Park strategies for short visit...

[brodieSS24]

Hi All,

Looking for advice for a last minute trip to Disney!

We are travelling to Orlando/Disney in less than two weeks and would love some advice from all you experts out here!

We are a family of 5 ... Wife and I, and three kids 11, 9 and 8 months! We are flying down on 12/3 and staying offsite for Wed and Thurs (wife is attending a convention, so hotel is paid for) and have reservations at the Poly (lagoon view concierge) for Friday through Sunday. My wife will be working until about 1:00PM on Friday and then is free to join the rest of us for the festivities! We fly out *early* on Monday, so we won't have the opportunity to visit any parks on Monday.

So, we're looking at taking advantage of 4 full days of activities for the kids and me, and two and a half for my wife. Obviously we want to optimize our bang for the buck! We're currently thinking of purchasing two day park hopper passes (only available to convention guests - three day also available) for saturday and sunday and winging it for thurs and fri.

The kids have expressed an interest in visiting MK (of course), AK and Sea World. I would probably add MGM to my list (TOT rules!) and wouldn't mind riding Test Track at Epcot. Also, if the weather cooperates, pool time or a water park visit would be awesome.

So, here are my initial thoughts.... Thurs: Seaworld with me and the kids. Fri: Pooltime at the Poly (wx permitting) or possibly a water park (Wx *really* permitting). And perhaps a trip to Mickey's Christmas Party at the MK Friday night. And then Park hop on Sat and Sun and hope we can hit the parks/rides we really want to see.

My concerns.... First and foremost... the 8 month old. He is literally the easiest infant in the world! OK, so maybe I'm a bit biased... but he is very easy going, but I want to make sure he's given time to relax and nap when necessary. Second... given the price of the Mickey's Christmas party... I've heard quite a few warnings about attending on a Friday night (local traffic is very heavy).... I hate *huge* crowds (it was one of the causes of me *despising* my first trip to Disney). Rumor has it that they limit the attendence to the Christmas parties to much less than the regular attendence numbers in the MK on normal days.


Also, can someone point me to a thread/note that gives optimal transportation strategies for getting around the parks (given the fact that we're on the monorail at the Poly)??


So... I hope some of you experts can help me out!!!

Cheers.... and Thanks a lot!! You guys are the best.

Walter


Walter

 

[nativetxn]

Welcome to the DIS, <b>brodieSS24</b>, I'm glad you found us and hope you can visit often.

Is it possible for you to attend the 12/4 MVMCP? Thursday might be a little easier than Friday, although there are going to be lots of DISers there on that night (including me).

You might want to ask your question about transportation strategies on our Transportation Board. You will find it <b>HERE</b>. I'll bet they can offer some great advice.

You might also want to ask questions about touring WDW with an 8 month old on our Disney for Families board. You will find that board <b>HERE</b>.

Enjoy your trip!

Katholyn

 

[XStAnt]

Walter,

If you intend on going to Seaworld on Thursday then you only need a two day hopper (available only for convention guests). Sea World is not a part of Disney and would require a separate ticket.

Although I've never been to MVMCP, my understanding is that the # of people is significantly less than the number of guests at MK on a typical day. With only 2 other days at Disney I strongly recommend doing MVMCP to allow you to do the major rides at MK (which your kids will love). Then, on Sat and Sun you can spend most of your time at AK and MGM, perhaps only hitting Epcot quickly in the am or late pm to ride TT and M:S. With a Park Hopper you could even go back to MK to hit a couple of rides you missed and then go to another park. With only 2 full days in the parks you won't be able to do everything. But the parks should not be very crowded when you are there and you can still see/do a lot.

As for transportation, from Poly to MK: monorail or launch from the Poly docks.

To Epcot from Poly, walk to TTC (only 5 minute walk) and take Epcot monorail. (Do not take resort monorail from Poly to TTC and then transfer to Epcot monorail. This takes way too long).

From Poly to AK or MGM, take bus directly to the park.

From AK, MGM or Epcot to another park, take the bus directly from one park to the park you want to go to. If going to MK the bus will drop you off at the TTC and you'll have to take the monorail or ferry to MK.

From MK to AK or MGM, I believe you have to take monorail or ferry to TTC and take a bus to the park you want to go to. Or, take the monorail or walk to CR and take the bus from CR to that park.

From MK to Epcot, take monorail to TTC, transfer to Epcot monorail.

I hope this helps.

 

[jerseydizdreamer]

First of all, how incredibly wise of you to take into account the two factors which can lead a vacation into doom and despair the quickest: the ability of a new baby to last without nap time, and the knowledge that you're just not going to be able to see and do everything.

I think Sea World is probably a great idea. It's not a place I go to while in Florida, but as a child, my grandparents would often take us to the one in Ohio, and I would absolutely love it. Now, I get my fishy fix by visiting the Living Seas at Epcot.

My advice would be to sit down and make a "to do list," putting all the things you want to do in an order of priority. You might have to make some very, very tough decisions, such as saying, "Well, I love Tower of Terror, but if I want to try Mission:Space, there just won't be time to do both." That kinda thing.

I agree with Nativetexan about doing, if at all possible, the Christmas party on Thursday night. Although Disney does supposeldy limit the number of tickets sold, I've been to the party during the week, and I've been on weekends. Trust me when I say the weeknight party is much, much less crowded. And less crowds means a chance to hit more attractions. Plus, by doing it early in the visit, you'll be able to determine whether or not you need to return later to hit rides the kids might have missed. Of course, one downside to doing the Magic Kingdom before any of the other parks, specifically with kids, is that they want every park to be like that one. And as much as I love Epcot, it's not going to have the same magical feel for kids as does the aptly named Magic Kingdom.

In any case, have a great time! you're sure to run into a bunch of Dis members there (including myself, who will be at the Port Orleans Riverside resort from Nov. 29-December 6). Just look for lime green mickey heads and lime green Disboard shirts. You might find yourself making some new friends (not to mention finding some folks who might be able to help answer any questins which come up mid-trip!)

Richard

 

[brodieSS24]

Hi All,

Thanks for your quick replies! They are extremely helpful (as I would expect from this crowd!!!).

I guess I feel I'm pretty much on track with my general plans (two full days at the parks Saturday and Sunday, seaworld or other plans on Thursday).

I am struggling with the Mickey's Christmas Party issues. I'd much prefer the smaller crowds of Thursday night, but I'm not sure it will be feasible. We are staying offsite on Thursday night (about 5 minutes away, according to our resort info) and my wife will most likely be tied up in her corporate events at least for some time around dinner. We move over to the Poly the next day, so for convenience sake, Friday is much better. Plus, my wife's conference ends around midday so she could take full advantage of Mickey's party if we go on Friday. *BUT* if the crowds will be intolerable on Friday, I don't think I'd be up for that! Hmmm... tough choices! Right now, I'm still leaning toward Friday night... but I don't know.... such tough decisions!

Also, I'd like to toss out a new question.... Does anyone have any advice taking advantage of getting the most out of concierge service??? We were extremely impressed that the concierge called and left a message at our house and said to call if we needed any services/questions answered...... nice touch!

Thanks again!!!!

Cheers.....

Walt