Hi! New here and hoping for some help with a last minute trip to WDW?

[victoriarose212]

Hi Everyone,

I am new to these boards and to planning a trip to WDW. (So basically clueless!) I just found these boards and they seem like a great source of information.

My situation might be a little different than most - we just found out my husband could get some unexpected time off and are planning a last minute trip for the end of July with our four year old daughter. I know this is really not the "ideal" way to plan Disney (ie, it will be hot, crowded, and we did not get to make dining reservations). Oh well, we figured some Disney is better than no Disney -- and down the road we can plan a trip in advance and do it right!

So, my question is - is there anything I can/should be doing in regard to reservations at this point? I know all the popular ones get booked months in advance, but is there anything out there for a family like us, who are just trying to make the best of a last minute trip? Either a character breakfast, a lunch/dinner show, or anything else you would recommend that may be available, but still worth seeing?

Any advice in general would be great - including whether this is the proper forum for this thread!

Thanks so much!
Victoria

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Well, you may want to re-post in the Theme Park Strategies forum but people might find you here. You never know what cancellations might come up, so it is always worth trying to see if you can get a dining reservation somewhere if that's what you want. Disney now has their dining reservations available on-line at www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/restaurants/ or you can call 407-WDW-DINE.

I would recommend 1900 Park Fare dinner. It's Cinderella's Happily Ever After celebration dinner. It's a buffet with Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine and the Wicked Step-sisters. It's a good way to see Cinderella and her wicked family is hilarious! The food isn't too bad. But you definitely go for the characters.

I would also subscribe to touringplans.com or buy the Unofficial Guide to Disney World so that you can have some touring plans to make the most of your stay during the busy season.

Stay cool!

 

[DexLabDeeDee]

Also, there are a lot of counter service restaurants that are enjoyable, so don't worry if you can't get a lot of dining reservations. At wdwinfo.com there is a dining section that goes over the counter service (also known as quick service) dining in the parks so you can see if that would work for you.

I'm glad that you are deciding to go to Disney even on such short notice! Don't worry about cramming everything in - pick what you want to do most and do that. Where are you going to be staying?

 

[2RGR8]

I agree with Jenna about the dining. Give them a call and just see what is available for the days you will be there. One of my girls' favorites when they were little was the breakfast in Cinderella's castle. The food is really good and the princesses spend a lot of time at each table.

I have heard the parks aren't really too crowded so that's a plus. But, it will be very hot in July so don't try to do too much. Try to work in a break from the parks in the middle of the day (2:00-5:00). Go back to your hotel and take a nap or take a dip in the pool. My sister does the "Disney do or die" where they are at the park from open to close and that usually results in cranky children (and parents) and too many fights. Disney will always be there so don't try to do everything in one day. If you can't stand the thought of leaving the parks, hit the indoor shows during that time. They will be crowded because everyone is looking for air conditioning but with Disney there is never a bad seat so you'll be fine.

Also, back to dining, at the studios the Sci-Fi Dine in theater is fun - you get to eat in a car. Skip the Brown Derby - too expensive and not that great.

Make sure you get a good spot for the parade if you stay in the park. We find the best spot is in front of Casey's on Main Street. If your daughter will be in a stroller, be sure to keep it up on the curb. If it is on the street they will ask you to pull it back and the people behind you won't be too happy about that!

Have a great time! Don't do too much in one day! And if you have anymore questions - ASK! We all LOVE to give our opinions!

Leslie

 

[Stormin'theCastle]

Congrats on the last-minute trip! Is this your family's first time to WDW? Exciting! As far as character meals go, I would try for an early dinner @Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom. You might be able to score a ressie for something like 4:45 or 5:00. Character breakfasts are nice, but they eat up precious morning park time when you could be enjoying short lines and cooler temps. That said, I love the character b'fast at 'Ohana at the Polynesian...

We went to WDW on about 5 days notice back in April and had a blast, even with Spring Break crowds. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Metro West]

 

[MarkinNM]