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Ginlyn0
member
Disney trip (tips needed)
Ginlyn0
member
We have been contemplating a suprise Disney World trip for the kids on Spring Break. When DH was offered his old job back he put a condition in that he needed to be off for Spring Break. My electric company has a discout program basically for "loyalty" in which I can get discounted hotel/condo rentals. I've only used it once before when DH and I went on a trip for our 1 year anniversary to the gulf coast. I can cancel through them anytime up to 7 days prior with no penalty so I booked 4 nights at a surrounding hotel for a 2 bedroom suite with 4 queen beds for $329 (that's tax and everything). We could stay longer but since I take accelerated online classes through my brick and morter university that is finals week for the 2 classes I'm currently taking.
So potential problem one is that one of my classes only opens assignments and tests on certain days and they have to be taken on those days. I'm a little afraid of spotty wifi but I plan on finding a Starbucks nearby or will go to the hotel lobby if necessary to complete my assignments that are due that week, but the fear is still there and I can't access the situation until I'm there. Final for that class must be completed by Saturday night at 11:59. This is US History 1886 and after and I took the same professor last semester for US History prior to 1886 and the final was super easy based on prior quizzes. My other class will let me complete my assignments before I go and does not have a final only a final essay which I can finish before we leave.
Our hotel is booked from Sunday night thru Thurs night. We will most likely leave Saturday and drive and stop half-way that night in a hotel (haven't booked yet) and same goes with the way back. So we should be home by Saturday for me to do my final. The perks of going now include the fact that DS is not 3 yet so we don't have to buy him tickets.
So my next thing is how many days of tickets should we buy? 3 days or 4 days? We should get there early enough on Sunday that we could go to a park that evening or we could go on Thursday before we leave. I don't want to buy park-hopper passes because that would be outrageous. The cost of our tickets alone will be pricey. Anyone who has been before have any suggestions on which parks are a must and which are not?
I'm not really looking to go to Universal Studios because my SKs went last summer with BM. None of the kids have been to DW yet. Going to the beach for a half day or so one day might be good as well as DH has never seen the real ocean "only the Gulf".
Basically any suggestions on must sees, ect? DH has never been. Basically, I'm the only one that has and I was 7 so I barely remember the trip.
We will most likely not tell BM or BD where we are going until we are in the car on the way there. BM will be told we are going on a trip and what type of clothes she might need to help the kids pack. Our COs are so that we don't even need to tell them but we do out of courtesy. We do not plan on telling the kids until the day/day before we leave just in case something crazy comes up.
I'm super nervous about planning this. I feel like I don't know where to begin on scheduling what days we do what.
DD(14),SD(13),SS(11),SS(9),DS(3)
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Disney trip (tips needed)
If you have a smart phone you can use the "hot spot" feature (you can add to your plan if you don't have it already; temporarily for the trip) for wi fi.
Good luck it sounds fun..and AWESOME discount! I think 3 days is the perfect amount of time.
I grew up in Orlando, so anything I can do to help I'll be happy to do so!
With WIFI, it sounds like you have a Plan A and a Plan B, but I understand your concern. Maybe consider emailing/calling the hotel and explaining the situation? They might be able to make some suggestions or at least alleviate some of your concerns.
My suggestion would be to get 4-day passes. You can start with the Magic Kingdom, and then do Epcot and maybe Animal Kingdom. Then on the last day you can decide whether to go back to the Magic Kingdom or do MGM. I'll freely admit that Epcot is my favorite park (by a mile) and that I'd never agree to skip it. But I am a nerd, and it's possible it's science/history/travel theme is not for everyone.
I haven't been to MGM in a while, but it was always kind of meh for me both as a kid and an adult. They could have added something within the last few years to make it a must see, though. If you do
If you have an extra day, it only takes about an hour to get to the beach. There's Cocoa Beach, and Daytona Beach with the boardwalk, and Cape Canaveral if any of you like space stuff.
We're planning to go w/ the kids next Fall break (so Oct 2013) and I have been doing some research, too. I've read that buying Disney's food plan never makes financial sense unless you get the most expensive food all the time.
I've never been to DisneyWorld but if you are doing multiple days my advice is take a break in the middle of the day! When we go to Disneyland/California adventure for 3 days we leave around 3, take a nap go eat dinner some where else and then come back around 8. The lines are shorter at night and it isn't as warm!
And make sure the Ocean day is in between the Disney days, its a good way to relax and enjoy your vacation! Good luck with planning your trip.
And if you have a smart phone there are apps for the wait times for the lines at the parks (they are fairly accurate)
I went to Disney in Sept and had the same issue as I take classes online. I was able to get some of my professors to open assignments early and some gave me extensions until after I returned.
I would skip the hopper option like you said since you will not be there long. I would definitely go to Magic Kingdom, Disney`s Hollywood Studios, and Epcot, you could skip Animal Kingdom unless you really want to do Expedition Everest.
We had the Magic Your Way Dining plan which was one sit down meal, a counter service meal and a snack each day which is plenty of food. Whether the plan makes sense for your family is a personal choice, we loved having our meals already paid for when we got there. If you are a planner like me I HIGHLY recommend The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World and Lines which is their online chat.Also start making all your sit down meal reservations if you have not already, the start filling up 180 days in advance. I also recommend making rope drop or park opening each day if you can. This is especially important if you want to experience the new fantasyland. I am a bit of a Disney nut if you can`t tell.
We did this but we would leave hit the park for rope drop then leave around lunch time for a couple hours and come back refreshed. We stayed onsite so not sure if this would work for you but it was great to miss the worst heat of the day. The website I recommended has wait times and they have an app for your smart phone.
My advice from someone who has been to Disney World over a dozen times in the past 5 years:
-Get there when the park opens (most people sleep in and get there around lunch time)
-Leave early afternoon for a break. You get the most out of your trip when you have happy kids. Nap, relax by the pool, etc.
-If characters are important to you do a character meal or two (I recommend doing breakfast at a park before the park opens because then you're already in the park when it opens and have a bit of a "head start.") Here is a webpage that lists all the places with character meals and what characters are there: https://allears.net/din/cb.htm
-Magic Kingdom is an absolute MUST
-Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM) is great - lots of shows and you must ride Toy Story Mania - get there when the park opens and ride the ride immediately and get fast passes immediately - the fast passes run out quick.
-Animal Kingdom is basically the most amazing zoo ever. Finding Nemo - The Musical is a wonderful show and it's in a well air-conditioned building!
-EPCOT is considered the least kid-friendly. I personally love it, but it's not for everyone. If culture is something your kids are into, then go for it.
Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are probably my votes for most kid friendly. If I were you I'd plan to spend a whole day at each. I love Epcot. Hollywood Studios is probably my least favorite park.
I agree with PPs who said get into the park early and then plan for a break to eat, swim and change clothes around 2pm and then come back in the evening. The Parade of Lights at Magic Kingdom is so fun and so are the fireworks if your kids can make it that long.
Downtown Disney is an awesome place to go for souveniers. Most of the items there are less expensive than they are in the parks. They have a truly awesome Lego store too. Go at night if you get the chance.
Fast passes are a must. Collect a few at a time.
If you take a stroller, you'll have to park it. So make sure you don't plan to leave anything in it all day. Chances are it will go unattended at some point. Make sure all your stuff can be carried on you easily.
Don't wear flip flops. Lots of the rides you'll risk losing them.
I go to Disney every other year - but everyone has different opinions, so what I like might not work for you.
allears.net is a great site for info.
I would skip Animal Kingdom if you are going to skip a park - I think Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are the best for shows and dining.
Don't worry about dining plans if you aren't staying on-site, but if you plan on eating on-site try to make reservations now. I always make mine the day the reservations open (180 days in advance).
My age gap of kids is 10 yo, 4 yo and 1 yo. They have drastically different needs and wants at Disney. I always bring a stroller to get the little ones napping. We get to park first thing in the morning and DH and 10 yo go running for big ticket rides - I find the best big ticket rides for the age group of kids with me. Then DH will get fast passes for the rides he didn't get to for around 1:00 - because that is the time I usually get the little ones to sleep. Other than first thing and afternoon nap - we do everything together. But splitting up like this gives us the opportunity to provide each kid with a little of what they might want. I try to fit in shows every few hours - its a nice relaxing time. This way its not all constant go - go - go.
I also take on-line classes and I always make sure that my teacher knows what I am doing and why I might have problems. I have always had a lot of flexibility from my professors. I think they get the fact that I am a responsible (nearly 40 yo) adult with 3 kids and a full-time job, so they cut me some breaks.
Have fun! I love Disney - we are going Aug/Sept this year!