My parents took me when I was 20 and I loved EPCOT just as much as the Magic Kingdom or Disney-MGM. And I saw a lot of kids there. Those parents were smart. My favorite memory of EPCOT was in Innoventions (it used to be called Communicore East.) There was a cute blue robot called SMART-1. You picked up a phone to talk to him and he would reply and crack a few jokes.
I’m from Cali and Disneyland is pretty much the same as Magic Kingdom entirely and people in their late teens - 20s get bullied if they don’t have kids by moms ironically. “This is for kids, they’re just taking up space they already got to have their time” Oh thanks lady.
Im a college students as well it’s posible, my friend and me started planing in January we are going to be there at the end of April only for one day and we rented an Airbnb it’s cheaper that way!!!! Just plan ahead and save money as you go
I dunno, as a resort CM I kinda say go for it. There's PLENTY of unique snack options in the parks but for whatever reason people just don't use them. It blows my mind. The other day I hit a new record. The guy had 108 snacks left and was leaving in the morning. That was about 17 snack credits and then about 20 meal plans, give or take (how does that even happen?). Holy jesus. If you're going to get the snack plan, for your own benefit and sanity, please use it before the end of your trip. It PAINS me when people buy food and drinks when they have a lot of snack options and I can SEE on my register just how many they have. I always ask their departure date just so I can remind them of what they have in the case they forget because that guy is not a singular event. It happens _every day_.
I take my tiny kids to Disney for ME. I want those memories of them when they are young. Bippity Boppity is fun for ME to watch. Chef Mickey's feels magical to ME as I see the delight on my child's face as they meet characters. I cry every time I look through my Memory Maker photos, so I feel confident I'm spending my money well!
Some people dont go to MK because it's just not what they want, especially if they're not big disney fans. Parks like Animal kingdom and Hollywood studios are my preferred parks as they are still fun and scenic and enjoyable, just without the whole Disney thing shoved down your throat. Imo
I'm really glad you mentioned the "wait until they're old enough" thing - that's something that bothers me personally as a Disney super fan. I've been going since I was 2 and my older brother turned 1 at Disney. I know my mom has some very fond memories of us being there as babies that she obviously wouldn't have otherwise. My brother even took his first steps by the Koi pond in the Japan Pavilion and that's a memory that both my parents consider to be absolutely priceless. Going for as long as I can remember makes it even more special and exciting when we get to go too!
It bothers me too. People take that too seriously. Who are they to decide on who you should bring to WDW? My son is 2 and I've been taking him since he was 6 months old. It's not about my memory or his. I love spending time with him whether if it's in my backyard, the park, or WDW. I'm just blessed that I'm able to take him there and I'm grateful for that. Some people don't have that luxury to be able to take their kid(s) to WDW. People should mind their business to be honest. To the people who question about what age to take kids to WDW, try visiting a Childrens Hospital and see some of the kids there and say that to their parents. Don't you think they'd rather be at WDW with their children regardless of age, or in a Childrens Hospital? People need to have some perspective sometimes. I know, at any given day, anything can change. I always value my time with my son.
I love Disney World and have been there at least 15 times. My first time my oldest was ten and I was 37 and I felt as if I was ten! I'm almost 60 now and WDW is definitely magical no matter what age you are
Im really glad to hear your still a disney fan. My daughter is 2 and we do a disney day every month because we have ap. She LOVES the parks and adores disney movies right now. I was worried she would stop liking it at some point.
It just depends on what families can do. Since we would be traveling from Alaska, it’s a very expensive trip to WDW. I grew up going to Disneyland with my parents since I was a toddler, and that was fine since California isn’t as far. But we plan to do WDW when our kids are older. A) 15 hours of travel for babies is soooo much. B) We have some wild toddlers, it would be more enjoyable for everyone if we waited! Haha. Like we will spend around 10k for a good trip to WDW, that’s not something you can do often. I say people can do whatever they can and want for heir families! If you like near a park, obviously it would be great to take them whenever possible. But if not, it’s also okay to wait until it’s worth the money and the hassle
Disney's Animal Kingdom was considered a Half Day park for the longest time because it would close before sunset. They had no after dark events, they cannot do fireworks because it could be harmful to the animals and the animals would go to sleep after sunset for the most part. With the new River of Lights show and the Tree of Life Awakening show, the park has things that can be held after dark. Also, Pandora looks great after dark as well. There is only one time of the year I would not suggest bringing your kids to EPCOT. That would be the Food and Wine Festival. I worked there as a custodian during the event, and while it is a great way to introduce new foods to your kids, there are guests who tend to attempt a challenge called Drinking Around The World. I have seen more than one dad being pushed around in a Stroller by their kids because he tried the challenge and failed. I do agree with the idea of not always getting the Food Plan. If you plan on going to one of the other attractions even for a day, that is just a waste of your credits. Also if you are staying off Property, you can still get magic bands for your entire family on the shop Disney website. Another piece of advice about magic bands, you can go to the Disney Character outlet on Vine Street (near the park) and get magic bands for less than in the park or online, you just need to go online to program it. Also, renting a car, especially if you are staying on property, is going to become an even worse idea because Disney plans to start charging to park at the resorts. This is because locals will park at the resorts for free than catch the bus or one of the other forms of transportation to get into the parks. I hope some of this advice from a former employee is helpful.
I agree with your comment about EPCOT and Food and Wine, especially Friday and Saturday nights. I don't know, but maybe the locals are all coming in those nights. Yes, way too much over serving! But I love the Food and Wine Festival, it's my favorite at EPCOT, so we normally go Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Far fewer drunks!
The first year Animal Kingdom opened we went as early as could be and got to the Safari rides for the first one going out and probably saw two animals because they were the only ones awake. It was quite disappointing. We usually Drive all the way from Texas so we will have a vehicle but I am definitely not happy about having to pay to Park at the resort. When I didn't have to pay I had trouble finding parking places. It's not like you can park anywhere close to your room and it's too far from the room to walk all the way to catch the shuttle bus to the park. They are having free short-term parking for someone wanting to just visit a resort. We want to take our grandson's in about 2 years but even saving now, we may not have as much with as high as all the prices have gone. Disney has priced itself out of the middle class Market. And they have also increased the limit sizes of how many people can attend their special programs such as Mickey's not-so-scary Halloween so you don't get much of a benefit thinking that you can get on rides easily since it's a smaller crowd because when I went it was a big crowd and they don't use fast passes during that time. I have wonderful memories of going with my daughter or with a friend when we didn't have to practically remortgage our houses. Last time I went we lived on macaroni and cheese from a food court since it was about the cheapest meal. Also drove to Walmart looking for cheaper souvenirs and some snacks. In the case of Disney I'm starting to believe there can be too much of a good thing with everything that they have added that you can't afford to stay long enough to see.
The one time we did drive to Disney we surprisingly left the car parked and used Disney transportation (this was before the resort parking fees started). Then one year we had a split stay between Disney and Legoland. We found out just how well the trams worked in the parking lot and I was kicking myself as to why we took the standing room only bus the previous year. I doubt if I'll ever drive down there again (I just can't drive up the motivation to drive from Iowa to Florida and back). But if I did I'm lucky enough to be a DVC member so the parking would be waived anyway.
You forgot about the two BIGGEST benefits of staying on-property (including affiliated hotels like the Wyndham): booking fast passes 60 days ahead and extra magic hour. These two benefits could equal 8-10 *more rides* or character meetings per day for your party. You could spend 2-3 hours waiting for the most popular rides (like Pandora) if you don’t get fast passes or have magic hour access, and you should never, ever, ever spend more than an hour in line for ANY RIDE. There’s no price you can put on this, but I think those two things are worth the extra cost of staying on property in most cases.
Magic Kingdom is for everyone. Epcot is for everyone. The Studios are for everyone. Animal Kingdom is for everyone. I don’t know how anyone could think otherwise.
My kids love EPCOT. the boat ride in Norway is awesome. We love the different countries. And the big Ball is a great way to relax and enjoy a ride while not walking for a bit.
I 100% agree. My parents never brought us to Epcot when we were younger because they thought we would be bored. Now, we have annual passes and we beg to go to Epcot almost every weekend.
Magic kingdom doesn’t have any big fast roller coasters. I’m 15 and I love rides that go over 70 mph. I did really enjoy rides like 7 dwarves and splash mountain, not because of the speed but because of the experience/story. They were fun
Hollywood studios isn’t exactly for everyone. Not a fan of tower or terror or rock and roller coaster or the shows but now with toy story land, it’s something we always do
I am so glad you mentioned that Epcot is kid friendly. Me and my family love to go to Epcot. I get so confused when I here people say that kids don’t like Epcot. Epcot is a great park for kids. I am going to Epcot for my 13th birthday coming up and I am so excited to just walk around the world showcase area.
I think it really depends on the kid and age. My toddler hates it and has been so far at age 1 and 2. He lasted maybe half a day before losing his 💩! Now my older two( from around age 6 on) love it and can do the whole park all day. I love it but it's really hard to keep a toddler entertained there.
My Children Love Epcot although we seen a few drunk people the last time we were down. Little disappointed not something I thought we would ever see at Disney.
I'm 57 and still love the Magic Kingdom. I almost cried one time when I went to The Enchanted Tiki Room and the cast member announced where the exit was and that that they could leave anytime they wanted during the show. I was sitting right next to the exit so no magic for me or the cast member after he was fired.
When Disney dining first started it was an amazing deal. We literally saved enough to pay for our room at Port Orleans. Since then they have drastically increased the price of the deluxe dining. It's not worth getting anymore unless it's free. The room rates have jumped up so high that even with free dining it's not worth it if there are only 2 of you. We're staying at the Hilton next week at Disney Springs for a third of the price of an equivalent room and we get magic hours.
Amen, Totaly agree, We never stay onsite, Wyndham Bonnet Creek has villas (full kitchens , Epcot firworks views and free parking). Hilton Waldorf Astoria part of Bonnet Creek is also less than 1/2 price of Disney resorts. Four Seasons Resort is also inside the Disney Gates (Same price as Monorail hotels $400+) but Luxury that abounds something you will never forget.
I disagree with this, I think it depends on how many days your staying and what your meal routine is for instance when we go we stay for 10 days the deluxe dining plan breaks down to $110 per adult. If you do a buffet in the morning and a table service meal at dinner you are already at $100 on average. So I agree with the video and that it depends on the situation.
Melissa Stoner I’m with you. We do 14 days. 7 at riverside ( or Caribbean beach) and always 7 at Polynesian 14 day dining ( we do top dining restaurants) 10 day hopper pass ( no kids I guess it depends on your budget.
If you aren’t staying in a resort and can’t get a fast pass to Slinki Dog Dash because you only get to pick 30 days in advance, I recommend rope drop. I got on the ride in 10 minutes! Same with flight of passage or Mine Train.
for avatar, i'd recommend getting to the park an hr before park opening, got on both of the rides couple of weeks ago before the park was officially opened
The universal one I always hear is "wait until the kids are older", but yes, to be fair, most people can't go frequently so that's for the best much of the time. I've definitely told friends that. Though my family arguably waited TOO long- I was a cynical teenager on my first visit and that wasn't as much fun save for the rides, lol. And my sisters barely remember it, despite being around 10-11.
Worst advice I was given was to take advantage of Magic Hours for all 3 of my days we were there. I was falling asleep standing up in Epcot the third day, and nearly passed out on Mission Space. And I regret not being able to enjoy the theme of my hotel because I had to wake up early and stay late in the park. Next time, I'm taking a day off during the week to enjoy just the hotel and Springs.
Morning EMH are much more beneficial than evening, so if you have to pick, it's probably best to just do the morning (especially with limited time). People who go for rope drop often go back to the hotel in the middle of the day for a nap. That can really help since you do generally have to at least stay until the fireworks. It sounds like the big issue is that you only had 3 days though -- that's one of those situations where you have to choose between doing less or being exhausted. People often make the wrong choice between those options.
That's a great idea. We usually do rope drop every day. We rarely stay until closing. We also take a pool/relaxing day in the middle of the stay to recharge the batteries.
@@d_dave7200 I completely disagree - I love evening EMH at MK. It is a must do for our family. We wont do EMH in the morning as the parks are way to crowded and still spend too much time in line. Most of the times in the evening after the fireworks that crowds clear out alot
@@bobreid5079 They do, but statistically speaking you save more time in the morning, despite it only being an hour. The wait time figures don't lie. I do love MK at night though -- it's beautiful. (Note: One time this isn't necessarily true is super late closings. A 1am closing is marginal and depends on the crowd levels, a 2am closing is very likely to benefit you vs morning if you stay up that long.)
Thank you AJ for addressing some of these ideas. I'm planning a Disneymoon next spring and we were given a week at a friend's timeshare for the week, so we won't be staying on-site! We also will not be using the dining plan (since we're not big eaters or snackers) or doing rope drop most days because we don't want to be wiped out by the end of the week. One thing I've learned watching your videos is that there is no one idea fits all plan! Great video!!!
I will recommend using an uber to the parks if you don’t have an Annual Pass. As of right now, parking is $25 so if you can get a cheaper uber or lyft it’s worth it I’d say
I love the advice about not overpacking or don't bring them too young. I went to WDW once back in '72 when I was 3. I've never been back since ( but going again in Jan 2019 ). I remember EVERYTHING. My little 3 year old brain remembered more about that one WDW trip then I did from all cumulative years of public school. Also, as I sit here pre-packing in prep for my WDW trip, I realize AJ's right. I don't need to bring most liquid items like sunscreen, bug spray, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, laundry soap, etc. ( Probably won't need those first two in Jan ) Sure, it may cost a bit more to buy travel toothpaste in the airport or hotel but it saves not cleaning a potential mess inside the suitcase. I'm not bringing flip-flops for the pool, either. Takes up too much space that I need. Gift shop ones are good enough for the relatively short time I'd spend at any pool. Advice like this vid are super helpful. Thank you.
We are super lucky to be able to go back next year after going the first time with my just 3 year old a couple of years ago. I was just showing him pictures of us going and he remembered all of it and is super excited to go back. Me however went as a 10 year old in the 90s and can barely remember anything!
I've never heard the animal kingdom being a half-day park one before, that's insane! There's SOOOO much to do. I know with my family we barely did it all in a day, and we ended up skipping some things we wanted to do like the live shows. Totally agree with you on Hollywood Studios tho. Yeah Toy Story land just opened and star wars is coming soon, but there are very few rides to go on right now(especially if you're not a fan of coasters with anything upside-down or drop rides like me xD), and if you're not a star wars person then I'm sure hearing the shows every half-hour would probably annoy you pretty bad.
Some people are focused on rides and not shows. My kids were always high energy and couldn't sit still or keep interest in the shows. After we did our fast-pass rides, having arrived at park opening and already been on those same rides, we were done by lunchtime. Now with Avatar land it is better but it really was a half-day park for us.
Omg AK is sooo relaxing! The nature and trees, SHADE, live performances etc.. Plus it has awrsome and uniquie food and... ALCOHOLIC drinks....a combination which makes it so easy to chill in that park all day lol. AK and WSC are my go- to "All- day- thrill & Chill" parks
Went in AK in the 90s. It was very much a half day park then, and only recently became a full day. I’ve gone when they closed at 7, although, for some reason I feel like it might’ve been 6 at one point, because even Universal Studios closed that early. It was pretty much expected that everyone casually show up later in the morning and leave at 6, taking the bus to the Downtown Disney to finish off their day. With Pandora and Rivers of Light there’s more of a reason for it to now be a full day, though, even when my family goes next month, they will close at 8!!! Only reason I could see anyone doing a full day at AK is if they ride EVERY ride, see EVERY show, and NEVER once use the fast pass system.
Thanks for the "wait til they're old enough" one. I've been going since before I can remember, and now my son has been going since he was 8 months old. We are fortunate to live nearby and go frequently, but I find that each and every trip is different for him. And now that he's 3.5, he DOES ever the trip before. Don't know if he'll remember them all when he's my age, but he loves to go to Disney.
hey AJ!! i absolutely love your videos, ive never been to a disney park but your channel really makes me feel like im there sometimes. i have a video suggestion, im not sure if anyone else has put it forward, but would you ever be able to do a video on disability access/amenities/etc in WDW(/disneyland)? im a person who needs a wheelchair when i go to theme parks, but i find the information on WDW's websites confusing, plus im not sure of whatever support they offer on-site. if you could ever make a video on this, i think itd be really appreciated. thank you for reading!!! 💕 EDIT to add: i personally can also move from a wheelchair to a seated ride, but im not sure how that works or if its allowed. id also love to meet characters, but again am not sure how thatd work or if theyd be happy to interact with me or hug/etc even if im in a wheelchair. im super sheltered, i know! but i think theyd be awesome things to address in a video. thanks again if you ever decide to do this!
V I hope she makes a video on this too but just from my knowledge of the parks they offer both regular wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs. The rides will also state at the beginning if you’re able to transfer from wheel chair to the ride seats (which is most of the rides.) It is difficult to maneuver through the crowds sometimes but it’s way easier than being in pain or not being able to walk long distances, etc.
I'm certainly no AJ but I have been at WDW more than a dozen times and disability access seems to be very accommodating. You have to transfer to a regular WC to get on a number of the rides. You will notice that a LOT of the people on powered chairs do not actually need them but get them for the convenience. Not a big deal but too many drive them poorly and run into others. Hope you get to go soon. Really love the MK, been going since '72.
Disney Parks are as accommodating to people with Disabilities as in other in the world. I can assure you they make every effort to make things easier and more comfortable for you and your family.
No problem for people in wheelchairs! Plus, when you're transferring into/out of a ride, tell the cast members that you need them to slow things down [when there's a moving walkway] and they'll do that too. That's what we have to do for my daughter and her BFF - my daughter has disabilities (doesn't need a wheelchair but does need extra time getting in/out of rides) and her BFF does need to use a wheelchair most of the time. Everyone is great in accommodating them. Believe me, you'll have a great time!
If someone ever tells you “Animal Kingdom is a half day park” or “Skip rides if not everyone wants to ride it”, do two things. 1) Give that person a wedgie. 2) Ignore any advice that person gives you about anything, ever.
"Wait until your kids can remember it"...yes, spot on! Why waste money on a trip they won't remember? In fact, why spend ANY money on ANY activity for your pre-recollection age kids? Don't be foolish. Keep them in a pleasantly-colored spare room in your home (at about 72 degrees F) except for meal times and bathing until about age three and a half (this may vary). Soothing music is acceptable, streamed from a free service. Anything more than this is just throwing your money away.
I took my kids last month for the first time, and the youngest is almost 2. He didn’t appreciate everything quite like the older kids, but he LOVED goofy and Minnie and Mickey and all the characters so much, and he loved looking at all of our pictures. He won’t remember it for his whole life, but he remembers it for now and he enjoyed things and did have a great time. His older siblings will remember it, and we’ll go again in a few years I’m sure, so I wouldn’t say to never take small kids. It doesn’t make sense to make your older kids wait until they’re in middle school just because the youngest isn’t old enough to remember everything. Let them enjoy it as younger kids, then the next time you go, they enjoy it as older kids and the youngest enjoys it at the age the older kids were before. I guess if you were only planning to ever go once in your life, it would make sense to wait until everyone was old enough to remember it, but let’s be honest, if you love Disneyland, who only goes once in their whole lifetime? 😉
I took both my kids to WDW for their first time before they were 2. I shamelessly and selfishly enjoyed every minute of the wonder, awe, and pure joy they experienced, but didn't remember. I did the same at their first several birthdays and Christmases...they don't remember those, either. YMMV.
My daughter’s favorite park is Epcot. She fell in love with this park during her first trip (she turned 6 that trip). Almost 6 years and a few visits later this is still her favorite.
When we went to WDW for a second time, my dad wanted to do a half day at Magic Kingdom. Guess what happened? We stayed there the entire time somehow and it completely changed his mind. He used to think it's for very little kids but he very much enjoyed being there. Also my dad is a WDW oringal kid because he first went when it was just Epcot at 7-9ish. Epcot is still his favorite whoops.
Doing rope drop to fireworks is one of the BEST experinaces. Yes, it's exhausting but it's super magical! I've done it twice foe MK and then once for Epcot. It's a reallt amazing time and you really do get to do a little of everything. Rope drop is pretty great though, i enjoy it. Disney is the only timw im a morning person, hahaha
Rope DROP AK The others aren't too special usually but AK does a whole show with birds and blows any other rope drop at any park worldwide out of the water
We have gone down to Disney for each of our 3 kids first birthdays and they have all LOVED it. The memories that my wife and I have of taking all of them that young are priceless and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate their first birthday than at Disney.
My sons were very young (1 and 2) when we took our first trip. I took lots of pictures. They don't have crystal clear memories but they definitely enjoy looking at the old pictures and talking about how they have changed. The boys' big memory that they have talked about ever since they started going to WDW is King Louie and Baloo. They may not remember everything but my husband and I treasure those memories.
I went to Disney World twice before I went last September and hated it. I never thought it could be possible to not only go to a theme park and do it wrong but to do it wrong twice. My girlfriend who has gone just about every year since birth talked me into going in September and I absolutely loved it. I thought Magic Kingdom was for little kids but it ended up being my favorite park. At this point if I won the lottery tomorrow I would have an exact replica of the haunted mansion built to live in with the ride if that’s not some kind of copy right I can get sued for. I would be willing to bet that anyone who goes to Disney and doesn’t end up a fan made my same mistake and did it wrong. The only complaint I really had was going at 36 the right way but being out of shape. I don’t think I’ve ever napped so much.
I first went to Disney when I was three, and didn't get back there until I was around 20. I don't remember a ton of my first trip there, just bits and pieces of certain areas, but the *feeling* of it always stuck with me, and every time I go back now those feelings come flooding back. Kids will remember, and remember powerfully.
I think the advice of waiting until your kids are older to go to WDW stems from the fact that parents should put their children first. Parents who take a 3 year old or younger are making memories for themselves and not their kids. And don't get me started on the parents who yell and scream at their 2 or 3 year old after pushing them beyond their limits all day. Those parents that drag their 2 year olds from rope drop to the fireworks and then scream at them needed to follow the advice don't become parents.
Jeff Zimmerman I think that if you take your young children, even though you might be the only one who remembers the trip in the long run, you should still keep your kids wants and needs in mind. Go on the rides they want to ride, eat at the restaurants they like, etc. also remember that kids don't have as much stamina and really young ones shouldn't be out in the heat and sun all day. Take tons of breaks (even if it's just indoor ac restaurant time) and naps. If you let your kid be involved, they'll remember it more too
if it's nice weather outside and i have an annual pass, why not enjoy the day with my son. do you logically think i'm wondering if he will "remember disney" or not? i'm basically enjoying my time with my son whether it's at the park down the street, the beach near my house, the mall, or at disneyworld. out of curiosity, how many kids do you have?
I don't want to tell other people what to do with their families, but as a fellow visitor in the parks, it sometimes feels like it's too much. Over the last couple of years, the number of people with infants and children under 3 seems to have spiked. There were parts of Magic Kingdom that were barely navigable last time I was there due to all the strollers. And this was on a weekday in mid-November.
Becca Sue my biggest problem with those families is that they seem to be the ones having the least fun. The parents probably don't love lugging around all that stuff and really young kids probably don't enjoy the constant heat, sun, and walking (heck neither do I 😂). While I have my own selfish reasons for wishing those families would spend less time in the park (it would make moving around so much easier), I also think that those families would enjoy their time more if they spend the bulk of the day doing other activities (swimming, exploring hotels, doing the kids activities that Disney sets up, etc) and going to the parks once the sun has started to set and crowds have settled down more. Or they could just wait until their kids are a bit older to visit the Disney parks, but like I said before, I respect the decision to bring children to Disney as long as they are the ones having fun in the moment and not just the parents.
maddie clarke Whatever reasons families come to WDW with any number of children will never make any sense to you until you actually have children. I think it’s hilarious how you’ve developed a plan for people with children to better enjoy WDW based on your assumptions.
Yes! Great vid! Most of these are things I've also talked to people about, and it really does depend on the specific reasons for the trip, the family/group/couple, etc. I'm heading there with my sis and her friend this weekend, and after being there so much, I know what I can skip and what is a must-do for us. AJ, you covered a lot of topics, and did a great job of it, thanks!
I've recently started binge watching your videos because my husband FINALLY green lighted a Disney vacation. Your vlog is one of the best. Concise vids that aren't overly long, videos have a point, and you have a great narration voice that I dont find annoying! I like your vids so much more than other Disney blogs that I make it a point to watch the entirety of any ads that pop up so you get the residuals, because you deserve it!!! Keep up the great vids!!
People blow my mind who use a snack credit for a water! Get a cup of ice for free or a mocktail with your snack credit. Never waste money or dining plans on water
My son is 3, he is head over heels in love with the cars movies. I don't want to wait to go when he will remember it. I want to see his little face light up with joy the first time he sees Lightning McQueen.
If you are flying in and staying on property, DO NOT RENT A CAR FOR THE WHOLE STAY. If you want to go off property for a day or two, then just rent the car for those days from the rental hub inside the park. Contrary to what you may think they do not charge more to rent cars there and you can us Disney transportation to get there, get the car and then use it and then drop it back when you are done. It makes no sense to rent a car that is going to sit in a parking spot for the majority of the time(especially now that you have to pay to park)
We took our daughter last year for her first visit at 15 months. She had so much fun! She loved meeting Minnie and Mickey and loved the rides. We’re planing our trip next November now (she’ll be 3 and our new baby will be just over 1). We’re also planning 2 days at animal kingdom because my older daughter is obsessed with animals
I think AK used to only be open until 5 or 6, so maybe that is why it got the "half day park" designation. I agree about Hollywood Studios. We did everything in 3 hours last time we went.
In regards to the rope drop, coming from Colorado, the time change made rope drop very difficult (and we are not even Pacific time). The day we actually did make it to park opening we were dragging by 3:00. Whereas other days when we got to the park closer to 10 we lasted all day. And my kiddos loved Epcot! We did spend a summer in Europe a couple years ago so maybe they are more exposed and excited about travel than other kids, but I totally agree AJ, Epcot has tons to do for kids!
I absolutely LOVE the dining plan and will never stay on property without it again! Totally agree if you're buying a $2 bottle of water with a snack credit and ordering a salad you're never going to get your moneys worth but if you don't want to have to worry about what you're going to order on the menu or taking out your wallet every time you want to eat it is ALWAYS worth it in my opinion!
I never eat in the parks, too expensive. I bring my own food. I never stay at a resort, too much money. I stay at Comfort inn. We get free big hot breakfast, microwave and refrig and shuttle to the parks even Universal and SeaWorld. We took my 7 year old niece and it was end of Aug. and we did rope drop and we first went to Fantasy land and it wasn 't crowded which we loved. I wasn't taking my niece until she was 7 just so she wouldn't get tired or cry or have a temper tantrum. I would never ever take a kid to a Character Dining, it was such a rip off. What if you have a child that doesn't go on a ride and you and your spouse want to go on the ride together, who watches your kid? My nephews are 18 and would probably find Disneyworld to immature even some of the stuff they would like.
I think AK is a TWO half-day park. First half-day, rope drop and get all the rides done early before it gets really hot (it gets even hotter at AK than elsewhere for some reason) then head to another park, or DS for the evening. Second half-day because you simply MUST make a second trip to see Rivers of Light and Pandora at night
Carrie Lynn that's a really good idea that I never thought about. I always do animal kingdom as a half to 3/4 day park if I can bear it, but not because I think animal kingdom only needs a half day. Animal kingdom just gets so so hot for some reason. Thank you for the idea!
I totally agree about AK being at least a TWO half day park. I was a cast member during the 2018 holiday season, and took four visits to AK during my contract. I had two morning-afternoon visits and two evening visits; between those four visits I did/saw most of what I wanted to see. It was fun to experience AK and then move on to a hotel lunch, or an evening in Hollywood Studios or Magic Kingdom afterward. Nothing beats Animal Kingdom in the morning!
I would strongly disagree with "you have to do rope drop" being bad advice. At least in the middle of summer when my family goes, you can ride more good rides in the first two hours, and especially the first hour, than you can the rest of the day. Missing rope drop is like giving away half your E-rides for the day, plus it is the least hot part of the day!
Agreed. We went to mk yesterday and walked around main street for 45 min before the park opened. We walked right onto many rides during those first 2 hours. Park was noticeably more crowded by 11am.
Karen Seeley my husband jokes that I magically become a morning person when it comes to Disney World 😂 normally can’t function before 9 or 10 but you can bet I’m rope dropping and closing the parks when I’m there
AJ never undermine yourself. The information opinions and perspectives you provide are Wonderful and invaluable to myself and many others. You are a Ambassador to the Magic so stand tall and proud with all you and your team do.
Couldn't agree more about EPCOT! I work in the UK pavilion and there are so many children who have never met someone from the pavilion countries before and they ask so many questions and get genuinely excited to meet the international cast members, such a unique experience!
I got the advice of “don’t bring your kids until they are old enough to remember”, which I ignored, because I had fun, watching my 2 1/2 year old have fun - which is an experience that I will always remember... and there were plenty of activities my wife and I enjoyed with our daughter as a family that made our Disney experience magical... and sure there are many places you can take your children to that might be more local at a fraction of the cost, which they will also enjoy, but nothing is as immersive (and to me) as enjoyable as a Disney vacation... great video!
We got in on the free counter service dining this trip and decided to pay the difference to upgrade to the middle tier dining plan. Why? We have two young adults and they always pick the most expensive thing on the menu and the dining plan is for sure the least expensive way to feed them.
I have been watching DFBGuide for over 6 months now because I am planning my first trip to Disney World in May! (My parents took me when I was 2 and I don't remember a thing.) Thank you so much for all the amazing information in this video, and all of your videos. It helps so much!!
1 Disney Dining Plan is too much food! You end up getting the most expensive items, instead of what you really want. The "Free Package" is just another discount, if I have to choose between a cheaper room of the Free DDP, I'll go for the discount. 2 We always stay on property, then move to a different hotel for things outside the "Disney Bubble". 3 Never park in Springs to go to the parks, (they'll just end up charging for parking there and ruin it for everyone). 4 Do NOT ever visit any Disney park with very young kids, if they're too young to walk they're too young for WDW, they'll hate it, cry or sleep all day long and the mass stroller tsunami is getting out of control. 5 Agree AK is a full day park now. 6 The crowds at Rope Drop are pretty big, I suggest you plan ahead (at least 6 months before); stay on property; make your FastPass+ selections -60 days very, very early in the morning and enjoy Extra Magic Hours. 7 Agree! Bring as little as humanly possible, don't pack the kitchen sink especially if flying in. 8 See number 4! Strollers are ruining Disney and NO, kids do not enjoy WDW they won't remember it, they'll be hot, they'll be cranky and you won't get to do what you want to, you'll have to do what those precious Princes and Princesses want. If I had a nickel for every tantrum I've seen at WDW I'd be richer than Bill Gates. 9 Like everything else on WDW MK is for grownups, very little there dedicated for children. 10 Again taking little kids is a big hassle, you have to child-swap and won't be able to ride the really good ones with your spouse (you'll end up sitting with a complete stranger). Leave the little ones at home until they're old enough to at least walk the entire park (7 or 8 years old) and tall enough to ride with the whole family. 11 Each group is different, we prefer to rent a car, staying on property means no parking fee at the parks, you come and go as you please, no waiting for busses, no screaming kids (notice the recurring theme here) no depending on anyone else's schedule. Ride in air conditioned comfort and everyone in your group gets a seat. Disclaimer, I love kids, but in my experience taking babies or very young kids who need strollers to WDW is just not worth it.
We did the drive to Disney springs and take the bus to the hotels and parks when we went. It was nice to not pay for parking but at the same time, the time it took to get from DS to hotel and then waiting at a hotel for another bus was too long. A big chunk of our day was traveling! I agree with what you said about that one! One thing we didn’t realize is that when you use the buses, it’s also not a direct line to the park we were wanting to go to. We got on one bus from port orleans to go to animal kingdom and it stopped at every hotel in the area before finally stopping at animal kingdom. Not complaining, it makes sense that they would do that, just an oversight on my part. Next time we’re going to stay on property or get a hotel that is closer to Disney springs so we can just walk over to DS and go from there.
I honestly still stick by saying that Epcot is not completely geared towards kids. Teens may enjoy it more because of the food but kids between 4 to 10 may not enjoy it as much. They do have a lot of fun things to do in Future World but once you go into World Showcase that's when kid attractions are minimal compared to Future World. Luckily with the addition of three countries and the Ratatouille ride, it may seem more appealing to kids.
Hi AJ! I totally love your channel! I’m a huge Disney World fan and I can relate to many things you’ve said because I’ve been to Disney World many times since I was little. I have been the travel agent in my family for several trips and I totally agree with you on this video! Great information! Thank you!
I LOVE rope drop. There is something so magical about being there in the morning without a lot of people and during the announcement that Disneyland is opening. (I am a Disneylander) It is absolutely one of my most favorite things in the world.
I agree! We went when I was like 8 or 9 and genuinely felt it should be torn down!!! Now, my wife and I spend most of our trip there exploring and drinking!!! 😂
I want to thank you for all the awesome tips. My family and I go to Disney every year for the past 13 years,planning on going in October. I have learned many things that I didn't know as even a person who goes as often we do. I'm going to use the tips in planning our trip this year
Just want to say that we brought our 2 year old grandson to Disney last year and he loved it and every time we watch a Disney movie when the Castle comes on in the beginning he always says "We went there." with a huge smile. He remembers so yes take the little ones
People that swear by Dining Plans almost NEVER factor in that you have to pay tips out of your pocket. They usually forget about this part and if you're eating decent places you're going to be paying an extra $300-400 just in tips, sometimes more. The reason is that even though they include the food in the dining plan when you sit down, they still calculate what you order and give you a receipt for it showing this when you're finished eating. Then you have to leave a tip based on the total amount. And normal tipping is 18-20% unless service is god awful. This adds up.
Yes! That was something we didn't plan for. $20 - $30 in tips twice a day! I could have spent just that much on counter service meals. That's how I figured out that any dining plan above quick service is not for us unless it's free.
the tips are suggested not automatic. if you feel it is too much you do not have to tip that much. $300 tip i am confused, you must be talking about an entire week not one meal. Even then that is a bit much unless you have a family of 5 or 6. $200X20%= $40. That would be ten meals. DDP is less than $100 a day pp so not sure where you are eating to spend that much. Most places we eat dinner averages $80-90 for two adults. we usually tip depending on service. has nothing to do with cost of meal. never should. reason for this is because if you eat somewhere that has cheap food and only pay $5.00 for a meal the waitstaff worked just as hard as the the other place you paid $50.00 for a meal.
@@treasurekings5631 Where did I say it was $300 tip for one meal? I went on a 8 day trip and for dinner (not counting lunch) we ate at California Grill, Jiko, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Flying Fish, Teppan Edo, Morimoto Asia, and The Boathouse and we paid out of pocket and it was roughly $400 cheaper than doing the Deluxe Dining Plan (DDP) + tipping. I start tipping at 18% and it goes up or down depending on service. Service was very good at every restaurant except Jiko. Jiko was decent food but awful service. Anyways so I don't have all the numbers because I'd have to include a few breakfasts, lunches, etc., but after comparing the numbers from paying out of pocket versus how many DDP credits we would have used, it came out more expensive using the DDP because of the tipping. When I first ran the numbers while I was planning, it was breaking even and I said "wow the DDP is worth it then because it's basically the same". Then I was like wait a minute....i forgot tipping. And for the table restaurants just doing a flat 18% it came out quite a bit more. $400-500 more actually. Also, the DDP is not less than $100 a day so not sure how you're getting that number unless you were talking about a different dining plan. The DDP (Deluxe Dining Plan) is $232.48 a day (for 2 people) and that does not include tips. If you like to eat at the signature restaurants (which we do), it's cheaper to pay out of pocket. Every time.
Animal Kingdom is my favorite park. Even over Magic Kingdom. Yes, I said over Magic. Don't get me wrong if could only do one park on my trip to Florida, I would choose Magic. However, I love the slow laid back feel of Animal Kingdom. Plus the fact that you get to see all kinds of animals there. I just love it.
AK is also my favorite park, for the same reason you stated. AK just feels gentle. My last visit was on NewYear's Day, and it was magic! I enjoyed several attractions, but also took time enjoying the Discovery Island trails, Maharajah Trail, sit in the shade during an acoustic performance at Harambe, and capped it all off with watch DiVine for twenty minutes. Lovely!
WDW cast member here. I understand the whole "kids under 3 get in free and there's so much for kids" thing, however, even if you go to Disney every 5 years, I will recommend DO NOT BRING TODDLERS OR BABIES. They will be tired, dehydrated, hungry, grumpy, they don't like to wait in line, they may not understand if they can't have a certain souvenir, if they can't go on a certain ride, they will be very disappointed. You'll need to deal with the extreme hassle of a stroller, diapers, constantly giving snacks and drinks to the little ones, trying to keep them entertained, and spending quite a lot of extra money on gifts (or dealing with the tantrums when you say no). I like to say the best age for a child to go to Disney is 5-8 years old. When they're five they can enjoy the kid friendly offerings and they usually don't need a stroller by then. By the time they're 8 most kids are tall enough to ride the major attractions as well. I have 3 nephews (8, 6, and 3) with annual passes and even when they go to Disney for a few hours it's a big deal. Save yourself and save your kids and take them on a more relaxing vacation like the beach.
We have spent many 4 th birthdays in the parks with the 4 princesses. This has been the gift to all. Of the girls they loved it time with us, first plane trips and all character meals once a day. The girls and parents had a blast every time.
Well, here's the second video in 3 weeks that does not include the option for closed-captions. WHY?? I really love this channel but so many times I feel left out because I'm hearing impaired. Please please please consider ALL your subscribers. There are many deaf and hearing impaired persons who surely love Disney food.
Could not agree more. You make wonderful videos but ONLY when they are captioned. When I begin to play one that has no captions I turn it off immediately. You lose followers as well as respect by ignoring the reality of the deaf and hearing loss population. We spend millions at WDW and its a pity that many of your posts are insulting by being unavailable. Your skill and valuable info can only be appreciated when you appreciate the spectrum of your followers (and prospective followers). Again, love your captioned work. Please strive for 100% inclusivity. Thank you.
Vanessa Smith According to Google Support- ‘the creator of the video determines whether their software is able to display captions’. On this, the latest DFB video released (and others), if you click on the upper right triple dot icon- select the closed caption option - it will say at the bottom of screen that captions are not available for this video.
Keep in mind, DFB isn't an official Disney TH-cam channel. At least, that's the sense I got from your comment. They are just a fan blog. They probably just forgot to toggle them on. It looks like the vast majority of her videos have the auto-captioning on.
Epcot was definitely my favorite Disney park as a kid, and it still is now! I appreciate the architecture, food, and shows a lot more than I used to, but I still remember being in Canada about 5 minutes before the park closed in order to get my final kidcot stamp.
Disney bus transport is not magical any more , it’s a nightmare , infrequent, often packed , not fun any more ! Rope drop ....... we call it the Disney Stampede now , we found early November so so busy and rope drop is just a mad dash for the new Attractions. We stopped going early and relied on fast passes . 🙁
We do rope drop, and you're totally right about the stampede. It's pretty crazy these days, but even with the crowds you still get a huge benefit in wait times if you're willing to stick it out. If you don't get there 30-60 mins before though, you might as well chill out and take it easy because it's one of those diminishing returns situations. In some ways, arriving before park opening (say, 15-20 minutes) but not super early can be the worst-of-both-worlds, because you have to wait for the park to open AND you still get lines by being too far back in the crowd. Crowds sometimes dissipate from the headliner attractions (except Pandora and Toy Story Land) a little after opening anyway, so sometimes you can get a great wait time at 20 minutes after opening or whatever. The lines tend to shoot up and then drop a little as crowds spread out. Getting there a little after park opening and using fast passes for headliners can work fine, especially if you're staying on property (early fast pass bookings and EMHs) and/or willing to have a later night.
d_dave thanks for the tips , it’s all changed so much and got so much busier in the 2 years since we were last there . We won’t be going October into November again that’s for sure !
One of the good things about rope drop is that you can hit several of the older E-ticket attractions with no lines because everyone has dashed for Seven Dwarfs, Avatar or Slinky Dog Dash. If you have fast-passed the new ones, it's still worth it to get there early and get in some rides before lines form. I like to go on some rides as many times as possible.
We went in Oct and I cannot agree with this enough. For the most part we were at rope drop for every park and we even went to the parks that offered magic hour and it was ridiculous. I promised myself I would just rely on fast pass and skip some of the rides with the longest lines. People just lack that respect, it’s such a shame for adults to trample over smaller children just so they can get to the ride first.
Last 2 trips to WDW my daughters were under the age of 3. My oldest was 9 months on her first trip and seeing her clap on the voyage of the little mermaid and smile a Rapunzel were priceless. And we probably rode like 4 rides through rider swap. So pretty much every ride with the girls. The Baby Care centers are great as well.
Unless you are rich i would over pack. Its is worth it . I diss agree with alot of this . Sorry but as a budget spender when its cold im not spending $50 or more on a sweat shirt or jacket. A poncho is like $10 a disney but $1 at walmart.
There's a difference between overpacking and being prepared, we wore a coat on the plain, packed a sweater each and a small emergency poncho, we shared a checked bag to save money and it worked out perfectly because we didn't overpack.
@@keepcalmsavehyrule even food and toiletries, i would pack a launch and snakes . It would save $100 a day on food alone. 1 hot dog and a drink at disney can cost $20. A 12 oz bottle of water cost $4. A coke cost $5. I always bring food and drinks.
I definitely agree with you on Epcot being kid-friendly. I went there back in 2010 when I was like 7 and it was definitely my favorite park it’s such an immersive, interactive and cool park and when I went in January of 2018 it was just as fun.
I took both my kids from 18months old....they loved it!!! We of course loved it, bit even though they won't remember those trips, they were in absolute heaven
11:32 I dont know its pretty important for the kids to remember it. After all it is based mainly around children and if your only going to ever go 1 time I think it is probably more important for them to remember it than for you to rememeber it.
I only agree with the "waiting until kids are older" not because of whether or not they will "remember it", but because taking a baby/toddler to Disney steals so much time from the parks. You're constantly having to stop and find bathrooms to change diapers, nursing stations, bottle washing, getting out of lines because the potty training 2 year old always has to go to the bathroom or has an accident... then they get cranky in the afternoon and you have to take them back to the hotel for their nap with is another 3 hours lost, and you cant stay out as late because its past their bedtime, and even if you do stay out late to catch the fireworks or a night show, they are asleep through it. First time I took my son he was 3 years old and I really wanted him to see the Fantasmic! show at Disneyland but he was knocked out asleep in his stroller by then. Then you also have to deal with hauling a stroller everywhere and having to carry them 3/4 of the time because you cant take strollers in the lines and their little feet get tired pretty quick when standing in those long lines so you end up having to carry them. It's just a lot of headache taking a child who cant walk or go to the bathroom on their own. Personally, 4 is the earliest I would take a kid unless I didn't have any other choice. If you HAVE to take very young ones, try and take enough extra adults to share the responsibility so you don't miss out on a bunch of stuff. Take grandma and grandpa - they usually don't want to ride the big rides and they like to take naps in the middle of the day too so they can watch junior while you ride rides and they can take the baby back to the hotel in the afternoon giving you some free time in the parks :)
Thanks you this video. Very informative and sensible. I live in Northern California and took all my kids to Disneyland before they turned 6 months and do continue to take them at least every other year. Seeing how they enjoy Disneyland as the grow is very special. I also plan take them to Disney World when the are a bit older because it will be quite expensive and we want make sure they remember going.
The little one myth is a good one. We took a 3 year old and she remembered "everything" for a long time. One thing we did was create a photo album fairly quickly when we returned home and she participated which reinforced her memory and also was extending the magic.
Transportation is a headache whatever way round you go... We've stayed on-site the past two trips. A couple of years ago, we rented a car for a few days, super easy, they picked us up from the hotel to the Car Care Center, then when we returned it dropped us off wherever we wanted (Blizzard Beach). But this trip, we just used Uber when we wanted to go off property, that was spontaneous and flexible and less stressful than driving a rental car in a foreign country! Disney buses are bad though. And there's this attitude of "*shrug* Well what do you expect with buses...." I expect to be able to get back from Magic Kingdom within 2 hours, EVEN with evening Extra Magic Hours. It's not like the surge in passengers is unexpected. Lay on more buses for peak times. They've got all the data from Magic Bands, crunching the statistics wouldn't be that hard to work out where and when the buses are most needed. But no. Offer Minnie Vans instead...
even when i stay on property, i still drive to the parks, way faster....but then again, parking free with an AP is the deal breaker so that is a bias i have.
Has anyone tried the Amazon prime shipping to your hotel thing? is there a charge and do they just leave it at concierge? I'd do a whole case of water.
@@Ren-ge6rh thanks for the tip! I'll use it for our next trip. I know this is sacrilege but I actually don't think Disney food taste that good😲 and definitely not worth the price so why not make sandwiches and save money (and calories) for souvenirs!
My family doesn’t use amazon but we use an app called garden grocer! I highly recommend it and it is basically an online grocery store, It directly ships to your resort and it is very useful.
I have a story about the really little ones in Disney. When I was at MK the second time, I was entertained by this little baby, just walking, who was totally fascinated by one of the costume characters in a mouse costume (from the movie The Rescuers). It was so adorable. We took so many pictures of this little baby we didn't even know because it was so adorable.
Rather than not taking your child 'til he or she is older (I don't see the sense in taking a baby or toddler but if it's not going to be your only time, then it's sensible), how about just to go at your kid's pace? Go back to the hotel for the afternoon or naps or swim, take a non-park day and learn how to say 'no' at souvenir and junk stands. But what kind of threw me is first talking about how to save money, then going on about not worrying about hats, shampoo etc 'til you're in Orlando. What? A hat costs twice as much as my food budget for one day! Rope Drop was awful. I got there by accident once (Thought the park opened an hour earlier) and people are MEAN. If I'd gotten elbowed in the tit one more time by some aggressive dragon-mother I was going to lose my shit.
I’m so excited because I might go to Disney. I’m trying my hardest to convince my dad. Please wish me luck and give me suggestions on what rides I should check out and what hotels are good to stay in. Also if anyone knows how much money it costs for fast passes could you please tell me. Thanks everyone!!!!!
Personally, I like the big, fast rides. Ex: Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror, Rockin' Roller-coaster. (There is more) As for hotels it really depends on what amenities you're planning on using and what your budget is. Especially if you're staying on site the Disney hotels are really expensive. Finally, fast passes don't cost any money. With every ticket to a park you get the three and you can get more after use that 3 for the day.
I'm staying next month at Pop Century for $116/night, I think that is the cheapest on property. I was low-key mentioning Disney to my mom for a few months before I straight up "suggested" it would be a fun trip for the two of us, which it will be! Haven't been since I was younger but Space Mtn was always my favorite and I've already got our fast passes. I can't wait! Good luck with your dad!
I love your username. Hope you can also go to Universal and see Harry Potter World. It is expensive for one day but so worth it if you are a true fan. Check out Costco for deals on Disney World, compare them to the Disney site, you will save some money. Undercover tourist also offers a small discount on tickets. Consider staying off property to save money on hotels. Many off property hotels have shuttles to the parks. The perk to staying on property is you can make fastpass reservations earlier. If money is not an option, I would stay at one on the monorail hotels for easy access to Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Staying at Beach Club or The Boardwalk allow you to walk directly into Epcot. I hope your dad says yes.
My kid was a night owl like me. We chill at the resort enjoying the pool then go to the park in the afternoon and use extra hours at night. One time we did that Magic Kingdom was so cleared out we got on 7 rides in 90 minutes It’s awesome. No waiting ~ you walk right on to every ride you want! There’s a special magic to the place in the dark with the lights. Epcot is great for ALL ages and Animal Kingdom is an all day event. Best day we had was started with the character brunch at Tusker’s. Animal Kingdom closes early so there is enough time to grab some dinner and then use your park hopper pass to go to which ever park has magic hours. Watch the fireworks and catch some rides
I'm honestly not a big epcot fan...I just went last month and I loved the food festival a lot but the world showcase is pretty boring for me as a European. Most of the countries are European and aren't anything new for me....I do enjoy japan and Morocco though. But yeah without the festivals going on I dont see there being much left for me. My fav is animal kingdom!!
For the couple times I've been to Epcot over the years. I would agree that it wouldn't hold much for a European Traveler. Unless you are going during one of the flower, Wine and Food, or other types of festivals they run now.
brought our grandsons in Nov. and this all they talk about and my two year old grandson loved it and talks about it almost everyday. When we are watching Disney Jr he talks about see all the things and the characters
As a resident of Florida PLEAS FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STAY IN THE HOTEL OR AT LEAST BE CONSIDERATE OF RESIDENTS SOME OF US HAVE WORK AND SCHOOL WE DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOU PLAY IN THE POOL AT 12 AT NIGHT
I stayed off property for eight nights and drove to the parks using my annual pass for free parking. I extended my trip by a two nights by staying at Port Orleans Riverside. I went to the bus stop first thing in the morning the first full day at Riverside and sat to wait for the bus. Large groups of people started to show up and stand around the point where the bus loading door is. I recognized what was happening and knew that there's more than enough people here to fill a bus, so I walked back to my room got the keys and drove myself and probably got to the park before them.
Me: year 9 student planning her gap year with only $ 900 to her name. Wow I'll keep it in mind thanks AJ ⬇️⬇️⬇️ But seriously your savings tip videos help because on my gap year in going to disney and universal for 1 week each with my sister shell be 16 then and I'm then going to law school so I need to save 150K roughly so it helps.
The parking at Disney springs is totally legit. I’m local and do it ALL THE TIME. It’s free versus $20. That’s an hour of work for most people. And you can easily catch a bus to resort and then go to Parks. It takes a bit longer but it saves $20. Again $20 is worth saving in my opinion. Plus you get to visit Disney springs! It’s fun and you can stop for dinner in the springs on your way out.
“Magic Kingdom is only for kids”
I think not. I’m 23 and it’s still my favorite park??? It’s the most Disney of the Disney parks.
My parents took me when I was 20 and I loved EPCOT just as much as the Magic Kingdom or Disney-MGM. And I saw a lot of kids there. Those parents were smart. My favorite memory of EPCOT was in Innoventions (it used to be called Communicore East.) There was a cute blue robot called SMART-1. You picked up a phone to talk to him and he would reply and crack a few jokes.
I'm 62 and I still love every park, just like I did at 19.
Im 35 and it's still my favorite lol
I’m from Cali and Disneyland is pretty much the same as Magic Kingdom entirely and people in their late teens - 20s get bullied if they don’t have kids by moms ironically. “This is for kids, they’re just taking up space they already got to have their time” Oh thanks lady.
I'm 40 and MK is my favorite park by a long shot. MGM was very close back in its prime but those days are long gone.
Me, a college student with no means to pay for any sort of trip to Disney: Wow helpful advice I'll keep it in mind lol
I was once you, you will get there
Im a college students as well it’s posible, my friend and me started planing in January we are going to be there at the end of April only for one day and we rented an Airbnb it’s cheaper that way!!!! Just plan ahead and save money as you go
Look into Disney college program.
If you finish your degree and get a good job, you'll get there! ::hugs:: - A former poor college kid. ;-)
ME
“They may not remember it but you will and that’s the most important thing” made my heart warm, that’s so true :,)
I saw a family use their snack credits on 4 bottled waters at Epcot and wanted to say, "Noooooo, don't do it!" Lol.
With the dining plan we would usually get a water in the morning as get a drink with meals and do tea in the refillable mug
MICKEY ICE CREAM BARS!!
I dunno, as a resort CM I kinda say go for it. There's PLENTY of unique snack options in the parks but for whatever reason people just don't use them. It blows my mind. The other day I hit a new record. The guy had 108 snacks left and was leaving in the morning.
That was about 17 snack credits and then about 20 meal plans, give or take (how does that even happen?). Holy jesus. If you're going to get the snack plan, for your own benefit and sanity, please use it before the end of your trip.
It PAINS me when people buy food and drinks when they have a lot of snack options and I can SEE on my register just how many they have. I always ask their departure date just so I can remind them of what they have in the case they forget because that guy is not a singular event. It happens _every day_.
Isent iced water free at all Disney parks?
Why would they buy a bottle
I take my tiny kids to Disney for ME. I want those memories of them when they are young. Bippity Boppity is fun for ME to watch. Chef Mickey's feels magical to ME as I see the delight on my child's face as they meet characters. I cry every time I look through my Memory Maker photos, so I feel confident I'm spending my money well!
My favorite park growing up was Epcot too! I remember going back to school and telling everyone "I lost a tooth in Japan!"
Phoebe G this is so cute
Omg me
My sister vomited in a potted plant in Japan with Chip and Dale patting her back.
My son has always loved Epcot the most! We started taking him at two and he always wanted to ride in the "Epacott ball"
Phoebe G my Favorite park as a kid too! I was also a nerd haha... but I LOVED it.
Skipping Magic Kingdom?! That is the craziest advice. I mean, at least go see the castle!
Skipping MK? Just don't go.
Some people dont go to MK because it's just not what they want, especially if they're not big disney fans. Parks like Animal kingdom and Hollywood studios are my preferred parks as they are still fun and scenic and enjoyable, just without the whole Disney thing shoved down your throat. Imo
I'm really glad you mentioned the "wait until they're old enough" thing - that's something that bothers me personally as a Disney super fan. I've been going since I was 2 and my older brother turned 1 at Disney. I know my mom has some very fond memories of us being there as babies that she obviously wouldn't have otherwise. My brother even took his first steps by the Koi pond in the Japan Pavilion and that's a memory that both my parents consider to be absolutely priceless. Going for as long as I can remember makes it even more special and exciting when we get to go too!
It bothers me too. People take that too seriously. Who are they to decide on who you should bring to WDW? My son is 2 and I've been taking him since he was 6 months old. It's not about my memory or his. I love spending time with him whether if it's in my backyard, the park, or WDW. I'm just blessed that I'm able to take him there and I'm grateful for that. Some people don't have that luxury to be able to take their kid(s) to WDW. People should mind their business to be honest. To the people who question about what age to take kids to WDW, try visiting a Childrens Hospital and see some of the kids there and say that to their parents. Don't you think they'd rather be at WDW with their children regardless of age, or in a Childrens Hospital? People need to have some perspective sometimes. I know, at any given day, anything can change. I always value my time with my son.
I love Disney World and have been there at least 15 times. My first time my oldest was ten and I was 37 and I felt as if I was ten! I'm almost 60 now and WDW is definitely magical no matter what age you are
Im really glad to hear your still a disney fan. My daughter is 2 and we do a disney day every month because we have ap. She LOVES the parks and adores disney movies right now. I was worried she would stop liking it at some point.
It just depends on what families can do. Since we would be traveling from Alaska, it’s a very expensive trip to WDW. I grew up going to Disneyland with my parents since I was a toddler, and that was fine since California isn’t as far. But we plan to do WDW when our kids are older. A) 15 hours of travel for babies is soooo much. B) We have some wild toddlers, it would be more enjoyable for everyone if we waited! Haha. Like we will spend around 10k for a good trip to WDW, that’s not something you can do often. I say people can do whatever they can and want for heir families! If you like near a park, obviously it would be great to take them whenever possible. But if not, it’s also okay to wait until it’s worth the money and the hassle
P JB seems like a waste of money tbh
Disney's Animal Kingdom was considered a Half Day park for the longest time because it would close before sunset. They had no after dark events, they cannot do fireworks because it could be harmful to the animals and the animals would go to sleep after sunset for the most part. With the new River of Lights show and the Tree of Life Awakening show, the park has things that can be held after dark. Also, Pandora looks great after dark as well.
There is only one time of the year I would not suggest bringing your kids to EPCOT. That would be the Food and Wine Festival. I worked there as a custodian during the event, and while it is a great way to introduce new foods to your kids, there are guests who tend to attempt a challenge called Drinking Around The World. I have seen more than one dad being pushed around in a Stroller by their kids because he tried the challenge and failed.
I do agree with the idea of not always getting the Food Plan. If you plan on going to one of the other attractions even for a day, that is just a waste of your credits. Also if you are staying off Property, you can still get magic bands for your entire family on the shop Disney website.
Another piece of advice about magic bands, you can go to the Disney Character outlet on Vine Street (near the park) and get magic bands for less than in the park or online, you just need to go online to program it.
Also, renting a car, especially if you are staying on property, is going to become an even worse idea because Disney plans to start charging to park at the resorts. This is because locals will park at the resorts for free than catch the bus or one of the other forms of transportation to get into the parks.
I hope some of this advice from a former employee is helpful.
I've never heard the advice about the magic bands. Thanks!!!
I agree with your comment about EPCOT and Food and Wine, especially Friday and Saturday nights. I don't know, but maybe the locals are all coming in those nights. Yes, way too much over serving!
But I love the Food and Wine Festival, it's my favorite at EPCOT, so we normally go Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Far fewer drunks!
The first year Animal Kingdom opened we went as early as could be and got to the Safari rides for the first one going out and probably saw two animals because they were the only ones awake. It was quite disappointing. We usually Drive all the way from Texas so we will have a vehicle but I am definitely not happy about having to pay to Park at the resort. When I didn't have to pay I had trouble finding parking places. It's not like you can park anywhere close to your room and it's too far from the room to walk all the way to catch the shuttle bus to the park. They are having free short-term parking for someone wanting to just visit a resort. We want to take our grandson's in about 2 years but even saving now, we may not have as much with as high as all the prices have gone. Disney has priced itself out of the middle class Market. And they have also increased the limit sizes of how many people can attend their special programs such as Mickey's not-so-scary Halloween so you don't get much of a benefit thinking that you can get on rides easily since it's a smaller crowd because when I went it was a big crowd and they don't use fast passes during that time. I have wonderful memories of going with my daughter or with a friend when we didn't have to practically remortgage our houses. Last time I went we lived on macaroni and cheese from a food court since it was about the cheapest meal. Also drove to Walmart looking for cheaper souvenirs and some snacks. In the case of Disney I'm starting to believe there can be too much of a good thing with everything that they have added that you can't afford to stay long enough to see.
silentpaw I don’t hear much about the magic bands if you’re staying off property so thank you
The one time we did drive to Disney we surprisingly left the car parked and used Disney transportation (this was before the resort parking fees started). Then one year we had a split stay between Disney and Legoland. We found out just how well the trams worked in the parking lot and I was kicking myself as to why we took the standing room only bus the previous year. I doubt if I'll ever drive down there again (I just can't drive up the motivation to drive from Iowa to Florida and back). But if I did I'm lucky enough to be a DVC member so the parking would be waived anyway.
I am old I was at Epcot on opening day in 1982 still and will forever be my favorite park.
😍
You forgot about the two BIGGEST benefits of staying on-property (including affiliated hotels like the Wyndham): booking fast passes 60 days ahead and extra magic hour. These two benefits could equal 8-10 *more rides* or character meetings per day for your party. You could spend 2-3 hours waiting for the most popular rides (like Pandora) if you don’t get fast passes or have magic hour access, and you should never, ever, ever spend more than an hour in line for ANY RIDE. There’s no price you can put on this, but I think those two things are worth the extra cost of staying on property in most cases.
Excellent points, planning for post-COVID trip & you sold me, thanks!
Magic Kingdom is for everyone. Epcot is for everyone. The Studios are for everyone. Animal Kingdom is for everyone. I don’t know how anyone could think otherwise.
My kids love EPCOT. the boat ride in Norway is awesome. We love the different countries. And the big Ball is a great way to relax and enjoy a ride while not walking for a bit.
I 100% agree. My parents never brought us to Epcot when we were younger because they thought we would be bored. Now, we have annual passes and we beg to go to Epcot almost every weekend.
Magic kingdom doesn’t have any big fast roller coasters. I’m 15 and I love rides that go over 70 mph. I did really enjoy rides like 7 dwarves and splash mountain, not because of the speed but because of the experience/story. They were fun
Agree! My kids favorite parks is Animal and Epcot. Their ages are 6-13.
Hollywood studios isn’t exactly for everyone. Not a fan of tower or terror or rock and roller coaster or the shows but now with toy story land, it’s something we always do
I am so glad you mentioned that Epcot is kid friendly. Me and my family love to go to Epcot. I get so confused when I here people say that kids don’t like Epcot. Epcot is a great park for kids. I am going to Epcot for my 13th birthday coming up and I am so excited to just walk around the world showcase area.
Grace Jellybean honestly! epcot was always my favorite park as a kid and now that im older it’s still my favorite!
most kids I know hate Epcot though. Well, it depends on the kid.
My daughter loves Epcot the most because she's not really that into rides, and loves the Agent P game. All kids are different.
I think it really depends on the kid and age. My toddler hates it and has been so far at age 1 and 2. He lasted maybe half a day before losing his 💩! Now my older two( from around age 6 on) love it and can do the whole park all day. I love it but it's really hard to keep a toddler entertained there.
My Children Love Epcot although we seen a few drunk people the last time we were down. Little disappointed not something I thought we would ever see at Disney.
I'm a 34 year old man and I might smack someone who tells me to skip the magic Kingdom.
Haha..right on!
I hope my 19 year old nephews want to go.
I'm 57 and still love the Magic Kingdom. I almost cried one time when I went to The Enchanted Tiki Room and the cast member announced where the exit was and that that they could leave anytime they wanted during the show. I was sitting right next to the exit so no magic for me or the cast member after he was fired.
Thomas Maner my grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at The Magic Kingdom.
😂😂
When Disney dining first started it was an amazing deal. We literally saved enough to pay for our room at Port Orleans. Since then they have drastically increased the price of the deluxe dining. It's not worth getting anymore unless it's free. The room rates have jumped up so high that even with free dining it's not worth it if there are only 2 of you. We're staying at the Hilton next week at Disney Springs for a third of the price of an equivalent room and we get magic hours.
Amen, Totaly agree, We never stay onsite, Wyndham Bonnet Creek has villas (full kitchens , Epcot firworks views and free parking). Hilton Waldorf Astoria part of Bonnet Creek is also less than 1/2 price of Disney resorts. Four Seasons Resort is also inside the Disney Gates (Same price as Monorail hotels $400+) but Luxury that abounds something you will never forget.
@@mikej1570 Thanks for the tips.
I disagree with this, I think it depends on how many days your staying and what your meal routine is for instance when we go we stay for 10 days the deluxe dining plan breaks down to $110 per adult. If you do a buffet in the morning and a table service meal at dinner you are already at $100 on average. So I agree with the video and that it depends on the situation.
Melissa Stoner I’m with you. We do 14 days. 7 at riverside ( or Caribbean beach) and always 7 at Polynesian 14 day dining ( we do top dining restaurants) 10 day hopper pass ( no kids
I guess it depends on your budget.
If you aren’t staying in a resort and can’t get a fast pass to Slinki Dog Dash because you only get to pick 30 days in advance, I recommend rope drop. I got on the ride in 10 minutes! Same with flight of passage or Mine Train.
i did same. i left my wife and toddler at rope drop and sprinted to slinky dog. waited no minutes.
for avatar, i'd recommend getting to the park an hr before park opening, got on both of the rides couple of weeks ago before the park was officially opened
Did avatar rope drop in 2019. 3 hour wait lol
Magic Kingdom only for kids? Im a 35 yr old guy who goes solo and MK is my favorite park . There is so much to see and do and its fun for all ages.
David yup
The universal one I always hear is "wait until the kids are older", but yes, to be fair, most people can't go frequently so that's for the best much of the time. I've definitely told friends that. Though my family arguably waited TOO long- I was a cynical teenager on my first visit and that wasn't as much fun save for the rides, lol. And my sisters barely remember it, despite being around 10-11.
Worst advice I was given was to take advantage of Magic Hours for all 3 of my days we were there. I was falling asleep standing up in Epcot the third day, and nearly passed out on Mission Space. And I regret not being able to enjoy the theme of my hotel because I had to wake up early and stay late in the park. Next time, I'm taking a day off during the week to enjoy just the hotel and Springs.
Morning EMH are much more beneficial than evening, so if you have to pick, it's probably best to just do the morning (especially with limited time). People who go for rope drop often go back to the hotel in the middle of the day for a nap. That can really help since you do generally have to at least stay until the fireworks. It sounds like the big issue is that you only had 3 days though -- that's one of those situations where you have to choose between doing less or being exhausted. People often make the wrong choice between those options.
That's a great idea. We usually do rope drop every day. We rarely stay until closing. We also take a pool/relaxing day in the middle of the stay to recharge the batteries.
Agreed. My family only does Extra Magic Hours for the Magic Kingdom morning hour.
@@d_dave7200 I completely disagree - I love evening EMH at MK. It is a must do for our family. We wont do EMH in the morning as the parks are way to crowded and still spend too much time in line. Most of the times in the evening after the fireworks that crowds clear out alot
@@bobreid5079 They do, but statistically speaking you save more time in the morning, despite it only being an hour. The wait time figures don't lie. I do love MK at night though -- it's beautiful.
(Note: One time this isn't necessarily true is super late closings. A 1am closing is marginal and depends on the crowd levels, a 2am closing is very likely to benefit you vs morning if you stay up that long.)
Thank you AJ for addressing some of these ideas. I'm planning a Disneymoon next spring and we were given a week at a friend's timeshare for the week, so we won't be staying on-site! We also will not be using the dining plan (since we're not big eaters or snackers) or doing rope drop most days because we don't want to be wiped out by the end of the week. One thing I've learned watching your videos is that there is no one idea fits all plan! Great video!!!
Remember that it is a lot of walking. Just went in October and we averaged over ten miles a day.
I will recommend using an uber to the parks if you don’t have an Annual Pass. As of right now, parking is $25 so if you can get a cheaper uber or lyft it’s worth it I’d say
Rope drop to fireworks: every dang time! woo! Disney!
Rope drop to magic hours am I right
Exactly! I always say I'll sleep when I'm home
Taylor Ingram hahaha..me tooo
Mickey Murphy you're more than right!
Right. Sleep at home.
I love the advice about not overpacking or don't bring them too young. I went to WDW once back in '72 when I was 3. I've never been back since ( but going again in Jan 2019 ). I remember EVERYTHING. My little 3 year old brain remembered more about that one WDW trip then I did from all cumulative years of public school.
Also, as I sit here pre-packing in prep for my WDW trip, I realize AJ's right. I don't need to bring most liquid items like sunscreen, bug spray, shampoo, soap, toothpaste, laundry soap, etc. ( Probably won't need those first two in Jan ) Sure, it may cost a bit more to buy travel toothpaste in the airport or hotel but it saves not cleaning a potential mess inside the suitcase. I'm not bringing flip-flops for the pool, either. Takes up too much space that I need. Gift shop ones are good enough for the relatively short time I'd spend at any pool.
Advice like this vid are super helpful. Thank you.
If you’re staying onsite then they provide shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion. It’s a really nice brand! I love bringing the extras home.
We are super lucky to be able to go back next year after going the first time with my just 3 year old a couple of years ago. I was just showing him pictures of us going and he remembered all of it and is super excited to go back. Me however went as a 10 year old in the 90s and can barely remember anything!
If I ever get to go I'd have to bring my own sunscreen since I have sensitive skin.
You should still use sunscreen in January, (you may not need to reapply so much) it’s still Florida! 😉
Also, there are supermarkets not so far away from WDW. i went a few years ago, we stayed off property and we had a Publix just a few blocks away!
I've never heard the animal kingdom being a half-day park one before, that's insane! There's SOOOO much to do. I know with my family we barely did it all in a day, and we ended up skipping some things we wanted to do like the live shows.
Totally agree with you on Hollywood Studios tho. Yeah Toy Story land just opened and star wars is coming soon, but there are very few rides to go on right now(especially if you're not a fan of coasters with anything upside-down or drop rides like me xD), and if you're not a star wars person then I'm sure hearing the shows every half-hour would probably annoy you pretty bad.
IMVADER2 I like Star Wars and all but having the shows happen every 5 freaking minutes makes me so mad lol. Just let me walk freely!! Please!!!
Some people are focused on rides and not shows. My kids were always high energy and couldn't sit still or keep interest in the shows. After we did our fast-pass rides, having arrived at park opening and already been on those same rides, we were done by lunchtime. Now with Avatar land it is better but it really was a half-day park for us.
Until Pandora, we used to think of it that way but not anymore. 😊
Omg AK is sooo relaxing! The nature and trees, SHADE, live performances etc..
Plus it has awrsome and uniquie food and... ALCOHOLIC drinks....a combination which makes it so easy to chill in that park all day lol.
AK and WSC are my go- to "All- day- thrill & Chill" parks
Went in AK in the 90s. It was very much a half day park then, and only recently became a full day. I’ve gone when they closed at 7, although, for some reason I feel like it might’ve been 6 at one point, because even Universal Studios closed that early. It was pretty much expected that everyone casually show up later in the morning and leave at 6, taking the bus to the Downtown Disney to finish off their day. With Pandora and Rivers of Light there’s more of a reason for it to now be a full day, though, even when my family goes next month, they will close at 8!!! Only reason I could see anyone doing a full day at AK is if they ride EVERY ride, see EVERY show, and NEVER once use the fast pass system.
Thanks for the "wait til they're old enough" one. I've been going since before I can remember, and now my son has been going since he was 8 months old. We are fortunate to live nearby and go frequently, but I find that each and every trip is different for him. And now that he's 3.5, he DOES ever the trip before. Don't know if he'll remember them all when he's my age, but he loves to go to Disney.
My kids loved Epcot! They still do. They really love Magic Kingdom and Epcot and now that they are adults, still their favorites.
hey AJ!! i absolutely love your videos, ive never been to a disney park but your channel really makes me feel like im there sometimes. i have a video suggestion, im not sure if anyone else has put it forward, but would you ever be able to do a video on disability access/amenities/etc in WDW(/disneyland)? im a person who needs a wheelchair when i go to theme parks, but i find the information on WDW's websites confusing, plus im not sure of whatever support they offer on-site. if you could ever make a video on this, i think itd be really appreciated. thank you for reading!!! 💕
EDIT to add: i personally can also move from a wheelchair to a seated ride, but im not sure how that works or if its allowed. id also love to meet characters, but again am not sure how thatd work or if theyd be happy to interact with me or hug/etc even if im in a wheelchair. im super sheltered, i know! but i think theyd be awesome things to address in a video. thanks again if you ever decide to do this!
V I hope she makes a video on this too but just from my knowledge of the parks they offer both regular wheelchairs and electric wheelchairs. The rides will also state at the beginning if you’re able to transfer from wheel chair to the ride seats (which is most of the rides.) It is difficult to maneuver through the crowds sometimes but it’s way easier than being in pain or not being able to walk long distances, etc.
I'm certainly no AJ but I have been at WDW more than a dozen times and disability access seems to be very accommodating. You have to transfer to a regular WC to get on a number of the rides. You will notice that a LOT of the people on powered chairs do not actually need them but get them for the convenience. Not a big deal but too many drive them poorly and run into others. Hope you get to go soon. Really love the MK, been going since '72.
V you will get to a Disney Park it is going to happen for you.
Disney Parks are as accommodating to people with Disabilities as in other in the world. I can assure you they make every effort to make things easier and more comfortable for you and your family.
No problem for people in wheelchairs! Plus, when you're transferring into/out of a ride, tell the cast members that you need them to slow things down [when there's a moving walkway] and they'll do that too. That's what we have to do for my daughter and her BFF - my daughter has disabilities (doesn't need a wheelchair but does need extra time getting in/out of rides) and her BFF does need to use a wheelchair most of the time. Everyone is great in accommodating them. Believe me, you'll have a great time!
If someone ever tells you “Animal Kingdom is a half day park” or “Skip rides if not everyone wants to ride it”, do two things. 1) Give that person a wedgie. 2) Ignore any advice that person gives you about anything, ever.
Animal kingdom used to be a half Day park. Not literally, but it used to close at 5 or 6pm.
You could spend two days at animal kingdom and not ride everything
"Wait until your kids can remember it"...yes, spot on! Why waste money on a trip they won't remember? In fact, why spend ANY money on ANY activity for your pre-recollection age kids? Don't be foolish. Keep them in a pleasantly-colored spare room in your home (at about 72 degrees F) except for meal times and bathing until about age three and a half (this may vary). Soothing music is acceptable, streamed from a free service. Anything more than this is just throwing your money away.
hahaha!
lololol. This was too funny not to admit it.
said the one without children.
I took my kids last month for the first time, and the youngest is almost 2. He didn’t appreciate everything quite like the older kids, but he LOVED goofy and Minnie and Mickey and all the characters so much, and he loved looking at all of our pictures. He won’t remember it for his whole life, but he remembers it for now and he enjoyed things and did have a great time. His older siblings will remember it, and we’ll go again in a few years I’m sure, so I wouldn’t say to never take small kids. It doesn’t make sense to make your older kids wait until they’re in middle school just because the youngest isn’t old enough to remember everything. Let them enjoy it as younger kids, then the next time you go, they enjoy it as older kids and the youngest enjoys it at the age the older kids were before.
I guess if you were only planning to ever go once in your life, it would make sense to wait until everyone was old enough to remember it, but let’s be honest, if you love Disneyland, who only goes once in their whole lifetime? 😉
I took both my kids to WDW for their first time before they were 2. I shamelessly and selfishly enjoyed every minute of the wonder, awe, and pure joy they experienced, but didn't remember. I did the same at their first several birthdays and Christmases...they don't remember those, either. YMMV.
My daughter’s favorite park is Epcot. She fell in love with this park during her first trip (she turned 6 that trip). Almost 6 years and a few visits later this is still her favorite.
When we went to WDW for a second time, my dad wanted to do a half day at Magic Kingdom. Guess what happened? We stayed there the entire time somehow and it completely changed his mind. He used to think it's for very little kids but he very much enjoyed being there.
Also my dad is a WDW oringal kid because he first went when it was just Epcot at 7-9ish. Epcot is still his favorite whoops.
I am not a morning person, but I WANT to do rope drop at least once in my life. I heard some pretty magical stuff can happen during rope drop.
CosplayCore DO IT!!
Doing rope drop to fireworks is one of the BEST experinaces. Yes, it's exhausting but it's super magical! I've done it twice foe MK and then once for Epcot. It's a reallt amazing time and you really do get to do a little of everything. Rope drop is pretty great though, i enjoy it. Disney is the only timw im a morning person, hahaha
I worked rope drop for Hollywood, seeing the families and kids happy to be there made me happy- seeing people run to rides.. not so much
Rope DROP AK
The others aren't too special usually but AK does a whole show with birds and blows any other rope drop at any park worldwide out of the water
We have gone down to Disney for each of our 3 kids first birthdays and they have all LOVED it. The memories that my wife and I have of taking all of them that young are priceless and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate their first birthday than at Disney.
11:56 the jokes during the Jungle Cruise ride cracked me up so bad xD
My sons were very young (1 and 2) when we took our first trip. I took lots of pictures. They don't have crystal clear memories but they definitely enjoy looking at the old pictures and talking about how they have changed. The boys' big memory that they have talked about ever since they started going to WDW is King Louie and Baloo. They may not remember everything but my husband and I treasure those memories.
I went to Disney World twice before I went last September and hated it. I never thought it could be possible to not only go to a theme park and do it wrong but to do it wrong twice. My girlfriend who has gone just about every year since birth talked me into going in September and I absolutely loved it. I thought Magic Kingdom was for little kids but it ended up being my favorite park. At this point if I won the lottery tomorrow I would have an exact replica of the haunted mansion built to live in with the ride if that’s not some kind of copy right I can get sued for. I would be willing to bet that anyone who goes to Disney and doesn’t end up a fan made my same mistake and did it wrong. The only complaint I really had was going at 36 the right way but being out of shape. I don’t think I’ve ever napped so much.
Same on the haunted mansion! Lol
I first went to Disney when I was three, and didn't get back there until I was around 20. I don't remember a ton of my first trip there, just bits and pieces of certain areas, but the *feeling* of it always stuck with me, and every time I go back now those feelings come flooding back. Kids will remember, and remember powerfully.
I think the advice of waiting until your kids are older to go to WDW stems from the fact that parents should put their children first. Parents who take a 3 year old or younger are making memories for themselves and not their kids. And don't get me started on the parents who yell and scream at their 2 or 3 year old after pushing them beyond their limits all day. Those parents that drag their 2 year olds from rope drop to the fireworks and then scream at them needed to follow the advice don't become parents.
Jeff Zimmerman I think that if you take your young children, even though you might be the only one who remembers the trip in the long run, you should still keep your kids wants and needs in mind. Go on the rides they want to ride, eat at the restaurants they like, etc. also remember that kids don't have as much stamina and really young ones shouldn't be out in the heat and sun all day. Take tons of breaks (even if it's just indoor ac restaurant time) and naps. If you let your kid be involved, they'll remember it more too
if it's nice weather outside and i have an annual pass, why not enjoy the day with my son. do you logically think i'm wondering if he will "remember disney" or not? i'm basically enjoying my time with my son whether it's at the park down the street, the beach near my house, the mall, or at disneyworld. out of curiosity, how many kids do you have?
I don't want to tell other people what to do with their families, but as a fellow visitor in the parks, it sometimes feels like it's too much. Over the last couple of years, the number of people with infants and children under 3 seems to have spiked. There were parts of Magic Kingdom that were barely navigable last time I was there due to all the strollers. And this was on a weekday in mid-November.
Becca Sue my biggest problem with those families is that they seem to be the ones having the least fun. The parents probably don't love lugging around all that stuff and really young kids probably don't enjoy the constant heat, sun, and walking (heck neither do I 😂). While I have my own selfish reasons for wishing those families would spend less time in the park (it would make moving around so much easier), I also think that those families would enjoy their time more if they spend the bulk of the day doing other activities (swimming, exploring hotels, doing the kids activities that Disney sets up, etc) and going to the parks once the sun has started to set and crowds have settled down more. Or they could just wait until their kids are a bit older to visit the Disney parks, but like I said before, I respect the decision to bring children to Disney as long as they are the ones having fun in the moment and not just the parents.
maddie clarke Whatever reasons families come to WDW with any number of children will never make any sense to you until you actually have children. I think it’s hilarious how you’ve developed a plan for people with children to better enjoy WDW based on your assumptions.
Yes! Great vid! Most of these are things I've also talked to people about, and it really does depend on the specific reasons for the trip, the family/group/couple, etc. I'm heading there with my sis and her friend this weekend, and after being there so much, I know what I can skip and what is a must-do for us. AJ, you covered a lot of topics, and did a great job of it, thanks!
Epcot is my 6 year old’s favorite park. He doesn’t care for many rides yet, but he can spend hours in England’s British revolution maze garden. 🤷♀️
I've recently started binge watching your videos because my husband FINALLY green lighted a Disney vacation. Your vlog is one of the best. Concise vids that aren't overly long, videos have a point, and you have a great narration voice that I dont find annoying! I like your vids so much more than other Disney blogs that I make it a point to watch the entirety of any ads that pop up so you get the residuals, because you deserve it!!! Keep up the great vids!!
People blow my mind who use a snack credit for a water! Get a cup of ice for free or a mocktail with your snack credit. Never waste money or dining plans on water
I agree.
It blows my mind when people buy water at Disney either way it's almost $4 and there's free water offered everywhere
My son is 3, he is head over heels in love with the cars movies. I don't want to wait to go when he will remember it. I want to see his little face light up with joy the first time he sees Lightning McQueen.
If you are flying in and staying on property, DO NOT RENT A CAR FOR THE WHOLE STAY. If you want to go off property for a day or two, then just rent the car for those days from the rental hub inside the park. Contrary to what you may think they do not charge more to rent cars there and you can us Disney transportation to get there, get the car and then use it and then drop it back when you are done. It makes no sense to rent a car that is going to sit in a parking spot for the majority of the time(especially now that you have to pay to park)
D S that's the whole point of staying on property..who the heck wants to drive on their vacation?
We took our daughter last year for her first visit at 15 months. She had so much fun! She loved meeting Minnie and Mickey and loved the rides. We’re planing our trip next November now (she’ll be 3 and our new baby will be just over 1). We’re also planning 2 days at animal kingdom because my older daughter is obsessed with animals
I think AK used to only be open until 5 or 6, so maybe that is why it got the "half day park" designation. I agree about Hollywood Studios. We did everything in 3 hours last time we went.
In regards to the rope drop, coming from Colorado, the time change made rope drop very difficult (and we are not even Pacific time). The day we actually did make it to park opening we were dragging by 3:00. Whereas other days when we got to the park closer to 10 we lasted all day.
And my kiddos loved Epcot! We did spend a summer in Europe a couple years ago so maybe they are more exposed and excited about travel than other kids, but I totally agree AJ, Epcot has tons to do for kids!
I absolutely LOVE the dining plan and will never stay on property without it again! Totally agree if you're buying a $2 bottle of water with a snack credit and ordering a salad you're never going to get your moneys worth but if you don't want to have to worry about what you're going to order on the menu or taking out your wallet every time you want to eat it is ALWAYS worth it in my opinion!
I never eat in the parks, too expensive. I bring my own food. I never stay at a resort, too much money. I stay at Comfort inn. We get free big hot breakfast, microwave and refrig and shuttle to the parks even Universal and SeaWorld. We took my 7 year old niece and it was end of Aug. and we did rope drop and we first went to Fantasy land and it wasn 't crowded which we loved. I wasn't taking my niece until she was 7 just so she wouldn't get tired or cry or have a temper tantrum. I would never ever take a kid to a Character Dining, it was such a rip off. What if you have a child that doesn't go on a ride and you and your spouse want to go on the ride together, who watches your kid? My nephews are 18 and would probably find Disneyworld to immature even some of the stuff they would like.
I think AK is a TWO half-day park. First half-day, rope drop and get all the rides done early before it gets really hot (it gets even hotter at AK than elsewhere for some reason) then head to another park, or DS for the evening. Second half-day because you simply MUST make a second trip to see Rivers of Light and Pandora at night
Carrie Lynn that's a really good idea that I never thought about. I always do animal kingdom as a half to 3/4 day park if I can bear it, but not because I think animal kingdom only needs a half day. Animal kingdom just gets so so hot for some reason. Thank you for the idea!
@@maddieclarke258 Even if you don't park-hop, AK is a great one to leave mid-day and have a swim/nap, then come back again in the evening too. :)
I totally agree about AK being at least a TWO half day park. I was a cast member during the 2018 holiday season, and took four visits to AK during my contract. I had two morning-afternoon visits and two evening visits; between those four visits I did/saw most of what I wanted to see. It was fun to experience AK and then move on to a hotel lunch, or an evening in Hollywood Studios or Magic Kingdom afterward. Nothing beats Animal Kingdom in the morning!
I would strongly disagree with "you have to do rope drop" being bad advice. At least in the middle of summer when my family goes, you can ride more good rides in the first two hours, and especially the first hour, than you can the rest of the day. Missing rope drop is like giving away half your E-rides for the day, plus it is the least hot part of the day!
Agreed. We went to mk yesterday and walked around main street for 45 min before the park opened. We walked right onto many rides during those first 2 hours. Park was noticeably more crowded by 11am.
It’s overrated if you’re not a “Morning Person”! 😉 I can’t even speak before ten! 😂
Even on vacation, I'm awake at 0700, or maybe it's because I have a toddler.@@karens8633
@@itr0863 same here. Im here now and have been up and drinking coffee by 6am courtesy of my toddler
Karen Seeley my husband jokes that I magically become a morning person when it comes to Disney World 😂 normally can’t function before 9 or 10 but you can bet I’m rope dropping and closing the parks when I’m there
AJ never undermine yourself. The information opinions and perspectives you provide are Wonderful and invaluable to myself and many others. You are a Ambassador to the Magic so stand tall and proud with all you and your team do.
0:58 - I thought an alarm at my house was going off
I’m 43 I was at Disney two years ago going back. I LOVE magic kingdom, loved Epcot as a kid to
I dont care if youre 90, why in the world would you go and not go to magic kingdom!
Couldn't agree more about EPCOT! I work in the UK pavilion and there are so many children who have never met someone from the pavilion countries before and they ask so many questions and get genuinely excited to meet the international cast members, such a unique experience!
7:11 i think they meant the lines at pandora!
I got the advice of “don’t bring your kids until they are old enough to remember”, which I ignored, because I had fun, watching my 2 1/2 year old have fun - which is an experience that I will always remember... and there were plenty of activities my wife and I enjoyed with our daughter as a family that made our Disney experience magical... and sure there are many places you can take your children to that might be more local at a fraction of the cost, which they will also enjoy, but nothing is as immersive (and to me) as enjoyable as a Disney vacation... great video!
We got in on the free counter service dining this trip and decided to pay the difference to upgrade to the middle tier dining plan. Why? We have two young adults and they always pick the most expensive thing on the menu and the dining plan is for sure the least expensive way to feed them.
I have been watching DFBGuide for over 6 months now because I am planning my first trip to Disney World in May! (My parents took me when I was 2 and I don't remember a thing.) Thank you so much for all the amazing information in this video, and all of your videos. It helps so much!!
1 Disney Dining Plan is too much food! You end up getting the most expensive items, instead of what you really want. The "Free Package" is just another discount, if I have to choose between a cheaper room of the Free DDP, I'll go for the discount. 2 We always stay on property, then move to a different hotel for things outside the "Disney Bubble". 3 Never park in Springs to go to the parks, (they'll just end up charging for parking there and ruin it for everyone). 4 Do NOT ever visit any Disney park with very young kids, if they're too young to walk they're too young for WDW, they'll hate it, cry or sleep all day long and the mass stroller tsunami is getting out of control. 5 Agree AK is a full day park now. 6 The crowds at Rope Drop are pretty big, I suggest you plan ahead (at least 6 months before); stay on property; make your FastPass+ selections -60 days very, very early in the morning and enjoy Extra Magic Hours. 7 Agree! Bring as little as humanly possible, don't pack the kitchen sink especially if flying in. 8 See number 4! Strollers are ruining Disney and NO, kids do not enjoy WDW they won't remember it, they'll be hot, they'll be cranky and you won't get to do what you want to, you'll have to do what those precious Princes and Princesses want. If I had a nickel for every tantrum I've seen at WDW I'd be richer than Bill Gates. 9 Like everything else on WDW MK is for grownups, very little there dedicated for children. 10 Again taking little kids is a big hassle, you have to child-swap and won't be able to ride the really good ones with your spouse (you'll end up sitting with a complete stranger). Leave the little ones at home until they're old enough to at least walk the entire park (7 or 8 years old) and tall enough to ride with the whole family. 11 Each group is different, we prefer to rent a car, staying on property means no parking fee at the parks, you come and go as you please, no waiting for busses, no screaming kids (notice the recurring theme here) no depending on anyone else's schedule. Ride in air conditioned comfort and everyone in your group gets a seat. Disclaimer, I love kids, but in my experience taking babies or very young kids who need strollers to WDW is just not worth it.
We did the drive to Disney springs and take the bus to the hotels and parks when we went. It was nice to not pay for parking but at the same time, the time it took to get from DS to hotel and then waiting at a hotel for another bus was too long. A big chunk of our day was traveling! I agree with what you said about that one! One thing we didn’t realize is that when you use the buses, it’s also not a direct line to the park we were wanting to go to. We got on one bus from port orleans to go to animal kingdom and it stopped at every hotel in the area before finally stopping at animal kingdom. Not complaining, it makes sense that they would do that, just an oversight on my part. Next time we’re going to stay on property or get a hotel that is closer to Disney springs so we can just walk over to DS and go from there.
I honestly still stick by saying that Epcot is not completely geared towards kids. Teens may enjoy it more because of the food but kids between 4 to 10 may not enjoy it as much. They do have a lot of fun things to do in Future World but once you go into World Showcase that's when kid attractions are minimal compared to Future World. Luckily with the addition of three countries and the Ratatouille ride, it may seem more appealing to kids.
Hi AJ! I totally love your channel! I’m a huge Disney World fan and I can relate to many things you’ve said because I’ve been to Disney World many times since I was little. I have been the travel agent in my family for several trips and I totally agree with you on this video! Great information! Thank you!
I’m going in June this year and I’m so excited!!! 🔥😭🎉
Have fun!
God I would never go in June, too crowded and too much rain./
I LOVE rope drop. There is something so magical about being there in the morning without a lot of people and during the announcement that Disneyland is opening. (I am a Disneylander) It is absolutely one of my most favorite things in the world.
I’ll admit, I didn’t care for Epcot when I was little. But a lot has changed since. PLUS I am old enough to drink now 😁
yea. i bring a 6 pack of coors light in my toddlers lunchbox. keeps the spending down a bit. drinks around the world, i can only do half of them.
My dad wouldn’t let me go until I was a teenager! 😡
I agree! We went when I was like 8 or 9 and genuinely felt it should be torn down!!! Now, my wife and I spend most of our trip there exploring and drinking!!! 😂
P JB omgggggg funny!
bbkangs sampling the drinks from around the world is educational 👍🥂
I want to thank you for all the awesome tips. My family and I go to Disney every year for the past 13 years,planning on going in October. I have learned many things that I didn't know as even a person who goes as often we do. I'm going to use the tips in planning our trip this year
Animal kingdom is my favorite, last time it took me two days to see everything.
Just want to say that we brought our 2 year old grandson to Disney last year and he loved it and every time we watch a Disney movie when the Castle comes on in the beginning he always says "We went there." with a huge smile. He remembers so yes take the little ones
People that swear by Dining Plans almost NEVER factor in that you have to pay tips out of your pocket. They usually forget about this part and if you're eating decent places you're going to be paying an extra $300-400 just in tips, sometimes more. The reason is that even though they include the food in the dining plan when you sit down, they still calculate what you order and give you a receipt for it showing this when you're finished eating. Then you have to leave a tip based on the total amount. And normal tipping is 18-20% unless service is god awful. This adds up.
extremeskins04 what about at quick service?
@@BGLuver97 Quick service is fine as you dont tip there but I was just referring to table service.
Yes! That was something we didn't plan for. $20 - $30 in tips twice a day! I could have spent just that much on counter service meals. That's how I figured out that any dining plan above quick service is not for us unless it's free.
the tips are suggested not automatic. if you feel it is too much you do not have to tip that much. $300 tip i am confused, you must be talking about an entire week not one meal. Even then that is a bit much unless you have a family of 5 or 6. $200X20%= $40. That would be ten meals. DDP is less than $100 a day pp so not sure where you are eating to spend that much. Most places we eat dinner averages $80-90 for two adults. we usually tip depending on service. has nothing to do with cost of meal. never should. reason for this is because if you eat somewhere that has cheap food and only pay $5.00 for a meal the waitstaff worked just as hard as the the other place you paid $50.00 for a meal.
@@treasurekings5631 Where did I say it was $300 tip for one meal? I went on a 8 day trip and for dinner (not counting lunch) we ate at California Grill, Jiko, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Flying Fish, Teppan Edo, Morimoto Asia, and The Boathouse and we paid out of pocket and it was roughly $400 cheaper than doing the Deluxe Dining Plan (DDP) + tipping. I start tipping at 18% and it goes up or down depending on service. Service was very good at every restaurant except Jiko. Jiko was decent food but awful service.
Anyways so I don't have all the numbers because I'd have to include a few breakfasts, lunches, etc., but after comparing the numbers from paying out of pocket versus how many DDP credits we would have used, it came out more expensive using the DDP because of the tipping. When I first ran the numbers while I was planning, it was breaking even and I said "wow the DDP is worth it then because it's basically the same". Then I was like wait a minute....i forgot tipping. And for the table restaurants just doing a flat 18% it came out quite a bit more. $400-500 more actually.
Also, the DDP is not less than $100 a day so not sure how you're getting that number unless you were talking about a different dining plan. The DDP (Deluxe Dining Plan) is $232.48 a day (for 2 people) and that does not include tips.
If you like to eat at the signature restaurants (which we do), it's cheaper to pay out of pocket. Every time.
Animal Kingdom is my favorite park. Even over Magic Kingdom. Yes, I said over Magic. Don't get me wrong if could only do one park on my trip to Florida, I would choose Magic. However, I love the slow laid back feel of Animal Kingdom. Plus the fact that you get to see all kinds of animals there. I just love it.
AK is also my favorite park, for the same reason you stated. AK just feels gentle. My last visit was on NewYear's Day, and it was magic! I enjoyed several attractions, but also took time enjoying the Discovery Island trails, Maharajah Trail, sit in the shade during an acoustic performance at Harambe, and capped it all off with watch DiVine for twenty minutes. Lovely!
WDW cast member here. I understand the whole "kids under 3 get in free and there's so much for kids" thing, however, even if you go to Disney every 5 years, I will recommend DO NOT BRING TODDLERS OR BABIES. They will be tired, dehydrated, hungry, grumpy, they don't like to wait in line, they may not understand if they can't have a certain souvenir, if they can't go on a certain ride, they will be very disappointed. You'll need to deal with the extreme hassle of a stroller, diapers, constantly giving snacks and drinks to the little ones, trying to keep them entertained, and spending quite a lot of extra money on gifts (or dealing with the tantrums when you say no). I like to say the best age for a child to go to Disney is 5-8 years old. When they're five they can enjoy the kid friendly offerings and they usually don't need a stroller by then. By the time they're 8 most kids are tall enough to ride the major attractions as well. I have 3 nephews (8, 6, and 3) with annual passes and even when they go to Disney for a few hours it's a big deal. Save yourself and save your kids and take them on a more relaxing vacation like the beach.
We have spent many 4 th birthdays in the parks with the 4 princesses. This has been the gift to all. Of the girls they loved it time with us, first plane trips and all character meals once a day. The girls and parents had a blast every time.
Well, here's the second video in 3 weeks that does not include the option for closed-captions. WHY?? I really love this channel but so many times I feel left out because I'm hearing impaired. Please please please consider ALL your subscribers. There are many deaf and hearing impaired persons who surely love Disney food.
Could not agree more.
You make wonderful videos but ONLY when they are captioned.
When I begin to play one that has no captions I turn it off immediately. You lose followers as well as respect by ignoring the reality of the deaf and hearing loss population. We spend millions at WDW and its a pity that many of your posts are insulting by being unavailable. Your skill and valuable info can only be appreciated when you appreciate the spectrum of your followers (and prospective followers). Again, love your captioned work. Please strive for 100% inclusivity. Thank you.
I think you can enable Google captions in your user settings. They aren't always 100% correct but they help.
Vanessa Smith According to Google Support- ‘the creator of the video determines whether their software is able to display captions’.
On this, the latest DFB video released (and others), if you click on the upper right triple dot icon- select the closed caption option - it will say at the bottom of screen that captions are not available for this video.
I don't hear You Tubes well eithet.
Keep in mind, DFB isn't an official Disney TH-cam channel. At least, that's the sense I got from your comment. They are just a fan blog.
They probably just forgot to toggle them on. It looks like the vast majority of her videos have the auto-captioning on.
Epcot was definitely my favorite Disney park as a kid, and it still is now! I appreciate the architecture, food, and shows a lot more than I used to, but I still remember being in Canada about 5 minutes before the park closed in order to get my final kidcot stamp.
Disney bus transport is not magical any more , it’s a nightmare , infrequent, often packed , not fun any more !
Rope drop ....... we call it the Disney Stampede now , we found early November so so busy and rope drop is just a mad dash for the new Attractions. We stopped going early and relied on fast passes . 🙁
We do rope drop, and you're totally right about the stampede. It's pretty crazy these days, but even with the crowds you still get a huge benefit in wait times if you're willing to stick it out.
If you don't get there 30-60 mins before though, you might as well chill out and take it easy because it's one of those diminishing returns situations. In some ways, arriving before park opening (say, 15-20 minutes) but not super early can be the worst-of-both-worlds, because you have to wait for the park to open AND you still get lines by being too far back in the crowd. Crowds sometimes dissipate from the headliner attractions (except Pandora and Toy Story Land) a little after opening anyway, so sometimes you can get a great wait time at 20 minutes after opening or whatever. The lines tend to shoot up and then drop a little as crowds spread out. Getting there a little after park opening and using fast passes for headliners can work fine, especially if you're staying on property (early fast pass bookings and EMHs) and/or willing to have a later night.
d_dave thanks for the tips , it’s all changed so much and got so much busier in the 2 years since we were last there . We won’t be going October into November again that’s for sure !
One of the good things about rope drop is that you can hit several of the older E-ticket attractions with no lines because everyone has dashed for Seven Dwarfs, Avatar or Slinky Dog Dash. If you have fast-passed the new ones, it's still worth it to get there early and get in some rides before lines form. I like to go on some rides as many times as possible.
We went in Oct and I cannot agree with this enough. For the most part we were at rope drop for every park and we even went to the parks that offered magic hour and it was ridiculous. I promised myself I would just rely on fast pass and skip some of the rides with the longest lines. People just lack that respect, it’s such a shame for adults to trample over smaller children just so they can get to the ride first.
Kimberly D . Absolutely !
Last 2 trips to WDW my daughters were under the age of 3. My oldest was 9 months on her first trip and seeing her clap on the voyage of the little mermaid and smile a Rapunzel were priceless. And we probably rode like 4 rides through rider swap. So pretty much every ride with the girls. The Baby Care centers are great as well.
Unless you are rich i would over pack. Its is worth it . I diss agree with alot of this . Sorry but as a budget spender when its cold im not spending $50 or more on a sweat shirt or jacket. A poncho is like $10 a disney but $1 at walmart.
Jason what? She didn’t mean Disney merchandise. She meant toiletries and food.
There's a difference between overpacking and being prepared, we wore a coat on the plain, packed a sweater each and a small emergency poncho, we shared a checked bag to save money and it worked out perfectly because we didn't overpack.
There is a 24 hour Wal-Mart that is a 5 minute drive off property.
YumeiNikki But that extra luggage probably cost you quite a bit in airline baggage fees.
@@keepcalmsavehyrule even food and toiletries, i would pack a launch and snakes . It would save $100 a day on food alone. 1 hot dog and a drink at disney can cost $20. A 12 oz bottle of water cost $4. A coke cost $5. I always bring food and drinks.
I definitely agree with you on Epcot being kid-friendly. I went there back in 2010 when I was like 7 and it was definitely my favorite park it’s such an immersive, interactive and cool park and when I went in January of 2018 it was just as fun.
Epcot was always the best. Even back in the 80s.
I took both my kids from 18months old....they loved it!!! We of course loved it, bit even though they won't remember those trips, they were in absolute heaven
11:32 I dont know its pretty important for the kids to remember it. After all it is based mainly around children and if your only going to ever go 1 time I think it is probably more important for them to remember it than for you to rememeber it.
You missed the whole point of the video
I only agree with the "waiting until kids are older" not because of whether or not they will "remember it", but because taking a baby/toddler to Disney steals so much time from the parks. You're constantly having to stop and find bathrooms to change diapers, nursing stations, bottle washing, getting out of lines because the potty training 2 year old always has to go to the bathroom or has an accident... then they get cranky in the afternoon and you have to take them back to the hotel for their nap with is another 3 hours lost, and you cant stay out as late because its past their bedtime, and even if you do stay out late to catch the fireworks or a night show, they are asleep through it.
First time I took my son he was 3 years old and I really wanted him to see the Fantasmic! show at Disneyland but he was knocked out asleep in his stroller by then. Then you also have to deal with hauling a stroller everywhere and having to carry them 3/4 of the time because you cant take strollers in the lines and their little feet get tired pretty quick when standing in those long lines so you end up having to carry them.
It's just a lot of headache taking a child who cant walk or go to the bathroom on their own. Personally, 4 is the earliest I would take a kid unless I didn't have any other choice. If you HAVE to take very young ones, try and take enough extra adults to share the responsibility so you don't miss out on a bunch of stuff. Take grandma and grandpa - they usually don't want to ride the big rides and they like to take naps in the middle of the day too so they can watch junior while you ride rides and they can take the baby back to the hotel in the afternoon giving you some free time in the parks :)
WHO SAID THAT EPCOT ONE
IM 13 AND IVE ALWAYS LOVED EPCOT
and your wrong about that animal kingdom one
Thanks you this video. Very informative and sensible. I live in Northern California and took all my kids to Disneyland before they turned 6 months and do continue to take them at least every other year. Seeing how they enjoy Disneyland as the grow is very special. I also plan take them to Disney World when the are a bit older because it will be quite expensive and we want make sure they remember going.
Been to Disney World 8 times, never once felt the need to rent a car.
Kirk Rotger never ever!
Yea me neither.
Yup
The little one myth is a good one. We took a 3 year old and she remembered "everything" for a long time. One thing we did was create a photo album fairly quickly when we returned home and she participated which reinforced her memory and also was extending the magic.
Transportation is a headache whatever way round you go... We've stayed on-site the past two trips. A couple of years ago, we rented a car for a few days, super easy, they picked us up from the hotel to the Car Care Center, then when we returned it dropped us off wherever we wanted (Blizzard Beach). But this trip, we just used Uber when we wanted to go off property, that was spontaneous and flexible and less stressful than driving a rental car in a foreign country!
Disney buses are bad though. And there's this attitude of "*shrug* Well what do you expect with buses...." I expect to be able to get back from Magic Kingdom within 2 hours, EVEN with evening Extra Magic Hours. It's not like the surge in passengers is unexpected. Lay on more buses for peak times. They've got all the data from Magic Bands, crunching the statistics wouldn't be that hard to work out where and when the buses are most needed. But no. Offer Minnie Vans instead...
even when i stay on property, i still drive to the parks, way faster....but then again, parking free with an AP is the deal breaker so that is a bias i have.
The honesty of this video was so right on. It's so refreshing to watch something like this. Great content!
Has anyone tried the Amazon prime shipping to your hotel thing? is there a charge and do they just leave it at concierge? I'd do a whole case of water.
Dogface use the Prime Now app. We weren’t charged a resort fee for our grocery delivery. Our standard Amazon Prime shipment did have the $5 fee.
@@Ren-ge6rh thanks for the tip! I'll use it for our next trip. I know this is sacrilege but I actually don't think Disney food taste that good😲 and definitely not worth the price so why not make sandwiches and save money (and calories) for souvenirs!
Dogface we always get drinks and breakfasty stuff delivered! It saves time and money. We find it inconvenient to stop for breakfast most mornings.
My family doesn’t use amazon but we use an app called garden grocer! I highly recommend it and it is basically an online grocery store, It directly ships to your resort and it is very useful.
@@urmom-xv1dd ouhhh thanks for the tip! I love food😂
I have a story about the really little ones in Disney. When I was at MK the second time, I was entertained by this little baby, just walking, who was totally fascinated by one of the costume characters in a mouse costume (from the movie The Rescuers). It was so adorable. We took so many pictures of this little baby we didn't even know because it was so adorable.
Rather than not taking your child 'til he or she is older (I don't see the sense in taking a baby or toddler but if it's not going to be your only time, then it's sensible), how about just to go at your kid's pace? Go back to the hotel for the afternoon or naps or swim, take a non-park day and learn how to say 'no' at souvenir and junk stands.
But what kind of threw me is first talking about how to save money, then going on about not worrying about hats, shampoo etc 'til you're in Orlando. What? A hat costs twice as much as my food budget for one day!
Rope Drop was awful. I got there by accident once (Thought the park opened an hour earlier) and people are MEAN. If I'd gotten elbowed in the tit one more time by some aggressive dragon-mother I was going to lose my shit.
I took my 3 year old last year, she doesn't remember it but she loved it when she was there. Especially Epcot!
I’m so excited because I might go to Disney. I’m trying my hardest to convince my dad. Please wish me luck and give me suggestions on what rides I should check out and what hotels are good to stay in. Also if anyone knows how much money it costs for fast passes could you please tell me. Thanks everyone!!!!!
Personally, I like the big, fast rides. Ex: Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror, Rockin' Roller-coaster. (There is more) As for hotels it really depends on what amenities you're planning on using and what your budget is. Especially if you're staying on site the Disney hotels are really expensive. Finally, fast passes don't cost any money. With every ticket to a park you get the three and you can get more after use that 3 for the day.
I'm staying next month at Pop Century for $116/night, I think that is the cheapest on property. I was low-key mentioning Disney to my mom for a few months before I straight up "suggested" it would be a fun trip for the two of us, which it will be! Haven't been since I was younger but Space Mtn was always my favorite and I've already got our fast passes. I can't wait! Good luck with your dad!
I love your username. Hope you can also go to Universal and see Harry Potter World. It is expensive for one day but so worth it if you are a true fan. Check out Costco for deals on Disney World, compare them to the Disney site, you will save some money. Undercover tourist also offers a small discount on tickets. Consider staying off property to save money on hotels. Many off property hotels have shuttles to the parks. The perk to staying on property is you can make fastpass reservations earlier. If money is not an option, I would stay at one on the monorail hotels for easy access to Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Staying at Beach Club or The Boardwalk allow you to walk directly into Epcot. I hope your dad says yes.
Thank you everyone
My kid was a night owl like me. We chill at the resort enjoying the pool then go to the park in the afternoon and use extra hours at night.
One time we did that Magic Kingdom was so cleared out we got on 7 rides in 90 minutes
It’s awesome. No waiting ~ you walk right on to every ride you want!
There’s a special magic to the place in the dark with the lights.
Epcot is great for ALL ages and Animal Kingdom is an all day event. Best day we had was started with the character brunch at Tusker’s.
Animal Kingdom closes early so there is enough time to grab some dinner and then use your park hopper pass to go to which ever park has magic hours. Watch the fireworks and catch some rides
I'm honestly not a big epcot fan...I just went last month and I loved the food festival a lot but the world showcase is pretty boring for me as a European. Most of the countries are European and aren't anything new for me....I do enjoy japan and Morocco though. But yeah without the festivals going on I dont see there being much left for me. My fav is animal kingdom!!
xxbananachipsxx yeah we did 1/2 day at Epcot. I don’t really want to go back to the park. I’d rather spend my time at MK or AK
For the couple times I've been to Epcot over the years. I would agree that it wouldn't hold much for a European Traveler. Unless you are going during one of the flower, Wine and Food, or other types of festivals they run now.
Yea my favorite parks are AK and HS. :)
brought our grandsons in Nov. and this all they talk about and my two year old grandson loved it and talks about it almost everyday. When we are watching Disney Jr he talks about see all the things and the characters
As a resident of Florida
PLEAS FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STAY IN THE HOTEL OR AT LEAST BE CONSIDERATE OF RESIDENTS SOME OF US HAVE WORK AND SCHOOL WE DON'T WANT TO HEAR YOU PLAY IN THE POOL AT 12 AT NIGHT
I stayed off property for eight nights and drove to the parks using my annual pass for free parking. I extended my trip by a two nights by staying at Port Orleans Riverside. I went to the bus stop first thing in the morning the first full day at Riverside and sat to wait for the bus. Large groups of people started to show up and stand around the point where the bus loading door is. I recognized what was happening and knew that there's more than enough people here to fill a bus, so I walked back to my room got the keys and drove myself and probably got to the park before them.
Me: year 9 student planning her gap year with only $ 900 to her name.
Wow I'll keep it in mind thanks AJ ⬇️⬇️⬇️
But seriously your savings tip videos help because on my gap year in going to disney and universal for 1 week each with my sister shell be 16 then and I'm then going to law school so I need to save 150K roughly so it helps.
The parking at Disney springs is totally legit. I’m local and do it ALL THE TIME. It’s free versus $20. That’s an hour of work for most people. And you can easily catch a bus to resort and then go to Parks. It takes a bit longer but it saves $20. Again $20 is worth saving in my opinion. Plus you get to visit Disney springs! It’s fun and you can stop for dinner in the springs on your way out.