First Disney Trip - Well Balanced or Too Much

[DISfirstTimer]

I just went on to possibly buy my plan tickets and I discovered one of my flights I was watching had jumped significantly in price. While playing around I found an affordable(although more than I originally planned for) direct flight for the previous day. I'm thinking of snagging it and adding a day to my vacation thus being able to fit in DHS and still have an off day. However, adding this day will cost me about $700 (additional flight cost, room, dining, ticket). Although this wouldn't be the end of the world I do have to do draw the line somewhere on budget and I know there will be other unexpected costs as we get further along. I was considering changing our reservation to Pop to put me closer to my original budget. I see the refurbished rooms now have queens (my main reason for wanting a moderate), my kids would probably enjoy the theming and murphy bed, and its a walk from AoA one of the resorts I wanted to tour with my kids. What's everyone's opinion??

 

[DISfirstTimer]

I watched this video of Caribbean Resort this morning from my favorite vlogger. This was posted Aug 5th.

Thanks. It is a beautiful resort. Although it appears Disney has done a decent job at shielding the construction I do see where I could probably have a more magical stay elsewhere.

 

[KittyKitty]

I stay at the Pop when I go on my own at WDW. Very excited about the upgrades in the room. They will have a coffee maker in them! Both Pop and AoA have great food courts.

Your children will love the atmosphere, pools, icons, music....

My vote is change to Pop, take the nonstop flight, keep to you budget.

 

[DISfirstTimer]

Also what does everyone suggest upon adding an extra day? Two full days at MK and last short day at DHS or one full day each at DHS and MK and last short day at MK?

 

[Designed4dis]

Hi DISfirsttimer,

For kids I think pop is a great place for kids, your DH might not be so thrilled with it as it is very 'Disney'.

My plan for your trip would be

Saturday: fly to orlando, check in to Pop I wouldn't make concert plans for arrival day but maybe go get dinner and a quick service at disney springs
we have made plans with ADRs for arrival day and its too hectic, and the parks will be busy on a saturday
Sunday: MK focusing on you must dos
Monday: Animal Kingdom
Tuesday: EPCOT
Wednesday: Hollywood studios
Thursday: Felexible day, I wouldn't have rest day but have this as a flexi day in case your kids love animal kingdom or you need the rest.
Friday: Magic Kingdom you will need 2 days there - Ohana Dinner
Saturday: Again I would book your breakfast and maybe go in to epcot from there as its so close but trekking to MK seems overkill

I personally wouldn't bother with hoop dee do, its a lot or travelling on boats and buses on your first trip. I don't know your budget but I recommend eating in places near or in the parks you visit that day don't hop about too much

 

[AngieInOH]

No way would I plan for a down day. Just my opinion. I wouldn't skip HS. My girls loved the Frozen, Aerial, and Beauty and the Beast shows!! Plus Toy Story is awesome!

 

[TylerJ]

I would definitely switch resorts. We have been to Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, the Port Orleans resorts, Caribbean Beach and this year Pop. The only resort we didn't care for was CBR. Of course, everyone has their own opinion. Especially with the construction going on, though, I would definitely switch resorts. I would probably skip Lego Land, too, but that's just me personally because I love Disney so much and think it has so much more to offer that I would much rather do an extra day at Disney than LL. Otherwise, I think your plan looks good. Have a great trip!

 

[melana]

I have stayed at both POP (pre-refurb) and CBR (pre-construction) and even then, I would go with POP over CBR. I think the Kids would love it.

Here is my take- do what makes you feel comfortable. If adding a day fits your plans and budget do it, if not, stick with your original plan. Believe me, I am an over planner and one trip I just kept adding days and things to do until I had a reality check and went back to the original plan.

If the kids want to go to Legoland--go to Legoland. Especially if it proves to be your only trip to the Orlando area. I mean it's Legos!! I would do Legoland if I had a kid who wanted to go.

I would do 2 days at MK. There is just so much to do and see there. On my first trip we were there for only 3.5 days. We did MK and AK. 2.5 at MK and 1 at AK.

As for food- Try Crystal Palace in MK. It keeps you from having to leave and come back. It is pretty good and you get to see Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore !! I have no advice for Hoop De Do because we have never done it.

DHS- I think your kids would like it. I think it is more of a half day Park now with all the refurb going on over there. Maybe do it in the AM and spend the afternoon/evening by the pool and doing some resort touring. I love doing that.

I also think you know your family best and if you really think you need a "rest" day, morning or afternoon... do it. You want this to be a memorable experience and one that may lead to future trips.

Whatever you decide to do, remember to make the best of it. Disney is magical and even when you are having a not-so magical day just knowing you are there can work wonders!!

 

[superman007]

I'm going to CBR in 6 days and I choose that resort because of the construction. I booked before the cut off and we're getting $75 gift cards each night if our stay. Rooms were going to be a similar price as Pop because of that. Other benefits of CBR are the pools remain open and they have character pool parties (daily or every other day), Coke freestyle machines at each set of room islands, and a QS buffet for meals. We didn't plan on spending much time eating at our resort anyway, but a QS credit for a buffet is a good deal. They've also torn down Barbados and 1/2 of Martinique so the resort should be less crowded. If I hadn't chosen CBR we probably would have gone with POFQ. I've heard it can get hot waiting for busses at Pop because there are no shelters, may not be an issue for Feb.

Also, is your husband a Star Wars fan? Gotta get to HS!

 

[DISfirstTimer]

Feeling good about this version but still trying to decide if I want to switch resorts. We are currently booked at CBR. Booking here put me slightly over my original budget but I wanted to ensure Queen Beds for adequate sleep for all. Recently I decided to add on an extra day so could fit in DHS and am now considering changing to POP in order to put me back closer to my original budget. Obviously I'm hoping for a refurbished room with Queens but I'd be taking a chance that I won't get one and be stuck on standard beds all week. Thoughts?

Below is my trip plan. Reminder I'm traveling with DH, DS 6, and DD 4. We will plan to do rope drop but I'm not going to stress if were moving slower some mornings. As of now I'm only planning one late night and will try to stick to 8pm bedtimes if possible. I have also tried to carve out some days for my DH to nap. (He NEVER sleeps so he truly to recharge on a vacation.) We will also be adding LEGOLAND on to the beginning of our trip as my son is crazy about legos and has asked a number of times if we can go there. Also we will have a car. I've added predicted crowd levels from Touring Plans.


Saturday: Fly into MCO/Enjoy Legoland Resort

Sunday: Legoland all Day/Check into Disney Resort


Monday: MK (Crowd Level 3 )

Fantasy Land

BOG for LUNCH

Parade then back to resort

Cape May Dinner


Tuesday: MK (Crowd Level 2)

Remainder of Attractions

QS Lunch

430 Dinner at Ohanas

Fireworks


Wednesday: Resort Day

4pm Hoop Dee Doo

Chip and Dale Campfire


Thursday: Epcot (Crowd Levels 2 )

Rides in the Am

Askheraus Lunch

DH/DD can go back to resort to rest while DS and I travel the World

QS Dinner


Friday: Animal Kingdom (Crowd Level 3 )

Flame Tree Lunch

QS Dinner


Saturday: DHS (Crowd Level 5)

DS, DD, and I Hit Rope Drop (Star Wars attractions and shows)

DH can sleep in and check us out of resort (He hates Star Wars)

Hollywood and Vine Lunch

FP rides in afternoon

Head out to MCO around 4/4:30 for 8:30 flight

 

[otten]

I personally wouldn't skip AK with kids that age. It's such a great park for them. You could skip the Pandora end of things and focus on shows, the animals and it wouldn't be a go go go day.

 

[DISfirstTimer]

I personally wouldn't skip AK with kids that age. It's such a great park for them. You could skip the Pandora end of things and focus on shows, the animals and it wouldn't be a go go go day.

We are doing AK for sure. It's on for Friday

 

[crayon3448]

My kids are around your kids age and we don't need a down day BUT we need afternoons or evenings off. In the morning, everyone is always refreshed and ready to hit the park. We tour in the morning and then after lunch we have the option to stay at the park, go the resort and swim or nap and come back later.

If you do take the day off, you should get free passes for mini-golf, if you're interested in doing that.

 

[DISfirstTimer]

My kids are around your kids age and we don't need a down day BUT we need afternoons or evenings off. In the morning, everyone is always refreshed and ready to hit the park. We tour in the morning and then after lunch we have the option to stay at the park, go the resort and swim or nap and come back later.

If you do take the day off, you should get free passes for mini-golf, if you're interested in doing that.

Good idea on the mini golf! My kids love that!

 

[superman007]

My kids are around your kids age and we don't need a down day BUT we need afternoons or evenings off. In the morning, everyone is always refreshed and ready to hit the park. We tour in the morning and then after lunch we have the option to stay at the park, go the resort and swim or nap and come back later.

If you do take the day off, you should get free passes for mini-golf, if you're interested in doing that.

Where is the mini golf course?

 

[Nstigator]

I'm a local, who traveled here twice with kids before eventually moving here. First time, the kids' ages were 4 and 2. Second time, kids' ages were 9, 8, 3, and 2. Here are my thoughts based on being a traveler and now a regular.

At your kids' age, Legoland is a great idea. Staying on resort is even better. The resort is great. You can get early entry into the park, probably deal with little to no crowds, and easily see everything in one day. If your kids have limited experience on rides, this is a great place to see what they can handle. It's a beautiful park and has plenty for you and DH to see as well.

Your new plan with mostly in-park meals is good. You don't want to be forced to leave the park if you are having a good time. The weather here the week you are coming should be sunny and cool and nice for walking, so you won't feel near as tired after walking as you would during the summer.

Monday - I would be careful about having two table services in one day. That's a lot of food and potentially wasted money if any of you just aren't very hungry for dinner. So a buffet dinner at Cape May after eating a nice meal at BOG is probably going to be a wasted dinner for the most part. Unless the food at BOG is too adventurous for your kids. Definitely consider the menus and what they might eat. The kids may be pretty worn out after two theme park days too. Worn out kids = fussy kids if you don't put food in front of them that they like.

Tuesday - Good. Ohana is a monorail away from MK. Great logistics.

Wednesday - I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I don't think my kids even at their current ages (13,11,6,5) would care about hoop de doo. My wife and I did it last year and we enjoyed it but I think my kids would be bored. It's just ok. The campground is very cool and doing the campfire is a great idea. So that would be the main reason to go over there for me. Oh, and I think a day off to hang around resort is a good idea. Or go to Disney Springs, which you should definitely try to work in somewhere. I say go to Disney Springs at some point that day. Eat dinner there or maybe at Cape May if y'all really want that. Then go over to Fort Wilderness for campfire.

Thursday - Good.

Friday - Replace Flame Tree with Tusker House. Great character meal and excellent food.

Saturday - Good.

 

[superman007]

I've heard the Back yard BBQ is a little more kids friendly than Hoop dee doo. I had HDD booked, then a friend recommended BYBBQ, but eventually canceled because we weren't staying at Wilderness anymore and replaced that resort day with a park day. Your plan looks fun, but I can't believe your DH "hates" Star Wars... those are strong words!

 

[Aurora0427]

I haven't read the entire thread, but if you hope to come back, I'd pick a different resort. You will be impacted by the construction, and I would think being at a resort with so much construction would go a long way towards your husband not wanting to come back. I don't know much about the mods, but I'd really try and pick a different resort.

Apologies if this has been mentioned

 

[disneyseniors]

Welcome to your first WDW trip, OP
The only thing I would definitely do is, go back to the resort every day for a nap for the kids, and down time for you (at the pool??) I feel that it is essential for the ages your children are, ie: 4 and 6. They will need their naps, trust me. Even if they don't nap at home, it is overwhelming and exhausting for most of us, adults included, so I feel they really would benefit from a nap (you too). There is so much coming at you, all the time, it gets overwhelming pretty quickly, and makes for cranky, tired, kids.
Even for seniors (which I am one of), we need rest time each afternoon too to recharge our batteries for the evening.
If you do this, then the evening is approached with rested, ready to go, children and parents too. Much more enjoyable for everyone.
I also feel that you can get a lot of lego play time in at Disney springs.. Their lego store is amazing, and has places for kids to build lego things, and race their cars, etc. I haven't been to LEGOLAND, but my grandkids absolutely loved the lego store in Disney springs.
As others have said, I would not have a "down" day on that short a visit. There is so much to see and do in each park that I feel you would be missing out just being at the resort. If a daily rest period/swim/ nap is utilized, you should have no problem doing full days. Good luck and have fun

 

[superman007]

I haven't read the entire thread, but if you hope to come back, I'd pick a different resort. You will be impacted by the construction, and I would think being at a resort with so much construction would go a long way towards your husband not wanting to come back. I don't know much about the mods, but I'd really try and pick a different resort.

Apologies if this has been mentioned

I think Pop will be cheaper and you can walk to a lot of cool scenes at Art of Animation. I've been tracking the construction very closely and I've heard overwhelmingly that the construction

I haven't read the entire thread, but if you hope to come back, I'd pick a different resort. You will be impacted by the construction, and I would think being at a resort with so much construction would go a long way towards your husband not wanting to come back. I don't know much about the mods, but I'd really try and pick a different resort.

Apologies if this has been mentioned

I think Pop would be the best fit so you can stay within budget. You'll also be a short walk to Art of Animation with a lot of cool character scenes to check out.

I wouldn't, however, worry about CBR because of the construction. I've been following the construction very closely and I've heard over and over that the construction is not at all noticable and the "extras" the resort is providing certainly make up for any inconveniences.