Help planning trip for sons graduation

[live4christp1]

DS graduates high school in May. He wants us to take a trip to WDW instead of going on a senior class trip. We've been many times to the parks, usually stay offsite, the only exception being a few nights at shades of green one year. Want to make this a special trip for him so I appreciate any suggestions, contributions, etc. we know the parks like a second home but haven't explored much at the resorts and have never used the dining plan. I don't have as much time to read and post here as I used to so I am not on top of things as in the past.

Here is what I'm considering:
We will check in on Friday (using 30% off spring special for end of May)-new tee all star movies but it's not on the special - I can get pop or music for about the same. Staying there five nights.
Renting DVC points then for 2 nights at AKV savanna view (DS is going into zoology and has always LOVED animals and AK).

I'm thinking of adding the dining plan so I can go ahead and have most of the expense out of the way before hand (single mom) but only applying it to the Friday - Wednesday portion as they will be seperate bookings.

Thought about adding park hopper (5 day tickets) but right now the park hours for end of May don't look to be worth hoping over to another park for (we have never hopped). I do know hours change.

Star Wars weekend is a must.

I'd like to do the African Trek thing with him at AK and then he wants to have the lunch with the animal specialist at Sanaa one day - he is 17 and I'm thinking of letting him do this while DD and I just relax at the pool.

If I decided to do the dining plan we know we want the princess breakfast at Norway (we've done the castle three times) and sci-fi. We've done crystal palace and chef mickeys and 1900 park faire. Thinking maybe the luau show for 2 credits.......is it worth it?

Questions.....
1. Are our credits available to use as soon as we check in?
2. When do they expire? I know it's check out day but is there a certain time?
3. Best bang for your buck on snack credits? (Not really interested in prepackaged stuff unless we have extra left over)
4. Any feed back for those who have done African trek and the animal specialist lunch?
5. Any tips to make this extra special that I haven't thought of?

Thanks all!!!! I know this is long and all over the place. Been pricing today and my thoughts are in a million different directions.

TIA
Cristy
(It will be myself, DS and DD going - my dad has gone with us in the past post divorce but he passed away in October. BF can't get off work, busy time of the year for them.)

 

[live4christp1]

Last trip was dec 27 2013 - jan 3 2014 with my dad, DS, 2 of DSs friends, DD and DDs friend. They were testing the new fast pass at animal kingdom at the time but old FP was still on place. We were at MK for New Year's Eve. We've done the Halloween party, flower festival, Star Wars weekends, food and wine and the pirate and princess party.....we've been spring break and Easter so we know crowds and planning in the park.

Just want this to be an extra special "last year before college and away take over" trip.

 

[hiroMYhero]

SciFi has the Galactic character breakfast every day of your stay. Darth Vader, Greedo, Jawas, etc will be roaming while Star Wars clips play on the screen. The breakfast is two dining credits per person.

To answer some of your questions:
1. Yes, you must check-in to activate your Dining credits.
3. Venti Starbucks drinks are Snacks on the Dining plan.

 

[dachsie]

Instead of the dining plan, have you considered the Disney vacation account? You can get a Disney gift card to pay for your meals, get your tickets, pay for your rooms, etc.

https://disneyvacationaccount.disney.go.com

 

[bababear_50]

Maybe a personalized Gift Coupon
Hugs Mel
let me know if interested and his name isn't Christopher ,(I can change the name).
Hugs Mel



Maybe a graduation cupcake of his choice

 

[catm]

DS graduates high school in May. He wants us to take a trip to WDW instead of going on a senior class trip. We've been many times to the parks, usually stay offsite, the only exception being a few nights at shades of green one year. Want to make this a special trip for him so I appreciate any suggestions, contributions, etc. we know the parks like a second home but haven't explored much at the resorts and have never used the dining plan. I don't have as much time to read and post here as I used to so I am not on top of things as in the past.

Here is what I'm considering:
We will check in on Friday (using 30% off spring special for end of May)-new tee all star movies but it's not on the special - I can get pop or music for about the same. Staying there five nights.
Renting DVC points then for 2 nights at AKV savanna view (DS is going into zoology and has always LOVED animals and AK).

I'm thinking of adding the dining plan so I can go ahead and have most of the expense out of the way before hand (single mom) but only applying it to the Friday - Wednesday portion as they will be seperate bookings.

Thought about adding park hopper (5 day tickets) but right now the park hours for end of May don't look to be worth hoping over to another park for (we have never hopped). I do know hours change.

Star Wars weekend is a must.

I'd like to do the African Trek thing with him at AK and then he wants to have the lunch with the animal specialist at Sanaa one day - he is 17 and I'm thinking of letting him do this while DD and I just relax at the pool.

If I decided to do the dining plan we know we want the princess breakfast at Norway (we've done the castle three times) and sci-fi. We've done crystal palace and chef mickeys and 1900 park faire. Thinking maybe the luau show for 2 credits.......is it worth it?

Questions.....
1. Are our credits available to use as soon as we check in?
2. When do they expire? I know it's check out day but is there a certain time?
3. Best bang for your buck on snack credits? (Not really interested in prepackaged stuff unless we have extra left over)
4. Any feed back for those who have done African trek and the animal specialist lunch?
5. Any tips to make this extra special that I haven't thought of?

Thanks all!!!! I know this is long and all over the place. Been pricing today and my thoughts are in a million different directions.

TIA
Cristy
(It will be myself, DS and DD going - my dad has gone with us in the past post divorce but he passed away in October. BF can't get off work, busy time of the year for them.)

I love your idea of the safari trek and lunch with the animal specialist would be the icing on the cake!
Before you dismiss park hopper tickets think about this; the parks stagger their closing times. For example you may go to Animal Kingdom which closes at 5pm but EPCOT is open till 9 and Magic Kingdom till at least 10 sometimes later. So you start the day at AK, take a little break for late lunch, pool, dinner etc and then hop to one of the other parks for the evening. We do this all the time and find it actually gives us more time to relax and enjoy.
It does sound like you go to WDW often, so you might even want to look into an annual pass. And if you're a DVC member you can get a pretty decent discount on the APs.


We've done the dining plan quite often. We use the snack credits on popcorn, ice cream, fruit, bakery and many times I use them at the resort stores for small grocery items. You can even buy a loaf of bread with a snack point!
You also can use the dinner and lunch points at almost all the restaurants at the resorts.
One thing to think about with the dining plan though is it does take away from park time to do a table service meal and with the park hours closing earlier that might be a determining factor in your decision.

I'm sure your family will have a wonderful time and congratulations to your son! Such a milestone!

 

[live4christp1]

I had no idea about this breakfast (2011 was last time we did SWW) must check into that. DD is set on doing the Jedi training - she never has.

SciFi has the Galactic character breakfast every day of your stay. Darth Vader, Greedo, Jawas, etc will be roaming while Star Wars clips play on the screen. The breakfast is two dining credits per person.

To answer some of your questions:
1. Yes, you must check-in to activate your Dining credits.
3. Venti Starbucks drinks are Snacks on the Dining plan.

 

[live4christp1]

Maybe a personalized Gift Coupon
Hugs Mel
let me know if interested and his name isn't Christopher ,(I can change the name).
Hugs Mel



Maybe a graduation cupcake of his choice

Thanks Mel! That would me awesome!!!! His name is Micah.

 

[live4christp1]

I love your idea of the safari trek and lunch with the animal specialist would be the icing on the cake!
Before you dismiss park hopper tickets think about this; the parks stagger their closing times. For example you may go to Animal Kingdom which closes at 5pm but EPCOT is open till 9 and Magic Kingdom till at least 10 sometimes later. So you start the day at AK, take a little break for late lunch, pool, dinner etc and then hop to one of the other parks for the evening. We do this all the time and find it actually gives us more time to relax and enjoy.
It does sound like you go to WDW often, so you might even want to look into an annual pass. And if you're a DVC member you can get a pretty decent discount on the APs.


We've done the dining plan quite often. We use the snack credits on popcorn, ice cream, fruit, bakery and many times I use them at the resort stores for small grocery items. You can even buy a loaf of bread with a snack point!
You also can use the dinner and lunch points at almost all the restaurants at the resorts.
One thing to think about with the dining plan though is it does take away from park time to do a table service meal and with the park hours closing earlier that might be a determining factor in your decision.

I'm sure your family will have a wonderful time and congratulations to your son! Such a milestone!

Great ideas on the snack credits thanks for sharing. Oh how I wish I had DVC and APs

 

[live4christp1]

Instead of the dining plan, have you considered the Disney vacation account? You can get a Disney gift card to pay for your meals, get your tickets, pay for your rooms, etc.

https://disneyvacationaccount.disney.go.com

Never heard of this will check it out. Thanks!