First time visit and NOT doing MVMCP

[NurseNoa]

This is our first time (and for now, only time) to Disney. We'll be there December 10-15. We've decided against MVMCP - just can't justify the $500. However, based on all the crowd calendars and touring plans and whatnot, we've opted to make both of our MK days party days (Dec 10 and Dec 14). The lower crowds really swung me. This means that we will be leaving MK at around 6 pm each night. I understand that we will be able to watch the castle lighting at 6:15 pm.

We will be staying for the nighttime shows at EP and DHS (and possibly AK if kids are able).

What would you suggest doing after we leave MK that would be a good substitute? I thought to go to Disney Springs and have hot cocoa and desserts, and check out the trees. I'm open to one of the cruises that allow you to see the fireworks at MK. Or a sleigh ride. Really, anything that won't set me back $500. Kids are 11, 9 and nearly 6. We keep kosher so most meals don't matter to us unless there is a great character meal (and then the food is irrelevant, we get little airplane trays). We won't have Park Hoppers.

Thank you

 

[Cameron1515]

Awesome, sounds like a great plan. I understand where you are coming from $500 is a lot of money and sometimes cannot be justified.

Disney Springs would be a great place to hang out after having to leave MK, especially after the refurb and revamp that it has undergone. You will get enjoyment by just walking around and soaking up the atmosphere, without spending any money. However if you wish to do some activities etc there is live entertainment, Christmas activities and a lot of different activities.

If you are staying on site, it might even be an option to go back to your hotel and rest up. A day at Disney does tend to drain everyone.

Also just a side note, I am in not in anyway trying to deter you from DHS but it is currently undergoing major construction of Toy Story and Star Wars Land, which you may already know. It has become really only half a day park unless you like to take your time and stroll around. This means you could go to the park later on, so it doesn't get boring when you run out of things to do.

 

[NurseNoa]

Awesome, sounds like a great plan. I understand where you are coming from $500 is a lot of money and sometimes cannot be justified.

Disney Springs would be a great place to hang out after having to leave MK, especially after the refurb and revamp that it has undergone. You will get enjoyment by just walking around and soaking up the atmosphere, without spending any money. However if you wish to do some activities etc there is live entertainment, Christmas activities and a lot of different activities.

If you are staying on site, it might even be an option to go back to your hotel and rest up. A day at Disney does tend to drain everyone.

Also just a side note, I am in not in anyway trying to deter you from DHS but it is currently undergoing major construction of Toy Story and Star Wars Land, which you may already know. It has become really only half a day park unless you like to take your time and stroll around. This means you could go to the park later on, so it doesn't get boring when you run out of things to do.

Yes, I've heard this about DHS. However, my husband and kids are HUGE Star Wars fans. This park was a non-negotiable. They plan on doing everything SW - including Jedi Training. If we can, we would leave the park for the afternoon and dinner, and come back for the nighttime show.

 

[Tksolomom]

You could also do a tour of the hotels on the monorails. They are decorated beautifully for the holidays and it is free.

 

[nursejackie]

You could also do a tour of the hotels on the monorails. They are decorated beautifully for the holidays and it is free.

We always do this, but we are a little peeved this year about the added time of having to go through security at every monorail stop en route.

 

[Cameron1515]

Yes, I've heard this about DHS. However, my husband and kids are HUGE Star Wars fans. This park was a non-negotiable. They plan on doing everything SW - including Jedi Training. If we can, we would leave the park for the afternoon and dinner, and come back for the nighttime show.

Definitely don't miss that then. Yes you are able to leave the park and return to the same park that day, as many times as you like. I am not sure how much research or knowledge you have on DHS but there is actually a lot of smaller Star Wars 'attractions and shows' which is really cool.

Some of the Star Wars attractions and shows are:
Star Wars Launch Bay- Is really cool because you can meet Chewbacca and Kylo Ren. You can also view all Star Wars memorabilia.
Star Wars The Adventure Continues- Motion Simulator ride
Galactic Spectacular- Firework Show
Star Wars A Galaxy Far Far Away- A short show featuring a number of Star Wars characters, on the main stage outside the Chinese theatre
March of the First Order- This starts on Hollywood Boulevard and goes down to the Chinese Theatre

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would do DS one night. It will be beautifully decorated with a tree trail, a chance to meet Santa and Santa Goofy (if you are interested) and they will have stilt walkers, carolers, etc.)

On the second night, I would do a monorail and boat tour of the MK resorts to see all of the decorations. You could start by taking a boat over to Ft. W and taking a sleigh ride (you can book a private one if you would like - it's $84 I believe). The Fort will be beautifully decorated and it should be dark by 6:30 pm. If you are hungry, Trail's End is a good choice. You can then take a boat over to WL to see the lobby which is gorgeous (their are two good QS restaurants there if you would like to grab dinner). I would then boat over to CR and do the monorail loop to see the decorations at CR, Poly and GF (amazing!). You can then end back at MK if you need to take a bus back to your resort.

Another option would be taking a bus over to the Boardwalk to tour the EP resorts and their decorations, having something to eat, watching the evening entertainment (jugglers and magicians start around 7 pm) and taking a surrey bike ride.

 

[NurseNoa]

Definitely don't miss that then. Yes you are able to leave the park and return to the same park that day, as many times as you like. I am not sure how much research or knowledge you have on DHS but there is actually a lot of smaller Star Wars 'attractions and shows' which is really cool.

Some of the Star Wars attractions and shows are:
Star Wars Launch Bay- Is really cool because you can meet Chewbacca and Kylo Ren. You can also view all Star Wars memorabilia.
Star Wars The Adventure Continues- Motion Simulator ride
Galactic Spectacular- Firework Show
Star Wars A Galaxy Far Far Away- A short show featuring a number of Star Wars characters, on the main stage outside the Chinese theatre
March of the First Order- This starts on Hollywood Boulevard and goes down to the Chinese Theatre

Thank you so much Cameron.

As I was responding to you I realized I had the PERFECT activity for our second MK night. Can't believe I didn't think of it. December 14 is the release of the newest Star Wars movie. Just bought us tickets at The movie theatre at Disney Springs for the premier of Star Wars. They were nearly sold out. So we'll leave the park at 6:15, go to Disney Springs, have some kind of dinner involving hot chocolate, look at the trees and then see Star Wars at 8:45 pm (that was the earliest showing with any tickets left). Even if the younger 2 kids fall asleep- it's a fairly cheap nap.

For our first MK night, I'm thinking the sleigh ride sounds perfect. Along with the WL lobby. We actually have a throwaway campsite that night so we can park there. (We're staying offsite).

Thank you so much!