Impromptu Disney

[kershnic]

Any advice you'd give for planning a last minute short budget trip (probably either 2 or 3 park days) to Orlando for two adults and two almost 3 year olds?

Magic Kingdom, yes? Animal Kingdom for the other day? Or just do two MK days? Are the other parks any good for 2 year olds?

Probably will stay at a value hotel on property. Is there any difference between them other than the themeing?

Are fast passes even a thing when booking something only a week or two out?

What else should I know?

[Deleted]

i would personally do 2 MK days.

Art of animation is the nicest value resort. The others aren't bad though,

Umm...you could TRY to get FP? but...i'm not sure how much luck you'll have...at let it will be a fairly low time of year--hopefully not too much waiting

[beantrees]

I think for only 2 days when kids that small I would do two MK days.

Pop Century and AoA have dedicated bus services, so if you are using the buses you may have a better experience at Pop or AoA.

You can definitely get FP a week or two out. There are something like 60 attractions in MK, so there's availibility even day of. You probably won't be able to get more popular FP's (mine train, cinderella, Peter pan), but I would bet you could still get some good ones like Pooh, Buzz Lightyear, Jungle Cruise, etc. If you think your kids will be in characters you can buy Kenny the Pirates character locator app and have a really fun time meeting characters that don't even requirk FP.

[kershnic]

Jan 14, 2017 16:29:19 GMT -5 beantrees said:

I think for only 2 days when kids that small I would do two MK days.

Pop Century and AoA have dedicated bus services, so if you are using the buses you may have a better experience at Pop or AoA.

You can definitely get FP a week or two out. There are something like 60 attractions in MK, so there's availibility even day of. You probably won't be able to get more popular FP's (mine train, cinderella, Peter pan), but I would bet you could still get some good ones like Pooh, Buzz Lightyear, Jungle Cruise, etc. If you think your kids will be in characters you can buy Kenny the Pirates character locator app and have a really fun time meeting characters that don't even requirk FP.

We went to the Crayola Experience in PA and a human-sized green crayon was walking around....  they screamed everytime they saw him....  so I'm not feeling too optimistic on characters.  

[bronxgirl]

I would do both days at MK. You should be able to get fastpasses, maybe not for headliners, but for something.

[lala]

I would likely do 2 days at MK, too.

I would look at the FPs, you never what will be available. Get AM things and then you can get the 4th FP later, hopefully for something good.

With the resorts, the biggest difference is theming both in the theme itself & how well it's done. I would say the pools have also gotten better w/ each new resort. I think bussing is better with Pop & AoA.

You can also check w/ Davids DVC rentals to see if they have anything - I think they occasionally have last minute, cheaper rentals?

There's also the swan & dolphin if you happen to have starwood/marriott points.

Lastly, my kids hated Santa, the easter bunny any other character we found but they are so into at Disney most of the time. So, I would definitely try at least once. Character meals are good for that b/c you have to eat anyway and the characters are good at reading who is into it and who just wants a waive from across the table

[L From The D]

I would suggest two MK days with a stay at Pop.

I'd still look for FPs, even though your headliners selection may be limited.

[curbsideprophet]

The theming at AoA is great but I think it is more expensive than the other values. However you can get a room with a bedroom if that is in the budget.

Definitely look for fast passes. If you buy your tickets now and link them to MDE you can book them now.

I would consider trying to make at least one dining reservation. I would book that now. You don't need a hotel ressie or tickets to do that.

I would probably go with two MK days. If you go for a third day I would do EP or AK.

[bookqueen15]

I live about an hour from Disney and we do last minute trips often. Definitely book fast passes after you buy your tickets, there will still be ones available for most fantasyland rides at Magic Kingdom. My DD is two as well and the rides we usually always try to get fast passes for our Peter Pan's Flight, Winnie the Pooh and either a princess meet and greet or Dumbo. Those rides tend to have longer lines than the other rides. I would do Magic Kingdom for 2 days, sometimes we go to Epcot or Animal Kingdom but they really don't have enough rides for toddlers and my daughter doesn't love those parks as much as Magic Kingdom.

We've stayed at a lot of the value resorts recently, I like the food court area of All Star Movies better than the All Star Music resort. Art of Animation is really nice too but more expensive than the other value resorts.

[wavepool]

We bought tickets the day before and got one FP that day and the rest when we got there the next day. Only one we wanted to do that had a crazy time, the rest were good!

[firedancer10288]

Fast passes should be fine. We bought tickets less than 24 hours in advance and were able to get morning fast passes for everything we wanted. We were able to use them and add several more in the afternoon. This was early August, so a pretty busy time.

[CloudBee]

The FP talk always shocks. We have always done them in the park and never had a problem. Makes me think they release a set number of new passes every morning that they hold back from advance reservation.

[minniemouse]

2 MK days for sure, there is so much to do there. Use the app to check for fastpasses, you should be able to find some. If the kids princesses, get a meet n greet fastpass (kids are often not scared of the princesses even if they are terrified of the big head characters).