Family not excited, looking for recommendations

[jo-jo]

Just wanted to say thank you to your husband for his service and to you for being a military spouse.

 

[Darth Insidious]

You can definitely go for more days and enjoy a more relaxed pace. This what we typically do - we go to WDW for 2 weeks and take it easy. We don’t usually do rope drop or spend all day at the parks. We recently went to DLR for a week and spent 3 days with friends that were only there for those days, and we did way more on those 3 days of their trip than we usually do in a week because they wanted to experience as much as they could. They wondered how we could do a week at a time and I explained how our days are not usually as packed as when we were with them! After they left I spent the next morning at the GC spa while DH and the kids slept in and relaxed in the room. We have a 1 week WDW trip soon and we’ll be doing more on a given day than we usually do on a longer trip since we’re there for only half the usual number of days.

There are ways to relax and avoid large crowds on a Disney vacation if you seek them out. Watching the MK fireworks from the Poly beach is a nice option, or booking Treats & Seats which gives you a seat and no crowds (desserts are just okay and view of projections is not great, but we still really like it for the crowd-free experience). The Rose & Crown dining package was also a great, crowd-free experience if they are still offering it next year, but that one was very hard to book and you’d likely need to book it towards the end of the trip to get it. If you go to DS, weekdays earlier in the day are a lot less crowded, and even Gideon’s had a short wait compared to weekends/evenings.

Thank you. I was thinking about treats and seats. Great advice on weekdays at Disney Springs. Someone else mentioned weekdays for World Showcase too. We can definitely do that gif both!

 

[Darth Insidious]

That sounds like a good plan IMO.

So so important that he let you know that. One of my main advice when people talk about going with those who are not so impressed with the parks as a whole is get to know what they want and don't want.

Epcot split up is a great plan, I would have in the past suggested Future World then World Showcase because it made a bit more sense then. Future World doesn't really exist anymore and there's a lot of construction in the front part of Epcot but what could be good to split up with World Showcase is do one half then the other. With all that walking and the people just deciding to hit a few countries and the rest on a different day could be a good thing.

This sounds nice. In truth there are times where I've been and wished we took a moment to breath. On our last trip we did take the skyliner from Epcot to Riviera and had coffee sitting in the lobby and just taking a moment then rode the skyliner back to Epcot. I probably would not recommend the skyliner with your husband because of the height and enclosed space and saying honestly the risk of the skyliner stopping for an extended period of time but more giving that as an example of you can just take in the ambience at times but outside the parks too.

Thank you so much. Your example is exactly what I’m hoping for though.

He and our oldest daughter (she was 5) went to Aurora’s tea party while I took our son to Typhoon Lagoon (water parks stress him, constant threat of drowning, kids screaming but not in trouble, just not fun for him). But the tea party sure was! He LOVED it. If it’s back when we go I will definitely book it for him and the little one (or both girls).

Any other magical out of the park stuff like that you guys know about, please share!

 

[Darth Insidious]

I like you am a huge planner on my Disney vacations and it is really hard when you have people who have a variety of needs, ideas, and you never know what you will encounter on a Disney Vacation. I like to tell myself it takes a lot of planning to be flexible! You can also make a bunch of plans that just go by the wayside because you have to throw them out and start again which is stressful. I want my family to have a good time though so I like to have plans and then contingency plans.

Here's some things I do that could maybe be helpful in your situation:

Parks - My strategy would be to book MK and HS for a lot of my park days. Since these tend to sell out the most, it gives you the flexibility to switch to Epcot of AK last minute when you are there since they usually have reservations. I also think if you are doing Genie+ and do go with park hoppers stacking LLs for later in the day while you are on your break will help you encounter fewer lines in the afternoon.

Dining - With dining reservations as long as one person shows up you don't have to pay the cancellation fee so that allows for flexibility, they have also recently updated to the 2 hour cancellation which allows even more flexibility. I tend to book more reservations than I need and then cancel them when I have to. If I know everyone wants to eat at O'Hana I'll try to book it on multiple days and then cancel as it gets closer when we know what people want to do. If all else fails you can also do walkup lists, to go dining, or even last-minute reservations in the app. This is a harder pill to swallow with meals that are prepaid like CRT but if you can do it.

Activities - Things like BBB also is the 24 hour cancellation, book it on multiple days if you can and see which day works best when you get there.

General - Thinking about what the best situation are for your husband to do the things he is excited about. Ex - He wants to see your daughter meet princesses, what will the most successful version of that be? Maybe it is using the LL in MK for the princess meet and greet or dining at CRT instead of waiting in the middle of the day in the sun at EPCOT.

I would also chunk things together things that would be realistic for my husband to do in a 4-hour period together and then have other chunks of 4 hours with things he may not want to do. Then plug and play those together as you go along. You have a lot of time there with the 10 days so you do have a lot of flexibility to be like oh we were going to do this morning things at Epcot but we'd rather do the pool so we'll do those later in the trip.

Also keep in mind people cancel stuff last minute at Disney. So checking for things the night before or even the day of are still an option for you. Particularly if your family is flexible about what they want to do and doesn't have their heart set on too many particular things.

I hope you have an amazing trip for your family!

Thank you so much! These are some great tips.

Also “it takes a lot of planning to be flexible.” So true in this case!

 

[Darth Insidious]

Okay, so I have a lot of thoughts and ideas! LOL. Would you consider renting DVC points at Wilderness Lodge Copper Creek or Boulder Ridge? Both are woodsy and quiet in February, and you'd have a kitchen and laundry in the room to get groceries delivered to have a leisurely breakfast in your room and coffee on the balcony overlooking the pool/lake? Or Riviera? It's a totally different vibe, but it's so convenient for Epcot/HS with the Skyliner. I'd feel good about the 14 and 12 year-old taking off to the park or leaving after us that way. WL/CC/BR and RR are quieter resorts and calm me down after a day in the park. Topolinos on site for character breakfast and adult dinner is an awesome perk, too. Plus, depending on the room you get, he can see the fireworks from your room for Epcot and avoid the crowds there, too.

Boardwalk would be awesome, too, for midday breaks. Their pool doesn't seem to get crazed like Stormalong Bay does with shrieking kids and crowds, and the location can't be beat.

I hear him on liking SOG, but renting DVC with a two-bedroom gets you TONS of space to decompress and spread out your crap and get groceries and booze delivered. You save money on hard reservations, and he gets a private, quiet space to relax.

Bonus, if you stay deluxe (and I guess SOG?) you get the Extra Late Hours, or whatever they call it. Epcot is Mondays and MK is Wednesdays. We totally have given up on going to the parks during daytime unless it's just for wandering World Showcase or a restaurant we're trying to hit. Keep everyone up late and go those nights. They are NOT to be missed!

On FB, there's a group, Ear for Each Other, and it's all the furloughed cast members with side hustles. You can save HUNDREDS having a cast member come to your room and do the whole BBB thing for your daughter, away from the craziness at MK, and she can still go to the park all dolled up afterwards. Dad can see her getting all dolled up from your deluxe room, NOT rushing to make an appointment. There's also a Ohana chef that will come TO YOUR ROOM and cook the whole meal for you. You can get private drivers for airport transfers, deluxe charcuterie boards, grocery shoppers, etc.

I think the VIP is a great idea, honestly. Bang everything out in one organized day, let the tour guide be the bad guy for flogging everyone hitting all the headliners, LOL, and then putter at your own pace the rest of the week.

IDK if your husband likes fishing, but I paid for my husband and son to do fishing at Yacht Club (catch and release,) and they really liked it! Just an idea for him.

I think renting DVC 2-bedroom would be wonderful for you guys. We all need a break from one another on the trips, and last time our son just wanted to chill out at the room almost all the time. We were okay with it, and it was a lot less stressful.

Lastly, even if he doesn't NEED it, would you consider renting a scooter for him? My husband uses it (knee replacement/bad ankles/joints,) and while it saves his feet, he loves having his own personal perimeter riding inside of it (with sun canopy,) LOL. I think it's just a subconscious thing, but he's a lot more relaxed with using it. It's about $300 a week, and it does come in handy to hold all of our crap in the parks in the basket!

Thank you! These are fantastic ideas! I will check out Ear for Each Other. That sounds so cool.

I actually got SUPER lucky and got the 2 bedroom suite with living room, dining room, kitchen, and washer/dryer at SOG. There’s only 1. I was planning to book two standard rooms, but there it was, just waiting for me to book it! It’s definitely not quite as convenient as the other locations but it will have the space you suggested and I think that’s going to help (also with the moody teens!)

You guys are really selling me on the VIP tour. I was afraid it would be too much in one day since it’s 7 hour minimum but I love the idea that it takes all the pressure off the other days. Hit the shows, meet characters, redo the favorites. Also I looked a bit and it looks like he could maybe sit in the vehicle if he needs a break. I wouldn’t fault him if he bailed back to the hotel after a few hours either. We could even take two days off after to decompress and still have done so much.

I imagine we would hit Magic Kingdom and HS. Also I read there’s a VIP area to by the train station on Main Street to watch the fireworks. Maybe we could watch the parade there too! we didn’t even try the parade or fireworks at MK last time and I’ve always wished we did. That might be a way to do it that wouldn’t be so tough for him.

I don’t know if he’d go for the scooter but I see your point about perimeter. I suspect it will be a hard sell but I’ll try to subtly introduce the idea over time and see what he says. I’ll tell him it’s his “leave me alone sign”. He might like that.

I can’t believe you can hire the chef to cook dinner. I don’t use Facebook but I’m signing up to check this stuff out!

Thank you!

 

[Darth Insidious]

Just wanted to say thank you to your husband for his service and to you for being a military spouse.

Thank you for your support. He’d tell you no thanks necessary but I appreciate your kindness.

 

[rlk]

I imagine we would hit Magic Kingdom and HS. Also I read there’s a VIP area to by the train station on Main Street to watch the fireworks. Maybe we could watch the parade there too! we didn’t even try the parade or fireworks at MK last time and I’ve always wished we did. That might be a way to do it that wouldn’t be so tough for him.

I don’t know if he’d go for the scooter but I see your point about perimeter. I suspect it will be a hard sell but I’ll try to subtly introduce the idea over time and see what he says. I’ll tell him it’s his “leave me alone sign”. He might like that.

I can’t believe you can hire the chef to cook dinner. I don’t use Facebook but I’m signing up to check this stuff out!

Thank you!

That is the spot for VIP parade viewing. We've watched the parade there twice when doing a VIP tour.

 

[Darth Insidious]

That is the spot for VIP parade viewing. We've watched the parade there twice when doing a VIP tour.

Thank you! More points in the do a VIP tour column.

If you don’t mind, did you feel like you were rushing around on the tour?

 

[RogueX]

I'll say the one area of all the parks that gives me problems with crowds and noise to the extent that I go into full on fight or flight is the Toy Story section in Hollywood Studios. I was there in mid-December with my 16 year old daughter and when we got to that area after lunch, it was a lot.

 

[🍀TwinsMom]

I think this article is allowed since it’s from the board sponsor. This is Chef Caleb Wiley I was referring to from Ear for Each Other.

https://dvcfan.com/2021/10/13/dvc-dining-reinventing-room-service-with-chef-caleb-wiley/

 

[Darth Insidious]

I'll say the one area of all the parks that gives me problems with crowds and noise to the extent that I go into full on fight or flight is the Toy Story section in Hollywood Studios. I was there in mid-December with my 16 year old daughter and when we got to that area after lunch, it was a lot.

Thank you for the warning.

 

[Darth Insidious]

I think this article is allowed since it’s from the board sponsor. This is Chef Caleb Wiley I was referring to from Ear for Each Other.

https://dvcfan.com/2021/10/13/dvc-dining-reinventing-room-service-with-chef-caleb-wiley/

Thank you!

 

[T.G.I.Friday]

Thank you! More points in the do a VIP tour column.

If you don’t mind, did you feel like you were rushing around on the tour?

Since it’s your tour, you can control the pace. Wanting to hit 15+ rides over all 4 parks will be much different than using 7 hours at MK. We have never visited AK on a tour, but do go to the other 3 parks. It’s a long day, but I have never felt rushed.

Also, as a caution, the VIP fireworks viewing location is wonderful. It’s a fenced in area in the hub. You are able to spread out in a large area. BUT when the show is over, you would need to sit and relax there for maybe 15 minutes. Otherwise, your DH would be in the mob leaving, and that would be awful for him.

 

[Darth Insidious]

Since it’s your tour, you can control the pace. Wanting to hit 15+ rides over all 4 parks will be much different than using 7 hours at MK. We have never visited AK on a tour, but do go to the other 3 parks. It’s a long day, but I have never felt rushed.

Also, as a caution, the VIP fireworks viewing location is wonderful. It’s a fenced in area in the hub. You are able to spread out in a large area. BUT when the show is over, you would need to sit and relax there for maybe 15 minutes. Otherwise, your DH would be in the mob leaving, and that would be awful for him.

Thank you. As long as we can stay in the fenced area, that would be fine.

I was taking maybe HS and MK. No Galaxy’s Edge since we will do that another day.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Have been reading all the posts .
Wanted to add this helps us to be more aware of many aspects of a visit to DL or WDW . Now I am wondering if the sounds of the fireworks in the darkness might remind him of the noise of explosives. Also wanted to give a small reminder of the fireworks that are startling in broad daylight after the Castle Stage Show performances. Maybe a pair of those sound control earbuds made by APPLE might help.

Another comment about the family in a small hotel room . I have been fortunate to stay only once at Shades of Green and their standard room is a good size . So happy you lucked out with your reservation .That is amazing.

Hope you let us know all the reasons to save up for a Tour Guide after your trip. Once I saw a family being picked up by their tour guide early in the morn and I thought Must be nice Wish that was me .

I also wanted to say how nice your husband wants to have special memories with his family. My husband just didn’t get “ Disney “ and never wanted to go . It always made me sad . . I truly respect your husbands strategy And I also want to say Thank You to your military family for all the sacrifices made . I can only imagine that even those words are painful to hear for the lucky survivors.
Hope you have a fantastic trip.

 

[sponica]

His ideal Disney day is get up, have a casual breakfast, pick a park, show up when you get around to it, ride some rides, eat a nice meal, go back to hotel.

Oh to have a time machine and go to a simpler time.

But picking up on the other comments in the thread about not trying to make the trip all things to all people, I made that mistake last time and by far it was my least enjoyable parks trip. In trying to make sure everyone else did what they wanted, or making plans to accomodate people who didn't want as many days in the park, the only thing I insured was that I was miserable.

 

[Darth Insidious]

Have been reading all the posts .
Wanted to add this helps us to be more aware of many aspects of a visit to DL or WDW . Now I am wondering if the sounds of the fireworks in the darkness might remind him of the noise of explosives. Also wanted to give a small reminder of the fireworks that are startling in broad daylight after the Castle Stage Show performances. Maybe a pair of those sound control earbuds made by APPLE might help.

Another comment about the family in a small hotel room . I have been fortunate to stay only once at Shades of Green and their standard room is a good size . So happy you lucked out with your reservation .That is amazing.

Hope you let us know all the reasons to save up for a Tour Guide after your trip. Once I saw a family being picked up by their tour guide early in the morn and I thought Must be nice Wish that was me .

I also wanted to say how nice your husband wants to have special memories with his family. My husband just didn’t get “ Disney “ and never wanted to go . It always made me sad . . I truly respect your husbands strategy And I also want to say Thank You to your military family for all the sacrifices made . I can only imagine that even those words are painful to hear for the lucky survivors.
Hope you have a fantastic trip.

Thank you so much. I’ll give him a heads up about the random daytime castle fireworks. He does okay with planned fireworks shows because he knows what it is. Maybe I can get a schedule of when the stage show is and give him a heads up. Thank you.

I definitely got lucky with the SOG suite. I almost didn’t hook it because it wasn’t the plan or what I budgeted for but I couldn’t help feeling like it was just meant to be. You could stalk that reservation at midnight for weeks and still never get it.

 

[Darth Insidious]

Oh to have a time machine and go to a simpler time.

But picking up on the other comments in the thread about not trying to make the trip all things to all people, I made that mistake last time and by far it was my least enjoyable parks trip. In trying to make sure everyone else did what they wanted, or making plans to accomodate people who didn't want as many days in the park, the only thing I insured was that I was miserable.

Good point. What would you have done differently?

 

[sponica]

Good point. What would you have done differently?

Our scenario was a little different in that I was planning for my immediate family and my mom and step-dad. My step-dad only wanted one park day, so to accommodate that I made all our dinner reservations at resort hotels so he could join. He ended up only coming to dinner one night, so I basically did all this running around losing park time to accommodate someone who didn't end up joining us for dinner (my mom did most nights).
In hindsight I should have just planned the trip I normally would have planned and told the both of them, here is what we're doing, we've included you in our dining head counts at these places but you will need park tickets. Join or don't join.

For your crew make a plan and split up when necessary. Maybe identify the things that are REALLY important for your husband to see/do and everything else is gravy for him, and if he feels comfortable, he can head back to SOG without you.
ETA: I leave for another extended family trip next week, aside from my in-laws who are staying in the 2BR with us, I'm making no plans for anyone in my husband's family. I might email them our rough itinerary of where we'll be when, but I'm not making their lightning lanes or including them in the ILLs or anything like that.

 

[Darth Insidious]

Our scenario was a little different in that I was planning for my immediate family and my mom and step-dad. My step-dad only wanted one park day, so to accommodate that I made all our dinner reservations at resort hotels so he could join. He ended up only coming to dinner one night, so I basically did all this running around losing park time to accommodate someone who didn't end up joining us for dinner (my mom did most nights).
In hindsight I should have just planned the trip I normally would have planned and told the both of them, here is what we're doing, we've included you in our dining head counts at these places but you will need park tickets. Join or don't join.

For your crew make a plan and split up when necessary. Maybe identify the things that are REALLY important for your husband to see/do and everything else is gravy for him, and if he feels comfortable, he can head back to SOG without you.
ETA: I leave for another extended family trip next week, aside from my in-laws who are staying in the 2BR with us, I'm making no plans for anyone in my husband's family. I might email them our rough itinerary of where we'll be when, but I'm not making their lightning lanes or including them in the ILLs or anything like that.

Thank you.

I do think I’ll make reservations or if we do after hours, get tickets for the whole family, but present it as you suggested. Here’s the reservation, you’re welcome to join us if you’d like.