Category — w. Most Recent Stuff

This To-Do List is for the FastPass+ Six Night Lower Crowd Itinerary.  For To-Do-Lists for other itineraries, see this.

Daily instructions are here:

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday
• Sunday

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 you 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, intended hotel, kids’ development 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. Create your My Disney Experience account here and add your family members to it

4. 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), or click here to use Disney’s online system.  (Note: if your dates are later than what the online system permits, see this.)

• If you are following my itinerary, you want the hotel you’ve picked for six nights, seven day, no hopper, no “water parks and more” tickets, the Dining Plan, and Disney’s Magical Express
• Itineraries other than mine will have different requirements here

B. 181 DAYS BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL DATE

1. Decide whether on your first night you’ll be dining at Akershus or the San Angel Inn. Akershus is a princess meal–you’ll have another princess meal at Cinderella’s Royal Table on Wednesday.  If you really like princesses, do Akershus; otherwise, San Angel Inn is the better choice.

2. Login to your MyDisneyExperience.com account, click the “Things to Do” tab at top right, under Dining hit “Make Reservations,” and practice trying to reserve restaurants (hint: use the search box at the upper right).

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).

3. Collect your planned 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 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.

2. Make as many of the following as you have patience for, in the exact order listed:

• Cinderella’s Royal Table Lunch (dining plan, two credits): Friday at 11a or later if you can; earlier than 11 only if your sole option…
• Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue (dining plan, two credits) Tuesday 6.15p. The later show keeps you up too late, the ealrier one cuts into your park time
• Crystal Palace (dining plan): Saturday 6p. Can be earlier, but not later
• San Angel Inn or Akershus (dining plan): Monday 7p. Can be earlier but not later.

For those you don’t make online, make them by calling call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463)

D. 60 DAYS BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL DATE

1. Go to your MyDisneyExperience account as early as moments after midnight and set up the following FastPass+

• Monday afternoon and evening at Epcot: Tier One: Illuminations. Tier Two: Spaceship Earth and Mission Space. Note that the Illuminations FastPass+ may not be available until closer to your arrival date—if not available, make Test Track your Tier One instead, and try to change it to Illuminations later. Set the Tier Two times for when your travel plans permit you to be in the park. If one is impossible to set at a good time because of your travel schedule, leave it as is—Disney requires you to book three FastPass+.
• Tuesday at the Animal Kingdom: Kilimanjaro Safaris for 12.30-1.30p, Festival of the Lion King for 1.30 to 2.30p, and Kali River Rapids for 3.30-4.30p. (At park open, head to Expedition Everest.)
• Wednesday afternoon at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Tier One: Toy Story Midway Mania 2.30-3.30p. Tier Two: Voyage of the Little Mermaid (1.30-2.30) and Frozen Sing-Along (3-4p).
• Thursday at Epcot: Tier One: Soarin 10.30-11.30a. Tier Two: Turtle Talk with Crush 12.30-1.30p and a third ride. (At park open, head for Test Track.)
• Friday at the Magic Kingdom:Enchanted Tales with Belle 10a-11a, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train 12.30-1.30p, and Peter Pan 1.30-2.30p. (At park open, head to Space Mountain.)
• Saturday at the Magic Kingdom: Pirates of the Caribbean 9.30-10.30a, Jungle Cruise 10.30-11.30a, Splash Mountian 11.30-12.30p  (At park open, head for Big Thunder Mountain.)
• Sunday morning at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Tier One: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster 9a-10a. Tier Two: Star Tours (10-11) and Indiana Jones Stunt Show (At park open, head straight to Tower of Terror.)

2. Do online check in, requesting as you do special location points

3. Customize your MagicBands

E. NOTES ON PACKING ETC. BEFORE YOU LEAVE

1. Bring your MagicBands in your carry-ons

2. If you use Disney’s Magical Express, you do not need to collect your bags at the Orlando airport unless you arrive late in the evening/at night or are an international traveler. 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 Monday, as you will almost certainly go to Epcot on Monday 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 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.

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Google+ or Twitter or Pinterest!!

Update: there’s a new–and much better–six night itinerary here.

This Walt Disney World itinerary is a shorter variant of the eight-night FastPass+ Lower Crowd Itinerary.

You can enlarge the itinerary by clicking it.

As with the other itineraries on this site, there is also a detailed page for each day of your vacation, with specific instructions for that day. Find them here:

• Monday
• Tuesday
• Wednesday
• Thursday
• Friday
• Saturday
• Sunday

Moreover, a detailed To-Do List covers all the steps you need to undertake–including reserving dining and booking FastPass+.

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Google+ or Twitter or Pinterest!!

HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS DAY 2: SUNDAY AGENDA

Today you complete your visit to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and return home.

You should have FastPass+ for the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Star Tours, and Indiana Jones. You have no scheduled dining today.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Lower-Crowd Itinerary, Six Night Variant. It does not work all weeks–use the comment form to check in on yours!)

FIRST THINGS

• Check out and note your instructions for Disney’s Magical Express if you are using it.  If you aren’t, for many domestic airlines you’ll be able to check bags and print boarding passes near the front desk.  This is a tip-based service.  You can also store your bags at the bell stand
• Arrive at the Studios by 45 minutes before open

AT THE PARK

• At park open, head to Tower of Terror and ride it
• See Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (FP+)
• See Disney Jr Live on Stage
• See Muppet Vision 3D
• See Star Tours (FP+)
• See Indiana Jones (FP+)
• If time permits, see the Magic of Disney Imagination and Disney Jr Live on Stage
• Sadly return home

MORE FROM THIS ITINERARY

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Google+ or Twitter or Pinterest!!

MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 2: SATURDAY AGENDA

Today you complete your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

In the morning and early afternoon you’ll see Adventureland and Frontierland. Depending on how yesterday went, you may have an afternoon break, and either way in the evening you’ll have dinner at the Crystal Palace and then see the nighttime shows.

You should have FastPass+ for Pirates of the Caribbean, the Jungle Cruise, and Splash Mountain. In addition you have dinner at the Crystal Palace booked.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Lower-Crowd Itinerary, Six Night Variant. It does not work all weeks–use the comment form to check in on yours!)

FIRST THINGS

Be at the park by 45 minutes before open

AT THE PARK

• At open head to Big Thunder Mountain and ride it
• If lines at Splash Mountain are short, ride it, and if you wish change your FastPass+ for it to a ride you want to revisit
• See Pirates of the Caribbean (FP+)
• See the Aladdin’s Magical Carpets
• See the Enchanted Tiki Room
• See the Jungle Cruise (FP+)
• See the Swiss Family treehouse
• See the Country Bears
• See Splash Mountain (FP+)
• Try for additional FP+ on rides you wish to re-visit
• Ride the rafts to Tom Sawyer Island
• You should have time to head back to your hotel for a nap. Take the WDW Railroad from the Frontierland Station near the exit to Splash Mountain to Main Street
• If you left, be back in the park in time for your dinner at the Crystal Place
• See the Main Street Electrical Parade
• See Celebrate the Magic
• See Wishes

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you complete your visit to the Studios, then head home.

MORE FROM THIS ITINERARY

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Google+ or Twitter or Pinterest!!

MAGIC KINGDOM DAY 1: FRIDAY AGENDA

Today you begin your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

Over the course of the day, you’ll complete Tomorrowland, Fantasyland and Liberty Square.

You should have FastPass+ for Enchanted Tales with Belle, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Peter Pan. In addition, you have dining with Cinderella booked.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Lower-Crowd Itinerary, Six Night Variant. It does not work all weeks–use the comment form to check in on yours!)

FIRST THINGS

Arrive at the Magic Kingdom by 45 minutes before open

AT THE PARK

• At open, head to Tomorrowland and ride Space Mountain
• See Buzz Lightyear
• See Astro Orbiter
• It the Tomorrowland Speedway looks like fun, ride it
• Head to Storybook Circus, and if they look like fun, ride Dumbo and the Barnstormer
• See Enchanted Tales with Belle (FP+)
• Fit Journey of the Little Mermaid, Winnie the Pooh, and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (FP+) around your reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table
• After these, until about 2.30p, see the other rides in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland that you’ve missed so far
• Find a spot to see the 3p parade around 2.30p, and watch it
• See Peter Pan (FP+)
• As soon as you get off Peter Pan, try to book a 4th FastPass+ for the Haunted Mansion
• Continue with any rides in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland that you’ve missed so far
• Go to Liberty Square, and see the Hall of Presidents
• See the Liberty Belle steamboat
• See the Haunted Mansion

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you will continue your visit to the Magic Kingdom!

MORE FROM THIS ITINERARY

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Google+ or Twitter or Pinterest!!

EPCOT DAY 2: THURSDAY AGENDA

Today you will complete Epcot, and have the evening off.

Assuming you saw Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, Ellen’s Energy Adventure, most of Innoventions East, and some of World Showcase on Monday, you’ll have an easy day today.

If you missed some of these, the priorities from among them to fit in today are Spaceship Earth, Mission Space and World Showcase. For today you should have FastPass+ for Soarin, Turtle Talk with Crush, and a third ride. (If you missed Mission Space on Monday, change your third FastPass+ to it, for early in the morning.)

You have no reserved dining today.

(Note: this is from the FastPass+ Lower-Crowd Itinerary, Six Night Variant.  It does not work all weeks–use the comment form to check in on yours!)

FIRST THINGS

Be at the park by 45 minutes before open. 

AT THE PARK: MORNING

• Enter the turnstiles when the park opens at about 8.45, grab a map and Times Schedule, and head to Test Track. Ride it.
• Go into Innoventions East and check out The Sum of All Thrills.  If it looks like fun, ride it
• If you missed them Monday, see Mission Space and Spaceship Earth, and if you wish, more of Innoventions East and Ellen’s Energy Adventure (which takes 40 minutes)
• Head to the other side of Future World and see the attractions in the Imagination Pavilion– Captain EO and Journey Into Imagination with Figment
• Two of your FastPass+ for today are on this side of the park.  Using them see Soarin and Turtle Talk with Crush.   Fit in The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Living with the Land, and Circle of Life around the FastPass+ rides. If lines for Living with the Land are too long, get a fourth FastPass+ for it after Maelstrom. Note that as you ride each FastPass+ ride you can move the next to an earlier time, if available.
• Have lunch while you are in this area of the park at Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavilion on the same level as Soarin
• Next is the rest of World Showcase, starting in Canada and progressing counter-clockwise. Tour as you did Monday night, checking out the shows as you wander
• If the kids are bored by World Showcase, check out Agent P’s World Showcase Adventure
• And you are almost done! Check out Innoventions West on your way out of the park

PREVIEW OF TOMORROW

Tomorrow you begin your visit to the Magic Kingdom.

MORE FROM THIS ITINERARY

Follow yourfirstvisit.net on Facebook or Google+ or Twitter or Pinterest!!