*** Single Parent with Twins -Random Questions ***

[edgarjcs]

Hello again.

On September 14, 2014, I hope to be able to make a dream come true to my of 5yrs old twins (a girl and a boy)

Through this awesome forums, I have been able to answer some of my basic questions and now when the time seems to be running faster, I will be getting more involved in the planning (I love this!)

Now I have several random questions. Maybe I should be posting different threads, sorry for that.

Dining:
When staying at property (Pop Century in our case) it is possible to take food plates from the Counter Service restaurant to the rooms?

If Disney releases the "Free" Dining plan promotion for those dates, I probably will take it, because of the certain grade of "freedom" that it gives out, but the question here is: if we start using our meal credits the day when we arrive (should be around 2pm), so lunch and dinner would be taken, it means that in the departure date we would have ran out of meal credits?

Park Days:
I already booked 6 park days taking in consideration the small difference between 5 and 6 days (we are staying for 7 nights), but I am not sure if I should keep it like that or simply change it to 5 days. I am planning do MK two days (one of them with Wishes) and one day for all the other parks, but one day ticket would left available. For kids of the ages of mine, what should be another good park to repeat?

Water Parks:
I read that there is a Water Park Fun Package or something like that, offering Disney Quest access, Water Parks, etc. and it says that if you acquire that Package, you can go to a Park and then to a Water Park in the same day. Its the distance among the Water Parks, Pop Century and the attractions Parks so big that for me would be a nightmare at least to attempt it? I know Water Parks are not the big deal for many of you, but I have seen the theme used on them and it would caught the kids attention without doubt. I don't know if I will be able to take them again in the next years and I want to give them the best in this trip.

Park Visits:
Related with the point above mentioned, do you consider that Animal Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios are 1/2 day parks? It could give us the possibility of some resting and maybe good time in the pools. I went last years but it was a 3 adults trip skipping stuff and attractions. With kids will be a different story.

Mickey' not So Scary Party:
I saw my dates could be among the nights when this event has place (I rather would like to go to HHN in Universal, but this is a kids trip, lol). It is really necessary for the kids to wear costumes for the trick and threat part of the event or every single kid is able to receive candies? I don't want they feel left aside in any sense. Beyond the special parades and candies, what else takes place in those night to make worth it for the kids?

Shopping:
Are the prices of all the items in property the same? Or you can find the same item at different places with different prices?

So many questions and maybe I will have more soon.

I really appreciate your time and efforts to help me. Sometimes I get worried about fail in this solo attempt to make my kids happy, and that is why I come here to get some advices, suggestions and relaxation.

Thanks and Regards,
Edgar

 

[HopperFan]

Dining:
When staying at property (Pop Century in our case) it is possible to take food plates from the Counter Service restaurant to the rooms? Yes. They can put a plastic cover over your plate.

If Disney releases the "Free" Dining plan promotion for those dates, I probably will take it, because of the certain grade of "freedom" that it gives out, but the question here is: if we start using our meal credits the day when we arrive (should be around 2pm), so lunch and dinner would be taken, it means that in the departure date we would have ran out of meal credits? It is whatever plan you have x the number of nights, not days - so yes. I suggest you determine some meals that are not pricey and pay out of pocket for those.

Park Days:
I already booked 6 park days taking in consideration the small difference between 5 and 6 days (we are staying for 7 nights), but I am not sure if I should keep it like that or simply change it to 5 days. I am planning do MK two days (one of them with Wishes) and one day for all the other parks, but one day ticket would left available. For kids of the ages of mine, what should be another good park to repeat? You are going to go to three parks in one day? That is going to be tough with kids that young and actually get anything done. Lots of time just between the parks. To repeat it would be DHS or AK, I would decide once you see which you prefer.

Water Parks:
I read that there is a Water Park Fun Package or something like that, offering Disney Quest access, Water Parks, etc. and it says that if you acquire that Package, you can go to a Park and then to a Water Park in the same day. Its the distance among the Water Parks, Pop Century and the attractions Parks so big that for me would be a nightmare at least to attempt it? I know Water Parks are not the big deal for many of you, but I have seen the theme used on them and it would caught the kids attention without doubt. I don't know if I will be able to take them again in the next years and I want to give them the best in this trip. No it's not tough to get between them. Pop is about in the middle between both of them. If you are going when parks are open late then just go to the water park in the afternoon. You can return to the park you were at in the morning again in the evening.

Park Visits:
Related with the point above mentioned, do you consider that Animal Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios are 1/2 day parks? It could give us the possibility of some resting and maybe good time in the pools. I went last years but it was a 3 adults trip skipping stuff and attractions. With kids will be a different story. Personally I think both are full day parks. Not saying open to close but most the day. Depends on what they like to do. If you can get them there at opening you will be able to get more done while lines are shorter.

Mickey' not So Scary Party:
I saw my dates could be among the nights when this event has place (I rather would like to go to HHN in Universal, but this is a kids trip, lol). It is really necessary for the kids to wear costumes for the trick and threat part of the event or every single kid is able to receive candies? I don't want they feel left aside in any sense. Beyond the special parades and candies, what else takes place in those night to make worth it for the kids? No they don't have to dress up but it is fun and lots are. An idea is a clever tshirt that makes them look like a character. The show in front of the castle is great, the parade is a not miss, also watch with the Hallowishes fireworks (awesome) and lots of special characters are there if they like those and some dance parties. Park lit so it seems more creepy.

Shopping:
Are the prices of all the items in property the same? Or you can find the same item at different places with different prices? Same items same prices. If something is very park specific you probably can only get it there at that park.

 

[Disney Khaleesi]

I can answer some, but not all questions.

-Yes, you can take food from the food court to your room. You can simply take the plates or the tray with you, so long as you remember to return the tray back to the food court. We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside on our most recent vacation (4/12-4/20) and we saw numerous people at POR doing this.

-This is unfortunately not a question I can answer.

-I think this one depends on your kids. You truly may end up doing a 3rd park day at Magic Kingdom, or you may end up going to Epcot for a second time. Young kids either seem to love or hate Epcot. Epcot has always been my favourite part, ever since I was little, but I know that is not the case for many other kids. I recommend keeping the 6th day and leaving that one park day up to your children.

-Again this is not a question I am able to answer.

-Personally I find both Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios to be half-day parks. My general plan with these parks is to sleep in on a Hollywood Studios day and to stay until closing (usually getting there after lunch) and on an Animal Kingdom day I go right at opening to do to Safari and usually leave around 2 o'clock. These two parks have little that capture my interest besides Star Tours and Kilamanjaro Safari.

-They certainly do not have to wear costumes if it would be too much of a hassle. They will still recieve treats either way. HalloWishes is an absolute must if you are staying for the part. Also, MNSSHP offers some rarer character or characters dressed in themed outfits that may be fun for younger children to see. However some of the character lines will be long (like for the 7 Dwarves) so it may just be best to stick to trying to meet more common characters in their different outfits. This event is one of the few times that the Princesses meet together with their Princes. Don't forget to ask Flynn Rider what's in his bag!

-Generally, yes, all prices are the same on the property. At least from what I saw.

I hope you have an amazing trip! Your children are very lucky to have someone who is especially concerned to make this trip amazing for them.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

Hello again.

On September 14, 2014, I hope to be able to make a dream come true to my of 5yrs old twins (a girl and a boy) we have boy girl twins. they are great fun!

Through this awesome forums, I have been able to answer some of my basic questions and now when the time seems to be running faster, I will be getting more involved in the planning (I love this!)

Now I have several random questions. Maybe I should be posting different threads, sorry for that.

Dining:
When staying at property (Pop Century in our case) it is possible to take food plates from the Counter Service restaurant to the rooms? Yes. Absolutely.

If Disney releases the "Free" Dining plan promotion for those dates, I probably will take it, because of the certain grade of "freedom" that it gives out, but the question here is: if we start using our meal credits the day when we arrive (should be around 2pm), so lunch and dinner would be taken, it means that in the departure date we would have ran out of meal credits? If you get 6 days of dining...you can use the credits as quickly as you wish. So keep track of what you use. If you want you can use all snack credits in one day.

Park Days:
I already booked 6 park days taking in consideration the small difference between 5 and 6 days (we are staying for 7 nights), but I am not sure if I should keep it like that or simply change it to 5 days. I am planning do MK two days (one of them with Wishes) and one day for all the other parks, but one day ticket would left available. For kids of the ages of mine, what should be another good park to repeat? we do MK at least for 2 days. AK we do for 1/2 day and spend time at the resort. HS we do a full day. EPCOT we do 2 days. Our kids love this park.

Water Parks:
I read that there is a Water Park Fun Package or something like that, offering Disney Quest access, Water Parks, etc. and it says that if you acquire that Package, you can go to a Park and then to a Water Park in the same day. Its the distance among the Water Parks, Pop Century and the attractions Parks so big that for me would be a nightmare at least to attempt it? I know Water Parks are not the big deal for many of you, but I have seen the theme used on them and it would caught the kids attention without doubt. I don't know if I will be able to take them again in the next years and I want to give them the best in this trip.If this is their first trip I would leave out the water parks. There is so much else to do.

Park Visits:
Related with the point above mentioned, do you consider that Animal Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios are 1/2 day parks? It could give us the possibility of some resting and maybe good time in the pools. I went last years but it was a 3 adults trip skipping stuff and attractions. With kids will be a different story. AK yes but not HS, but our kids are older now so they love HS.

Mickey' not So Scary Party:
I saw my dates could be among the nights when this event has place (I rather would like to go to HHN in Universal, but this is a kids trip, lol). It is really necessary for the kids to wear costumes for the trick and threat part of the event or every single kid is able to receive candies? I don't want they feel left aside in any sense. Beyond the special parades and candies, what else takes place in those night to make worth it for the kids?Not sure. Have never done this.

Shopping:
Are the prices of all the items in property the same? Or you can find the same item at different places with different prices? Yes

So many questions and maybe I will have more soon.

I really appreciate your time and efforts to help me. Sometimes I get worried about fail in this solo attempt to make my kids happy, and that is why I come here to get some advices, suggestions and relaxation.

Thanks and Regards,
Edgar

Enjoy!

 

[msmama]

Park Days:
I already booked 6 park days taking in consideration the small difference between 5 and 6 days (we are staying for 7 nights), but I am not sure if I should keep it like that or simply change it to 5 days. I am planning do MK two days (one of them with Wishes) and one day for all the other parks, but one day ticket would left available. For kids of the ages of mine, what should be another good park to repeat?

Personally, I would leave the last day to repeat favorites and decide at the time.

Water Parks:
I read that there is a Water Park Fun Package or something like that, offering Disney Quest access, Water Parks, etc. and it says that if you acquire that Package, you can go to a Park and then to a Water Park in the same day. Its the distance among the Water Parks, Pop Century and the attractions Parks so big that for me would be a nightmare at least to attempt it? I know Water Parks are not the big deal for many of you, but I have seen the theme used on them and it would caught the kids attention without doubt. I don't know if I will be able to take them again in the next years and I want to give them the best in this trip.

I'm not a water park person. I've been once and it's fine for me, don't ever need to go back. Are your kids good swimmers? Thrill seekers? That'd make a difference in whether or not I'd go. Would it be more fun when they're older? Personally, at 5 I would think your time would be better spent enjoying the parks.

Park Visits:
Related with the point above mentioned, do you consider that Animal Kingdom and Disney Hollywood Studios are 1/2 day parks? It could give us the possibility of some resting and maybe good time in the pools. I went last years but it was a 3 adults trip skipping stuff and attractions. With kids will be a different story.

I wouldn't say half day but those are the two that I would say don't have to be full day either. With one parent and two 5 year olds, there might be stuff that you can't ride (not sure). Do the kids like similar things? If you add in shows at both parks that could increase time spent there.

Shopping:
Are the prices of all the items in property the same? Or you can find the same item at different places with different prices?

You may occasionally find something different but I would say it's rare. There are some things that can only be found in specific shops though (It's fairly easy to tell what as you're walking through a park though, I think).

 

[edgarjcs]

Thank you so much for the answers.

Now I am clear that water parks would not be a good option.

I love to go to the parks very early, but I know that with my kids, I have to slow down a bit, but probably we still could do Animal Kingdom in 1/2 or 3/4 day and then go to the resort pools.

Bad news about the dining and shopping questions.

About the Park visits, it is a great suggestion to ask my kids what they would like to do again. Nice!

Finally, I appreciate the Disney Khaleesi words. I am honestly dedicating at least 1 hour a day, after work to the planning: reading stuff here and there, looking for new offers (Free Dining...come to me ) etc.

Best Regards,

p.s.: second part of this thread is coming