Newbie has questions; taking poll

[dcsend]

I'm really psyched to go to WDW in April, but I have some questions. I've read that we shouldn't miss the Hoop-De-Doo-ReVue show. Is this show "worth it"?

Poll #2 - A 5 day MYW pass or 5 day Hopper? As our one & only trip to WDW, we're staying for 6.5 days off site. My thought was one park each day with an extra ticket to go to the best liked park (Kids are 12, 9, 7, 5). OR do we go for the 5 day hopper??? It's a $200 difference!

#3 - Is Disney Quest worth the extra $$$? Do you have to pay to play the games once you get in, or does the purchase of your ticket allow you to do most of the stuff DQ offers?

#4. - What do you all carry into the park? I'm don't want to be the "bag lady". Everyone says bring water, snacks, ponchos, etc. I'd think a backpack and soft cooler would be heavy and a pain. A rolling backpack - is that awkward to manuvere? Do you make each of the kids carry their own backpacks??? Or am I over thinking?

THANKS for your responses

 

[bicker]

#2 - The difference in price between base tickets and park hoppers is a set $35 per ticket, regardless of age or duration of the ticket. It is definitely worth it for a first visit, IMHO. Less so during April, though, because all the parks are open late. In the off-season, I feel it is more important, since it gives you the chance to hop to Epcot every night.

#3 - For a first visit, absolutely not. You'll barely have enough time to adequately take-in the four three parks.

#4 - I wouldn't bother with the small cooler. They sell water everywhere and it is worth the price to save my back from more surgery! Forget the rolling backpack; you're correct that you'll end up having to carry it most of the time anyway. Just take what you absolutely need, and enjoy yourself.

 

[Carrie772]

I can't answer number 1, but you can read reader reviews on www.allearsnet.com

#2: If you have an extra day for the favorite park, don't hop. It will take you about 30 minutes to an hour to travel from park to park and it just doesn't work very well with lots of kids.

#3: Can't answer this one either.

#4: I bring in one backpack with tons of snacks (uncrustables are great!), a chamois cloth for drying off the stroller and the kids, our cell phones, extra sunscreen, a camera, and the super cheapy ponchos from Wal-Mart. Oh, a 2 gallon ziplock is good to take, too. You never know!

Have fun, and welcome to the Dis!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Of course, you're going to get all kinds of opinions, so here's my

:

#1 Hoop-de-doo is corny. It's entertaining. It can be a blast. For just a meal, it's way over-priced. But as a meal + entertainment, it's not too bad of a value. However, given that you only have 6.5 days to enjoy WDW, I would skip it and visit a park in the evening. It's not as if your Disney Expperience will be lacking if you choose not to go.

#2 Definitely get the hopper addon. You'll probably want to visit another park after doing AK (which closes early) and without hopping, you'll be out of luck. You'll also have the luxury of jumping between favorite parks on day 5, once you've visited all the others.
BTW, a 7-day hopper is just a couple of dollars more than a 5-day hopper ($237.50 vs. $235.37 - adult, expiry, adv. purchase). Why not spent a couple of extra dollars and give yourself the ability to vist the parks beginning on Day 1 and ending on Day 7?

#3 Your admission to DQ pretty much lets you do almost anything in DQ without paying additional money. The exceptions would be the arcade games (which you could do at any hotel arcade). To me, DQ is priced a little on the high side unless you have pluses to use on your ticket or if you buy the tickets in advance from a ticket broker. For a first-timer with just a few days in WDW, I would recommend skipping it.

#4 I'm a firm believer that if you want it, you carry it. Mom is not a pack mule and Dad never carries anything heavier than his wallet. The kids have fannypacks for their poncho and money. They also carry their Brita water bottles and cameras themselves. I carry all the passes, my wallet, poncho, water bottle, sunscreen, camera, and a small bottle of Advil (the strong sun often cause headaches). I would never dream of dragging a wheeled cooler around the parks! If the kids were younger and we rented strollers, I would consider bringing a small, soft-sided cooler but not if I had to schlep it everywhere myself!

Good luck planning!

 

[miksad]

Hi! If you have the opportunity to do Hoop-Dee-Doo, DEFINTELY do it. It IS corny, but lots of fun, the food is delicious (the best fried chicked I've ever tasted), and if you're lucky, you may even become a small part of the show. I highly recommend it! Going down to WDW for our 34th trip on January 26th!! Whoopee!

 

[buzz2400]

Since you have young children I would say no to hoop de doo. You would get more out of a character breakfast. Hoop de doo is a little corny and might even be a little boring for the younger ones. Also it is a pain to get to because you have to go to the camping place and then take a bus to the hoop de doo.

DQ-I would say it is not worth it for the younger kids. It really is a big arcade place. Once you pay to get in, all the games are free to play but I don't think the younger children would last in the place. If you have plus options on your ticket, you would be better off to go to a water park.

Hopping-If this is your first time, I would say forget about park hopping. Getting four kids to a park is enough trouble. Plus it will take you probably the whole day just to get through one park.

Backpacks-In my opinion, it is cheaper to go to walmart and buy $1 ponchos for everyone and carry them around just in case. Ponchos at parks are around $10 a piece. I also carry one water bottle and get the free ice water from the parks. water tastes gross but too many water bottles can get heavy. I also bring sunscreen and a little snack for each of us. The other thing you might want to consider with a 5 year old. The first time I went with my ds he was 5. We had to rent a stroller every day for him. It was way too much walking. You would be better off buying a stroller at home and bringing it. Will cost you a whole lot less. Some people even buy an umbrella stroller and then just leave it. You can also put things on the stroller so that you don't have to carry them. Beware, don't keep valuables in stroller unattended.

 

[Loves Disney]

We tried Hoop Dee Doo review for the first time this past summer. The humor is very "corny" (as people put it) but I would rather put it as "Cute." The jokes are jokes you have probably heard since you were little lol. I really enjoyed the show because it was entertaining and very upbeat. It gets you laughing with your family. However, (And this is a HUGE however) if you get balcony seats DO NOT go see it. It will be a waste of your money. We got balcony seats and I didn't see my father very much as we were seated at a long table in a row. Our backs faced the stage and we had to turn the seat entirely around. We could see behind the curtain and the tops of the performers heads lol. We are going to try it again next summer so we can see it from the main floor. (Reserve tickets VERY early) We will be reserving ours very soon (6 months ahead) We enjoyed the show and that is why we are giving it another chance.


I personally do not like Disney Quest. For me it feels undisney(ish). Too many people pack the place and I am not very much into the arcades lol. We could hardly move around the place. For me it is not worth my time.

I would not want to be restricted to one park a day. For example, I could never spend an entire day in EPCOT, so after we ride what we want and see what we want, we head on over to, say, Animal Kingdom. I also love the idea of freedom. Just knowing that if you really want to go to another park, but your ticket won't allow it is not a feeling I enjoy. I don't like the idea of having a set agenda down in WDW as it makes for a very unrelaxed vacation (Heh, believe it or not, I can have a relaxed vacation in WDW! LOL I love the feeling of fast roller coasters and not knowing what is coming up next. The suspence, the anticipation, the excitment lol those are all relaxing to me lol)

Bring water, water, water and lots of it lol. We usually go down in July and believe me, we are looking for water everywhere considering (IMHO) the water in Florida does not taste very "yummy." lol. Sadly, everyone becomes the "bag lady." lol Bring lots of "extra" money if you can. Shops are everywhere and you will want to buy everything from "yours only" items, gifts, "yours to share" items and "ooh, this looks interesting" lol. If you are anything like me, bag handles will become your sleves lol.

 

[cindyfan]

My first question is ......
"When in April?" Before or after Easter?
I have slightly different answers depending on when, because of the crowds.

Hoop dee doo.... skip it. Too much trouble to get to, etc if you are off site and only staying 6.5 days. We have been to WDW a dozen times and have not done it and don't feel we missed anything.

Hopper.... I always choose this option. Gives me the freedom. If the park is crowded (it will be VERY if you are there the weeks just before or after Easter).... then you have the option to leave one park and go to another if you are over-whelmed. And once you are done at AK..... you can hop to another park...... especially since you are off-site.
And if it is not crowded..... again, since you are off-site, you can easily go from one park to another using the buses or monorail!!

Disney Quest.... don't waste your money! not worth it.... IMHO, you would be better off to use the $$ for a 7 day with the hopper option. There is too much to see at the parks to waste it playing video games..... especially only being there 6.5 days.

Since you are off site.... I would say a very light back pack might do you! I carry a nylon draw-string one.... it is very light and I don't even notice it.
Or go with a fanny pack that can hold more than just your wallet.
Since you can't easily hop back to the resort..... you might need a few essentials... like ponchos or light snacks for the kids... especially if they are picky eaters .... or grazers, like my DD. Have each kid carry their own fanny pack if they want for their money..... but I speak from experience.... by noon they will be asking YOU to put it in your bag.... so the less you expect them to carry.... the less you will end up with by the end of they day ..... AND the less arguing will take place.
If it will be crowded.... you will waste time waiting in line for snacks.... and that will just add to any frustration the kids might feel.

I agree with Buzz2400 on the stroller suggestion! Even if you think the 5 year old is a "trooper" he will get exhausted!! I've seen it happen to the best of them.

Have fun planning!!!!!!!!!

 

[my4kids]

#1 - With the ages of your kids - definately do Hoop-dee-Doo. My kids are about the same ages and after a long day in the parks it was great to relax and have a big meal and watch all the kids faces light up with laughter. (The food is good - not my mother's fried chicken, but good, and the service is awesome.
( take advice from someone who HAS been, if you haven't been you don't know what you are missing )

#2 - I think the park hopper is only worth it if you are staying on sight and can take advantage of the extra magic hours. There is plenty in each park to last you for a whole day and there is still no way you can do everything. Even though AK closes early, just have soemthing planned for that night like the Hoop-Dee_doo - that way you won't feel like you are missing park time for it. Or a dinner at a resort or somewhere you don't need tickets to get in to.

#3 - I have no idea

#4 - If you have a 5 year old - consider taking or renting a stroller. Even though your 5 year old probably balks at the idea of riding in a stroller, after 1 hr. of walking and waiting in lines in the sun - Your 5 year old will put his or her pride in his or her pocket and jump at the chance to ride in a stroller. I rent a double for my 5 and 7 year olds and my 10 year old even tries to ride on the foot rest. This will also solve the what to carry problem because you can sling a bag over the handle or stick it on the canopy. It makes my day much better. I also wear a fanny pack with water bottle holders so that even when we are standing in line and I don't have my backpack or stroller the kids take the water right off my hip and drink if they are thirsty. It would be way to awkward to pull something on wheels. I think the rule of thumb here is if you are carrying too much to be comfortable then you are probably over thinking it. Water bottles can be refilled at fountains, so you don't have to carry more than like 2 bottles. I took ponchos and it rained (wilma!) and my ponchos were so cheap I ended up throwing them out and buying the nicers ones in the park. Anything you need is in easy access to buy.

 

[cmonroe]

Answers inline:

I'm really psyched to go to WDW in April, but I have some questions. I've read that we shouldn't miss the Hoop-De-Doo-ReVue show. Is this show "worth it"?

Yes it is worth it. Corny yes, but very funny. My DD 2.5 at the time and DS .7 at the time had fun. You can get to it by bus or take the boat from the Contemporary. If you like dinner entertainment, you'll like this.

Poll #2 - A 5 day MYW pass or 5 day Hopper? As our one & only trip to WDW, we're staying for 6.5 days off site. My thought was one park each day with an extra ticket to go to the best liked park (Kids are 12, 9, 7, 5). OR do we go for the 5 day hopper??? It's a $200 difference!


I haven't used the MYW method yet, so I cannot comment on this.


#3 - Is Disney Quest worth the extra $$$? Do you have to pay to play the games once you get in, or does the purchase of your ticket allow you to do most of the stuff DQ offers?

I'd skip it.

#4. - What do you all carry into the park? I'm don't want to be the "bag lady". Everyone says bring water, snacks, ponchos, etc. I'd think a backpack and soft cooler would be heavy and a pain. A rolling backpack - is that awkward to manuvere? Do you make each of the kids carry their own backpacks??? Or am I over thinking?

With Children, we carry 1 bag pack for everything. We carry some water, snacks for sure, napkins(never enough around when your kid's ice cream is melting everywhere) and sunscreen. Bottled water is expensive in the park, so bringing your own is much cheaper.

I wouldn't recommend a rolling bag pack. It is awkward and it if is busy (which it can be in April) you'll be probably running people over with it all day. Not to mention people tripping on it.



THANKS for your responses

 

[HopperFan]

1) Hoop-de-doo. Personally I would skip it and try a character meal. It is very expensive for a hoe-down. Depends I guess on where you are from, since I live in the land of hoop-de-doo, I can't imagine spending that much money on a BBQ & silly jokes. Transportation into it is difficult as well. I think I would spring for a great character meal instead.

2) We have done hoppers in the past, but lately we just do the one day. I think we get more for our money by just committing to a park for the day and enjoying it without wasting travel time between them. Your idea of an extra day for the park you want to return to the most is great. If you study up on the parks attractions and layout, you can really make the most of them in one day and yet still be fairly relaxed.

3) Disney Quest is lots of fun, especially if your kids enjoy video and computer games. First time I went I expected to not like it and only stay a couple hours. We loved it and stayed 8 hours. Tickets are high if you pay full price. Not necessary. We get ours online through Ticketmania. Getting ready to order them again for MUCH less than full price. Hint: Get there when it opens and start in basement by Pirates......as day progresses it gets more crowded and night time is very crowded. We are usually out by 5 pm. But this is a place we never visited until just a few years ago, with your ages you may want to wait......

4) I carry fanny pack (I know, not cool, but hands free) with passes, money, my small camera, my phone..... DH has the small backpack with his phone, a few items for special needs child, couple bottles of water, wipes, $1 store ponchos (we take enough so they can be tossed each day), etc. We don't have our kids carry anything - I don't think they need anything....oh except DD has a Pal Mickey but we end up taking turns.

 

[Robo]

Hoop dee doo.... skip it. Too much trouble to get to, etc if you are off site and only staying 6.5 days. We have been to WDW a dozen times and have not done it and don't feel we missed anything.

Does this mean you have done it BEFORE, just not in the last dozen times?

Or... do you mean you've NEVER done it and don't miss it?

Big difference in meaning, no?

What would you think if someone told you they'd been to Orlando "a dozen times and not bothered with WDW, and don't feel they've missed anything." ??

 

[RVGal]

#1 I have been to Hoop De Doo twice, both times with large groups including some children. One time I thought it was so-so, the other time I thought it was great. Same show, same food, same everything. The difference??? The crowd and the performers. If the crowd gets into it... has fun... claps, stomps, laughs... the performers feed off that and you get a better show. That's why you get the "corny" vs. "fun" reactions IMHO.

#2 I personally always pay extra for the park hopper option. There have been too many times that we've suddenly decided "Heavens, we need to see Spectromagic tonight or we'll miss it this trip!" (or some such realization) and had to hop from whatever park we were in to see the parade. If you plan VERY carefully, you might be able to see and do it all one park at a time. I've never managed it, but maybe I'm just not organized enough.

#3 I would have to say skip DQ for a first visit. I see it as a fun place to spend a rainy afternoon IF you've already seen and done most of the stuff in the parks. It's really fun for the video game addict.

#4 I always wind up with a bag these days, but I have a stroller to stash it in. Before the little ones (my sons are 4 years old and 6 months old), I wore a waist pouch (or fanny pack, whatever). I could fit a camera, my money, tickets, and few other small essentials in there. If I didn't have to haul diapers, bottles, kid-specific snacks, etc., I would not be dragging a bag around all day. Buy a bottle of water and refill it at the water fountains... or toss them and buy another. Are they expensive? Sure. Do I want to lug my own around to save money? Goodness gracious no. It's a personal choice. Is the pain-in-the-tush factor worth the money you will save? Only you know the answer to that. Just know that by the end of the day, you will be as tired as you have ever been... and that's coming from someone who spent 30 hours in labor 6 months ago...

 

[cindyfan]

Does this mean you have done it BEFORE, just not in the last dozen times?

Or... do you mean you've NEVER done it and don't miss it?

Big difference in meaning, no?

What would you think if someone told you they'd been to Orlando "a dozen times and not bothered with WDW, and don't feel they've missed anything." ??

Actually people HAVE told me that!
I know someone that works with me that grew up about 45 minutes from WDW and has NEVER gone there! Crazy, huh!?

What I said was that we don't "feel" that we have missed anything.
There is so much to do, that only being there 6.5 days they won't come back saying they "missed out" just because they didn't go to H-D-D.
and just IMHO it isn't at the top of the "must see" list.

 

[conwaym98]

We did Hoop De Doo in October 2004. It was one of the highlights of the trip adn definitely worth the money.

I'd go with the the park hopper passes. I've found that for us, I get to see and do more by switching parks during the day.

I think for your first trip that Disney QUest isn't worth the money. THere's so much to see and experience in the parks that you just may want to spend the time exploring rather than playing video games.

I have a small backpack that I take. I typically bring a camera, extra batteries, sunscreen, wallet, passes, tylonol/advil (adult and child), autograph book/pen, a couple of bandaids, cell phone and a bottle of water. I think that the suggestions of a stroller would be great for your 5 yo. especially if he isn't used to a lot of walking. I rented one during our trip at the beginning of the month for mine and he knew how much walking to expect from previous trips. You can get an inexpensive one at Target/Walmart for around $18-$20. I costs $10 to rent one each day and the umbrella strollers they sell in the parks are $45-$50. SInce you're staying off site, if you're hotel offers bus service to the parks, their buses drop off much farther from the gates which means extra walking after a long day. Having your own stroller would be nice.

 

[jacksmom]

HDDR is lots of fun! But, it may be cheaper and easier to do a character breakfast instead! Also, a park hopper ticket will give you a lot more flexibility. As far as DQ, with the ages of your children they will probably love it! And, I would plan on a back pack and have each child take a fanny pack with their own neccessities!