1 day 1 night

[burntpretzels]

We are going on a cruise and would like to spend 1 day/night at WDW before leaving on the cruise. Can anyone give me tips about the cheapest place to stay on site and get the most out of the short trip? We are a family of 4 with 2 teens. This is our last chance to take the kids to Disney before she leaves for college and we want to have fun as a family. My son has a disability so we are not interested in big roller coasters or thrill type rides, just the classic rides.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

Value or DTD Hilton also offers EMH.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[happymommy]

I'd focus on just one park first. You don't want to run yourselves ragged the day before your cruise!

With two teens, will they plan on sharing a bed, and a room with you?

You will definitely get more bang for your buck somewhere like a Downtown Disney hotel - maybe even the Doubletree so you can have the extra space (two beds plus the sofa sleeper). They have good transportation to the parks too.

Are you arriving in Orlando the day before the cruise? That's what we did, but we just went to Cocoa Beach, checked into our hotel, did a quick run to the store for things to bring onboard (Grey Goose vodka, wine, bottled water LOL), then had a nice dinner and relaxed. No way we could have done a park day. We got to the cruise terminal by 9AM. We were too excited to get on the Disney Magic!

 

[dpswift]

If it were me I would stay at a value resort and only go to the Magic Kingdom. The classic rides are there. There is plenty to do without the thrill rides.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

If it were me I would stay at a value resort and only go to the Magic Kingdom. The classic rides are there. There is plenty to do without the thrill rides.

I agree. Then you could use ME so you don't have to deal with a rental car. If you want more space than the avg value room AS Music has family suites IIRC.
If you have an early flight you can easily be in MK before noon(unless you're out west.) Sure, you'll be tired but boarding doesn't start on the ship until around noon so unless you want to sit around the terminal for hours you don't have to get up super early.

 

[Marionnette]

We are going on a cruise and would like to spend 1 day/night at WDW before leaving on the cruise. Can anyone give me tips about the cheapest place to stay on site and get the most out of the short trip? We are a family of 4 with 2 teens. This is our last chance to take the kids to Disney before she leaves for college and we want to have fun as a family. My son has a disability so we are not interested in big roller coasters or thrill type rides, just the classic rides.

"Cheap" is a relative term but if you're looking for the least expensive rooms, those would be at the Value Resorts (ASMo, ASMu, ASSp, POP and AoA). However, they are also the most remote when it comes to park access. That means that you will spend more time on Disney transportation than if you were staying at a resort that is on the monorail or within walking distance of Epcot. If your son has mobility issues and uses a wheelchair or ECV, that could make your wait for transportation even longer, given that buses can only accommodate a few of those assistance devices at one time.

If you want to be able to squeeze as much out of your $100/person that you will pay for single-day tickets, I recommend that you go for broke and spend more for your resort room. Get the best possible discount that you can find for a monorail or Epcot resort and stay there for your one night. CR Garden Wing rooms are the biggest bargain for your Deluxe dollar. Renting DVC points for a studio at BLT, VGF, BCV or BWV can also be an affordable way to stay deluxe for one night.

I would also choose whichever park has the latest hours your visit. It would really bite to pay for a day at MK only to learn that there's an early closing due to a hard-ticket party or private event.

Arrive at the park as early as possible and plan to leave at closing if your family can tolerate it. Choose counter service meals instead of table service. You'll save time and money. You'll get plenty of table service dining on your cruise.

Go with a "plan of attack" so that you can get as much in as possible. Visit the touring plans websites to learn which attractions are being rehabbed so that you don't end up trekking over to BTMRR (or whatever attraction you want) only to learn that it's down.

Download the My Disney Experience app to your smartphone so that you can check wait times and FP return times (if Disney is still using the old FP system when you go).

Learn about Magic Bands and FP+. If your resort participates, you will be able to choose 3 Fastpasses in advance as long as you have tickets linked to your reservation.

Read up about the changes to GACs (replaced by a program called DAS) which went into effect earlier this month. It will make your visit go smoother if you know what kind of accommodations to expect for your son's disability. Being informed now will save you time later.

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

"Cheap" is a relative term but if you're looking for the least expensive rooms, those would be at the Value Resorts (ASMo, ASMu, ASSp, POP and AoA). However, they are also the most remote when it comes to park access. That means that you will spend more time on Disney transportation than if you were staying at a resort that is on the monorail or within walking distance of Epcot. If your son has mobility issues and uses a wheelchair or ECV, that could make your wait for transportation even longer, given that buses can only accommodate a few of those assistance devices at one time.

If you want to be able to squeeze as much out of your $100/person that you will pay for single-day tickets, I recommend that you go for broke and spend more for your resort room. Get the best possible discount that you can find for a monorail or Epcot resort and stay there for your one night. CR Garden Wing rooms are the biggest bargain for your Deluxe dollar. Renting DVC points for a studio at BLT, VGF, BCV or BWV can also be an affordable way to stay deluxe for one night.

I would also choose whichever park has the latest hours your visit. It would really bite to pay for a day at MK only to learn that there's an early closing due to a hard-ticket party or private event.

Arrive at the park as early as possible and plan to leave at closing if your family can tolerate it. Choose counter service meals instead of table service. You'll save time and money. You'll get plenty of table service dining on your cruise.

Go with a "plan of attack" so that you can get as much in as possible. Visit the touring plans websites to learn which attractions are being rehabbed so that you don't end up trekking over to BTMRR (or whatever attraction you want) only to learn that it's down.

Download the My Disney Experience app to your smartphone so that you can check wait times and FP return times (if Disney is still using the old FP system when you go).

Learn about Magic Bands and FP+. If your resort participates, you will be able to choose 3 Fastpasses in advance as long as you have tickets linked to your reservation.

Read up about the changes to GACs (replaced by a program called DAS) which went into effect earlier this month. It will make your visit go smoother if you know what kind of accommodations to expect for your son's disability. Being informed now will save you time later.

Excellent advice & very well stated.