Recent content by Reggie Colorado

We have stayed both on-property and across the street, and it really depends on your price sensitivity, how much time you intend to spend in the park versus the hotel, and how much you personally value the early admission option, slightly improved convenience, and significantly better theming...

Yes, if you start with Pan, you can knock out most if not all of the FL rides within the extra magic hour and make it to TL before FP distribution becomes available at the park's official opening. (Be aware that not all FL rides will open right at the start of the extra magic hour). Pan...

Witchy Chick, on the days you do not have MM, consider visiting the park that does not have early opening, as it will be relatively less crowded. For example, if DCA has early opening, Radiator Springs Racers or Toy Story will already have long lines even if you are there at rope drop for the...

We did PCH for breakfast a couple years ago. Mickey "hosts" so you are guaranteed to meet him. In fact, you meet him and pose for a photo when you first enter. When we went, the other characters were Minnie, Daisy, Stitch, and (I think) Pluto. Once an hour or so, the characters have all the...

One factor on the number of days is that the price difference between a 3-day and 4-day ticket may only be $20. On our last trip, we originally planned on only 3 days in the parks but added the 4th day just so we did not have to rush through them or feel compelled to stay from rope drop to...

February 16-19 is a holiday weekend (Presidents' Day), so those days may be extra crowded. Given the distances between the places you want to go, you probably will need a car (either a rental car or service like Uber/Lyft). John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana is the closest to Disneyland...

We liked Crystal Palace (dinner) for the experience. It is a beautiful setting, the character interaction is not rushed, and it is consistently themed (all Pooh characters instead of random characters). The food quality is perfectly fine for a buffet but nothing especially memorable. It is...

It might depend on how much time you will spend at the resort versus the parks. When our kids were approximately that age, we spent almost all of our time in the parks other than a 2-3 hour break in the afternoon for naps or swimming. Except for maybe a quick breakfast on the way, we ate our...

Any of those holidays will be crowded, but New Year's likely the worst. If you have some flexibility, the crowd calendars might be your best bet. The three onsite hotels provide the best Disney experience and offer early park admission each day (which is probably more important here than WDW...

While staying at POFQ in April 2017, we were told the buses to and from the parks were now nonstop and were not scheduled to stop at Riverside anymore. This could change at any time, but you can call the resort to check the current status. The nonstop service was a huge time saver.

Skip Coral Reef. The food is mediocre for the price, seating backs up even with your reservation, and you get better views of the aquarium walking through it. Book another restaurant in the World Showcase. Biergarten is a lot of fun. Be Our Guest is the best of the Magic Kingdom...

French Quarter gets my vote just for the convenience of the single bus stop and the nonstops to and from the parks. The pool area, though, is very much oriented toward kids and families, although probably still big enough to find a quieter spot. As long as your room does not directly face the...

I would prioritize based on your kids' favorites. You are really paying the premium for the character experience, not the food, so pick the one with the characters you most want to meet. The food will likely be fine but forgettable at just about anywhere. It also saves you from standing in...

Since last year, the bus at POFQ runs directly to the parks without stops at Riverside. We did not experience any crowding issues on the bus last April. The bus stop is right in front of the lobby, so it is pretty easy access from anywhere there.

When we stayed at POFQ last April, we were told that all buses to the parks were now direct and no longer stopped at POR (which had been a recent change). Of course, Disney transportation could change that at any time. You can call the resort directly to check the current status. The nonstop...