How bad is it to piecemeal an Orlando trip?

[NicoleLarson]

Thanks for all the thoughts everyone. My responses are below:

1.) Our son is more on the thrill side than most kids, lucky for us. When we took him to Disneyland/California Adventure last, the only ride he said 'no' to was Incredicoaster. He went on Thunder Mountain, LOVED Space Mountain (had to go on it twice). Even went on Guardians of the Galaxy Breakout. He said he wouldn't go on Guardians again, but he didn't cry. In fact the day of he said he enjoyed it! It was only after he said that he wouldn't want to go on it again because 'I didn't like when my butt came out of my seat'. So we know where the line is for him in terms of rides.
2.) He's right around 43 inches currently. Anything that has a height requirement more than 44 we would never put him on. Seems all of those involve the dreaded 'butt lifting' thing he hates. However, both my wife and I love coasters, so we're thinking we would child swap for the coasters. I know the cost for Express is high, but we're justifying it by both realizing lines will be long at Epic (and Probably Studios as well due to Horror Nights), so anything that can help that works for us. Also we can take turns using the extra express on rides he can't go on.
3.) Thank you all for the heads up on the weather. I'm definitely nervous about that. We came back from a week at Playa Del Carmen last month, and wow! My last trips to Orlando were always in January. I know it's gonna be different. Drink as much water as possible, and move from outdoor rides to indoor attractions as much as possible.
4.) I am starting to look more into on-site hotels. It really depends on how many people are coming on the trip. Should know within a week, but if it's just the 3 of us, then yeah I'm thinking of trying to on-site. I'm starting to see some deals there where the price isn't too much higher. However, there's a chance another family might be coming with us (2 adults, 2 kids). If that happens, it's much more economical to go with an AirBnB. Even started looking at DVC rental as an option if it's just us. Even if staying on property, I would probably end up renting a car. I tried the bus system one time, and it just felt so slow. Driving and parking seemed so much more efficient. I know if we stay on property, it's free parking the entire time.
5.) If the other family comes along, there's talk about 1-2 adults leaving early with the kids that are tiring out, while the others stick around and try and finish off some of the extreme rides. Being all the way from the West Coast, there's a feeling of trying to get it al done, since we can't go back as easy as others. That being said, if it's a copy of something in SoCal (Galaxy's Edge, Mario Kart, Toy Story Mania) we are okay skipping that.
6.) Is buying the 3-day 1-park per day (no MK) ticket, and then a 1-day MK ticket for the adults, and then getting the 4-day 1-park per day ticket for the kids a bad idea? It's way cheaper than getting 4-day 1-park per day tickets for the adults.

A lot of good advice on this thread. Ill just add a couple of tidbits.

A) no downside to your tickets. I do 2nd the idea of Mickeys not so Scary party instead of a 1 day ticket to MK.

B) the Orlando area has grown exponentially since your were last here. Your Air B&B could be 2 miles away and it will easily take you 30+ minutes. I highly recommend staying on property or very near for both parks. WDW and UO have Drury Inns close by, I can highly recommend both places.

We've stayed at every hotel on UO property (and disney) and we LOVE cabana bay.

C) little to no chance of finding a DVC reservation this late in the game so I would probably rule that out.

D) Price out a UO EP hotel. It will most likely be cheaper to get that for 1 night vs buying 2 days of EPs for the 3 of you. If you dont want to change rooms for 1 night then just do a throw away room. If thats too much then 1 day of EP will be plenty for UO, you dont need it for 2 days. HHN does not usually increase day guest crowds.

E) I live here and I cannot over exaggerate how hot and humid September is. It will be very hot and humid. That is also peak hurricane season so have a back up plan for that.

 

[mkm1998]

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Personally I like the Mickey's Not-So-Scary idea, except for the fact that I don't know how late our son would make it.

The more I research and the more I hear suggestions, the more I realize this ma not be the best idea. This all started because my friend is doing a solo trip to Epic, and invited me. That snowballed to my wife wanting to try and a family trip out of it. The planning has just been difficult. We travel all the time, but already have two 'big' trips this summer. It's because of that I think the money conscious think is really coming up. The cost of park tickets have gone up so much since the last time I've been there. Our trip that we booked in 2013 was $2,786.95 total! That included airfare, car rental, 8 nights at a hotel (Buena Vista Palace, think it was across the street from Downtown Disney), 3-Day tickets to Universal, and 5-Day tickets to Disney! Granted we have a kid now, but just the DW and Universal tickets alone would be $2,393.33!

Bottom line, one of us is worried about the cost, and the other one is worried about making the trip enjoyable to everyone. That would mean no one constantly stressing about if we can get everything we want to do accomplished, and also that our son doesn't get cranky waiting in long lines. Trying to meet both of these goals, in the short amount of time we have to book things just doesn't seem possible. And I'd rather not do the trip at all rather than do it and miss out on half the things on our list.

 

[jjr42cornell]

I am heading down with my family on September 19th and we are choosing to stay at a Good Neighbor Hotel (Wyndham Lake Buena Vista). This hotel allows you to rope drop the parks which can be a great way to hit rides when wait times are low and not splurge on Lightning Lanes. The pool at this hotel is nice and it is a short walk to Disney Springs.

THe Mickey Not So Scary ticket would also give you the ability to hit very low wait times from Magic Kingdom. (We are actually skipping Magic Kindom and doing the 3-Park offer to save money). If you skip Magic Kingdom all together you could always go to the Contemporary or Polynesian resort to catch dinner and watch the MK fireworks to still enjoy that aspect during your trip.

If you buy tickets from UnderCover Tourist then you can get DiningDollar Promo codes which allow you to buy Disney Gift Cards at 14% or 15% off. This can help with food/souvineer spending.

I feel bummed that you are reconsidering this trip - I feel like Disney/Universal is the perfect vacation with a 6 year old and kids grow up so fast. I vote to spend the money now and enjoy life.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Bottom line, one of us is worried about the cost, and the other one is worried about making the trip enjoyable to everyone. That would mean no one constantly stressing about if we can get everything we want to do accomplished, and also that our son doesn't get cranky waiting in long lines. Trying to meet both of these goals, in the short amount of time we have to book things just doesn't seem possible. And I'd rather not do the trip at all rather than do it and miss out on half the things on our list.

Not the easy choice here, but seems wise. Basically everything in FL now will be around next year if you guys decide the fam should do a proper trip out there when time and budget can do the trip in the style you’ll be more comfortable with.

 

[LoveToDisney]

September is a very sticky humid month at WDW. If you stay onsite, you can bus back to the resort and let your child swim and everyone cool off. It is also during hurricane season so it might also be rainy and humid.
I agree about making AK your 4th park so you have a half day to rest before Universal. Be sure to do the Nintendo portal in the morning because that area has no airflow and it becomes an oven by mid afternoon. If you stay onsite you also get to reserve any LLs at 7 days out for your Disney days.

 

[NicoleLarson]

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Personally I like the Mickey's Not-So-Scary idea, except for the fact that I don't know how late our son would make it.

The more I research and the more I hear suggestions, the more I realize this ma not be the best idea. This all started because my friend is doing a solo trip to Epic, and invited me. That snowballed to my wife wanting to try and a family trip out of it. The planning has just been difficult. We travel all the time, but already have two 'big' trips this summer. It's because of that I think the money conscious think is really coming up. The cost of park tickets have gone up so much since the last time I've been there. Our trip that we booked in 2013 was $2,786.95 total! That included airfare, car rental, 8 nights at a hotel (Buena Vista Palace, think it was across the street from Downtown Disney), 3-Day tickets to Universal, and 5-Day tickets to Disney! Granted we have a kid now, but just the DW and Universal tickets alone would be $2,393.33!

Bottom line, one of us is worried about the cost, and the other one is worried about making the trip enjoyable to everyone. That would mean no one constantly stressing about if we can get everything we want to do accomplished, and also that our son doesn't get cranky waiting in long lines. Trying to meet both of these goals, in the short amount of time we have to book things just doesn't seem possible. And I'd rather not do the trip at all rather than do it and miss out on half the things on our list.

I completely understand trying to get everything in coming from the West Coast but how about just making this trip UO focused, instead of trying to cram EVERYTHING in. Sounds like your friend will be there so I'm sure you'll want to spend time with them. It doesnt seem like you will with your current plan. If you want a Disney fix, maybe just do MIckeys not so scary and drop the rest of the WDW trip? With the time difference, the party won't seem that late for you if you do it at the beginning of your trip and you can sleep in that morning and just be lazy for a bit.

 

[mkm1998]

This trip has evolved yet again! After looking at everything, we realized it's not the best time to cram a 'quick' family trip. We're gonna wait a little bit and plan one when maybe the weather is a little cooler, and we can afford to take as much time as we need for those parks.

That said, my friend is still going out there by herself, and she still invited me sooooooo, it's become a friends trip!

Day 1: Arrive, check in at Stella Nova
Day 2: Epic with Express
Day 3: Islands/Studios with Express.

That part is for sure. We're debating on if we want to end the trip there, or add 1-2 more days.

If we add one day, then it would go like this:
Day 3: After Islands/Studios, check into Dolphin
Day 4: Epcot

Flights back home don't leave until 6p, so theoretically I could squeeze another park in the next morning. So options are either
Day 5: Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom, and then Flight Home

OR

Day 5: Animal Kingdom during the day, and then Magic Kingdom for the Not So Scary Party
Day 6: Hollywood Studios and then Flight Home

I don't see the last option happening. Only realize ticket-wise it would be the same price to get the discounted 3-day ticket rather than full price 2-days. So it would just be another night at the hotel. I'm gonna see what my friend is comfortable with, and then I'll probably stay an extra night on my own past her. That's as much as I'm willing to do on my own, haha.

Thank You all. Definetly not saying no to a family disney trip. This just all came on too sudden for real planning, and we just weren't ready for it. Not giving up any of my spreadsheets, they will just evolve into the next year, haha.