Taking former foster son(8yo) and his Dad (first time!). All guys trip and want to make this awesome for everyone. 8yo has been several times before and is excited for his dad to experience.
We have the 6 day tix, staying Coronado and switching over to Board Walk for one night. 8yo loves water parks and pool time, plus Star Wars.
Preliminary plans:
Mon: travel
Tuesday: check in day and water park
Wed: park
Thur: park
Fri: park
Sat: rest
Sun: park
Mon: switch to Boardwalk…water park? Park at night?
Tuesday: park morning, travel home
Other thoughts for the trip. One character meal so dad can experience. Fireworks dessert party? Cabana for water park day?
The goal Is for dad and son to have such a great trip and experience it all as one family. Would love your idea and opinion on everything! Help me Obi-Wan you’re my only hope!
What a great trip! I know you would get two free waterpark visits but honestly at BW I would take advantage of that great pool slide and the walk to Hollywood Studios.
Are there any rides either that the 8yo wants to share with his dad or was too short to go on before? Would he want to act as tour guide?
Any characters that dad (or 8yo) likes the best? Too bad that there aren’t any Star Wars character meals…
If there are EEH the night you’re at the Boardwalk, that could be an option (depending on the 8yo’s evening stamina).
We also have a split stay, and my kids really want to try out all the different pools, so I suggest building in time at both resorts. They actually remember night swimming at the Oasis quiet pool at Poly (versus multiple rides that they’ve completely forgotten).
This is a big expense yet one that I make because the stress of finding space makes things less magical for me. It may depend on everyone’s heights and how long you’re willing to stake out a protected spot.
If the 8yo is interested, doing Play Disney Parks for the trails in AK or DuckTales in Epcot can be a really fun family bonding experience.
On Wednesdays in June there is After Hours at Hollywood Studios. It is a separate cost (and not cheap) but you can get into the park at 7 and stay until 2 hours after normal park close (I believe until 1 am).
We’ve done it twice at HS, and I have some fantastic photos of my family in an empty Galaxy’s Edge. I feel like GE has to be experienced both in the day time and at night.
My favorite way to do AH is to not get a regular park ticket on an AH day. We eat a good breakfast at the hotel (maybe a character meal?) then hit the pool and have an early dinner before going to HS for the night. Just a thought for a Star Wars loving kid. Toy Story Land was also great fun for my kid at 8.
Regarding the dessert party at Magic Kingdom, it’s kind of a toss up for me. The Seats and Sweets (Tomorrowland Terrace version) is nice after being on your feet all day, but the view is from the side and not the best. I’d rather do the version where you stand in the Plaza Garden.
I’ve never needed a dessert party to have a good spot for fireworks. Whether a group of 2, or 10. I typically find a spot we like and the rest/eat as we wait. Mobile order meal or just snacks. Not everyone likes waiting, I know; but since we have to eat anyway, we overlap!
