Our first full day will be spent at the Magic Kingdom........a "no-brainer" right? When we plan, we have ideas about what we want to do in each park and for this trip our Magic Kingdom plan focuses around the "New Fantasy Land". So here's the stream of consciousness.
We highlighted "Two" must do's for the Magic Kingdom...........dinner at "Be Our Guest" and at least 1 and hopefully more rides on the "7 Dwarfs Mine rollercoaster". We do have several other rides we do always enjoy, those being "Space Mountain" and "Splash Mountain"
You'll note the 3 rides we've mentioned are all very popular rides. We're fortunate in that we are visiting during a lighter time of the year but we also plan on using the FastPass+ system to schedule our ride times for each of them...........all during the morning. Yes I'm a bit of a control freak.
Because of our dinner plans being focused on "Be our Guest" and our penchant for early rising. We've decided to make the afternoon our first "Rest by the Pool" afternoon. So after lunch we plan on visiting the Pool at the Wilderness Lodge.
Ok, I've thrown a bunch out there as to what we want to get to on Day 2..............now let's put some structure to this mess.
Make Breakfast and adventure?
Donna and I are early risers, so after our cup of coffee (...or 2) on our balcony, we need breakfast for the energy we'll need to get through our day! What a better way to begin our first "FULL" day than breakfast with "GOOFY".............
How about breakfast at the Contemporary resort at Chef Mickey's......with Mickey and "my dog" Goofy, yes that's perfect. So our plan is for a 7am breakfast reservation at Chef Mickey's. Early huh? This will mean catching a "boat",( adventure #1), to get to the Contemporary from our hotel.
We like to make our trip to each park/event interesting. The timing is early but allows us to be at the first sitting (I think) and take our time with breakfast...........and of course get pictures with all the characters (most of all GOOFY!). Once breakfast is finished our plan is to "walk" to the Magic Kingdom"...adventure #2. We're hoping for a beautiful morning stroll.........we'll see.
Taking in Main Street
We're looking to be on Main Street around 8:15/8:30am. We do this so we can relax and just take in all that the Magic Kingdom has to offer. Those who have visited the MK know exactly what I'm talking about. If this is your first visit, take your time. Stop in a store, get pictures of the castle, and get a picture in front of the Walt and Mickey statue. Its a special moment when you first enter the Magic Kingdom.
We stopped in front of Town Hall during our last visit for a photo with the Goofy sculpture and the plan is to do that again. A family tradition is born!
Making the most of our morning
Strolling down Main Street we try (and it isn't easy) to not do any shopping because we want to get to our first planned ride ............Space Mountain.
Our plan is to go from Tomorrowland ...........through to Fantasyland...........and then Fontierland......all in the morning. That means a primary ride plan of (1) Space Mountain (FastPass+ for 9:15am); (2) 7 Dwarf's Mine Train (FastPass+ 10:30am); (3) Splash Mountain (FastPass+ 11:30). This is a plan based on what we believe we'll be able to schedule in advance (We hope?). Remember flexibility is going to be key. Another thing to keep in mind we do expect there to be time for other rides. We have 3 we really want but there are other favorites. I would imagine we'll find time for the, Haunted Mansion, It's a Small World, and Big Thunder Mountain..........it's a plan no need to schedule "every" minute of the journey......right! Oh yeah need to get a picture with Chip & Dale for Donna, they're two of her favorites.
Lunch and the "pool time"!!
By lunch time we've been up for about 6 hours........already a long day. So how about lunch and then back to the WL for some rest and pool time...........then back to the MK for dinner at "Be our Guest"? Yeah that's a plan.
To show how this process is fluid, our thought called for us to lunch at the WL. However, in doing some reading Donna found that the Liberty Tree Tavern serves a nice lunch.............so "CHANGE in PLAN"..........now we're looking to have lunch reservations at the LTT between 12:15/12:30. Once lunch is done its back to the WL, which means a boat ride! Remember make it fun! The WL looks to have a very nice pool area along with other activities that we can take in. We're truly looking forward to viewing the "Fire Rock Geyser" and yes just resting.
For those who are a bit older and those with children a mid-day break is a great way to extend your day and setup for an eventful evening.
Come "Be Our Guest"..........
Now that we're rested we're ready to have our dinner at "Be Our Guest".
One thing we have planned is taking the boat from the WL to the MK and then getting on the "Walt Disney World Railroad" at the entrance to Main Street. From there it's a train ride to the station at Fantasyland. Just another way to get to where you want to go. Then it's a short walk to the Beast's Castle.
I must say I'm not a huge fan of French cuisine(the food style here), but we've heard and read some good reviews. The true reason for this dinner location is the setting. Everything you see and read about this dinner location is it's "Disney Magic" at its best. Our plan will be to get a reservation for 6:45 or so.........that way we can eat dinner and be done and out by fireworks time. BTW, while we're here we're also looking to have our picture taken with "The Beast"!
Final Thoughts on our day at the Magic Kingdom
This plan is pretty detailed but not so much that it can't be altered. The alterations will come more than likely around the food! We're pretty set on our meal reservations. The FastPass+ selections are also more solid, although the times may change.
The weather is the big wild card. You always want beautiful clear skies, sunshine, and warmth. However Florida is notorious for quick hitting thunder storms. Rain won't stop us but it could change our pool time into inside time......or perhaps Downtown Disney time. See the thought process is there..........it's all about flexibility. There are always choices.
Another variable is the viewing of the fireworks. Since we'll be in Fantasyland as they start we have several ride options that could make viewing them quite interesting. Its comes down to a choice of "going left" towards Frontierland.........or "going right" towards Tomorrowland. If you go left, wouldn't it be fun to see the fireworks from the top of "Splash Mountain"? If you go right your view could be from high atop the "Astro Orbiter". Or........it could be something else too?
That's the fun of it, there are so many options.
Next up is a morning at Hollywood Blvd and dinner in the sky!
We highlighted "Two" must do's for the Magic Kingdom...........dinner at "Be Our Guest" and at least 1 and hopefully more rides on the "7 Dwarfs Mine rollercoaster". We do have several other rides we do always enjoy, those being "Space Mountain" and "Splash Mountain"
You'll note the 3 rides we've mentioned are all very popular rides. We're fortunate in that we are visiting during a lighter time of the year but we also plan on using the FastPass+ system to schedule our ride times for each of them...........all during the morning. Yes I'm a bit of a control freak.
Because of our dinner plans being focused on "Be our Guest" and our penchant for early rising. We've decided to make the afternoon our first "Rest by the Pool" afternoon. So after lunch we plan on visiting the Pool at the Wilderness Lodge.
Ok, I've thrown a bunch out there as to what we want to get to on Day 2..............now let's put some structure to this mess.
Make Breakfast and adventure?
Donna and I are early risers, so after our cup of coffee (...or 2) on our balcony, we need breakfast for the energy we'll need to get through our day! What a better way to begin our first "FULL" day than breakfast with "GOOFY".............
How about breakfast at the Contemporary resort at Chef Mickey's......with Mickey and "my dog" Goofy, yes that's perfect. So our plan is for a 7am breakfast reservation at Chef Mickey's. Early huh? This will mean catching a "boat",( adventure #1), to get to the Contemporary from our hotel.
We like to make our trip to each park/event interesting. The timing is early but allows us to be at the first sitting (I think) and take our time with breakfast...........and of course get pictures with all the characters (most of all GOOFY!). Once breakfast is finished our plan is to "walk" to the Magic Kingdom"...adventure #2. We're hoping for a beautiful morning stroll.........we'll see.
Taking in Main Street
We're looking to be on Main Street around 8:15/8:30am. We do this so we can relax and just take in all that the Magic Kingdom has to offer. Those who have visited the MK know exactly what I'm talking about. If this is your first visit, take your time. Stop in a store, get pictures of the castle, and get a picture in front of the Walt and Mickey statue. Its a special moment when you first enter the Magic Kingdom.
We stopped in front of Town Hall during our last visit for a photo with the Goofy sculpture and the plan is to do that again. A family tradition is born!
Making the most of our morning
Strolling down Main Street we try (and it isn't easy) to not do any shopping because we want to get to our first planned ride ............Space Mountain.
Our plan is to go from Tomorrowland ...........through to Fantasyland...........and then Fontierland......all in the morning. That means a primary ride plan of (1) Space Mountain (FastPass+ for 9:15am); (2) 7 Dwarf's Mine Train (FastPass+ 10:30am); (3) Splash Mountain (FastPass+ 11:30). This is a plan based on what we believe we'll be able to schedule in advance (We hope?). Remember flexibility is going to be key. Another thing to keep in mind we do expect there to be time for other rides. We have 3 we really want but there are other favorites. I would imagine we'll find time for the, Haunted Mansion, It's a Small World, and Big Thunder Mountain..........it's a plan no need to schedule "every" minute of the journey......right! Oh yeah need to get a picture with Chip & Dale for Donna, they're two of her favorites.
Lunch and the "pool time"!!
By lunch time we've been up for about 6 hours........already a long day. So how about lunch and then back to the WL for some rest and pool time...........then back to the MK for dinner at "Be our Guest"? Yeah that's a plan.
To show how this process is fluid, our thought called for us to lunch at the WL. However, in doing some reading Donna found that the Liberty Tree Tavern serves a nice lunch.............so "CHANGE in PLAN"..........now we're looking to have lunch reservations at the LTT between 12:15/12:30. Once lunch is done its back to the WL, which means a boat ride! Remember make it fun! The WL looks to have a very nice pool area along with other activities that we can take in. We're truly looking forward to viewing the "Fire Rock Geyser" and yes just resting.
For those who are a bit older and those with children a mid-day break is a great way to extend your day and setup for an eventful evening.
Come "Be Our Guest"..........
Now that we're rested we're ready to have our dinner at "Be Our Guest".
One thing we have planned is taking the boat from the WL to the MK and then getting on the "Walt Disney World Railroad" at the entrance to Main Street. From there it's a train ride to the station at Fantasyland. Just another way to get to where you want to go. Then it's a short walk to the Beast's Castle.
I must say I'm not a huge fan of French cuisine(the food style here), but we've heard and read some good reviews. The true reason for this dinner location is the setting. Everything you see and read about this dinner location is it's "Disney Magic" at its best. Our plan will be to get a reservation for 6:45 or so.........that way we can eat dinner and be done and out by fireworks time. BTW, while we're here we're also looking to have our picture taken with "The Beast"!
Final Thoughts on our day at the Magic Kingdom
This plan is pretty detailed but not so much that it can't be altered. The alterations will come more than likely around the food! We're pretty set on our meal reservations. The FastPass+ selections are also more solid, although the times may change.
The weather is the big wild card. You always want beautiful clear skies, sunshine, and warmth. However Florida is notorious for quick hitting thunder storms. Rain won't stop us but it could change our pool time into inside time......or perhaps Downtown Disney time. See the thought process is there..........it's all about flexibility. There are always choices.
Another variable is the viewing of the fireworks. Since we'll be in Fantasyland as they start we have several ride options that could make viewing them quite interesting. Its comes down to a choice of "going left" towards Frontierland.........or "going right" towards Tomorrowland. If you go left, wouldn't it be fun to see the fireworks from the top of "Splash Mountain"? If you go right your view could be from high atop the "Astro Orbiter". Or........it could be something else too?
That's the fun of it, there are so many options.
Next up is a morning at Hollywood Blvd and dinner in the sky!