Holiday Disney Trip - questions and feedback!

[ArielDreams]

I (impulsively) decided to surprise my family (DH and 4.5 year old son) with a holiday Disney trip at the beginning of December. The 35% off Disney+ offer was just too tempting and I had JetBlue miles and credit to use. I’m not able to take more than 3 days off work so it will be a very quick trip. Here’s my plan and questions if anyone would like to help with feedback!

Day 1 Arrival Day (flight lands ~1:00)

• Rent a car
• Check in at CSR
• Dinner at a resort (leaning toward Sanaa because we really love it and won’t be doing AK this trip)

Day 2

• Chef Mickey breakfast
• Possibly drive to Disney Springs but back to CSR early to rest
• MK for MVMCP (take bus); stay as late as possible with a preschooler (he’s generally a trooper)

Days 3 & 4
Here is where I’m not sure! One day for HS (our fav rides) and one for Epcot Festival of the Holidays. Here are my questions:

• We never usually rent a car but will this time - would you drive or bus to these parks from CSR?
• Day 3 is a Jollywood night (would be too late/much for the little guy so not attending). I know this is the first year so there’s no precedent, but would HS be busier, less busy, or no difference on an After Hours day? Not sure if it would impact which day we pick
• There seems like a LOT to do at Epcot with Festival of the Holidays - would that be too big of a day following the party if we did Epcot on Day 3?
• On our last trip, we had amazing luck with Genie+ at HS so my plan would be to purchase that again to hit all of our favorites efficiently. That could make it an easier day?

Day 5

• 7am flight (it was cheap lol, not my preference)

If anyone has any feedback specifically on days 3 & 4, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

[dizneedoll]

I always rent a car and would definitely drive to HS and EP. I think it’s much easier to drive than take the bus. Also, I don’t think the party at HS will affect the crowds at HS during the day the way it does at MK because it’s still closing at its regular time.
I think I would do HS on day 3 and Epcot on day 4. I think Epcot with all the walking would be too tiring the day after a late party night. At least it would be for me, you might be ok with it.

 

[slo]

We always rent a car and drive it everywhere - I am not a bus person .

I’m going to assume that you won’t see Fantasmic on a Jollywood night, so if that show is important to you, then go to HS on day 4. That means EPCOT on day 3, so if you think your DS will be tired, then I’d would go to EPCOT a little later, not a lot later, just not rope dropping.

Are you having your DS be in a stroller? If yes, then he’ll be fine. He may struggle getting up and out, but once he’s at the park he’ll probably be good. I’ve taken my DD’s at all ages from 13 months - to current (19yrs).

Whatever you choose you won’t go wrong - have a great trip!

 

[ArielDreams]

We always rent a car and drive it everywhere - I am not a bus person .

I’m going to assume that you won’t see Fantasmic on a Jollywood night, so if that show is important to you, then go to HS on day 4. That means EPCOT on day 3, so if you think your DS will be tired, then I’d would go to EPCOT a little later, not a lot later, just not rope dropping.

Are you having your DS be in a stroller? If yes, then he’ll be fine. He may struggle getting up and out, but once he’s at the park he’ll probably be good. I’ve taken my DD’s at all ages from 13 months - to current (19yrs).

Whatever you choose you won’t go wrong - have a great trip!

Good point about Fantasmic! DS has not seen it yet so I was hoping he might this time but we also may need an earlier night anyway.

Yes he would have a stroller. He did awesome at a local amusement park without one but I don’t think he could do Disney! Of course I broke our last one on the last day of our trip pushing it down some stairs at Galaxy’s Edge (oops!) so we’ll have to get a new one or borrow…

 

[slo]

Good point about Fantasmic! DS has not seen it yet so I was hoping he might this time but we also may need an earlier night anyway.

Yes he would have a stroller. He did awesome at a local amusement park without one but I don’t think he could do Disney! Of course I broke our last one on the last day of our trip pushing it down some stairs at Galaxy’s Edge (oops!) so we’ll have to get a new one or borrow…

That‘s good you’re using a stroller - life at WDW is always happier when your child isn’t exhausted from all that walking.

We always took an umbrella stroller for the airport and Disney Springs and then rented a stroller in the parks. We were always happy with the park strollers and my kids were comfortable in them.