Help!!! Last Minute Trip - Need Suggestions

[PrincessKsMom]

I decided to book a last minute trip as a surprise for my daughter. She's 21. My mother-in-law who she was very close with just passed at the end of September and she applied for DCP. After two months of waiting, she was rejected. We need some magic! My mother has now decided she wants to come along. I'm fine with that. My problem is -- we haven't been there since April 2010. Soooo much has changed. I have no idea where to start.

We're going January 5-13. I did book Port Orleans Riverside. Tell me about it! We've never stayed there before. I did get my Magic Bands ordered. But now I'll have to order another for my mom. I also booked 2 meals -- Beauty and the Beast Castle (whatever it's called) and Club Villains. Going to try to add mom to Beauty Castle, don't know if they'll be able to though. Other than that I've done nothing. I have no idea what's new, what's worthwhile, what's a must, what shows/etc. we should see.

Please send any suggestions or helpful hints. I'm overwhelmed and not sure where to start. Thanks!!

 

[loves to dive]

What is a must and what is worthwhile are both subjective and you are going to get tons of answers. Personally, I'm a go with the flow type person. I rarely book ADRs until the day of when we are walking around the parks and decide we are hungry. I'll just get on my phone and see what's available and book it, we do have park hoppers so this is a little easier and we like all kinds of food. I also don't book FPs in advance, maybe the night before since we rarely know what park we want to be in two days in advance, much less what rides we want to ride. Others are going to tell you to book your FPs now and you aren't going to be able to find anything, which is silly. You should be able to find just about everything except maybe the big ticket rides like SDMT and FEA. I'd say the most important thing is know you aren't going to be able to do and see everything so don't stress it and don't try. If someone tells you your vacation is going to be ruined if you don't ride x, don't believe it. Just enjoy being in the place and go slow and look at the details. I've been going for over 30 years and have never done a party but have taken a few tours. As far as PoR, it is a beautiful resort. I've stayed in the Magnolia section and found it was close enough to the main buildings that it only took me about 2 min. to walk over and there is a bus stop right behind the building. The quick service location is o.k. and you can walk over to POFQ pretty easy and try their pool and QS as well. Don't try to over schedule your time, there are going to be ride closures and rides will break down and if you schedule down to the last minute, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. Most importantly, enjoy your girl time.

 

[stenmarks]

I decided to book a last minute trip as a surprise for my daughter. She's 21. My mother-in-law who she was very close with just passed at the end of September and she applied for DCP. After two months of waiting, she was rejected. We need some magic! My mother has now decided she wants to come along. I'm fine with that. My problem is -- we haven't been there since April 2010. Soooo much has changed. I have no idea where to start.

We're going January 5-13. I did book Port Orleans Riverside. Tell me about it! We've never stayed there before. I did get my Magic Bands ordered. But now I'll have to order another for my mom. I also booked 2 meals -- Beauty and the Beast Castle (whatever it's called) and Club Villains. Going to try to add mom to Beauty Castle, don't know if they'll be able to though. Other than that I've done nothing. I have no idea what's new, what's worthwhile, what's a must, what shows/etc. we should see.

Please send any suggestions or helpful hints. I'm overwhelmed and not sure where to start. Thanks!!

I would check out the resorts board for info about Riverside. We are checking in there next week, and I've found a lot of good information in that section!

 

[figmentedfollies]

First of all, I'm sorry for your loss. Second, I love doing mother-daughter girls trips. Or in this case a three generation girls trip. My mom and I are actually doing our fourth just after yours.

Like others have said 'must dos' are quite subjective. For my mom and I that usually means going to the Magic Kingdom and riding the Tea Cups and Its a Small World. Others may disagree, but that's what calls up good memories and dissolves us into giggles. Are there any rides for you guys that give you the same sort of feelings? I would call that a must-do! We're quite excited that Splash Mountain won't be closed for us for the first time in YEARS so that's on our list.

Do you guys like thrill rides? Shows/Spectacles? Meeting characters? From your original post it doesn't seem like dining falls very high on your list, so I won't touch on that. I really enjoy the fireworks at Magic Kingdom (Wishes) and at Hollywood Studios (Fantasmic). One tip I would suggest with Fantasmic is to book a dining package (I like Mama Melrose, personally). For a flat fee you get an appetizer, entree, and a dessert, plus a preferred/designated section for the show viewing. No waiting in line to get into the stadium!

As for your question about Port Orleans Riverside, definitely check out the Resort forum as others have said. I've stayed there three times with my mom and at Riverside's sister resort, French Quarter, once solo. I personally had a preference for the Magnolia Bend/Mansion section, but the whole resort is pretty and peaceful. I personally never felt intimidated by its size. Some of the fun things to do at Riverside is to see Yee Haw Bob perform at the lounge. You may also want to visit French Quarter (they have a recently redone food court and you CANNOT pass up the bengiets). You can also use their feature pool in addition to the one at Riverside. Definitely take advantage of the boat transportation if you plan on going to Disney Springs.

How are you getting to Orlando? Plane, train, or automobile? If you are flying into Orlando International, I really enjoy Disney Magical Express benefit. It really signifies the start of 'vacation' for me and I love that they will take care of your checked luggage. A word of caution with checked luggage, make sure you have all your first day necessities in your carry on. You never know what could happen and having at least a change of clothes goes a long way.

Best of luck with your trip!

 

[bababear_50]

With 3 generations (all girls) I would look at a few of these ideas.

1 An afternoon Tea at the Grand Floridian
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/grand-floridian-resort-and-spa/afternoon-tea/

2 Spa trip for mani or pedi saratoga Springs Resort and Spa is nice.
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/spas/saratoga-springs-resort-and-spa/senses-spa-saratoga/

3 Afternoon Carriage ride around the Port Orleans Resort
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/carriage-rides/

4 A boat ride to downtown Disney (Disney Springs) for a bit of shopping.

5 A hot air balloon ride above Disney Springs.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/disney-springs/characters-in-flight/

6 Dine In movie at Disney springs theatre.
https://www.amctheatres.com/movie-t...h/amc-disney-springs-24-with-dine-in-theatres

7 La Nouba.
https://www.cirquedusoleil.com/la-nouba


Alot of good info here
http://www.portorleans.org/recreation-schedules.php
http://www.portorleans.org/news.php
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-resorts/port-orleans-riverside/

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/recreation/movies-under-the-stars/

Make a special memory together......................
Get matching Pearls at "Pick~ A~ Pearl in Epcot or Disney Springs.
https://www.reddit.com/r/WaltDisney...sneys_pickapearl_101_how_to_where_to_and_the/

Hugs Mel

 

[gap2368]

they have changed how they do FP they no longer do paper ones but you prebook your FP either 60 days ( this is you since you are staying on site) or 30 days so I would think about what rides you want and book FP now

 

[PrincessKsMom]

thank you for your responses. As I mentioned, we've been there multiple times before, so we've done a lot. The online restaurant reservations, magic bands and ride reservations is all new to us. I was able to get reservations at Be our Guest and at Club Villains. We're going to hold off until Christmas to do the rest so my daughter can be part of the planning. Same with ride reservations. Thank you BabaBear for the links. That's exactly the stuff I was looking for. FigmentedFollies, thank you for your condolences and your tips. We love Magical Express and believe that's truly when the vacation starts!

 

[figmentedfollies]

thank you for your responses. As I mentioned, we've been there multiple times before, so we've done a lot. The online restaurant reservations, magic bands and ride reservations is all new to us. I was able to get reservations at Be our Guest and at Club Villains. We're going to hold off until Christmas to do the rest so my daughter can be part of the planning. Same with ride reservations. Thank you BabaBear for the links. That's exactly the stuff I was looking for. FigmentedFollies, thank you for your condolences and your tips. We love Magical Express and believe that's truly when the vacation starts!

We are doing Club Villain as well! it looks like it will be a really great and unique event, much better than the fireworks party I booked for myself on my last trip.

I will also recommend the tea at the Grand Floridian. We've done it twice, usually in the middle of a MK day just to give us a break. Just a warning it is NOT on the dining plan (if you are choosing to get one for the trip).

As for the rest of your ADRs, don't worry if you can't get them in the weeks/days leading up to the trip. You usually can find stuff the day of/a few hours before.