Last minute “bonus” trip. Help please!

[MamaBear12]

Last minute split stay at Saratoga Springs (DVC) and Port Orleans- French Quarter next week. 4 full days (not including travel days). We have the Sorcerers Pass and went in February and have another trip planned in October, so this is a “bonus“ trip. We’ve never done the water parks and we’re not planning to get lightning lane this trip (we will for the trip in October.) It’s going to be hot, so my goal is a more relaxing trip. Probably hit up the parks early or in the evening, take advantage of the extra hours at Magic Kingdom on Wednesday, but I want to avoid the hustle and bustle and long lines in favor of the hotel pools in the afternoon. We will have a rental car but would plan to use Disney transportation most of the time. So here are my questions and possible “plan”…

1. Since we have two check-in days, is it worth doing two waterpark half-days and experiencing both water parks? Or if not, is there one in particular you would recommend? Kiddos are 9 and 12. Plan would be to get to the water park right at 10am on our first check-in day, then head to the resort early afternoon (hopefully room will be ready), relax for a bit, then head to a park for the evening (Epcot or HS)
2. Our typical park strategy is rope drop to close. I don’t want to do that at all this trip, lol. What are your main recommendations for a more laid-back trip?
3. Tentative plan: Tuesday- 10 am water park; early afternoon hotel; evening at Epcot or HS. Wednesday- Animal Kingdom park in the am (maybe?); relax and Saratoga springs pool; Magic Kingdom for EEH. Thursday- sleep in; check out, head to other water park OR another park (AK?); check in at hotel when room is ready to relax; evening at Epcot or HS Friday- Animal Kingdom in the am if we haven’t gone already; afternoon enjoy resort and pool; evening at Epcot or HS

 

[Marthasor]

I would definitely take advantage of the water park perk on both check-in days! If you go to Blizzard Beach, consider doing a round of mini golf as well.

 

[kwdw]

Honestly - given you have a pass - I would plan the water park on day one, and the MK EEH. Beyond that - play it by ear. The water park may be a huge hit - or not. Might be exhausted after it - or maybe heading to a park is the right idea. Could have a storm - which can really impact water park/pool plans. Kids might be melting in the heat earlier than you think - or ready to keep going and not want to leave the park. You have the right ideas - and its not your only trip - so you can go with the flow. I would say it is a good idea - maybe at dinner - to make the plan for the next day. Sure - even that can change - but it impacts the urgency to get to bed or get up in the morning so the family is on the same page.

I have a slight preference for Typhoon Lagoon - slide choices there are more my style.

 

[MaxsDad]

Lol. No advice but this is almost exactly like us.

Went in January, going back in October and staying at POR (first time) in 2 weeks. Since we had AP figured why not do an end of school year surprise trip. Since we hate the heat we are going to do the same things, mornings, pools, and evenings. Definitely going slower and not planning for as commando as usual, although we will probably still get lightning lanes, and we got tickets for Epcot after hours so that will be our only Epcot day. No water park though since we get in later in during the evening.