Our touring style has evolved, need advice please

[rentayenta]

Our last trip to WDW was in May 2009 (the trip we bought DVC) and since then our touring style has changed. I am having some difficulty deciding on how many park days we need and also with where to stay. Our trip will be October 14-24 during F&W and MNSSHP. We'd like to advantage of both.

Our plans right now consist of 10 nights at the THV but my plan is to change to 5 nights at the AKV at the 7 months mark. CL would be ideal however I know the chances are slim and none with such a limited amount of 2 bedrooms available. I'm thinking that because it's not an Epcot resort, we might have a shot but not getting my hopes up.

My original plan consisted of rope drops, midday breaks, and evening EMH with a fair amount of time spent at MK and WS. Maybe a little golf and some SSR spa time. We'll hit all 4 parks though for sure.

We have really grown into enjoying a beautiful view and relaxing at the resort, our kids are on board with this too. We all enjoy an afternoon at the pool.

To add one last factor, DH is a total foodie and I am positive there isn't a steak or potato on property that can beat DH's so we'd also enjoy a nice meal in our villa.

At first I was thinking we'd get 8 day hoppers as we haven't ever done parks on travel days. We used to be commando peeps but that's no longer the case. We like our midday breaks. So maybe being able to hit the parks everyday should be an option as I foresee a lot more resort time.

So after all that I'm just looking for insights from those whose touring styles have changed and how that worked for you? As of now I see maybe one rope drop in our future, breakfast in out villa, lunch/grazing in the parks especially WS, and then a few dinners out and some in the villa especially during the evening EMH nights.

 

[disneynutz]

Things will continue to change. After you have rushed into the parks for a few years and ridden the same attractions over and over, you will only want to do your favorite attractions on the least busy days. You will sleep in more and enjoy the resorts and the time spent with your family just relaxing.

We use non-expiring 10 day tickets.

Bill

 

[dbs1228]

I agree with Bill but what changed for us was we used to get 10 day non-expire tickets and would do 4 - 5 days at the most out of 10 in the parks. The price structure has changed along with my kids getting older and wanting to go to the parks (by themselves some days) almost everyday (just for a few hours) so we know opt for the park hopper usually 8 days for 10 day trip. The difference in price between say a 6 day and 8 day is not very much so I just make sure all days are covered for them. With that being said, I can easily see DH and I going back to non-expire passes in the future when it is just us traveling. This year we got AP's since we have 2 trips planned. Enjoy!

 

[cvjw]

We have vacationed at Disney so many times now, that we don't have to make rope drop anymore either. If we miss one of our favorite attractions, it's no big deal, because we know we will be back in a few months. Since we visit at least 2 times per year, we get the DVC AP's. Even if we only want to go to DHS just to take a drawing class, with AP's, we don't have to worry about "wasting" a day of a 10 day non-expiring hopper. We used to buy the 10 day non-expiring hoppers, but we felt like we had to spend all day at the park in order to get our money's worth for that day. We prefer to come and go at will (with lots of time for the resort and pool), so AP's work best for our family.

 

[billsfan]

If you are planning to go back in 2013 and can go back and have your 2013 vacation end on or before October 14, 2013 I would get annual passes and use the one for both years of your vacations.
We've done this once since being DVC members and it worked out great. The DVC $100 discount on annual passes makes it so worth it.

 

[rentayenta]

Things will continue to change. After you have rushed into the parks for a few years and ridden the same attractions over and over, you will only want to do your favorite attractions on the least busy days. You will sleep in more and enjoy the resorts and the time spent with your family just relaxing.

We use non-expiring 10 day tickets.

Bill

Thank you Bill. I have found that to be true already and we've only had our DVC for just over 2 years. We've used it during our trips to Disneyland and not yet WDW but imagine we won't tour differently. The kids are 15,13, and 10 and already appreciate the resorts and the time we spend there.

I agree with Bill but what changed for us was we used to get 10 day non-expire tickets and would do 4 - 5 days at the most out of 10 in the parks. The price structure has changed along with my kids getting older and wanting to go to the parks (by themselves some days) almost everyday (just for a few hours) so we know opt for the park hopper usually 8 days for 10 day trip. The difference in price between say a 6 day and 8 day is not very much so I just make sure all days are covered for them. With that being said, I can easily see DH and I going back to non-expire passes in the future when it is just us traveling. This year we got AP's since we have 2 trips planned. Enjoy!

I see our children being able to go without us in the near future. At Disneyland it's easy because the GCV lead into DCA so there is no bus manuvering. I would love to get APs but I think you're right, I need all days covered so if we want to do a few hours daily we have that option.

We have vacationed at Disney so many times now, that we don't have to make rope drop anymore either. If we miss one of our favorite attractions, it's no big deal, because we know we will be back in a few months. Since we visit at least 2 times per year, we get the DVC AP's. Even if we only want to go to DHS just to take a drawing class, with AP's, we don't have to worry about "wasting" a day of a 10 day non-expiring hopper. We used to buy the 10 day non-expiring hoppers, but we felt like we had to spend all day at the park in order to get our money's worth for that day. We prefer to come and go at will (with lots of time for the resort and pool), so AP's work best for our family.

We made one MM (Disneyland's version of EMH but in the morning only) this last trip but that's because we only had 3 days total. With a 10 day trip, I see no rope drops happening.

I have turned into a total resort junkie and hope it will still be warm enough for some decent pool time mid October. APs are the way to go but I don't think we'll be back before October 2013.

If you are planning to go back in 2013 and can go back and have your 2013 vacation end on or before October 14, 2013 I would get annual passes and use the one for both years of your vacations.
We've done this once since being DVC members and it worked out great. The DVC $100 discount on annual passes makes it so worth it.

It really is such a great discount. It's almost next to impossible that we'll be back in 2013 unless it would be for the winter holidays but APs would delete some of the stress and enable us to really just go for a few hours without feeling we aren't getting our money's worth.


Gosh, I having DVC!