Please Critique and Let me know if/where to Cut Back

[mcd531]

RE: the bolded above. The dessert parties don't start booking until a couple of months before - they're not 180-day reservations. There's a thread on the DIS where people report when they've been able to book what days, so you'll know when your date is open.

Actually, I did book this at 180 days. I still considering cancelling it and maybe doing the Pirates and Pals cruise instead (which I know is more $) but P&P isn't booking yet for November.

 

[ErinTwinmom]

Ok I get the dining plans confused but if I'm right that the ddp is the 3 credits a day plan and if you are early risers, I would get some breakfast adrs for prior to park opening. Great for pictures and a good way to get some characters without lines.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

RE: the bolded above. The dessert parties don't start booking until a couple of months before - they're not 180-day reservations. There's a thread on the DIS where people report when they've been able to book what days, so you'll know when your date is open.

There was a recent change, and the dessert party is now booking at 180 days out.

OP, before our first trip, after reading the boards, I felt like HDDR was a must do. While it was OK, I didn't think it was all that and we haven't done it since. I would seriously reconsider it, especially with so much other stuff on your agenda. It's a pain to get to and it doesn't really "feel like Disney" to me. It just seems like a cheesy dinner show you could see anywhere. JMHO.

I'd also cancel the BBB, but again, that's just me. My daughter prefers to have her face painted so we do that every trip instead.

 

[mamatohaleybug]

You want real feedback? I think you can cut out a lot of things and have an amazing time. For a first Disney trip I think you are going to run yourselves ragged trying to do all of these things. Honestly, first Disney trips can be a bit overwhelming without adding in some of the extras. Disney is awesome! You are going to have a great time!

My suggestions:

I'd cut out a day of tickets. On arrival day, just hang out at the resort or Downtown Disney. Choose a restaurant in DTD or at a resort. It's fun just to travel around and see the resorts, ride the monorail, swim, explore your resort, etc.

I would cut out Hoop Dee Doo entirely. I've been to Disney many times and haven't done it. I'm sure it's great but just seems like overkill on your very first magical trip. Or at least switch to it being covered by the DDP.

I'd also cut out the Wishes Dessert Party. Not worth it, IMO.

I've never purchased the Memory Maker and never missed it. I don't think it's needed but I'm probably in the minority.

Have a great, magical time! We took our daughter when she was 8 for the first time. It was amazing!

 

[Disneychick75]

I'd cut HDDR and the Wishes dessert party. We had been going to WDW since 1975 and having heard all of the rave reviews about HDDR, we scheduled it last year. Ugh, total waste of money for us. It didn't appeal at all.
You can still see Wishes without the desserts. Grab a Mickey bar and enjoy!

 

[It's A Happy Day]

This is my 1st ever trip to WDW!!!

Costs:
$2338 for 8 Nights at POP with 7 Day Base Tix and Upgraded FD
$145 SWA (Using Rewards Points)
$75 (Dog Sitter)
$175 Hoop Dee Doo
$60 Bibbiti Bobbiti
$70 Wishes Dessert Party
$150 Memory Maker (Is this worth it )
$337 (Tips, Souvenirs, Misc.)

Total $3350 Does this sound good or should I cut back anywhere?

FRI 10/31: Arrival late afternoon, Epcot/dinner?
SAT: HS with 3:30 ADR at Mama Melrose and 7:30 Fantasmic
SUN: Epcot - Lunch at Coral Reef
MON: Animal Kingdom and 6:15 ADR Cat 1 at Hoop Dee Doo I booked really early so should have good Cat 1 seats...should I pay OOP or try to switch to Cat 2 and use 2 Table Credits???

TUES: 8:30 BBB appt for DD and 11:55 ADR at CRT
WED: 10:35 ADR at Chef Mickey's and 8:00 ADR Wishes Dessert Party Is this worth the $70

Remember this is your FIRST trip. Quality over quantity, Stop and smell the roses, etc. There is SOOOO Much to do w/o the extras you have to pay for. IMO I would cut Hoop de doo, BBB, and the Wishes Dessert Party - that's $300 you could put towards souvenirs/tips and you would still have TS credits to use. We've taken the kids twice and planning our 3rd trip this November and have yet to do any of those... although I went to Hoop as a teen with my family and remember it being fun I think I'd rather an extra ride on splash, thunder, test track, RnR, ToT, etc. you get the picture. I would concentrate spending my time in the parks soaking up as much as you can over traveling around trying to get in the extras. As for the Memory Maker, I WOULD spend the money. As the family photographer, there are so many occasions that you wouldn't even know I was at so many of those events. With memory maker you can ensure your whole family is in as many photos as you want them to take. As for the whole "the photopass people will take pictures with your camera" line... I always felt awkward asking them to do it. I'm sure many aren't but I wasn't comfortable doing it. But in saying that I'd pay for it (and am come November), put it to good use! Make sure that when you see those photographers you take a minute to stop and get those family photos, photos of just mom & dd, dad & dd, just your daughter, goofy shots - you don't have to look so serious Think of it as a challenge! And you get all those ride photos too! Early parks nights... for example Animal Kingdom you could swim in the pool at your resort, go to DTD and walk around - a lot of fun stuff without necessarily spending money and we like to browse the shops anyway. If you have a Magic Your Way package check and see if you have free mini golf... something extra you already paid for and could add in... just be sure to hit it before 4pm as there are time restraints. Whatever you do... HAVE FUN!

 

[sayheyrenee]

Instead of wishes, I recommend pirates and pals at the contemporary. Snacks, pictures with smee and hook, boat ride to see wishes with music. Trivia games on the boat, see the water light show. Visit with Peter Pan and see tink in the lateen. So much fun. Cancel HDDR. Must get memory maker.
Cancel one park ticket. First day walk over to AOA for pics and eat there.

 

[PennockFive]

How old is DD? I would relax the first day you get there. Hang out at the pool, maybe go to DTD for dinner. I have been told by many people that one of the number one things the kids want to do is to hang out at the pool. Have a great trip!!!

 

[mcd531]

Thank you! I really do appreciate the feedback! It is our first trip and I don't know if/when we will return, so I know I'm trying to cram a lot in. Ii think I'm definitely cancelling wishes but am still torn on HDDR. I'm sure you are all correct in that there will be so much for us to do without the extras! Having never been there, it's hard for me to imagine but I will try to keep that in mind and make some adjustments I'm not sure how much DD (8) will want to hang out at the pool. We have a pool, live near the ocean, and she's on our neighborhood swim team so it's not really a novelty for her.

 

[DopeyDame]

Like many others, I'd cut out some of the 'extras' especially on your first trip. I think the key to successful first trips is accepting that you CAN NOT do it all, and just really focusing on enjoying what you actually do.
HDDR is great - I love it. I def woudn't spend the time and money on it for your trip. It means you'll have to leave AK in mid afternoon to make it there on time, so you'll feel like you're watching the clock instead of really enjoying the moment in AK.
One thing no one else mentioned is that it looks like you're doing MK the last two days. If you really want to do a park the first day for a "taste" I'd start with MK rather than Epcot. I imagine MK is what your 8 year old thinks about when she hears Disney, so I don't want her wishing away the first few days of her trip.

I'd also consider getting park hopper - I think that's a better use of your money then HDDR, BBB, or Memory Maker.