Which Disney pass do we need for dec?

[emmamc252]

Booked 14 nights staying on site at Disney 3-17th dec
Trying to do it on a budget but Disney trips from the uk are always going to be expensive!!
Anyway, it's me dh, dd 2.5 and ds 6 months old.
We do want a restful holiday as well as doing the parks. We've never done Disney in dec before so unsure how we will find weather etc and how we would do "pool days"/relax days if the weather isn't good.
We were planning to get 10 day base ticket and spend 3 days at the pool /downtown Disney but I'm wondering if this is a good idea?

Our other (more expensive) options are
1 get the 14day hopper pass available in uk, it's about an extra £40pp so extra £80 in total but would be able to hop and go patks every day?
2 keep 10 day base no hopper and get sea world pass but would also have to pay for taxis?

Any advice?

 

[starry_solo]

Well, typically the first day and the last day, one does not go to the parks, correct? So, although you're spending 14 nights there, you'll probably be going to the parks for only 12 of those nights/days.

I was at WDW in May 2012 for 14 nights. I only park hopped once, on a Sunday, for the last day of Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot and the first Sunday of Star Wars Weekends.

2 of those days were at Downtown Disney - 1 to eat at Earl of Sandwich and walk around DTD (and then took the DVC tour for ice cream, drinks, and a drive back to our DVC resort [that was the day we switched resorts from Animal Kingdom to Beach Club]). The 2nd day was to walk the rest of DTD and go to Disney Quest.

Now, I had the premier AP (good at DLR and WDW) so I could have park hopped. I did go on the last day (airport day) into the Magic Kingdom (by then, we were at Bay Lake Towers/Contemporary) so I could get the Sorcerers to the Magic Kingdom Cards, but no rides.

I would think the water parks aren't open in December (or it's too cool).

I think a 10-day base would be good.

 

[pieface]

You at going to Disney at the most magical time of the year don't miss the Christmas party it is very special. We always.get park hoppers be cause we like to go to one park in the morning and one in the evening. We go to Osborne lights almost every night because the Christmas lights are so special, over 8 million lights. We hop over to Epcot and see illumination which has a special Christmas conclusion or Christmas wishes and the castle lighting at M.K. We love the option of hopping to other parks if one park is crazy crowded.

The weather can be beautiful in Dec mid 70's but we have been down there when the weather was in the 30s and 40s so you have to prepare for both. Most of the time I wore shorts and a t shirt during the day and shorts and a long sleeve shirt. But I have been down there when I had to wear long pants and a heavy sweat shirt. DON'T MISS THE CHRISTMAS PARTY EXTRA FEE BUT IT IS WORTH IT.

 

[vettechick99]

I would get the 10 day base ticket. Plan 8-9 park days, 1-2 DTD days, and 2-3 resort/home days.

But my advice is not to plan every minute of every day. You will be there a long time. You have two young kids. With them I would plan the touring around their schedules. Push kids past their comfort zones and they will show you who's boss. And it ain't pretty.

Wake up late and go to dinner at Epcot some nights. Other days get up early(ish) and tour parks, and then leave at 11 when it gets busy. With a baby, you aren't spending a ton of time in the parks, especially if your LO doesn't stroller sleep (like mine don't). You'll want to spend more time at the room. So you tour a little here, a little there.

Where are you staying? If you aren't staying someplace with a suite, I would seriously reconsider your plans. You will be ready to kill each other if you are sharing 1 room. Check out the Bonnet Creek thread in my signature. You will actually save money at a place like BC and you'll have more room. Plus it's on property.

Have fun whichever you choose.

 

[Sunnywho]

I think 10 days at Disney would be enough. Would definitely do the hotel or pool days on the off days, with some back-up ideas like other Orlando attractions if weather is bad. There are plenty of minor attractions in Orlando!

 

[mckelvey72]

I agree with the 10 day base pass.

1. Does your 2.5 year old like Legos? Cause a day trip to Lego Land might be fun.

2. One waterpark is open during December however, unless you are going for yourselves as adults....the waterpark will be alot of money and the young ones won't be able to do much. They will be just as happy in the pool. Now if you like legoland.com then they have a small waterpark that you can add for a minimal cost...much more minimal then Disney waterpark.

3. Base ticket of 10 days....go with this and remember...if you get there and decide you want to park hop..you can add it right then and there for the same cost you would pay now. If you decided to do an 11th day...again, you can add it when you are there for the same cost as now. Lastly, same thing with waterpark....you can add it down there if you decide to go, but see point #2...I think it would be a waste of money.

4. Agree that you should do MVMCP. The ticket prices are extra...but again, by dropping the park hopper and waterparks portion...you will pay most of these ticket costs. AND the evening you do MVMCP....use that as a rest day. Then head into the parks at 4pm using the MVMCP ticket. You won't be using one of the "10" days. So if you consider this option, you might only need 9 days.

5. Lastly, if you are comfortable with it......put the kids in the kids club for an evening and enjoy an adult dinner. It is so worth it. We stayed at WL and did this one time.

6. Again, not sure where you are staying, but did you consider the Ft Wilderness cabins that have a kitchen? 14 days of eating every meal out would get old for me. You could do the cabins and cook some of your meals to save money. Even if you get free dining you still have to pay for a meal. There is grocery delivery.

That is all I can think of right now. If I think of anything else I will respond again!!!