Seeking opinions on this touring plan. 4 adults, approx. 2.5 days. Dh & I have been to DLR 4 times the other couple are basically Disney newbies (save a distant memory childhood trip to DL.) We're all DW newbies. We only have 2.5 days to get a little feel of the world.

Check into the Swan/Dolphin around 3ish on Sat, March 15. Buy park tickets. Settle in and head to the MK. We have no great expectations there in terms of getting on specific rides and such. It will be late in the day and busy, we assume, so we won't count on fast passes or anything. We'll just take in the atmosphere, catch a ride or two, eat and plan to catch Spectro parade at either 9 or 11 p.m. and maybe the fireworks- depends on crowds. Park closes at 11 p.m. Of course dh & I are curious to compare MK and DL.

Sun, March 16, AK opens at 8 a.m. and we plan to be there shortly after 7 a.m. We will do the Safari first thing and then head to EE (or possibly send someone right off for fast passes.) After that we know for sure we'd like to do Dinosaur and catch a show (Nemo or Lion King? is that right?) Eat at the bbq place. Wander a bit. See the Tree of Life.

AK is open until 8 p.m. but I don't know if we'll want all that time? or should we attempt to head back to our hotel at some point and refresh because we have an ADR at Ohana for 8:45 p.m. Then, MK has EMH- until 2 a.m. (if the park closes at 11 p.m.?) so after Ohana dh & I are thinking go back to MK and try the EMH?

Mon, March 17: Epcot, future world opens at 9 a.m. and we'll walk over I guess from the Swan/Dolphin. We know Soarin is a priority for us... and what else at Epcot? Future World is open until 7 p.m. and the World Showcase until 9 p.m.

We've already decided that the Studio park is our least priority.

nvmom

I doubt if you'll stay at AK until 8 pm. That's fairly late. And yes,the two 'big' shows in AK are Nemo and Lion King. They're two different shows - but both musical based. Nemo is all puppets and in a traditional theater setup (look for Nemo after you sit before the show starts) - Lion King is more Theater in the Round - and has singers, acrobats, dancers - that sort of thing - as well as large floats, essentially.

You might be surprised at the fast passes available on your first day in the MK - so don't discount them. Peter Pan is unlikely - but Splash might have them still, and I HIGHLY recommend that (Splash) as something to do if you've been to DL before.

And yep, MK will be open until 2. From the sounds of it, you're getting park hoppers - so you might want to pop over into the Studios for RocknRollercoaster and Tower of Terror. It's just a short boat ride from the Swan/Dolphin boat dock (the same dock you can use to get to Epcot if you don't want to walk). TofT is a LOT different from DL's version - and the closest thing to RnR is California Screamin' -except RnR is indoor (plus you have Aerosmith in the speakers!) The only issue you may have is wait time/fastpass return time if you do it after AK, though.

For Epcot, Illuminations (at 9pm) is not to be missed (some would argue that - but if you're there - don't miss it). Test Track and Mission:Space are the other headliner attractions. I also like the Nemo ride - which is an omnimover ride (think Haunted mansion, but with Clam Mobiles, not Doom Buggies) - and they used some of the same technology as at the Nemo Subs in DL - but they project the characters into the tank with the other real fish! And in World Showcase, American Adventure is great. I also really like just going through the shops and other 'public' areas of the different countries, taking in all the themeing that went into building it.

ITA with everything Drince said. I was surprised at how different the HM was at the MK-and Philharmagic(sp?) is only at the MK-and not to be missed in my book. I'm glad you're seeing Specto-beautiful.

I liked the Studios more than I thought I would-mostly for the way the theme is carried out. RnR(great theme as opposed to Screamin') and ToT are really not to be missed if you can manage it.

AK is simply beautiful. Of the two big shows-I found Lion King to be the most "different" in terms of performance-I'd pick that one if I could only do one but would recommend doing both if you can. Dinosaur left me cold-same ride vehicles as Indy, theme is not as well played out. You'll find debate here as to whether to hit EE or Safari first thing. Our plan-get ff for EE; ride EE without fp; head to Safari-we experienced-maybe-a 5 min wait. Ride EE with fp whenever you want. I love, love, love the queue-take the time to savor it-it's really well done. I had two CM's tell me(and they didn't work on that attraction), that if they had to stand in one queue it would be EE. Flame Tree bbq is a favorite-take the path around behind the back of the building. There's seating and tables down there-and I great view of EE and the river.

Epcot-it's my favorite park. FW Mission Space, Test Track-Nemo with the clammobiles is cute and Soarin'-yeah, it's the same as DL but it's truly a highlight-I wouldn't miss it. WS-take the time to soak up how well each land is done-the theme, the performers, to a certain extent-the food. I'd highly recommend a TS here. The American pav.-fife and drum, Voices of Liberty, the show. If you're short on time, I'd even recommend picking one or two of the showcases and spending some time in them, rather than trying to get to every one-and having it all be a blur. And, yes, Illuminations is not to be missed.

Akkkk HOW could I have forgotten Voices of Liberty! They sing for 10-15 minutes before the American Adventure show and are a highlight of my trips! I'll often go in and listen to them, and skip the show. They are an A capella that sings in the routunda in 'period' costumes (I think there are actually either multiple periods, or multiple areas of the country represented in the different costumes). I think they describe themselves as singing 'Americana' music. They do different sets during the day, so I'll even go to multiple shows in the same day! It's the only place I'll voluntarily get on the floor to listen (I actually don't have issues with sitting on the floor, but with getting up gracefully - but generally the singers will help you if you need a hand!)

As far as your AK day, I strongly recommend finishing a shorter day at AK with a short hop to AKL on the buses there. One of the great things about WDW is the resorts and AKL is one of the most fun to visit. Then get dinner at Boma's it is my favorite- a buffet for those of us who don't like buffets. Full of interesting and normal stuff- something for everyone. Personally, I like that more than Ohana's (I've been to both)Visit the animal viewing places and talk to the African CMs that man them. Sit by the firepit and maybe hear a story if you are in time (the time is posted on a board to the left by a desk as you come in). All in all, there is an immersion experience to WDW that comes with the resorts that may elude you if you just concentrate on the parks-so going to the Poly is a nice touch too, but I think AKL is more interesting to visit. You can take a cab from AKL to MK if you want to do the EMH (about 20$ and quick!)

I love Nemo and Lion King- would skip the Dinosaur ride personally.

Thank you... continued thoughts welcome...

My dh is really looking forward to Ohana. :) We saw it on the Travel Channel. What is the best way to get from Swan/Dolphin to the Polynesian?

And, yes, Illuminations is not to be missed I'll have to read more on what Illuminations is? My dh is not a fan of F! and for some reason he has it in his head that Illuminations is similar (but it's not I don't think.)

Anxious to compare the HMs now...

nvmom

3 options to get to Ohana from the Swan or Dolphin for dinner:
1 - Taxi. Should be under $20 including tip
2 - Walk/boat to the International Gateway of Epcot, and walk around to the front of Epcot, get on the monorail - get off at the TTC and either switch to the resort monorail or walk to the Poly. (It's probably a little farther to Ohana from the TTC than from the Swan/Dolphin to Epcot, but my guess is it's about the same. I wouldn't walk unless it's light out (but I don't like to walk in unfamiliar areas, no matter the safety level, in the dark).
3 - Take bus from your hotel to the MK and then get on the resort monorail there to the Poly.

Option 2 also requires that you have park hopper tickets, as well as involving a lot of walking (even if you don't walk from the TTC - Ticket and Transportation Center - to Ohana)

I basically agree with everything that has been said especially:

I think Ohana is a great choice. we tried Boma, it was ok, but Ohana was amazing.

Illuminations is much different than Fantasmic. Yes, they are both pyrotecnic based shows set on water, but the music and the effects are beautiful. F! makes me smile, IllumiNations makes me cry (good tears:)) I think that a certain video sharing website has some decent clips if you want a preview.

Sounds like you have a pretty good plan for a way too short trip, and you're receiving some great advice here. My vote for getting to 'Ohana would be to bus from your resort to the MK, then hop on either a monorail or a boat that goes directly to the Poly from the MK main gate.

As to DAK, I usually see and do everything I need to by 1pm or so. I'd vote for the Nemo show if you only have time for one - a very well done show!

Do not miss the Festival of the Lion King
It is the best show in the world (Disney world)
After you see the show...you will be able to carry on intelligent conversation on Tumble Monkeys