Advice for short trip with new timers

[Isabelle12345]

hi, we are going to Disney World for 4 days in April for Springtime surprise weekend. We will be travelling as a party of 12. This includes my family of four who are seasoned Disney goers and my family in law, including 4 people who have done each park once, and a group of 4 who have never been to Disney.
We will be doing the expo on Thursday, 5k race on Friday morning (very early!). We are doing a split stay, two nights at Boardwalk and two nights of the Polynesian with our DVC points. We also want time to enjoy the resorts.

I am wondering about the type of park tickets we should get, and have come down to two options.
- option A: two days, one park per day tickets where we would go to Epcot on the Friday after the race and Magic Kingdom on Sunday (resort switch is on Saturday).
- option B: one-day park hopper plus ticket; we would do to a waterpark after the race and then a three park on Saturday (doing Hollywood Studios in the morning then going by Skyliner to Epcot for a few hours around lunchtime, then transferring to the Polynesian by the monorail and finishing the night at Magic Kingdom)

any thoughts on what would be the best option it would be about $100 less per person to do the waterpark and park hopper option, but I don’t know if it would be enough park time for first timers ???
Any input would be appreciated!

 

[fla4fun]

hi, we are going to Disney World for 4 days in April for Springtime surprise weekend. We will be travelling as a party of 12. This includes my family of four who are seasoned Disney goers and my family in law, including 4 people who have done each park once, and a group of 4 who have never been to Disney.
We will be doing the expo on Thursday, 5k race on Friday morning (very early!). We are doing a split stay, two nights at Boardwalk and two nights of the Polynesian with our DVC points. We also want time to enjoy the resorts.

I am wondering about the type of park tickets we should get, and have come down to two options.
- option A: two days, one park per day tickets where we would go to Epcot on the Friday after the race and Magic Kingdom on Sunday (resort switch is on Saturday).
- option B: one-day park hopper plus ticket; we would do to a waterpark after the race and then a three park on Saturday (doing Hollywood Studios in the morning then going by Skyliner to Epcot for a few hours around lunchtime, then transferring to the Polynesian by the monorail and finishing the night at Magic Kingdom)

any thoughts on what would be the best option it would be about $100 less per person to do the waterpark and park hopper option, but I don’t know if it would be enough park time for first timers ???
Any input would be appreciated!

Perhaps ask the first time visitors?

I would lean towards option B, as it gives a good sampling of what Disney has to offer. However, I don’t know your travel party well enough to know whether they would prefer a more in depth experience at two parks vs a sampling of four. So I would just ask them which they prefer and go from there.

 

[robinb]

I think that trying to herd 12 cats friends/family at WDW, with 4 of them being newbies, will be a challenge. I think the 2-Day base pass is better because the time in each park is longer and parts of your crew can break off and do their own thing. I also think that your alternative plan to do your 1-Day PH Plus on Saturday, your move day, may be problematic. You will be "homeless" from the second you leave BWV until late in the afternoon when your villa at the Polynesian will be ready. We DVCers all know that villas are rarely available early and you may have folks who want to go back to the villa and rest in the afternoon instead of slogging through and they'll have no where to go.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Personally, I would not try to do 3 parks in one day with people who have never been to Disney before, even more so with a group of 12 people. Leading a group of 12 is a feat in itself!

There is so much to see and do in each park that they may see things they want to do or explore but they'll be hurried on to the next park or resort. Would not be my personal choice for newbies. Take time in a couple of parks and thoroughly enjoy them. Option A would be my choice.

 

[HeiHei2018]

Consider the ages and interest of your group. Older adults may enjoy a leisurely day at Epcot. Thrill-lovers may enjoy racing through one wild day. Little ones would probably do better with slower pace and time to meet characters. I don’t think I would do a three-park day as a Disney first impression, but your group might like the frenetic pace.

 

[clh2]

I cannot imagine trying to do 3 parks in one day. Option B would be a no-go for me.

 

[Isabelle12345]

Thank you all for your replies
I have asked them and they are looking into it but I wanted to get other perspectives.
I am also leaning towards option A, I think that would be the least stressful.
And 12 people is not stressful, I have managed a group of 15 a few years ago (and the kids were 4 years younger so it was even harder!)
I think they all have very reasonable expectations and will be happy to do anything I suggest honestly
Thanks all for taking the time to provide feedback on my plans!
Will update when they / we make a decision