Input on Trip #3 please!

[mshanson3121]

So, DH has agreed to do another trip (triggered by the email he got from his union that he can get 35% off tickets ). Looking like June 9-16. I don't know why, but I'm having a harder time getting excited about this one. Maybe because we just got back a few months ago? Anyways, having a hard time knowing what to plan/do.

Parameters: DH, myself, DS (almost 13), DD (newly 10). Both kids have special needs (including ASD, SPD etc), and three of us have a joint hypermobility disorder that causes various issues. We are NOT Disney-marathoners that can pull open to close, ten days in a row. We are the people that need breaks, days off, down time etc... Thinking we'll stay on site at All Star Movies. Kids have no problem staying up late, as long as they can sleep in the next day.

We already have a set of one day park hoppers that we were given as comp tickets. Not sure how many days to buy after that. I know we'll likely do rope drop to 12-1, afternoon break, and then come back for the evening. I was thinking maybe just another one day park hopper? Or maybe we should do 3 day base tickets? We can do no more than 2 days without a full day off. (Seriously can't stress that enough). So, this is what I know we'll want to do, suggestions based on that?

MK: we like almost all the rides there, 7D is my daughter's obsession. Would like to see the fireworks again, but think maybe we would prefer to watch them from the Pirates & Pals Cruise this time, since the idea of dealing with bone-crushing crowds isn't appealing.

AK: still haven't done Nemo or FOTLK, so those are must-dos. The kids also liked the Up! show. Safari, Kali are definite dos. DD will want to explore Conservation Station (she has her heart set on being a vet), DS will want to do the Animation Academy, and DH will want to explore Pandora and the kids loved the Na'Vi ride. Rivers of Light will be a must-do, too. As much as I dislike DinoLand, the kids enjoy it, so we could explore there, too.

EP: The kids actually enjoyed the Showcase last time, and I know they'll want to walk through it again, do the new Beauty & Beast Sing A Long, Frozen ride and the boat ride in Mexico. We also LOVED Soarin and The Seas and easily spent over an hour just at the Seas. Would like to try Turtle Talk, too. Would like to see the fireworks here, as we never have before.

HS: We'll want to walk through SWGE, but unfortunately doesn't sound like the rides are anything my family will be able to do. So it'll be a walk through only. Definitely will explore TSL - the kids enjoyed all the rides there. They also enjoyed the Lightning McQueen show, we want to do Beauty & The Beast show, and meet and greets (especially the Star Wars characters). But I don't see HS being more than a half day park for us (as much as it pains me to say that).

Myself, I'm thinking we could probably use the Park Hopper split between HS and EP (maybe HS in the morning and EP at night?) then maybe a full day for AK and a full day for MK? Thoughts?


Then.... what about non-park suggestions/things to do. We'd like to explore some non-resort stuff, too. I was thinking of Disney Springs (DH and kids would love the NBA Experience), trying the hot air balloon ride which DS and I didn't get to do in May. Doing a fun dinner... maybe T-Rex or Rainforest Cafe? Or even the Irish pub (the kids love Irish music and dancing). Mini golf? Other ideas? I know the kids would love to do a water park day, too, but not sure if that would be in the budget.

Would love your suggestions and ideas!

 

[JennyDrake]

Random comments:

1. FYI for those with sensory processing issues, RF cafe, T Rex and Raglan Road are LOUD!! VERY loud.
2. I would consider adding water park option and taking advantage of that during hot summer days.
3. Especially in summer, rope drop IS your best friend.
4. Mini golf is fun for the whole family!
5. I don't have the same physical issues and you all, so I'm not pretending to fully understand, BUT I do have lupus which I learned last month is apparently ignited by too much time in the sun. Lupus also dictates that I rest midday and get enough sleep. What works well for me is rope drop with FP+ scheduled late morning - 1 pm back to back. Return to resort and rest. Pool time possibly if it is overcast. Go back 4:30 or 5 ish and stay until 8. YMMV!

 

[holden]

I'm not sure how many park days you are planning, but a day with nothing to do is always good. Hang by the pool, visit Disney Springs, resort hop on the monorail, etc.

My kids don't have diagnosed sensory issues, but we can't stand Rainforest or T-Rex. You can't even have a conversation in those restaurants. Raglan Road is fun! They might enjoy that!

 

[mshanson3121]

I'm not sure how many park days you are planning, but a day with nothing to do is always good. Hang by the pool, visit Disney Springs, resort hop on the monorail, etc.

My kids don't have diagnosed sensory issues, but we can't stand Rainforest or T-Rex. You can't even have a conversation in those restaurants. Raglan Road is fun! They might enjoy that!

Good to know about TR/RC. I knew the kids would think they're cool, but I didn't realize they were that loud. I'm thinking probably 3 park days, 1 day for other activities (like DS or mini golf or a water park etc...) and then 2 resort days.

 

[mom2rtk]

If end up buying tickets longer than 4 days, and also using comp tickets for an additional day, you are seriously devaluing your comp tickets. Anything more than 4 days costs very little to add additional days. I'd suggest saving those for a shorter trip.

 

[HuskieJohn]

Several thoughts for you...


MK: since you mentioned the pirate cruise for the firework show...

A. what do you think about the Garden view dessert party rather than the cruise? Cost wise for 4 of you it will be slightly less costly and IMO a much better view. For my wife who has issues being around many people she picks the Garden view party that she can leave if needed over being on a boat with 60 other people that she cannot exit.

B. If you still want to do the cruise what about the idea of doing it on one of your off days. That way that is all you have to do that day so its not too much but you also dont lose out on any park/ride/attraction time that your family is up for that evening. I understand that might go against your one day off rule but just wanted to give you the idea.


For HS/SWGE and EPCOT days...

I would flip EP to the AM and HS to the PM. Unless RotR drastically changes the dynamic of the land itself (considering your group is not going on the 2 rides) I think 1hr after open until the afternoon shower will actually be the busiest time to go. Also to consider for EPCOT if the Ratatouille ride will be good for your family or not as it SHOULD JUST be opening for your trip. That ride will have long lines all day so doing it at RD is going to be needed for your trip. This way you can also try for an evening FP+ at SDD and tour both TSL and SWGE areas at night when all the lights are on.


For DS we did T-Rex when my kids were 6/4/4. While they had fun it was fun but noisy and there were strobe light effects when the meteor shower happened (every 30min or so).


The difference between a 2 day and 3 day ticket for 4 is $360ish so you have to see if that is worth it to you for a waterpark day or not.

 

[mshanson3121]

If end up buying tickets longer than 4 days, and also using comp tickets for an additional day, you are seriously devaluing your comp tickets. Anything more than 4 days costs very little to add additional days. I'd suggest saving those for a shorter trip.

We won't be taking another trip unless somebody else pays for it, lol. So, this will be our last one. The only reason this one is happening is because of the free tickets, and DH is getting a good bonus next spring, and found out he can get a good discount through his union. I'm thinking we'll probably only buy an extra 2 days.

 

[mshanson3121]

Several thoughts for you...


MK: since you mentioned the pirate cruise for the firework show...

A. what do you think about the Garden view dessert party rather than the cruise? Cost wise for 4 of you it will be slightly less costly and IMO a much better view. For my wife who has issues being around many people she picks the Garden view party that she can leave if needed over being on a boat with 60 other people that she cannot exit.

B. If you still want to do the cruise what about the idea of doing it on one of your off days. That way that is all you have to do that day so its not too much but you also dont lose out on any park/ride/attraction time that your family is up for that evening. I understand that might go against your one day off rule but just wanted to give you the idea.


For HS/SWGE and EPCOT days...

I would flip EP to the AM and HS to the PM. Unless RotR drastically changes the dynamic of the land itself (considering your group is not going on the 2 rides) I think 1hr after open until the afternoon shower will actually be the busiest time to go. Also to consider for EPCOT if the Ratatouille ride will be good for your family or not as it SHOULD JUST be opening for your trip. That ride will have long lines all day so doing it at RD is going to be needed for your trip. This way you can also try for an evening FP+ at SDD and tour both TSL and SWGE areas at night when all the lights are on.


For DS we did T-Rex when my kids were 6/4/4. While they had fun it was fun but noisy and there were strobe light effects when the meteor shower happened (every 30min or so).


The difference between a 2 day and 3 day ticket for 4 is $360ish so you have to see if that is worth it to you for a waterpark day or not.

Good thoughts. I didn't realize the dessert party was cheaper! That is definitely possible as we are hoping to allow for one "splurge" on this trip - either the Pirates cruise, a character meal etc... We did the dessert party in May, and definitely enjoyed the Garden Plaza viewing area.

I wasn't sure if Ratatouille would be open or not. What is that ride even supposed to be like? I know my kids love the movie and would want to try the ride if it's not a virtual reality thing (they can't handle stuff like It's Tough to be a Bug, Star Tours etc... where things come flying at you). We will have DAS, so that does definitely make things a bit easier as far as dealing with long waits.

My main reason for wanting to do EP in the evening, was to see the showcase lit up at night, and we were hoping to see the fireworks, as EP is the only park we haven't done any nighttime entertainment in yet. But it would be cool to see SWGE/TS at night, too. I would love to do 2 day park hoppers (plus our other 1 day hopper), but... we'll see price-wise. But that would definitely give us more flexibility for being able to take in the parks at night. Quite honestly, if we were going to *have* to miss a park at night, it would probably be MK since the kids have already seen the fireworks there twice, but we haven't seen the EP fireworks, Star Wars fireworks, and have only seen ROL once, and I know they've tweaked it since we saw it (and DH hasn't seen it at all).

 

[TravelandLeisure]

Since you say this will be your last trip, is there any way to wait until 2021 for the new attractions for the 50th? I know you mentioned you didn’t feel that excited due to having recently returned. I just didn’t know if that would be an option with the ticket discount/comp tickets. Do they expire?

 

[mshanson3121]

Since you say this will be your last trip, is there any way to wait until 2021 for the new attractions for the 50th? I know you mentioned you didn’t feel that excited due to having recently returned. I just didn’t know if that would be an option with the ticket discount/comp tickets. Do they expire?

Not until 2030. However we have a large trip planned for 2021, so it would be 2022 at the earliest, possibly 2023 before we could go back. By which point the kids would be 16 and 13... Not that you're ever too old for Disney but.... we have other things we want to do with them besides theme parks kwim? Also, our daughter, already at 9, already doesn't really want to/care if she goes back to Disney. She would rather go to the beach, experience new stuff etc... But she is still "into" Disney enough right now that she will enjoy it. But by that age? I have my doubts.