Unsure if this is where this goes... plans for vacation in WDW - never been - help! :)

[DogwoodDisney]

Ruthie,

If you haven't seen it, here's a thread that may help you with questions about the dining plan - http://www.disboards.com/threads/is-it-possible-we-beat-the-meal-plan-also-what-we-learned.3472923/

I also wanted to add that the last time we went to Disney we did not have the dining plan and the checks from the first few meals gave my DH sticker shock - LOL. He likes the DDP because it's paid for ahead of time and he doesn't feel like he's bleeding money at each meal. For our next trip we're just going to load up a gift card and use that for our food. I do think it will cost us less money by paying OOP. We don't all eat dessert at every meal and 2 out of three of my kids are now considered adults on the DDP.

 

[Nancyg56]

@TI double-GUH ER - Thank you!

Great idea about organizing the character meets. Yes, him meeting Santa never really goes great... lol so I think even letting him go off with my husband and doing the meets with my DD may be a good answer to that - let the "men" go ride man-rides - like the Buzz Lightyear one - he is going to love that one! Although my DD will as well.

For Character Meals we have ADRs for CRT, BOG (supper, so you meet the Beast, right?), Akershus, and Tusker House. We are also going to HDDR as I thought my DS would enjoy that.

We are travelling with a great big group - 12 total - and we range from our family with kid-aged kids and we're in our early 30s, my sister has a very young family and are mid 20s, my parents are almost empty nesters, and my brother is young and single... so we are all going to do what we can together, but we are planning to break apart when necessary to make sure we all "get to do" what we want.

The Park Hopping recommendations sound great.

Agent P adventures in World Showcase - I will look into that! Sounds like something my son would love lol especially since there are no princesses ("they're so girly mom!" hahaha). It is some kind of Scavenger Hunt or something?

Disney Springs - yes! I am looking forward to the Lego store! My DS actually does not like Lego, but my DD does

Yes - no sleeping in!!! Everyone is getting alarm clocks for Christmas! hahaha!

I think you plans look good now that you are plannign a break. As others have pointed out, Disney is stimulating and my family, adults and kids alike want wind down time.

I love character M&G and my DGD was a character junkie. WE found that for meeting characters, DHS was the place to be. They are all over the park, and honestly, unlike the MK, the lines are manageable.

Epcot is fun for kids too. Characters appear in teh WS, and while there your kids could do Agent P. My DGD loved it!

WE generally travel as a group and always split off. We tend to have meals together, but during the day it is not unusual for some folks to meande off and then meet back.

I woudl not purchase hopppers unless you find you need them. Last trip I bout them adn we hopped one time. It was an exensive waste of money.

 

[Aurora0427]

Haven't read all of the posts... Another yes for memory maker. Definitely build in a rest day or half day at the resort for pool etc. Personally I'd break up the character meet and greets at MK. Do some rides, mix in character meets.