Last minute trip to Disney help needed please!

We’ve never taken our kids to Disney, but know enough to know that the words “last minute” and “Disney” don’t go together!!

Just don’t have time to read all the blogs and infinite amount of information out there as we are leaving in a few days. Staying off site with another family and have 4 kids ages 6 - 8.

Please share your best “don’t forget to” that rookies like us would forget to bring or do!

Thank you!

Re: Last minute trip to Disney help needed please!

The best advice I could give you is not to try to do it all. You will all be tired and miserable. Enjoy what you get to do and forget about the rest. 6 is still young and a cranky, overtired kid is no fun.

Make sure you book fast passes and check regularly to tweak times if that's what you'd like. Once you check in to FP 3, while on line, try to get FP4 and so on.

Also, take time to enjoys the sights and sounds. Take pictures, grab different snacks. There is always something going on and it can be overwhelming. Take breaks. Enjoy the parades.

You shouldn't try to do it all. I don't bring a lot with us. I like to carry as little as possible. Credit card, id, magic band, hand wipes and purell. Water for my kids.

Last minute trip to Disney help needed please!

yup... like the other poster said. just know that you're not gonna do it all, so just enjoy what you do get to do. I would say go on as soon as you can and make some fast passes for rides- they are free to make 3 a day. then once you use up those there while you're there, you can make some more on the app (my disney experience). when you're staying offsite, you can make fast passes 30 days before you leave... so i would try to do some as soon as you're able to. also i would still take a stroller even at your kid's ages. we just went in december, and my 8 and 5 year old rode in a double city mini a lot. they haven't used a stroller at home in YEARS... but disney is a different animal. and it just gives them a spot to chill and rest for a few minutes which keeps everybody happy. and if nothing else, its a spot to put your stuff

Re: Last minute trip to Disney help needed please!

Last minute planning at Disney....

Book your Fast Passes or make your own top priority list.

Then... Go with the flow, you won't be able to really plan or do everything.

Pack lightly.

Eat lots of snacks in the parks :)

Bring a stroller.

Message edited 1/9/2019 6:39:59 PM.

Re: Last minute trip to Disney help needed please!

I agree go in knowing you can’t see and do everything in 1 trip. If you look up nothing else I’d look up which fast passes to book at which parks. There are a ton of great YouTube videos on that. I’d also try to book some characters meals if you’re kids really want to meet some certain characters you can usually find some last minute reservations especially the day of early in the morning as people has canceled before the midnight cutoff. Doing a character meal will save you time waiting in lines to meet characters.
Bring costumes with you if you think your kids will want to wear them in the park. They cost a fortune inside the parks.
You may want to bring a stroller or rent one and if you do bring something to identify you’re stroller because there are a million and one strollers and they all looks alike.

Message edited 1/10/2019 10:26:42 AM.

Re: Last minute trip to Disney help needed please!

I’ve done Disney as a last minute/short trip many times. Honestly, there isn’t that much of a difference between those trips and the ones where I planned ahead and stayed on site.

My tips:
1. Totally agree with don’t try to do it all. Pick what’s really important to you. For example, if you have never been... it’s probably less important to go on the brand new rides and more fun to go on the classics. Pick a single character that you need to meet.

2. Book a meal with characters. Not because they are great. Just because you will feel like you missed out if you don’t. They are just OK.

3. Travel light. I didn’t take strollers, but I get the fact that some kids won’t walk. I can’t imagine putting my 6 year old in a stroller. She’s been doing Disney on foot since 2. I go solo at times. With 3 kids. It’s not THAT much walking.

4. That first hour that the park opens is golden: go straight to an area that will have a few rides/characters and do them! We waited just a few minutes for Mickey and then did all of Adventureland before our first fast pass.

5. Book fast passes. Do stuff in between. Ice cream is better in Disney. It also kills some time between fast passes. Book a new one after you go through your last (so clump them).

6. Interact. The staff is amazingly trained and fun to talk to.

7. Take time off. I’m not a fan of making vacations stressful. Wake up late some days, stay in the pool, have ice cream for lunch.

Have fun! I love Disney!

Re: Last minute trip to Disney help needed please!

Are you going this weekend? Just keep in mind that its Disney Marathon weekend.

Re: Last minute trip to Disney help needed please!

Thank you for all of the advice!

And whew! Not going this weekend, and knew nothing about the Disney marathon!

Re: Last minute trip to Disney help needed please!

Remember that water is FREE at every quick service restaurant. Don't pay for it.

Last minute trip to Disney help needed please!

Ponchos! We buy a 10 pack of disposables from amazon and they take up no room in the luggage. Never let a passing deluge spoil your day in the park!