Should I just stick to the four main parks?

[BeccaGrace]

I'm trying to decide if I should get the 7-day MYWw/hopping or go for the deluxe version with the extra parks.

My mom & I have both been to WDW before but it's been so long that I haven't even seen AK yet!

My dh and kids have never been to Disney at all (well, dh spent 1/2 a day at MK 12 years ago but hated it so that doesn't count!)

We are going from 11/30-12/7 (yes, I need to revise my signature!) and I don't know if we should just focus on the 4 main parks and get the more basic tickets or if we would benefit from the other options. DH loves all things sports related (so do the girls & I, my mom, not so much!) and also likes video games (as does DD-4--rest of us can't stand them!). We would not do Pleasure Island, totally not our scene! And I'm not sure about the water parks? Is it warm enough for them the first week of December? And is it just too much for the little ones (who would likely be content with our pool at the Poly).

It seems like they would be fun extras to use for part of a day (i.e. full morning in MK--afternoon at Disney Quest) but don't know if it's just adding to much when this will be their first time experiencing everything. Any advice?

 

[pezpam]

I'd say add them if you really want them, but it isn't completely necessary. DD and I have been twice over the past couple of years for about a week each time and have been perfectly fine with the 4 parks plus Downtown Disney. In fact, my old tickets came with waterpark options and we wound up not using them because of the weather. Didn't miss it. I'll take the tickets with us this time just in case since those options won't expire, but it's perfecty possible to fill your time with only Hopper tickets and have a great vacation. I wouldn't skip the Hopper option, though. The first time in each park can take a whole day for the most part, but the rest of the time (or if you're one of those families that's done at MGM by noon.....) it's nice to be able to go park to park to do the things you either missed or particularly want to do again or even just hti a favorite restaurant one more time.

 

[WaltD4Me]

We went for same amount of time as you and we did have the option of going to a waterpark or Disney Quest, but we never made it to either!

We were there first week of December and it was HOT, but it could just as easily be too cold for the waterparks, you probably wont know that until you get there. The week before we got there I heard everyone was freezing!
The kid's were just as happy in the hotel pool anyway and it sounded like too much work to trek over to a waterpark so we didn't go and we just didn't have time for Disney Quest, even though we really wanted to make it there.

You really sort of need to figure out a general plan and see who is really interested in a waterpark or Quest. How old are you kid's? Little ones might not find as much to do at Quest to make it worth the trip over there. It is nice to have the Quest option in case of a rainy day though.

The thing I hate, is if I DO get the options I always feel like I HAVE to use them somehow! LOL!

 

[lclark0621]

We only do the 4 main parks & maybe some shopping in DTD.

DS is to young to enjoy the water parks yet (21 months) & neither DH or I are into DisneyQuest. I am sure we will when DS is older though.

But there is so much to do in 4 main parks & the resorts. Especially for people who have never been there before.

You will have so much fun in the 4 main parks.

 

[SammieG]

we always PLAN to go to the water parks but dont quite make it...
I would save the money.. you can always pay to go for the day if you want to and have time..

 

[jswalker1981]

DisneyQuest is a fun place to go for an afternoon. But you can get discount tickets online. So if you don't want to go now, you can always get tickets for about $10 less then at the door. My girlfriend and I are going to get annual passes later this year, and we are only going to get the regular annual pass instead of the premium because we know that we can go to DisneyQuest for cheaper then at the door.

 

[zurgswife]

Don't get the plus stuff and focus on the parks...we have gone many many times and never have done Disney Quest...I'm sure my boys would love it but what they don't know....and the water parks..only twice...I don't like going when then air temp is below 80....

 

[Magalex]

My DH, myself and 4.5 yr old DS will be heading to WDW next month for DS's first trip. We ordered the 7 day MYW w/ Park Hopper. We don't go to water parks yet so it was actually a big savings for us. My DH and DS love video games especially the arcade ones. I did notice that there are height restrictions in DisneyQuest. I had the fear we would be having an argument with our 4 yr old why he would not be able to do certain things at Quest. We are staying at POP. With the theme pools and the small resort arcade he won't know the difference.
Plus like someone else said we will be so busy at the parks. We are planning on visiting a miniature golf. We have a PS for Chef Mickey's on arrival night.

Have a great time!
Magalex

 

[mommytutu]

I'd just stick to the four main parks. The pools at the resorts are fine, especially if they have slides and such and I think they are heated pools. Epcot has so many electronic dodads and video type games that Disney Quest may be unnecessary. Also, the resorts have arcades.

My ds, 7, and my dh love Epcot! And they are both gaming nuts. My ds likes only small slides at waterparks, so the resort pool fit the bill for him.

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

With so much to see and do, and with the new EMH at night hours, I find the parks plenty. I have an AP, but I just rarely get to DTD and don't care for waterparks.

You can always upgrade if you change your mind - and just pay the difference - so I'd stick with the basic ticket with park hopper abilities and you will always have something to do. Of course, it all depends on your family - but if you don't end up using the plusses you can't get a refund, but since you can always upgrade you can move up.

Good luck!

N.E.D.

 

[BroganMc]

Consensus here says don't go for the Plus options. Your stay is only 7 days, my usual time period. I go from dawn to dusk everyday and have never used the Plus options on my old 7 Day Hoppers. I keep them just in case.

Truth is, there is so much to see and do at Disney your fam will just barely be able to get half their fill during your stay. Figure a full day for each park with 2 half days for EPCOT and MK. Also count in a down day somewhere in the middle of your trip. After 2 full days of touring, your body will protest getting up early.

When my family travels (including 3 generations) we usually dedicate a day for each park, hopping only for night time parades and fireworks. Mid-trip, we have a down day, sleep in, relax by the pool and resort hop for dinner or a show. Other down days may include trips to Downtown Disney for shopping. No one misses a waterpark, DisneyQuest or the Sports complex. We stay for a week like you're planning. Now if we were to stay for 14 days, it might be different.

Save your money and buy tickets for the Mickey's Very Christmas Party instead. I think it will be running during your stay.

J

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

We have always had a water park day, but not for this upcoming trip. We decided against paying extra for it again. There are so many water parks around the country, and actually 5-6 within a 3 hour drive for us in Ohio. My grils love water parks, but there is so much to do at Disney, that they can't get anywhere else....

My kids aren't interested in DQ- They have never asked to go, nor seem that excited about it on the DVD.

We decided to use our non-park day this trip, for DD, and possibly the outlets. We have never shopped at DD, and this will be our 6th trip. Just a laid back day, rather than trying to fit more stuff in.

 

[Gymbomom]

Every time we "plan" on doing something else than the parks, but we never get around to it. There is just so much to do at the resorts and parks, why spend the money if you don't have to! If your children where older I might advise differently, but I think youwill have no problem keeping them entertained with the "basics".

 

[bytheblood]

We always stick to the 4 parks and still don't get to do everything. I might add in some mini-golf. Of course, these are just our preferences...

We have a computer, X-Box, Gameboy and Playstation, so we can play games we really like at home. Also, there is a place locally called Nickel-Rama where we can go play all the video games we would like for 5 cents a game.

Our subdivision has a nice size waterpark that costs us nothing to go to because we live here, so.........waterparks mean very little to us.