Page 32 | Anyone got a Disney World/Florida holiday planned? Part 3

McKayz · 2015-05-31T11:06:25+00:00

I thought I'd start a new thread as number 2 is nearly full. Links to old threads: [[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/longhaul/1576958-Anyone-else-got-a-Disney-Florida-trip-planned-Want-to-get-excited-together-and-share-plans?msgid=41908430 thread 1]] [[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/longhaul/1871619-Anyone-got-a-Disney-Florida-Holiday-Planned-Part-2?pg=1&order= thread 2]] We haven't got ours booked yet. But we are planning on going August 2016. DH and I both turn 30 in the next 11 months so it's like a big birthday holiday.

Hulababy · 20/02/2016 11:29

It isn't me asking re water rides. I was responding to absolutelyflawed's questions.

I have done all of them, bar the Kale Rapids. But in generally I don't like water rides. I absolutely adore coasters though!

ShiftyFades · 20/02/2016 12:17

Ah sorry hula, I'm struggling to follow via the phone app.

I don't mind most water rides - I vomit in the queue of roller coasters (not joking)..

MozzchopsThirty · 20/02/2016 12:25

Just recieved tickets and started planning, can't believe I've left it so late (going in May)

Can't get booked in Be our Guest, but then couldn't last time either but managed to book whilst out there
So I've booked chef mickeys & trex

Is it worth getting bands? We didn't last time and just had cards. What are the benefits of bands?

Also gutted that Soarin is closed whilst we're there

Hulababy · 20/02/2016 14:42

We had bands this year for the first time. DD had one last time. I just found them less hassle. They don't give you any additional benefits I don't think. But it means you don't need to keep getting your ticket out each time you want to enter the park, use FP, and sign in for ADRs, adding photos to memory maker if you have it, etc. If at a Disney hotel you can link them to your credit card for payments too.

But then I also have an Apple Watch so now used to being able to sort things just by wafting my wrist about ;)

DH wasn't convinced but he did prefer it. At Universal he didn't have a lanyard for his Express pass compared to me and DD, and he did keep having to find his card from his wallet. I know it doesn't take long but its just one less thing. I also don't carry a bag, nether does DD, so in the past DH has had all three tickets.

ShiftyFades · 21/02/2016 09:50

We bought bands last year, superb for Memory Maker photos and meant the Seven Dwarves Mine "knew" we were on it and our whole family (linked tickets) were on the video we got through Memory Maker.

Downside: didn't always work for the fast passes (failed 30% of the time I'd say, DH was ready to ram them in the bin), but luckily I have a bum bag (it's a Disney one so I don't look like too much of a chump) with a card sized pocket at the front so was able to get tickets out if needed - but annoying when you've spent a lot on bands.

Hulababy · 21/02/2016 10:16

Hopefully they've sorted the FP thing out. We used them at half term and had no issues at all, for entry or FP. Was all very easy and straight forward. So maybe they have got rid of any bugs in the system.

PandasRock · 21/02/2016 18:55

We're just back today

This was the view from our room at Kidani village. It was lovely, and I would go back without hesitation - good pool, loads to do at the resort (not that we found the time!)

We booked through Disney so our tickets/bands linked fine. And for the first time we had the dds' DAS (disability access/exit pass scheme) linked on he bands too, and for the most part that worked fine. One or two minor issues, but even then, the cast member usually just wrote us out a card to keep us moving, so no real hassle. We must have ridden Seven dwarves 6 times - it was dd2's favourite ride. Fabulous to get all photos linked so easily too, with memory maker - the only ride this didn't happen for was test track, not sure what went wrong there.

Anyone got a Disney World/Florida holiday planned? Part 3

emilybrontescorset · 23/02/2016 21:08

Hi
We are going to Orlando next month
Does anyone know what the weather will be like.
The travel agent told us it would be hot/warm.
Will it be warm on an evening
Will we need cardigans/jackets

Thanks.

Hulababy · 23/02/2016 22:31

We went a fortnight ago. Coldest two days were 16. Other days were early 20s. No rain bar first day we arrived.

Last time we went in Feb it was mid 20s most of the time. And no rain.

It'll be 4 weeks later so should be warmer.

LucasNorthsTwiglets · 24/02/2016 11:09

Mozzchops, the bands get you on-ride videos from Mine Train and Tower of Terror - you can't get these without a band. I LOVE the bands - so muhc mroe convenient than getting tickets in and out of pockets/bags all the time and you get the on-ride photos automatically instead of having to scan your card.

Re. BOG - this won't work for dinner but for lunch you could try doing several individual bookings for one person. You have a 15 minute window either side of your booking time so you can space these individual bookings out over 3 minutes. Space for small groups of 1 or 2 often come up in the few days before you want to go (when people often cancel to avoid losing their deposit). Last year, I got 6 of us in on 5 different bookings :)

emilybrontescorset · 24/02/2016 16:56

Thanks Hulababy.

Is it warm on an evening too?

Hulababy · 24/02/2016 17:06

Emily - a fortnight ago it was cooling down in the evenings. I wanted a hoodie on in the evening. DD was still happy to be in the pool at 9/10pm though.

bornwithaplasticspoon · 25/02/2016 14:19

We've been end March/beginning April and it was about 22/23 during the day and we did have a hoody or cardie for the very late evenings - fireworks etc. Also some of the indoor bits and restaurants are highly air conditioned so a cardie is often needed indoors! Don't forget something for the rain just in case - we had one hour of torrential rain in two weeks but you can get the odd longer spells.

emilybrontescorset · 25/02/2016 16:30

Thanks

So excited x

GardeningWithDynamite · 27/02/2016 12:57

We're going at Easter - very excited - we've done Paris but not Disneyworld.

We're staying in a house in Davenport, rather than in the resort.

Can anybody tell me about the first time arriving at the park - does it take a long time to sort out tickets? We've got the cards and registered them on MyDisneyExperience but I believe they need finger prints or something? We'd also like to get magic bands - presumably they're easy to buy and link up? I know you can't buy them in this country or have them shipped here because I've already tried that.

Should we get there early on the first day?

GardeningWithDynamite · 27/02/2016 13:01

We're going at Easter - very excited - we've done Paris but not Disneyworld.

We're staying in a house in Davenport, rather than in the resort.

Can anybody tell me about the first time arriving at the park - does it take a long time to sort out tickets? We've got the cards and registered them on MyDisneyExperience but I believe they need finger prints or something? We'd also like to get magic bands - presumably they're easy to buy and link up? I know you can't buy them in this country or have them shipped here because I've already tried that.

Should we get there early on the first day?

bornwithaplasticspoon · 27/02/2016 18:16

You can use your cards to get in and you do the finger print scan at the gate. Once in I guess you will need to go to guest services to buy a wristband?

Always a good idea to get there early anyway, try and get near the front of the queues!

PandasRock · 27/02/2016 19:00

As you approach any of the parks, yungonthrough bag checks (any and all bags will be given a quick check. No idea what they're looking for. It's not massively through, but they will poke through all pockets/segments.

Then you queue to gonthroughbthebticket barriers. You scan your card/band on the mickey head circle. The reader will scan for a couple of seconds, and then, if you are a (Disney, so 10+) adult, t will prompt you to scan a finger on the reader just next to you. My tip: scan a finger from the hand you dont hold you card with/wear your band on, as t makes for a quicker entrance.

It takes a minute at most (more like about 10 seconds if all goes smoothly).

You can buy magic bands at a lot of shops within the parks, or at the airport. I've never bought one (we stay onsite so get them at check in) but I believe they can be set up in a couple of minutes as soon as you buy them. They are fab, and much easier than cards imo.

GardeningWithDynamite · 27/02/2016 22:26

Thanks PandasRock and bornwithaplasticspoon.

Hulababy · 28/02/2016 11:38

If you buy a band at the parks they will link them for you there and then. That's what we did with Dd's when she got hers a couple of visits ago.

This year we had a friend bring them back from Florida for us so I was able to set them up via the website myself before we went.

I really wish you could buy them here. In the US you can buy them in the Disney stores as well as the parks.

Hulababy · 28/02/2016 11:39

As well as bag checks there are now random metal detectors too, at all the Disney and Universal parks.

They are looking for concealed weapons, among other things.

HRHsherlockssextoy · 28/02/2016 20:27

I would have thought you would have needed a cardi for the nights in March.

Has anyone been with Thomas Cook?

They are doing one flight from Cardiff next May. My mum and dad want to go, but husband can't have time off. Only in winter months.
So wondering if Thomas Cook are ok?

Been with Virgin and Thomson. Just cost extra £500 for gatwick and mum lives close by

Fleurdelise · 07/03/2016 22:01

Hello all! We're going in July and we're trying to combine a bit of everything (2 days DisneyWorld, 3 days universal, discovery cove day, Busch gardens, Aquatica and SeaWorld).

I have a quick question: between Epcot and Hollywood Studios which is your favourite park? And I really hope to come away with a conclusion of one or the other.

Basically we want one day at Magic Kingdom and one other Disney park. Kids are 15 and 9 so we have decided to only do 2 days at Disney but now I find it puzzling as to which other park to chose.

Sherlock we are flying Thomas Cook but in July.

Fleurdelise · 07/03/2016 22:05

DH insists that Hollywood studios is better and Epcot just boring. I don't mind boring what would you chose between the two?

OneEpisode · 07/03/2016 22:16

In July I'd do maybe another water park. Aquatica/blizzard beach/typhoon lagoon. Epcot is great, but huge. in July I'd maybe skip touring the very very large world showcase and just look at some of the attractions in future world...