Disneyland Expert planning for WDW - "A whole new world . . . "

[yaywatermelons]

Hi all! I'm a California girl/former Disneyland passholder. I love Disney in general and have been to HK Disneyland as well as the parks in Paris.

My parents planned a huge family vacation to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary - 15 of us ages 63 to 4 on a Disney cruise and a week at WDW parks for June 2020 . . . womp womp. So we delayed a year and are headed to the parks this summer. With all the COVID changes, mom and dad have asked my sister and I to take over most of the planning. She's the phone person; I'm the internet researcher (which led me here).

There is so much more planning involved in a WDW vacation than my normal drive down I-5 for a quick Disney weekend! I've been to WDW four times, but the last visit was in 2009, so pre-FastPass+, Toy Story Land, Galaxy's Edge . . . a lot has changed! And we're going to Universal for 2 days to show my niece the Harry Potter worlds. Never been to those parks at all!

I've been lurking and posting in the dining forum a bit but welcome any advice especially from anyone who has DL as a home base, too!

 

[DL1WDW2]

Trip for this summer 2021 ?
Do you have flight & hotel reservations already ? Otherwise I am starting to panic for you... On-site or off site , deluxe or Value?
Let’s get the planning started!

Have you registered for the My Disney Experience The official trip planning to link everything... ?
Don’t forget 60 day dining window !

 

[yaywatermelons]

Trip for this summer 2021 ?
Do you have flight & hotel reservations already ? Otherwise I am starting to panic for you... On-site or off site , deluxe or Value?
Let’s get the planning started!

We are currently helping first timers for trip and date they all can agree on happens to be first week in October , not knowing this is WDW 50th Anniversary and Remy’s Ratatoiulle Adventure in Epcot grand open weeks!
So far they found tickets online Sam’s Club... and made park pass reservations (staying offsite) ... I think WDW might have some ticket offers and Universal too!
Have you registered for the My Disney Experience The official trip planning to link everything... ?
Don’t forget 60 day dining window !

You're sweet to worry! I should have added more details. We have flights - although United is consolidating flights from CA and they've changed twice. And it's (not) really fun to update Magical Express details each time! We are staying at Saratoga Springs .

We have park passes and park reservations. My lurking in the Disney dining sections led to most of the ADRs we wanted, just at weird times. So maybe I'm more planned than I thought? Ha!

We have nothing for Universal at all. Looking into rental cars or Mears shuttles to get there because unsure about car seats for Uber types.

We know nothing about fastpass+ but looks like we don't have to right now? In DL fastpass, you physically go to the ride and scan your tickets. We're good at handing all the passes to our teens to walk ahead and scan for all of us while we wrangle the littles, but I know that's not a WDW thing. Virtual lines are a bit scary so I'm reading every RotR thread. My brothers in law are only going for the Star Wars parts.

I have the My Disney Experience app but I find it to be a bit buggy. Some things show up on my laptop and some on my phone and some only on my sister's phone?

I can't imagine a first trip during the 50th! That would be so crowded. Although I've ridden Remy's in Paris and it's an awesome ride! We thought it would be open in Epcot when we went June 2020 but again . . . not to be.

 

[DL1WDW2]

15 guests ages 4-63
United Flight / Magic Express : Don’t forget confirmation voucher or MagicBands to Board ME upon arrival at MCO... for everybody plus ID for adults (maybe)... and luggage
1-866-599-0951
1-407-939-1936
SSR location ... and no plans to book resort at Universal for Early Entry or Express Pass advantage?
Mears Shuttle would probably be a better choice than trying to get ubers for large group. Is car seat still required for youngest?
Mearstransportation.com
1-407-423-5566
I always have the phone numbers of airlines, shuttle services, etc In case of delays or problems Stored in planning folder And on cellphone.
Also have contact info phone number in case Credit card is lost...
Also Guest services recommend taking photo of tickets to keep on cellphone , in case they are lost ... Those numbers are vital on back to replace at Guest Services. And don’t forget magic bands fall off frequently.
I also recall family members taking quick photo of clothing child is wearing each day in case they become lost in crowd... It will be one of the questions they ask apparently Also helps castmembers to scan crowd.


Don’t forget , the new VelociCoaster will open June 10th at Islands of Adventure so big crowds. Can you go to Universal before June 10?

 

[yaywatermelons]

15 guests ages 4-63
United Flight / Magic Express : Don’t forget confirmation voucher or MagicBands to Board ME upon arrival at MCO... for everybody plus ID for adults (maybe)... and luggage
1-866-599-0951
1-407-939-1936
SSR location ... and no plans to book resort at Universal for Early Entry or Express Pass advantage?
Mears Shuttle would probably be a better choice than trying to get ubers for large group. Is car seat still required for youngest?
Mearstransportation.com
1-407-423-5566
I always have the phone numbers of airlines, shuttle services, etc In case of delays or problems Stored in planning folder And on cellphone.
Also have contact info phone number in case Credit card is lost...
Also Guest services recommend taking photo of tickets to keep on cellphone , in case they are lost ... Those numbers are vital on back to replace at Guest Services. And don’t forget magic bands fall off frequently.
I also recall family members taking quick photo of clothing child is wearing each day in case they become lost in crowd... It will be one of the questions they ask apparently Also helps castmembers to scan crowd.


Don’t forget , the new VelociCoaster will open June 10th at Islands of Adventure so big crowds. Can you go to Universal before June 10?

Unfortunately 4 and 6 still in car seats (not even boosters yet). My sister is bringing them on the plane with us.

We're going the third week in June so velicoaster will be open - I'm hoping it will draw crowds away from HP lands but maybe that's not how it works? If everyone is in line in Jurassic section we can ride Hagrid's a lot?

Storing phone numbers is a great idea - thanks for the resources! I think sometimes we're so text-savvy we forget the old tried and true!

Taking photos of both tickets and kids also really helpful idea. My sister has gotten us matching t-shirts for our Magic Kingdom day, but the others we can't just point at ourselves if one of the kids is lost. I've never used a magic band before so good to know they are not always secure!

Thank you again!

 

[DL1WDW2]

Maybe family split, with older children (with adult chaperones) going to Universal for one day?
I recommend park to park ticket so you can ride the Hogwarts Express from London(one way trip) and return to ?Hogsmeade? (Not familiar with terminology but the Train ride is different... but at least go one way!
Also think it is fun really really early but also staying for lights at night.
So planning a long day at Universal for The studios and Island of Adventure.
Hagrids Motorbike Adventure is virtual boarding also. I am 70 years old and was the motorcycle driver once and then let my 14 year old grandson drive next day. At night the motorcycle front light turns on and really is a different experience.

Do Not Miss the new Bourne Stunt Show and Today Cafe next door has excellent breakfast &lunch fresh food with fresh sides of fruit...


Epcot:Also the American Adventure has an upstairs show that is about history of America and is impressive to view! Especially since the Hall of Presidents at MK is still closed to add President Biden.
(And while I am thinking about this, I encourage making the effort to see the films in the Countries around the World in Epcot... and also the Awesome Planet (has become my favorite It is truly awesome) and Livin with the Land in same building with Soarin.
You should plan on France for last country because Impressions de France film begins at the end of the day after the final showing of the new Beauty&Beast Singalong that is not really a singalong but a funny “take” on tale as old as time... France also makes really great French bread and sandwiches for breakfast lunch & dinner in their Cafe. If you don’t have dining planned.

I have learned to drink lots of water and learned to like basic peach green tea w/o sugar or lemonade at Joffreys or Starbucks to refresh and lower body temp with extra small glass of ice !

 

[yaywatermelons]

Definitely excited for Harry Potter! The California Universal HP only has Hogsmeade minus Hagrid's. It may be a better day for the littles to have pool time.

I am excited to eat my way around Epcot. And the movies might provide some much needed air conditioning! Florida humidity seems so much worse than Anaheim heat.

Thanks again for all the tips!