Is half a day at Disney World worth it??

[Dallas_Lady]

We are planning to do something similar. On our arrival day (the day before our cruise) we are going to splurge for a Deluxe (we are usually a moderate family). We're planning to spend the afternoon/evening at the Magic Kingdom and see Wishes as a way to kick off our vacation. But, we are then planning to do 4 more days at WDW after the cruise, so we are buying 5 day MYW tickets.

IMO, I would never buy 1-day tickets for WDW. For our family of 4, that one day would cost us $332. Now, if I had AP's or non-expiring tickets then I would go for it. Otherwise, I would find something outside of the park to do, like browse Downtown Disney or plan a character meal. But, that's just me. As many have said, worth is very subjective.

 

[mybis1]

My advice is- if you are staying at a Dis Hotel, check the extended Magic hours- if you can time it so the Park you go to is open REALLY Late, then it might be worth the money. If the magic hrs are in the am, then No- its not worth it. Maybe you can get MK open till 2am?! Good luck

 

[LovesHauntedMansion]

My flight is arriving at 1 pm. By the time I wait on the ME bus, arrive at the hotel, check in, then catch a bus to Epcot, it will be late. Originally I was going to stay at Pop Century, but I changed my reservations to PO-FQ just in case it's too late to go to the parks and we can just take the boat to Downtown Disney.

 

[ibouncetoo]

My flight is arriving at 1 pm. By the time I wait on the ME bus, arrive at the hotel, check in, then catch a bus to Epcot, it will be late. Originally I was going to stay at Pop Century, but I changed my reservations to PO-FQ just in case it's too late to go to the parks and we can just take the boat to Downtown Disney.

I loved doing that! Dropped my stuff in the room, took the boat and shopped and ate at DTD!



To the OP, a non-park option you could consider is taking the family to Cirque du Soleil that night. Definately worth it if you've never been to a Cirque performance.

http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/lanouba/default.aspx

And if you go, wave to 'ribbon man' for me.

.

 

[peachygreen]

Unless I had Annual Passes or some non-expiring tickets there is no way I could justify the price of a one day pass for a half a day at the park. Especially since that half day is going to be from 3pm onward which means being behind the crowds the whole time I am there. On top of that travel days are exhausting. You are normally up early, flying dealing with luggage and security etc. I really just want to get where I'm going, get something to eat and relax.

I love WDW but unless I am going to a party night I won't go if I can't get there early. I tell myself I would be going just for atmosphere etc but I would wear myself out.

I'd rather save that money for a real trip where I can really enjoy WDW separate from the cruise.

THe only reason I would consider it if I were you would be to do some of the Christmas stuff that you can't do the rest of the year becuase the odds of me doing another trip around the holiday's would be slim.

 

[goofysgirl]

This one is difficult for me to choose, since the parks will be decorated for Christmas. This by far is the best time to visit Disney. You don't mention where you will stay but you should do onsite this will help with luggage etc. This will also give you extra hours in the parks if they are available for that night.
You could easily do the MK during that day, but remember the parks will be CROWDED...that is where the choice becomes difficult. You will want to see the parks so beautifully decorated for Christmas, but I think you may have a difficult time riding any of the big rides. If you get there prior to 2:00 you may be able to grab some fast passes for Splash or Space Mountain.
If this was the only chance that my girls had to see Disney then I would take it, but I am a huge Disney freak. Worth the money that you have to pay...I am not sure, but worth the trip of a lifetime for my kids...definitely

 

[tracyz]

Hi OP!

3) I was recently thinking about whether I would ever do what you are contemplating - just a park day before a cruise. And I was thinking if we could get tickets to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween or Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, that would be the PERFECT way to do it! Just a little time in a park in the evening - special event - and lower cost. I see you are sailing in December - would that work for you?

This was my thought as well...is there a Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party last night? Last October we did MNSSHP on the day we got off the ship. We were able to get in to the park at 4 and stay until I think midnight (I think...DD didn't make it that late!). The party tickets were much less expensive than full day tickets, and we got all the benefit of being at the park. Loved it!

 

[Presentation]

Just an alternative to consider, go to Downtown Disney, no admission and free parking.

Do some shopping then dinner at T-Rex, a very unique experience.

Another no admission free parking alternative is the Disney hoop dee doo dinner.

 

[disney minnie]

i agree with the Very Merry Christmas party if it is scheduled.

 

[sullins5]

Help!! My husband wants to spend a 1/2 day at Disney World the day our plan lands. We will land at 11:30 and he wants to pick up the rental car, get to the hotel (which check-in will be either 3 or 4) and spend the rest of the day at Disney.... I think that is just too much to cram into a day. With the rates at Disney, I feel that you should spend the whole day there or not go at all. It's not like we are getting any discount tickets or anything.... His argument is "when will the kids get down here again?" Which is true, but why waste the day on running when we could go to a very nice hotel and let them swim and enjoy the start of our vacation. Will be leaving on the Disney Dream 12/22/11 and don't want to be exhausted when we get there.....

Any advice would be great. Am I being a prude??? Or just over planning and trying to be partical!!

Just my two cents:
1st -Your dh said " when will the kids get here again?", if this is something that you won't be back down here for years...it may be well worth it. For us, we've been (but not at Christmas) so many times, that we don't feel like we're missing anything...
2nd - You said you didn't want to be 'exhausted'..How much planning? Do you have to get up really early? Do you have really young kids who need naps? How early are you leaving to get to the port?
3rd - Is budget a concern? In other words, which would you rather have $$$ for...souvenirs?excursions?drinks? or tickets to the kingdom?
4th - Have you thought about DTD? That's what we're doing. Our plane lands at 11:30, so we're going to get the van, go to the hotel, and walk to DTD. We're still going to get the 'Disney ambience', enjoy the shops, eat, walk around and then head back, maybe let the 11dd swim, and then get to bed rested (because I know I'll have been up MANY hours already).
5th - Every family really is different! I'd do what's best for your kids, dh and budget!!! Most of all, make the most of whatever you do. Memories of Disney last a lifetime!

 

[Max Webster]

Help!! My husband wants to spend a 1/2 day at Disney World the day our plan lands. We will land at 11:30 and he wants to pick up the rental car, get to the hotel (which check-in will be either 3 or 4) and spend the rest of the day at Disney.... I think that is just too much to cram into a day. With the rates at Disney, I feel that you should spend the whole day there or not go at all. It's not like we are getting any discount tickets or anything.... His argument is "when will the kids get down here again?" Which is true, but why waste the day on running when we could go to a very nice hotel and let them swim and enjoy the start of our vacation. Will be leaving on the Disney Dream 12/22/11 and don't want to be exhausted when we get there.....

Any advice would be great. Am I being a prude??? Or just over planning and trying to be partical!!

I think you would be nuts to spend only 1/2 day at a WDW park the week of Christmas. The parks will be packed! Enjoy the hotel and rest up for the cruise.

Cheers!

Max



Max

 

[DisneyStoryMania]

DECEMBER IS IT WORTH IT<-----DEFF WORTH IT, It is worth 2 hours in the MK during this time, In my opinion ,, no your not being prude just thinking out aloud is all. Two things I would suggest
1. is a well planned out half day will not be that stressful. and if it is EMH even better(Where will you guys be staying btw)
2. if feasible maybe leave a day early...
Cause I wanted to do the dream and could just not fit it in this year but nothing will warm the kids up like a quick visit to MK before they are engulfed in Magic on the dream...

 

[kasha321]

Holy cow!! I loved reading everyones responses.... With all of them I read, I completely agreed. I agreed that it will be worth it and then also agreed that there isn't enough time! I have not made any reservations yet. I have to be certain about our plans first. I love the idea of getting a beautiful water park hotel, which only adds more confusion to my plans! (thanks guys)

I will keep this thread posted as to what our plans will be. I think I will let my husband read these posts to have him see all sides. At least I have plenty of time to decide or convince DH with alternative plans.....

Thanks everyone!!

 

[TLSnell1981]

At least I have plenty of time to decide or convince DH with alternative plans.....

Thanks everyone!!

Remember, this is a VERY POPULAR week. Do not wait, too long, to book a room. Especially, if you are staying at WDW. You will save lots of time, if you choose an EPCOT or MK resort.

 

[dawne98]

I say if you have been to WDW NO if not then maybe but then you'll just want to stay at WDW lol

 

[lbgraves]

I can't believe I forgot about this but we always took a day to resort hop in December to see all of the decorations. The monorail resorts have special displays including a carosel of gingerbread and all of them have the huge trees too.

 

[luvndizny]

I think you can do one half day at a park, but that week is very, very crowded. Just expect a lot of people at the park that afternoon. You may not get to ride a lot of "big" rides. Just expect to enjoy the parades

This.... We recently cruised and I thought about doing a 1/2 day at the park a day before our cruise. BUT our train arrived in Orlando at about 11am. We got the rental car and drove to our port hotel. Now, we didn't have to get up early that morning as we slept overnight on the train. We were allowed to check-in early but honestly we were still so tired that we just walked around, ate dinner and got to bed early. We felt very relaxed the next morning and getting up early for the cruise wasn't a pain and we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the port. You will be getting up at least somewhat early to be in the airport for your flight if you are arriving at 11am. Here's another thought- Are you planning on buying your DW tickets ahead of time? What if your flight is re-scheduled? If you decide to go to DW, then I would personally wait to get tickets then. BUT, I have heard of DW closing its gates around Christmas-time because it was so packed, even by 11am, that they HAD TO. If this is your first time, then I wouldn't personally go to DW that close to Christmas UNLESS opening hours are until really late AND you can wait to get tix that day. I wouldn't tell the kids if possible though. That way- if you can't go for whatever reason (plane delay, park is closed to no more entries, etc. etc.) they won't be disappointed. Their age though is a really big factor. I wouldn't bring a 3, 4, 5 year old to the park and plan on staying that late after a day of travelling to get there.

Plus, most fast passes will be gone by the time you get there!!

OR, another option is....Ask how late your hotel check-in can be. You might want to get off plane, get rental car and head straight to DW! Then, maybe check in late. Some places have 24 hour check in.

I have been *near* Christmas-time and I remember us saying over and over that the LATEST we'd want to be headed to the parks is Dec. 18th OR if any date later then we'd be first in the parks. I just don't want it ruined for you if it is your very first time and you arrive 1) Exhausted from travelling 2) So many people and all fast-passes gone, etc so you can't even enjoy yourself.

As for the Very Merry Christmas party- Now we have done that. We enjoyed ourselves, BUT out of the whole week we were there (something like Dec. 11-18th) we waited the longest in lines that night because they close the fast pass machines. However, the atmosphere is especially festive with all the elves constantly handing out cookies and chocolate milk...and I do so love the parks at night all lit up! But decide NOW because the Christmas parties sell out fast! (Oh and another thing to note- not every ride/attraction is open on the Christmas party nights!)

Yet another option is checking in EARLY to your hotel. Some hotels charge an extra fee for that, but I've been to ones that don't. (As previously mentioned, the Radisson at the Port check-in wasn't until 3 or 4 and we checked in at about 11:30 or 12.) So that might get you into the park a little earlier too if you'd rather check-in before the park.

So if you could answer (sorry if I missed it in other posts):

1) General ages of children? Are we talking toddlers? Teens?

2) Is this your very first time going to one of Disney's parks?

I think that might help us further give you better advice.

 

[kasha321]

So if you could answer (sorry if I missed it in other posts):

1) General ages of children? Are we talking toddlers? Teens?

2) Is this your very first time going to one of Disney's parks?

I think that might help us further give you better advice. [/QUOTE]


I can't believe I forgot this!! My son will be 9 and daughter turning 8 Dec 26th. (yes, the wonderful christmas baby!!) They travel very well and are well mannered. But everyone has their breaking point since we will have to leave our house by 5am to get to the airport. That is if the airports will be flying out of Minneapolis Dec 2oth!! Now throw that into the plans!!!

We have been to disney 4 years ago for the whole day and then I felt cheated by not getting to see everything. I know it would be special for the kids, but anything we do while as a family on vacation will be special.

So much to talk about and decide!

 

[TLSnell1981]

The days, most likely to reach capacity, are 12/24-12/31...especially, Christmas day and NYE. Also, the park will close in stages. They will not remain closed, but will re-open, once the crowd thins out.

There are four stages to park closing:

Stage 1 - The parking lot entrance is closed. You can only access the park if you are using Disney Transportation.

Stage 2 - The ticket windows are all closed (and the automated Ticket Vending Machines are turned off). Unless you already have a ticket you cannot get in.

Stage 3 - Only people with Annual Passes or current Resort IDs will be allowed in.

Stage 4 - Nobody is allowed in.

 

[luvndizny]

Well, we did do a WHOLE day, non-stop at the Magic Kingdom from about 10am until about 1am I think it was and had a blast! (My kids were about your kids' ages and handled it quite well.) We did take a long lunch and found some shows to watch to relax. We also though didn't start out the day at 5am. Something to think about too. (Well, THEY didn't start out at 5am, I am sure I did because whether cruising or parking- why does that sound dirty??- I am ALWAYS up early enjoying every minute of our Disney day!!)

Trust me, it was SO HARD going down there this time and not going to the parks, especially when we were driving and seeing the signs to DW! (If I had been driving I might have taken the wrong exit "accidentally".

Keep an eye on Disney's website because ya never know if they will offer another "Give a Day, Get a day" promotion or something similar. That would be even better!