Everything looks good to me! We're taking advantage of the Armed Forces Salute quite a bit this year as well.
Photopass+ is really a personal decision. We're not doing it this year, because I don't think we'd get our money's worth since we're traveling with a toddler who won't be able to ride many of the attractions that have ride photos. Also, the character meals that actually take pictures of you with the characters already have the photo package included.
We'll get plenty of photos together with regular photopass and even that is a steep cost. I'm only doing it because I think we have the potential of getting some really fantastic character interaction this time around with our 2 year old.
Travel time varies. I LOVE Disney transportation, but others don't. I hate driving, so the stress of dealing with the parking lots would get to me more than being crammed on a bus with tons of people.
I guess they changed their system recently, so maybe that will be a factor, but I've always found Disney transportation to be perfectly adequate for our needs. We've very rarely waited longer than 20 minutes for a bus, and that was usually after park closing when we'd have to wait for a second bus because one filled up. The actual rides usually take 10-15 minutes (which is the same for if you had driven) and they drop you off right outside the park entrance. This is especially useful for the Magic Kingdom where the parking lot is across the lake and requires a monorail or ferry ride.
It seems to bother a lot of people that the buses make multiple stops within a resort or at other resorts. It doesn't bother me. We're only renting a car for our Universal day.
Well this is my first DisneyWorld trip as well so I can't give you specific advice on the parks but heres what I can tell you -
1. Go to your MWR office to get your tickets ($153 no tax) - This deal can't be beat. And if you are stationed near disney you can even apply the cost of your ticket to upgrade to an annual pass!
2. If your 2 year old is a princess fan (and what little girl isnt?) take advantage of the "Magic Morning" passes you get when you stay in a disney hotel. The park will open an hour early and everyone will flock to the big rides leaving Storybook land mostly deserted. Take your daughter here during this time and she may get some special attention from a Disney Princess! When we took my niece during magic morning (disneyland), no one was there so Snow White held her hand and waited in line with her to get on a ride. She still talks about it 3 years later. MAGICAL.
3. If you want to see more of orlando than just DisneyWorld, remember that Seaworld offers FREE tickets to military. Make sure you ask your MWR representative on how to obtain them.
4. Make sure you stop by the guest services when you go into the park and inform them it is your first visit. They will congratulate you and give you all free keepsake oversized buttons to wear. Great free souvenir.
5. If you have the extra leave days available, you can try to catch a Space "A" flight to save a TON of money (flights cost about 20 bucks a person) but its very hit and miss and flight schedules are only posted 72 hours in advance.
6. Shades of Green resort. If you are on a budget, Shades of Green is considered a "disney resort" and is located on the disney property. You get the magic morning benefit and everything but its a completely military only hotel. E-5 paygrade and below only pay $95 a night!
I hope this helps! Just remember that your MWR represenatives are worth their weight in gold! They can sell you your special discount tickets, they are travel agents so they can book your room and airfare (check prices and deals and tell them what you found, they might be able to get it cheaper) and most of them are military spouses who have wonderful advice!
1. These tickets are a great deal, but they do limit the amount of time you'll have in the parks to 4 days. If you can manage a longer trip, it may be better to plan on more time in the parks for your first time. It should be plenty of time to get a taste of each park though, and there are plenty of people who do less time at Disney for their first time.
2. Be careful with Extra Magic Hours. In and of themselves they're usually fairly uncrowded, but the crowds start building as soon as they're over or before they start in the case of the evening ones. This can increase the lines significantly. Also, not every attraction is open. I actually don't know if the character meet & greets are open. They're not on any of the lists I've seen. Someone else may know better though? We usually skip extra magic hours, because I can't convince DH to wake up quite that early on vacation.
Getting to the parks by the time they open definitely reduces wait times though.
3. Universal is also running a promotion this year in which the service member gets a free 3-day, 2 park ticket (must be picked up at MWR by March 31st and used by June 30th). We're flushing out our trip this year with a trip to Universal, since it cuts down our costs a bit.
4. My DH loves wearing buttons. You can also get them for any other celebration you may be celebrating: Birthday, Anniversary etc.
5. This depends on when you're traveling, and where you're traveling from. Also, there's no base in Florida that would actually be very convenient, and you run the risk of having to purchase last minute airfare. I wouldn't recommend it for a first trip, because there are too many variables.
6. Definitely a good option for those on a budget, but price both options. With the discount being as good as it is right now, it can be as inexpensive to stay at an actual Disney resort depending on a rank. I'm also not convinced that the transportation from Shades of Green is convenient enough for us, and you have to pay to park at the parks if you drive.
My Husband is active duty Air Force and we are planing a trip with our 2 year old daughter. This will be our first time to Disney World as well as our first family vacation. Family of 3; My Husband and I as well as our 2 year old. Any advice is greatly appreciated. I will look into getting the tickets on base I believe they are 153 each cheaper than the site if I am correct. I will have to see on that and as for the rooms I will go on the site like you said you booked your room and fish for some good deals there and elsewhere. I'm really looking into that Cinderella dinner,looks interesting and my daughter is a huge fan especially myself lol But I would greatly appreciate all the help I could get if you don't mind. Thank you so much again and god bless!
