Suggestions for a well seasoned WDW family

[mom25kiddos]

We are coming from Canada and haven't been in 3 years, but prior to COVID, went many, many times. Our kids now are 9, 10, 11, 16 and just turned 18. We recognize this may be the last entire family trip for a while as the oldest is starting college in the fall and likely wont tag along as often. We always plan trips last minute (just how we roll), stay off site and don't worry about ADR (we eat off site usually). Given we have been so often we don't sweat it if we don't do certain rides (knowing we will be back or have done them before). This year our 16 year old is desperate to go to Star Wars GE. We are likely coming during Easter (April 15-24) so realize it will be super busy. We are cool with busy for the most part and can always find something to do, but I am now stressed about how I make this Star Wars thing happen. Day of the week that is better? Will try ILL, but what if I don't get it? Can he/we choose to just do stand by and still get in (even if it is insanely busy)? Anything else you would recommend as a must do for him (I need to figure out the light saber thing next!). Also, given how busy it is and the age of our little ones now there is interest in Harry Potter-so would you add in too, or is it not worth it with the crowds (we would buy express passes I think). Any advice on making a last minute busy trip memorable would be appreciated.

 

[bambialways4ever]

If you are staying offsite, you will not get a lightning lane for Rise of the Resistance. You will have to do it standby. Millenium Falcon you have a good chance of getting a genie+ time for, but it might be very late in the day, and if you want to build a lightsaber or droid you really should book that in advance (the 60 days for those dates should be pretty soon which is when you should book). You can book lightsabers online under the "enchanting extras" collection

 

[mom25kiddos]

If you are staying offsite, you will not get a lightning lane for Rise of the Resistance. You will have to do it standby. Millenium Falcon you have a good chance of getting a genie+ time for, but it might be very late in the day, and if you want to build a lightsaber or droid you really should book that in advance (the 60 days for those dates should be pretty soon which is when you should book). You can book lightsabers online under the "enchanting extras" collection

Thank you! this is super helpful. I am wondering about staying our first night then at a WDW resort just to get the ILL-do you think it is necessary? Really appreciate it-we had such a system down before, but it was all fastpasses and we didn't have things we MUST do. So much change!

 

[diskids2]

Double check HP rides with express pass. We have not been in a while to Universal - but there was a point when they were not all a part of Express pass. I'd get a reservation (60 days) for Oga's Cantina. I liked the atmosphere....I'm not a huge Star Wars fan...so it was a one and done for me....but my SIL loves SWars so he goes more than once.


We went Christmas week and used ILL for Rise...I had no problem getting one each of the three days, but we stayed onsite and grabbed them at 7 am. I'm wondering maybe late night standby (outside of deluxe magic hours) since your children are on the older side?

 

[bambialways4ever]

Thank you! this is super helpful. I am wondering about staying our first night then at a WDW resort just to get the ILL-do you think it is necessary? Really appreciate it-we had such a system down before, but it was all fastpasses and we didn't have things we MUST do. So much change!

That's really up to you! It's a big expense, but I'd be lying to you if I said the standby wait wasn't pretty long. By the time you guys are allowed in in the morning after resort guests it's probably already going to be an hour or more.
You could try a late night right before closing, or maybe if you get lucky and fantasmic is back you could ride during then, but without staying onsite, I would plan on waiting at least 60 to 90 minutes for Rise

 

[CynBeth]

We went around Thanksgiving and it seemed the ride always had a 3 hour wait even at night it broke down a lot. We could not get it our first HS day luckily had park hoppers because the next day we booked a 6pm after a day at AK. Of course we arrived and it was broken down but luckily came back up in an hour we had stayed around the area.

 

[snikki]

You won’t get an ILL for ROTR. I would get in line 15 or so minutes before closing. I assume you’ll have more than one day to try since you’re going for such a long trip?

Personally we pick one theme park each vacation. It’s just to much to add on 1-2 days at universal when it would be much cheaper to add 2 days to our Disney tickets. If we do universal we would stick to universal and stay onsite to get express pass. I imagine the prices for express pass would be outrageous Easter week. I’ve seen them go up to $300 a person!