50th Bday Wknd - Quick Trip

[TeaPartyof5]

Hi!

Trying to plan a quick trip to AK for my July 9 bday - the one park our family of 5 including 3 teen guys has not yet visited. We can drive there in about 7 hours.

Main Q's....

• should we stay on property? We've only done that once when we were TeaPartyof2! We don't mind staying off site, but it seems more special to be right there...
• should we consider adding a day to do Studios (it's been 9 years since our only visit there)
• as the only "girl" in the family, I would love to include tea at the GF, but the timing may not work

How could we make it all fit, or should we?

The initial plan was:
Fri: leave work a bit early on Fri and drive/check-in for the night
Sat: AK - happy birthday to me!
Sun: check-out as late as possible and drive home

We could leave Thursday and do a park on Fri and Sat.

Doesn't really seem like there is time for tea... any other fun "celebratory" type suggestions?

Sorta a hodge podge of thoughts... I apologize. If we are going to do this, I realized I probably need to book a few things. Thanks in advance!

 

[tstidm1]

Have you thought about not doing a park with that short of a trip? Maybe an evening at Yachtsman Steakhouse or Victoria's And Albert's for your husband and yourself. Another idea is to do a tour such as Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom. If your family is big Star wars fans, I would add the day and do DHS. There are a few less things there now than there use to be, so I would visit another park if I had another day there.

 

[johnsgrl]

With that short of a trip I would certainly stay on site, less traffic and you will need the 60 day FP+ booking if you really want to hit the headliners! We are doing a quick trip for Memorial Day weekend since we just recently moved and are an 8 hour drive away. We are leaving at 0-dark-30 on Saturday morning, checking in to Shades of Green and heading to two parks on Saturday, up early and another 2 on Sunday, Monday (memorial day) we will visit a park TBD for a few hours and make the drive home. Yes, it will be hectic. Yes, we will be tired and yes, we're nuts! And FYI, we are slightly older than you are! I doubt the teen guys would have the slightest interest in a formal tea, but you could certainly plan a special meal for your birthday. Just know you will be exhausted for a few days after but it is totally do-able.

 

[Skywise]

if your budget can handle it - Leave Thursday and stay at the GF. Spend one day at the resort to do the tea in the afternoon (and force your family to come along... it's YOUR birthday after all!) (and/or go to the studios in the evening). Then do AK the next day.

Or just spend one day at the GF.

 

[cgattis]

I would definitely take the extra day with an 8-hour drive. I would stay at AKL; I like going all-in to a theme (which is why we rarely park hop). I can't go to Disney and NOT go to MK, so that's what I'd do with my other park day. But if you really want to do HS, I'd do it in half a day and spend the rest of the day enjoying the resort. I'd do Boma for either breakfast or dinner that day, depending on which half of the day I did the park. I personally wouldn't enjoy doing tea alone. I'd recommend a fireworks cruise instead--we did that for my 40th (I mean, 29th!!!) and LOVED it. Whatever you choose, have a great birthday trip

 

[TeaPartyof5]

Great thoughts, all! Thank you.

LOVE the idea of a safari trek or fireworks cruise instead of tea.

Budget is more in line with AKL than GF.

Don't think I could bear to pay for a park and only go 1/2 day... and if we stay on site, maybe it would be worth it to get there right at check-in to maximize the first evening with a nice dinner as suggested. And similarly, check-out as late as possible on Sunday, therefore making the most of the one park day at AK.

Also good to know about the 60 day FB booking.... yikes! I know someone who is a Disney trip advisor-- would using her services be wise? I know she would save me time and give good advice... but is it cheaper to plan it myself?

 

[tstidm1]

Also good to know about the 60 day FB booking.... yikes! I know someone who is a Disney trip advisor-- would using her services be wise? I know she would save me time and give good advice... but is it cheaper to plan it myself?

They can help you through the myriad of choices and probably get you a discount on the room part of the trip. If the Disney Travel Agent charges you any fee, then you shouldn't go through them. Disney pays their travel agents commission for booking at their resorts, never should it be you.

 

[lovethattink]

Hi!

Trying to plan a quick trip to AK for my July 9 bday - the one park our family of 5 including 3 teen guys has not yet visited. We can drive there in about 7 hours.

Main Q's....

• should we stay on property? We've only done that once when we were TeaPartyof2! We don't mind staying off site, but it seems more special to be right there...
• should we consider adding a day to do Studios (it's been 9 years since our only visit there)
• as the only "girl" in the family, I would love to include tea at the GF, but the timing may not work

How could we make it all fit, or should we?

The initial plan was:
Fri: leave work a bit early on Fri and drive/check-in for the night
Sat: AK - happy birthday to me!
Sun: check-out as late as possible and drive home

We could leave Thursday and do a park on Fri and Sat.

Doesn't really seem like there is time for tea... any other fun "celebratory" type suggestions?

Sorta a hodge podge of thoughts... I apologize. If we are going to do this, I realized I probably need to book a few things. Thanks in advance!

Welcome to the DIS!

We just did a 2 night mini-trip. We only had one park day.

You could do DHS on check out day if you check out early and head to the park. Or late check out and go to the tea?

 

[TeaPartyof5]

Just saw the Trek prices.... the GF Tea isn't looking so expensive now!