Grad Trip for an Aussie High School student

[Oz Katie]

Back in 2015, my spouse, BFF and almost 9yo child went on a big trip to the USA. We went to Charleston, WDW, Universal Florida, Boston, and NYC.
While we were at WDW, I saw my kid's love of rides and said "If you don't want to go to Schoolies* at the end of grade 12, we'll have a girls trip to WDW".

Well, my Teen is now in Grade 12, turning 18 in a few months and graduating in mid-November, and the next day we have flights booked to LA! Internal domestic flights yet to be booked as we firm up our plans and itinerary.

We intend to arrive into MCO on Sun 17 Nov, having two park days, then a rest day, and two more park days, and leaving for the next stage of our trip on the Sat 23 or Sun 24th. I'm pretty sure WDW will start to get (extra) busy that weekend, being the weekend before Thanksgiving.

Our experience in 2015 was four straight park days, with a small amount of park hopping. This time we want to break it up a bit, as we know we'll need some downtime.
Back then, we did a bit of character dining (Ohana brekky, Crystal Palace dinner and a dinner at Epcot at the rotating restaurant). This time, my Teen isn't interested in character dining; she's also gluten-free (not a coeliac though) - I've read great things about GF food at WDW.
My Teen also has sensory issues, so crowds and noises are sometimes overwhelming, but she can manage queues, etc. It just might mean she hits a wall when we get back to our room, which is why we're planning a mid-week relaxation day.

My Teen loves Belle.

I'm not sure where we'll stay yet, hoping to stay on property in the Disney bubble and we prefer to have 2 beds.

I guess I don't have any questions at the moment, but would love any thoughts on resorts to stay at. We can budget a more than Pop or similar hotels - though my Teen would love that level of theming! But we're not at Polynesian bungalow level if you know what I mean.


* Schoolies is kind of like Spring Break, but in Australia, usually only grade 12 students go to Schoolies.

 

[cruising spud]

Not sure if I understand which resorts you would be looking at -if you mean you were leaning toward the moderate resorts, then I would suggest Port Orleans French Quarters. It is the smallest Disney moderate resort, which might be great for you daughter, due to the sensory issues. I also believe it is getting a rehab this spring/summer.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Highly recommend the Princess rooms at Port Orleans!

Also, if she's a Belle fan, be sure to get a lunch or dinner reservation at Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom!

What an exciting trip

 

[nherbert]

look into these options:

• Princess rooms at riverside (POR) - also has boat access to Disney Springs for rest day
• Little mermaid rooms at AoA
• Mermaid rooms at Caribbean (CBR) - has skyliner to HS and Epcot
• Room at AKL - you can see giraffes from windows

At the time you are going, there is likely to be a sale on rooms (most likely advertised in June but keep an eye out in May as things change)

 

[nighttowll]

Not sure if it’s in the budget or even offered during your dates, but you might look into doing an after hours party or event. It would drastically cut down on crowds and noise for your daughter.

I also second the Royal Rooms at Riverside. We are staying there on our upcoming trip, and they weren’t much more than value. I think some of the art of animation rooms were the same price or more.

I’ve also stayed at Coranado before, but there’s nothing exciting about the rooms. The pool is the big draw which might not be even a thought in November.

AK lodge is amazing, but unless you can rent points, that’s probably a little more than your budget.

I’d also check prices at Swan and Dolphin. No over the top Disney theming, but very nice hotel with Disney perks but less expensive.

For meals, second BOG. The ballroom is breathtaking. The snow lovely. It’s definitely worth doing once, especially for a fan of the movie.

I’ve also heard good things about the Space restaurant in Epcot, might be fun themed meal that’s a bit more grown up. I don’t think there’s characters, but I could be wrong.

 

[Cadiewampus]

Not sure if I understand which resorts you would be looking at -if you mean you were leaning toward the moderate resorts, then I would suggest Port Orleans French Quarters. It is the smallest Disney moderate resort, which might be great for you daughter, due to the sensory issues. I also believe it is getting a rehab this spring/summer.

Last summer when my youngest son and his girlfriend went to Disney they stayed at POFQ and loved it. Of course it helped that it was a free upgrade. They were originally booked to stay at Pop or Allstar sports can't remember which

 

[Oz Katie]

Not sure if I understand which resorts you would be looking at -if you mean you were leaning toward the moderate resorts, then I would suggest Port Orleans French Quarters. It is the smallest Disney moderate resort, which might be great for you daughter, due to the sensory issues. I also believe it is getting a rehab this spring/summer.

Sorry!
I think my Teen would love the theming of Pop Centry, All Stars and Art of Animation resorts. But this Mama would prefer something a little quieter.

I've been thinking of Port Orleans French Quarter - mostly due to the Gluten-Free Beignets at Scat Cats! But that seems a big reason to choose a resort.

 

[Oz Katie]

Not sure if it’s in the budget or even offered during your dates, but you might look into doing an after hours party or event. It would drastically cut down on crowds and noise for your daughter.

Thank you for all of your suggestions! I'm definitely interested in the Mickey Christmas party, as I'm guessing it will be offered that week. We've done the MNSSHP twice before, once at DL and once at WDW, but I doubt she remembers them.

 

[Oz Katie]

We've ended up booking OKW in a Studio Suite, so that we can both have a real bed. I had wanted a 1br for the laundry facilities, but I really don't think we'll need the extra space, it would just be nice to be able to do laundry privately before the next stage of our trip.

Now to pick our park days and if we do MVMCP or JN!

	Park	Park events
Sun 17/11	Arrival day	MK - MVMCP
Mon 18/11		HS - JN 7:30pm on
Tues 19/11		MK - MVMCP
Weds 20/11
Thurs 21/11		MK - MVMCP
Fri 22/11		MK - MVMCP

I'm not sure about doing Jollywood Nights, but definitely want to do Mickey's Christmas party.

How would you work your days with this itinerary? Sorry for the Aussie date format!