Finally booked and asking for advice!

[davidann]

I'm so excited!!!! I finally booked my trip, my once in a lifetime trip! I live abroad and i finally convinced my dear sweet husband (who hates lines and heat and crowds) to go to WDW!! I booked popcentury from the 9th till the 11th. I picked Pop Century, because it was budget and kid friendly. I got two ADRs: lunch at Le Cellier and dinner at California Grill for dinner grin emoticon I was going to splurge on the Day of Thrills tour in order to get on the best rides, but it's only on Sundays (my check-in day... so I guess I won't be able to make it by 8.15 to Magic Kingdom and Tuesday (my check out date). Should I change my days (and what would it cost be)?? Thanks everybody for all the advice.

 

[KathyM2]

How exciting for you!! What a short trip though!!! Are you spending more time in Florida and just two days at the parks? You have picked great restaurants...but if I were you I wouldn't book any TS meals for such a short trip - if you only have a couple days I would want to maximize my time seeing the parks and not be bound by meal reservations...but maybe that's just me. I haven't read anything about that tour so can't say if it's worth changing days for...

 

[davidann]

I can't wait, son and hubby are first-timers and I haven't been since 1981!!! You can imagine how thrilled I am, we are going to Florida just for a 3 days. i wanted to have some TS just to have a break from crowds and heat, DH is a foodie, so I'm trying to give him something to look forward to, I was thinking about splurging on the tour to make sure to have the best time possible. I hear about those horror stories: people waiting in line for hours to get on a ride.

 

[catmom46]

I can't wait, son and hubby are first-timers and I haven't been since 1981!!! You can imagine how thrilled I am, we are going to Florida just for a 3 days. i wanted to have some TS just to have a break from crowds and heat, DH is a foodie, so I'm trying to give him something to look forward to, I was thinking about splurging on the tour to make sure to have the best time possible. I hear about those horror stories: people waiting in line for hours to get on a ride.

Yes, for such a short stay booking a tour is definitely the best way to get the most out of your time there. Not sure what the cost would be to change your days, though.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

Good for you! I can't imagine such a short trip (although I did a 3 day trip in 2003), but it sounds like you're going to make the most of it!

 

[kdb]

If you are staying on property you should have the Fastpass+ option. Take advantage and book the rides now. You can book three per day in advance and once there, you can change them or make new ones based on where you are and what is available. Fastpass is the best way to get rides in and avoid the lines. I would also suggest touringplans.com. It is a wealth of information. If you are committed to being up early, there are strategies that will maximize your days in the park, if rides are truly your plan.

While we always do the dining plan, I also think some of the best food in the WDW is walk-up. Nachos and margaritas outside Mexico in EP, Grand Marnier slushie in France, Hot dogs at Caseys in MK, Dole Whips in Adventureland, tie dyed cheesecake at pop century, etc.

 

[Accident]

It's pricey but if your husband hates lines look into the Ultimate VIP Thrill tour. You'll hit almost every ride you probably have on your list, vip tour guide escorted with unlimited fast pass. You even get to ride every track for those that have more than 1 (space mountain for example). Lunch when we did it last year was at the Brown Derby in Hollywood. You also get some interesting back stage peeks with the best tour guides disney has because you go in and out of the parks through backstage entrances and private van to the next park.

Anytime we see a crowd or line now we keep thinking "It might be worth the cost again this trip".

 

[cmacbelle22]

Make sure to hit the parks when they open, and take advantage of FastPass+. You might consider booking FP+ for mid-morning and then trying to get a more FP+ in the afternoon after you use the first three. Have a great time!