Help! going next week and have lots of questions

[basketlacey]

Okay - I haven't been to WDW since I was 4. There wasn't even an Epcot then. These are going to sound like dumb questions but if I don't ask, I won't know.

First, we are staying in the park and have the Ultimate Hopper Passes - if that means anything in regards to my questions.

Here they are (and I reserve the right to come back with more - LOL)

What is Fantasmic? I keep hearing about packages with seats and I am so confused. Do we have to pay to see this?

What is eride night? Who gets in for this and is it included in my tickets?

How do you know what parks have the Early Morning hours and what days they are?

 

[basketlacey]

how hard is it to take your own stroller (i.e, getting on and off buses and stuff)?

 

[WDWAurora]

Fantasmic is the nighttime show at MGM. It's fantastic! Admission is free, however in order to get a seat for the first show (I don't know anything about the later shows, some nights they have more than one, not all nights) you have to be there VERY early. The fantasmic dinner packages allow you to pay to eat your meal, then you get reserved seating. I haven't done it, I prefer to get there early, others swear by it. It's just a matter of opinion. But no, you don't have to pay for it.

That's all I can answer, but this will give you a bump!

 

[sap1227]

What is Fantasmic? I keep hearing about packages with seats and I am so confused. Do we have to pay to see this?

A very popular "show" at MGM. People get into line over an hour (and sometimes over 2 hours) before the show to make sure they get a seat. Fantasmic itself is included in admission. However, another way to guarantee a seat is to do the package. This includes dinner and a seat for the show.

What is eride night? Who gets in for this and is it included in my tickets?

Look here for e-night info: http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/eticket.htm

How do you know what parks have the Early Morning hours and what days they are?

Here is the early morning schedule:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/earlyentry.htm

 

[WeirdEyes]

Basketlacey,
I can answer a few of your questions.

Fantasmic is a show that is at MGM. I haven't seen it for years, so I can't give you much else. There are a few restaurants at MGM that offer a Fantasmic package where you can eat and then get in a special reserved seating area.

E-nights are where you can get into the Magic Kingdom after hours on designated days and ride all of the "E" rides like Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Haunted Mansion, etc. The cost is around $12 per person and it is NOT included in your ticket.

I don't have a listing of what the EE's are for each park, but hopefully someone else will chime in.

Have fun!

 

[basketlacey]

You all are wonderful - and speedy!

I think we will definitely want to catch Fantasmic! Looks like we will skip e-ride (we already have plans the one night it is available). And, my plans were already set for the days to go to the parks that have the EMH. So, I think I am just in the middle of a last minute panic!

 

[Chess]

I'll give the stroller one a try. We've both rented and taken our own. You are allowed to take strollers on the bus but they must be folded in order to be taken on. I've found that a small umbrella stoller with a basket and canopy work best. Some of the larger ones can be more difficult to get on the bus even when broken down. Renting costs almost as much as buying a nice umbrella stroller. We actually enjoyed renting better even though it meant at times that we were carrying our kids back to the bus stop.

Having just returned from an adults only trip, my suggestion is to be kind to other riders on the bus. Please do not have your stroller or bags taking up a seat while other passengers are standing. My DH gave up his seat several times for parents with kids and for kids while we watched people using seats for their strollers and bags.

Ejnoy your trip.

 

[LoveRafiki]

Early Entry ---

I don't know all the days off the top of my head, but WDWInfo.com has it on there.

MK = Su, Th
AK = M, F?
MGM/EP -- have the other 3 days, one is only on Wed, the other has Tu, Sa (I think!).

Early entry works well if you get there 15-30minutes ahead of the actual time it is set to open -- so, if regular park opens at 9am and early entry is 8am -- get there at 7:30a-7:45a. There are only certain attractions open for early entry -- Magic Kingdom has parts of Fantasyland and Tomorrowland open. All the Fast Pass rides in those lands are open. Do those areas between 8-9a and then be ready to go into the other part of the park at 9am -- You'll be able to hit all major rides by about 10:30am -- At that point we usually take a breather --- like a nice late breakfast!

Animal Kingdom does not let you into the park until the exact start time -- i.e. 8am. Proceed directly to the Safari ride. Being on the Safari during the first several trucks is key -- the animals are still very active at that time of the day. Then do the Pungami (Sp??) Trail -- right next to the safari --- The gorillas will be let out of their evening enclosures right about the time you get to them. It is incredible to see the big Silverback Daddy come over the ridge -- the crew will have just put out breakfast for them.

If you like animals -- its a great thing to experience....

Strollers -- we have a 2year old. last December, and December prior we brought our own stroller -- a "metrolite" -- regular stroller, but it is relatively streamlined and folds nicely. We will most likely bring an umbrella stroller this year in December because of her age - but not because of issues with having a stroller. We can't see spending the bucks and TIME each day to get a stroller. I would say that the decision rests in part on the age of the child. I also would not want to have to carry or have a toddler try to walk to the bus stations when we're going back to hotel for nap time or dinner.

I highly advocate using the early entry -- but as the "Unofficial Guide to WDW" book states -- those parks tend to get crowded more so than on the non early entry days.... So, we tend to go to that park early -- and spend the rest of the day someplace else!

Have fun! Make sure you don't try to cram too much into each day. You'll hit the WDW "wall".....

 

[basketlacey]

I appreciate everyone's info. My kids are 4 and 1 1/2. (I know the baby is too young but we are going with a large group of family and my 4 yo is the perfect age). I had planned to take a nice double stroller but maybe I will just take our single one. It folds nicely, is plenty big for my youngest to take a nap in, and isn't too heavy. That way, if the 4 yo wants to get in, they can take turns. My youngest wont want to stay in the whole time anyway. Plus we can always rent another stroller if we need to (like the day we spend the whole day in one park).

Does that sound reasonable?

 

[sap1227]

We took my son for the first time when he was 7 months old and I could not believe how much he loved the characters and the rides (we were there all day and he never cried all day--I was ready to move to Disney). He is 18 months old now and we will be going in the next 10 days and I can not wait to see how he reacts to everything.

Your 1 1/2 year old will love it, take lots of pictures!!

Have fun!

 

[princessmommy]

I agree you are never too young! The first time we took our youngest to Disney was when she was almost 5 months EEEK! It wasn't the best trip for us but we still had fun. The following year we went when she was 19 months and we all had a BLAST! What a difference it was having her there at 19 months compared to 4 1/2 months LOL. She enjoyed the characters, hugged and kissed them all, enjoyed the pool at the Beach Club and playing on the beach. She is 3 1/2 now and each trip gets better and better. We are heading there next month for 8 nights!

 

[laceemouse]

Hi! Welcome to the DIS!!! I highly recommend the Fantasmic dinner package, it is really hard to sit and wait for a show for an hour or two with little ones. The show is not to be missed, and the dinner package is worth the $$$ in our opinion! Your kids will both love Disney! We have taken our 4 at all ages and there truly is something for everyone! We like to rent strollers now that our kids are bigger, but your younger one will probably be more comfortable in his/her own stroller. We would have a hard time doing erides with kids, they would be too pooped out by that time! (Is your name Lacey? Mine is Lacee! Nice to meet you!!!)

 

[basketlacey]

Hi Lacee! Thanks for the reply! Nice to meet you too. Maybe I will check into the Fantasmic dinner packages and see if that works for us.

Thanks to everyone for all of the advice. 5 days til Disney!

I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!