Worth going or not without LL passes

[wendlle]

I also haven't been to WDW since 2019 and I am going in May this year.
I will not be purchasing LLMP, I can't afford it for 4 people, the Aussie dollar makes it 1.5 times the cost as well so it's just totally out of reach for us.
We decided to rent DVC (which we have done before) and that way we can use the Evening Extra Hours to try and get some of the rides done.

We are going to rope drop and go until lunch, then go back to the resort, swim, rest, visit the community centre for crafts and then go back after dinner until close.

The cost of renting DVC is almost the price of a moderate and you get the extra perk of the evening hours so for us it was a better value than paying for LLMP when you're really only guaranteed 3 rides anyway as they do run out often enough, the cost x4 for 3 rides just doesn't work for us.

 

[hardcorestitch]

Some hacks to consider… all of which without the need to purchase Lightning Lane:
-”Spotlight” a few of your target attractions. I consider other attractions that I don’t flex in as “bonus coverage” where timing allows.
-If you have a large majority of people in your party that aren’t ride crazy… chant it with me… Single Rider! It’s basically FREE LIGHTNING LANE! It’s not available on every attraction but if it’s available, use it to your advantage!
-Don’t be too verbatim on your spotlight and don’t have a panic attack when XYZ attraction breaks down. Have some backups ready… you will get free Lightning Lane in paper.

See, no need for Lightning Lane! If you script your visit right, I’m sure you’ll be enjoying the parks happily ever after.

 

[Tenstew]

I want to say THANK YOU! all for all the wonderful advice!!! It has been most helpful.

It has been 5 years since I've been and I knew there were so many changes that I needed some help.

1. Dining Plan: Good idea for not purchasing and just buying gift cards. My Grands eat A LOT for their ages. So meals are going to be expense no matter. I was thinking I might actually SAVE money on the DQSDP. But I don't know.
2. Park Hoppers: I LIKE park hoppers because I like going to Early Entry Park in the morning, Mid day rest, and a different park in the evening. but this may not be an option this time. (but I am older and I may need that mid day rest! lol) We used to do it this way when my daughter was younger because she has Type 1 Diabetes and it was a much needed mid day rest for her. But these kids will probably want to go full throttle.
3.Rides: My grands have never been to a real amusement park that they can remember. They don't even know what rides they will like and what rides they won't like. My youngest DGD will probably be more of the "thrill rider" than the two older boys. So I may not need LL passes for Gaurdians and the like. They are already squeamish looking at Slinky Dog. LOL!
4. Resort Hotel: I see that I can save money at Sports but MY favorite is POP. And I haven't been there since the skyliner has been open so that was one reason I wanted to be there.

Anyway, Again, Thanks so much for all the advise and help. It helps a lot!! I need to rethink everything and re-evaluate what is most important since everything is so different now from when I used to go every year.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I like going to Early Entry Park in the morning

Every park has 30 minute early entry every day so it really doesn't matter what park you go to.

 

[Genie+]

1. Dining Plan: Good idea for not purchasing and just buying gift cards. My Grands eat A LOT for their ages. So meals are going to be expense no matter. I was thinking I might actually SAVE money on the DQSDP. But I don't know.

It is super hard to come out ahead with the 2025 DDP, especially when at least 3 out of 4 in your party are not drinking alcohol. We loved working the DDP but they took away most/all the bonus/advantages. Imho no longer worth the planning and structure involved. It’s more of a pain-the-butt than anything, at least for us. If you only want to eat at the Epcot food booths all day, no trying to figure it out. Want to visit a lounge or something that doesn’t use DDP credits, or isn’t good value using DDP? No problem. Since DDP doesn’t save money anymore, it’s much better to keep our freedom and not burn our brainpower constantly considering what’s good/bad ways to use credits each and every meal.

While we’re talking about meals - Mobile Order is your friend. Try using it early in your trip so you get familiar.

2. Park Hoppers: I LIKE park hoppers because I like going to Early Entry Park in the morning, Mid day rest, and a different park in the evening. but this may not be an option this time. (but I am older and I may need that mid day rest! lol) We used to do it this way when my daughter was younger because she has Type 1 Diabetes and it was a much needed mid day rest for her. But these kids will probably want to go full throttle.

Trimming off the hoppers saves a good amount. While it is nice to do more than one park some days, it really isn’t that efficient time/energy wise. I find more gets accomplished sticking with one park per day.

If you decide against hoppers, a strategy we like is replacing midday breaks with a few later starts or early finishes.

3.Rides: My grands have never been to a real amusement park that they can remember. They don't even know what rides they will like and what rides they won't like. My youngest DGD will probably be more of the "thrill rider" than the two older boys. So I may not need LL passes for Gaurdians and the like. They are already squeamish looking at Slinky Dog. LOL!

The good news is standby lines have gotten a bit better.

The one LL that can make a huge difference in your day is FoP at AK, but that can be circumvented getting on line just before AK park close instead.

Park touring strategy is complex, but I think you could have a great time with zero to minimal LL purchases. Maybe open a separate thread to discuss how to tackle this for your party.

4. Resort Hotel: I see that I can save money at Sports but MY favorite is POP. And I haven't been there since the skyliner has been open so that was one reason I wanted to be there.

I say go with POP then. There’s a decent advantage with the skyliner. More importantly, this is your special trip. When you look back 10 years from now, what might you remember more? The roughly $300 saved by staying at Sports or trying a skyliner resort somewhere you are excited about theming and amenities?

For good measure though, think about what the money saved going with an All Star resort could be used for instead. Ubering to/from the parks? Buying LLs? I’d think about that too before making a final decision.

Overall I think you can a fabulous time with the grandkids no matter what. It’s all new to them and they’ll be blown away.

 

[We’reAllMadHere]

I want to say THANK YOU! all for all the wonderful advice!!! It has been most helpful.

It has been 5 years since I've been and I knew there were so many changes that I needed some help.

1. Dining Plan: Good idea for not purchasing and just buying gift cards. My Grands eat A LOT for their ages. So meals are going to be expense no matter. I was thinking I might actually SAVE money on the DQSDP. But I don't know.
2. Park Hoppers: I LIKE park hoppers because I like going to Early Entry Park in the morning, Mid day rest, and a different park in the evening. but this may not be an option this time. (but I am older and I may need that mid day rest! lol) We used to do it this way when my daughter was younger because she has Type 1 Diabetes and it was a much needed mid day rest for her. But these kids will probably want to go full throttle.
3.Rides: My grands have never been to a real amusement park that they can remember. They don't even know what rides they will like and what rides they won't like. My youngest DGD will probably be more of the "thrill rider" than the two older boys. So I may not need LL passes for Gaurdians and the like. They are already squeamish looking at Slinky Dog. LOL!

We like mid-day breaks too. Sometimes we go to a different park, sometimes the same park. We like pool time mid-day, as your grands might. It’s easy to push yourself too hard when you’re at parks and excited and overwhelmed. Requiring a mid-day break might be a good thing.

There are some calculators if you google to help you determine if you’ll save money or not with the dining plan. If your grands snack a lot, brining snacks or having grocery delivery might help save on costs. We like to eat oatmeal or granola bars in the room for breakfast.

If your grands aren’t interested in the “thrill” rides, LL will be much less important. Take a look at the Disney app to see what wait times look like today and tomorrow. Spring break will likely be similar. If the kids have a better idea of the wait times, they might have better expectations for the trip.

 

[Little E]

Do you have a Target Red card or debit card? One other strategy I use on every trip to save $ is to buy Disney gift cards using my Target debit card (it's nice...it's not a credit card, just a debit card that is attached to my checking account but gives me all the same perks as the Target Red credit card) before my trip. You save 5% buying Disney gift cards. You can use Disney gift cards for food, souvenirs, everything. You can even use Disney gift cards when mobile ordering to pay for food. 5% adds up for a week long Disney vacation.

I charge everything to my magic band, and then at night I swing by the front desk of my WDW hotel and pay that day's balance with my Disney gift card. If you won't be using magic bands, it's just as easy to pay for everything with the gift cards. Food carts, restaurants, everywhere takes them.

Have a magical vacation!!!

 

[ScarletFire]

Stay at Pop. The Skyliner is worth the extra and not only is it easy transportation to the parks but it connects you to eating options at the Boardwalk and CBR. We visit the Joffrey's coffee kiosk at the CBR station every chance we get.

I love a Park Hopper too but it is way more expensive than pre-covid. Skip it and spend the money on Lightning Lane. You're traveling during spring break and the lines will be crazy long. Don't risk having a bad time standing in line for hours.

We like to get in line for Flight of Passage, Rise, Tron or whatever a few minutes before closing time; LL's are over. Don't do the most popular ride during early entry, that's what most people do and it'll still be a long wait.

The parks will be open extra early and late during spring break. I suggest a resort day or two for sleeping in and swimming during the middle of your vacation. I've been a middle school teacher for 30 years and kids like to sleep.

No dining plan, it's not a good value. Don't buy sodas in the park, ask for ice water. Split CS meals and get more if you're still hungry. We like a buffet with kids because it might be the only time they eat fruit and salad.

Learn how to reserve a VQ. It's a race and not a guarantee during high crowds.

You might purchase an after hours party event instead of a day ticket. It's more expensive but there are no LL's and there is all you can eat snacks. https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events/magic-kingdom-after-hours/purchase/

That's all I got right now. Most of this has been said. I find Disney way different than pre-covid. Have fun!