(For the summary of this itinerary, see this. For a 180 day calendar, see this.)
C. EXACTLY 6am EST, EXACTLY 180 DAYS BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL DATE
(For an 180 day calendar, see this).
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, 2 credits): Wednesday at 11a or later if you can; earlier than 11 only if your sole option…
- Chef Mickey’s (cash): Saturday 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): Monday 6:15p show. The other two times don’t work well
- San Angel Inn as Candlelight Processional Package for the 8:15 Candlelight Processional show (dining plan, 2 credits): Friday 5:30. Earlier OK but cuts into your pool/nap time; no later than 6:30p
- Crystal Palace (dining plan): Second Saturday 6p if you can; earlier ok, but not later than 6:30p
- Akershus Banquet (dining plan): First Saturday 6:30p if you can, but no earlier than 6:15p, no later than 8p
- 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
For those you don’t make online, make them by calling call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463)
D. 180 DAYS BEFORE EACH OF YOUR MVMCP CIRQUE AND HOUSE OF BLUES DATES
1. Go to the site for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, and order tickets for your family for Tuesday (Cash)
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)
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 TO DAYS AND TO-DO LIST
The links below take you to pages with specific guidance on what to do every day of your first family Walt Disney World vacation, and the To-Do List for preparing for your trip.
- Summary
- To-Do List
- First Saturday
- First Sunday
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Second Saturday
- Second Sunday
LINKS TO BASIC ITINERARY VARIANTS
BASIC ITINERARY LESS SECOND SUNDAY: Summary To-Do List
BASIC ITINERARY LESS FIRST SATURDAY: Summary To-Do List
BASIC ITINERARY LESS FIRST SATURDAY AND SECOND SUNDAY: Summary To-Do List
BASIC ITINERARY 5 NIGHT VERSION: Summary To-Do List
BASIC ITINERARY RELAXED VERSION: Summary To-Do List
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
I have followed this site for over one year. I waited an extra year for youngest to age up to 7 based on your advice. I have booked Villas at Wilderness lodge for wife, 3 daughters 13,9,7,and I for 9 days on your advice. I arrive on 10/17 and leave 10/26 based on your week selection link. But its one day earlier and longer that your fastpass+lower-crowd 8 day itinerary. I have switched sun and tues like you said. I have 4 days to wait to book dining. What do I do for Friday night and Saturday which you have as travel? And Thank you for all you do. I promote you to others and my travel agent.
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Hey Kevin and thanks!
Here’s what I’d do with the FastPass+ lower crowd itinerary https://yourfirstvisit.net/2014/01/14/fastpass-itinerary-for-lower-crowd-weeks/
Given operating schedules then, on Friday the 17th I’d do what is written for Thursday evening, giving you all of Thursday off. Saturday the 18th is more complicated. My itins have you going to Epcot in the evening for Illuminations. But because of Food and Wine, Epcot will be more crowded all day long than I like, so it’s not a great place to spend the full day. Mk will be quite crowded the 18th as it’s the only late night between three 7p closes. And HS has morning EMH, making it a so-so choice. And you don’t need a second day at AK, but neither do you need a day off so soon. HMMM…. if you did what is originally written for Tuesday (that is AK) Saturday, and do what is originally written for Weds (MK Day 1) Sunday, then you can do what’s originally Sunday (HS) on Tuesday, and the first Saturday Epcot bit on Wednesday…
Have I lost you?
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Yes–just scheduling–people in DTD that eveing for Cirque! The one at AK is fine…
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Why do you say Rainforest in Downtown and NOT at Animal Kingdom? Just curious if it’s just for scheduling purposes or if it’s something else?
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All done! 12 online bookings made in 20 minutes – only one was not at the time I wanted.
So pleased that’s all sorted – really excited about our trip now!
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Yay, Jane!!
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Hi Dave!
We’ll be arriving at WDW on 15th August so our 180 day mark is tomorrow!
I’ve just been having a look at the online reservations. We are staying at the Polynesian Resort and I have linked this booking to the WDW site.
When we reach the 180 day mark does a ten day window for reservations automatically open? At the moment I can only see options to book for 14th August.
Thanks for all the wonderful advice!
Jane
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Hi Jane and I’m so glad the site has helped. Yes, 10+ should open automatically for you–and if not, just call and do your reservations over the phone. (407) WDW-DINE
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Hello again, Dave! Another question for you. We are planning to book the Candlelight Processional Package, and I notice that your to-do list says to do so at the 180-day mark. However, on the website (as I’m practicing my reservations), it says merely to call Disney for those packages. So I called the other day, and the trying-to-be-helpful lady on the other end of the line said that it hasn’t been announced when Candlelight packages will go on sale this year. I assume that it’s not a good idea to book just the restaurant now, correct? Should I just wait to book for that evening until the packages go on sale? Thanks!
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Mandy, you are right!
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Thanks again Dave. I assume that the first week in December is included in this?
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Hi Dave,
A bit confused on the following:
“San Angel Inn as Candlelight Processional Package for the 8:15 Candlelight Processional show (dining plan, 2 credits): Friday 5:30. Earlier OK but cuts into your pool/nap time; no later than 6:30p”
Do I set my reservations for 5:30 or 8:15?
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Nick, this to-do list for a couple of December weeks has you signing up for special access to the 8.15 showing of the Candlelight processional by reserving a table at San ANgel Inn as a “Candlelight Processional Package.” The recommended dining time at the San Angel Inn is 5.30.
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Hi Dave. Is the online system still opening at 6 a.m.?
If traveling the first week of December (week right after Thanksgiving), do you believe I still have to make the reservations 180 days before? If I am not sure yet what exact day we will do a breakfast at Cinderella’s castle, it is ok to make a reservation for a couple of days and then cancel later? there is no charge right?
also, with a 4-year old (almost 5 by then), do you recommend the Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party? Or is it targeted to an older crowd?
thanks!
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Hi Chanelle!
I don’t check the system so I don’t know how well it’s operating, but it’s supposed to open at 6a.
Yes, your dates are less crowded–but they are also the dates that experienced visitors–who all know you have to book 180 days out–go, so the most popular dining venues still should be reserved 180 days out.
I think that the party is a great choice for a kid that age!
You can multiple book and then cancel and get your deposits/pre-payments refunded. Cancel as soon as possible–both to make sure your money flows back and to open possibilities for others!
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I was wondering if any of the restuarants in Epcot would work for the candlelight processional package. Why did you chose San Angel Inn? Thinking about Corel Reef
Thanks.
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Hi Julie, no it can’t be any. You can find the list here: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/parks/epcot/special-events/candlelight-processional/ Coral Reef is on it!
See the image on this page for why I recommend San Angel instead: https://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/where-to-eat/dining-alternatives/the-comprehensive-guide-to-walt-disney-world-dining/the-comprehensive-guide-to-epcot-area-dining/
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