July 3-10th.. how crazy are we???

[melissa6631]

Well it's official!

We're heading back!
Last August we went to Disney by ourselves, this year, we're taking 2 of our 5 kids. Instead of wasting money on memories they won't remember, we'll just take the older 2(ages 9 and 10).

We're going over the 4th of July weekend and I'm curious what kind of preperations do I need to make? I'd LOVe to have a Princess "meal" for our daughter and something special for our son.. Can I make reservations before hand?

What are some things that you can't miss out on? Botho f the kids have gone before but the trips were very restricted because grandparents took them so we'd really like to make it a great memory! Is it possible to get 3 day hopper tickets? and then go to Sea World for a day or two and then I figure probably Clearwater beach on another day and we are staying at the Mariott Grande Vista Resort by Sea world and they have tons of stuff to do there as well.

Any advice and suggestions and prices and phone numbers etc that you can get to me would be GREAT!
I just paid for the kids plane tickets tonight. I'm SOO excited!

 

[Deb in IA]

We've done WDW over 4th of July. VERY CROWDED, especially MK. I think they reached capacity a few years ago.

We tried to stay out of the parks on the 4th. Try hanging at the hotel, going swimming, etc.

You can (and probably should) make reservations (they are called Priority Seating by Disney folks) if you want to get a Princess meal or any other meal that you want to actually sit and eat. The parks are very crowded at this time of year, and I've seen 2 hour waits for most sit down restaurants, especially the ones in the parks, at the usual dining times.

If you want the Cinderella's Breakfast with the Princesses, it is imperative that you call RIGHT AT 7 AM EST 60 days out from the day you want to eat there. 1 407 WDW DINE.

There is a list somewhere on this site that shows how far out you can book meals. Usually it is 60 days; Hoop Dee Doo can be booked 2 years out.

Have fun!!

 

[tcfdick]

There will be large crowds because of the 4th. I don't think 3 days at WDW will be enough to see all four parks. Were you wanting to take your son and daughter to see all four? Did you want to go to a water park? That could be an additional day.

If I had to choose between Sea World and WDW, WDW wins hands down. I definitely wouldn't go to Sea World for 2 days. There's not that much to see and do there.

I have taken my two children to the beach and they were ready to leave after 3-4 hours and go back to the parks. They enjoy the water parks much more.

I would definitely make PS's for any character meals you want to do. The princess one at CRT in MK and the one at EPCOT's Norway Princess are both options for DD. Mickey's breakfast or dinner at the Contemporary is an option for DS or LTT in MK is also an option. Those will take a bit of time out of your day at the park. Make sure to use fastpass and get to the parks early! AVOID early entry parks since you are staying off-site.
They are MADE MAD
Sun.- MK
Mon.-AK
Tues.-Disney Studios
Wed.-EPCOT
Thurs.-MK
Fri.-AK
Sat.-Disney Studios


Whatever you do you'll make wonderful memories! Have fun!

 

[BrianMonk]

it is imperative that you call RIGHT AT 7 AM EST 60 days out from the day you want to eat there. 1 407 WDW DINE.

That should be a 90-days out

 

[HaleyB]

Yes if you want CRT 90 days is a must, that is 90 days before you want to eat (not counting that day) and call at 6:59 am EST then hit redail untill they answer. Don't chat at all with the CM, these can be gone in munites some days. Check out the Cindy's advice and encouragement thread on-
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=5201721#post5201721

 

[melissa6631]

There is just so much information here!!

I know that my dd will LOVE Seaworld. Also remember they have been here already. . . I'm not sure about two days though.

What is the BEST most e conomical way to buy tickets? What do all of your letters mean?
like CRT? etc?


So you guys think to buy 4 day hopper passes? They allow us to go back and forth through out the day? Where can I get them relatively cheap?

I don't know what any abbreviations mean as to where I should be looking to dine. I only have been to Ohanas and we'll surely be returning there. What a blast that was!

 

[Deb in IA]

CRT = Cinderella's Royal Table, the castle at MK.

 

[Magic2000]

We'll also be at Disney for the 4th - and we can't wait!!! This is our third time visiting for July 4th, and it isn't really that bad!! But, as the others have recommended - make a PS (priority seating) for any restaurant you would like to eat at!

Your daughter may enjoy the Alice in Wonderland Tea Party, and your son may enjoy the Pirate Cruise - both are held at the Grand Floridian!

Have fun! Enjoy!!!

 

[Kaycee]

Hi, and welcome to the DISBiards! If you go to the main page that lists all the different forums, there is a section under "First Time Users" that lists a lot of the abbreviations you'll see on these boards.

Keep reading, and ask questions as they come up. There's a wealth of information here.

Happy planning!

 

[liquidsky88]

My DW and I have been down to Disney during the 4th of July holiday a few times. I would strongly recommend making your lunch and dinner reservations asap. It's an expremely busy time. As long as you can tolerate that heat and have loads of patience to wait in lines, you'll be fine.

 

[Disney Fool]

Here's a link to all the abbreviations we use here on the boards. It can get confusing. Welcome aboard.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/abbreviations.htm

 

[Tinkbell]

I've been over during the holiday before and the only time we ever really had a problem was when we went to MK on the 4th. All other times were not too bad.