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Big Daddy 16
Mouseketeer
Middle Island, New York
USA
82 Posts
My Photos
535 Points
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 Posted - 03/13/2010 : 4:23:37 PM
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We have booked our next trip for 9/25-10/2 this year and I have a few questions:
What does everyone think about the Extra Magic Hours? We usually plan to spend time at the parks with the late hours, but I have a few friends that feel the parks get over crowded on those day.
This will also be the first time that we are going without a stroller so we won't have the benefit of bringing a cooler in each day to save $$ on drinks. Any thoughts or ideas on what we can bring in and still comfortably carry?
When do they updtae the calendars for October so I can finish planning our trip and figure out our meal plans and times?
What is everones opinion on how to spend the first day? We are scheduled to arrive in Orlando Airport at 11am so I figure by the time we get to the hotel and get situated we should be ready to get started by 2pm and I hate to waste the day. How does everyone like to spend the first day? Should we hit a park,Downtown Disney, Character Meal,relax at the pools at Pop Century,Dinner Show,etc? What should we do? Please help
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Edited by - Big Daddy 16 on 03/13/2010 5:25:56 PM
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peanut_bunny_2
Top Mouse (Forum Admin)
Howell, MI
USA
1985 Posts
8225 Points
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Posted - 03/13/2010 : 7:14:08 PM
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I personally like to spend the first day just checking out the resort and settling in once our room is ready. We usually are up so early that we are really tired just from the travels. We might swim or go to DTD, or just soak up the resort we are at. We then have an early dinner and go back to the room and early to bed for an early start the next day. We also don't like wasting a ticket for a few hours in the park.
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Big Daddy 16
Mouseketeer
Middle Island, New York
USA
82 Posts
My Photos
535 Points
Status: Offline
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Posted - 03/13/2010 : 10:13:27 PM
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Looks like we settled on Disney Quest and Downtown Disney once we arrive and then dinner at T-Rex. Back to the hotel after dinner to relax in the pool and head to Magic Kingdom bright and early the next day.
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Til I leave for Disney World!
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rgjarrell
WDW Fanatic
Custer Park, IL
USA
444 Posts
2425 Points
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Posted - 03/14/2010 : 05:43:50 AM
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It's only about $3.50 per day more to add on days to a ticket (if you're already getting a 3 day ticket or more). You can get up to 10 days.
So, I definitely go to the parks that first day especially when I'll be there for a week.
To get to Disney quicker from the airport don't use magical express. Rent a car!! Obviously it's more free to take the free bus. Renting a car has its perks over the bus though. And I will always choose to get a car from now on at Disney. (Although for full disclosure: I will probably always drive down to Disney now.)
I find a lot of the free transportation costs you time. And the headache of more lines.
Using extra magic at DHS is silly. That park is mostly shows and the only attractions open are the really popular rides. Wait times sky rocket at DHS during extra magic.
But at magic kingdom almost everything is open and the park is very enjoyable. While I don't think it's less crowded, it gives you more time in the park.
I've actually never done EPCOT or Animal Kingdom with extra magic hours. I can get "through" those parks without using extra magic hours.
Using late hours at Animal kingdom is similar to DHS because all the animal stuff still shuts down at 4 or 5 pm but it tends to be a lot less crowded at AK than DHS during EMH.
You can comfortably carry NOTHING in my opinion. Bring in NOTHING, and your day is so much less stressful. To save $$$ on drinks, ask for an extra cup and split/share large sodas. Refill water bottles a few times, etc...
You can be comfortable carrying light rain gear in a small shoulder bag, though.
If you carry nothing, you'll skip that silly security theater they call the bag check.
But usually the mom in the group plays pack mule for everyone at Disney for reason. I see this all the time.
I've done it where all I bring to the park is my wallet, car keys, and cell phone. It's great. And you tour much faster.
If you have to bring in something more, try using cargo shorts or a cargo vest to fit what you need. The bag is just too much temptation to get way to loaded down.
My first day is always straight to Magic Kingdom for "immersion". I'll stay there as long as possible after check in. I like to see how many attractions I can hit quickly. If I get a lot of attractions done, I worry less during the rest of the vacation that I might miss something I really like.
For 4 people, it's $14 total for the one extra day. I hope that the decision for downtown disney isn't motivated by monetary savings. Because that's what it would save. Not that it would be a bad decision, I just want to pass that on.
I've been to T-Rex. I like it. It's cool, but it got a little intense sitting in the blue "ice" room. It was sooooo blue.
If one starts at Magic Kingdom at even as late as 3 pm, then they'll have 6 hours if they close at 9. If the park closes at 11, that's 8 hours. One can get a lot done in that 8 hours.
If you don't want immediate theme park touring, I think swimming at the hotel is a great idea especially after a travel day. I've done that too.
I've never been to Disney Quest, and I'm not sure I have any interest in that (especially since it costs extra), but it does require less time than a theme park so it might be good for a half day.
Lately, Fantasmic only plays twice a week. If it is showing the day I arrive, I will try to go see it. This is because it can actually fill up. I don't want to leave trying to see Fantasmic until the last showing that we'll catch while on vacation only to have all the seats get taken. That's why I try to see Fantasmic early in the vacation. If something happens, I can still try to catch it later in the vacation.
I don't think Pop Century is really worth "exploring", and I usually do my resort exploring at some time in the middle of the vacation. There's not that much to see at Pop Century.
Also, big note for the extra magic: Bus service back to Pop Century from Magic Kingdom is horrible. Walk to Contemporary and take a cab. Or take the Bus from Contemporary to Downtown Disney and transfer from there back to Pop Century.
The wait for a bus to Pop Century at the end of Magic Kingdom extra magic can be literally one full hour!! That's no exaggeration.
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Extra Magic Hours
