going to Disney in 3 weeks need tips!!
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going to Disney in 3 weeks need tips!!
| Sun, 08-26-2007 - 8:19am |
Hey everyone,
We are traveling to Disney in mid Sept. for 7 days, our children are 8 and almost 5. I am usually a pretty organized person, and probably would havd done more planning and research for our trip, but I unexpectedly found out we were expecting our third and have been thrown for a total loop. So, my mind has been totally focused on other things. Any one have any tips they can throw out there on how to best enjoy our 7 days. We are staying 5 min. outside Disney at a time share. We were thinking of Magic Kingdom, Sea World, one of the water parks, and either Universal or MGM? Any suggestions on how to save a few bucks on passes/meals at this late date?
Thanks for any advice for this very unorganized mom..
Kelly
We are traveling to Disney in mid Sept. for 7 days, our children are 8 and almost 5. I am usually a pretty organized person, and probably would havd done more planning and research for our trip, but I unexpectedly found out we were expecting our third and have been thrown for a total loop. So, my mind has been totally focused on other things. Any one have any tips they can throw out there on how to best enjoy our 7 days. We are staying 5 min. outside Disney at a time share. We were thinking of Magic Kingdom, Sea World, one of the water parks, and either Universal or MGM? Any suggestions on how to save a few bucks on passes/meals at this late date?
Thanks for any advice for this very unorganized mom..
Kelly

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Congratulations!
How many days of the 7 do you plan to do parks? My answer depends on knowing that, since you say you're going to be there for 7 days, but only gave 4 days of activities (MK, water park, SW, & Universal or MGM (which is about to be or is now Disney Hollywood Studios).
If you are planning to do 5 or 6 "activity" days, then my answer would be different.
At this point...
Sea World, you can actually get a second day free...after you purchase your ticket at the gate (I don't think the offer applies to previously purchased tickets which saves adults $11/ticket, which is another consideration), you exchange it for a picture ticket inside the gate. We did that a few years ago, but never went back the second day...but we still did it JUST IN CASE we would go back. It's $64.95 for an adult ticket.
2 days at Disney parks would be about the same price as one day at Disney (MK, in your case) and 1 day at Universal (Universal also has 2 parks, so that's another consideration). You won't see any real discount on Disney park tickets until you buy 4 days worth.
So for Disney/Univ, here's what you're looking at (these are adult prices only):
1 day Disney (one park) $75.62 + 1 day Universal (one park only) $71.00 = 146.52
1 day Disney (one park) $75.62 + 1 day Universal (both parks) $79.95 = $155.57
2 days Disney (one park each day) $148.04
To save money on meals, eat breakfast at "home", eat as many meals at "home" as you can, split meals whenever possible (they are huge!), bring snacks & waters with you, and pick up discount coupon books (everywhere outside of Disney--gift shops, gas stations) for eating out not at Disney.
And, btw, not to throw a monkey wrench in your plans, but my daughter's favorite park is Epcot and she also loves Animal Kingdom.
We don't care much for MGM. I LOVE Beauty & the Beast & Little Mermaid & other things at MGM, but we've seen them several times and they haven't added anything (yet) to get us to go back just yet. I've been to MGM on our trips in '92, '95, '99, '00, '01, & '02, but didn't go in '04 or '07 (it wasn't open in '84).
I'm not sure how much I can help, but did you know that WDW tickets get cheaper the more days you buy?
We've never gone to SeaWorld or Universal, we always spend all of our time at WDW, so I can't help with those at all. My boys are 6 and 4, they've been 3 times, and they love all 4 parks. How many park days are you going to do?
IF I were going to do SW and Univ, I'd probably do SW in one day, Univ in one day, one day at each of the WDW parks, and a second day for Magic Kingdom. Since Animal Kingdom is only open until 5:00 most days, maybe split that with MGM/Disney Studios/whatever they call it now, or go to Animal Kingdom in the morning and a water park in the afternoon. My kids weren't tall enough for slides at Typhoon Lagoon, and we had fun, but I wouldn't spend the extra $$ just to go back unless they wanted to do the big slides.
Are you planning to do any sit-down meals or character meals at WDW? If so, you need to make your ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations) as soon as possible; they fill up quick.
I hope this helps, if you have more questions, just ask! Congrats on your 3rd!
Steph
We are taking the grandson in October, he's 9. We are staying at Disney for 4 days and 2 1/2 days at Universal. The parks at Universal close earlier I know in Oct. I'd check when they close in Sept. So at universal they are oprn 9-6pm in Oct. Except for the special Halloween nights, they close at 5 and open again at 7 for several hours for their Halloween fest, but it is pretty scary, too scary I think for Children under maybe 12 or 13. It's awesome for older teens! But that is an added on price too.
I haven't been to Sea World in years, like since 87. But you have an awful lot to cram in only 7 days! I think also it costs more on your ticket package to add on Water Parks. My DH and I did go to Blizzard Beach in 2002, it was fun. I got knocked over by the wave pool, I wasn't happy about it, I skinned my knee on the concrete a bit. Other than that, I loved the one you go on a tube. My Dh put a wet suit on and went in with the sharks.
We spent a good part of the day there, came home and rested, then went to the parks again.
Like Alysha said, it would be helpful if we knew how many days you're going to spend in the parks.
Aly was 2 on her first trip and she LOVED Epcot. Never too young for Epcot!
Welcome to the board and congratulations on your third! :)
I agree with the others - Epcot is a favorite in our house too.
Val, Co-CL Disney Vacations
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