Following Dad's Plan
by Todd & Kim
(Ottawa, ON, Canada)
I went to Walt Disney World last November 13-20 with my girlfriend Kim. Our plan was to enjoy Walt Disney World for the first time by enjoying the rides, shows, and restaurants, as well as enjoying some relaxation. After all, it was also a vacation.
Looking back, the trip was fantastic! We were able to see all the shows we wanted to, try out most of the rides, and even have some relaxation. How were we able to do it? By planning our visit using the information on both Dad’s and the Touringplans.com websites, and using Dad as our travel agent.
The first thing to do was to decide when to visit Walt Disney World. We don’t have kids, but can only get vacation the middle two weeks of the month. We looked at Dad’s charts for crowds and decided that November 13-20 would be lower crowds, and would have most of the Christmas decorations up!
Dad's November Disney World Crowds page
We booked to stay at the Caribbean Beach (complete with Free dining) and used the Magical Express service. With free dining, the question was what park to go to on what day? The Disney Dining Plan gave us one sit-down meal a day, plus one counter service meal.We looked at the TouringPlans website, and decided to visit their most recommended park on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. Wednesday would be a day to sleep-in and enjoy away from the parks, Thursday’s goal was to see Fantasmic, and Friday would be open.
After arriving on Saturday, we went to Epcot to see Illuminations. What a wonderful show. We would recommend that everyone makes the effort to see it!
Dad's Illuminations page
On Sunday, we arrived at Magic kingdom at 8:30, 30 minutes before opening. The opening ceremonies at Magic Kingdom are wonderful and very memorable. After entering the park, we took our time and enjoyed strolling down Main Street, then took a left towards Adventureland. We walked on to the rides Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Splash Mountain. On Splash Mountain, another log splashed us as our ride was beginning, which added to the fun. That happens when you are at the front of the log.We then enjoyed a dole whip and relaxed at the country Bear Jamboree, the Haunted Mansion, and Mickey’s Philharmagic.
It was then time for lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern, where we enjoyed a cake for our first anniversary. After lunch, we took a ride on the Liberty Riverboat, and returned to our hotel room for an afternoon break. That evening was extra magic hours at the Magic Kingdom, and we enjoyed attractions in Tomorrowland before returning to our hotel before the park closed, as we had an early Monday morning ahead.
Dad's Magic Kingdom page
Tuesday was spent at Epcot. We arrived around 9:20 (oops, didn’t follow Dad’s plan) but crowds were still light. We went to Mission Space and I was groggy after riding the tame version. If you have motion sickness, the green ride is enough for you!The Nemo and Living the Land were walk-ons, and interesting rides. Lunch was at the Coral Reef. The fish was good, both the meal and the ones we watched swimming around us. After a quick trip to Captain EO the Canada pavilion in the World showcase, and a ride on Soarin (using a FastPass) it was time for a rest back at the hotel. We rode Spaceship Earth on the way out (another walk-on) and were able to get our pics with Daisy Duck and Stitch on the way out.
Dad's Epcot page
Monday evening meant a visit to Hollywood Studios. It was extra magic hours so it was busy! We went to see the Osborne lights. What a display it is! A quick service meal was so-so, but a pretzel later was well enjoyed.Dad's Disney Hollywood Studios page
Tuesday began with a trip to the Animal Kingdom, and we arrived about 20 mins before it opened. Kilimajaro Safari was only about a 5 minute wait, and the shows The Lion King and Flights of Wonder were well enjoyed. Even though it was 12 o’clock, the wait for Expedition Everest was only 10 minutes.After having lunch at Yak & Yeti (probably the best sit-down meal we had), browsing around the park and having photos with Winnie the Pooh and Tiger, it was time to have another afternoon break at the hotel.
Dad's Animal Kingdom page
On Tuesday night we attended Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom. We arrived around 6:30, an it was crowded when we entered the park. However, this was due to the fact that many people were getting ready for the first parade on main street.After we made our way to Adventureland, the crowds were not as bad. There were minimal waits at Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear (did that one twice), and after a good meal at Peco Bills around 8:30, I noticed that Splash Mountain was almost empty – lots of empty logs coming down that slope!
I thought the rides in Fantasy Land would be easy to ride by 9pm but I was wrong. It wasn’t until after 10:30 that the lines decreased here. Young ones can stay up late! After 10:30 we tried the rides of Peter Pan, Snow White, and It’s a Small World (warning -that song remained in my head for the rest of the trip).
The parade and fireworks are not to be missed, even in light rain.
There was more to the party than just riding the attractions. The snow on Main Street, the cookies and hot chocolate, and the fireworks put us into the Christmas mood, even though it was over a month away. We think everyone should experience it once, and enjoy the atmosphere, don’t just try to ride the attractions.
Dad's Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party page
Wednesday was a day away from the parks (planned after a late night at the Christmas party) and included a quick visit to Downtown Disney. Dinner was at Chef Mickey’s. I enjoy buffets, and I think everyone should try one character dining experience.Thursday was the day to see Fantasmic, so we slept in, had a swim at the hotel, and arrived at Hollywood Studios around 11:30 am. It was quite busy as it was a Fantasmic day, but we walked on to Tower of Terror and saw the Indian Jones, Little Mermaid, Muppets, and Beauty and the Beast shows with minimal waits.
Toy Story Mania was out of fast passes, so like Dad says, if you want to ride it get there early! WE had dinner at the Sci-Fi Theatre. The atmosphere was great, and so were the milkshakes, but the food was so-so. The Fantasmic show itself was worth the wait, and the crowd! A great show, although the seating on benches is not the most comfortable….
Friday was foretasted to be a busier crowd day, so we arrived at MK early. We took a ride on the railroad, and once again we walked on to Splash Mountain and could have walked on to other rides as well. We did some shopping on Main Street, then took the monorail over to Epcot, where we enjoyed lunch at Chefs de France and explored the World Showcase for the afternoon. The World Showcase has many things to observe, and next time we would spend more than an afternoon there. Dinner was at The Garden Grill - quite the feast and seeing my childhood favourites of chip and Dale made me feel like a kid again.
