Tickets and dining recommendations

[RachLDis12]

Hello,

For an early/mid December trip this year (7-12), how far in advance would you purchase park tickets? Would you make reservations immediately or wait? Can you cancel and change days if needed? (Weather, etc)

Dining recommendations for MK and Hollywood Studios? Kids are 3 and 4 so something easy or fun for them. Thanks!

 

[auntlynne]

Are you staying on-site (and getting a hotel + ticket package)? Or purchasing tickets Separately?

 

[auntlynne]

I read the WDW terms for packages and got the following:

If a WDW hotel + ticket package, you will put down a deposit of $200. Payment in full is due 30 days before arrivalor you need to cancel to avoid losing your deposit.

If you make changes, your price can go up.

If you cancel the day before, you lose your total payment.

Make sure you read it yourself to verify terms. I do not represent the Disney Co.

... if you are just buying tickets, your tickets (and their pricing) is determined by the date your multi-day ticket starts. You can find pricing on the DisneyWorld website.

Here‘s an example for one adult 3-day ticket, non-Park Hopper, during December. pick the start date, then multiply that by 3 to determine total ticket price for that person’s ticket. (plus tax!)



If buying just tickets, your money is locked in. No refunds. The value you paid can be applied to the purchase of a different date (can be before or after the unused ticket dates). If the dollar value of purchased tickets is greater than the new tickets, you would not get a refund.

 

[auntlynne]

I’ve seen on this forum that if WDW hotel pricing goes down, you can get your price adjusted down. i think that by booking, you lock in aguarantee that the price won’t go up.

Unlike prior years when ticket prices would go up, it looks like they have published set prices for dates shown.

Someone will correct me if I am in error.

 

[auntlynne]

When to book -

if you want MK and HS, don’t put it off too long. Book when you comfortably sure you are going and can afford either the package deposit (low/no risk of losing money) or if just tickets, are you certain you will eventually go to WDW and have the cash outlay ready.

As of today, April 12, all parks are available for reservations from July 1 - except October 1 ((50th anniversary).

Based on that info, it might be possible to wait several months. You would have to take into consideration that December (nearer to Christmas) has a higher demand.

And HS is usually the first park to fill up, followed by MK.

As fireworks, parades, live shows and characters return, expect an uptick in reservations.

I sound like I’m not giving you a straight answer; I’m not. You have to figure out how much energy you want to put into this.

You could book now and lock in reservations to the parks you want on days you want. You could wait, checking the calendar to see when /if park availability starts to book up.

BUT, there is no way to know how close to full park reservations are on any day. They list reservations as available or not.

If I knew I was going, had the money unencumbered to go, I’d probably book it soon.

Others will give differing advice. Do what’s comfortable for you. I try to go with my gut based on information I can cull. Perhaps the above notes will help you.

Hope you get to Disney soon.

 

[auntlynne]

Hello,

For an early/mid December trip this year (7-12), how far in advance would you purchase park tickets? Would you make reservations immediately or wait? Can you cancel and change days if needed? (Weather, etc)

Dining recommendations for MK and Hollywood Studios? Kids are 3 and 4 so something easy or fun for them. Thanks!

HS - Woody’s Toy Box. QS. Place yourMobile Order early in the day for the time window you want.

MK - I love corn dog nuggets. Sold at Westward Ho kiosk or in Pecos Bill’s. grey Stuff cupcake at Gaston’s Tavern.

You can change your park reservations until you enter a park, as long as it has availability. You have to cancel before changing parks (not the whole ticket, just a day’s reservation).

A multiple day ticket will be good for a few days longer than the # of days purchased - so wiggle room there). The length of use changes based on use days purchased.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

All of the PPs advice is solid. Generally speaking, I would make reservations for peace of mind, but that's me.

For HS:
Woody's is fun, but it's outdoors and seating is limited. If it's hot or rainy, this will not be awesome. For QS these days, we tend to go to PizzaRizzo's for the indoor dining and restrooms. My kids love pizza anyway and the party room upstairs in fun.

And if more things reopen or get back to normal. Hollywood & Vine is a solid character meal if it's the Minnie seasonal Christmas thing.

For MK:
The food options can be dismal, but if you're just talking about places the kids will like for QS you might want to try Cosmic Ray's (the food is blah, but the kids will really enjoy watching the Sonny Eclipse animatronic show) or maybe Pinocchio Village Haus (blah pizza) for the charming decor.

If character meals really get going again, I can't stress enough how much toddlers love Crystal Palace. Winnie the Pooh is their hero. You must book this meal. Your children will love you forever.

 

[lanejudy]

For an early/mid December trip this year (7-12), how far in advance would you purchase park tickets? Would you make reservations immediately or wait? Can you cancel and change days if needed? (Weather, etc)

If you have a package booked (room+tickets) then I would make the park reservations as soon as you have it booked. Plans can be changed, pending availability, if you adjust your plans.

If you are buying the tickets separate, you can buy them anytime. I'd keep an eye on the park reservation calendar to be sure you buy tickets before your dates start to "sell out" of park choices.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

You've already received good advice regarding the tickets. For dining, I would suggest Hollywood & Vine at DHS - a character meal would be super fun for the kids! For MK, you can't go wrong with CRT or BOG. Or for something more on the simple side, Crystal Palace.

 

[CynBeth]

For DHS if you want something fun for TS is 50’s PTC. At MK would suggest BOG.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

For DHS I’d suggest Sci-fi or the Disney junior character meal, for MK, it’s only a counter service but my kids love cosmic rays for sonny eclipse, and I think every princess lover would love CRT (when it’s back to normal). And I’d get my park reservations ASAP just to be sure, you never know what will happen. You can always change them as long as there’s availability.

 

[RachLDis12]

Are you staying on-site (and getting a hotel + ticket package)? Or purchasing tickets Separately?

Your responses are so helpful! Reservation is booked at AKL Kidani village (purchased points through David’s) and flights are booked. Just pulling the rest of the pieces together myself first trip! Assuming they still have the reservation system and not at full capacity, I want to make sure I book my tickets ASAP and dining reservations when I can. We do plan to have a couple “down days” at the resort as well. If you have any other tips for first time travelers with little ones, would love to hear!

 

[auntlynne]

If you don’t have tickets yet, there are several reputable discounters out there, as well as Sam’s Club.

I purchase Disney Gift Cards to use at the parks (or to pay for Disney cruises). Target Red card users get them for 5% off face value.

 

[auntlynne]

I have never visited WDW with small children. But I read lots of reports here.

- Take a stroller, Even for 5-6 yo. So much walking. If a double wide, make sure it fits Disney size parameters. You can rent them if needed.

- Take snacks, drinks with you to parks. Kids and adults. Dasani water starts at $3.50 / bottle (not the liter size, either).

- secure your food when you park your stroller, squirrels will get in food and open drinks.

it is standard practice to leave diaper bags in parked strollers.

Take a midday break; the parks get crowded and kids / adults can use a break,


I have no memory of trips taken when I was young; some People do. No need to do everything and go go go all day. If you live the parks, you will be back. If you don’t, it won’t really matter.

Check out Rider Swap, a system designed to let both parents ride when there’s a kid who can’t. Example: Dad will ride with a kid (I don’t know if the kid has to ride, actually). When he gets off ride, mom gets to ride - but doesn’t have to stand in the long line before she gets on. She has been waiting to the side with kid in stroller.

 

[auntlynne]

Your responses are so helpful! Reservation is booked at AKL Kidani village (purchased points through David’s) and flights are booked. Just pulling the rest of the pieces together myself first trip! Assuming they still have the reservation system and not at full capacity, I want to make sure I book my tickets ASAP and dining reservations when I can. We do plan to have a couple “down days” at the resort as well. If you have any other tips for first time travelers with little ones, would love to hear!

Congratulations on trip planning. I love the animal viewing from the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I stayed one night there in Jan 20; no parks. (I was in an offsite timeshare that week, just booked a vacation within a vacation). I wanted to just enjoy the peacefulness and experience. Your resort down days are a great idea. one of the pools at AKL is the largest at WDW. Heated, but it was cool in Jan, December in FL may be warm enough. Don’t forget bathing suits.

If Boma restaurant (@ AKL) reopens, check it out. I’ve done both breakfast and dinner there a few times. I’ve realized I really enjoy breakfast more. Love the POG / Jungle Juice. It’s at breakfast - passion fruit, orange and guava, like is served in Hawaii. They bring a pitcher for the table, included with the buffet price.

 

[Blondie58]

Hello,

For an early/mid December trip this year (7-12), how far in advance would you purchase park tickets? Would you make reservations immediately or wait? Can you cancel and change days if needed? (Weather, etc)

Dining recommendations for MK and Hollywood Studios? Kids are 3 and 4 so something easy or fun for them. Thanks!

Schedule everything as early as possible. You can read a few Disney blogs to hear the frustration of folks that do not plan in a timely manner.

 

[Shellyred8]

Hello,

For an early/mid December trip this year (7-12), how far in advance would you purchase park tickets? Would you make reservations immediately or wait? Can you cancel and change days if needed? (Weather, etc)

Dining recommendations for MK and Hollywood Studios? Kids are 3 and 4 so something easy or fun for them. Thanks!

Dining recommendations:
MK: I'm going with the kid-friendly foods that are relatively quick. Sleepy Hollow for waffle sandwiches (the fruit and nutella waffle is my favorite!). The Liberty Square refreshment depot has good hot dogs.

HS: Woody's Lunchbox. They have some really good items on their kids menu. We like Backlot Express. There's lots of stuff to look at for the kids, which may or may not be a good thing! LOL!!!


Park reservations: there's been lots of solid advice given already. I'll just add my agreement that the sooner you can make your reservations the better, especially for HS.