Never done WDW & booked 5 days w/my 12 yr old. HELP

[lisaward2018trip]

I booked a five day trip through JetBlue—a nice package deal for five nights at Pop Century, with a nonstop from Newark for $1250. It is paid for. Now I need to figure out the Disney piece. My son is on the autism spectrum so we have to take things easy, sort if .

I am thinking a two day multi park ticket plus a day at Universal. Fill-in and downtime would be at Disney Springs and a walk over to the Art of Animation. Does this seem reasonable? Also, not planning to rent a car. Let me know what you all think.

Haven’t done a Disney trip yet. I feel so overwhelmed. Bought guide books and have read through message boards but I am kind of freaking out a little. All this fast pass info, dining reservations—LOL it’s so much. All we really need is grilled cheese LOL. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot.

 

[martikus]

First trip I would skip universal. Disney is huge and plenty on its own. Save universal for its own vacation.

I would do a 5 or 6 day ticket no park hoppers. Spend at least one day in each park and leave when you get tired or go late if you need. Then you only feel rushed to fit everything in. We find we don’t need park hoppers when traveling with our son because by end of day we are pooped and prefer to chill by pool.

We do a lot of quick service as we aren’t big foodies. But a couple sit down meals can be a nice break.

 

[mjmgsssp]

I, too, would skip Universal on a first trip. If you're not planning on renting a car, you will have to take a cab or Uber to get there.

I also would recommend a day in each park, plus time to explore Disney Springs. You've got a lot of experience here on the Dis, and we're glad to help.

 

[lovetoscrap]

You need to break down your questions and post them on the specific boards for each topic. We have a disABILITIES board and Families board that can help with traveling with your son. Fastpass questions can be asked on our Theme Parks Attractions and Stratagies board and dining questions should be asked on the Disney Restaurants board.

 

[lisaward2018trip]

Gang — this is very helpful. Thank you!!! Will dig through the other areas as you suggest! Cheers .

 

[StageTek]

Make sure you get Magical Express.

With a five night package that means you have four days in the parks, right? I assume your son is a big Harry Potter fan which is why you want to spend a day at Universal. With four Disney parks you won't have much fill-in and downtime.

You might not need a Park Hopper - one day at Magic Kingdom and one day in another park; any idea which parks you two want to see? Hollywood Studios for Toy Story? Epcot? Animal Kingdom for Avatar? On the other hand a Park Hopper isn't that much more and will give you the freedom to... well... park hop. with so few days and wanting to take things easy I think one day in one park will be enough.

One day in Magic Kingdom, one day in Universal, a downtime day seeing Art of Animation and Disney Springs and one day in another park. Seems reasonable for a take-it-easy vacation. You'll leave wanting more!

Don't get any dining reservations. You can get great meals like grilled cheese at the Quick Service restaurants.

Get a Fast Pass for 7 Dwarfs Mine Train if he likes easy roller coasters. You know what he will like better than anyone here.

 

[lisaward2018trip]

Stage: super helpful! Universal is for Jurrasic and Minions! Not quote ready for Harry. I am thinking Magic Kingdom and Epcot with a possible visit to Hollywood Studios will round it out for us.

 

[StageTek]

Sounds very reasonable. Morning in Hollywood Studios (for Toy Story) and then end up at Epoct. You can take the boat there - a terrific trip.

Make sure you see "Living With The Land" and "Spaceship Earth". I bet he would love "American Adventure"

 

[lisaward2018trip]

Sounds very reasonable. Morning in Hollywood Studios (for Toy Story) and then end up at Epoct. You can take the boat there - a terrific trip.

Make sure you see "Living With The Land" and "Spaceship Earth". I bet he would love "American Adventure"

So appreciate the tips!!

 

[BOG Tom]

What month are you going?

 

[lisaward2018trip]

What month are you going?

Unfortunately, June. We have been to Disneyland in June (when Cardland opened) so I know it will be a zoo.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I would also skip both Universal and the Park Hoppers.

Have you made any dining or fast pass reservations yet?

 

[lisaward2018trip]

I would also skip both Universal and the Park Hoppers.

Have you made any dining or fast pass reservations yet?

Not yet. Didn’t buy the park tix yet. We Won’t be doing any sit downs at any of the popular restaurants because of my sons dietary restrictions. However, I am concerned about the ride fast pass thing so I need to look at my Birnbaum book again to see exactly what I should do with that. I think I will di 3 days one day pass tickets

 

[Calee]

Fast passes aren't hard, I promise. But you do need to decide (and soon) what parks you are going to and what days. Your FP window is already open. Step one. Buy the tickets, choose the park days (we can help with that). Then we can help you decide what FP to do. But got to get the tickets and days straight first!

 

[Ensusieasm]

Not yet. Didn’t buy the park tix yet. We Won’t be doing any sit downs at any of the popular restaurants because of my sons dietary restrictions. However, I am concerned about the ride fast pass thing so I need to look at my Birnbaum book again to see exactly what I should do with that. I think I will di 3 days one day pass tickets

Yes, three day tickets without hopper sounds good. Buy them online, get a My Disney Experience account set up, Link the tickets to it, And start getting fast passes ASAP. Have fun.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Not yet. Didn’t buy the park tix yet. We Won’t be doing any sit downs at any of the popular restaurants because of my sons dietary restrictions. However, I am concerned about the ride fast pass thing so I need to look at my Birnbaum book again to see exactly what I should do with that. I think I will di 3 days one day pass tickets

The Fast Pass booking window opens at 60 days out for onsite guests. I would go ahead and buy your tickets now and link them in your account so you can make those reservations since your window is already open. Availability is better the farther out you book. Try to book the attractions that get longer lines. We can help with that!

 

[lisaward2018trip]

The Fast Pass booking window opens at 60 days out for onsite guests. I would go ahead and buy your tickets now and link them in your account so you can make those reservations since your window is already open. Availability is better the farther out you book. Try to book the attractions that get longer lines. We can help with that!

Bought them. Because my trip package was purchased through JetBlue I’m going to have to figure out how to link. Once that’s done I will absolutely logon to fast pass it up we have Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday booked so any suggestions for fast pass would be greatly appreciated thanks so much guys you’ve been so helpful

 

[lisaward2018trip]

Hello gang. Everything is linked and I bought my threeone-day tickets. It will be Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday in the parks. I believe Monday afternoon we will arrive, unpack, visit/eat at art of animation and, if he’s up for it, DS. Tuesday is Magic Kingdom all day, Wednesday I thought we would take it a little bit easier and if he wants to do something he can choose and then to Epcot in the early evening and then Thursday I’m looking at Magic Kingdom again. Too many other parks to visit this trip so will make another visit next year. End with a visit to Disney springs on Friday because we don’t leave until 8 PM. So with that in mind can you recommend the best times to use fast pass and which rides need to fast pass. Thank you so much!!!

 

[Calee]

I'm curious why with so few park days you don't plan to go to epcot until evening. Epcot is an awesome park with a ton to do! I like the choice to do 2 MK days for a first trip

For FP you will need to see what is as available. Do you think he will want to do roller coasters?

At epcot there are 3 rides that are top tier that you have to choose between. I'd probably go with test track!

 

[JAMIESMITH]

Hello gang. Everything is linked and I bought my threeone-day tickets. It will be Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday in the parks. I believe Monday afternoon we will arrive, unpack, visit/eat at art of animation and, if he’s up for it, DS. Tuesday is Magic Kingdom all day, Wednesday I thought we would take it a little bit easier and if he wants to do something he can choose and then to Epcot in the early evening and then Thursday I’m looking at Magic Kingdom again. Too many other parks to visit this trip so will make another visit next year. End with a visit to Disney springs on Friday because we don’t leave until 8 PM. So with that in mind can you recommend the best times to use fast pass and which rides need to fast pass. Thank you so much!!!

Epcot would be much easier if you hit rope drop for Soarin or Test Track first thing and use FP for the other. We also like to FP The Seas with Nemo and Mission Space. I’d hit as much of Future World as possible before taking an afternoon nap or swim break. We love the World Showcase at night!

For MK, try to FP 7DMT, Peter Pan, and any/all of the mountains. I would consider taking it slower one morning here instead of Epcot since you have two days.