Anyone been to Disney in Orlando and have some advice? I'm married with 2 grade school kids plus grandma and grandpa may go along, so 6 of us going. Where should I look to find the best deals? What time of year is best to go? Should we stay on the resort or off? We would probably fly out of either Minneapolis or Des Moines. Thanks!
Disney World Advice Needed
- Thread starter jamesfnb
- Start date
Take the kids out of school and go the week after Labor day. The mrs and I went and the parks were empty (99% of schools were in session), the weather was great!.
I agree with Wesley, stay at a Disney resort, there are shuttles going back and forth all the time, plus there are extended hours for resort guests. We have always gone the week of ESPN, The Weekend, and the crowds aren't bad at all.
If you can swing it, go in December between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I'm thinking around the week of December 10th. Obviously avoid anytime that kids are not in school.
I've been there in December twice and August once. The December trips were by far the best. The crowds are minimal---in 2002 we would literally walk off a ride and get right back on. They have a Christmas party that the kids will love. The weather is pretty good.
We've stayed in a resort once and a regular hotel once. The regular hotel was a great deal and considering you are putting down over $50/person per day, that mattered. The resorts are easier.
Don't do Disney every day. Take a break and travel to the ocean for a day.
Definitely stay at a Disney resort....it's worth the extra cost. If you can take your kids out of school to go in the fall, I would do that as well. Be sure and get reservations at one of the "character meals". You'll have a blast.
I've been multiple times, in a couple of different seasons. The week or so before Christmas break is fairly dead, went once in June and we stood in lines for hours, including fast passes, etc. My wife competed in a race last October, like the week before Halloween....I would say that this has to be one of the best times to go. It was completely dead.
Has anyone done this with just their significant other? My wife and I are going in April for her graduation (B.S. from a FL online radiology school) and are hoping that it is a good trip just for couples without kids as well. We already have a room at Shades of Green on WDW but would be open to staying at another resort if the people have better recommendations.
Went with fiancee a week before Thanksgiving. Not very crowded. We didn't stay @ Disney Resort but in a hotel close to the area and there were buses coming to pick up hotel guests every 20 mins in the morning until 10 AM and then every 40 mins. The buses run until probably 2 hours after the park closes.
I've only stayed at Disney resorts so I can't speak otherwise. I will say that after the first time we went and stayed at the higher-priced ones, we decided that we will never spend extra money by upgrading to a "nicer" resort.
First of all, the "value" resorts are still pretty nice. Besides that, you're never in your room anyway. Only to sleep.
My wife wanted to go there for our honeymoon. I talked her out of it and we went to Jamaica instead. Very glad we did. When we come home from WDW we are exhausted. Anything but relaxing although I'm sure you could find a way to make it relaxing.
First of all, the "value" resorts are still pretty nice. Besides that, you're never in your room anyway. Only to sleep.
My wife wanted to go there for our honeymoon. I talked her out of it and we went to Jamaica instead. Very glad we did. When we come home from WDW we are exhausted. Anything but relaxing although I'm sure you could find a way to make it relaxing.
Stay at the All Star resorts. We stayed at the All Star Movies resort. Kids' loved it. Also get the meal plan. 2 meals a day and 2 snacks a day. It was worth it. That way you know what you are spending up front. Also make sure to buy the park tickets up front.
If you want to go to the water parks at Disney, avoid going in Dec., Jan., and Feb., a little cool for water. Unless you are really into animals, the Animal Kingdom can be done in one half a day. Park hopper passes give you flexibilty, especially if the 2 kids like something at 2 different parks. Pack pocket rain ponchos, alot of times of the year-summer for sure- they get short rain showers.
There is adult entertainment with various themes to different bars, usually a circ de soliel (sp?) show, Epcot has food,wine, and beer from around the world.
I'm trying to decide a good age to take the kids. Our youngest is 3. I'm thinking when he hit's 7 or 8, we'll make a trip down.
I've got a coworker who took his kids at 6 and 3. I have no doubt a 3 year old would enjoy it, but its a pretty expensive trip to take that chance.
We're planning on taking my oldest down there for her 5th birthday. Heck that still may be too young.
On a little side note. My cousin who has 4 kids has really been fighting going down to Disney World. He's not the most creative guy financially and he just sees it as a huge expense. I think he could do the trip for half of what he thinks, but he's got blinders on his eyes.
To me taking the kids to Disny World is one of those things you have to do at least once in your life time.
To me taking the kids to Disny World is one of those things you have to do at least once in your life time.
I love Disney! Stay on the Disney property. The buses to and from the airport and to and from the parks make it worth your while. (You don't even have to worry about your luggage- they get it from the airport and it shows up in your room- just make sure it is marked with Disney tags.)
I would wait until your child can walk around the park all day. There is nothing worse at Disney than a sleeping, hot, cranky child in a plastic stroller. We took our 3 older boys when they were young (youngest of the 3 was barely 3) and they hardly remember the trips and pushing and parking the stroller all day wasn't fun. We took our younger 2 boys when they were older (5 &6 the first time 7&8 the second time).
If you are travelling during a time when it is warm enough to swim, then I would splurge and stay at a Moderate Disney Hotel. The pools at the Carribean Beach (pirate ship theme, slides and play area) and Port Royal are a lot of fun.
Have to go to church, will send more info later.
I would wait until your child can walk around the park all day. There is nothing worse at Disney than a sleeping, hot, cranky child in a plastic stroller. We took our 3 older boys when they were young (youngest of the 3 was barely 3) and they hardly remember the trips and pushing and parking the stroller all day wasn't fun. We took our younger 2 boys when they were older (5 &6 the first time 7&8 the second time).
If you are travelling during a time when it is warm enough to swim, then I would splurge and stay at a Moderate Disney Hotel. The pools at the Carribean Beach (pirate ship theme, slides and play area) and Port Royal are a lot of fun.
Have to go to church, will send more info later.
