Help Me Choose! Ultimate Thrills or MVMCP and Snorkeling?

[CourtneyKaro]

About us: DH and myself are in our late 30’s and Pooh-shaped. We can fit on pretty much every ride at any amusement park we have been to, but we aren’t in shape (well I mean round is a shape...) DD 14 and DS 8 (approx 50in tall).
Our trip:
3 nights at US Orlando, followed by 2 nights at our time share followed by 8 nights at Disney CBR. (Disney dates 12/19-12/27)

We know we will have crooooowwdds. So we are trying to book some extras to make the most of our time! (Also this is a surprise trip that they will find out about the day they are leaving in a letter from Santa, DS still believes. No other presents will be happening)
Currently we have the Ultimate Thrills VIP tour booked for 12/21. Our thinking was this will ensure we get on *most* of the big thrill rides without stressing about FP+ reservations. And it would be extra magical for the kids (glimpses behind the scenes and all of that jazz) but now I am starting to get nervous about me and hubby being able to keep up, and feeling like we are being rushed rather than enjoying ourselves (do we have time to get a drink? If my son has to pee will we miss a ride?)
We also have the money set aside for us all to snorkel in Epcot. We just thought this would be a cool experience (but now I am wondering if it is worth the cost since there is only 30min of actual snorkel time?)

Now we are discussing adding tickets to the MVMCP (do I have that right?) for the 18th (the night before our actual Disney vacation starts) and ubering over from our time share to experience it. (It is magical, it snows, and we could do the thrill rides at MK with shorter waits and again not have to worry about get FP+ reservations for them)

We can not do it all, we aren’t made of money and this is getting expensive!!! If we cancel the VIP tour we could do both experiences and still be ahead money, but we could add one or the other to the VIP tour and not be killing ourselves, plus if we do MVMCP we get an extra day (kinda 4p-12a) in the park! Which makes more sense than adding it on to a day we have already paid for tickets for! Like the 20th or 21st)

I can’t decide what the right answers are. My hubby is determined not to have to spend the money to Disney again for a very long time (lots of other vacations he wants to take) so it would be 10+ years before I can get him back to the World. Help?!?!?!?!?! I’m sooooo lost as to what to do!!!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Personally, I would ditch the VIP tour. That's $1400 to do rides that, in the 8 nights you are there, you will be able to ride. The only hard-to-get FP+ on the list of that tour is 7DMT and, if you have an MK day further in your trip (or if you do MVMCP), you will be able to ride it with FP+ or little wait (MVMCP). You will have zero issue getting FP+ for every other ride on that list. I would also ditch the snorkeling. You are essentially snorkeling in a fishbowl. Don't get me wrong - I love snorkeling - but EP isn't the place to do it, IMHO.

I would do MVMCP. You will be able to knock all the Ultimate Thrills MK rides off the list and it's substantially cheaper. If you have some extra money for something special, I would consider, instead, doing the MK dessert party (if you wanted to see the MK fireworks) to avoid crowds and get a good view. Or perhaps doing a tour, like Wild Africa Trek, which is really unique and totally gets you out of the AK crowds.

 

[holden]

We did the Thrills tour and loved it. We got on 11 rides total. I never felt rushed. I'm sure we must have had bathroom breaks, but I don't remember specifically. We ate a leisurely lunch at Sunshine Seasons in EP, so there is a little down time.

I felt the tour was worth it. Our cost was less than the $1400 quoted above, perhaps due to holiday pricing on your trip. For us, it took off the pressure to hit the rides with the longest lines during our vacation since we did them all in one day. We visited all parks that day except Animal Kingdom (it has it's own VIP tour).

 

[Hikergirl]

I can't comment on the Ultimate Thrills but if it includes back stage tours that sounds really fun.
I personally don't feel the parties are worth the extra cost for them so that would be something I would skip.
I have done the snorkeling at Epcot and while the pp is right you are in a fishbowl, it was still a great experience. I don't snorkel very often so I don't see myself ever getting that close to a sea turtle ever again
We really enjoyed the behind the scenes of that tour too, and believe it or not 30 minutes in the tank is enough time. I don't think I could go longer, that water gets cold.

Have you looked in to other tours? I would love to book Wild Africa Trek next time we go.

 

[ajwolfe]

Personally I would ditch the VIP tour..They just aren't worth the money to me...Over 8 nights you should be able to get a fp+ for everything you wanting to ride.

We did MVMCP once..It's a one and done for us. While we loved it, it was crazy cold that night and we weren't prepared. Plus I just didn't feel like we accomplished enough to make it worth the money with the crowds and such. But I would recommend doing it at least once!