Under budget creates opportunity....PLEASE HELP!

Walt Disney World
1

Moved to this thread only (previously posted to Universal also)

Hi everyone,

Looking for some advice on how best to use a bit of extra budget to enhance our upcoming trip.

We’ve come in under budget on accommodation, which has freed up around $1,000 (~£800), and we’d love to put it towards a memorable or unique experience for the family, rather than it just disappearing into general spending.

We’re travelling March 28th – April 10th, family of five:
DW (38), DD (16), DS (13), DD (9)

We’re staying off-property in Kissimmee for the Disney portion, and have a 2-night on-site stay at Universal (3 days EPA + Express Pass for IOA/USF).

Already planned:

• Cirque du Soleil – Drawn to Life
• Fantasmic dining package (HS)
• Cinderella’s Royal Table breakfast
• Garden Grill character breakfast
• Orlando Magic game

We’re currently considering EPCOT After Hours, but as an alternative to buying Lightning Lanes and rope dropping EPCOT. The idea would be to:

• have a lie-in
• tour more leisurely at night
• reduce early morning stress

So I’d love to ask:

:backhand_index_pointing_right: If you had ~$1,000 to spend, would you stick with After Hours, or is there something better that would either:
:check_mark: create a standout memory
:check_mark: OR make our park days flow better / feel less rushed

Open to anything — Disney, Universal, or off-property.

Really appreciate any suggestions!

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You don’t really need to double-post, since most folks will see it either way. Keeping it to one thread allows better conversation.

Anyhow, I think doing an After Hours event is an awesome idea. My only caveat to that is if the rides at EPCOT appeal you enough to spend that much. Of course, who can say no to Soarin’ and GotG!!! And with the ages of your kids, it does seem like there would be something for everyone.

Another possibility, if you don’t want to deal with the massive crowding for the MK fireworks might be to consider one of the dessert parties.

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I agree with @ryan1. A fireworks package or the after hours event sounds like a fun thing.

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Especially the opportunity to ride multiple times with lines much shorter than usual.

I would go with After Hours.

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I guess I would say the same thing, because this is actually what my family is doing in June! Put my money where my mouth is. :money_mouth_face:

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I would move to on property.

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If I could find a (guaranteed) four day stretch where there was an After Hours in MK, EP and HS, I would pay the difference between a traditional four day ticket and 3 After Hours tickets plus a 1 day ticket for AK.

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I’d invest in LL for the duration of the WDW time

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I love After Hours events and would go with that.

However, if you can swing staying at Swan/Dolphin instead you would get access to extra evening hours. (Or any Disney deluxe but Swan/Dolphin is often cheaper.)

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Have you done or considered Wild Africa Trek? We did that last time and have a great time. It’s now on our must-do list for future visits.

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Cosign! Totally enjoyed this when we went (great company, too :wink:). Definitely a bucket list item, especially for those who don’t plan to trek to actual Africa someday.

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Did look at this as well as the nighttime safari so that’s definitely on the list. Thanks, great advice

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I also vote for Wild Africa Trek. We did it last fall and it was definitely well worth the time and money.

We did an After Hours event at Magic Kingdom back in 2019. It was absolutely less crowded, but there were still waits for some rides. Not terrible, but very few rides were walk ons. Snacks are included, but they, at least then, didn’t start serving them until after most of the other guests had left so we weren’t able to grab a bite right away to have while we made our way to the first ride. Snack stands were also spread out. If your focus is rides I would say go for it.

Something not mentioned is the Keys to the Kingdom tour, although I don’t think your two youngest are old enough. There are also guided fishing excursions available if that is something anyone would enjoy. It isn’t my thing, but hubs took two of our sons once and they all had a great time.

Have a magical trip!

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Can’t believe no one has yet posted this, but you could take me if you’re under budget. :wink:

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The 4 major rides at Epcot are spread so far apart - I was just there for extended hours which is only 2 hours and we only rode a couple of rides. We are from Central Time Zone even with a teenager and just wore out by 10 PM (without even starting the day early). I would prioritize getting as many days with LL over the party.

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This is a little different from a party since Deluxe Hours have much higher attendance in comparison, so the lines tend to be longer than you’d hope. But it’s still a good point about everything being far apart! People who do after hours need to be prepared to do a lot of walking and to be out very late to make it worth the :money_with_wings: .

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If you are using Extended hours at Epcot, you do have to be somewhat strategic about the day. My wife and I got three rides in, and had saved those rides until then. They were also on the same side of the park. Starting with Frozen, then Test Track, and then GotG. But 2 hours does go by quickly.

As @Jeff_AZ said, After Hours is a bit different. More time with fewer guests. I still would be strategic though. I would probably focus primarily on WS earlier in the day and save the front of the park rides more towards the end of night and After Hours.

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About how long was your wait for each of these during extended hours? In which order did you ride them? I’m contemplating the same 3 for our trip this fall if we decide to do extended hours at EP.

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