Need some advice for an upcoming trip in August

[B-rad]

Looking for some advice about a trip our family has planned for this Summer (8/8-8/15). It will be the second trip to DLR for my wife and I, but the first for our daughters (5 and 11). We've all been to WDW plenty, but we liked the pace of DLR so much better! Not necessary to follow some rigorous schedule of FPs and ADRs.

-We're trying to decide between 3 and 4-day park hoppers w/ MP; if we wanted to add the fourth day while we're there, would we be able to get the reduced rate for the multi-day tickets as if we had purchased it originally? (e.g. it's $160 difference when purchasing direct from Disney's website). Based on my wife and I's experience last October, 2 full days was plenty to get what we wanted done-several times in some cases.

-Are fireworks/F!/WoC scheduled on weekdays during the Summer? We know we're going to do the parks on 8/9 and skip them on 8/11 (there's some charity walk I think?), but haven't really decided to do MM on Saturday or Tuesday. I've read that Mondays are pretty rough too and should be avoided. Fireworks aren't that important to us, but we really want to see F! and WoC because we missed both last trip.

-Last question...we're planning on booking BBB for our daughters. It will be the youngest's first time, and our oldest is aging out. Does anyone have any experience with doing BBB with a tween? She says she wants to do the full deal, princess dress and all, but my wife and I really aren't sure it would fit her well. We saw a girl her age in one of the full gowns in October, and she looked absolutely miserable. Could be that she was dressed as Belle and her mom forced her to interact with Gaston, but we saw her at various points throughout the day and she did not look like she was feeling the dress. Even if we let her try it out, and change back at the hotel mid-day, it seems like a big waste if we could just do her hair, nails and makeup for half the price.

Look forward to any information you all could provide. Our fingers are crossed that SW:GE crowds are at least managed by the time we get there. We had originally planned on going at the end of June, but we decided we're not gluttons for punishment. Ha!

 

[BrianL]

Hi, B-rad, and welcome to the DIS!

I'm not an expert on the tickets at DL but I am pretty sure you can extend them just like at WDW, paying only the cost to upgrade. I am not sure if there are any little nuances though.

The Fireworks should be pretty regular during the Summer. Mickey's Mix Magic will be listed as "with Fireworks" if they plan to run them, but if not they will still run the projections. I think most nights are "with Fireworks" in the summer. Fantasmic! may not run every night, but should be pretty regular. WoC should run every night regardless (maybe even twice) - it's so great that it's back up and running!

I can't really say about the BBB. Maybe consider getting your daughter some "Disney Bounding" clothes that she can wear to look the part without the full-on dress. Float the idea and go shopping ahead of time. It's hard to know with kids I'd imagine.

Have fun on your trip!

 

[theluckyrabbit]

DLR rules state that only children under 9 can wear costumes in the park (unless it's a special event like MHP), so Disney Bounding would be the best option for your older DD if she wants to dress up in the parks. (Also, if the weather this August is anything like last August, have options packed -- last year was unusually humid for us -- muggy and yucky!)
You should be able to upgrade your tickets by paying the difference in price at the booths before the end of your last day.
Add your name to the *August 2019 check in* -- keep watching there for any Aug. news and updates.

 

[B-rad]

Thanks for the advice about tickets. It's probably worth holding off in that case, as there's just so much to do in SoCal besides Disneyland.

The costume rule seems weird to me considering the BBB cutoff is 12. Doesn't seem like they would sell you the full package w/ dress, then tell you go back to your hotel and change. We've been trying to convince her that "Comfy Princess" clothes would suit her better anyway. Having done either end of the spectrum though, she's old enough to know what she wants. We expect the weather to be pretty warm, so were assuming our youngest wouldn't last long in the dress at all. I'm expecting the pitch black HP robe to last all of 2 minutes when we spend a day at Universal.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

I think the costume rule depends on how overboard some people tend to go with the outfits. (Some guests just don't seem to know when to stop!) If the dress is one that is sold at BBB, you should be fine.
Note that the annual CHOC Walk is Aug. 11th -- this will change the park opening hours that day, so check the calendar when it updates for Aug.

 

[Aladora]

DLR rules state that only children under 9 can wear costumes in the park (unless it's a special event like MHP), so Disney Bounding would be the best option for your older DD if she wants to dress up in the parks. (Also, if the weather this August is anything like last August, have options packed -- last year was unusually humid for us -- muggy and yucky!)
You should be able to upgrade your tickets by paying the difference in price at the booths before the end of your last day.
Add your name to the *August 2019 check in* -- keep watching there for any Aug. news and updates.

As per DL website, costumes can be worn by anyone under 13.

FAQ Park Dress

Inappropriate Attire

Attire that is not appropriate for the theme parks (and which may result in refusal of admittance or ejection) includes but is not limited to:

• Costumes may not be worn by Guests 14 years of age or older

 

[theluckyrabbit]

This update is great to know! I'm guessing that Disney was getting a LOT of feedback about this, especially with the outfits being sold at BBB and with many kids being tall for their age.
I have noticed fewer adult guests in elaborate outfits (there were a few regulars who liked to wear CM-type costumes every visit) -- so perhaps these updates and clarifications in the rules are in preparation for the inevitable wave of Star Wars costumes that will sweep the parks this summer?

 

[B-rad]

Like I said in my original post, that poor girl in the full-length Belle dress was not having a magical day lol! It was Halloween time when we went though. We just can't bring ourselves to be those parents. Sometimes you have to get creative and use the "maybe" and "we'll see."

My wife and I have discussed the Star Wars costume thing too. Even the premiers at local neighborhood theaters brought all kinds of cosplayers, etc out of the woodwork.

 

[BrianL]

Thanks for the advice about tickets. It's probably worth holding off in that case, as there's just so much to do in SoCal besides Disneyland.

The costume rule seems weird to me considering the BBB cutoff is 12. Doesn't seem like they would sell you the full package w/ dress, then tell you go back to your hotel and change. We've been trying to convince her that "Comfy Princess" clothes would suit her better anyway. Having done either end of the spectrum though, she's old enough to know what she wants. We expect the weather to be pretty warm, so were assuming our youngest wouldn't last long in the dress at all. I'm expecting the pitch black HP robe to last all of 2 minutes when we spend a day at Universal.

Speaking of "comfy" princess looks, maybe you could do something like the princesses in Wreck it Ralph 2, where they were in their casual lounge-wear. I think they sell some of the shirts. That could be fun.