Over and under planning

[kkgolden2]

Hi there! Going to the World Christmas week. Taking my husband (will be using an ECV) and daughter (2.5 at the time of the trip). We're also meeting other family there throughout the week.

I'm terrified about over or under planning this trip. I've been at Christmas before, but as a kid way back before all the technology came about, so I'm basically a newbie.

Right now I have a million dinner reservations (deluxe meal plan) and have planned out every ride, including breaks midday for naps at the resort (AoA). Things still might change once I get to make fast passes.

I'm concerned that I haven't left time to enjoy the resort, resort hop to see the decor, etc. We do have a mid week break (Christmas day), but we'll be spending it at my Grandma's an hour away and we'll still be waking early (though sleeping in isn't really a reality with a toddler).

At the same time, I'm worried that if I'm not anal about planning we won't get to do much at the parks.

Also, is it realistic to take breaks at the hotel when it's as far away as AoA? I was thinking that having her sleep in the stroller and give time for adult rides or riding the monorail might work out better.

Also, I have us leaving around 8 most nights to put our daughter to bed, but then we miss out on so much at the parks. On the other hand, late nights combined with early mornings it's a recipe for exhaustion.

So, all you been there done that parents out there, what did you do? What do you recommend for my family? Any advice is welcome!

 

[Alesia]

My advice: Ditch the deluxe DDP. Every ADR is going to take up 90 minutes (plus travel time, if applicable) of your day. You cannot spend 5 to 6 hours on meals, plus 4+ hours on a mid-day break and expect to get any real park time. What's the point of taking your daughter to WDW if she's going to spend nearly all of her time sitting in restaurants or at a hotel. You could do that in your hometown for a lot less money.

 

[kkgolden2]

My daughter may or may not be a ride person. She hates the quarter rides at the mall. So character meals are important to us. If we made it ride-centric and she hated them, it'd be really difficult to add the character meals/experiences then. Plus, we'd rather have those meals "pre-paid" via the meal plan than get surprised when the final bill comes.

 

[mjkacmom]

Keep in mind that this is the busiest week of the year, and the parks will be mobbed, and some will close due to capacity. You could miss out on an ADR if you leave, and try to get back in.

 

[monorailsilver]

I would ditch the deluxe dining plan too. I don't do any dining plan and just do 2 TS places and then we wing it to get the most park time. It's not all rides but there are shows and characters too. I use my Disney visa points and the free GC I have earned to pay for dining so for us there is no surprise when the bill comes, plus I look at menus and know the price or close to it ahead of time.

Have you tested your daughter with characters? Each of my 3 kids were different. My oldest was 15 months and hated the face characters. My son was 22 months and while he loved the characters his legs and arms were wrapped around us and got tighter as a character got closer...he didn't cry. My youngest was 2 1/2 and followed her siblings.

I agree with the PP with multiple meals, naps and little park time. You are going to have lots of sitting time in transportation-car, bus, tram, boat, monorail as well as restaurant time.

 

[kkgolden2]

Yeah, I know it'll be ridiculously busy that week. I wouldn't have planned that week if I'd had the choice. Our main goal is to spend Christmas with my Grandma (recently lost my grandpa) and figured we already had to buy plane tickets, so let's throw Disney in the mix too.

 

[OurLittleLove]

I'm sorry but I have to chime in and also agree to cancel the Deluxe Dining plan. You will be spending A LOT of time eating and traveling to/from restaurants. I understand the want to do some character meals. We're headed to WDW in 2 weeks with our 2.5 year old and I'm not quite sure what he will or won't like either. So I booked 3 character meals (2 breakfast, 1 dinner). Maybe cut back a little on that?

 

[Alesia]

My daughter may or may not be a ride person. She hates the quarter rides at the mall. So character meals are important to us. If we made it ride-centric and she hated them, it'd be really difficult to add the character meals/experiences then. Plus, we'd rather have those meals "pre-paid" via the meal plan than get surprised when the final bill comes.

The quarter rides at the mall are nothing like the attractions at WDW.

Are you absolutely sure she's okay with characters? A lot of kids that age really freak out.

I would encourage you to just do the regular DDP. If that truly isn't an option for you, then you're pretty much locked in to what you have.

 

[OurLittleLove]

Also wanted to mention that we're worried about finding that perfect balance too. I know my son will need to get in naps on some days (he will NOT nap in a stroller...you on the other hand have that advantage). But I also don't want to waste precious park hours. Same with spending time relaxing at the hotel pool. I want to get in some pool time but I know we'll feel like we're wasting our time. Going to try and take it all in stride and go with the flow...

 

[JNS114]

My daughter was 2.5 when we first took her to WDW and we really just went with the flow. Didn't plan at all because once you get there you really just want to enjoy yourself! Planning every second especially with a toddler is unrealistic (in my opinion). Relax and enjoy!