My wife thinks it will keep my daughters from being strippers, so I need to get a handle on making a trip to Universal / Harry Potter / whatever. And I think it’s gonna happen over Christmas break this year, which I’m guessing is the worst possible time of year to go.
So, I ask the hive, how to make this as good as it can be?
AngryCorvair said:So, I ask the hive, how to make this as good as it can be?
Don't go!
I could write a book on this.
Step one- stay on property. Yeah, I know, it's stupid expensive. But if you go in offseason and stay at a value resort it can be "reasonable".
Edit- now that I see you're going around xmas, you're berkeleyed. Xmas is seconded only by spring break for busy season. It's really pretty, but you will be waiting. Stay on property anyhow- traffic is hell.
Meal plans. I dont know how picky your kids are, but meal plans can be life savers. You generally get one quick service, one snack and one sit down per person, per day.
TAKE IT SLOW. Please, let your kids be the lead. I have seen tons of parents in and around the attractions dragging a screaming child by the arm to make sure they met Elsa. If the kid is tired, take a break. On that same note-
Bring snacks and water. Disney gives absolutely no berkeleys if you carry in snacks and drinks, and they are a lot cheaper off property. Also, sun block, extra phone battery, etc.
If you book tickets in advance book your fast passes ASAP. I wouldn't be surprised if 85% of the e-ticket rides are already gone. I cant book til a week beforehand, so I generally dont even bother.
Do not underestimate the power of slow rides like the carousel of progress. It gives your feet a rest, theres ac, it's dark so you can theoretically catch a quick nap, and it's kinda fun. Also, theres never really a line.
Uber. Mears cab has a monopoly on central florida. Dont believe the hype. Uber is cheaper. It's usually a Puerto Rican doing his best Joey Logano in a camry, but they're a lot cheaper.
Most of these tips apply to universal, though they're even more nickel and dimey than Disney. If you stay off property, let me know and I can put you on the food and beverage. I still know most of the chefs in the area.
AngryCorvair said:My wife thinks it will keep my daughters from being strippers
As a dad with daughters your only job is to keep them off the pole.
Step 1 base it all around that corvette ?
First thing is we send my son to get our first fast pass.
All Disney restaurants will give you a large sized ice water for free. We drank a lot of water.
Busiest time of the year - have fun!
One more thing- if you can, make some you and your wife time, even if its duct taping the kids to a pole somewhere. Its extremely stressful chasing the kids all over hell while money flies out of your wallet by the cubic forklift load- nice bottle of wine, something you two want to do that a kid friendly (there are some pretty damn good movie theaters, and tons of live entertainment all over) whatever the case may be.
My wife works on the side for a Disney travel agency to help people plan and book Disney trips. She knows the Disney world parks inside and out and I’m sure she could send you some tips. Feel free to pm me if you want more advice.
Having made that trip over a Christmas holiday, going any other time of year is my recommendation.
Crap!!!! Just typed a long response and it somehow got deleted. Cliff notes....I can't speak for Universal, as I'm not interested. But I'm a HUGE fan of Disney World. We've had annual passes twice since 2015 and have spent over 100 days there in that time. We were there for Thanksgiving and Xmas in 2015 and again last year...we spent 12 days there over Xmas last year.
I know Mndsm knows Disney inside and out 
but I'd disagree with staying on property. We can get a 1200 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 3 bath townhouse that's 10-15 minutes off property for $100/night. That same money may...just maybe...get you a "value" hotel room on property, if you're lucky. A "nice" room on property is $250+/night. Traffic, IMO, isn't bad at all. Sure, you'll hit a traffic light or two that's backed up, but it's nothing remotely like rush hour in Philly, Atlanta, Chicago, etc.... Plus, we love having our car with us, we can go where we want, when we want. No relying on a bus, full of tired cranky kids...and parents.
As noted, Disney lets you bring food in if you want. We're oddballs in that we bring ALL of our food in. Most don't, but know you can if you want...except alcohol or glass containers/bottles.
You may be too late to book top level "Fastpass" (aka FP+) for rides now, but do it ASAP. If you don't get what you want, try again the morning you go to the parks, you'll be surprised what you can find. I also agree to not underestimate the less popular attractions such as Carousel of Progress or Nemo or Tough to Be a Bug. They're fun, and make for good rests.
Xmas is the busiest week of the year, so pack your patience. It's still fun, we had a blast last year, but you have to just be a bit tolerant. You can find things to do that aren't so crowded. For example, watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian Resort. It's not crowded at all and still gives you a really neat view. Plus, you can roast marshmallows with the kids for free before....and you don't need to be a hotel guest to do it.
Feel free to ask or PM me. I'm one of those Disney nuts...have Disney stuff in our house, my Christmas display, my office, etc...
It may help your sanity and wallet to warn your wife that several girls I went to school with went to Florida and ended up becoming strippers down there.
I've been to both once, stayed off property and spent a day in each park.
Wear good comfortable shoes, don't let anyone convince you to wear sandals. You're gonna walk till it hurts, so make it hurt as little as possible.
The rides at Disney aren't great, unless you get a fastpass skip most of the rides and see more of the sights. It's a sightseeing park for kids first and foremost.
The rides at Universal are far better. There is a pair of rollercoasters that run around each other called Dueling Dragons. There are far less riders at night. The lines to and from the two coasters are like cave paths and there's a hole between the exit of one and the entrance of the other that lets you get off of one and immediately ride the other if it's not busy. Do that. Maybe try for a threefer, but be aware that the dizziness accumulates.
Klayfish said:Crap!!!! Just typed a long response and it somehow got deleted. Cliff notes....I can't speak for Universal, as I'm not interested. But I'm a HUGE fan of Disney World. We've had annual passes twice since 2015 and have spent over 100 days there in that time. We were there for Thanksgiving and Xmas in 2015 and again last year...we spent 12 days there over Xmas last year.
I know Mndsm knows Disney inside and out
As noted, Disney lets you bring food in if you want. We're oddballs in that we bring ALL of our food in. Most don't, but know you can if you want...except alcohol or glass containers/bottles.
You may be too late to book top level "Fastpass" (aka FP+) for rides now, but do it ASAP. If you don't get what you want, try again the morning you go to the parks, you'll be surprised what you can find. I also agree to not underestimate the less popular attractions such as Carousel of Progress or Nemo or Tough to Be a Bug. They're fun, and make for good rests.
Xmas is the busiest week of the year, so pack your patience. It's still fun, we had a blast last year, but you have to just be a bit tolerant. You can find things to do that aren't so crowded. For example, watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the beach at the Polynesian Resort. It's not crowded at all and still gives you a really neat view. Plus, you can roast marshmallows with the kids for free before....and you don't need to be a hotel guest to do it.
Feel free to ask or PM me. I'm one of those Disney nuts...have Disney stuff in our house, my Christmas display, my office, etc...
I still need to get you a golf cart.
Thanks for all the tips so far! Keep ‘em coming! Kids are 16 and 13, and are more interested in Universal than Disney.
AngryCorvair said:Thanks for all the tips so far! Keep ‘em coming! Kids are 16 and 13, and are more interested in Universal than Disney.
My kid just moved away from Irvine, CA and had bought annual passes for the past 4 years when he was in grad school (27 years old now) - he went to Disneyland and California Adventure combined probably close to 50x a year. Disney is ageless......
AngryCorvair said:Thanks for all the tips so far! Keep ‘em coming! Kids are 16 and 13, and are more interested in Universal than Disney.
Virtually every tip transfers to universal, though I dont know how good their infrastructure is for transport. I know their parking is kind of a mess- but around it traffic is usually better than dosney.
AngryCorvair said:My wife thinks it will keep my daughters from being strippers, so I need to get a handle on making a trip to Universal / Harry Potter / whatever. And I think it’s gonna happen over Christmas break this year, which I’m guessing is the worst possible time of year to go.
So, I ask the hive, how to make this as good as it can be?
Take them to the strip club. They will not aspire to be strippers.
And seriously. Seriously. Seriously, bro: I thought I’d be “Dad of the century” for taking our girls there on Christmas break a couple years ago. It almost ended in divorce/suicide. If I had a do-over, I would, not joking, light $2,900 cash on fire while enjoying a $100 bottle of scotch.
That said: My girls are way younger than yours. YMMV
If you’re hell-bent on going at that time of year, FLY. We drove. A 7-hour drive took us 13 berkeleying hours.
Wally said:It may help your sanity and wallet to warn your wife that several girls I went to school with went to Florida and ended up becoming strippers down there.
Seven Seas? Man...I miss the Seven Seas.
Also: What mndsm said...again...if you’re hell-bent on doing it. I like staying at the contemporary, specifically, the side with a view of the magic kingdom...so you can watch the lights change on space-mountain while you get hammered and chain-smoke on your little private porch wondering what the berkeley you were thinking.
And have them set you up with the little berkeleying “we’ll just bill your card” mickey mouse bracelets at the hotel. And set up all your goddamned “fast pass” E36 M3 on said bracelets, which will be a berkeleying nightmare, but the people who work worked at jiffy lube the week before, and got a fifty cent raise to work for disney, so you know they’ll be super smart & helpful, will help you out with all that.
Brother in law is the HMIC on the fast and furious experience at universal. FYI the demon is just a regular R/T with demon panels and badges.
If you want to book a reservation at a popular restaurant:
In reply to poopshovel again :
I forget the name of the place but two of them wound up in a place near New Smyrna. The few years they’d been out of high school had not been kind to them.
My totally unhelpful answer in two words: Space Center.
Good suggestion Doc, but that might make them want to become scientists or astronauts...
So, the teenage girl thing actually works in your favor. There are several tourist grade shopping venues locally that you can take them to with relative ease, and they all have adult themed things to do.
Citywalk- its universals Disney springs. You more or less walk past half of it to get to studios. It's always absolutely slam busy. Tons of restaurants, food, street entertainment, etc. Also, booze. Universal is sort of the anti Disney when it comes to that. They will sell you bud light tall boys in line for rides if they can. Magic kingdom on the other hand, no booze.
Disney springs is well, Disney springs. Lots of high end unique shops. Vera, coach, kate spade....others that girls like (idk). Lots of good food. House of blues is there, food is great (but expensive) and they do live music. (Saw pennywise there a few years ago, going to see drop kick murphys in March if I remember to get tix). They have an amphicar selection there, and they will let you out into the lake with one, albeit captained by an employee. Still fun. (Odd tip- they're all registered in Minnesota. Pretty sure I used to know the guy that owns them. He had lots of weird E36 M3. ). The AMC theater there is incredible, and they have a fork and screen option, full table service and a movie. I hear tell theres a harry potter movie out- might be worth it.
If you DO venture offproperty, there's still tons to do. Old town is Kissimmee is what happened if a state fair midway said berkeley it and parked right where they were, forever. Have a coaster called the mine blower- wood coaster with a barrel roll in it theres also all the stuff on international drive, madam tussauds, the bone museum, the Orlando eye (gigantic ferris wheel. Go at night) sea life, the improv, mini golf, the worlds tallest chair swing (no berkeleying way am I getting on that) more shopping, more good food, hell the worlds largest McDonalds is there. Theres plenty of ways to keep yourself busy without ever going near the mouse.
Disclaimer- I'm about like klayfish. I'm super into Disney. I love to go. But I can go for 3 hours, bang out some fast passes and whatever has walk on status (15min or less wait) and leave. I wont lie though, going over xmas to ANY park is a great way to never do it again. I did Hollywood studios ONCE during xmas, and it was enough to make me want to punch babies.
Edit- dont forget sea world. Blackfish only tells one side of the story. Tickets are generally REALLY cheap by park standards, and hey, they have a sushi joint across the street.
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