Has anyone ever attended UDA or UCA Nationals? I have ? so I can plan!

[matkensgirl2000]

We are attending WDW in February 2018. We bought the package that is sold by the dance association. They are discounted Park Hoppers. Since we will not receive our tickets until we arrive, we won't be able to plan FP+ until we get there. I'm well aware that this means we will have to queue up for some of our favorite rides. This makes my planning a little trickier, of course. The package also includes a Celebration Party at DHS with rides on RnR, ToT and TSM. Hopefully, that will make it easier to check those rides off of our list. My question is this: our package also includes a "Special UDA night at Magic Kingdom, extended hours at the Magic Kingdom Park with exclusive use of the MK Park's most exciting rides." Has anyone attended the MK event? Generally, what rides does it include? Are the lines usually shorter than during regular operating hours? Since we won't have much advance planning with FP+, knowing we can check some of these rides off during these events will really help out. I know lots of youth/sport events have similar events so if you've attended any of those types, your input would be appreciated!! Thank you!

 

[LSUmiss]

What are the dates of this in Feb?

 

[matkensgirl2000]

What are the dates of this in Feb?

February 2-4 is the actual competition

 

[sunb75]

I'm going as well and would appreciate any feedback

 

[achang2001]

When I️ have purchased discounted conference tickets, I️ received an email with codes to link to MDX. Are you sure you won’t be getting something like the above to make FPs early? Are you staying onsite? If so, I️ would assume you would be getting something to link to your account

 

[stellablue96]

We are going as well. Just made a dinner reservation for myself and my kid on Wednesday night but I’m curious about the other things as well.

 

[amylevan]

I've never seen an official list for UCA's nights at the MK. My guess is so that they can change the availability - but I would think EMH rides since it's sort of treated the same way.

 

[extreme8]

I've done the UDA thing for the last 4 years with my wife and daughter. They did it for 3 years prior to that without me.
Last year, even though my daughter graduated, the team asked me to come as the team photographer and helped pay my way.
All of the Seniors that graduated the previous year flew in from colleges all over the country (my daughter included) to support their old team. Their coaches generate a lot of loyalty in those kids.
Anyway,
Last year was the first time I did the Magic Kingdom extended hours. I know most of the headliners were open but I just did about 7 or 8 walk-ons of 7DMT. No wait whatsoever. None. In fact I stopped in the queue a few times to look around and let people pass me. Sorry I can't fully answer your question, I wasn't feeling well the whole trip and made it an early night so I'm unsure about the other rides that were open.
While the package includes the Studios party that seems to be a thing mostly for the dancers. The girls said that ToT and RnR were so packed they didn't even bother getting in line. Us parents hang out at the resort and have a little party on the walkway between our rooms that night. (I organize a big order from Garden Grocer for the whole team to have snacks, drinks, and water while we're there).
Since you've never done a UDA event realize that there is really no way to plan anything. Depending on how successful your team is and how far they advance you'll never know when they're dancing. Our girls typically make the Finals in Hip Hop and at least the Semi Finals in Jazz so we have very little down time. For us it's a dance competition with some occasional park time rather than a Disney vacation with some dancing added in.

It's a different experience than you're used to. Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions about what to expect or how they do things during these events.

 

[X and G's mom]

I've done the All Star competition through UCA numerous times! I am a coach
The party at DHS is closed to the public and has had RNR, TSM, and TOT as the ride options. The ride lines are long the later you get there. But, we've always gone as a group so the time goes fast.
The Friday celebration at MK does seem more manageable. There are more ride options. We have only allowed our athletes to go to this the first year as we have competed early in the morning on Saturday That may be why the MK celebration is more manageable.
I plan to call closer to the 60 day timeframe to see if I can add the trip to my DME account Otherwise, I have just added FP's once I arrive.

 

[cepmom]

When I️ have purchased discounted conference tickets, I️ received an email with codes to link to MDX. Are you sure you won’t be getting something like the above to make FPs early? Are you staying onsite? If so, I️ would assume you would be getting something to link to your account

Unfortunately you don't get an activation code or anything with these UDA/UCA tickets. Learned that the hard way last year I actually cancelled my order and bought my own tickets so I could plan FP+ for our party, which is too bad because the discounted tickets are pretty good price and include admission to the actual competition itself as well, however we really wanted to be able to use FP+ as the January UDA/UCA weekend (college) is pretty crowded.
(We did not purchase a travel package through UDA like the team did and we stayed at our own hotel separate from our daughter's team)