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Old 06-04-2011, 08:18 AM   #1
Jakesmom1118
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Extra $...what should we do?

I have figured out the budget (for the zillionth time) and have determined that we could do an "extra" that we wouldn't normally get to do. I need some opinions/advice.

The background-Me, 27 LOVES disney been on 3 trips total, BF, 32 says this is his last disney trip been 2x, DS 8 LOVES disney been on 2 trips total. DS has had some health problems so I've decided we are going to Disney because of this and because he may not want to go in a few more years and hang out with his mom.

I have debated about attending MNSSHP but BF hates the cost without knowing we'd love it. I love halloween and disney so I think I'd enjoy this...not sure about BF and of course DS would love whatever we do.

The other option in my mind is to splurge and spend a day at Universal Studios/Harry Potter. I'm pretty sure I could talk BF and/or my dad into going to US with us in the future (BF has never been and dad loves his grandson & loved US when I was little) so I'm not too worried about missing out on this since we could go in the future.

Opinions? What am I missing? Other options?

Thanks in advance!!!!!
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Old 06-04-2011, 08:41 AM   #2
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I haven't done a lot of the extras but here are a few ideas. Go to Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon or the Cirque show. Do one of the dinner shows like Hoop Dee Doo or Luau. Take a tour. Visit Sea World.
Have fun exploring the posssibilities.
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Old 06-04-2011, 09:05 AM   #3
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Disney Dork's ideas were all great. If you want to visit another park and think US could be the tipping point for a future trip I would do Sea World. Its a great park. Also a big fan of the cirq.
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Old 06-04-2011, 09:58 AM   #4
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If the trip is a def. go, I would talk to your son, and see what he would want to do. He may love MNSSHP. Not sure about lenght of your trip, so if it's short, you may not want to go off site. If you don't have a car, it's also an added expense in addition to US tickets. We love Universal, but we go during a non WDW trip, and do a combo of US, & SeaWorld together.
Have fun planning.
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Old 06-04-2011, 11:07 AM   #5
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If the trip is a def. go, I would talk to your son, and see what he would want to do. He may love MNSSHP. Not sure about lenght of your trip, so if it's short, you may not want to go off site. If you don't have a car, it's also an added expense in addition to US tickets. We love Universal, but we go during a non WDW trip, and do a combo of US, & SeaWorld together.
Have fun planning.

Agreed. Maybe you can get on Allears or the Disney Website and read up on the "extras" and let your son pick what he wants to do. Like the above poster said, he may love MNSSHP (which I think sounds super fun, plus don't they keep the rides open too?). It may not be everyone elses favorite thing at the time, but watching the excitement of a child doing something new at Disney is priceless, and makes it enjoyable in the end at least for me and dh. My hubby is not a huge fan of seeing HDDR multiple times (he thinks once is enough), but my dd's LOVE it (and so do I, ha, ha), so we book it and we all end up leaving glad that we went.

Good luck and have fun. Whatever you choose I'm sure it will be great b/c you are all together.
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Old 06-04-2011, 11:18 AM   #6
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I think any of the above options are great; I do know that a one day ticket to US is pretty expensive on it's own. I would probably vote for MNSSHP....the MVMCP is super awesome and your son may really love the atmosphere of the party. Another option that the "boys" may enjoy is an evening at DisneyQuest.
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Old 06-04-2011, 11:31 AM   #7
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I think you should ask DS!! MNSSHP is so much fun!! And I would save US for another trip!
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Old 06-04-2011, 01:01 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Jakesmom1118 View Post
I have figured out the budget (for the zillionth time) and have determined that we could do an "extra" that we wouldn't normally get to do. I need some opinions/advice.

The background-Me, 27 LOVES disney been on 3 trips total, BF, 32 says this is his last disney trip been 2x, DS 8 LOVES disney been on 2 trips total. DS has had some health problems so I've decided we are going to Disney because of this and because he may not want to go in a few more years and hang out with his mom.

I have debated about attending MNSSHP but BF hates the cost without knowing we'd love it. I love halloween and disney so I think I'd enjoy this...not sure about BF and of course DS would love whatever we do.

The other option in my mind is to splurge and spend a day at Universal Studios/Harry Potter. I'm pretty sure I could talk BF and/or my dad into going to US with us in the future (BF has never been and dad loves his grandson & loved US when I was little) so I'm not too worried about missing out on this since we could go in the future.

Opinions? What am I missing? Other options?

Thanks in advance!!!!!

If those were my two options I would go with a third one and save the money for the next trip.
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Old 06-04-2011, 02:53 PM   #9
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Skip US...so much more fun at MNSSHP.

What about a Pirate League makeover? A Fireworks Voyage, Dessert party, in room gift basket surprise, dinner show, a night at DisneyQuest or the resort arcade, Kim Possible Mission or shhhhhh - a day at NASA?
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Old 06-05-2011, 03:28 AM   #10
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go online and find videos and articles on what goes on at Halloween
I feel your son would love doing the Halloween event. As for his health you have to ask yourself how he would do with staying up late at night. Would the night air bother him?

Who are your pleasing on this trip? If you have transportation you could do Universal Studios that has two parks, one you never probably been to. There are lots of online videos and images out there to show you what you can see and do at Universal Studios and Disney. Maybe your son would like a pirate cruise while you and boyfriend have a quiet time together.
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Old 06-06-2011, 08:24 PM   #11
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I talked it over a bit yesterday with BF and he would like to do Cirque over anything else. He did say to do MNSSHP if we wanted but I really don't know if he'd enjoy it. Cirque would be enjoyed by all so we will probably do that, if we do anything extra. My dad wants to visit Washington DC as a family trip and BF and I were discussing going to Cancun/Cozumel as well as Italy or Ireland. The extra $ could be saved for one of these trips! I'm trying to please us all and it's hard to find that balance no matter what, even at Disney! We could always hang out by the pool instead since it'll be hot and it's free!!!!

I didn't think about NASA, DS might wet himself if we went! We have a NASA research center here (Cleveland, OH) but not sure what they offer...will def look into that!

Thanks again!
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Old 06-07-2011, 02:12 AM   #12
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I'd get your son in on the planning, and see where his interest is. Esp. since it's a trip for him because of his health problems he's gone thru. As you say, he's 8, and you don't know how much longer he'll want to go with you to WDW.
This may be his only chance to go see MNSSHP.

We went to the Princess & Pirates Party when they used to have them, and it was amazing, with special fireworks & parade, and other special activities around the park. We've never been to WDW during Halloween, but it would be soo cool to see all the special decorations, and I'd love to go to the party
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Old 06-07-2011, 05:42 AM   #13
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Originally Posted by Sue M. View Post
I'd get your son in on the planning, and see where his interest is. Esp. since it's a trip for him because of his health problems he's gone thru. As you say, he's 8, and you don't know how much longer he'll want to go with you to WDW.
This may be his only chance to go see MNSSHP.

We went to the Princess & Pirates Party when they used to have them, and it was amazing, with special fireworks & parade, and other special activities around the park. We've never been to WDW during Halloween, but it would be soo cool to see all the special decorations, and I'd love to go to the party
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