Followed the plans on here and no Elsa FP

[lustergirl]

The Op never indicated she was going to do either.

Just responding to what someone else posted about needing breaks in life.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Just responding to what someone else posted about needing breaks in life.

This OP does need a break, she has not indicated that she's ruining anyone's credit in order to do so.

 

[avic77]

OP I hope you have an amazing magical trip! There is pixie dust everywhere at Disney. Go in with an open mind and heart. not with disappointment.
The Halloween party is so much fun and your little one will really enjoy it.
AKL is gorgeous and they have lots of fun FREE activities.
You can tour all the resorts and check out the decorations and enjoy the atmosphere.
Having only the 2 park days could be a blessing, 5 to 7 days can be overwhelming for a little one and she may just remember a blur of rushing place to place (that was how my very first trip went, i hated it)

 

[kj2mom]

I booked a vacation for my twins to celebrate their 5th birthday. After making all of the reservations, including flight and dining, I learned that the company I worked for was sold and I was the only one not being kept by the new company. That left me an unemployed single mom of 2 who could not collect because I had been getting a 1099 the last couple of years. I still kept the trip as planned and had to tell people during interviews that I had a week long vacation coming up that I had already scheduled. In the end, I was out of work for a total of 5 days and I am still working for the company that hired me (9 years later). I am soo glad I stayed firm with my plan to take the trip and don't regret it at all (even if people were talking behind my back - my budget/my money and I live debt free even after taking that vacation so people can talk all they want).

OP, I hope you are able to get the FP you desire!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thanks...hubby didn't lose his job though, thankfully! Economy effects his job though and what he makes.

I am looking into Trails end- think we are gonna do a half day there. It sounds like great fun our family would enjoy. See the horses, maybe go fishing, trails, have a nice dinner, and then the campfire and movie under the stars if weather permits.

After reading all of the posts (and I read them ALL- even the deleted ones) I definetly have a much better outlook on things. I think we are gonna have a great time. Thanks for all the tips- that's not what this thread was supposed to be about, but it has really helped out a lot! I have looked up all the places you have recommended. We won't know how much cash we have until the trip, since the house is up for sale. If it sells we will be so thankful- but that also comes with costs (any changes the buyer wants) and closing costs and such. This has things up in the air for us. My daughter has spending money. She saved and saved all year long so she is set. I don't have to worry about souveneirs. Just gas/food/entertainment.

Ft. Wilderness is so much fun! I think you will really enjoy it! There is a playground right next to Trail's End as well. My DS could spend hours there!

I'm not sure if anyone else mentioned this, but the Boardwalk is really fun to go to at night (or early evening depending on when your DD goest to sleep). They have free entertainment there every night - jugglers, acrobats, magicians - and the shows follow one right after another. One idea may be to grab dinner at Boardwalk Bakery (their sandwiches are HUGE) so you could even split one and get a child's meal. They also have pizza, hot dogs, ice cream, etc. on the Boardwalk. You really could make "dinner and a show" out of the evening for very little money.

You really are staying at the best resort for light park touring. There is so much to do! I hope you have a great trip!

 

[mummabear]

We all need "breaks" in life but to ruin my credit or someone elses to take a trip to disney: not happening!!!!!!!!!!!

Nobody said they should, on a side note though no one is responsible for someone's else's credit, even if choosing the trip would have that effect on the grandmother is not the OPs responsibility to throw their non refundables away to take care of it. each adult should be prepared with enough money/insurance to look after themselves.

 

[alicat8]

The more I read this thread, the more jealous I'm getting of your non-park trip. A relaxing disney vacation is something I've never done! It sounds like a great opportunity.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Growing up no one ever spent a week at Disney. That was of the very small amount of people we knew that even went. They would go to MK for one day and spend the rest at a family members house or somewhere offsite.

Even now a lot of my coworkers go and stay at an off site resort and do one day at MK and the rest doing things at their resort.

I think you'll be fine! You are doing two days at MK. Your DD will enjoy herself at AKL.

HAVE FUN!

 

[scoobygrl79]

I booked a vacation for my twins to celebrate their 5th birthday. After making all of the reservations, including flight and dining, I learned that the company I worked for was sold and I was the only one not being kept by the new company. That left me an unemployed single mom of 2 who could not collect because I had been getting a 1099 the last couple of years. I still kept the trip as planned and had to tell people during interviews that I had a week long vacation coming up that I had already scheduled. In the end, I was out of work for a total of 5 days and I am still working for the company that hired me (9 years later). I am soo glad I stayed firm with my plan to take the trip and don't regret it at all (even if people were talking behind my back - my budget/my money and I live debt free even after taking that vacation so people can talk all they want).

OP, I hope you are able to get the FP you desire!

Oh, how scary! I'm very happy everything worked out for the best. I know the wait before you knew what was gonna happen had to be so frightening.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Oh and I didn't go to Disney until I was 20. As soon as I could afford to go I went!!

I would have died and gone to heaven if I got to spend a day at MK as a kid.

I think your DD will be very grateful. She's never been so there's not a lot of expectation.

 

[scoobygrl79]

Oh and I didn't go to Disney until I was 20. As soon as I could afford to go I went!!

I would have died and gone to heaven if I got to spend a day at MK as a kid.

I think your DD will be very grateful. She's never been so there's not a lot of expectation.

This was almost me to the T except I went ONCE at 13. My single mother was a gambling addict so my family summer vacations took place alternating between Vegas and Atlantic City...where it was pretty much illegal for me to hang out in most spots.

 

[kj2mom]

Oh, how scary! I'm very happy everything worked out for the best. I know the wait before you knew what was gonna happen had to be so frightening.

Thanks, luckily I have never been one to live beyond my means, I live in a family home that has been passed down for generations, I drove a car that I paid cash for (not new, just new to me) so my cost of living was very low. I had enough put away to survive for a few months and knew I had a roof over my head which was great comfort. I was soo, sooo fortunate to find the job I did. Ironically I found the ad in a job find book while waiting for my appointment with unemployment which they ultimately told me I could get nothing. I went home and sent them my info, they called the next day, I interviewed the next day, two days later they offered me the job and I started on Monday. The job has been wonderful to me, I am soo thankful and it is even in my field so a huge bonus all around.

 

[Goofy14sure]

I love a trip
Without many park days!

If you want to maximize park time use your park tickets on a non party day. Go early and stay late! If you can't get that coveted Elsa/Anna fast pass don't worry too much the wait times should only be 60 minutes or so.

On party night go around 4. You can usually get in then and stay to midnight. Don't miss the shows, the parade and the fireworks! (And trick or treat candy)

For food, go counter service, especially in the parks. IMHO there is not a sit down service place in the MK worth the time or money if you are on any kind of a budget, even be our guest.

The savanna view Rooms at AKL are wonderful, you can spend a lot of time relaxing and looking at the animals, bring binoculars if you can

For food you will have a fridge and microwave. There are many grocery stores you can drive to, the prices will be about the same as at home.

Try out the Mara it is a really good food court and spend some pool time, enjoy the story tellers, nature walks, the nightly fire, ask at the front desk about the activities

Do visit fort wilderness, bus to the MK and transfer to a boat, the ride is great fun, stay for the campfire singalong with chip and dale and watch the fireworks from the beach

And walking the boardwalk, touring the monorail resort loop resorts

That's what I like about a Disney vacation, it can be what you want it to be! A frantic nonstop fun trip or a nice relaxing trip or any where in between Its your choice

Have a great trip!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Last time we went there weren't any Elsa FPs either. These seemed to be our choices--join the herd and head over at rope drop to wait in the line. OR skip it. OR keep an eye on wait times during the day and try to get in line when the wait seemed least. OR go during the Halloween party. We ended up going during the party. The wait time on my phone said 90 min and I explained to my girls how long that was but that it'd be our only chance. They wanted to do it. We made our way over and the time kept dropping as we went. By the time we got in line, I think we only ended up waiting about 40 minutes. It wasn't that bad of a wait and the meet was worth it to us. I don't think you'd be waiting hours and hours, but if it's a priority for you, just realize you're going to have to do some waiting.

Also--I'm sure someone's said this--obsessively check FP for some to open. It happens sometimes.

And--you I'm sure know that you can get into the park at 4pm with your Halloween party ticket and make fastpasses for that time once your ticket is linked to your account. Some FP may be available then or it could be a good time to stand in line so you don't do it during your party time or your MK day time.

(It rained A LOT on our party night)

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Wow, tough crowd here. OP, you will have a GREAT time, I've had wonderful trips with only a couple of park days. Like a previous poster said I would plan your MK on a non party day and also towards the middle to the end of your trip (depending on what day your MNSSHP tickets are on). AKL is a fantastic resort and just seeing the animals, taking part in the resort activities and relaxing at the two pools will make any kid happy (and mommy). Watch the movies in the evening on lounge chairs. Like others have said check out Fort Wilderness and do the Chip and Dale sing along. After a few great resort days have a park or MNSSHP day, then another pool day and then your park/MNSSHP day. The park day is long, you need a rest day after and the same for the party.

You'll have a car? No worries then, it's easy to bring some food and make a grocery run. Sandwiches are easy.

I could easily spend a week at any of the Disney resorts and be perfectly happy. Of course I love the parks but who doesn't enjoy a nice resort and pool time?

Also, don't worry so much about the A&E FP. Worst case scenario go during Wishes on either your park day or the party, that will most likely be a much shorter wait (it went down to 20 minutes during Wishes when we were there, so did the Mine Train). They spiked up again as soon as it was over. I was also able to get FP+ after checking back on MDE a gazillion times and also two popped up while we there at a kiosk. One of those fluke finds but it happens.

It will be FINE. Your dd will so enjoy the Magic Kingdom and really won't miss the other parks, you don't miss what you don't know. No worries.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Forgot to add--you can also try to go during parades when everyone else is watching that, you may be able to sneak in with little wait. You'll figure it out. Just because you don't have a FP doesn't mean it won't happen

 

[MommyMeNDisney]

Growing up no one ever spent a week at Disney. That was of the very small amount of people we knew that even went. They would go to MK for one day and spend the rest at a family members house or somewhere offsite.

Omg, right!!! We went to Disney countless times as a kid. Spent the day at MK and stayed in a motel. A week at Disney was unheard of.

Now, that I have a child and I'm planning his first trip to WDW, I wondered..."when did a WDW vacation become so freaking sophisticated?!?!"

The folks at Disney are geniuses!!!

 

[CooperPrincesses]

I read some of the posts and I am sorry that some are so mean spirited. We have gone to Disney before with my oldest on a tight budget and had a great time! Have you gotten your travel packet yet? There are coupons in there for free mini golf that could be fun one day, the pools at the resorts are awesome, its still warm enough to swim in the Fall for sure. Ft. Wilderness has an endless list of things to do and all relatively inexpensive, what about a canoe trip? I think the pony rides are right around $3 too. Grab a bucket of Chicken from Trails End to Go and either go over to the Camp Fire Sing Along or sit on the beach and watch the Electrical Parade and Wishes from the shore. Even pack a themed picnic and bring it with you.

Our big money saver is planning in advance, having an idea of what I think we might like to do and scheduling, that way you can limit the surprises and the unplanned expenses. There is always room for variation, but I even try to have an idea of what that might be, Plan A, B & C. We travel cash only, no CC's so I need to have an idea of what are expenses are going to be and plan accordingly. Spreadsheets are the Bomb for that ahead of time.

Good luck to you guys with everything, and I really do hope that you all have a Magical time during your visit. Lots of wishes for pixie dust during your stay.

 

[sharadoc]

OP, if you would rather not take the trip, I would suggest discussing the points rental with the company. They may be able to re-rent that reservation and refund part of your money. If you did it directly with someone, they may be able to do it and refund you something as well. Disney is sympathetic to life situations and can probably refund your ticket cost too. You have a lot on your plate right now and you may feel better if you cancelled the trip.

Good luck.

 

[lustergirl]

Last time we went there weren't any Elsa FPs either. These seemed to be our choices--join the herd and head over at rope drop to wait in the line. OR skip it. OR keep an eye on wait times during the day and try to get in line when the wait seemed least. OR go during the Halloween party. We ended up going during the party. The wait time on my phone said 90 min and I explained to my girls how long that was but that it'd be our only chance. They wanted to do it. We made our way over and the time kept dropping as we went. By the time we got in line, I think we only ended up waiting about 40 minutes. It wasn't that bad of a wait and the meet was worth it to us. I don't think you'd be waiting hours and hours, but if it's a priority for you, just realize you're going to have to do some waiting.

Also--I'm sure someone's said this--obsessively check FP for some to open. It happens sometimes.

And--you I'm sure know that you can get into the park at 4pm with your Halloween party ticket and make fastpasses for that time once your ticket is linked to your account. Some FP may be available then or it could be a good time to stand in line so you don't do it during your party time or your MK day time.

(It rained A LOT on our party night)
View attachment 119238

What a precious picture!!