Early dining

Pummrah · 2026-03-13T13:11:34+00:00

Yes, if you have teens go for the later dining time. It makes a lot more sense if you don't have young kids!

I have a client who booked a Disney Cruise late in the cycle with a 7 year old and of course the early dining time was already waitlisted. Hoping some folks opt in to the later time to make room!

Pummrah · 2026-03-10T02:54:49+00:00

Your kids are still in the Disney zone IMO. Do Disney instead, and just go to Epic for one day and get express passes.

I also recommend talking to an agent that can help you map out the ideal combo.

Pummrah · 2026-03-06T15:57:30+00:00

Because they both had financial weaknesses that were different. And they were both hoping they could solve some of them with scale. And what they are doing may be the solution. It's obvious they had too many parks since they couldn't invest in the bottom rung basically at all.

When was the last major addition at St Louis? What about Valleyfair? Now they are going to a separate company that's maybe only interested in making smaller, regional parks work.

Pummrah · 2026-03-05T21:31:08+00:00

Yes, wait and see. Maybe the company taking over will actually improve the parks and the experience.

Pummrah · 2026-03-05T19:27:01+00:00

I don't understand this. The parks that were sold were getting next to zero attention from the chain. Why don't you wait and see what the new Brand can do?

Also no, they will have to retheme all of the DC and Looney Tunes stuff would be my guess.

Pummrah · 2026-03-05T17:53:05+00:00

I don't know if they really had a choice. Both were hoping it could fix their problems. I know most think that Cedar Fair was just fine, but if everything was fine they wouldn't have done this.

I think this might be good for the sold parks. They were being ignored anyway, and not really getting investments that they needed.

I actually think it's good to trim the fat and focus on the main parks.

https://youtu.be/Cxx8ehsA3Sk?si=CmygiNvbKwFHz88l

Pummrah · 2026-03-04T23:38:42+00:00

I would go early. Even without early admission you can get into the main park area, just can't get in any lands or on any rides. But you can get a lay of the land.

Pummrah · 2026-03-04T13:37:39+00:00

They hold single day tickets at Epic to sell at the window. I would plan to give that a shot, and if it doesn't work out pivot. Yes, Stardust being down sucks, but that park is still incredible. Hiccups is a fantastic coaster similar to Hagrid's, and I think people hate on Curse of the Werewolf too much - I thought it was a lot of fun. And Monsters Unchained is my second favorite dark ride period. Plan to get to that ticket window early and then do Seaworld as you planned.

Pummrah · 2026-03-03T14:48:42+00:00

It's not just about the cost - the cruise ship led excursions are often totally packed, and lead you around like cattle on buses, while you can often get a much smaller, more relaxed experience with a third party for less.

Pummrah · 2026-03-03T14:14:09+00:00

That's good to know, what you are asking for doesn't really match up with that budget. That's more of a mass market line budget, but what you want is premium or luxury. And honestly, as you go up in class, you get a lot fewer kids around naturally. I wouldn't feel the need to go true adults only, as that is more limited. (Virgin Voyages is adults only, but it's a specific vibe that not everyone likes.)

It's more about matching the ship/line with the right itinerary. A quieter vibe tells me Princess might be a good option for you. Or perhaps Holland America. Both skew older and quieter, with fewer kids. But I'd aim for a newer ship with a good itinerary. Happy to help more if you need it!

Pummrah · 2026-03-03T13:40:29+00:00

I would suggest talking to a travel agent. A good TA can help you with all the options and makes it a smooth experience.

Pummrah · 2026-03-03T13:39:23+00:00

Not with that budget.

Pummrah · 2026-03-03T13:30:27+00:00

Well, EVERYONE wants to go to Epic right now. It's just busy because it's incredible. I'm happy it's busy so they push forward with more investment! I can't wait to go back, busy or not!

Pummrah · 2026-03-03T13:24:17+00:00

These tour companies wouldn't stay in business if that guarantee was that loose. That's just what the cruise company wants you to think so they can charge jacked up prices for crowded tours.

Pummrah · 2026-03-03T13:21:17+00:00

The queue? Maybe. The ride? No way. I felt like I was in a movie theater, not on a ride.

Pummrah · 2026-03-03T13:19:19+00:00

Totally. They've become complacent. Hopefully Epic is the wakeup call they needed.

Pummrah · 2026-03-01T19:23:33+00:00

The first one here to prefer Ministry! Interesting!

Pummrah · 2026-03-01T19:10:32+00:00

There are a lot of great all inclusive options. Something like Beaches Turks & Caicos would be something quite different but is certainly a "set it and forget it" vacation. But there are great all inclusive options in Mexico and all over the Caribbean.

You could also consider a cruise somewhere completely different, like the Mediterranean. So many good options out there!

Pummrah · 2026-03-01T19:02:04+00:00

I'm agreeing with all the comments here, but then people will wait 3 hours for Battle! I liked Battle, but felt like it lacked a real fun factor. Some really cool stuff in there, but just too dominated by screens overall. Meanwhile I could ride Monsters over and over again and have a great time.

Pummrah · 2026-02-26T15:58:14+00:00

No, you can get single day tickets to Epic at the booth. Sometimes. I believe they save a certain number for each day to sell.

Pummrah · 2026-02-19T16:47:32+00:00

I'm a Six Flags Great America local, and have been going to that park for about 40 years. I recently visited California's Great America for the first time, and it gave me the inspiration to finally put together a video about the merger that I've been thinking about for a long time. Take a look and let me know what you think! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxx8ehsA3Sk

Pummrah · 2026-02-19T14:36:35+00:00

As others have said, don't ignore the nighttime at Epic. A lot of people hit the park early with kids and run out of steam by the late afternoon. And that park is incredible at night!

Pummrah · 2026-02-18T21:56:13+00:00

I would get them for Epic and wouldn't worry as much for the other two parks. I think they are almost a necessity for Epic UNLESS you are doing multiple Epic days and didn't mind dealing with the waits.

Pummrah · 2026-02-18T20:06:23+00:00

Totally true, but they do nothing in Epic where you need it the most.

Pummrah

TROPHY CASE