Took my 7 and 5 year old daughters out of school late January last year for a trip to WDW. My wife is kind of a Disney fanatic and it has rubbed off on my. Don't know if its having 3 daughters or what now but I really agree its the happiest place on earth. A few things (apologize if this gets long)
1) If you can swing it, going that time of year or in Sept/Oct is the best. Both considering some cooler temps and the crowds being very low compared to the rest of the year. Airfare is better too.
2) Stay on the resort. You will get some of the best accomodations you can imagine if you go to the more expensive options but we found out YOU ARE NEVER IN YOUR ROOM except to sleep. Definitely worth staying at one of the value resorts instead and then having their bus service take you wherever you want during the day.
3) They have a meal plan that is very handy and my wife and I have used it when just the 2 of us went, however I think it was just over a year ago they started allowing you to bring outside food into parks. My wife packed one of our suitcases with food and then got a backpack with a cooler compartment and we had lunch each day in the park and breakfast before we went. Kids and adults get same meal plan and there's no way our girls would have got their money's worth from the meal plan there.
4) I've planned a trip by myself and I've used a travel agent at AAA and I will never again NOT use AAA. Prices were better than what I could find on my own and as a member they've got some special (minor) perks when you get there like reserved seating for fireworks or at some times some good discounts or free meal plan.
5) Personally I didn't think the park hopper pass was worth it. Only day would have been the Animal Kingdom day. Just not as much to see that I was interested in. Nemo show is good. Everest is kick-***. They do have a very nice restaurant there. Jungle Cafe if I am remembering right.
6) Probably will need to plan on 2 days with a daughter at magic kingdom. There is so much to see and do there. Find out show times ahead of time so you can be in the right place. The first day we were there we saw a lot of the shows and did some rides and then the 2nd day we took advantage of 0 lines during the parades and shows and fireworks and got to get way more than our fill of rides in. Riding Big THunder Mountain railroad and running back to get there before they started again was a fun way to end our trip and we were right under the fireworks as we rode it. First day there I got in the park ahead of family and was around the corner for when they first laid eyes on Main Street and CInderellas castly and the pic I got of their faces was priceless.
7) Hollywood Studios is my favorite
8) Kids probably didn't need a full day at EPCOT
9) There are Apps and websites out now that will help you plan your trip down to the time of day to show up on each ride to minimize waiting time (app updated line wait in real time). Take advantage of those
10) Don't expect a relaxing vacation but it is very worth it. Reasonable cost too. We totaled everything up at end and did the whole trip for right at 3 grand wed-tues
Some good advice there ..... I would go DW and not DL. Been to both and there is no comparison. I think a week there is perfect and we do the park-hoppers so we can go wherever we want, when we want.
* Plan one day at one of the water parks, but get there EARLY or you won't get in.
* Stay on the DW property and there are some nice perks..... like one park opens early every day (rotates) and another stays open an extra hour for on-site guests only.
* Plan a character meal for the kids.
* DO NOT rent a car, but use the Disney Express buses instead.
* If you arrive early or stay late, the resort will store your bags so you can hit the parks on that day.
* Master the fast-pass system for ride tickets and it helps alot.
* Go to the magic kingdom early and get into the front of the line..... when people from the park start prowling around ask them if your kids can "open the park." My kids did it and it was fun and got treated extra nice for the day.
We always get up early, hit the early open park until around 1, then back to the hotel for a dip in the pool and possibly a nap, then back to the late open park until close.
If you want an off-the-charts adult meal experience, make a ressie for Victoria and Albert's and hire a Disney sitter for the kids, but prepare for sticker shock. (and you'll need a coat and tie)
Meal plans work OK, but don't buy the biggest ones ..... you'll eat way less than you think. Take water with you to the park in a backpack (if they still allow them) along with some light snacks. Also buy the refillable mug at the cheaper restaurant in the hotel (cafeteria style place) and then you can refill it all week for free (at least they used to do that).
