Disney Questions 10/12

[curbsideprophet]

Add your Disney questions here

We have a pre-rope drop breakfast as Akershus. Our reservation is at 8:25. What time should we get to the park? What time do they typically start letting those with reservations in? I assume we will come through the main gate. Is the international gate even an option at that hour? We are coming from BLT and looking at the map it seems like the main gate makes more sense, but correct me if I am wrong.

[kittycatlove]

We get to book our FP this weekend!

A couple of questions related to Mickey's Christmas party. Do we need to book any FP for during the party? Can you even do that? Also I have no idea how to plan what to do at the party? Anyone been? Suggestions. chickens987 I think you're going right before us, you'll for sure have to let me know how it is.

[ilikedonuts]

Oct 12, 2015 20:06:54 GMT -5 kittycatlove said:

We get to book our FP this weekend!

A couple of questions related to Mickey's Christmas party. Do we need to book any FP for during the party? Can you even do that? Also I have no idea how to plan what to do at the party? Anyone been? Suggestions. chickens987 I think you're going right before us, you'll for sure have to let me know how it is.

You can't book for during the party but you can book FPs from 4-7pm using your party tickets.

My kids stay up late so we usually stay until the end. We line up early for the 7 Dwarfs. Then meet characters. I send DH to stand out a curb spot for the parade at like 7:30/7:45. Then the kids and I meet characters, ride some rides, then we go do parade and fireworks. (Usually there is a castle show in between). Then more characters, then we trick or treat for the Halloween party or get cocoa and cookies for the Christmas party. Then characters, maybe a dance party, Etc.

[ilikedonuts]

Oct 12, 2015 19:57:18 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Add your Disney questions here

We have a pre-rope drop breakfast as Akershus. Our reservation is at 8:25. What time should we get to the park? What time do they typically start letting those with reservations in? I assume we will come through the main gate. Is the international gate even an option at that hour? We are coming from BLT and looking at the map it seems like the main gate makes more sense, but correct me if I am wrong.

IG is open for breakfast people but you'd enter from the front anyways. monorail probably won't be running to Epcot yet so you might have to ask them to call a bus for you. Reservations start at 8am so they start letting those people in at like 7:45.

[kittycatlove]

Oct 12, 2015 20:17:15 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Oct 12, 2015 20:06:54 GMT -5 kittycatlove said:

We get to book our FP this weekend!

A couple of questions related to Mickey's Christmas party. Do we need to book any FP for during the party? Can you even do that? Also I have no idea how to plan what to do at the party? Anyone been? Suggestions. chickens987 I think you're going right before us, you'll for sure have to let me know how it is.

You can't book for during the party but you can book FPs from 4-7pm using your party tickets.

My kids stay up late so we usually stay until the end. We line up early for the 7 Dwarfs. Then meet characters. I send DH to stand out a curb spot for the parade at like 7:30/7:45. Then the kids and I meet characters, ride some rides, then we go do parade and fireworks. (Usually there is a castle show in between). Then more characters, then we trick or treat for the Halloween party or get cocoa and cookies for the Christmas party. Then characters, maybe a dance party, Etc.

We're planning to stay pretty late.  DS is 4.5 and I think he'll do pretty good.  We might try to nap early, we'll see how that goes. Do you line up to meet the Dwarfs early or ride the roller coaster?

[curbsideprophet]

Oct 12, 2015 20:19:37 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Oct 12, 2015 19:57:18 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Add your Disney questions here

We have a pre-rope drop breakfast as Akershus. Our reservation is at 8:25. What time should we get to the park? What time do they typically start letting those with reservations in? I assume we will come through the main gate. Is the international gate even an option at that hour? We are coming from BLT and looking at the map it seems like the main gate makes more sense, but correct me if I am wrong.

IG is open for breakfast people but you'd enter from the front anyways. monorail probably won't be running to Epcot yet so you might have to ask them to call a bus for you. Reservations start at 8am so they start letting those people in at like 7:45.

we will have a car so we might just drive if it seems like the monorail will not be running. Thanks!

[lala]

Coming from BLT, you'll be at the main gate. I don't think there is a reason to be at Epcot too much before 8. It will be pretty quick to walk straight over to Morocco at that hour. I guess if it was EMH at FW, it could be busier, though.

We did that breakfast last year and my girls (6 & 3 at the time) absolutely loved it. Totally worth it. We entered through the International Gateway and only went over at about 10 of for an 8:05.

[lala]

Oct 12, 2015 20:36:50 GMT -5 @peggyolson said:

We have a double stroller (Britax B-Agile, very similar to a City Mini). Do we bring it to Disney or bring a single umbrella (First Years Ignite)? I can fold the double very quickly.

We have an Ergo (H found it tonight, YAY!). Would it be silly to buy a Toddler Tula? The girls both like to be worn.

Absolutely bring the double stroller and the ergo is fine IME, even for a 3 year old for something like that. They won't be in it for as long as babies are. 

[ilikedonuts]

Oct 12, 2015 20:28:13 GMT -5 kittycatlove said:

Oct 12, 2015 20:17:15 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

You can't book for during the party but you can book FPs from 4-7pm using your party tickets.

My kids stay up late so we usually stay until the end. We line up early for the 7 Dwarfs. Then meet characters. I send DH to stand out a curb spot for the parade at like 7:30/7:45. Then the kids and I meet characters, ride some rides, then we go do parade and fireworks. (Usually there is a castle show in between). Then more characters, then we trick or treat for the Halloween party or get cocoa and cookies for the Christmas party. Then characters, maybe a dance party, Etc.

We're planning to stay pretty late.  DS is 4.5 and I think he'll do pretty good.  We might try to nap early, we'll see how that goes. Do you line up to meet the Dwarfs early or ride the roller coaster?

We line up around 5:30 to meet them. We usually get food to go and eat on the ground while waiting. They usually come out a bit before 7.

[ilikedonuts]

Oct 12, 2015 20:36:40 GMT -5 swizz said:

No one ever gave me a general budget outline! How much should I expect to spend for a decently "we'll probably only do this once" trip for 5ish days in 2017?

Where do you want to stay? Deluxe? I would plan on $6k for 5 days at least if you plan on doing some extra 'experiences'

[ilikedonuts]

Oct 12, 2015 20:32:33 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Oct 12, 2015 20:19:37 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

IG is open for breakfast people but you'd enter from the front anyways. monorail probably won't be running to Epcot yet so you might have to ask them to call a bus for you. Reservations start at 8am so they start letting those people in at like 7:45.

we will have a car so we might just drive if it seems like the monorail will not be running. Thanks!

Definitely drive! This December will be our first trip without a car and I'm dreading it. I very much prefer to drive to the parks from BLT. Often we drive to Epcot before park opening, get a front parking spot and then if we go back for a nap or break to BLT we take the monorail there and back and then at night when we leave Epcot it's a super quick walk to our front parking spot and we don't need to cram on the monorail with a million people.

[ilikedonuts]

Oct 12, 2015 20:43:21 GMT -5 swizz said:

Oct 12, 2015 20:40:47 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Where do you want to stay? Deluxe? I would plan on $6k for 5 days at least if you plan on doing some extra 'experiences'

Something with decent access to the parks. I know DH won't want to be waiting for a bus or anything.

I don't like to think about money on vacation or really scrimp (which is why we don't usually go, lol). We will not repeat a Disney vacation, so this is kind of a once in a lifetime deal (but not interested in going totally balls to the wall!)

Definitely $6k but could be up to $8k depending on your room type. Renting points would get you to the lower end of the budget.

[lala]

Oct 12, 2015 20:39:34 GMT -5 swizz said:

Oct 12, 2015 20:38:29 GMT -5 lala said:

Absolutely bring the double stroller and the ergo is fine IME, even for a 3 year old for something like that. They won't be in it for as long as babies are. 

I wore the heck out of C (way more than I anticipated or typically wear her). It was so much easier when standing in lines (because hello, she wasn't standing still for 10-40 min) and we usually ended up having to park the stroller and it was a total PITA to keep going back to it.

that makes sense. I've only ever taken 2+ kids to Disney, so only the baby has been worn in lines, but I also haven't taken a kid right at toddler age, just a bit younger & older. One person has the backpack, one person has the baby. 

[ilikedonuts]

kittycatlove

The Dwarfs are a super cute photo opportunity if you like characters


*poof*

[lala]

Oct 12, 2015 20:44:36 GMT -5 @peggyolson said:

Oct 12, 2015 20:38:29 GMT -5 lala said:

Absolutely bring the double stroller and the ergo is fine IME, even for a 3 year old for something like that. They won't be in it for as long as babies are. 

Should I get a second carrier, though? 

Oh, gotcha. No, I would not at those ages. 

[kittycatlove]

Oct 12, 2015 20:34:55 GMT -5 @bunnybean said:

What were your favorite restaurants to take toddlers? Buffets? I definitely think C will dig the character meals, so I'm feeling Chef Mickey.

We went when DS was 3.5 and he loved all the character meals we went to.  Like crazy excited.  We did Crystal Palace, Tusker House and Hollywood & Vine.  For non character Biergarten.  

Haven't been to Chef Mickeys as both our trips have been booked with only a couple of months notice so we couldn't get a reservation.

[ilikedonuts]

Oct 12, 2015 20:34:55 GMT -5 @bunnybean said:

What were your favorite restaurants to take toddlers? Buffets? I definitely think C will dig the character meals, so I'm feeling Chef Mickey.

We really like Chef Mickey's breakfast/brunch. Princess meals are always winners with my kids. Disney junior we did for the first time last trip and the character interaction and dancing/parades they do with the kids is cute.

We basically do all character meals. My kids just really love them.

[ilikedonuts]

If anyone is concerned about taking a 1 year old to Disney just let me know and I can spam you with lots of pictures to convince you to go

[kittycatlove]

Oct 12, 2015 20:46:35 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

kittycatlove

The Dwarfs are a super cute photo opportunity if you like characters

OMG, that's awesome.  We love characters!  

[ilikedonuts]

Oct 12, 2015 20:50:58 GMT -5 kittycatlove said:

Oct 12, 2015 20:46:35 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

kittycatlove

The Dwarfs are a super cute photo opportunity if you like characters

OMG, that's awesome.  We love characters!  

Kenny the Pirate (kennythepirate.com and he has a FB page) is my go to character infomation source. He has all the times written out (like 12:30-12:50, 1:10-1:30) while DIsney just says "appearing on and off between 9am and 5pm)

[lala]

I answered knowing we have always been able to wear our kids up to 2, at least, in the ergo comfortably and even older than that for shorter periods of time. And they're all tall, so who knows. Since Tula's have a great re-sale it might be worth the gamble, but I know in my experiences traveling, I would not have needed a dedicated carrier for a 3 year old, especially w/ a double stroller at Disney. But hey, all kids are different!

[curbsideprophet]

Oct 12, 2015 20:43:06 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Oct 12, 2015 20:32:33 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

we will have a car so we might just drive if it seems like the monorail will not be running. Thanks!

Definitely drive! This December will be our first trip without a car and I'm dreading it. I very much prefer to drive to the parks from BLT. Often we drive to Epcot before park opening, get a front parking spot and then if we go back for a nap or break to BLT we take the monorail there and back and then at night when we leave Epcot it's a super quick walk to our front parking spot and we don't need to cram on the monorail with a million people.

This is a good idea. I will have to remember this because right now we are planning a mid day break on our Epcot day. We have dinner reservations at Via Napoli so we do plan to come back that day.

Would you recommend driving to AK and HS as well?

Another question...At HS we have an early TSMM fastpass in the morning. If DD likes it can we try and get another TSMM fast pass later in the day? In general I know you can get a 4th one once you use all three, but how does that work with the tiered options?

[ilikedonuts]

One reason I love Disney with a very young child is because things like this happen. Grumpy ran across the street during the Main Street Electrical Parade and got Snow White and brought her over so she could see DD2 because Grumpy thought she was so cute. Then they got behind and had to sprint to catch up to where they were supposed to be in the parade. The guy standing behind us took this picture for us while it was all happening. I have it on video too. its one of my favorite memories from all our trips. 


*poof*

[curbsideprophet]

Oct 12, 2015 20:44:36 GMT -5 @peggyolson said:

Oct 12, 2015 20:38:29 GMT -5 lala said:

Absolutely bring the double stroller and the ergo is fine IME, even for a 3 year old for something like that. They won't be in it for as long as babies are. 

Should I get a second carrier, though? 

We are taking our Toddler Tula and our Lenny Lamb. Do you think you will need to wear them both at the same time? Is the older one comfortable in the Ergo?

[ilikedonuts]

Oct 12, 2015 20:59:00 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

Oct 12, 2015 20:43:06 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Definitely drive! This December will be our first trip without a car and I'm dreading it. I very much prefer to drive to the parks from BLT. Often we drive to Epcot before park opening, get a front parking spot and then if we go back for a nap or break to BLT we take the monorail there and back and then at night when we leave Epcot it's a super quick walk to our front parking spot and we don't need to cram on the monorail with a million people.

This is a good idea. I will have to remember this because right now we are planning a mid day break on our Epcot day. We have dinner reservations at Via Napoli so we do plan to come back that day.

Would you recommend driving to AK and HS as well?

Another question...At HS we have an early TSMM fastpass in the morning. If DD likes it can we try and get another TSMM fast pass later in the day? In general I know you can get a 4th one once you use all three, but how does that work with the tiered options?

What I would do about Toy Story is get to Hollywood Studios at like 8am and be at the front of a turnstyle if possible. Then basically power walk to Toy Story so you are one of the first people on. Often times Toy Story is fully booked FP wise for the whole day before the day even starts.

We drive to HS and AK as well mainly because I hate buses. The AK parking lot is a decent walk though so a bus will be much shorter of a walk for you. Buses can be hit or miss. You could get lucky the entire trip and not have to wait long. You could wait a long time for a lot of them. Do you plan to do a lot of park opens and park closes? If so, I'd probably drive just because buses will be super crowded.

[curbsideprophet]

Oct 12, 2015 21:02:29 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Oct 12, 2015 20:59:00 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

This is a good idea. I will have to remember this because right now we are planning a mid day break on our Epcot day. We have dinner reservations at Via Napoli so we do plan to come back that day.

Would you recommend driving to AK and HS as well?

Another question...At HS we have an early TSMM fastpass in the morning. If DD likes it can we try and get another TSMM fast pass later in the day? In general I know you can get a 4th one once you use all three, but how does that work with the tiered options?

What I would do about Toy Story is get to Hollywood Studios at like 8am and be at the front of a turnstyle if possible. Then basically power walk to Toy Story so you are one of the first people on. Often times Toy Story is fully booked FP wise for the whole day before the day even starts.

We drive to HS and AK as well mainly because I hate buses. The AK parking lot is a decent walk though so a bus will be much shorter of a walk for you. Buses can be hit or miss. You could get lucky the entire trip and not have to wait long. You could wait a long time for a lot of them. Do you plan to do a lot of park opens and park closes? If so, I'd probably drive just because buses will be super crowded.

We do plan to get to most of the parks early. Not planning to stay until close but it sounds like driving might just be easier. Thanks

[ilikedonuts]

Here is DD1 at just shy of a year old during the MK 3pm parade. It really is a magical place. This is why if you can line up early for a curb spot, it is SO worth it.


*poof*

[Ashley&Scott]

Oct 12, 2015 20:36:40 GMT -5 swizz said:

No one ever gave me a general budget outline! How much should I expect to spend for a decently "we'll probably only do this once" trip for 5ish days in 2017?

We spent about $4700 for 5 nights at Contemporary, 5 day park hopper, meals & souvenirs. Flights & parking (at our home airport) added another $1k.

[kittycatlove]

Oct 12, 2015 21:07:28 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Here is DD1 at just shy of a year old during the MK 3pm parade. It really is a magical place. This is why if you can line up early for a curb spot, it is SO worth it.

Last year I had a curb side spot all ready to go and was praying the rain would hold off.  It started to pour like 5 min before the parade was to start.  I was so bummed.

[ilikedonuts]

Oct 12, 2015 21:11:36 GMT -5 swizz said:

Oct 12, 2015 21:07:28 GMT -5 ilikedonuts said:

Here is DD1 at just shy of a year old during the MK 3pm parade. It really is a magical place. This is why if you can line up early for a curb spot, it is SO worth it.

I'm still salty we didn't get to see any characters at Disneyland. I think C would have LOVED THEM ALL.

I will just help you make a plan to meet all the characters in 2017!