Bad idea? Good idea? About This Page:

[boston_manda]

OK. Here's the deal. My boyfriend has never ever been to Disney. He's turning 28 tomorrow. Seeing as I grew up Disney...I OF COURSE want to help him lose his Disney virginity. lol.

Anyway, I also have not been to Disny since 2005 and have been dying to go back. But, i have been waiting oh so impatiently for next July, because there will be a Harry Potter conference (He and I are Potter nerds and met at a con, actually lol) in Orlando at Universal, and I figured I would make it a 10-12 day trip.

I ran this idea by him about 2 months ago. At first he was very, very excited about this plan. He gave me the go ahead to start preliminary planning so that we could start booking things at the earliest possible time. I have gone Disney crazy again and have gotten SO excited about this.

Last night he informed me that he doesn't think he could have that much time off from work all at once and that he is worried he can't afford it all at once. He thinks we should do a separate Disney trip in fall 2010 or winter 2011.

I think this is sort of silly, financially. It's another plane ticket! And he HAS enough vacation time. Why can't he take it all at once if he puts in for it ahead of time? But, whatever. It's his job. We never fight and I don't want our first fight to be about WDW! lol. I want him to feel the Disney Magic, after all.

So, my thought is...reduce the trip to Sunday-Sunday. Four days at Disney? Is that too rushed for his first time, do you think? If we do should we attempt all four parks? Or limit it to three? If you only had four days, what would you see?

My tentative new plan is:

Arrive in Orlando in the morning of July 11th. Because of his money concerns I've decided to book a room off site. We will either rent a car or stay in a hotel very close to WDW that offers shuttles. I won't decide on that until we get closer.

That first day, we can do DHS in the afternoon/evening. Hit the major attractions, dinner at SciFi, and Fantasmic.

The second day, AK...but start late in the day. Not until maybe 10 or 11. That evening after leaving AK, head to Epcot to wander the WS and see Illuminations. Undecided as far as food goes for this day...

The 3rd day, back to Epcot. Start early in the AM (hopefulyl catch opening ceremony). Do bulk of Future World Attractions. Lunch at Sunshine Seasons. WS- snack/drink our way around =). No sit down dinner, just snacking as we please in the countries. Then, in the evening, while everyone else is getting ready for Illuminations...we'll sneak back over to Future World to ride anything we like again! =) (this strategy has worked well for me in the past...not sure if it still will?)

Day 4- MK. Start early, spend the day, with the exception of a possible break mid day for lunch or dinner off site...

Day 5- Thursday- Check out of Hotel and head over to universal for the con.

Is this crazy??? Should we drop a park? If we do, it would likely be AK. MK is a must! Epcot is my fave. And I think he's really enjoy DHS (star wars, indiana, muppets...).

Any feedback or thoughts would be great! I think the shortest Disney Trip I've ever done was four days....but it was way back when there was only Epcot and MK... So, this idea is kind of daunting...and exhausting! Haha. I know I can do it...but not sure if it is the best way for him to do his first trip? I'm worried that maybe I'm being a tad selfish because I really, really, really, want to go! haha

[tkm1005]

I think 4 days would be fine for his first time. I agree you should definitely keep MK and Epcot and drop DAK if you have to drop one. Just be sure you get park hoppers so you can hop around and see more than one park if possible. Also, can you possibly go back to Disney in the evening even during the Harry Potter conference?

[boston_manda]

Thanks for the feedback! I asked my Disney oriented family and friends for opinions too, and they all said the same.

I am definitely planning a park hopper. That way even if we can't do a full day at AK, we can pop in briefly....I've never done EE. It wasn't done when I was there in July of 2005! As far as during the con though, I doubt we will be able to come back. There are things day and night at these, and also, these act sort of as a family reunion for us- we get to see friends we only see once a year, so we won't want to miss that either. However, I know others have talked about doing Disney too...so if anyone else wants to go during the con, we could always join in on that trip for the best of both worlds. =)

As for now, I'm dropping the subject with him temporarily. I think he's spooked about time and money. So, I'll wait til prices come out and hit him up with a plan and cost...and hopefully he'll be in! *Fingers crossed*. If not, well, we might just be doing separate things the first half of that week. haha. I want to go!

[scottjs]

I am confused. When is the actual Harry Potter ride going to be open?

That is what I want to see.

WDW in four days can be done--but its like eating a steak way

too fast. It should be slow so you can taste more of the flavor.

I agree with him(your guy) that there is a lot of money and time

issued involved with WDW. I hope those can be worked out.

[Colexis Mom]

With only 4 days, I'd probably due 3 parks (and skip AK)!!

[boston_manda]

The Harry Potter part of Islands Of Adventure does not have an official opening date yet. However, it was originally slated to open 2010. I am getting nervous because the rumor mill says it's not even close to being done...and that is the reason this con was planned for Universal. But, the con organizers swear it will be ready...and they must be in contact with Universal, so I'm trying not to worry. =)

And, yes, I know there are time and money issues. I'm just trying to figure out a plan that works. I think it makes less sense financially to plan a completely separate trip a few months later. I mean, ideally, I'd like it more...because we'd have more time in Disney! But if money is his main concern and he really wants to do Disney nexr year too, then it just makes sense to do it all on one trip instead of having to buy two more plane tickets. Ahh well. Like I said, I'll wait til I have a well planned out agenda, and actual prices before I broach the subject again!

[Tracy M.]

4 days at WDW will be fine for a first time trip as long as your BF realizes that he won't see everything at WDW in 4 days.

[chezp]

I'm with the others - I'd skip a park, either the Studios or Animal Kingdom, but I think that's fine for a first visit to Disney. It allows him to sample the magic.

[Mares75]

I think your plans look great for a shorter visit. I know personally I wouldn't want to skip a park on my first visit. Even if you only get to spend less time in AK, it will still give him a feel for what it's like. Have you looked into the value resorts at Disney? That way you could take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours and save money not having to rent a car. Just a thought.

[boston_manda]

Hi Marianne! I am hoping to stay in the park at a value resort. It depnds on which works out to be cheapest. I will price the trip three ways- a value resort (preferably POP Century, I stayed there last time and enjoyed it, plus it is a little bit closer to DHS and EPCOT than the ALL Stars), an off site hotel close to the park that offers free shuttles to the parks (no rental needed), and an off site and rental.

I just need next July's prices to become available! =) But, I'm really hoping I can score a good enough deal at a Disney Resort. It's SO much more conveniant. And we'd definitely get a lot more done! If we did this I'd probably look into DDP as well....

[boston_manda]

Soooo...

I talked to him about this again tonight. He assures me he really does want to go and is very excited, his only problem is the time off and moneyall at one time. We looked through my preliminary research...and I find that after everything I have to agree with him that our best bet will be to have a separate Disney trip.

In July we could just fly down two days early for the con...relax by the pool/enjoy Universal....spend time with our friends...be rested for the whirlwind that is a Harry Potter conference... And then at the end of September we can get a whole week in Disney, and probably, HOPEFULLY, for a great deal. We'd have two extra months to save some extra spending...and because we'll likely do a Disney package, and we'll book as far in advance as possible, I'll plan to have it all paid off well before out July trip!

I priced a trip for this September for the same week we'd be looking at next yeat (the very last week, going into October, considered value season) and got a price of just over 1000 with dining plan for Pop Century. Hopefully they will do the free ddp again next fall! Either way he has given me the go ahead to just book something for next September once those dates are available! It does push the Disney trip further away...which makes me sad... BUT, I have his 100% approval and comittment AND we'll be able to more fully enjoy both trips...so, all's well that ends well?

Thank you everyone fore your feedback and advice!

[Starla4436]

I think if you plan your 4 days right you can give you BF a taste of WDW and then he will like it so much you can plan a longer trip latter.

[Mares75]

Sounds like you worked it all out! How great would it be if you guys could get free dining?

[boston_manda]

It would be amazing if we could get free dining! *fingers crossed* I hope they offer it again next year! Or maybe I'll get a PIN! A girl can dream! lol

[TorontoGirl]

Thye will probably offer it next year in Aug/Sep as they have now extended the offer to Dec of THIS year :-) And try to sign up for all the free stuff that disney gives away: email newsletters, free planning kits for WDW, DL, DVC, Wedding/Honeymoons, etc. That's how you get the PIN emails.

Good Luck and enjoy HP too! My DH and I will be making a HP trip to Universal as soon as the new park opens/$ allows :-)