Hypothetical.... if you do a VIP tour do you need more than 3 days?

[gottalovepluto]

Oh wanted to ask when you do 5 days do you still do the park hoppers and genie+? I was planning to do it but wondered if I really need it but have heard DCA has more food options etc.

I love a leisurely 5 day DLR trip. I take afternoon pool breaks then head back in for evenings. I also enjoy staying on site for early entry although with only 30 mins it’s not as good as it used to be, we usually only spend 4 nights on-site and then move hotels for the 5th night after we finish in the parks to save some money. We found two days of G+ was nice. G+ is kinda exhausting at DLR. It makes it possible to do a lot so we like it when we hopped up excited to do it all and then we take it slower the other days re-hitting favorites and doing smaller stuff. We always get PH, sometimes it seems one park is having a run of bad ride luck and we’ll hop to the other. Also like that we get more food options that way.

The Westin would be tempting! But I get not wanting that extra walking. I’ve had the same debate when I think about theoretical trips (nothing in the books now but I wanna be ready when we do chose to go back ).

 

[Disneysince82]

I love a leisurely 5 day DLR trip. I take afternoon pool breaks then head back in for evenings. I also enjoy staying on site for early entry although with only 30 mins it’s not as good as it used to be, we usually only spend 4 nights on-site and then move hotels for the 5th night after we finish in the parks to save some money. We found two days of G+ was nice. G+ is kinda exhausting at DLR. It makes it possible to do a lot so we like it when we hopped up excited to do it all and then we take it slower the other days re-hitting favorites and doing smaller stuff. We always get PH, sometimes it seems one park is having a run of bad ride luck and we’ll hop to the other. Also like that we get more food options that way.

The Westin would be tempting! But I get not wanting that extra walking. I’ve had the same debate when I think about theoretical trips (nothing in the books now but I wanna be ready when we do chose to go back ).

I am not sure why I never considered doing the last night at hotel off site! I guess I was worried about moving luggage etc. but I guess if we were doing a mid day break that would be easy. Even more so fi we did a place right across the street.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I am not sure why I never considered doing the last night at hotel off site! I guess I was worried about moving luggage etc. but I guess if we were doing a mid day break that would be easy. Even more so fi we did a place right across the street.

100%

Our general method is enjoy the morning in the park, return to pack before check-out, leave bags with bell services, return to park for lunch and whatever else we feel like for however long we want (sometimes we're done by late afternoon and sometimes we stay through dinner), return to disney hotel, grab our stuff and move to the new one. We don't return to Disney after we've left, we just collapse at the next hotel and we always make sure it is super close. Make sure to check the hotel for resort and parking fees as those can add up quick.

 

[Disneysince82]

100%

Our general method is enjoy the morning in the park, return to pack before check-out, leave bags with bell services, return to park for lunch and whatever else we feel like for however long we want (sometimes we're done by late afternoon and sometimes we stay through dinner), return to disney hotel, grab our stuff and move to the new one. We don't return to Disney after we've left, we just collapse at the next hotel and we always make sure it is super close. Make sure to check the hotel for resort and parking fees as those can add up quick.

This is something I am really embarrassed I havent thought about! That would cut off like $1300 from the $6400 if we kept the 1 bd room suite at DHL if we did this!

 

[gottalovepluto]

This is something I am really embarrassed I havent thought about! That would cut off like $1300 from the $6400 if we kept the 1 bd room suite at DHL if we did this!

It took us a couple trips to be like “hey, wait a minute…”

 

[Disneysince82]

It took us a couple trips to be like “hey, wait a minute…”

Yea I just sat here and was like.... wait!!! Even more so because when I was debating doing a 1 before or after at the beach or LA doing the exact same thing.

I wanted to add The Westin was very tempting and never heard anything bad about. Even their standard rooms are amazing. If you have a Platinum Amex of a few other card they also give you a really great perks! Because this is a long awaited trip and what I am hoping to make a family trip we look back on forever I decided to stay on site -- other than the last night!!!

We have the 1 bd family suit at DHL right now & it has been hanging over my head to just downgrade to a standard room or move to a standard room at the GCH. Its mainly just that the kids are 5(girl) & 15(boy) and us also wanting some privacy. Then I remember we also have several meals planned alone & our son also has plans to bring his sister to do some things also by himself so we would get time alone.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I wanted to add The Westin was very tempting and never heard anything bad about. Even their standard rooms are amazing. If you have a Platinum Amex of a few other card they also give you a really great perks!

Just make sure to book through Amex Travel or whatever other credit card company for the Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits. A number of people just book direct through the property or other ways because rates are a bit cheaper than FHR rates and then get surprised when the hotel won’t give them the FHR benefits just because the have a Plat Amex.

 

[Tinkaboo]

Oh wanted to ask when you do 5 days do you still do the park hoppers and genie+? I was planning to do it but wondered if I really need it but have heard DCA has more food options etc.

Yep…always park hoppers but usually only Genie+ one day of the trip, if it seems crowded (like Saturdayor maybe Friday). But usually when I’m there for five days and I can rope drop those days, I get most everything done before my afternoon break.

Hey, I’m from Denver, too!

 

[Disneysince82]

Just make sure to book through Amex Travel or whatever other credit card company for the Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits. A number of people just book direct through the property or other ways because rates are a bit cheaper than FHR rates and then get surprised when the hotel won’t give them the FHR benefits just because the have a Plat Amex.

Yep! And I’m 99% you have to prepay with Amex travel or it doesn’t kick in but I’m not positive to get the $200 credit. I’m not sure how the upgrade would be if already booked a really good room. I have a friend who has never been upgraded with hers so I’m always so so on it

 

[Disneysince82]

Yep…always park hoppers but usually only Genie+ one day of the trip, if it seems crowded (like Saturdayor maybe Friday). But usually when I’m there for five days and I can rope drop those days, I get most everything done before my afternoon break.

Hey, I’m from Denver, too!

I didn’t realize you could do genie+ for only 1 day! I thought it was an all or nothing thing. I was going to do photo pass but then again I can’t seem to get a really good review of it is worth all the time.

Hi from Colorado!!! You always fly right? Friends of ours just did a trip or San Diego and loved the drive. I never even considered driving it

 

[gottalovepluto]

Yep! And I’m 99% you have to prepay with Amex travel or it doesn’t kick in but I’m not positive to get the $200 credit. I’m not sure how the upgrade would be if already booked a really good room. I have a friend who has never been upgraded with hers so I’m always so so on it

Correct, the $200 credit is only if you book via Amex travel and prepay. I’ve gotten a couple small upgrades and the rest no upgrades with the program. Book what you want, don’t count on an upgrade.