One of our favorite blogs to write is always about Disney and answering all your questions! We have been going to Disney every year (some times 2 or 3 times a year) because our parents own a Disney DVC timeshare! Every year our parents made sure we went on our annual trip to Disney- so special looking back because all 6 of us cherish those memories together! Instantly going back it just reminds us of all the special memories we have and now we get to share it with our kids!
Anne & I (Kate) surprised our husbands with a DVC timeshare for their wedding present last year! The DVC timeshare is so great because you can go whenever you want (not just certain weeks like other time shares), you get certain discounts, resort 5 star hotels & most of all a vacation filled with memories for 40 + years! Can’t wait to keep creating memories all together!
FYI: you now how to pay for “magic bands” aka the bands that control your room key, park tickets, payments so if you have some old ones from previous trips feel free to bring those and the hotel front desk agent can connect them!
Answering some questions you all wrote in below!
Q: The new Park Reservations system & Park Hopping?
A: You have to make a park reservation before heading into any of the parks! I’m pretty sure that this can be done up to a year in advance! You must have a park ticket attached to your reservation first or else you won’t be able to schedule a park reservation. We did our reservations the day before and had no problem, the gate agents said they rarely sell out, but as the months get busier definitely try to book a reservation a few days prior! Especially Christmas time!! Park hopping- you must enter the park you first make a reservation at then at 2pm you can go to as many parks you’d like (no reservation needed). This was “new” for us because last year we only could go to one park, but I think this has been the case for the past few months!
Q: Best restaurants?
A: (Some of our most-loved) Via Napoli – Epcot, Earl of Sandwich – Springs, Chef Mickey’s – Contemporary, Boma- Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beaches & Cream – Beach Club, Fish & Chips- Epcot, 50’s Prime Time Cafe – Hollywood Studios, Sci-Fi (simple food but amazing space + shakes!), D-Luxe Burgers- Springs, Nachos in Mexico
Q: Did you use Genie + or lightning lanes? Are those up and running?
A: These weren’t up and running just yet, but we heard they will be soon! These will be the replacements for “Fast pass lines” Genie + will be able to help you plan out and maximize your park day, while I believe you can pay for lightning lane passes to certain rides!
Q: How often do you travel to Disney?
A: We have been going since we were babies! Our parents have a Disney timeshare and Anne & I just bought one too so with our points (we used some in Disney’s Hawaii this year too) we are able to go once or twice a year, some times more for shorter trips and depending on the year of course!
Q: Best place for Character meals?
A: Character buffets are now doing socially distant greetings so you won’t be able to get too close like you would normally be able to do FYI! Our favorite character dinner was definitely Chef Mickey’s – you see all the classic characters + the food is amazing! Definitely check out if they are doing character dinners/buffets at these places before going- Cinderella’s Royal Table and Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom, Cape May at Beach Club are a few others!
Q: What resort did you stay at?
A: We typcially try to stay at Disney’s Beach Club, Boardwalk Resort or Saratoga Springs!
Q: Nicest most convienent place to stay?
A: Depends! Some parks are located within walking distance to a few of the parks so if you are planning on doing the parks most days try to stay near one of those! It makes a difference being able to walk, take the monorail or skyliner from some parks instead of taking the bus everywhere. Saratoga springs is located within walking distance to Disney Springs- a great place for quick dinners and shopping!
Q: What to bring for babies?
Definitely your own snacks, water (you can bring into the park), sunscreen, sanitizing wipes
Q: Must do rides?
A: Soarin’, Avatar Flight of Passage, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Rockin’ Rollercoaster, Splash Mountain, Star Wars Rise of the Resistance (if you can get in)
Q: Best bang for your buck food/drinks?
A: If you are staying at one of the Disney Resorts definitely worth it to get one of the refillable $20 mugs! You can use it for your stay and can refill it at any resorts. We stayed at The Beach Club and when walking around the boardwalk we were able to fill it there too.
Q: Better to go at Christmas or Spring?
A: Christmas time is so magical with the decorations (think life-size gingerbread and chocolate houses). If you are going to go anywhere for Christmas, Disney is definitely the best! Spring will typically have warmer weather, but can be busy with spring break vacations.
Q: I’m 13 weeks pregnant and going next week! Any tips?
A: Aw congrats!! I would say definitely bring your own snacks and make sure you have enough water! If you are unsure of any rides I would first be sure to ask or to google and if I was still unsure I just wouldn’t go! There is still so much to do in Disney without going on rides!
Q: What rides (if any) are you going on since you are pregnant?
A: These are the ones I went on: Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, Soarin’, Frozen Ever After, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Grand Fiesta ride in Mexico, Finding Nemo. I was going to go on Toy Story Mania! (says it is safe) but changed my mind last minute cause of the jerking.
Q: How do you plan out the rides you are going on?
We picked what park we wanted to head to in the morning and planned from there. With the app you can check the wait times. If there is a ride you want to go on and the wait is long, either try to go really early in the AM or right before closing!
Q: Use a Disney travel agent?
A: We have never used a travel agent. If you want to that’s great, but I also think that going with the flow is amazing! Planning yourself gives flexibility to change your park days/ pool days if needed. Disney makes it easy with the app; park and dining reservations etc. to do a lot before hand.
Q: Top things to do for 3 y/o girl & 5 y/o boy?
There are so many rides that are for smaller children and I think it’s important to remember that they’ll be happy at the pool or going on the skyliner/ monorail and not to try and fit everything in all at once! Pick maybe 2 days to do the parks because the parks are crowded and can get exhausting. Definitely Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom are my favorites for that age!
Q: Best places for Disney tees?
A: I would definitely suggest grabbing majority of your disney gear ahead of time to save time and $! We have had a ton of luck grabbing some from Amazon, Target or Etsy!
