Help a newbie with planning please

[trirae]

We are headed to DW 10/20-10/24. There will be 6 adults, a 2 yr old, 3 yr old, and 6 yr old. I've been following the board for a while but forgive me if I don't have all the lingo down. It's a little like a foreign language. I can understand it better than I can speak it.

Here's the deal. We are staying at a vacation home offsite and are renting two cars. All along, I've been planning to buy 4 day park hopper passes. Suddenly, I'm re-thinking that. Since the parks will close earlier in the evening in Oct., maybe we should do the one day passes (if we do add on days, there's a discount there, according to mousesavers, right?), which will be cheaper. With such a short trip, I'm not sure we'll have time to do much hopping. What do you think? We have 3 full days of park time, and potentially some time on Oct. 20, but will probably not get settled and ready to go until late afternoon. So, I planned to do MK, AK, and MGM. Is there any MAJOR reason to get the hopper tickets? Where can we go without tickets? Downtown Disney? Anywhere else? Does anyone know if the stores, etc. in DD are open later than the parks in Oct?

One of the other things I'm wondering now is about the MNSSHP. There are two options while we are there. One is the day we arrive and the other is Friday. I'm wondering if it would be strange for the 3 and 6 yr old if we went there Wednesday night? It would be their first DW experience. It would work really well in terms of our arrival time and being able to get some park time in that day and would mesh well with doing the one day only passes. But I'm concerned that it would be a strange introduction to Disney.

Next question: I think we will only have the budget for one character meal. The 3 and 6 yr old girls would love a princess experience. I am planning to try for CRT, but if I don't get it, would the storybook one be worth it? Or just do a different set of characters like Chef Mickey?

Thanks in advance,
Tricia

 

[mic_key_mouse]

I would get the PH just for Illuminations on the AK day, and save the extra day for your next visit if you think you will be coming back. Check park hours and be sure to schedule around Wishes/Specto. I haven't been there at exactly that time of year but Spectro is usually only offered on certain days of week during value season and is a must see. Hours are usually released around 60 days out. Also, keep in mind that there is talk about evening EMH hours making a return in the fall. It is a 'big if'- but keep your fingers crossed.

I would also do the Halloween party if you think the younger kids will not be afraid of the atmosphere. Only you know how your kids will be with costumes and other 'not so scary' stuff. It is a seperate ticketed event so you wouldn't need to use a day on your pass. My only concern here is the fatigue factor on your travel day. If you have a long trip, bag MNSSHP and relax. Three full days in the park is still going to be very tiring for the kids (and you)- even with short hours. That's my 2 cents worth

Blessings,
mic_key_mouse

 

[jcemom]

Welcome to the DIS!

I think I would go with the Park Hoppers. We were there in early February with short hours and still park-hopped. For example, MK will get crowds/longer lines by lunch-time, and you may want to hop over to MGM or Epcot. Also, AK will close at 5:00 allowing plenty of time to hop to another park.

I don't think I would choose to do the MNSSHP on your first night, though if there is one on your last night that may be the perfect ending to the trip. It runs until midnight, and travel can be very tiring...won't that make it really hard to get an early start the next morning? I wouldn't want to "waste" one of my mornings on such a short trip by sleeping in. Is the Friday MNSSHP on your last night?

Your first afternoon/evening may be a good chance to do something more relaxing...dinner and Fantasmic, character dinner, Epcot World Showcase and Illuminations, Downtown Disney, etc.

As far as a princess meal, I say go for it. Assuming the 2yr old is a boy (?) he would probably enjoy the princesses also. The Storybook meal just doesn't have Cinderella, but several other princesses would be there and I think it would be a great alternative if you don't get Cinderella's. (and another reason to get those hopper passes, as you would need entry into Epcot) There is also the Cinderella dinner at 1900 Park Fare. I haven't been to Chef Mickey's but hear it is a lot of fun and, as with 1900 PF, doesn't require park entry, so may be a choice for either your first evening there, or breakfast before you head home on your last day if there's time. Inside MK, I think that Crystal Palace is a good choice with Pooh and gang. Epcot has Garden Grill with Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale and was one of our best meals.