I plan to post a lot more about this later…but I am soliciting advice about Disney World.
Any advice at all.
I can tell you this:
*I want to stay a week.
*We are driving down.
*My kids will be seven and ten when we go.
*We are also hoping to have my parents, my brother and SIL, two preteens and MX – who will be five.
*I want to stay a week.
*We are driving down.
*My kids will be seven and ten when we go.
*We are also hoping to have my parents, my brother and SIL, two preteens and MX – who will be five.
***A burning question for me is where did you stay and how much did you like it??
Let the advice giving begin. I know ya’ll have something to share!
12 comments:
It's been a few years since I've been to Disney, but here are some general "travel" advicities:
1) DVD car player is a MUST HAVE.
2) Agree to disagree right away. Not everyone is going to want to do the same thing at the same time so be flexible. If Aunt Erma wants to go on the teacups three times in a row and you don't, let her know you'll meet up at Dumbo in an hour.
3) Sit back and enjoy it. There's so much to see/do and I got caught up in doing it quickly that I barely remember it.
4) Stay for the fireworks.
5) visit this http://www.frommers.com/destinations/waltdisneyworld/0549010028.html
It's been a few years since I've been to Disney, but here are some general "travel" advicities:
1) DVD car player is a MUST HAVE.
2) Agree to disagree right away. Not everyone is going to want to do the same thing at the same time so be flexible. If Aunt Erma wants to go on the teacups three times in a row and you don't, let her know you'll meet up at Dumbo in an hour.
3) Sit back and enjoy it. There's so much to see/do and I got caught up in doing it quickly that I barely remember it.
4) Stay for the fireworks.
5) visit this http://www.frommers.com/destinations/waltdisneyworld/0549010028.html
My parents used to take me to Florida every year to Disney World. We used to stay at Indian Shores on the Golf of Mexico. We loved it and would get up early to walk the beach.
I haven't been there since, but next year we are going to take the kids and will be staying in Orlando.
I'm going next week! I'm very excited to see the kids’ reactions. Everyone has told me three things.
1. Get the Book the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2007. It seems to be pretty awesome. And it answered every question I had.
2. Don't waste your money on an expensive hotel room; you're never in it.
3. And make all of your reservations for dinners, character bkfsts., etc. now. Some book 3 months out. (This was also in the above book. And I called 6-weeks before I left for a Cinderella Castle breakfast and could only get a dinner at 4:30 reservation. So I guess, yeah, make 'em early!).
If you remind me I'll give you my opinions when I get back!
Second the Unoffical Guide book. Even if you don't follow their "tours" you get some good information. My husband & I have gone the last three years but we don't have kiddos so I'm no help there. One tip I have since you have a rather large party planning to go is use the Photopass option. They have cameras set up in the park with photogs. Make sure all parties get a pass then when you get home you can order a cd with all your pass pictures on one cd...split the cost and it's cheaper than buying the pictures there. Also, learn the Fast Pass system. It's your best friend...most of the kids rides have one.
hi amy! i have such great memories of disneyworld from when i was just about the age of your kids. i remember we especially loved epcot center and all of the cool countries you could go to in just 30 minutes!
i worked at disneyland in california during college, so i have lots of scoop about that place (even though it was so many years ago!), but i'm a little light on the disneyworld details.
i hope you collect lots of fun information, though, so i can use it next time i go! :)
How can you be jealous of me going to Disneyland when you're going to Disney World???
Disney world is like Disneyland on Crack. Crazy big and lots of fun.
I recommend laying down the law before entering the park. Violating the law should be grounds for removal from the park...(does that make sense?)
OH--and make reservations at Cinderella's restaurant for your little girl. Sooo much fun.
Hi Amy,
check out this article from usa today:
http://usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2007-04-12-disney-world-cheap_N.htm
I think especially the comments section has really good advice! I've been to disney twice and my advice is to stay at one of the budget hotels. I agree you're never in your room. But staying in the campground sounds really fun to me especially in the winter when's it's not so hot!
Hi Amy. First I want to apologize, becuase this will be a very long comment. I found you through goodyblog, and thought I might be able to help. I wouldn't say I'm an expert, but my hubby and I are frequent visitors to Disney World (we even had annual passes at two different times), and I've spent from as little as $300 to as much as $1000. Since you mentioned you want to stay a week, I would suggest using the vacation planner through Disney's website. They can set up your week vacation for about $1500 (it sounds like a lot, but it really is economical for that time frame). That's based on a family of 4, however, so that may not give you a truly accurate cost. I have stayed both on-site, and off the grounds. There are some more spacious hotels outside of the Disney grounds, like the Days Inn at Maingate. They used to have suites, which could occupy up to 8 people, might want to give them a call and see if they still have them. I also know of a place where you can rent out an entire two bedrom apt with a pull out couch in the living room. That sounds about right for the amount of people that are going with you. Drop me a line and I'll try to find the info. It's about a 20 minute drive from the park.
But keep in mind that several factors can skyrocket your trip budget: the meals you have inside the park, any souvenirs you buy, whether you stay at a Disney resort or other non-Disney hotel, etc. I have lots more advice, but this comment is getting very long-winded, so let me know if you have any other questions. Hope this helps! =)
Hi Amanda! Thanks so much!
That sounds really great! I figured a lot more than that! For rooms...I don't want to stay WITH my family. Haha...love them, but don't want to "live" with them! haha... umm...(Sorry if you read this, mom). So, I think I will check into that Days Inn. I thought maybe staying at the park would be best, but then I read that their hotels aren't exactly close to the parks anyway.
Thanks for all the great info everyone, keep it coming if you have more. Maybe by the time I go, I WILL be an expert! ;)
(sorry, it took me a while to find your blog again)
The good thing about the staying at the Disney resorts is that they have free shuttles to and from the parks. You don't have to worry about paying for parking and remembering where you parked. Then again, you pay for it in a way since the resorts are a bit more expensive.
We just went on April 30th, for 4 days, and stayed at the hotel I mentioned. Unfortunately, they no longer have the suites. Since we went during off-peak season (after the Spring Break rush, but before the Summer rush), we got the room for $30/night. Quite economical, and the room was adequate. I figure you may be planning your trip for a time when the kids are not in school, but maybe that's something to think about (off peak) to minimize your costs.
Advice -
Cars- tell the car rental place what you are willing to pay and what car you want. they have abilities to give you an SUV for the price of a tiny economy car. Trust me.
don't stay at the Holiday Villas. OLD and not too clean. Our floor was all wet and musty smelling and the office didn't think anything of it and said the AC must be leaking...do you want us to look at it? UGH.
My kids are 7 and 10. IF you go during a busy time, the hopper pass is completely unnecessary. It takes 2 hrs to get on a ride around easter and you can only get 2 fast passes a day. you can't do a park in a day.
food? OMG make reservations. every day. the restaurants are worth it. the food choices were aweful as far as walk up stands and when we went the lines were horrible. we ate ice cream and popcorn all day.
If you can find an option to buy a day long fast pass...get it! better to ride stuff than to have to come back again, unless you can come in an off-season.
Good luck!
Post a Comment