Washington Post article on Disney vacations

[Anonymous]

Appeal=zero

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Side question: what do kids do while waiting in line? Look at phones?

They lose their GD minds. I have really great, well behaved kids, but it's a LOT to ask a 2 year old to wait in line 45+ min. 90 min? Shoot me. And then you repeat all day for 12 hours straight. But to answer your question, we play games on our boogie boards, color, eat a million snacks. I really wish we could have strollers so my 2 year old could nap, but no it's fine if I hold her for HOURS every day. Just schedule a chiropractor appt when you return.

All of my friends whose kids have even minor diagnoses like ADHD or Autism get special medical exemption to cut the line. I actually think this might be why lines are longer for everyone else. One friend made it up and it worked although you do have to have a brief interview with Disney to get the medical pass.

You're asking for trouble by bringing 2 year olds. My kids are older and we're going for the first time to WDW in a few months. The youngest is 8. We've done Disneyland several times and have mastered Genie+ such that we almost never wait in a line more than 20 mins. Knowing how much patience is required for the heat, lines, and crowds why do people bring babies and toddlers? It's setting them up for failure.

I brought all four of my kids annually, starting when my oldest was 2. It has nothing to do with the age. This PP made her 2 year old wait in 45+ minute lines all day? That was the problem. There are lots and lots of activities and rides at WDW that do not require those wait times. With a 2 year old, you go early in the morning and hit a bunch of rides while others are trying to get to the park, then you leave and go back to the hotel for a nap and then return in the late afternoon. Use Genie+ and LLs. Choose your parks and park hopping wisely to go opposite from the crowds, etc. And don't go during peak periods.

When I went, every hour was peak hour. I hear what you're saying and that worked on an earlier trip for me, but they PACK the parks now. You can barely move.

DP

You have to pull the kids from school if you are insistent on lesser crowds. Its just math.

It still doesn’t work! Have you been lately? We went at the end of October and pulled out kids from school and it was still terrible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did the private tour guide for a day with a group of ten. Two families split the cost and man was it worth it.

Is that the one they mention can run $900/hour (not per day!)?

No, those are the official Disney tour guides.

[Anonymous]

What are Disney cruises like?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Side question: what do kids do while waiting in line? Look at phones?

They lose their GD minds. I have really great, well behaved kids, but it's a LOT to ask a 2 year old to wait in line 45+ min. 90 min? Shoot me. And then you repeat all day for 12 hours straight. But to answer your question, we play games on our boogie boards, color, eat a million snacks. I really wish we could have strollers so my 2 year old could nap, but no it's fine if I hold her for HOURS every day. Just schedule a chiropractor appt when you return.

All of my friends whose kids have even minor diagnoses like ADHD or Autism get special medical exemption to cut the line. I actually think this might be why lines are longer for everyone else. One friend made it up and it worked although you do have to have a brief interview with Disney to get the medical pass.

You're asking for trouble by bringing 2 year olds. My kids are older and we're going for the first time to WDW in a few months. The youngest is 8. We've done Disneyland several times and have mastered Genie+ such that we almost never wait in a line more than 20 mins. Knowing how much patience is required for the heat, lines, and crowds why do people bring babies and toddlers? It's setting them up for failure.

I brought all four of my kids annually, starting when my oldest was 2. It has nothing to do with the age. This PP made her 2 year old wait in 45+ minute lines all day? That was the problem. There are lots and lots of activities and rides at WDW that do not require those wait times. With a 2 year old, you go early in the morning and hit a bunch of rides while others are trying to get to the park, then you leave and go back to the hotel for a nap and then return in the late afternoon. Use Genie+ and LLs. Choose your parks and park hopping wisely to go opposite from the crowds, etc. And don't go during peak periods.

When I went, every hour was peak hour. I hear what you're saying and that worked on an earlier trip for me, but they PACK the parks now. You can barely move.

DP

You have to pull the kids from school if you are insistent on lesser crowds. Its just math.

It still doesn’t work! Have you been lately? We went at the end of October and pulled out kids from school and it was still terrible.

There are certain weeks it works. End of October isn’t it. First two weeks of Sept. The week after Thanksgiving. The first week of May. Certain dates in Jan/Feb but you have to be really careful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We're going in February so I read that article with interest. After the article (which honestly didn't help explain much) I spent like 30 minutes reading how it works -- I think we're set. Its not really that complicated. I prefer the old system but what can you do.

Can you share what you read? We are going in March when it will be crowded and are trying to make it the only time.

DP here. It varies by park. For everywhere but MK, you want to pick attractions in the order in which they are going to “sell out” because by the time you can choose next, it won’t be there. For MK, there are so many choices, many people instead choose the shortest return times. It’s still tough to get headliners if you do this though.

I don’t think you can really “get” the system until you are there and using it (and constantly one your phone trying to figure out how to minimize waits)

Anywhere but MK you pretty much just have to go in sell out order or you will miss out on too many rides.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Side question: what do kids do while waiting in line? Look at phones?

They lose their GD minds. I have really great, well behaved kids, but it's a LOT to ask a 2 year old to wait in line 45+ min. 90 min? Shoot me. And then you repeat all day for 12 hours straight. But to answer your question, we play games on our boogie boards, color, eat a million snacks. I really wish we could have strollers so my 2 year old could nap, but no it's fine if I hold her for HOURS every day. Just schedule a chiropractor appt when you return.

All of my friends whose kids have even minor diagnoses like ADHD or Autism get special medical exemption to cut the line. I actually think this might be why lines are longer for everyone else. One friend made it up and it worked although you do have to have a brief interview with Disney to get the medical pass.

You're asking for trouble by bringing 2 year olds. My kids are older and we're going for the first time to WDW in a few months. The youngest is 8. We've done Disneyland several times and have mastered Genie+ such that we almost never wait in a line more than 20 mins. Knowing how much patience is required for the heat, lines, and crowds why do people bring babies and toddlers? It's setting them up for failure.

I brought all four of my kids annually, starting when my oldest was 2. It has nothing to do with the age. This PP made her 2 year old wait in 45+ minute lines all day? That was the problem. There are lots and lots of activities and rides at WDW that do not require those wait times. With a 2 year old, you go early in the morning and hit a bunch of rides while others are trying to get to the park, then you leave and go back to the hotel for a nap and then return in the late afternoon. Use Genie+ and LLs. Choose your parks and park hopping wisely to go opposite from the crowds, etc. And don't go during peak periods.

When I went, every hour was peak hour. I hear what you're saying and that worked on an earlier trip for me, but they PACK the parks now. You can barely move.

DP

You have to pull the kids from school if you are insistent on lesser crowds. Its just math.

It still doesn’t work! Have you been lately? We went at the end of October and pulled out kids from school and it was still terrible.

End of October is always busy at Disney. Did you look at a crowd calendar? Disney is always busy around holidays—especially Christmas and thanksgiving but also Easter, Halloween, president day etc

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Side question: what do kids do while waiting in line? Look at phones?

They lose their GD minds. I have really great, well behaved kids, but it's a LOT to ask a 2 year old to wait in line 45+ min. 90 min? Shoot me. And then you repeat all day for 12 hours straight. But to answer your question, we play games on our boogie boards, color, eat a million snacks. I really wish we could have strollers so my 2 year old could nap, but no it's fine if I hold her for HOURS every day. Just schedule a chiropractor appt when you return.

All of my friends whose kids have even minor diagnoses like ADHD or Autism get special medical exemption to cut the line. I actually think this might be why lines are longer for everyone else. One friend made it up and it worked although you do have to have a brief interview with Disney to get the medical pass.

You're asking for trouble by bringing 2 year olds. My kids are older and we're going for the first time to WDW in a few months. The youngest is 8. We've done Disneyland several times and have mastered Genie+ such that we almost never wait in a line more than 20 mins. Knowing how much patience is required for the heat, lines, and crowds why do people bring babies and toddlers? It's setting them up for failure.

I brought all four of my kids annually, starting when my oldest was 2. It has nothing to do with the age. This PP made her 2 year old wait in 45+ minute lines all day? That was the problem. There are lots and lots of activities and rides at WDW that do not require those wait times. With a 2 year old, you go early in the morning and hit a bunch of rides while others are trying to get to the park, then you leave and go back to the hotel for a nap and then return in the late afternoon. Use Genie+ and LLs. Choose your parks and park hopping wisely to go opposite from the crowds, etc. And don't go during peak periods.

When I went, every hour was peak hour. I hear what you're saying and that worked on an earlier trip for me, but they PACK the parks now. You can barely move.

DP

You have to pull the kids from school if you are insistent on lesser crowds. Its just math.

It still doesn’t work! Have you been lately? We went at the end of October and pulled out kids from school and it was still terrible.

There are certain weeks it works. End of October isn’t it. First two weeks of Sept. The week after Thanksgiving. The first week of May. Certain dates in Jan/Feb but you have to be really careful.

You picked a bad time. You have to look at a crowd calendar. It’s not only pulling kids from school but also looking for any special events at Disney. End of October disney has Halloween events=bad time to go.

Some weeks in August-September and early May are the lowest crowd times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are Disney cruises like?

We have gone on two Disney cruises and both were excellent. We’ve gone to Disney World once (and this was 9 years ago) and would not go again. The cruises are a great way to get the “Disney experience” without the crowds and the long waits. The food, accommodations, service, and entertainment were top notch and we were able to actually relax and enjoy our vacation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are Disney cruises like?

We have gone on two Disney cruises and both were excellent. We’ve gone to Disney World once (and this was 9 years ago) and would not go again. The cruises are a great way to get the “Disney experience” without the crowds and the long waits. The food, accommodations, service, and entertainment were top notch and we were able to actually relax and enjoy our vacation.

I agree. And if your kid is really into meeting the characters, a Disney cruise is perfect for this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are Disney cruises like?

We have gone on two Disney cruises and both were excellent. We’ve gone to Disney World once (and this was 9 years ago) and would not go again. The cruises are a great way to get the “Disney experience” without the crowds and the long waits. The food, accommodations, service, and entertainment were top notch and we were able to actually relax and enjoy our vacation.

I agree. And if your kid is really into meeting the characters, a Disney cruise is perfect for this.

Yeah that’s great but cruises don’t have rides, which is the main thing most people go to Disney world for…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are Disney cruises like?

We have gone on two Disney cruises and both were excellent. We’ve gone to Disney World once (and this was 9 years ago) and would not go again. The cruises are a great way to get the “Disney experience” without the crowds and the long waits. The food, accommodations, service, and entertainment were top notch and we were able to actually relax and enjoy our vacation.

I agree. And if your kid is really into meeting the characters, a Disney cruise is perfect for this.

Yeah that’s great but cruises don’t have rides, which is the main thing most people go to Disney world for…

I was just responding to the question above…what are Disney cruises like? Great entertainment, food, and lots of opportunities to interact with the characters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are Disney cruises like?

We have gone on two Disney cruises and both were excellent. We’ve gone to Disney World once (and this was 9 years ago) and would not go again. The cruises are a great way to get the “Disney experience” without the crowds and the long waits. The food, accommodations, service, and entertainment were top notch and we were able to actually relax and enjoy our vacation.

I agree. And if your kid is really into meeting the characters, a Disney cruise is perfect for this.

Yeah that’s great but cruises don’t have rides, which is the main thing most people go to Disney world for…

+1 The animatronics are unique and state of the art. Designed by Imagineers!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are Disney cruises like?

We have gone on two Disney cruises and both were excellent. We’ve gone to Disney World once (and this was 9 years ago) and would not go again. The cruises are a great way to get the “Disney experience” without the crowds and the long waits. The food, accommodations, service, and entertainment were top notch and we were able to actually relax and enjoy our vacation.

I agree. And if your kid is really into meeting the characters, a Disney cruise is perfect for this.

Yeah that’s great but cruises don’t have rides, which is the main thing most people go to Disney world for…

I would be happy to take my kids to Cedar Point or King's Dominion for rides and on a Disney Cruise for the Disney magic. And the kids club, LOL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They need to let fewer people in. Cap the admittance/attendance numbers but keep prices the same. It’s ridiculous to pay almost $200 per ticket (once you include genie+) and still have to wait in such long lines and be on your phone all day strategizing.

So literally just make less money?

Good luck with that, PP.

Yes. They can afford it.

Not really. The parks are the only thing keeping Disney from going bankrupt.