Oh Boy... SO overwhelming! Ill make it short and sweet, and see if I can get some expert advice!

[ImLovinIt]

First timers here, so excited coming from Canada!

I can visit DW from May 12-19th. I am not staying on Disney, I will be 5min away. This will affect my ability to buy LL passes. I will be going on the weekdays mostly, might use a weekend day if needed (waterpark?) I am planning on buying 6 day for 2 adults and 2 kids, 5 yr old boy and 8 yr old girl. This should be enough for a park a day, plus a day at a waterpark, plus an extra day for whatever the kids favorite is or something we missed! My questions? Please help!
1) I will buy the G+ if I am advised to do so here, but do I need them for every theme park? It seems I might not need it for a couple parks for my visit time (week days May)
2) Will I also need LL passes for the 1 really popular attraction per park? If so, Ill buy them (early morning?). I want to hit all the main attractions!
3) Thinking of the children, please give me 1 great restaurant per park (per day) that I should reserve. Im looking myself, but suggestions are awesome! Want the kids to have a great dining experience!
4) Should I get the waterpark option for all 6 days I buy, or just buy 5 days for theme parks and get a waterpark pass on its own on a day I choose? Do the water parks fill up fast? Are they good in May?
5) Anything that I should not miss (if I am willing to spend) plz let me know. I have a boy and a girl. Things like bibbity bobbity, light saber making, those swappable pins the employees have etc. let me know what the best experiences are so I can reserve them for the kids!
6) Travel? I am 8 minutes from DW at my resort, not sure if I should rent a car, pay for parking (shuttle is closed due to covid), use Uber or Lyft.... so many options.

Or any thing I may be missing! I am planning it all now, started my account with MyDisney, and am going through the process. I want to be super prepared, (I know, dont try to do everything) because we won't often be able to get out on such a magical trip!

Love the board, and thank you thank you thank you ahead of time for any time anyone takes to respond! Have a great day!

 

[g-dad66]

Buy your tickets soon if you haven't bought them. I recommend Undercover Tourist for getting a discount.

Then when you have tickets, decide which park for which day and make your park reservations. Month of May is wide open right now, but you can see from the availability calendar that April has little availability left (and May could soon follow suit, although May won't be as busy as April)
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/a...kets,resort,passholder&defaultSegment=tickets

 

[Karin1984]

For your last point, how old are the children?

Main advice for that is: only spend the extra money if your child will like it.

Bibbity Bobbity boutique looks great for the pictures, but if your little girl hates her hair been done, I wouldnt do this.

Building a lightsaber is a great experience, but what will happen with the expensive lightsaber when you get home?

Focus on having a good time as a family. It happens often enough when people get home and ask their children what they liked best, they answer with things their parents never thought of, could be that ice cream cone right before dinner because they never get to snack before dinner at home or watching the ducks in the castle moat, cause there are not a lot of ducks where you live.

 

[ImLovinIt]

Buy your tickets soon if you haven't bought them. I recommend Undercover Tourist for getting a discount.

Then when you have tickets, decide which park for which day and make your park reservations. Month of May is wide open right now, but you can see from the availability calendar that April has little availability left (and May could soon follow suit, although May won't be as busy as April)

Thnx for the tip! Buying from Undercover! I will buy and make the reservations shortly.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Hi fellow Canadian!

It is awesome that you’re planning and researching and asking questions. I can tell you what I would do but my biggest piece of advice is - don’t overschedule it. Seriously, no plan survives first contact with kids.

So make your plans, and be prepared to toss them out the window because your kids want to play on the playground (which is identical to the one you have at the park closest to your home!! Absolutely maddening, but there it is).

If your goal is to ride as many rides as you can and especially the main attractions, then yes you’ll want to buy Genie+ and ILLs. There are threads dedicated to strategies and maximizing your rides using these two options. There is also a VIP tour option but that is mad $$$, even by Disney standards. Maybe I should put $$$$$$ instead.

Restaurant wise, if you’re looking for park dining, there’s good food but that usually takes away from ride time. There’s also character dining which can be entertainment by itself. My favs if this was my one and only trip for the foreseeable future:
Magic Kingdom - Columbia Harbour House (quick service), Cinderella’s Royal Table (table service), CRT usually has princesses but do not know when they’ll return
Epcot - there are tons of restaurant options here, Garden Grill (table service) is good for character dining plus food quality, would go with the food booths as snacks if you want something quicker. Or visit a nearby resort for other options (very close to Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Riviera).
Hollywood Studios - I personally dislike most of the food options here, will suggest Hollywood Brown Derby for the food (table service) and any of the quick service are meh. The quick service food is serviceable and will keep body and soul together. Maybe ABC Commissary, for the location and air con. But I prefer to eat outside of HS when I can.
Animal Kingdom - Tusker House or Tiffins are both good table service restaurants. For quick service, Flame Tree BBQ is good. Satu’li Canteen is okay. If you are willing to head to a resort, Sana’a at Animal Kingdom Lodge has a bread service that I eat every trip.

The experiences vary and depends on what your kids are into. If they like Star Wars, then droid building and light sabre building and visiting Oga’s would be great. Personally I’d book fireworks viewing somewhere - there are options ranging from a dining package (at Epcot) to dessert + standing area (or dessert + assigned seat) at MK to a private boat that you can watch the fireworks from.

There’s plenty of experiences (horse drawn carriage ride? Backstage tour of MK? Safari tour at AK?) but depends on what you think would be a good use of your valuable trip time!

 

[ImLovinIt]

Hi fellow Canadian!

It is awesome that you’re planning and researching and asking questions. I can tell you what I would do but my biggest piece of advice is - don’t overschedule it. Seriously, no plan survives first contact with kids.

So make your plans, and be prepared to toss them out the window because your kids want to play on the playground (which is identical to the one you have at the park closest to your home!! Absolutely maddening, but there it is).

If your goal is to ride as many rides as you can and especially the main attractions, then yes you’ll want to buy Genie+ and ILLs. There are threads dedicated to strategies and maximizing your rides using these two options. There is also a VIP tour option but that is mad $$$, even by Disney standards. Maybe I should put $$$$$$ instead.

Restaurant wise, if you’re looking for park dining, there’s good food but that usually takes away from ride time. There’s also character dining which can be entertainment by itself. My favs if this was my one and only trip for the foreseeable future:
Magic Kingdom - Columbia Harbour House (quick service), Cinderella’s Royal Table (table service), CRT usually has princesses but do not know when they’ll return
Epcot - there are tons of restaurant options here, Garden Grill (table service) is good for character dining plus food quality, would go with the food booths as snacks if you want something quicker. Or visit a nearby resort for other options (very close to Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Riviera).
Hollywood Studios - I personally dislike most of the food options here, will suggest Hollywood Brown Derby for the food (table service) and any of the quick service are meh. The quick service food is serviceable and will keep body and soul together. Maybe ABC Commissary, for the location and air con. But I prefer to eat outside of HS when I can.
Animal Kingdom - Tusker House or Tiffins are both good table service restaurants. For quick service, Flame Tree BBQ is good. Satu’li Canteen is okay. If you are willing to head to a resort, Sana’a at Animal Kingdom Lodge has a bread service that I eat every trip.

The experiences vary and depends on what your kids are into. If they like Star Wars, then droid building and light sabre building and visiting Oga’s would be great. Personally I’d book fireworks viewing somewhere - there are options ranging from a dining package (at Epcot) to dessert + standing area (or dessert + assigned seat) at MK to a private boat that you can watch the fireworks from.

There’s plenty of experiences (horse drawn carriage ride? Backstage tour of MK? Safari tour at AK?) but depends on what you think would be a good use of your valuable trip time!

Thnx! Ill look into those dining spots! I guess I can wait for now on the G+ and LL passes, since they cost the same no matter how you get them.

 

[ImLovinIt]

So far so good! I have decided to buy 6 days with the water park option. Its about 260$ for water park tickets alone, so why not have the option during all 6 days, if they want to hit Typhoon twice? Dont think they will want any minigolf. My other option was buy 5 days at parks, and just pick a day and pay for a waterpark. A few more bucks to have the water parks wide open the whole time. I have decided to wait to get the G+ and LL until I figure out when if and when Ill need them, for which parks and what rides (THAT is a mess!). I have time in between for relax days at the resort Im staying at. Looking at dining reservations from above recommendations!

 

[CynBeth]

Personally if this is your first time I would not do a water park and spend all of your time at the 4 parks. I don‘t have kids but here are some TS restaurants they might enjoy.
MK - Be Our Guest, Liberty Tree Tavern, and Tony’s.
Epcot - Coral Reef, Chefs de France, Space220, Tutto Italia.
HS - 50’s Prime Time Cafe or Hollywood Brown Derby.
AK - Rainforest Cafe.

Counter Service
HS - PizzaRizzo
AK - Pizzafari

One of the best buffets on property is Boma at AKL. I would try to do dinner there if you can.

 

[pens4821]

I would get genie+ for every day. It just makes it so much easier. As for paying for ILL I would also do that. Being offsite I think you have to wait longer than on site, so if you can’t get it for the park just get in line close to closing time. Or you could just do that and not pay for it. The waits aren’t as long as posted.

As for restaurants I’d they like characters you could do crystal palace or chef mickeys (at contemporary) on your magic kingdom day. Coral reef would be a fun restaurant for the kids at epcot as your dining in an aquarium. I do have to admit, none of the food at any of those places is the greatest, but it’s good enough and the kids should like it.

I’ve never stayed offsite so not all that sure on car vs Uber. I’d price it out though. With the prices of rental cars it may just be cheaper to Uber while you’re there. Plus then you wouldn’t have the hassle of driving.

 

[Meglen]

Don't leave park reservations till the day of. (you said what ever the kids liked best) passes have been selling out and it's best to just pick parks than day of check and move if they are available.

 

[MrsPete]

I can visit DW from May 12-19th. I am not staying on Disney, I will be 5min away. This will affect my ability to buy LL passes. I will be going on the weekdays mostly, might use a weekend day if needed (waterpark?) I am planning on buying 6 day for 2 adults and 2 kids, 5 yr old boy and 8 yr old girl. This should be enough for a park a day, plus a day at a waterpark, plus an extra day for whatever the kids favorite is or something we missed!

You're trying to over-schedule, and that's a recipe for a melt-down -- not just for the kids. I've been to Disney with kids the age of yours, and "the recipe" is two park days, then a rest day -- on the rest day, sleep in, then go to a water park and have a nice meal. Trust me, two days in a row is hard enough on kids, and I'm all about when-we're-on-vacation-we-are-on-the-go. I can sleep at home for free. My husband once said (on a non-Disney vacation), "Thank you for scheduling in showers and food today." That man is sarcastic.

My suggestions:
- You didn't say whether you're doing Park Hoppers. With your plans, I think I'd want to do one full day in each park -- and then have hoppers for that last day, which would allow you to re-visit two parks. Do consider that hopping from one park to another (going through the exit turnstyles, boarding transportation, entering another gate) is going to take the better part of an hour.
- You're over-scheduling the water parks. By the time you get the kids in the car, drive, get through the ticket booth, you'll have spent 45 minutes just reaching the water park. This is something to do 1-2 times during your trip. I'd say use Saturday or Sunday as water park days. Tip: definitely get the water shoes for everyone; the pavement won't be super-hot in May, but they'll still protect your feet. A foot injury during a Disney trip is an avoid-at-all-costs thing.
- Speaking of injuries, definitely pack pocket-sized sunscreen, bandaids and similar items.
- You're talking about doing "the extras" for the kids, AND you say you want to hit all the big rides. Realistically, you can do one or the other -- both just won't happen. Which matters most to you?
- Look into the "extras" you can do on non-park days: bonfire and carriage ride in Fort Wilderness, eat at Ohana then watch the Electric Light parade go by, take a fireworks cruise, ride the Aquacars in Disney Springs. Your kids are the right age to enjoy the corny dinner theater in Fort Wilderness. So many "extras" you can do outside the parks ... so skip the ones inside the parks /focus on rides while you're in the parks.
- You didn't mention parades and shows. Are you into those things?
- Do they still rent little 2-person Mouse Boats? That was a huge win for my kids.

Want the kids to have a great dining experience!

My priority for lunchtime meals is not so much the food; rather, I want everyone to have a solid hour of sitting down in air conditioning, drinking multiple rehydrating drinks, and recharging for a return to the rides. With kids in mind, here are my favorites:

Magic Kingdom: For "special", nothing beats eating in the castle -- but be prepared to pay, and the reservations are hard to get. Food throughout Magic Kingdom doesn't tend towards memorable. Pecos Bill's and Cosmic Ray's are solid choices with decent food.

Epcot: I'd leave through the International Gate, have a small lunch at Beaches & Cream, and finish up with the Kitchen Sink. The first time we had it, I got up to go to the rest room and ordered it "sneaky quiet" -- the waitress flashed the lights on/off, then paraded it around the room calling out all the ingredients. My kids were staring and coveting that ice cream -- then the waitress plopped it on OUR TABLE. It was A Moment for them. Seriously, my kids are mid-20s and still demand a Kitchen Sink every time. This is a kids' culinary EVENT, but I kinda like it too.

MGM: Sci-fi Dine-in Theater -- you sit in old-fashioned "cars" and watch corny old B&W sci-fi movies. The food is burgers and sandwiches, but the atmosphere is unique.
Some of the nicer restaurants are in the resorts /perfect for no-park days. Consider O'hana at the Polynesian. I can't remember the name of the place at Wilderness Lodge, but you'll love a walk through that resort. Character buffets are available at several of the resorts.

- Animal Kingdom -- We like the Rainforest Cafe /don't have one near our house. Definitely join "the club" ahead of time, and you'll get a coupon AND priority seating. They also have a Rainforest Cafe (and a T-Rex Cafe -- are they the same company?) in Disney Springs. The Animal Kingdom's Rainforest Cafe is at the park gate, so you can enter without a park ticket, but you'd have to pay $25 to park.

- Consider sharing meals. We always do. In the heat, we just don't want a big meal -- but once we're back in our rooms for the evening, showered and in our PJs, THEN we want a significant snack. I prepare at home heavy snacks that everyone likes -- like a pepperoni pizza dip with tortilla chips or mozarella sticks from the freezer. Something I can put into the oven to bake while we're all showering.

4) Should I get the waterpark option for all 6 days I buy, or just buy 5 days for theme parks and get a waterpark pass on its own on a day I choose? Do the water parks fill up fast? Are they good in May?

No, as discussed above, getting to and from the water parks is more hassle than you're imagining. If you go twice during a week's trip, it'll be enough. I'm sure you have a pool at your resort, and -- while smaller -- that's a whole lot less effort. In your resort, you can swim for an hour after a park day without a lot of effort.

5) Anything that I should not miss (if I am willing to spend) plz let me know. I have a boy and a girl. Things like bibbity bobbity, light saber making, those swappable pins the employees have etc. let me know what the best experiences are so I can reserve them for the kids!

Strong no to all of the above.

- If your daughter's into "fancy", buy her a couple packs of glitter hair-spray from Claire's at the mall and let her "be fancy" every day of the trip. Or get her a princess costume to wear to the Magic Kingdom -- and a pirate outfit for your son -- if they're into that kind of thing. If you have to wait at all, BBB could cut two hours out of your park day.
- The light saber is a keepsake for adults, not a toy for kids.
- My little one did love face-painting, and they all loved snacks in the park (maybe more than meals, but -- as I said above -- sitting down /resting for an hour mid-day is worth as much as the food).
- My kids valued a fancy frozen drink or a Mickey-shaped ice cream over the things you're suggesting.

6) Travel? I am 8 minutes from DW at my resort, not sure if I should rent a car, pay for parking (shuttle is closed due to covid), use Uber or Lyft.... so many options.

If you're staying off-site, rent a car. That's the realistic choice -- and, yes, be prepared to pay for parking.

The exception: When you visit the Magic Kingdom, take an Uber to The Contemporary and walk (it's like 5-10 minutes) to the Magic Kingdom gate. If you drive /park in the Magic Kingdom lot, you'll have to either ride the monorail or the ferry boat in, and (by the time you wait in line, board, and ride) that'll take 30 minutes. Walt Disney's idea was that everyone would leave their car behind and enter the Magic Kingdom in a "magical way", but it adds to your arrival time.

I want to be super prepared, (I know, dont try to do everything) because we won't often be able to get out on such a magical trip!

DO you know you can't do everything? I think you're trying!

Seriously, though: Look at maps of the Disney property. Driving from one place to another in Disney takes longer than you expect -- and the roads are more crowded than you expect. Parking and walking to the gates takes longer than you expect. Waiting to enter the gates /going through security takes longer than you expect. I'm all about go-go-go on vacation, but you've got to be realistic.

 

[Wayland10]

For restaurants with kids that age I’d go for experiences! In MK that would mean Cinderella’s Royal Table or Be Our Guest, at Hollywood Studios it’s Sci-Fi Drive In or 50s Prime Time Cafe. At Epcot there are lots of food options, but for the experience I’d pick San Angel Inn or Biergarten. In AK the options for experiences are more limited. Nomad Lounge is great if you sit outside and watch the character cavalcades on the water. Flametree BBQ or Satuli Canteen both have good food. Or you could leave the park for AKL Kidani and eat at Sanaa, where you can watch the animals through the windows.
Some of these aren’t known for having the absolute best food in each park, but I’ve found them all to be tasty and the immersion can’t be beat!

Experiences: don’t bother. They’ll be so overwhelmed with all the other stuff that it isn’t worth it, imo. Also, I think BBB isn’t open yet? If you’re looking for great princess/pirate makeovers, check out the Ear For Each Other Facebook group of cast members who were impacted by park closures. Several former BBB fairy godmothers will come to your hotel room. It could be fun to do a makeover and then go to dinner at CRT or BOG.

 

[Meglen]

"When you visit the Magic Kingdom, take an Uber to The Contemporary and walk (it's like 5-10 minutes) to the Magic Kingdom gate."

Don't do this.. they are now making sure you have a dining reservation to get dropped off or park.

 

[ImLovinIt]

You're trying to over-schedule, and that's a recipe for a melt-down -- not just for the kids. I've been to Disney with kids the age of yours, and "the recipe" is two park days, then a rest day -- on the rest day, sleep in, then go to a water park and have a nice meal. Trust me, two days in a row is hard enough on kids, and I'm all about when-we're-on-vacation-we-are-on-the-go. I can sleep at home for free. My husband once said (on a non-Disney vacation), "Thank you for scheduling in showers and food today." That man is sarcastic.

My suggestions:
- You didn't say whether you're doing Park Hoppers. With your plans, I think I'd want to do one full day in each park -- and then have hoppers for that last day, which would allow you to re-visit two parks. Do consider that hopping from one park to another (going through the exit turnstyles, boarding transportation, entering another gate) is going to take the better part of an hour.
- You're over-scheduling the water parks. By the time you get the kids in the car, drive, get through the ticket booth, you'll have spent 45 minutes just reaching the water park. This is something to do 1-2 times during your trip. I'd say use Saturday or Sunday as water park days. Tip: definitely get the water shoes for everyone; the pavement won't be super-hot in May, but they'll still protect your feet. A foot injury during a Disney trip is an avoid-at-all-costs thing.
- Speaking of injuries, definitely pack pocket-sized sunscreen, bandaids and similar items.
- You're talking about doing "the extras" for the kids, AND you say you want to hit all the big rides. Realistically, you can do one or the other -- both just won't happen. Which matters most to you?
- Look into the "extras" you can do on non-park days: bonfire and carriage ride in Fort Wilderness, eat at Ohana then watch the Electric Light parade go by, take a fireworks cruise, ride the Aquacars in Disney Springs. Your kids are the right age to enjoy the corny dinner theater in Fort Wilderness. So many "extras" you can do outside the parks ... so skip the ones inside the parks /focus on rides while you're in the parks.
- You didn't mention parades and shows. Are you into those things?
- Do they still rent little 2-person Mouse Boats? That was a huge win for my kids.

My priority for lunchtime meals is not so much the food; rather, I want everyone to have a solid hour of sitting down in air conditioning, drinking multiple rehydrating drinks, and recharging for a return to the rides. With kids in mind, here are my favorites:

Magic Kingdom: For "special", nothing beats eating in the castle -- but be prepared to pay, and the reservations are hard to get. Food throughout Magic Kingdom doesn't tend towards memorable. Pecos Bill's and Cosmic Ray's are solid choices with decent food.

Epcot: I'd leave through the International Gate, have a small lunch at Beaches & Cream, and finish up with the Kitchen Sink. The first time we had it, I got up to go to the rest room and ordered it "sneaky quiet" -- the waitress flashed the lights on/off, then paraded it around the room calling out all the ingredients. My kids were staring and coveting that ice cream -- then the waitress plopped it on OUR TABLE. It was A Moment for them. Seriously, my kids are mid-20s and still demand a Kitchen Sink every time. This is a kids' culinary EVENT, but I kinda like it too.

MGM: Sci-fi Dine-in Theater -- you sit in old-fashioned "cars" and watch corny old B&W sci-fi movies. The food is burgers and sandwiches, but the atmosphere is unique.
Some of the nicer restaurants are in the resorts /perfect for no-park days. Consider O'hana at the Polynesian. I can't remember the name of the place at Wilderness Lodge, but you'll love a walk through that resort. Character buffets are available at several of the resorts.

- Animal Kingdom -- We like the Rainforest Cafe /don't have one near our house. Definitely join "the club" ahead of time, and you'll get a coupon AND priority seating. They also have a Rainforest Cafe (and a T-Rex Cafe -- are they the same company?) in Disney Springs. The Animal Kingdom's Rainforest Cafe is at the park gate, so you can enter without a park ticket, but you'd have to pay $25 to park.

- Consider sharing meals. We always do. In the heat, we just don't want a big meal -- but once we're back in our rooms for the evening, showered and in our PJs, THEN we want a significant snack. I prepare at home heavy snacks that everyone likes -- like a pepperoni pizza dip with tortilla chips or mozarella sticks from the freezer. Something I can put into the oven to bake while we're all showering.

No, as discussed above, getting to and from the water parks is more hassle than you're imagining. If you go twice during a week's trip, it'll be enough. I'm sure you have a pool at your resort, and -- while smaller -- that's a whole lot less effort. In your resort, you can swim for an hour after a park day without a lot of effort.

Strong no to all of the above.

- If your daughter's into "fancy", buy her a couple packs of glitter hair-spray from Claire's at the mall and let her "be fancy" every day of the trip. Or get her a princess costume to wear to the Magic Kingdom -- and a pirate outfit for your son -- if they're into that kind of thing. If you have to wait at all, BBB could cut two hours out of your park day.
- The light saber is a keepsake for adults, not a toy for kids.
- My little one did love face-painting, and they all loved snacks in the park (maybe more than meals, but -- as I said above -- sitting down /resting for an hour mid-day is worth as much as the food).
- My kids valued a fancy frozen drink or a Mickey-shaped ice cream over the things you're suggesting.

If you're staying off-site, rent a car. That's the realistic choice -- and, yes, be prepared to pay for parking.

The exception: When you visit the Magic Kingdom, take an Uber to The Contemporary and walk (it's like 5-10 minutes) to the Magic Kingdom gate. If you drive /park in the Magic Kingdom lot, you'll have to either ride the monorail or the ferry boat in, and (by the time you wait in line, board, and ride) that'll take 30 minutes. Walt Disney's idea was that everyone would leave their car behind and enter the Magic Kingdom in a "magical way", but it adds to your arrival time.

DO you know you can't do everything? I think you're trying!

Seriously, though: Look at maps of the Disney property. Driving from one place to another in Disney takes longer than you expect -- and the roads are more crowded than you expect. Parking and walking to the gates takes longer than you expect. Waiting to enter the gates /going through security takes longer than you expect. I'm all about go-go-go on vacation, but you've got to be realistic.

Wow... I can't say how much I appreciate the time you put into this response! Amazing, and thank you!

 

[ImLovinIt]

"When you visit the Magic Kingdom, take an Uber to The Contemporary and walk (it's like 5-10 minutes) to the Magic Kingdom gate."

Don't do this.. they are now making sure you have a dining reservation to get dropped off or park.

Thats too bad.... I was hoping to get around that fiasco that is getting to Magic Kingdom! It was a great suggestion, so what do they do? Turn you away at the Contemporary?

 

[Meglen]

Thats too bad.... I was hoping to get around that fiasco that is getting to Magic Kingdom! It was a great suggestion, so what do they do? Turn you away at the Contemporary?

Yup they will 9/10 turn anyone away who dosnt have a reservation. Due to folks wanting to do just what your trying to do. And send the Uber to ttc

 

[ImLovinIt]

Yup they will 9/10 turn anyone away who dosnt have a reservation. Due to folks wanting to do just what your trying to do. And send the Uber to ttc

Aww thats too bad... I was hoping that what I read elsewhere was true, that they only cared on their busiest days. I guess that extend to "always" now. Ugh!!

 

[Meglen]

Aww thats too bad... I was hoping that what I read elsewhere was true, that they only cared on their busiest days. I guess that extend to "always" now. Ugh!!

Even if it was 50/50 is it worth the hassle? No one knows when they will turn folks away or let them in.

 

[MrsPete]

For restaurants with kids that age I’d go for experiences!

Yes, Disney food isn't going to be outstanding in terms of foodie-deliciousness, but they have unusual venues that you can't experience anywhere else.

Experiences: don’t bother. They’ll be so overwhelmed with all the other stuff that it isn’t worth it, imo.

Yes, I think people get the idea they want their Disney trip to be "the best", so that must include all the right "extras". Not true: Basic Disney is PLENTY.

Don't do this.. they are now making sure you have a dining reservation to get dropped off or park.

This must be new, but let me ask the obvious: the Uber driver stops the car, the Contemporary folks say, "You can't be dropped off." The car is stopped. What prevents you from getting out and calling, "Thanks!" to the Uber driver? Are they going to chase you down and stuff you back into a car?

Second question, less naughty: Can you make a reservation someplace quick and inexpensive like the Contempo Cafe?

Wow... I can't say how much I appreciate the time you put into this response! Amazing, and thank you!

Glad to be helpful.

 

[Meglen]

This must be new, but let me ask the obvious: the Uber driver stops the car, the Contemporary folks say, "You can't be dropped off." The car is stopped. What prevents you from getting out and calling, "Thanks!" to the Uber driver? Are they going to chase you down and stuff you back into a car?

It's not really new it's just being enforced much more often now. I am not sure what they would do. Betting on them letting you in and if it goes south you need to play stupid and run away from security seems like a bad way to vacation and save 20 min..