Are you kidding! [Disney]

[MichaelColey]

To me, if you want the experience of short lines, plan-free touring, and more affordable prices, it's tough to beat Universal. The last time we went, annual passes were about $200 each. We got one pass that was more expensive (under $300) so we could get free parking. Although we stayed off site in a 2BR timeshare, we used AP rates to get an on-site hotel (1 night only). While the night was expensive, it gave us Unlimited Express Pass for two days (both the check-in and check-out date), early entry, etc. With the Unlimited Express Pass, we were able to walk on just about every ride as many times as we wanted. There are only a handful of rides not included, and we hit those first. Other than that, we had no "plans". We just did what we wanted.

 

[elaine]

just got back from WDW the week after Christmas--peak time, peak crowds, no worries! Never got to a park earlier than 10 am. I got fast passes for 3 rides and we did those rides and then left the parks most days. We did stay late on 12/30 and used FP later in the evening and then stayed til midnight. We also had a great day at Epcot. Got FP for 2 rides, went to single rider line at test track and then walked onto Soarin with our FP--with a 120 minute wait for others, then walked/ate at the countries. Never felt too crowded using a reservation for dining and FP. They key is to use FP midday or later and then leave when it gets too crowded. Be Ok with only being in the park for 3-4 hours--if you go for a whole week, 3-4 hours per day is plenty. Vary morning vs. evenings to get a different experience. DH and I even park hopped on day with no FP at 2 parks and it was fine. We did standby Safari (50 min), single rider Everest, pool for 4 hours, then Beauty/Beast show at DHS with Osborne lights, then over to MK @6pm, dinner and then FP for Big Th, 7 dwarfs and space, plus Haunted Mansion (40 min) and Tea cups (10 min), Pirates (20 min) and Hall of Presidents and then NYE fireworks (they show them on 12/30 and 12/31). Granted, I know all the tricks. But, one of the top 5 busiest days of the year at MK, pretty good. Only reason we won't go back next year is we had 80+ degrees every day and I know next year it would be in the 40s if I went back!

 

[akp]

I'm in the minority, but I've never been a planner when it comes to Disney. We just walk in, do what we are able to do, do our best with Fast Passes, and call it good.

I know most plot it out like a military invasion but our family's travel style is more "wing it".

We were never as large a group as OP (2 adults, 3 kids) and it definitely had its frustrations but good experiences still.

That said, I'm taking our two daughters in March. We'll be at a disney resort so we'll have the magic bands, and to take advantage of those you definitely need to be more planful. So we already know what park we'll go to each day, and will be getting our fast passes in a few days.

I'll report back because I'm very interested to see the difference in the experience this way vs winging it.

 

[elaine]

we used to wing it also. But that is tough with the new FP system at peak times, b/c at peak times the FP might be gone for top rides, so you cannot just go at 9am and get a fp for soarin, toy story, or safari for later in the day (they were all gone a few days prior on our trip). Wait times were 120 minutes for many rides, even minor rides were 50+ minutes. However, it's very easy to wing it if you just get 3 FP for midday and then do whatever in the AM and PM. I like the new FP better, b/c of being able to get those midday FP and then getting to the parks when I feel like it--9am and do a bunch of rides before it gets crowded, or sleep in and roll in at 11 am (knowing I have a noon FP and don't have to rush or wait in line). The new FP is esp. great with teens, who don't think a vacation is getting up at 8am. I am glad that WDW offers FP+ to all for free (for now at least).

 

[MichaelColey]

If you're satisfied doing just 3 rides a day, that could work great.

Back before FP+, we usually did almost every ride (and our favorites multiple times) in whatever park we did for the day. And were usually done not long after lunch. I think my record (excluding special circumstances) was doing Toy Story Midway Mania (my favorite) 5 or 6 times in a day. We were almost always able to ride twice at rope drop and collect at least two sets of fast passes.

 

[bogey21]

They have an app and you can keep track of everything on the app.

Not everyone owns a smart phone. My phone is a clamshell with text messages and voice mail disabled by ATT at my request. It makes and receives phone calls which is all I want.

George

 

[nikkiwu]

I'm a Disney travel agent and will pipe in.

Yes, Disney has changed a lot. I find it is much harder to just arrive and go if you have any expectations. Dining is planned 180 days out, Fastpasses at 60 days. Other misc recreation items are between 60 & 90. It's complicated.

For my family and for anyone I've helped, I've found that having some dining and some fastpasses provides a structure that helps make everything slightly more enjoyable.

For my family - including four kids between 19 & 6 - we plan everyday's meals and Fastpasses to keep our sanity and our framework. There's nothing to argue about because that's the plan and my husband stops and gets a beer midafternoon when we are all starting to burn out :hysterical:

 

[wed100105]

I'm a Disney travel agent and will pipe in.

Yes, Disney has changed a lot. I find it is much harder to just arrive and go if you have any expectations. Dining is planned 180 days out, Fastpasses at 60 days. Other misc recreation items are between 60 & 90. It's complicated.

For my family and for anyone I've helped, I've found that having some dining and some fastpasses provides a structure that helps make everything slightly more enjoyable.

For my family - including four kids between 19 & 6 - we plan everyday's meals and Fastpasses to keep our sanity and our framework. There's nothing to argue about because that's the plan and my husband stops and gets a beer midafternoon when we are all starting to burn out :hysterical:

We take a similar approach. I don't plan every minute, but we do plan which park and table service restaurants we will go to each day.

I miss legacy FP though. We rode so many rides. I am not looking forward to reserving our FP+ and missing out on riding multiple times on Toy Story Mania is a huge disappointment for us.
I have to plan things when we travel. Otherwise, we sit around the unit and can't decide what to do and I go crazy.

 

[nikkiwu]

We take a similar approach. I don't plan every minute, but we do plan which park and table service restaurants we will go to each day.

I miss legacy FP though. We rode so many rides. I am not looking forward to reserving our FP+ and missing out on riding multiple times on Toy Story Mania is a huge disappointment for us.
I have to plan things when we travel. Otherwise, we sit around the unit and can't decide what to do and I go crazy.

Yes - the same here. Without that framework (it could be one meal or one fastpass even) - we sit in the unit and can't decide.

I wish you could intertwine the new FP system with the old one. I like that ahead of time I know I am getting Toy Story or Soarin without "hoping" we make it in time, but I wish you could get paper passes as needed.

 

[wed100105]

Yes - the same here. Without that framework (it could be one meal or one fastpass even) - we sit in the unit and can't decide.

I wish you could intertwine the new FP system with the old one. I like that ahead of time I know I am getting Toy Story or Soarin without "hoping" we make it in time, but I wish you could get paper passes as needed.

AMEN! I would even be happy with the option of picking FP for different parks on the same day.

I'm having a heck of a time figuring out our FP+ strategy with park hopping and rider swap!

Plus, Disney has yet to release any info on AK's Rivers of Light show times and park closing. (Right now AK is still closing at 5...) Elsa and Anna are rumored to move to EP on May 1. Still no fast pass info on them either.

 

[pedro47]

We are just a couple, that liked to visit Disney main streets, shows, the various parades and fire works displays. Will this be a problem or will need an electronic pass? Just kiddding!

 

[cpnuser]

DisneyWorld

To get the most for your value in money invested in tickets, hotels, etc., do not go during the busy seasons(summer, Christmas, other holidays). During the summer, it is very hot & humid and the lines are very long.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

...Dining is planned 180 days out, Fastpasses at 60 days....

Fast passes are only 30 days out for the vast majority. Only those staying at a Disney resort can book 60 days out.

 

[Saintsfanfl]

To get the most for your value in money invested in tickets, hotels, etc., do not go during the busy seasons(summer, Christmas, other holidays). During the summer, it is very hot & humid and the lines are very long.

Disney just implemented surge pricing so now the value of going during the off season is even higher. Peak times are now very expensive.

The blackout annual passes are back to including parking. Not including parking was a complete ripoff and made the blackout pass actually more expensive if you went enough times. We always had one regular non-blackout just to get the free parking. There is now also two types of blackout annual passes. Once with summer blocked and one without. Great improvement on the annual passes.

 

[Carol C]

Predator Mouse

My cousin went to Epcot thinking 97 bucks is alot but she'd never been to the flower show. She turned around after paying for parking and standing on long line to have cashier tell her one day entree fee is $130! And $97 is what they still advertise on their website! They should be sued for false advertising! I don't know how families can afford it but they must be Fla residents or related to Retirees in Fla! Food isn't worth waiting in line and souvenirs are ridiculous! Coffee mugs made in China cost 12 bucks. Parents should buy their Disney souvenirs at CVS and other stores beforehand. Buy character teeshirts and mouse ears in a drugstore or cheap souvenir store your first day to build your kids excitement and next day they can wear the discounted character apparel to the park. (Disney hasn't banned customers wearing character stuff bought off site...yet...but dont cart in packed lunches or juices or bottled water lest you want them confiscated. I was there in Jan and will never go back...on principal...it's a ripoff now. Must keep executives and stockholders happy thx to the happiest place on earth! Now for some ideas of free or cheap things...

Go to botanical garden or a museum like the Morse in Winter Park with its huge collection of Tiffany glass

Go to a county fair...research ahead of time...soon Seminole Cty will have its fair with rides and games and even FREE parking so skip Disney and go to Sanford just off I-4 for fun

DVC owners will get mad at me for leaking this hot tip but you can drive into a cool DVC resort like Animal Kingdom Kidani under the guise that you're going to their restaurant. That will get you past the nice gatekeeper. Then go park for Free and enjoy the beautiful African art collections in lovely lobbies...like visiting a cultural museum...and then go out to look for graffes and zebras and more. You could easily spend a half day enjoying the ambience...it will make your kids feel like they're on an African safari. If you do intend to dine there is fast food that's pricey and mediocre. Their African themed sit-down restaurants are pricey but worth it...exotic fare so picky eaters beware. BTW reservations a must!

Sorry for the long post but wages have not kept up with theme park inflation so families saving for kids college might want to make a strict budget for an Orlando trip. Heck go to the Smithsonian museums in DC that are free and Williamsburg for theme park fun...Disney honestly ain't all that!

 

[tashamen]

My cousin went to Epcot thinking 97 bucks is alot but she'd never been to the flower show. She turned around after paying for parking and standing on long line to have cashier tell her one day entree fee is $130!

I was in Orlando the week before last and had also thought about going to the Epcot flower show. The price deterred me too, especially since it was in the 90s every day I was there. Too hot to wander around looking at flowers. I went to a spring training game instead at ESPN at Disney for about $30 and sat in the shade. Food wasn't bad either!

 

[silentg]

I was in Orlando the week before last and had also thought about going to the Epcot flower show. The price deterred me too, especially since it was in the 90s every day I was there. Too hot to wander around looking at flowers. I went to a spring training game instead at ESPN at Disney for about $30 and sat in the shade. Food wasn't bad either!

We live in Orlando Area and have a weekday only seasonal pass, works out for us. We go a few times a year and when we have family visit. I usually go on the Disney website and make reservations for lunch usually later in afternoon and fast passes depending on what we want to see. After living here a while you learn when to go and not to go, it is not as easy as it used to be.
Silentg

 

[gmarine]

My cousin went to Epcot thinking 97 bucks is alot but she'd never been to the flower show. She turned around after paying for parking and standing on long line to have cashier tell her one day entree fee is $130! And $97 is what they still advertise on their website! They should be sued for false advertising! I don't know how families can afford it but they must be Fla residents or related to Retirees in Fla! Food isn't worth waiting in line and souvenirs are ridiculous! Coffee mugs made in China cost 12 bucks. Parents should buy their Disney souvenirs at CVS and other stores beforehand. Buy character teeshirts and mouse ears in a drugstore or cheap souvenir store your first day to build your kids excitement and next day they can wear the discounted character apparel to the park. (Disney hasn't banned customers wearing character stuff bought off site...yet...but dont cart in packed lunches or juices or bottled water lest you want them confiscated. I was there in Jan and will never go back...on principal...it's a ripoff now. Must keep executives and stockholders happy thx to the happiest place on earth! Now for some ideas of free or cheap things...

Go to botanical garden or a museum like the Morse in Winter Park with its huge collection of Tiffany glass

Go to a county fair...research ahead of time...soon Seminole Cty will have its fair with rides and games and even FREE parking so skip Disney and go to Sanford just off I-4 for fun

DVC owners will get mad at me for leaking this hot tip but you can drive into a cool DVC resort like Animal Kingdom Kidani under the guise that you're going to their restaurant. That will get you past the nice gatekeeper. Then go park for Free and enjoy the beautiful African art collections in lovely lobbies...like visiting a cultural museum...and then go out to look for graffes and zebras and more. You could easily spend a half day enjoying the ambience...it will make your kids feel like they're on an African safari. If you do intend to dine there is fast food that's pricey and mediocre. Their African themed sit-down restaurants are pricey but worth it...exotic fare so picky eaters beware. BTW reservations a must!

Sorry for the long post but wages have not kept up with theme park inflation so families saving for kids college might want to make a strict budget for an Orlando trip. Heck go to the Smithsonian museums in DC that are free and Williamsburg for theme park fun...Disney honestly ain't all that!

Disney is very expensive but imagine the crowds if it wasnt this expensive. Yes, one day tickets are definitely pricey. This is part of Disneys marketing where they make it cheaper per day the longer you stay. The reason the ticket to Epcot may have been more than anticipated is there are different prices for peak and off peak and the prices listed online do not include tax.

 

[vacationhopeful]

I have gone to Disney World many times over the years ... within the first months of it opening. I got unlimited park tickets for $5 (not the A coupon thru E coupon)... tickets they paid the college performers with during the GRAND OPENING broadcast on the "Wonderful World of Disney" on a Sunday night in October, 1971.

I have pictures taken when my dad and youngest sister came to Florida in May 1972 ... very few people, empty lots and looking at a stand alone Haunted Mansion ... a block away from any other building.

Yes, prices have gone way up over the years. But the multiple parks are full of rides, activities, food, shops and entertainment from 8AM til as late as midnight every day of the week. At first, you either took a boat to the entrance gate or WALK from you car. Today, there are trams and buses from your onsite hotel but only the Contemporary Hotel existed then and room rates were really HIGH for back then.

In the early years, there was NO I-4. NO unbroken I-95. We travel on 2 lane state roads, Highway 17/92, to get to the park. Yes, "THE PARK" was just the Magic Kingdom (for over 10 years) until Epcot opened.

And I am not a fanatical Disney person ... I could take it or leave it. Just like, some movies in the theaters are not worth those ticket prices, but I might watch when shown on broadcast TV channels.

 

[Talent312]

I'm about in the process of burning ~$7K on a Nordic tour and Baltic cruise, so WDW prices seem like chump-change at this point.

Nonetheless, tongue-in-cheek, I hope that one day, WDW will raise it's prices high enuff that that the unwashed masses will turn away in disgust and go to Seaworld or Bush Gardens instead. This will make lines shorter for those of us willing pay an exorbitant amount. After all, the kids don't deserve an inheritance, anyway.
.

 

[elaine]

$7K is an amount that many families with a WDW hotel/dining/tickets package pay, esp. at Deluxes. My boss said her spring break Poly trip (7 years ago, before the big price hikes) for 2A/2kids cost more than her 2 week honeymoon to Hawaii (20 years ago) including airfare.

 

[carl2591]

my daughter's boyfriend was working at disney as intern this past thanksgiving holiday and was amazed at the amount of people in the park. They actually stopped selling tickets on a couple of days.

We go to orlando every 2-3 years and have done so for the past 15 yrs. My kids school schedule, year around, was different than normal schedules so we enjoyed the parks, Sea World, Busch Gardens, Universal and Islands of Adventure at NON peak time and it was great.

If I had smaller kids, under high school age and wanted to do the parks I would just take them out of school for the week and enjoy the parks with less crowds, less long lines etc. Plus with the cost of a disney, and with universal starting to get pricey, it make sense to get the best value.

We pack a backpack with energy bars, sandwiches, chips, apples etc and get the one free refill cups ($12.95 and $7 next day for unlimited refills every 10 mins) and the cost is much lower to go "parking" for us..

Now we will buy ice cream cones or get a large fries to share at teh park but for the most part our in park cost are less than 30 bucks.

You can go and not plan and expect to spend $70 a day to eat etc plus parking is $20 (universal, IOA) so figure 100 bucks for family of 4. I prefer to use my money to buy dividend producing stock not buying mediocre food and overpriced made in china CRAP..

but that is me.. :ignore:

got to go we are packing to leave orlando and head home with "new" 2005 airstream 30ft travel trailer we bought in Sarasota.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I'm about in the process of burning ~$7K on a Nordic tour and Baltic cruise, so WDW prices seem like chump-change at this point.

Nonetheless, tongue-in-cheek, I hope that one day, WDW will raise it's prices high enuff that that the unwashed masses will turn away in disgust and go to Seaworld or Bush Gardens instead. This will make lines shorter for those of us willing pay an exorbitant amount. After all, the kids don't deserve an inheritance, anyway.
.

Their plan is to raise tickets like that! :rofl:

Are you doing a Viking Cruise? We are looking into that for next year, around early May. Too bad we have so many timeshares to use. Honestly, that is keeping us from Europe. I need to find timeshares to stay in Europe, so we aren't spending as much in hotels. Even staying four days in a timeshare via exchange would be a bargain over hotel prices.

 

[Talent312]

I need to find timeshares to stay in Europe, so we aren't spending as much in hotels. Even staying four days in a timeshare via exchange would be a bargain over hotel prices.

Last year, we actually had 5N booked at HGVC at Borgo alle Vigne in Tuscany, Italy, but couldn't go.

Maybe it's sour grapes, but we put Italy on the back burner for now. Our thinking is that a visit to Northern Europe (RCCL cruise out of Copenhagen) will give us a break from the sauna that is Florida in the Summer.

Segway: With WDW only a 2-hour drive, it's kind'a ho-hum for us.

.

 

[PigsDad]

Whenever someone complains about how expensive it is to vacation at Disney, I want to compare it to another popular family vacation option that is popular around here: skiing.

Disney still has a long way to go to catch up to the price of skiing. This winter, single-day lift tickets at Breckenridge were $164. Vail was $175. And unlike Disney, there is little to no discount for multiple-day tickets (Breck gave a discount of $10 for a 3+ day ticket vs. the daily rate).

Now let's do some comparisons. Lifts typically run from 9am to 4pm (7 hours), whereas during high season you can spend upwards of 12-14 hours at a Disney park if you wish. With skiing, you need to own or rent special equipment -- that can add several hundreds of $$$ for a family vacation. Food? While not cheap at Disney, it is absolutely obscene at a major ski resort. It takes $25 to get you a basic hamburger, fries and drink (I'm not kidding).

Then there is lodging. Plentiful and relatively inexpensive for a Disney vacation. I would venture to say that the typical family spends twice what they would in Orlando for comparable accommodations at a major ski resort.

I shudder to think what a family of 4 spends on a ski vacation here in the West. Disney is a "cheap" vacation, relatively.

Kurt