would you pay $10 for a couple of hours?

[todzwife]

We will be arriving March 6 (Tuesday) around 2PM. By the time we got to DL it will be 3:30 or so (we need to stop for snacks on the way in). The park closes at 8 PM (which is 9 PM our time) we will probably leave around 7 to get the kids to bed so they aren't exhausted for the whole trip. So it would be 4-7 or so.

To upgrade to a 5 day PH vs. a 4 day is only $10. I was thinking we could at least ride Pirates and maybe catch a parade.

Would you? (we'd buy 4 tickets so the difference would be $40 total)

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

YES! It's only about the cost of going to a movie and is likely to be way more entertaining.

 

[Mugglemama]

On a Tuesday in off-season, if I was traveling with kids who are young enough to have probably slept as they traveled, I would probably do it.

Sounds like you'd still be getting to the hotel to achieve a nice early night. I don't know what time you need to be up the next morning (getting in line at the security tables 30+ before opening, or not?), but if everyone could get to sleep by around 9:30, and if you're children are likely to sleep through the night at the hotel, it sounds like everyone would get enough rest even if you had to be up quite early the next morning.

I guess I'd take into consideration whether or not you and your husband are going to be exhausted from your trip prep & subsequent travel (driving or flying? a few hours or all day long?). Getting all the kids bathed and changed for bed, and then getting them TO bed....could easily be more stressful than usual in a hotel setting IF parents are way overtired and the kidlets are experiencing a bit of "Disneyland-overstimulation". Plus, you have to fit in dinner there somewhere.

In short, the $ is easily worth it...if it can be done without making everyone a cranky mess.

 

[Karenann*]

Yup. I'd do it just to walk down Main Street, see the Castle, ride the train, eat a churro, feel the Magic, maybe see Mickey etc etc.

 

[KittyKat1978]

I had the same dilemma (I arrive in LAX at 1:30) and I chose to pay the extra $10 for 4-5hrs on my first day. I think it will be totally worth it

 

[skiingfast]

It would be a lot better to be in the parks than watching tv in the hotel room for an extra few hours.

 

[gokdog]

Absolutely!!

When we drive, we normally get to town and check in around 7:00PM and stay at a Good Neighbor Hotel for the night before our official vacation begins, and we usually always either go for a quick trip or go have dinner at Downtown Disney.

 

[momrek06]

Absolutely!!!

 

[Geemo]

You're going to stop for snacks?

From this website I found Von's delivers.

On our next trip I'm having Von's deliver our grocery snacks to the hotel.
Von's has a large variety of items to choose from. I plan to have them delivered the morning we arrive. I'm told groceries are held in the BellMan Area and they'll bring to the room when you ask.
Sounds good to me. I hope it works as well as others have said.

Do a search and see what it's all about.

We get a ticket for everyday we are there, regardless of the amount of time possible in the parks. Once we're there I can't wait to get my comfy shoes on, pedometer in my pocket and head for the rides!

Have a good time on your trip.

 

[Eeee-va]

To be clear, are you really talking $40 total for the family?

When I think about it, I'd pay $10 to ride Space Mountain and like anything else. So I think it's worth it, but I'm always only paying for my own ticket. You COULD go to Downtown Disney (figuring you'd have to eat anyway) and put that $40 towards what you'd spend for a DL meal to have a slightly nicer meal.

That said...I think I'd go for the parks, myself.

If you're flying I would look into grocery delivery to save some time.

 

[Butterfly123]

Yes, yes, yes,,,in a heartbeat! Totally worth it!

 

[Argento]

It would be a lot better to be in the parks than watching tv in the hotel room for an extra few hours.

Amen to this!

 

[starshine514]

I could go either way. I'm the woman who a week ago Saturday took my girls to Sea World for 7 hours, drove to Anaheim, checked in at the hotel, and then grabbed the girls and headed into the park! We rode the train, caught the fireworks and we're back at the hotel before 10, but it was still really nice... And yes I drug them in for an 8 AM opening the next morning as well (we also closed the park every other night, w/ a mid-day break on Sunday and Monday - btw, the last hour the park is open is my favorite part of the day, even w/ an 8:00 pm close, the lines are amazing).
However, it did wear us out... We brought home colds that we are all still battling, but it was so worth it!

Oh, and if your kids are small enough, bring a stroller. I tried it w/o it this time and felt like a packhorse carrying everything (including my 5-yr-old at times).

 

[starshine514]

Forgot to add the 'other way' part. My alternative would be DTD. My girls love to shop so dinner, a visit to the Lego store, BAB and World of Disney would also be a treat for them.

 

[SnowWhite09]

Most definitely!

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

YES! It's only about the cost of going to a movie and is likely to be way more entertaining.

This is an excellent point. I think arriving in the latter half of the park day would be a great way to enjoy the nighttime fun with kids who aren't already beat from a day in the parks. And yeah, additional days get so cheap that it seems silly to turn down the option when you'll already be there.

AJ

 

[blackjackdelta]

We seem to wind up doing this every year. Even though we go during the summer when the park is open later, i would get killed if we did hit the parks on arrival.

Jack

 

[pixiewings71]

Yes, absolutely!! I have and would do it again! It's $40 for the family, well worth it IMO!

 

[kwgilley]

We have and would again in a heartbeat!! Have Fun!

 

[helenb]

I paid $15 for a few extra hours when we arrived at our hotel about 12:30 pm on our last trip to DL. $10 is totally worth it!

However, you may not want to go into the park the day you arrive, but instead spend time at your hotel/pool or in Downtown Disney. You can wait until you arrive to upgrade at your hotel if you are a resort guest, or at Guest Services if you are not.