HELP - Leaving in 3 weeks

[sumsum]

Hi Everyone,

We are going to DW on a spur of the moment trip in 3 weeks
We are flying out of Buffalo and will be staying at a time share about 5 kilos from DW.

We will have a 4, 3, and 2 year old with us.
We are only planning to go to Magic Kindom for 1 or 2 days and either AK or SW. Which do you think the kids would like best?

What tips do I need to know...savings etc. We will not get hopper passes because I think the kids are too young (we will go back again when they are older). Should I buy tickets in Canada or wait until we get there?
What is a speed pass and how does it work?

About how much to eat lunch/dinner at the parks? Can you bring drinks with you?

I've tried finding info on the board but quite honestly I'm confused

 

[iluveeyore]

Hi Everyone,

We are going to DW on a spur of the moment trip in 3 weeks
We are flying out of Buffalo and will be staying at a time share about 5 kilos from DW.

We will have a 4, 3, and 2 year old with us.
We are only planning to go to Magic Kindom for 1 or 2 days and either AK or SW. Which do you think the kids would like best?

What tips do I need to know...savings etc. We will not get hopper passes because I think the kids are too young (we will go back again when they are older). Should I buy tickets in Canada or wait until we get there?
What is a speed pass and how does it work?

About how much to eat lunch/dinner at the parks? Can you bring drinks with you?

I've tried finding info on the board but quite honestly I'm confused

Welcome to the DIS
If you're not staying onsite and only going to WDW park for a day or two, you can buy ahead of time or when you get there, not really any savings.

A fastpass is explained on each park map when you get there - you put your ticket for each person into the fastpass machine at whatever attraction it's available for, and it will give you a time to return and use the fastpass line, which bypasses the larger stand-by lines. It will also give you a time when you can get another fastpass at another attraction (usually an hour later). There's probably a thread on here somewhere that describes it better, but it's very useful for the popular attractions, especially to save waiting in line with small children. Ask castmembers about parent swaps too if there are rides you both want to do and all the kids can't ride with you.

You can definitely take some drinks with you - we always freeze water bottles and carry them with us. Juice boxes are good too.

Check out allears.net under dining and look for whatever park you will be visiting - it lists all sit-down, counter service and food carts to eat at, what's on the menus and pricing to help you plan.

Your kids would love AK, and I haven't been to SW for thirty years, so no help with that one! AK is our favourite park after MK - shows are wonderful (Nemo and Lion King), animal attractions are awesome (safari especially), and lots of character meet 'n greets.

With three little ones, you'll probably need two days at MK to enjoy it completely and not feel stressed or rushed if they need some down time. Especially to stay and enjoy Wishes and Spectro Magic at night, which is a must! Make sure they see the castle stage show "Share a Dream with Mickey" as well - show times posted on show times guide at entrance.
Have a great trip!

 

[yxe dad]

I would go to the AK. Seaworld is a park where alot of walking and planning are required if you want to see the live animal shows. I've found myself zig zagging across the park to get from the dolphin show to the Shamu show to the pet show to the other show, not very easy with little ones.
AK needs planing but can be done easier, and with less walking.

As for meals at the parks, for CS plan on about $5 for a kids meal and $11 for an adult, for TS plan on $11 for kids and $24-$35 for adults. A big money saver is bringing your own snacks to the parks. A bottle of water is $2.50 at the parks and you can buy a case for $5 at a local grocery store. You can bring in plastic and cans, but no glass botlles. I always take granola bars and other snacks to the parks. My youngest son loves cheese as a snack, so I buy an ice pack and put the cheese and the frozen ice pack in a zip lock bag together. It keeps the cheese cold and the bottles of water in my backpack stay colder.

Shayne