Help me decide which WDW tickets to buy

[trnorbrn]

I need help. We keep going round and round about which tickets will be best for our needs. We have eighteen days in the area in June/July through the 4th of July weekend. We understand this is an extremely busy weekend and would like to avoid it.

Two adults, three children ages 1 with special needs who does not take the heat well, 6 year old who does not like thrill rides and loves characters, 12 year old who loves action and adventure. 12 year old loves water parks and the rest of us can do without. Mom can not swim at all so anything over chest deep is completely out.

Two extra children ages 10 & 12 are joining us for two days and they want to go to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

We are thinking ten day basic tickets, no options. We are also considering the 7 days tickets with 7 day water park and more option. The price difference is about $50 a ticket but we would not have to pay for parking at the water parks.

Are the water parks worth it? I hear there is little shade. Is there enough to do there for a non swimming mom and a toddler with a six year old nearby to supervise as well? The one year old loves to be outside but needs to be protected from the heat.

Would there be a better option? Our budget for tickets must stay under $286 a person and right now the two options we are considering do that. If we bought the ten day disney we would have the extra amount to see something else in the area. Any recommendations?

Thank you so much for any tips!

 

[serene56]

Will you be going to Universal Studios? Sea World?

 

[trnorbrn]

We really only want to do WDW and we think we get the best value by getting a multi day pass there. I have been to Sea World before and none of us are interested on going there now. My son wanted to go to Universal but in the end was not willing to spend his money for it. He thinks WDW gives him a better deal.

 

[sohappy]

How many times do you think you will go the water parks? If just once, I think it is cheaper to just buy a one day pass at the gate and you would only have to get tickets for the ones that wanted to go the water park. The others could do something else.

BUT, Disney Quest is included with the waterparks and more. We loved DQ. I am just waiting for my little ones to grow a little so we can take them.

I would not necessarily get the park hopper. We don't get it up front. It is difficult to hop with small kids.

Did that help or just make it worse. . .

 

[TheDizMom]

Personally I say skip it!!! They are just so crazy and with all those kids to keep track of in water, with tons of other crazy screaming kids wall to wall, and a child with special needs, I just don't see it as being worth it. If you want to cool down stick to your hotel pool and save yourself the money and hassle. Take the $50 and buy each kid an extra souvenir, and save yourself the .

 

[trnorbrn]

We have a vacation home with private pool that our children love. Works great for me since there is safety fencing between the pool and lanai so the baby can play outside but not at risk of falling into the pool. There is a huge bin of toys there that my children enjoy too.

We are not going to park hop since one park every other day is plenty for us.

Wall to wall screaming kids is what I am afraid of. My six year old didn't like the little waterpark at Gatorland last time because some kids were spraying her and wouldn't stop.

My toddler is on g-tube feeds and volume intolerant so that means he can become dehydrated very easily. This happens even when we think we are paying close attention to his fluids. I can only let him into indirect sun for about thirty minutes and never in full sun for any amount of time.

We need to be thrifty so I really appreciate candid responses from other parents.