extra theme park day or water park day?

[quoo]

We are going to disney for a week (Friday -> Friday) in late august (yes i'm aware of humidity) - we have an extra day in our schedule I haven't planned for yet. Originally we were going to go to Universal but it turns out my eldest son (9 - who universal was really for) is not interested in it.

Instead I'm thinking of either adding an extra hollywood studios day or a water park day. Or I guess we could just have a pool / disney springs day? Thoughts on the pros/cons of all of those?

Family is me, my husband and 2 sons, (9, very nearly 10 and 6 at travel time). The 9 year old rode rock n roller coaster and tower of terror at 6 years old and LOVED it, and the boys do like star wars. We are staying at the Polynesian again.

I'm thinking a half hollywood studios day, half pool day might make the most sense? I checked costs and there's not a major difference.

 

[AnnaS]

Which resort are you staying at?

Did you plan any time for pool?

My kids loved (we did too) the water parks. We planned one or two days for our weekly (summer) stays.

If you have no time set aside for pool time, you might want to spend part of the day at the pool. Leisure day/take your time in the morning. Your kids are young enough to enjoy the pool at the resort (depending on which one you are staying in). You can go to DS in the evening for a stroll, meal, ice cream/dessert, entertainment. I would say the Boardwalk area too pre-COVID. But I don't think they have brought the entertainment back there yet.

I would probably choose a water park though. Good luck!!! They are a lot of fun!

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

How many days will you be in the parks? Do you have hoppers? Knowing this can really help us with options. We used to do a water park day but was never a MUST go for the kids so we started eliminating it and if we wanted an off day we slept a little later, hung at the resort pool and headed to Disney Springs in the evening. Though some vacations we have stayed for 9-10 days and did 2 days of UO in between...

 

[quoo]

We have 5 park days currently - we don't like to do park hoppers. But I'm thinking of taking a lazy day, do HS slightly later if we can.

 

[quoo]

Right now I think our schedule is:

Friday: Arrive around dinner time
Saturday: Animal Kingdom
Sunday: MK
Monday: HS
Tuesday: MK
Wednesday: -
Thursday: Epcot
Friday: fly home (although flight is late-ish like 6:30pm)

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

We almost always do August and one "down" day is almost a necessity as you are aware the heat and humidity is brutal in August. Whatever you end up doing I am sure it will still be magical. I am tempted to book August but honestly I know I could not survive a mask all day in that heat. If they get to the point where they are only required inside, sign me up but definitely cannot do it outside in August, that is the only thing stopping me from booking

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Do you want to ride Rise of the Resistance? If so I’d probably add another day at DHS just to improve your odds of getting a BG. If that’s not a priority I’d probably do a water park.

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

Right now I think our schedule is:

Friday: Arrive around dinner time
Saturday: Animal Kingdom
Sunday: MK
Monday: HS
Tuesday: MK
Wednesday: -
Thursday: Epcot
Friday: fly home (although flight is late-ish like 6:30pm)

Yes that looks good enjoy time at the resort, swimming relaxing etc and you could do early evening at HS, hopefully hours are extended by then also.

 

[quoo]

Do you want to ride Rise of the Resistance? If so I’d probably add another day at DHS just to improve your odds of getting a BG. If that’s not a priority I’d probably do a water park.

I think so? This is also why I was thinking another theme park day. We do all like starwars.

 

[Marthasor]

August is REALLY hot. I would definitely plan to spend some time at the Poly pool which is really nice. If you don't want to do a full resort day, I would consider going to BB. The water parks are really fun!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I think so? This is also why I was thinking another theme park day. We do all like starwars.

The difference in cost between a 5 day ticket and a 6 day is minimal. If it were me I'd add the extra day and reserve DHS - that will give you 4 chances to ride ROTR. You don't have to be in the park all day, especially if you get Rise on the first day, you could always just go to DHS for a second time in the evening, when it's a bit cooler, and still spend the day at the hotel pool or even a water park for a few hours.

 

[bdiddy]

I personally would do a resort/disney springs day. But I don't love waterparks and we have so many around us. We live in NE Ohio and within an hour have Kalahari, Great Wolf Lodge and Castaway Bay. Granted, they aren't Disney BUT I can go to a waterpark at home whenever I want. When I'm at Disney - I want Disney theme parks, not a slightly nicer waterpark then we have at home. Plus the resorts are all nice and I feel like sometimes you never really get to enjoy them when you are constantly go-go-go. A day to sleep in, rest, enjoy the resorts and even DS would be what I would pick 10 out of 10 times. We have done both waterparks at Disney just to experience it and say we did it but we'll never do them again for the reasons above.

 

[auntlynne]

Current reports are that resort pool usage is limited. People are having to sign up for a time. Will this continue in August? Will it be even worse then, due to the heat and a higher demand?

And how do you feel about paying ~ $270 just to get in to the water park vs a day at the parks?

Me? I’d add the park day and then not feel the pressure to spend all day, everyday, at the parks. Leave the parks at midday for lunch and time away from the heat. Go back later when it’s cooler. Closing Time was later during Spring Break, so possibly it will be open after sunset in August. Not necessarily lots cooler temps, but at least the sun won’t be beating down.

My idea: pick whichever park you really want for first visit.
Lots of people bookend the trip with MK - that park is their idea of WDW. For me, I find more to do at HS. I do all parks once before repeating.
My plan would be:
Saturday: Animal Kingdom HS
Sunday: MK
Monday: HS Animal Kingdom
Tuesday: MK EPCOT
Wednesday: none HS or MK
Thursday: Epcot MK or HS

 

[bdiddy]

I agree with auntlynne - we like to repeat MK and HS as well. We usually like to start and end with MK and then 1 day at each AK and EP and 2 at HS and if we have an extra day we throw in the resort/DS day although sometimes we can get that in on our check-in day if it's early enough.

 

[LiveLifeLoud]

I would add a park day at DHS. I would sleep in (after trying for a BG or wait until after 1 to try for a BG) hit the pool and then go to the park. Make it a semi relaxing day.

 

[DisneyFive]

I would add a Hollywood studios day. I would also re-organize the days and put Epcot in the middle so that you can spread apart the Magic Kingdom and Hollywood studios more between visits

 

[quoo]

I added the HS days - these bookings are based on crowd calendars although who knows what that means anymore. I am debating switching the epcot and MK day though.

 

[quoo]

We are starting with Animal Kingdom though as I'm the only one who's ever been there. Last trip was a short one and we skipped it.