|
Post by jrose on Apr 17, 2013 14:07:26 GMT -6
So DH gave me the go ahead to FINALLY plan a Disney World vacation for next year!!! I'm extremely excited but there's so many options! Are the resorts worth it? If we do that (which I won't mind and either would the kids)it would be Disney every day of the week and we wouldn't go much anywhere else so I can get our moneys worth! If we did a hotel we would do Disney for the first few days and then the rest of the week take the kids to the beach and where ever our little hearts desire I think we would stay near Downtown Disney though. This route is cheaper but I'm willing to spend if it's worth it. Yes I know its a year from now but I want to plan and know what to save! Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by bunsy on Apr 17, 2013 14:47:42 GMT -6
We've been to DisneyWorld 4 times--2 without kids, 2 with kids. We've never stayed on property.
I see the benefit to staying on property if you think you'll be going back to your hotel during the day for rest time OR if you really don't want to rent a vehicle.
IF you are renting a vehicle anyway, you can get a much better value of hotels/vacation homes off property. We've stayed in family hotels--one had 2 bedrooms and a living room and kitchenette for 1/2 the price of anything on property. Driving is NOT difficult and parking is NOT difficult at the parks though there is a charge. IF you drive to the park, you can have food in your car and go out to your car for lunch to save money.
When DH went the 1st time stayed in a really cheap hotel in Kissimmee. It took about 15 minutes to get to the parks but the hotel was JUST beds and was 1/4 of the price of on property. The other time we went without kids, we stayed in a condo development--great price but we had to sit through their time-share presentation.
I'd spend the time at a AAA Disney meeting--they are supposed to have lots of information.
|
|
|
Post by dara1012 on Apr 17, 2013 15:37:00 GMT -6
Thanks for asking JRose! I am hoping we can get to Disney World next year too and had this same question.
|
|
|
Post by jrose on Apr 17, 2013 17:49:06 GMT -6
Well not long after I posted this question my SIL contacted me and saw that I mentioned planning a Disney vacation on FB. Her and her family have been there several times and said the cheap resort package deals are worth it! They pretty much end up near the same price (maybe cheaper) as staying off site but you get all the package deals with it like meal plans and tickets to the parks. We have Animal Kingdom Resort & Wilderness Resort picked out as our pricier picks. Then there is the Sports Resort which is way cheaper but I'm sure prices change during the seasons. SIL has me leaning towards doing the cheaper resorts that way I don't have to worry about much meal planning and transportation. Still a lot of thinking to do! Another question...how far in advance did you book everything??? I'm hoping 2-3 months out would be ok...looks like it would. I also welcome all tips! DH and I went to Animal Kingdom when we lived there and didn't think it was that great (but I'm sure my girls will love it) and Downtown Disney was our go to when we were bored or for concerts...I'm sure things have changed in the last 6 yrs too! So any tips with the kids is welcome and things that we shouldn't miss with the kiddos is welcome too!
|
|
|
Post by ReneeW on Apr 17, 2013 18:32:11 GMT -6
We were just at Disney two weeks ago! So here's what we did, but mostly because we went with grandparents so had 4 adults and 2 kids. First off, we did go to the beach (New Smyrna area - Atlantic side, about 1 hour + from Orlando) for 3 days, stayed at a condo (3 BR 3 BA, kitchen area etc.) and played in the sand on the beach, it was great! Then for the Disney part -- we ended up renting a house just so that we could put the kids to bed and still stay up - the 4 adults - and have a glass of wine or take a dip in the pool etc., which if we stayed in a hotel one adult would be "stuck" staying in the room while the kids slept. So that was a major factor in our housing decision. Staying off site wasn't a problem, but it is certainly a journey to get to the Magic Kingdom front gates. We had only a 10 minute drive to the parking lot, but then you get on a tram (pretty quick wait) but THEN you get to the point where you have to wait for the monorail or the ferry to take you to the actual GATES of the park, and that was more of an issue. The last night for some reason -- it was a Tuesday night -- after the fireworks at 10 pm the lines were SOOO long to get OUT of the park that it took us ONE HOUR to get from the gates of Magic Kingdom to our car (the lines for the monorail and the ferry were sooooo long it was INSANE). That was NOT fun. But that being said, that was the only issue we had, last night trying to leave the park. We really wanted to stay up late for one night and let the kids see the fireworks, which are awesome, and the lighted parade etc. We just had no idea the crowds would be so horrible. The night before that (a Monday night) DH and I went back to the park after dinner while my in-laws stayed with the kids and we got into the park lickety split, and after the fireworks there were no lines to leave. So I don't know why that random Tuesday night was such a cluster!! OK so that's quite the long explanation. Umm ... so your big bonus of staying on site is that you can just take buses to the parks. We did one (not quite full) day at Animal Kingdom. The kids loved seeing all of the animals, going on the "safari," and riding the triceratops ride (it's like Dumbo) -- there was no wait for that ride and my 5 YO went like 6 times. They both loved the kid play area in the DinoLand part too. I'm glad we went; we were able to see everything in a partial day. Then we did 2 days at Magic Kingdom. The girls were uber excited to see the princesses. If your kids want to see them, there are 3 of them at the theater by the gates (they rotate -- when we were there it was Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel) -- and you can get a FastPass to see them. Mickey is also there and we used a FastPass to see him (wish we would have for the princess). My biggest advice is to go into the park as early as you can, get a FastPass for the Peter Pan ride (after 9 or 10 am the lines were very long) and go on it. Go on whatever rides you really want to go on that don't have FastPasses available early, because as the day goes on the lines get longer. Bring your own water and snacks. I'll think of more tips later and add them!!! This is probably enough for now. I'm not sure if you'll have the issues with crowds that we had (right around Easter & spring break) or not, depending on the time of year you go.
|
|
|
Post by ReneeW on Apr 17, 2013 18:33:17 GMT -6
We booked in November I believe for an April vacation. We did one character dinner (the one at the Grand Floridian, dinner/buffet with Cinderella, Prince Charming, Fairy Godmother and stepsisters) - and to get a 6:30-ish dinner time I was glad we booked it early!
|
|
|
Post by jrose on Apr 17, 2013 18:49:37 GMT -6
What do the fast passes do? Get you ahead in line?
|
|
|
Post by ReneeW on Apr 18, 2013 8:20:31 GMT -6
Yes, certain rides/experiences have a separate "Fast Pass" lane. It basically lets you cut to or near the front of the line and can save you a bunch of time. But you can only have one FastPass at a time. Say, for example, that you want to go on the Peter Pan ride. It's 11 am, and the FastPass time is for between 2:45 and 3:45 pm. So you can't use it until that window of time, and you can't get another one for a different ride until you've used this one. So there's some strategy involved in using Fast Passes.
|
|
|
Post by jrose on Apr 18, 2013 12:12:01 GMT -6
Thanks for the info!!!
We are planning on going during DD1's spring break next year if everything works out. August of next year is another option because its not peak season but the only downfall is is it's nasty hot and DD2 is sensitive to heat...unless that has changed since last summer so we'll see! I'm super excited but sadly already getting anxiety thinking about flying LOL!
|
|
|
Post by ReneeW on Apr 18, 2013 16:56:55 GMT -6
Well, if next spring is anything like this, you will be thrilled beyond thrilled to get outta MN and head south!!! Fun fun FUN.
|
|
|
Post by dara1012 on Apr 18, 2013 19:08:06 GMT -6
The last time I went to Disney I was 12....I am sure it has changed so much and will have to do lots of research when we finally make a decision to go for sure. I am hoping to go next spring break for DS.
|
|
Back to the Top