To-Do List: Autumn-Winter-Spring Itinerary
TO-DO LIST: AUTUMN-WINTER-SPRING ITINERARY
(This To-Do List is for the Autumn-Winter-Spring itinerary. For To-Do-Lists for other itineraries, see this.)
A. MORE THAN 180 DAYS BEFORE YOUR PLANNED ARRIVAL DATE
(Note that a good travel agent, such as Destinations in Florida, can do almost all of this for you, for free.
If you use Destinations in Florida as your travel agent through a link for this site–like this one–then they share a bit of the pixie dust they get from Disney with me.)
1. Confirm your budget, planned dates, kids’ development paths and heights, and your transportation choice and its availability for your planned dates.
2. Make your plane reservations, if flying. Make any other needed transportation arrangements.
3. Set up your hotel and tickets. Call 407-939-7675 (preferred, because this allows you to tell the reservationist which building at your resort you wish to be in, which the new WDW website no longer allows you to do), or click here to use Disney’s online system. (Note: if your dates are later than what the online system permits, see this.)
- When the page opens, click “Book Vacation Packages”
- Add your dates, party size and age of your kids
- Set up your basic package:
- Click “Advanced Search”
- Click “I know the Resort I want.”
- In the drop down menu that appears, click to open, and scroll to pick your hotel
- Click “Dining Plan”
- Click “Continue”
- Wait
- Fix the options–a page will open that has selected several options for you, most of them wrong. You will need to fix in each section, and update the sections as you go.
- At the top of the page you will be put into the most expensive room. Click the button for the least expensive instead. (The views aren’t worth it for first time family visitors, except Animal Kingdom Lodge visitors should always pick a Savannah view)
- Click “Update” and wait
- Click, in the “Park Tickets and Options” section, the button in the upper right that says “Open.”
- Leave the “Park Hopper” box clicked, but unclick the “Water Parks and More” box
- Change the number of days in your tickets to 7
- Click “Update” and wait
- Click “Ground Transportation” and when it opens, click Disney’s Magical Express, and add your airline info
- Click “Continue” and wait
- Click “Select this Offer” at the bottom of the page and wait
- When the pricing pages shows up, unclick Trip Insurance (if offered)
- In the “Special Room Requests” section, click to open, then click “Refrigerator”
- If you are on the phone, tell the reservationist what room you want
- If a Polynesian guest, ask for a room on the third floor (quieter) in Rapa Nui or Tahiti. (These are 2 of the only 3 buildings with both the largest rooms and balconies on all floors, and are the 2 buildings closest to the Epcot monorail. You are in fact so close to TTC that you can take the express monorail home from the Magic Kingdom–much faster than the resort monorail.)
- If a Pop Century Guest, ask for a room on the 4th floor (quieter) in the 1970s area. (This is the only building group at Pop Century that does not surround a pool, so it will be quieter at night.)
- Complete the transaction with your credit card.
B. 181 DAYS BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL DATE
Go to the online restaurant reservations page here, set up an account if you don’t already have one, and practice trying to reserve restaurants.
This may well drive you crazy, but the site works better than it used to…and is likely the only way you can get your Cindy reservations done! (as the site opens up a new reservable day at 6a, whereas the phone reservation line opens at 7a).
Collect your restaurant reservations together. You will want to do them online in order of hardest to reserve first. This is how they are listed below.
C. EXACTLY 6am EST, EXACTLY 180 DAYS BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL DATE
(For an 180 day calendar, see this).
1. Be on the restaurant website here by at least 5:50am EST, and have your Cindy reservation all set up on the page. Keep refreshing, as you will be let in as soon as Disney’s system decides it is 6a.
Make as many of the following as you have patience for (try to get through at least Akershus), in the exact order listed:
- Cinderella’s Royal Table Lunch (dining plan, two credits): Wednesday at 11a or later if you can; earlier than 11 only if your sole option…
- Chef Mickey’s (cash): Thursday at 10:30a if you can; ok anytime 9a and later, but earlier times cut into sleeping-in time
- Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue (dining plan, two credits): Tuesday 7:15p show. The other two times don’t work well
- Crystal Palace (Liberty Tree Tavern between 1/3/2010 and 2/14/2010) (dining plan): Second Saturday 5:30p if you can; earlier if you must, but this will cut into your pool/nap time; not later
- Akershus Banquet (dining plan): First Saturday 6:30p if you can, but no earlier than 4 hours after your flight arrival, no later than 7:30p
- Downtown Disney’s Rainforest Café (NOT the Rainforest café at the Animal Kingdom!!) (cash): Wednesday 8p if you can; no earlier, but later is ok
- San Angel Inn (dining plan): Friday 5:30. Earlier OK but cuts into your pool/nap time; no later than 7:15p
- 50’s Prime Time Café (dining plan): Monday 6:15p Not earlier than 5:30; can be later
- Whispering Canyon (cash): Tuesday 11a. Can be earlier, but cuts into sleeping-in time; no later than 11:15a
For those you don’t make online, make them by calling call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463)
2. Order your Cirque du Soleil tickets (Category 2) for the 6p show on Wednesday at this site (cash).
3. Call the House of Blues Orlando at (407) 934-BLUE and order tickets for your second Sunday 10:30 Gospel Brunch (cash)
D. CHECK THIS SITE IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERY FOLLOWING MONTH FOR ANY CHANGES.
E. NOTES ON PACKING ETC. BEFORE YOU LEAVE
1. Check in online at the link you can find on this page
2. If you use Disney’s Magical Express, you do not need to collect your bags at the Orlando airport. Disney will get them for you and, eventually, deliver them directly to your room. Your bags may arrive hours after you do; so, depending on the weather forecasts, have a carry-on with an appropriate change of clothes for Orlando weather on Saturday, as you will almost certainly go to Epcot on Saturday before your checked bags arrive.
3. Follow the instructions in the Magical Express packet you will receive in the mail regarding both tagging your bags pre-departure, and where to go at the Orlando airport to find your transport to your resort.
4. Bring a copy of your room reservation, confirmation numbers (such as for the Gospel Brunch) and any tickets for special events you may have received in the mail.
5. Pack breakfast utensils, as they are not always available in the gift shop: bowls, spoons, napkins
6. When you arrive at the hotel, look for the special “On-line Check-in” line, and get into it.
LINKS FOR THIS ITINERARY
- Summary
- To-Do List
- First Saturday
- First Sunday
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Second Saturday
- Second Sunday
ITINERARY LINKS
- For itinerary design goals and the basic December Itinerary, see this
- For shorter and longer itineraries targeted at the same December week, see this
- For itineraries covering all the other parts of the year, see this
- To design your own itinerary, see this
- For rides that might be skipped, see this
- For a comprehensive guide to rides and attractions, see this
31 comments
I have a family of three. My husband, myself, and my nine year old son. I would like to go to disney from sept 27 til oct 1 2011. Is it to last min to plan this trip or deal wise do you think I will be ok if i book it soon? Also we want to go to magic kingdom, MGM, animal kingdom and would also like to go to Island of adv and universal. Is their any way we can do this with out spending and arm and a leg on ticket prices?
Hi Kris–I’d advise booking soon, and you will spend an arm and a leg on tickets! Unless you have military eligibilty (active duty, active reserve, or career retired) there’s no ticket dela going on now…
Hi!
My fiancé and I will be going to DW on either November 12 or 13 it’s still open to which day. We just want one day and will be celebrating our honeymoon while there. We only live two hours away but my fiancé has never done Disney and I am a huge fan!
which day would be your suggestion and what should we try to accomplish we are planning to do the main park and woul like to see fireworks…depending on availability. Any help with planning this magical day would be amazing!
J
Hiya Jamie what fun!
With just one day, you want to do the Magic Kingdom, and to do it the 12th–it’s open til 10, and has fireworks at 10. On the 13th it’s open only til 7 and has no fireworks.
I don’t have one day plans, but check the image ( especially the pink stuff on the right side) on this page http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/, and also see some of the one-day Magic Kingdom plans on TouringPlans.com, e.g. http://touringplans.com/plans/56
Hi! This is my first time ever planning a trip to WDW , arriving Feb 12th(and just hanging out that day), then starting with the parks on Monday. Our last day to for the parks is Feb. 19. We will do all 4 Disney parks (no hopper) and universal and Islands of adventure. What days would you suggest to go to what parks(crowds)? With keeping in mind that 2/14 is my anniversary and we plan on going to Capone’s dinner show in the evening. Unless there is something that is more fun but not to expensive. I’m open to all suggestions. I have the dining plan, is there any places that are a “must see”? We would like to do at least one character dinner- Chef Mickey. Any advice for traveling with a 7yr and 3yr old? I’m overwhelmed and over thinking things, please any advice would be helpful.
Hi Katie! For where to eat, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/where-to-eat/
Your week is a low-crowd one, so you can’t go too far wrong. I’d suggest IOA on Monday the 13th–it will be less crowded, and it’s best to see Universal before Disney if you can. There’s not much there for kids the ages of yours, tho…
For the rest of your time, it’s more a matter of where not to go–avoid Epcot the 14th, avoid AK the 15th, avoid MK the 16th, and avoid HS the 18th! Your kids will find little of interest at Epcot, and a ton at MK. The other two parks are in-between–see http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/
Dear Dave,
We are going to do our first visit to Disney with our young kids (ages 3 and 1). It’s my first visit as well! We looked at the age/height ideas and can afford to go back again in a few years so don’t mind that they won’t be able to go on a lot of the rides this time. This site is SO helpful for planning, I can’t imagine planning a trip like this on my own. There will be four adults (parents and grandparents, they are active but do like some rest) and the two kids. We are going to stay in a family suite. We will be there for 8 days Saturday Oct 20 to Sat Oct 27 (based on the best weeks to go). What parks should we avoid which days and with such young kids I was thinking based on what I’ve read here 3 days MK, 1 AK, 1HS and 1 Epcot (grandparents really want to go to all the parks). Also without a park hopper, is it advisable re-arrange the itinerary a bit or should we really spend the extra for park hoppers? We will do the Magic Your Way plus Dining as also suggested. Any dining reservations to cut from the basic itinerary with such young kids, any to skip since we will be missing a day? We have the list of rides that are the favorites of Preschoolers and will try to spend the days catering to their fun, we hope to trade off with the grandparents to be with the kids in the evenings so both couples can spend some time together at the parks. Any suggestions for this as well? Thanks again for this wealth of knowledge, its amazing!!
Hi Kristina and thanks for the kind words!
The basic itinerary applies to only a few weeks in December. For October, I’ll suggest a variant of the Autumn Winter Spring Itinerary, but won’t have the specifics for a month or so, when Disney releases its October calendar. As a result, I can’t yet advise the best days for the parks..check back with me in a month or so…http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/basic-itinerary/alternative-itineraries/
Your general approach and how you have allocated your days sounds right on. For dining, aimed at the kidsI’d go with only Chef Mickey’s and the Crystal Palace for the sit-down meals–the rest will go over the kids’s heads…owever, you need to pick sit-down dining venues for the adults to get the value out of your dining plan…see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/where-to-eat/dining-alternatives/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-dining/ but keep in mind that it is hard to get from one hotel to another…
You may end up wanting to keep the hoppers–at least for the adults–as adults tend to love Epcot in the evening…more than the one day in the kid program…
Hi Dave,
Great website! We’re a family of 4. My daughter is 13 and my son 9. We’re planning to stay at the Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort from August 28th leaving early AM Sept. 4th.
I was thinking of going to Disney studios the day we arrive (9:30 AM airport arrival), Magic Kingdom, followed by Epcot, one of the water parks Friday, off day Sat. (enjoy the resort), and Animal Kingdom Sunday. Monday Sept 3rd (Labor day) we’ll decide what Park we want to do over. So with all that said, question 1: What suggestions do you have as far as the room we should ask for at the resort. We’d like to be close to the main area and transportation. Question 2: what do you think of the park visit layout as far as lower crowds to maximize our experience? It’s our 2nd visit in 3 years, and 3rd overall. Thanks a bunch!
Hi Joe, and thanks!
Your visit plans sound spot on to me.
Re Coronado Springs, no worries about transportation, as bus stops circle the hotel grounds. For suggestions on areas to ask for, see my review here: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/10/19/review-disneys-coronado-springs-resort/
Hey Dave
I am planning my first trip to Disney world. The week of august 24th threw 31st I have a reservation at cindy’s for the 25th at 8:15am. Then we will be spending the rest of the day at
MK. I am going with my wife and 2 daughters ages 4 and 6 as well as my sister her boyfriend and my mother. We r going to hit Hollywood studios And the MK one more time in the week.
Also we would like to hit epcot on a night they have the fireworks just for the late afternoon and evening.I was wondering other than the 25th at the MK what would be the best days to see the rest of the parks listed?
Thanks
Jamie
Hi Jamie! Epcot does fireworks every night so no worries there. HS or Epcot would be good the 26th, Epcot the 27th, HS or MK the 28th, any the 29th, HS or Epcot the 30th. The best days for MK will be the 28th and 29th…
Such a great website! my family of 2 adults 2 kids ages 2 and 4 are planing our first disney trip after taking your advice to avoid the week of april 7 we changed our plans to April 18 – 24 (6 days) but im having trouble making an efficiant kid friendly itenirary (in what order to do which park and what to do in the evenings ) I noticed yor itenararies are very helpful but only go from sunday to sunday, im planning on coming on wedn and leaving the following tue, whats would be the best order to see the parks and what would be the best evening itenarary? Thanks for a lot of useful information!
PS we will be landing in orlando at 12pm and will have a rental car with us – thanks !
Hi Sami, and thanks! What time the 18th do you arrive, what time the 24th do you leave, how many ticket days did you buy, and where are you staying?
We will be arriving to the airport at 11:30am , catching the flight back at 6:30pm. We will be staying at the shreraton customs villages on I drive (I’m kicking myself for not finding your blog earlier before I booked, but for next time now we know)
*we will be staying at the sherton vistana village
Also, my children aren’t really big on naps, so that won’t be a big issue.
Hi Sami, given the ages of your kids, there’s little at Epcot, and not a ton at HS or AK, that they will enjoy. See the vertical part of this, which was designed for kids a little older than your 4yo: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/03/09/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-rides-and-attractions/
Given that, I’d target two days at MK, and one each at HS and AK. For MK, your best days will be Friday and Tuesday, and avoid the 19th and 22nd. For AK, the best days are the 19th and 24th, and avoid the 18th and 23rd. For HS, the best days are the 19th, 20th, and 22nd, and avoid the 21st and 23rd.
Dave, I swear you are the Disney Angel, Thank you oh so much for giving me a clue.
Thanks Sami! Have a great trip and come back to let me know how it went!
Hey Dave
It’s me again. Just wondering if you happen to know when the under the sea ride in the new fantasyland is to open. Because both my girls are big Ariel fans and I don’t want to tell them about it un less I know it will be open when we go. Which is the last week of august this year
Thanks again
Jamie
Jamie, no one knows, but I really doubt it will be open in August. Oct-Nov seems more likely to me.
Hi Dave,
My sister and I are planning our first trip ever to Disney, she is 21 and I will be 20. We are going October 26 – November 3. We are staying at a resort in the animal kingdom area, we are getting the 7 day park hopper plus dining. We also plan on getting a 2 day park to park for Universal studios. Neither of us drive, do you know if will we be able to get a cab or something to transport us from our hotel to Universal? Also how soon should we make reservations for restaurants? Any other advice for the time we are going or just in general as it is our first trip? Thanks!
Hi Amanda!
For getting to Universal, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/01/10/getting-to-harry-potter-from-walt-disney-world/
For what to do–and the most fun restaurants–see this. http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/basic-itinerary/alternative-itineraries/ You’ll need to adapt it to your dates, and the dining is biased toward “Kid-friendly.” A way to get at more “adult” places is to look at this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/where-to-eat/dining-alternatives/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-dining/
The most popular dining options sell out soon after they are reservable, which is 180 days out. See this for a 180-day calendar: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-your-plans-need-to-be-firm/90-and-180-day-calendars/ Your 180 day window is in just a couple of weeks!
Hello Dave!
Thanks for such a wonderful page!
We are arriving on this Friday 21, returning the 27th. Can you please advise me on what parks what days, my kids are 5&6 , my tickets are hopper. No car rental, staying @ Floridays. Military family, first visit, veryyyy overwhelmed and exciting! No idea what to do about food!
Muchas gracias!
Cyn
Hi Cyn, thanks, and what fun!
For kids the ages of yours, I’d skip Epcot and plan on two+ days at MK and one+ day each at HS and AK, with the remaining time spent returning to your favorite parks or relaxing.
Parks to avoid during your days (I’m including Epcot in case you ignore the above
)
4/20 Avoid Epcot
4/21 Avoid HS
4/22 Avoid MK
4/23 Avoid HS and AK
4/24 Avoid Epcot
4/25 Avoid AK
4/26 Avoid MK
4/27 Avoid HS
It’s gonna be tough for you to get dining reservations for the most fun restaurants this late–many sell out 5-6 months ahead. But check this page for recommendations: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/where-to-eat/dining-alternatives/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-dining/ Note that you’ll be able to eat either way–there’s plenty of “fast-food”-like options in the parks
Thank you so much for your quick response! We are here in Mouseland! Oh God! It was easier going to Europe for one month a few yrs ago, this is for the kids and I want it perfect! I forgot to ask you about sea world, is it worthing on a Saturday and with rain or we should wait?
Thanks again!
Hi Cyn, sorry but I don’t really have a strong opinion on Sea World…have fun!
what are the pros and cons of visiting last half of april 2013 ? (probably 4-13 to 4-20). when should I buy tickets and how many days is a good first time experience? PS. my wife doesn’t like to walk too much.
George, see weeks 8, 9 and 12 here. The “pros and cons” is hard to answer, as its a question of compared to what…late April 2013 has lower crowds and nicer weather than most of the year, and prices are average
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