Disney Senior Week?

[tillchapterthree]

Hello!

First, I've lurked these forums many times before, but I've never actually attempted to post anything. Please let me know if I'm making any major faux pas! I did look through all the forums, and this one seemed to fit the best, but again, total newbie here!

My friends and I are currently high school seniors, and we will be traveling to Disney World for Senior Week this June! By the time of the trip, we will all be eighteen. Just as a little context, there are six of us (all girls) and most of us have known one another for seven years. On top of that, we picked this as an alternative to a wild week down the shore (and it's nobody's first time at WDW), so I'm pretty sure that it will be a relatively shenanigan free trip Otherwise, we're flying there and back and we've all flown solo before, so we should (hopefully!) be somewhat decent with general logistics.

We'll be staying for five nights/six days in a Fort Wilderness Cabin. We've got park hopper tickets and the Disney Dining Plan (it's the one above quick service but below deluxe - I'm not sure if i'm using the right lingo ) and will definitely be bringing an additional suitcase of food to ultimately empty and then fill with whatever treasures/junk we inevitably acquire during our stay.

Since you guys are the experts, I would really appreciate any tips/advice/input/anecdotes/etc you would be willing to offer! We've all been to WDW before, but our most recent visitor went a little over two years ago, so we're not super up to date on all the new happenings, and we've certainly never planned a Disney trip before.

Some questions that we've had:

1) None of us have had any experience with MagicBands. We've poked around trying to figure them out, and the vibe we're getting is that they're supposed to be a catch all sort of thing for fastpasses/room keys/tickets. Is there anything special we should know about them?

2) Speaking of, none of us have any experience with the new Fastpass+ system either. (Sensing a pattern here? ) Any recommendations for how to get the most out of this?

3) Any general recommendations for six recent high school grads in WDW? We haven't made any dining reservations or anything of the sort yet, and we'd love to hear any suggestions! One that we had in mind was the Prime Time Cafe - we've seen some really funny videos of people there - does it live up to the YouTube portrayals? We're also total suckers for breakfast at Chef Mickey's, so that's definitely a top contender.

4) Any tips for navigating WDW sans cars?

5) Literally anything else you'd like to tell us would be fantastic! Unfortunately, we don't know anyone in real life who's done this, so we're kind of going in blind here. We've been saving for this for a very long time, so we'd really like it to be the less stressful (or as un-stressful as WDW in June can be) and more magical

Thank you so, so much for even reading this. Eager to hear anything you might have to say!

 

[CinderElsa]

MagicBand explanation (just Googled Disney MagicBand)

FastPass+ thread (a great thread which is usually right there on the first page in this forum)

The experience at PT depends on the server. You might get a great one; you might get a dud. The dining board is a better place to ask questions about dining.

To get around... use Disney transportation?? (I know this seems like an obvious answer but I don't know how else to read the question, so if I'm missing something, I apologize.)

 

[themouseforme]

Welcome, total newbie !

you didn't mention renting a golf cart. you're going to need one (can they hold 6? don't know. hmm). There is an internal bus system, but I personally would HATE having to walk back and forth in and out of those little neighborhoods, especially at night and tired. dark out there. of course only 1 cart would mean everybody would have to go and come at the same time. something to think about.

 

[Disney Von Drake]

I thought this was going to be about a special week of discounts for people 65 years and older.

 

[themouseforme]

I thought this was going to be about a special week of discounts for people 65 years and older.

so did I, actually! I was excited! But alas....

 

[rtravels]

I actually did this with my friends when I was a senior (a long time ago). It was a fantastic trip.
You're in good hands and you've done a great job already planning.

My only advice would be to add in water parks. We actually used them a lot. It got so hot and it was nice to take a break from the parks in the middle of the day.

We only used Disney Transportation and it was great.

Have a terrific time. I look back at that trip with fond memories.
Take lots of pictures. We didn't. And I'm sorry about that.

 

[chartle]

Since you are staying in a cabin at Fort Wilderness, any particular question about that resort, things to do, transportation to and from, etc should be posted in the Camping Section.

Tip for FW is bring a flashlight for the walk back to your cabin at night. Also there are pros and cons to the golf cart. Biggest con is the cost and getting one for 6.

General getting around is best in the Transportation Forum.

Tips here is realize how long it will take you get places and how much that may affect your park time. People have made ADRs at DTD for lunch when they are in a park and don't factor in that travel to DTD will add maybe 2 hours to their lunch time maybe more if they are at AK.

 

[Leader of the Pack]

I thought this was going to be about a special week of discounts for people 65 years and older.

Yes, me too! With all the reading I've done I thought I must have missed something !!!
Good for a chuckle this morning.
Leave in 5 days ...

 

[themouseforme]

OP, hope this reaches you

I really think you guys should very, very strongly consider staying in a family suite at Art of Animation Resort rather than being stuck out in a cabin in the woods. they hold six, there are 2 bathrooms, not just one, and while not full kitchens like the cabins, they do have kitchenettes. and after all who wants to be stuck inside cooking when there's so much fun to be had out there. heat and eat. forget pots and pans.

comparable price

transportation not an issue whatsoever - buses to anywhere you want to go right outside. come and go individually or whatever

largest pool on property right outside

colorful, fun atmosphere/themeing, as opposed to pitch black pin drop

excellent new food court, pizza delivery

probably more young people in your age group ( a plus, right ?)

 

[chartle]

If you ask in the camping section people there will come up with the same kinds of reasons why you should stay at the fort but I think we have to address the 800 lb gorilla in the room.

In a suite there are two bathrooms while only one in a cabin.

Do the math 6 teenage girls, one bathroom, they will be lucky to get out of the room by noon.

 

[JeJecm]

I would also suggest a suite at Art of Animation.

 

[JeJecm]

It has a lot of space and two bathrooms.

 

[HopperFan]

OP, hope this reaches you I really think you guys should very, very strongly consider staying in a family suite at Art of Animation Resort rather than being stuck out in a cabin in the woods. they hold six, there are 2 bathrooms, not just one, and while not full kitchens like the cabins, they do have kitchenettes. and after all who wants to be stuck inside cooking when there's so much fun to be had out there. heat and eat. forget pots and pans. comparable price transportation not an issue whatsoever - buses to anywhere you want to go right outside. come and go individually or whatever largest pool on property right outside colorful, fun atmosphere/themeing, as opposed to pitch black pin drop excellent new food court, pizza delivery probably more young people in your age group ( a plus, right ?)

My first thought as well! With dining plan you really don't need a full kitchen but you might want a food court in walking distance.

AoA is so vibrant and fun vs Cabin which is kinda blah for young people. Heck it's blah for me and I could be your mother. Pools at AoA design way beyond everything at FW and walking distance. Cabins require internal bus system. Two buses to get to parks other than MK. But it's a bus and boat.

AoA's TWO full bathrooms is a HUGE plus and second bath has sink outside shower. 6 in cabin with one bathroom - yikes!

 

[Lalabubbles]

I thought this was going to be about a special week of discounts for people 65 years and older.

As did I !!!

 

[JeJecm]

My first thought as well! With dining plan you really don't need a full kitchen but you might want a food court in walking distance. AoA is so vibrant and fun vs Cabin which is kinda blah for young people. Heck it's blah for me and I could be your mother. Pools at AoA design way beyond everything at FW and walking distance. Cabins require internal bus system. Two buses to get to parks other than MK. But it's a bus and boat. AoA's TWO full bathrooms is a HUGE plus and second bath has sink outside shower. 6 in cabin with one bathroom - yikes!

Agree

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

All good points above. You sound like you are organized - I like it!
Remember that you need to pay tips during your table service meals, including buffets.
I did something similar a very long time ago with a college friend. What I remember from that trip is the friend time, no the park experiences. I would suggest you have some down time to just hang out in your schedule rather than try to be park commandos. Have a great time!