Dinner & Show

[Cottons]

Hi All,

Sorry to bother you all again but we could do with some help.

less than a month to go and we're trying (following all your advice) to put together some sort of timtable for the holiday.

1. How feasible is it to do magic kingdom the day after we arrive (night before, flying virgin). Our family is 2 adults and 4 girls aged 11 through to 3.

2. When do the fireworks start and are there any days which are best to see them (extended shows ?)

3. we would like to spend one evening at a dinner and show. we thought the pirates show would be good - has anyone been to it and would anyone recommend anything it or something better ?

the number of questions will increase as the departure time approaches and our excitement levels go through the roof - especially mine and Tracy's !

all help/advice much appreciated

regards

mark and tracy & 4 excited girlies

[titansfan]

Mark,
We went to the Arabian Nights dinner theatre a couple of years ago and enjoyed it a lot. Everyone enjoyed the show and the food was, in my opinion, better than I remember the food at Dixie Stampede being. Also unlimited beverages including beer.



Chuck

[esprit]

You will be up very early on your first day so it is very possible, though some people like to spend a day getting orientated and buying some food in etc. Fireworks are at the end of the day. Have a look at the opening hours on the website, the parks close at different times on different days.

Pirates show is supposed to be ok, havent done it myself but have spoken to people who have and little boys seem to like it. If your girls like horses you may be better off doing Dixie Stampede or Arabian Nights. Personally I think they are all pretty poor value, the food isnt very good in any of them, you are actually better off doing dinner and then a show such as Cirque du Soleil.

[andrewandcarole]

Julie is right - due to the time difference you will all be awake very early on the first morning so on the plus side you will be able to make an early start. However you will probably be flagging by the end of they day - will you make it to firework time?
Might be best to have a lazy day on day 1 - do a bit of shopping, or do one of the half day attractions such as Gatorland or the Airboat rides.

The dinner shows - we have only done Arabian Nights - and although the show was good we found the food poor. I'm sure someone else on here will give you an opinion of the others!

Have a great holiday!

Carole

[Shirley G]

I always find the first day is best to do the shopping and just relax at the villa or have a wander. By early afternoon you start getting tired as your body clock hasn't adjusted. By the next day you should be raring to go for a day at the parks.

I have only done Arabian nights and wasn't impressed. I think they are a lot of money and the food is not great. Rather spend the extra and do Cirque Du Soleil, a great show, been 3 times now well worth it.

[MarkJan]

If you are up early why not go to a park first thing, come back to the villa for a nap. You can then review how tired your party is before deciding to go back for the fireworks or not.

[Ruth]

We have often done a park on the first day and usually manage to keep going until the end so find it helps us get into "Florida time" quickly. I can't help you with the shows as we have not done any of them but it is Cirque du Soleil I really want to see as I have never heard of anyone not enjoying it

[CERICROWLEY]

Mark & Tracey

You may find the children adapt no matter what, but I guess the will flag a little towards 5/6 o'clock in the evening.

As soon as you come of the plane, if you can make it til about 9/10 o'clock that night you will stand a better chance of making through the next day a little bit better.

You will probably land about 3 o'clock in the afternoon or somewhere about there. You might be driving for a while if you haven't been before, just finding your bearing etc. Try and do a bit of shopping the day you arrive, find the local walmart as they are open 24/7, this should kill a couple of hours, if you can face it go aout for a meal that night, sometimes the buzz of the atmosphere can keep you going, as the moment you sit down in residence, you will flop for the night.

When you do get up early, and you will more than likely be about 4.00am don't get up and dressed straight way, make yourself a cup of tea or coffee with the shopping you bought the day before and sit in bed and watch tv for a while, and you might find you drop off to sleep again for a while.

Get to the park relatively early as MK is a bit of fiddle to get to, if you are driving you will have to get the tram to the bus terminus and then on the monorail, or you can take the ferry. Ther can be a bit of a backlog here.

I would also suggest you can skip a large breakfast or nothing at all, although with kids that seems impossible. Ours our now 11 and 14 but the excitement keeps them going for a while, we then give them a muffin and drink about 10/11 o'clock and then mid afternoon sit down for a meal, this can be a godsend as it gives them time to re-charge their batteries a bit and it may see you through to the parade of spectromagic at about 8.00 and wishes fireworks later, but don't hold your breath. The one show I would suggest is a must see if Fantasmic in MGM and also Reflections of Earth in Epcot, both are evening shows, so it might be a better idea to laze around for the morning and do a late evening then. rather than a full day, with little mites.

[dawn]

We find our children are usually up and desperate to see Mickey and friends on day 1 by 5am[msneek], so we 'hit' Magic Kingdom as soon as it opens. By lunchtime we are all ready to get back to the villa for a swim and rest, and play the rest of the day by ear. As Ruth says it is a good way of adjusting to local time.

[GrahamC]

If it is your first trip you will have to do MK on your first day, or you weillnever be forgiven.

The first trick is to stay awake as long as you can when you arrive anything after 10pm is a bonus. You will still be up early the next morning, but will adjust faster.

I would suggest that you use the ferry to get there as the view as you approach Disney is Magic.