What Parks Would you do

[KGmomoftwins]

Super short trip (2 nights) end of August 2019... Very indecisive. It will be me, DH, and 2DD 7 years old. Hopefully day one we will be landing at 9:20 am, day 2 full day, and day 3 head out for a cruise via DCL transport. We love Disney and did 1 trip when they were little it was great! In choosing an option I want the best bang for our buck as I hate to waste money, don't want to feel rushed, and have the girls enjoy this part of the trip.

Option 1: buy 2 park days hit MK day 1 (happens to be DD's birthdays) not sure what best case scenario arrival time to the park would be. Day 2 Breakfast with Rapunzel on Boardwalk and then HS. We skipped HS on our last trip. DHs keep seeing the commercial for toy story land and want to go there!

Option 2: Day 1 hit MK. Day 2 breakfast with Rapunzel and then relax at hotel and got to MNSSHP. I'm worried about if Disney will even offer it that Friday night August 23 and I read the reports from the first party and have mixed feelings if it will be worth it....

Option 3: Day 1 enjoy resort, day 2 breakfast with Rapunzel and MNSSHP.

Describe why you would pick you option. Also if I'm not thinking of something let me know! Thanks so much!!!

 

[JessicaW1234]

Super short trip (2 nights) end of August 2019... Very indecisive. It will be me, DH, and 2DD 7 years old. Hopefully day one we will be landing at 9:20 am, day 2 full day, and day 3 head out for a cruise via DCL transport. We love Disney and did 1 trip when they were little it was great! In choosing an option I want the best bang for our buck as I hate to waste money, don't want to feel rushed, and have the girls enjoy this part of the trip.

Option 1: buy 2 park days hit MK day 1 (happens to be DD's birthdays) not sure what best case scenario arrival time to the park would be. Day 2 Breakfast with Rapunzel on Boardwalk and then HS. We skipped HS on our last trip. DHs keep seeing the commercial for toy story land and want to go there!

Option 2: Day 1 hit MK. Day 2 breakfast with Rapunzel and then relax at hotel and got to MNSSHP. I'm worried about if Disney will even offer it that Friday night August 23 and I read the reports from the first party and have mixed feelings if it will be worth it....

Option 3: Day 1 enjoy resort, day 2 breakfast with Rapunzel and MNSSHP.

Describe why you would pick you option. Also if I'm not thinking of something let me know! Thanks so much!!!

I would choose option 1, because I also have twins & love MK for them on their birthday! Maybe you could book a special lunch for them? Or if they like a particular character, book a FP to see that character on their birthday in MK?
With my twins, I would not have taken them to a night party before we have to leave for a cruise the next morning- they would just be cranky & not able to handle the travel (your DD’s May be different)
We went to Toy Storyland and had fun there this summer, so I vote for option 1! HS may not be a completely full Park day, giving you time to go back to Resort, relax, & pack up for your cruise

 

[KGmomoftwins]

I would choose option 1, because I also have twins & love MK for them on their birthday! Maybe you could book a special lunch for them? Or if they like a particular character, book a FP to see that character on their birthday in MK?
With my twins, I would not have taken them to a night party before we have to leave for a cruise the next morning- they would just be cranky & not able to handle the travel (your DD’s May be different)
We went to Toy Storyland and had fun there this summer, so I vote for option 1! HS may not be a completely full Park day, giving you time to go back to Resort, relax, & pack up for your cruise

We did MK on their fifth birthday and it was magical! Just worried about how much actual Park time we will get flying in that morning.

I think you’re right about being tired not sure how they would handle it as they have never been out that late! DH would definitely be cranky but I sure do love Halloween! Plus I hate not knowing what time pick up will be could be an early morning.

 

[DisneyGirlMI]

Why not reverse it and do HS the day you arrive. There is not as much time needed for that park. Then do MK the second day when you have a full day. Plus, you’ll most likely be tired after early morning travel and HS is a much smaller park to get around. That said, I would do two park days if you are there for that short of time.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

Why not reverse it and do HS the day you arrive. There is not as much time needed for that park. Then do MK the second day when you have a full day. Plus, you’ll most likely be tired after early morning travel and HS is a much smaller park to get around. That said, I would do two park days if you are there for that short of time.

The only thing about swapping days is the Bon Voyage breakfast is a must do for us! I did not think it would make sense to go over to the boardwalk for breakfast than back to MK on a day they typically do EMH followed by early closure for the party.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Option 1. Maximize time in the parks, and hit TSL. You’ll get some relaxing in on the cruise!

ETA: We ALWAYS do MK on our arrival day -- it's a WONDERFUL way to be welcomed to WDW.

 

[monorailsilver]

I am tired just reliving our arrival day. Our flight was at 7am so we arrived at 9:30, hotel by 11:30 (we got our bags at airport otherwise if we didn’t gate check we would of been there sooner). But we had no flight delay so take that into account.

Also we did August and it’s hot. I live in CT and it gets hot here too but walking around a crowded park is the last thing I want to do when I arrive tired. We woke at 3:30/4am and left our house at 4:45 for the airport this is only 50 min away.

I vote for the pool on your arrival day. My 17 yo was cranky tired when we got there and took a nap since our room was ready. My dh stayed in the room and rested and myself and my 14 and 12 yo went swimming. Will you or your kids sleep on the plane? Mine won’t, nor will I but I’d did not off on our return that left 3 hours later then expected-11:55pm, arrived at 2:15am, home by 3:30am...yawn...

For our park days we did the EMH am park of the day and would leave the park by 12/1 because it was hot and we were tired! I couldn’t imagine walking into a park mid day in the August sun after an early flight and be ready to go.

I guess if your kids wanted to go to TSL I would look at doing that on then or ing of your 2nd day and then doing the party at night. Or I would give them the option of doing one or the other.

I am more for happy kids=happy parents and tired kids (and parents) makes a not fun way to start a vacation.

 

[Disneymom1126]

I feel like I would probably opt for option 4 - 1 park day and 1 MNSSHP ticket. I would spend the park day at HS (day 1) and then on the second day hit up the breakfast with Rapunzel (maybe sleep in a bit an do a later breakfast like 9:30 or 10:00) and then do MNSSHP at Magic Kingdom that evening. You can get in at 4:00 with your party ticket so you'd be able to get a lot done at MK and also enjoy the special party things (there's a MNSSHP thread with a lot of great info). Overall, I think I would have a hard time with my DD if we went to Disney for a few days and didn't spend both days in a park so I'd go with either the option I suggested or your option 1!

 

[abnihon]

This is similar to what we’re doing on our Oct trip except we arrive the night before. Our plans:

Day 1: arrive in evening. Hang out at Poly.

Day 2: HS (maybe with afternoon break and returning for F!)

Day 3: Ohana breakfast and MNSSHP

Day 4: leave for cruise!

 

[NJ Goofy]

If the breakfast is a must-do, then another vote for Option #1. You didn't mention where you're staying or what transportation you're using so keep in mind you may not get to MK @ 12:00 noon. It's probably open until 9:00 pm so I'm sure you can still get a whole day in. We did the cruise twice and really enjoyed it, had no negative experiences at all (unless you count it was too short !). Enjoy the trip !

 

[gharter]

Since the breakfast is a must do, then option makes the most sense.
While MNSSHP is alot of fun, it has become quite expensive. To get the most out of it, you have to stay almost the entire night. With 2 young kids, that may not work well, and certainly the next morning would not be pretty.
The only concern of breakfast and then going to HS for TSL is TSL seems to be full shortly after RD from what I've read. FPs become really important.

 

[KGmomoftwins]

I feel like I would probably opt for option 4 - 1 park day and 1 MNSSHP ticket. I would spend the park day at HS (day 1) and then on the second day hit up the breakfast with Rapunzel (maybe sleep in a bit an do a later breakfast like 9:30 or 10:00) and then do MNSSHP at Magic Kingdom that evening. You can get in at 4:00 with your party ticket so you'd be able to get a lot done at MK and also enjoy the special party things (there's a MNSSHP thread with a lot of great info). Overall, I think I would have a hard time with my DD if we went to Disney for a few days and didn't spend both days in a park so I'd go with either the option I suggested or your option 1!

I've toyed with this option #4! But since it's their birthday would there be someplace special to eat a TS meal at HS?

 

[KGmomoftwins]

You didn't mention where you're staying or what transportation you're using so keep in mind you may not get to MK @ 12:00 noon

I was think the Contemporary would be the easiest place to stay.. But would be up to other suggestions

 

[MischaOz]

If I was arriving at 9:30 am there is NO WAY you could keep me out of the parks on that day, lol! I go to a park even if my flight arrives at 5:30 pm!

 

[abnihon]

I was think the Contemporary would be the easiest place to stay.. But would be up to other suggestions

Contemporary is most convenient to MNSSHP for sure but staying at Beach Club you could walk to HS and Bon Voyage. Plus enjoy the pool before MNSSHP. Given your plans that may be my pick.

 

[YesterDark]

Whirlwind trip. I would probably relax day one. Arriving at 9:30 you won't be at the resort until 11-12. That's a lot of running around. Depends how long you want to be at the park for and if it's worth the cost of the ticket. I would probably try to do HS day 1 and MK day 2 or HS day 1 and party day 2.

 

[Micca]

Not sure which is best but I wouldn't waste any time relaxing on your 2 nights at WDW, you can relax on the cruise.

 

[Disneymom1126]

I've toyed with this option #4! But since it's their birthday would there be someplace special to eat a TS meal at HS?

Well...nothing like the options at or near Magic Kingdom. You could do Minnie's seasonal dine at Hollywood and Vine (character buffet). Usually at the end of August it is still the summer beach party outfits that the characters have on. It switches over to halloween/fall themed on or around September 1. There are probably places you could go near HS, but with already getting to the park later, you'll want to eat in the park as opposed to traveling somewhere.