Time to plan another trip-
I need to know if I am insane for planning so much for this trip, and suggestions will be much appreciated!
Background- couple celebrating 20th anniversary- active, but not super athletic. Like out doors, then comfort @ night.
Leave May 10 Newark -Anchorage- Night Anchorage
May 11 Anchorage- Seward-night Seward
May 12 Kenai Fjords NP-night Seward
May 13 Travel to Homer- night Homer
May 15 Emerald air ( if bears about) night Homer
May 15 Back up Emerald air- night Homer-Homer is very appealing to us
May 16 Travel to Girdwood- Portage Glacier, Aleskya Hotel
May 17 PWS ferry to Valdez- night Valdez
May 18 explore Valdez- drive to Copper Center- night Copper center
May 19 Wrangell-Elias N.P- overnight Kennicot
May 20 Explore park- back to night Copper Center
May 21 Richardson Hgway to Denali- overnight Denali
May 22 Park- overnight Denali
May 23- Talkeetna- McKinley Flight Seeing-night Talkeetna
MAy 24- Back to Anchorage- 5:10 flight back to Newark..........

thanks to all in advance.

I have been to most of your destinations and they are all wonderful and it sounds like a good itinerary. My only word of caution is to make sure that you have some "down time". Part of the beauty of Alaska is just to quietly enjoy the surroundings. Don't pack so much in that you miss the experience.

The ferry doesn't run every day during the period that you will be there. Check the state's DOT web page for schedule of Ferry to Valdez: www.dot.state.ak.us. It is a very long trip to Denali from the Copper center, roughly 6 hours with non stop traveling. Personally I would not use most of my time traveling to Valdez. Instead I would do the Glacier tour in Whittier on the way up to Girdwood. Make a stop at the wildlife rescue across the road from the entrance for the glacier tour from Whittier, great place to see native Alaskan wildlif up close and personal. p.s. they have the cheapest Alaskan gifts that I saw anywhere in Alaska and the proceeds are used for the animals welfare. From Girdwood you could make Denali in 4 to 5 hours. You could stop in Talkeetna on the way up to break up the traveling time. Just an FYI, you don't want to be heading south of Anchorage on Memorial Day weekend as that is the beginning of weekend Salmon fishing.

I think this is too packed an itinerary.

I would add at least another 2 days between Valdez and Denali Park. You have no time in Valdez which is worth it, in my opinion. The boat tours are excellent if of interest. You also, are NOT doing anything in Denali Park?? Again, you need at least another full day there, and get yourself on the Toklat Shuttle, as far as you can get in your early timeframe. Otherwise, I would skip this area and rearrange time elsewhere.

Thanks Egret for your comments. We are not planning out each day, , allowing chill out time!
Bdwak- i have heard that Richardson Hgwy was spectacular, that is why I planned this- also really was looking forward to the PWS FERRY- The schedule for May is not yet posted....
Budget Queen- We have flexiblity in the schedule- 1 night Valdez- 3 nights Copper center- not sure we can get into Wrangell Elias NP, maybe too early. Do you suggest we change those 4 nights and not do the park? What do you suggest? Also we have 2 nights in Denali- at least one whole day.....

Overall, do we need to reserve up front? Or can we wing it ? Opinions, Thanks!

Yes you are too early for Kennicott/McCarthy, but for fly overs etc, no.

What are you referring to "wing it"??? Lodging, tours etc??

Have you considered using Northern Lights or Toursaver coupon books?
Can offer significant savings.

I like staying in B&Bs, so with the very limited number of rooms available, I always reserve ahead.

Necessary will be to have THE MILEPOST and listings of lodgings. Alaska isn't like other areas where there are roadside stip motels. You can go miles and miles and miles of nothing.