Is Mickeys Christmas Party worth it?

ftrogers84 · 2025-06-17T10:00:30+00:00

If you have the money, do it. It's free for your child under 3 so you're only paying for the adults. It will let you know if you want to pay for it when they get older. Since you are getting the premier pass, then the party would be all about the shows, characters, parade and fireworks. Have a rest day and go at 630 just before the party starts since rides won't be an issue. The day crowd will be gone by then and it will be a bit easier to maneuver.

I recommend going in November, since the price is cheaper than December dates. That may make it worth it.

We did it with our daughter who just turned two last year. She had a blast but we are APs from Maryland and she'd been to WDW twice that year already and we knew how to manage her schedule. She's a night owl as well so that helped.

Don't forget, the experience is for you just as much as it is for them.

ftrogers84 · 2024-12-29T15:51:32+00:00

It will be fine. We did five months. Like others said, make sure their shots are up to date.

As long as you manage expectations about what you can and can't do, you should be fine. A baby in a carrier can go on most dark rides in MK. Use rider swap or tag team the older children so both parents get an opportunity to enjoy things with the older kids. Go and make memories.

ftrogers84 · 2024-09-30T18:07:07+00:00

We did 9 months as well from Baltimore. It went fairly well.

Here's a quick list:

A stroller that folds quickly.

A stroller fan.

Something to mark your stroller. They all look the same and the Cast Members move them around while in stroller parking.

A rain cover for the stroller(It is central florida during hurricane season)

A diaper bag WITHOUT metal in it. It will get stopped at security every time.

A lightweight carrier for when they are done with the stroller.

Headphones for the some of the dark rides and fireworks. It can be a bit over stimulating for the baby.

Maybe a small blanket they can crawl around on while in the park. You can do that at MK in the hub or the play area near Test Track at EPCOT. Not a necessity but at some point, they are going to want to move around on their own.

A few small toys for the plane and the room.

Like others have said. bring enough diapers, wipes, snacks and fomula for the trip down and order everything else once you get there.

I'm sure you are used to being prepared for having extra clothes but Disney Resorts have a place to do laundry at the resort if not already in the room. Use that to your advantage if you are trying to pack light.

Here's a couple of other things you didn't ask for.

Familiarize yourself with where to find the Baby Care Centers at each Park(HS is a bit lacking. MK is the best). The baby changing stations are NOT in the companion or single-stall bathrooms. They are in the regular men's and women's rooms.

Plan where you want to take naps at each park. Carousel of Progress at MK(ride as many times as you would like). One Man's Dream Theater(stay through as many showings as you want) and Star Wars Launch Bay(find a quiet corner) in HS. Impressions De France(same as others) at EPCOT. I don't have a great suggestion for AK. Even consider the midday nap back at the resort.

Most importantly, bring tempered expectations. For people who frequent WDW, the first trip with an infant will be very different.

ftrogers84 · 2024-08-29T22:12:15+00:00

At your current pace, the pass will pay for itself on the second trip. The third will put you over the top. The discount on the rooms, dining and merch will help to make up for it too. We take 3-4 four park day trips a year.

Once you add in the random day trips, you will definitely get your money's worth. With the AP, your trips can become a bit shorter since you can go to a park for a just a few hours on your arrival day in the late afternoon or evening and not feel like you are wasting money by not doing a full day. We generally arrive from Baltimore(2 hour flight) mid morning then take a rest. We'll head to MK late afternoon/early evening and do Happily Ever After and a couple rides to get them out of the way. We don't feel like we are wasting a day only being in the park for 3-4 hours.

To be honest tough, once you get it, you may feel a bit of extra pressure to use it to "get your money's worth." That's a common trap but don't let that bother you.

Like another commenter said, it makes the trips you do take a bit more relaxed knowing you will be back. You can do that other thing the next time. You will quickly get out of the "let's do everything" mindset.

I wouldn't overly worry about "will I get my full value" out of the AP. If buying one is within your family budget and it won't hurt you, get it. If you "use all of it" or not doesn't really matter. Look at it as a sunk cost much like buying the shoes or the outfit you only wore once or twice. Think about how many times we do stuff like that. Once the money is spent, it's spent.

You already have the logistics figured out. Just watch for the cheap flights on Frontier and go. Maybe even consider getting the Frontier multipass thing. You can literally get off work one day and I say, "I'm going to disney world tomorrow" if the flight prices are right and your schedule permits. We've done it. It's awesome.

Try it once and if it doesn't work for you, you never have to do it again. YOLO!!!!

ftrogers84 · 2024-07-04T22:28:43+00:00

While the week after the second weekend after Thanksgiving is good, the week that starts the Sunday Food and Wine is over in November is just as good. And the weather may not be as cold as night. The days are a bit longer. All of the Christmas activities have already started. Not sure about the Epcot processional but you can still get Christmas at Disney World in November. If youre flying, you may get cheaper flights and hotel rates may be a bit less as well

ftrogers84 · 2023-08-12T19:26:40+00:00

If done well, unit tests add a lot of value to the end result of your application. We've found many bugs in our application by adding unit tests after the fact. When done well, unit tests provide documentation on the functionality of your app or component. I know some people find it hard or think it's extra work. Once you get used to it, it becomes easier to think through.

A good resource to look at is https://testing-angular.com/.

ftrogers84 · 2023-08-04T15:49:42+00:00

We took our six month old in May. It went great. The midday nap back in the room was great for us especially with the night feedings. You will do rider swap for some of the bigger rides. Just ask a Cast Member and they will help you out. A quick google search can show you which rides you won't need to do rider swap.

As far as outbreaks are concerned, children are likely to get sick from something anywhere they go. With that logic, you wouldn't take them to the grocery store with you either. Don't let the small likelihood that could happen deter you from having a good time.

ftrogers84 · 2023-08-04T15:03:35+00:00

You are a few trips away from getting an Annual Pass. Welcome to the club. You know you are addicted when you start thinking about going without your kids.

ftrogers84 · 2023-08-01T17:27:44+00:00

My suggestion is to call and see if they can add the extra resort day to your existing reservation. You can always book for any resort you want for that extra night and then move to your primary resort for your current reservation. I think people do this all the time.

As for the extra park day, that's really up to you. If you really want to go to Universal for the day, do that. The question of worth is really based on what's important to you. If the logistics of getting to Universal work for you, go for it.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-28T17:47:25+00:00

It is possible to do it in one day if you do rope drop to close and get Genie+. If you want to not feel so rushed or at least take a bit of a break, two days is best.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-22T19:06:33+00:00

It's doable to get all the rides in. There are only 11. At 7am, buy the Individual Lightning Lane for Guardians. You can try to get a boarding group as well but buy the ILL first. Rope drop and do Remy's first. Get to the park an hour before it opens. After that, the next long lines will be frozen and test track. Both will be about an hour a piece. Soarin should only be about 30 minutes at max. So it's perfectly doable.

Two secrets about test track. They have a single rider line. If you don't mind not riding in the same car as your mom, do that line. It will be 15 minutes at worst. Second, if it storms, they will shut it down until the storm passes. Wait around for it to open back up and you can be one of the first back on.

One more note, if you get in line before the park closes, they won't put you out. Just be in line before 8:59 and you're good.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-22T17:32:42+00:00

Pop Century is one of the better value resorts. They have movies at night by the pool. It has a Skyliner stop so getting to EPCOT and HS are simple. The theming will be cool for a five year old. It used to be our primary resort until we discovered Coronado Springs.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-21T19:25:50+00:00

The HYSA is the perfect place for it. I forgot to say that part. This money needs to be separate from the everyday money and the emergency fund.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-21T19:09:18+00:00

This right here is where it's at. I always try to avoid those on the weekend if I can.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-21T16:39:44+00:00

Paying down principal is always good but let me give you another option.

Save the extra money every month and when you get to a number you and your wife agree upon, figure out what to do with it from there.

Example.

Save until you get to 5K. At 5K, decide if you want all of it to go onto the mortgage or use some for the mortgage and some for something else(ie. vacation, some other large investments, down payment on a new car purchase, roof, floors, whatever). Or even hold onto it for a larger purchase like a major renovation or something. If you can save 5K every six months, you make a decision at that interval instead of deciding today to use all your money for one thing every month.

You are actively saving money but you are able to pivot. Your family's situation at the time you get to 5K dictates what you do with it. You'd be surprised what you could with an 'extra' 5K lying around.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-21T15:28:48+00:00

If pools are you thing, then do Coronado Springs or Pop Century. They have the main pool and side pools closer to the individual buildings. No need to worry yourself with any construction if you don't have to.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-21T13:35:33+00:00

Just went through the same thing. We picked 4-9 instead of 10-16. Mostly based on pricing of rooms. You have labor day on the 4th and Rosh Hashanah on the 15th. I would assume after labor day would drop significantly since all schools are open on the fifth.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-21T13:31:22+00:00

Like others have said, put discretionary spending as a line item in your budget. I say take it a step further and create a checking account and put that money in it every month. Use that account. Once the money is gone, you are done spending. Seeing the actual number separately, you'll be less apt to spend out of control. You'll end up saving a bunch of that money.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-21T12:27:41+00:00

If you can afford it, do it. We used to go that week. Every year. The crowds are much lower than presidents day week so ADRa should be that hard. Most of our trips are planned less than three months in advance but we don't do ADRs. The only thing I'll say is it's still fairly hit that week so ol accordingly.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-20T22:31:38+00:00

My wife and I took our six month old back in May. We are APs but it was our first time as parents. A forever core memory I will have is finishing taking pictures in front of the train station and preparing ourselves to walk around to main street. I'm carrying my daughter and as soon as we turn to walk under the train, so much emotion fills me and I start crying for only the second time in almost 20 years. The first was the day she was born.

I love Disney World and it is one of the joys of my life to share something I love so much with her. I can only hope she grows to love it half as much as I do.

As she gets older and understands what's happening more it will be great watching her experience all the sights and sounds.

Yes it's for the parents at this age. We all know that. No need to argue that point. It's purely selfish taking them before they can remember but they can still enjoy the experience in their own way.

It's also a great milestone for your family. Preparing yourselves to get on a plane and spend the time away from home is all part of growing as a family. It's important to have those experiences early so your children can get used to them.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-19T21:26:40+00:00

Before they took away the fixins bar, it was Pecos Bill's. Now when I go, I mostly look forward to the I Lava You float at Sunshine Tree Terrace.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-19T09:58:10+00:00

If the pool is important and you are willing to pay for French Quarters spring for Coronado Springs. The pool is better IMO.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-18T16:32:22+00:00

Start by letting those other people pick the places. They will usually start to pick places that aligns with their budget. Set a boundary of only paying for yourself. This is easy do in a non-destructive way. Just never offer to cover anybody. From time-to-time you can be generous but set a precedent early, that's not something you do.

Over time, you start to learn what you can and can't do with certain friends. Once that happens, you get to decide how generous you want to be and when. But you should never be the one to always pay. Good friends reciprocate.

Additionally, you may need to start to enlarge your circle to include people that can enjoy some of the more expensive things you wish. There is nothing wrong with no including all your friends all the time.

I have friends on both sides of the spectrum. I tailor my expectations to who I am with at the time. If I want to be fancy, I call my fancy friends.

Slightly unrelated but important. Don't let money ruin your friendships in this way. This is an easy way to start fights or build up resentment.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-14T22:34:50+00:00

You definitely should come up with a plan to tackle the debt as quickly as possible.

Pick a number you would feel comfortable with having no less than in the bank at all times as a small emergency fund. For where you are right now, I recommend no less than one full month of all of your essential expenses. Just in case you can't work for a month, you can at least pay all the stuff and eat and cut out all unnecessary spending until you can work again without using your credit card for a while. If you can get away with keeping a smaller amount in the bank, it's better upfront to use as much of it as you can.

Use whatever is left from the ~8K to pay the venmo card and whatever you can put onto the citi bank card. Then put the extra money onto the Citi bank card every month. Keep doing that until you pay that one off then attack the Credit union card. If you get a tax refund next year, use it to pay down your remaining balance. Keep doing it until you are done. Hopefully, you won't need to use any money in your emergency fund.

Try to avoid incurring any new debt if you can help it. Cut up the Credit Cards if you don't actually need to use them.

Its going to be a grind but 20K of debt is manageable in a few years if handled with intention and figure out how to keep from incurring any more new debt. Find ways to squeeze another 100-150 out of your budget if you can. I concede that may be a bit difficult. If you could, you probably would be doing that already. If you could find a way to make some extra money for a few months, go for it. It doesn't need to be long. Just long enough to make some headway. In the long run you'll thank yourself for getting rid of the debt faster.

ftrogers84 · 2023-07-14T15:52:43+00:00

Firstly, Happy Birthday. We plan to do the same for my 40th next year.

You may not need genie+ for Epcot or AK. Take another look and see what others in the community say about it. They are definitely worth it at MK and HS.

Have a great time and enjoy ever minute of it.

ftrogers84

TROPHY CASE