First of all we have opted for DDP with 1 quick meal and a sit down meal for our stay. We are planning to save up sit down meals we dont use (at other parks) for signiture dining. How much spending money do you think I will need if food sorted? I was thinking around $2000.
Second I was hoping whether you think my plan is feasible. I have based it on tips for avoiding the busiest days for most of the parks from a website but without missing any shows/parades i.e Magic Kingdom.
Day 1 Fri: Arrive 1.30pm- Downtown disney and settle in
Day2 Sat: Magic Kingom
Day 3 Sun: Animal Kingdom
Day 4 Mon: Seaworld
Day 5 Tues:Blizzard Beach
Day 6 Wed: Busch Gardens
Day 7 Thurs:Islands of Adventure
Day8 Fri:Hollywood Studios
Day 9 Sat: Magic Kingdom
Day 10 Sun:Universal Studio
Day 11 Mon:Relax/shopping
Day 12 Tues:Wet n Wild
Day 13 Wed: Epcot
Day 14 Thurs: Aquatica
Day 15 Fri: Sanford Flight 04.30pm
Due to our age we couldnt hire a car without paying stupid money for extra insurance. As we are only looking after ourselves is this possible (no looking after children my niece leaves me wanting to sleep for a day after babysitting)?
You suggestions would be wonderful!
Many Thanks
You don't say how far a journey you have to endure to get to Orlando. Is jet lag likely to be an issue?
As for your list, I think it is near perfect! Unless you really really want to do it, Wet and Wild is not nessisary if going to Blizzard Beach and Aquatica. Blizzard Beach and Aquatica are two of the better water parks in FL. Also, remember that the water parks tend to close a bit earlier (like 6), especially Blizzard Beach so I would consider doing something else at night (might I suggest the Hoop de Do?- two credits on the dining plan). I would replace Wet and Wild with EPCOT, especially being 25 and on the dining plan, because its a park that has lots to offer for our age, the best food options for the dining plan, and lots to see and do. Also, Busch Gardens is kinda far away from the rest of the parks (1 hour if traffic is kind). Not saying it isn't a great park, but many of its charm can be found at AK. Still, great coasters if you are into that kind of thing.
As for the dining plan, be prepared to eat TONS. Its one of the biggest values at WDW, but they stuff your face! However, you have seen the advantage of signature dining and two credits. My favorite signature Dining is at Yachtsmen Steakhouse which is a bone fide fancy steakhouse with aged meats. Being from Chicago, known for their steakhouses, its the real deal! Hoop de do (mentioned above) is also a good option with its all you can eat (and drink) deal.
But I will say, you did your homework and, in my opinion, one of my favorite plans I have seen on the site!
Day 1 Fri: Arrive 1.30pm- Downtown disney and settle in
Day2 Sat: Magic Kingom
Day 3 Sun: Animal Kingdom
Day 4 Mon: Seaworld
Day 5 Tues:Blizzard Beach
Day 6 Wed: Relax- City Walk/Shopping
Day 7 Thurs:Islands of Adventure
Day8 Fri:Hollywood Studios
Day 9 Sat: Magic Kingdom Hopper/Mickey’s Halloween Party
(If it’s started yet)
Day 10 Sun:Universal Studio (Halloween Horrors?)
Day 11 Mon:Relax/shopping
Day 12 Tues:Epcot
Day 13 Wed: Drive to Busch
Day 14 Thurs: Busch Gardens
Day 15 Fri: Sanford Flight 04.30pm
I think that covers everything without moving certain things so you wont miss fantasmic if you've considered that.
Don't forget to look out for Halloween Horror nights at Universal Studios. On these nights US will close VERY early to set up. You might even consider doing this is you like super trilling Halloween stuff. You could putt around City Walk or sit down and eat inbetween closing and opening.
Also Mickey's Halloween Party should be started or starting if you haven't considered this. I would attend this instead of an extra day at MK since you will get into the park at 4PM with only limited crowds. We had a BLAST last year. Got to ride space mountain 3 times in a row with less than a 5 minute wait!
If I think of anything else I'll post later. I hope I helped!
If you're wanting to eat anywhere special at Epcot you can do the same. And I will have to agree with the others and say do this earlier in the trip
Does the flex ticket allow for multi-park (park hopper) visits at Walt Disney World? If so, finishing several days with a couple of hours at Epcot is a good way to go.
Also I would recommend only doing one water park rather than three - they offer pretty much the same experience. And if you were going to choose one, I would recommend Typhoon Lagoon, which you haven't actually included. In my experiences Blizzard Beach is concrete, plain, not as lush (i.e. foliage / greenery) as Typhoon Lagoon. I have also heard poor reviews of Aquatica from family and friends - my husband, who is a travel consultant, has also been told negative things about it by his clients.
But apart from that your interary looks brill! And you could always add the chill factor by arriving at parks at the more leisurely time of 10 - 11am instead of racing for rope drop everyday. Ooh, and I also recommend eating in Morrocco in EPCOT and for a good non-Disney meal out - Thai Thani on International Drive. Amazing Thai food, as good if not better than the food I ate whilst travelling in Thailand! Have a great trip!
I would agree with the poster above about skipping Wet and Wild. Quite frankly its a little dingy. Stick with the Disney Waterparks, Typhoon Lagoon is by far the best watr park I've been to, and I've been to Schlitterbahn. Instead take a day and explore all of the deluxe resorts at Disney. Hopping on a monorail and hanging out at the bars at the hotels along that route can be really fun and relaxing. Also, you should check into some of the unique opportunities at Disney, if you are ogng to be down there for two weeks, like boating, and or one of the behind the scenes tours.
And I agree that you should do Halloween Horror Nights and the Food and Wine Festival. Halloween Horror Nights is the best Halloween event in the country, if that is something you are into, but even that early in the season make sure to get express pass tickets. You can do US and HHN in the same day with a break in between for dinner.
Food and Wines is great AND you can use the snakc from your DDP for the different food stands. But I would bring extra money for that too. If you do the Food and Wine Festival, definitely plan 2 days at EPCOT as it will be crowded for the festival and you just won't have enough time to do everything if you don't.
$10 to ride it round-trip... or free if you have the Flex Ticket. FYI ^_^
IMO you have a crazy, packed schedule and all I see are theme parks, theme parks, theme parks!!
... btw I'm a theme-park-worshipping 25-year-old and even with that I'm suggesting to take a step back and see what more Central Florida offers besides theme parks-- not because you'll get tired, but it ALL STARTS TO BLEND TOGETHER after a while.
Looking at the stars from Kennedy Space? A Cirque show? Beaches? Kayaking? (I was told that kayaking is the true test that will make or break a couple lol) or even seeing what's on display at the convention center.
Day 1 Fri: Arrive 1.30pm - Downtown disney and settle in
Day 2 Sat: Seaworld
Day 3 Sun: Animal Kingdom
Day 4 Mon: Magic Kingdom
Day 5 Tues: Rest
Day 6 Wed: Islands Of Adventure (you could also possibly do universal in the same day?)
Day 7 Thurs: Hollywood Studios
Day 8 Fri: Typhoon Lagoon
Day 9 Sat: Rest
Day 10 Sun: Universal Studio (HHN)
Day 11 Mon: Epcot
Day 12 Tues: (Anywhere you want to go again)
Day 13 Wed: Rest
Day 14 Thurs: (Anywhere you want to go again)
Day 15 Fri: Sanford Flight 04.30pm
I would leave out Busch Gardens, unless you are a BIG coaster person - then you can arrage a bus through seaworld
and most of the water parks are pretty much the same - Typhoon is the best (so i've heard)
and you NEED to take more time out to rest as you need to see other things in Florida - take a trip to the everglades, shop, eat, relax, swim, space centre
SO much more to do than just theme parks :)
I'll only offer one piece of advice: on Disney days, go back to your hotel room in the afternoon for a nap, shower, swim, snack, and/or cocktails, then return to the parks when the temperature is cooler and the crowds are lighter. This will help to preserve your sanity.
