Any advice?

[texhanddoc]

This is reposted from Theme Parks and Strats since no one responded....


My wife and I are big planners. We normally visit in December and October and have a year to plan. Right now, we have a wild hair to surprise the kids with a disney trip the day that school ends. We would pick up the kids from school and proceed immediately to the airport. We would go June 3 to 8th or so.

My questions are:

1. Has anyone done anything like this and what were your experiences?

2. I realized it will be crowded, but is it managable if you plan?

3. With regard to gay week, if we avoid the actually gay week parks, do we avoid those crowds?

My son is crazy for Star Wars and I think he would really like SW weekends.

Any thoughts?

 

[TakeMe2Disney]

I'm going to try and answer with some personal experience what my husband has told me (he's been going to the world twice a year since he was conceived!)

1. Has anyone done anything like this and what were your experiences? His parents did something similar one year and he said it was one of the best because he thought his mom had signed him up for a week of bowling camp instead I've seen some other disers post that they surprised their kids and I have yet to see a story end unhappily.

2. I realized it will be crowded, but is it managable if you plan? Any time of year can be managable with a plan that has flexibility built in. We went this past Christmas and New Years and the crowds were the worst we'd ever encountered. However, we stayed calm and patient and used fast passes like it was our job!

3. With regard to gay week, if we avoid the actually gay week parks, do we avoid those crowds? According to my husband, yes for the most part. Again, we've seen it crowded to compacity, so I would think going to one of the other parks would probably help avoid heavy crowds. You could also spend time at the hotel pool during peak hours or head to DTD.

Just keep in mind that 1. It's Disney, 2. it's vacation and 3. with a little patience and flexibility you'll have a great time!!!

 

[a1tinkfans]

WOW! Lucky Kids.
I say Go for it. We no longer go during that time of year as it just works better for us and we like to avoid situations we do not want to deal with, namely BIG crowds and Many group situations.
That being said, If you are flexible and can make some plans in advance, I think you'll have a great time with your family!

Crowds are not just in parks, but everywhere for the most part, but planning to be at resort pool, DTD, etc and being flexible to just leave if it is bothersome to you will certainly work. Its Disney, unless it is a complete LOW season time, it is busy, its part of the experience. So, I say, go, enjoy and tell us how you liked it!

 

[trennr]

1. Has anyone done anything like this and what were your experiences?
I have never done this...but have read several post of people who have had good experiences from doing this.

2. I realized it will be crowded, but is it managable if you plan? If you avoid EMH parks and use Fastpasses wisely...But I usually go the first or second or 3rd week of June...and I don't think the Crowds are that bad.

3. With regard to gay week, if we avoid the actually gay week parks, do we avoid those crowds? In short I would say yes. One year we arrived the last day of the "event"...while we only visited DTD...we saw only one couple. I suggest you goto the "event" website and see which park they have scheduled...and plan avoiding it. A simple Yahoo or Google search will find you the site.

My son is crazy for Star Wars and I think he would really like SW weekends. Your Son will love the Jedi Training Academy...at least mine did.

 

[dzneelvr]

Why not think of this trip in a bit different terms....first off, you'll need ADRs for any sitdown eateries as it's near to impossible to "walk in" at this time. Look over the extended magic hours schedule and choose your park, then be flexible as to which eatery at which time.
second, maybe take more time at your resort to enjoy all it has to offer. I'm always amazed at how younger kids simply love to play in the pool; eat lunch in their suits, and relax without mom and dad scheduling their every moment.
SWW is awesome (we'll be there June 20), but it is crowded and most of the activity is on the far side of the Sorcerer's Hat. The other half is "normal".
Familiarize yourself with each parks parade schedules...stuff like that you will want to attend, but KIS (keep it simple) this trip. It's one of the perks for us "over planners"--you'd be surprised at how things fall into place when you simply relax and take each attraction as it comes, knowing you'll be back