 10pm that night and I highly doubt DD can make it all day and then up late for fireworks too. Ideally I would like to go to MK on Monday or even Sunday, but there aren't any reservations. 

Sept 30, 2015 7:51:20 GMT -5 bailarina said:

just my two cents, I did BOG lunch and breakfast and really did not like it either time. The lines were too long despite reservations, and the food was really underwhelming and came out cold. The atmosphere was also loud and cafeteria-like so it was not worth it to me. I LOVED Akershus (in Epcot) and also really enjoyed Tusker House and Crystal Palace.

Bummer, I have heard mixed reviews on it. The lunch menu looks most appealing to me and I think we will still do it since its new and we haven't seen it before. I don't even want to mess with trying to get dinner because DD"s schedule will be all off and if we do want to try and make wishes that night I want to let her take a later nap. 

Sept 30, 2015 8:55:36 GMT -5 lishie said:

We just came back from 5 nights at Kidani. It was our first time staying there and my boys absolutely loved it.

I highly recommend having a meal at Sanaa. We love it there (we also really like Boma at jambo). my boys thought eating at a table by the window with one of the birds from the savanna staring at us was the best thing ever.

We really enjoy dinner at Ohana. If you want that, I'd book it soon, as it's a popular dinner. With an 8:15 reservation you could watch the fireworks from the poly beach and then check in for your dinner.

There is a ton to do at AKL. You can easily fill a full day there. You may have surprisingly warm weather--we swam during our December and February trips last year (it hit 80 both trips). The splash pad at Kidani is great for little kids.

We're staying at Boardwalk when we go back in January 2016--I fear the boys will be disappointed it's not AKL. So far I've only booked two dinners, one of them at BlueZoo at the dolphin, so I can take advantage of the 2 free hours of child care they offer at the kids club

Glad to year you loved it. I was deciding between offsite (1 bedroom) and whatever DVC had. A savannah view room was available and I missed it by waiting about 15 minutes. Another came up for later in Jan so I was happy to get it. I'm dreaming of DD taking a nap and DH and I sitting on the balcony drinking wine and watching the animals lol. We will probably be napping too haha. I was looking at Boardwalk too, but it was almost double the offsite price and DD loves animals. I'm so excited haha. 

I do plan on eating at Sanaa. I'm just not sure if we should do a breakfast/lunch/dinner and what day. Reservations are still pretty open as long as I am not trying to get sunset time. 

When are you going in Jan? I should look into the BlueZoo I wonder if they have an age limit. As much fun it is to eat with DD (sarcasm), dining just with DH sounds amazing. 

[lishie]

Sept 30, 2015 9:19:04 GMT -5 marie3246 said:

I do plan on eating at Sanaa. I'm just not sure if we should do a breakfast/lunch/dinner and what day. Reservations are still pretty open as long as I am not trying to get sunset time. 

When are you going in Jan? I should look into the BlueZoo I wonder if they have an age limit. As much fun it is to eat with DD (sarcasm), dining just with DH sounds amazing. 

I'd recommend a daylight time for Sanaa, so your daughter can enjoy the animals, so either a lunch or an early dinner.

Right after they close at 3 pm they offer cake decorating outside the restaurants. They have mini animal shaped honey cakes that kids and adults can decorate. We went back to the room with elephant and lion cakes the boys decorated with colored icing and sprinkles

We're going 1/21-1/27 to coincide with the days off the kids get at the end of the semester. Going for a week and they're only missing two ways of school.

I think the kids need to be 3 for the kids club, benefit the Swan/Dolphin restaurants offer, but you could always check on that.

[marie3246]

Sept 30, 2015 9:28:51 GMT -5 lishie said:

Sept 30, 2015 9:19:04 GMT -5 marie3246 said:

I do plan on eating at Sanaa. I'm just not sure if we should do a breakfast/lunch/dinner and what day. Reservations are still pretty open as long as I am not trying to get sunset time. 

When are you going in Jan? I should look into the BlueZoo I wonder if they have an age limit. As much fun it is to eat with DD (sarcasm), dining just with DH sounds amazing. 

I'd recommend a daylight time for Sanaa, so your daughter can enjoy the animals, so either a lunch or an early dinner.

Right after they close at 3 pm they offer cake decorating outside the restaurants. They have mini animal shaped honey cakes that kids and adults can decorate. We went back to the room with elephant and lion cakes the boys decorated with colored icing and sprinkles

We're going 1/21-1/27 to coincide with the days off the kids get at the end of the semester. Going for a week and they're only missing two ways of school.

I think the kids need to be 3 for the kids club, benefit the Swan/Dolphin restaurants offer, but you could always check on that.

Thanks! I did just read they need to be 3, thats ok I don't know where we would have fit it anyways haha. Those were our first dates, we are going to week after. I love the idea of low crowds

[Deleted]

Do CRT for sure! I would only worry about seeing wishes once the whole trip. We loved CRT last time. We had a dinner at Akerhaus last week and hated it.
We love Ohana, so get that quick.
We had dinner at BOG last night and it was the best meal of the trip. Lunch was fine 2 years ago, worth it to see the castle.

[Ashley&Scott]

Crystal Palace for breakfast was one of my favorites if you're interested in adding another character meal.

Also, I would plan a non-park day in the middle of your trip instead of on the last day. The parks & people were really overwhelming in my experience, a break day would have been really nice IMO. Even if you're just exploring other resorts during that time.

The fireworks are fun but they seemed to really hype M up, which was not what I was going for at bedtime. I would only plan to watch them once or twice.

[marie3246]

Sept 30, 2015 10:10:29 GMT -5 Ashley&Scott said:

Crystal Palace for breakfast was one of my favorites if you're interested in adding another character meal.

Also, I would plan a non-park day in the middle of your trip instead of on the last day. The parks & people were really overwhelming in my experience, a break day would have been really nice IMO. Even if you're just exploring other resorts during that time.

The fireworks are fun but they seemed to really hype M up, which was not what I was going for at bedtime. I would only plan to watch them once or twice.

Thanks! I was able to get crystal palace on Sat but we are only doing 1 day at MK. I cannot decide if I should do CRT or CP. I'm leaning towards CRT since I don't know how dd will be with charactes and right now she has no clue who any of the Winnie the Pooh people are.

I wish they had half day passes BC I think full days will be crazy but I would love to just go in and catch the fireworks the first night but I don't want to waste a whole day ticket.

I would really like to see the parade and wishes in the park but I think I will have to choose either CRT early breakfast or parade/fireworks. And I'm 99% sure breakfast wins since dd is always awake and happy at that time and late nights are iffy depending on how the day goes.

[Ashley&Scott]

@marie3246 - What time do you leave on your last day? We had 5 day tickets, it only cost $15 more per person than the 4 day. We stayed 5 nights, so went to the parks on day 1-5. On day 6 (departure day) we did not go to the parks - we ate breakfast, finished packing & left for the airport.

Also, AK was one of my favorite parks. We could have easily spent another day there.

[Deleted]

You need more than one day in MK, especially if you are doing breakfasts, not getting to parks early, napping and not staying up late.
I would skip Epcot for a 2 year old. We just did 1/2 a day this time with a 4 and 7 year old and it was our least fav.

[marie3246]

Sept 30, 2015 10:40:23 GMT -5 Ashley&Scott said:

@marie3246 - What time do you leave on your last day? We had 5 day tickets, it only cost $15 more per person than the 4 day. We stayed 5 nights, so went to the parks on day 1-5. On day 6 (departure day) we did not go to the parks - we ate breakfast, finished packing & left for the airport.

Also, AK was one of my favorite parks. We could have easily spent another day there.

We are flexible. Check out is 11am. We will probably sleep in, pack up and then maybe do a late breakfast/early lunch and head out. We don't have a long drive but I dont think we will leave any later than 12/1pm. I am now looking into buy annual passes and turning this "inexpensive" disney trip into quite the expense, but if we go back 1 or 2 more times in a year it will be worth it. 

[marie3246]

Sept 30, 2015 11:21:39 GMT -5 @amydm said:

You need more than one day in MK, especially if you are doing breakfasts, not getting to parks early, napping and not staying up late.
I would skip Epcot for a 2 year old. We just did 1/2 a day this time with a 4 and 7 year old and it was our least fav.

We considered this, but I really think DD will love living seas and its one of our favorite parks. I am thinking if we get the passes I would feel less like we have to spend full days in the parks and can jump around a lot easier. 

[ribollita]

Sept 30, 2015 7:51:20 GMT -5 bailarina said:

just my two cents, I did BOG lunch and breakfast and really did not like it either time. The lines were too long despite reservations, and the food was really underwhelming and came out cold. The atmosphere was also loud and cafeteria-like so it was not worth it to me. I LOVED Akershus (in Epcot) and also really enjoyed Tusker House and Crystal Palace.

Which meal did you have at Akershus?

I have had good food at BOG lunch, but the disorganization and lines despite having pre-ordered drive me bonkers.

[ribollita]

Sept 30, 2015 9:37:08 GMT -5 marie3246 said:

Sept 30, 2015 9:28:51 GMT -5 lishie said:

I'd recommend a daylight time for Sanaa, so your daughter can enjoy the animals, so either a lunch or an early dinner.

Right after they close at 3 pm they offer cake decorating outside the restaurants. They have mini animal shaped honey cakes that kids and adults can decorate. We went back to the room with elephant and lion cakes the boys decorated with colored icing and sprinkles

We're going 1/21-1/27 to coincide with the days off the kids get at the end of the semester. Going for a week and they're only missing two ways of school.

I think the kids need to be 3 for the kids club, benefit the Swan/Dolphin restaurants offer, but you could always check on that.

Thanks! I did just read they need to be 3, thats ok I don't know where we would have fit it anyways haha. Those were our first dates, we are going to week after. I love the idea of low crowds

They have to be 3 (and potty trained) for the (fee) Disney clubs, but they have to be 4 for the (free) Dolphin club.

[marie3246]

Sept 30, 2015 11:46:52 GMT -5 ribollita said:

Sept 30, 2015 9:37:08 GMT -5 marie3246 said:

Thanks! I did just read they need to be 3, thats ok I don't know where we would have fit it anyways haha. Those were our first dates, we are going to week after. I love the idea of low crowds

They have to be 3 (and potty trained) for the (fee) Disney clubs, but they have to be 4 for the (free) Dolphin club.

Ok thanks, we are still a bit far away for that!