Looking for advise: sending two 21 year olds to WDW by themselves- first time!

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Dd21 flew to Spain alone at 20, her sister did the same at 20 to Italy. She’s now 23 and has planned a 2 week vacation in Italy next month with a bunch of friends, booked flights, Airbnb’s, tours.. At 21 she did the same for her friends to Nashville. Ds21 and his friends arranged a trip to Copenhagen over spring break, no parental help. I suspect a trip to WDW would be pretty easy to manage. My kids have all traveled without our help since HS (long weekends, prom houses). Let them plan the trip.

Our WDW first trip together was when I was 23 and my husband was 22. None of our parents had anything to do with it. In fact when I was 15 and my sister 18 my dad just dropped us off at the parks and was like there ya go. And I paid for my park tickets, souvenirs, food and all. I'd say that's an extreme example because I was 15 and using money I had saved up but yeah.

 

[_19disnA]

No amount of advance planning is going to make a Disney park less crowded on the day you show up. Personally, I wouldn't wait until 6 wks prior to the trip to announce this 'surprise' you have for them and airline tickets tend to cost more when purchased closer to your travel date. Maybe the dates you have chosen don't fit their work schedule or any number of other prior commitments. Rather then quibble about which version of the story is 'correct', I think you can be of most assistance by OFFERING advice about planning IF they ask for it. How you choose to enjoy Disney may not be the way someone else does. I doubt most adults want someone else to plan their vacation for them.

Since you indicated they 'want to go back' implies to me they have been there before. So it isn't like they don't know the layout of Disney, which parks/rides/shows they like best or how large the property is.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

Chill folks, I believe it has been addressed.

Perhaps reread her second post and focus on the last paragraph

Time for "Pixie Dust"

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I would say your comment "Universal is a lot less expensive than Disney" is subjective, especially if you throw in the Universal Pass. Even if you bought a 1 Day Park Hopper for tomorrow, July 2, Genie+ and ILL for Guardians and Rise, your total would be around $300.

Park Hopper ($239) Genie+ ($29) Guardians ($17) Rise ($25) - 4 Parks and if you get in the Virtual Queue for Tron, it does not cost extra.

A Park Hopper at Universal is ($209) and the Express Pass is ($250) - 2 Parks and that price not include Hagrid's.

Of course I am partial to Disney but let's try to be fair about things.

Well 1 night at a Premier resort at Universal gives you 2 days of Unlimited version of EP. We did a split stay in 2022 staying at Endless Summer Surfside which is their value resort and nearly all the time less than Disney's value resorts are for 2 nights (1 day was arrival day next day was at the parks) then 1 night at Royal Pacific netting us 2 days of EP. Monetarily speaking you'd have to check what days you'd be going to Universal to ensure that the 1 night at a Premier financially makes sense (it is Unlimited version and is given to all occupants in the room). You also have to be careful to compare EP pricing because of Holiday pricing, weekend pricing, etc. One of the days we were there the cash value of that Friday for Unlimited Park to Park was $89.99+tax per person, it was the Saturday that was a lot more netting the financial benefit to Royal Pacific.

It's hard to compare the two companies tit for tat because they operate differently. EP covers all attractions but 2 (Hagrid's and Pteranodon Flyers which adults traveling alone are usually ineligible for due to height restrictions both max and min). For an individual with a disability who struggles with planning, EP is going to be more desirable because it takes no planning and only understanding signage however that attractions at Universal may or may not be what someone can or wants to ride.

No one knows how the new program at Disney will work fully and price point once July 24th arrives until Disney releases more information. I agree VQ at Disney won't cost anything but on attractions that have it the only way to ride it is that or pay for it and still doesn't guarantee you'll ride the attraction that day if your Boarding Group isn't called.

I agree that it is subjective with a lot of that comes into play of where someone is staying, when they are going, etc but would say personally speaking our WDW portions of our whole trip that always include 3 days at Universal do cost more without Genie+/ILL even being accounted for. A lot of that cost is wrapped up in park tickets for WDW.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

Are you going to have a conversation with them before start any planning? Set up a MDE account in your daughter’s name, teach her how to use it. Make any ADR under her account so it will be easier for her to get help from cast members while she is there. You can always get her password and login to her account if she needs your help

 

[cyndik1111]

Are you going to have a conversation with them before start any planning? Set up a MDE account in your daughter’s name, teach her how to use it. Make any ADR under her account so it will be easier for her to get help from cast members while she is there. You can always get her password and login to her account if she needs your help

Thanks for the suggestions She has an account and knows how to use it. We've got magic bands from our trip last year that they can use. They aren't into ADRs, so that's easy. I wont need to log into her account for anything, she can do that. And I doubt they will need help from cast members, they know the layout.

 

[cyndik1111]

No amount of advance planning is going to make a Disney park less crowded on the day you show up. Personally, I wouldn't wait until 6 wks prior to the trip to announce this 'surprise' you have for them and airline tickets tend to cost more when purchased closer to your travel date. Maybe the dates you have chosen don't fit their work schedule or any number of other prior commitments. Rather then quibble about which version of the story is 'correct', I think you can be of most assistance by OFFERING advice about planning IF they ask for it. How you choose to enjoy Disney may not be the way someone else does. I doubt most adults want someone else to plan their vacation for them.

Since you indicated they 'want to go back' implies to me they have been there before. So it isn't like they don't know the layout of Disney, which parks/rides/shows they like best or how large the property is.

Thank you so much for the suggestions . I've got all the big stuff booked already. I know their work and school schedule so the trip will be well received. I actually expect the parks to be busy, that's why I was wondering if Jollywood or MVMCP would afford them less of a wait for rides. I went ahead and booked Jollywood. But not MVMCP. I booked a deluxe in hopes of an EEH event during their trip. They are so use to me doing all the planning for our family trips. They always comment about how much they appreciate me and how I make the trips so great. I was hoping to just do a little of that for them a head of time (before things sell out or prices go up). I know once I give the gift, they are going to want to sit down with me for more strategic planning. And if they don't, that's OK. Whatever they want, it's their trip. Just wanted to lay the groundwork that they could build on. They are such amazing kids and deserve to have a wonderful trip.

 

[cyndik1111]

Who is planning their wedding??? Do they not have to be responsible for jobs? Time to cut the cord and let them figure out life themselves, especially if they are getting married. Adulting starts at 18, you are not helping here, I respect your good intentions, but....

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate you taking the time. They planned their wedding and paid for most of it. (and did it quite smartly and didn't go hog wild like some of their friends are planning) I dare say Disney is a lot harder to plan than a wedding . You are 100% correct, adulting does start at 18. The operative word here is "start". Development is not a linear process. Some young adults excel at somethings but are still learning about other things. These two are amazing, wonderful young adults who are really good at somethings, and a little behind at others. And that's OK. They've got many years to get there. I think they are right where they need to be. I just want to book the bones of the trip so they can finish planning it with a little more ease. Sort of like a travel agent would do for someone. But I'm paying for it, and it's a surprise lol

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate you taking the time. They planned their wedding and paid for most of it. (and did it quite smartly and didn't go hog wild like some of their friends are planning) I dare say Disney is a lot harder to plan than a wedding . You are 100% correct, adulting does start at 18. The operative word here is "start". Development is not a linear process. Some young adults excel at somethings but are still learning about other things. These two are amazing, wonderful young adults who are really good at somethings, and a little behind at others. And that's OK. They've got many years to get there. I think they are right where they need to be. I just want to book the bones of the trip so they can finish planning it with a little more ease. Sort of like a travel agent would do for someone. But I'm paying for it, and it's a surprise lol

I'm getting whiplash from how you keep changing the story and their circumstances. It's rare the feedback is consistent on the boards and you're getting mostly the same message you don't want to receive. So just continue planning the trip for them and do what you want. You don't need our blessing to do so. I am so unclear on what kind of advice you expected any of us to give.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

My daughter has a disability and needs a little extra help here and there. We have counselors that give us really good advise. She has come so very far and doing amazingly. I'm so proud of her.

I'm getting whiplash from how you keep changing the story and their circumstances.

Tink, maybe do a better job of actually reading and understanding, or just not participate if the thread turns you into a bobblehead.

They have a wonderful gifted trip booked, nothing else 'expected'

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

Tink, maybe do a better job of actually reading and understanding, or just not participate if the thread turns you into a bobblehead.

They have a wonderful gifted trip booked, nothing else 'expected'

Well she can't spell advice so I'm not trusting her to plan my trip. And she sure has found a cheerleader in you. Enjoy your mutual admiration society while the rest of us remain in reality.

 

[Mouse Tracker]

Well she can't spell advice so

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks for the suggestions She has an account and knows how to use it. We've got magic bands from our trip last year that they can use. They aren't into ADRs, so that's easy. I wont need to log into her account for anything, she can do that. And I doubt they will need help from cast members, they know the layout.

Just a note: If you're booking this is a surprise (based on your second post with more important details) as soon as you book something she will be able to see it on her MDE.

 

[buzlite]

At 18 I applied to University across the ocean, found a place to live (with roomates), booked my flights, travelled by myself and survived. Not to mention applying for student loans and learning how to cook etc.

The biggest gift you can give your children is the skill of navigating the world on there own. I would recommend letting them know you are there to give advice when needed but ultimately its up to them to plan their trip. If they don't wake up then they will learn about waiting in lines. Actually now that I think of it, I planned a 2 night, 3 day trip to Disney World at 18. The only assistance I got from my parents was being dropped off at the airport and picked up on the way back. How were my planning abilities? Horrible! But I felt so empowered to be independent.

 

[buzlite]

Interesting story