Hi. Planning a trip and need ome expert advice! :D

[madmumof2]

Hi. I don't know if this is the write place to post, so I'm sorry if not.

I'm Gem, 23, and I have a (nearly) 5 year old boy, Cameron, and a 2 1/2 year old girl, Alyssa.

I was going save save save for 5 years and give us all a trip of a lifetime, swimming with dolphins, disney hotel, all parks, the works, and I'm still doing that, but I'm also planning a trip in January next year!

I'm so excited as you can imagine. I never imagined going again for a long time yet, so this is amazing!

I have a few questions, and would be really grateful if you could help me.

1. My children will be 5 and 3 by Jan. At the minute they are 103cm and 88 cm (40' and 34').
What parks, apart from MK would they find the most enjoyable? Which rides will they be allowed to go on with me with them?

2. Photopass. Do they just do this in the Disney parks or is there a type of equivalent in US, IOA etc? Are there any shared photopasses for Jan...? lol

3. We'll be on a budget holiday this time, so want the cheapest of everything. This means we can't go to all theme parks or not many advanced dining reservation's. So which ADR's do you recommend? Where are the best places to eat? I've heard Coral something is nice? (been reading a few trip reports. Just finished poohtigees (?) Brought tears to my eyes lol)

4. What rides/parks should we not miss? I've not been since 2000! So I know there are A LOT there now that weren't before. Which can I take the kids on?

and 5. Has anyone got any time saving tips? The more the better. lol I'll probably not be able to go to any park more than once, so if anyone can tell me where to find the characters for pics, hidden treasures (mickeys, secret paths etc), and anything that would be helpful with a family on a budget.

Sorry for so many questions! I'm just so excited and don't want to come back feeling we've missed out on something, as we probably won't get to go again until 2013!

We'll be going for 2 weeks, me, my uncle (hopefully, although I can't see it being very hard to get someone to take his place! lol), and my 2 babies, for £1700. I think that is a great price. Is it, or should I look around more?

Nothing booked as of yet, but will be soon, so I can change dates, hotel, month etc if it meana better (cheaper? lol) holiday for us all. Although I wouldn't call it a holiday, it's Heaven.

Sorry, enough questions! lol Any tips are most welcome!

Thanks so much in advance!

Gem x

p.s I have to share this with someone who understands why I was jumping about earlier. I got myDisney CD in the post today! 3 CD's of songs from disney films, as well as sing along ones! I can't stop playing it.

[madmumof2]

Oops ticker is wrong, I'll change that later lol

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Hi. I don't know if this is the write place to post, so I'm sorry if not.

I'm Gem, 23, and I have a (nearly) 5 year old boy, Cameron, and a 2 1/2 year old girl, Alyssa.

I was going save save save for 5 years and give us all a trip of a lifetime, swimming with dolphins, disney hotel, all parks, the works, and I'm still doing that, but I'm also planning a trip in January next year!

I'm so excited as you can imagine. I never imagined going again for a long time yet, so this is amazing!

I have a few questions, and would be really grateful if you could help me.

1. My children will be 5 and 3 by Jan. At the minute they are 103cm and 88 cm (40' and 34').
What parks, apart from MK would they find the most enjoyable? Which rides will they be allowed to go on with me with them?

2. Photopass. Do they just do this in the Disney parks or is there a type of equivalent in US, IOA etc? Are there any shared photopasses for Jan...? lol

3. We'll be on a budget holiday this time, so want the cheapest of everything. This means we can't go to all theme parks or not many advanced dining reservation's. So which ADR's do you recommend? Where are the best places to eat? I've heard Coral something is nice? (been reading a few trip reports. Just finished poohtigees (?) Brought tears to my eyes lol)

4. What rides/parks should we not miss? I've not been since 2000! So I know there are A LOT there now that weren't before. Which can I take the kids on?

and 5. Has anyone got any time saving tips? The more the better. lol I'll probably not be able to go to any park more than once, so if anyone can tell me where to find the characters for pics, hidden treasures (mickeys, secret paths etc), and anything that would be helpful with a family on a budget.

Sorry for so many questions! I'm just so excited and don't want to come back feeling we've missed out on something, as we probably won't get to go again until 2013!

We'll be going for 2 weeks, me, my uncle (hopefully, although I can't see it being very hard to get someone to take his place! lol), and my 2 babies, for £1700. I think that is a great price. Is it, or should I look around more?

Nothing booked as of yet, but will be soon, so I can change dates, hotel, month etc if it meana better (cheaper? lol) holiday for us all. Although I wouldn't call it a holiday, it's Heaven.

Sorry, enough questions! lol Any tips are most welcome!

Thanks so much in advance!

Gem x

p.s I have to share this with someone who understands why I was jumping about earlier. I got myDisney CD in the post today! 3 CD's of songs from disney films, as well as sing along ones! I can't stop playing it.

Hello! You have got so much fun planning ahead of you!!

I will try help with few questions . . . I don't have children but remember when I was younger really not liking Epcot, and I still don't think there is much there for children (though I love it there now!). There are several rides for them in AK and DHS, but nothing like in MK!

ADR's . . . We just got back, and depending on which characters your children like we had really good character meals at Crystal Palace and Chef Mickeys. Beaches and Cream was also lovely food (they don't take ADR's), and Trails End was an excellent buffet, and just £10 each for dinner!

My best time saving tip would be to make rope drop at each park. We made a real effort to do that this year, and we got so much done in the first hour, it was great! If you can afford it book a couple of character meals to save wasting park time on waiting for them. If you can't, get to the character spots when they first open, because the lines move sooooo slow!!

Where are you planning on staying?

[madmumof2]

Hi. Thanks for the reply! TBH I can't really remember Epcot. I know they have rides that weren't there when I was there (only went once in 95, did't in 2000), but that's about it lol.

And this trip is my childrens first trip but not their last, not even close if I can help it! SO I'm not too bothered about missing a few things, as I can do them another time.

How do you book an ADR? I've looked at a link from here, and found how far in advance you neto book, the menus, prices, different ADR's and places, but couldn't find out how to actually book them. If I'm going mid Jan, then I'll have till July to book for the 190 day advance ones, which is most of them lol.

How do you find the character spots? Are they on the map? Also, how do you get those photopass pics that show symba being 'held' by you, and stitch coming up from the floor etc? lol Where are they?

Thanks for the info. I'll look into those character dinners, aswell as Cinderella for Alyssa lol.

I'm just searching anywhere and everywhere for the cheapest holiday, and the hotel that keeps coming up is Howard Johnson, so probably there.

If I could afford it I would stay in a disney hotel, of course! lol But my budget is only around 2k for flights and hotel.

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Hi. Thanks for the reply! TBH I can't really remember Epcot. I know they have rides that weren't there when I was there (only went once in 95, did't in 2000), but that's about it lol.

And this trip is my childrens first trip but not their last, not even close if I can help it! SO I'm not too bothered about missing a few things, as I can do them another time.

How do you book an ADR? I've looked at a link from here, and found how far in advance you neto book, the menus, prices, different ADR's and places, but couldn't find out how to actually book them. If I'm going mid Jan, then I'll have till July to book for the 190 day advance ones, which is most of them lol.

How do you find the character spots? Are they on the map? Also, how do you get those photopass pics that show symba being 'held' by you, and stitch coming up from the floor etc? lol Where are they?

Thanks for the info. I'll look into those character dinners, aswell as Cinderella for Alyssa lol.

I'm just searching anywhere and everywhere for the cheapest holiday, and the hotel that keeps coming up is Howard Johnson, so probably there.

If I could afford it I would stay in a disney hotel, of course! lol But my budget is only around 2k for flights and hotel.

You have to call Disney to book ADR's, unfortunately, it can't be done online. The number is on their website, I can't remember it despite the amount of times we called! You will have to stick to the 180 day rule if you are staying off-site, the 190 day cheat is for on-site only sadly! You will get whatever you want though - we've never had a problem!

A sightly cheaper way of seeing Cinderella (unless your daughter is set on eating in the castle) is to go to the buffer at 1900 park fare in the Grand Floridian.

The character spots are all marked on the maps, and the time guide have the times they appear.

I have a feeling you have to be in AK for the Simba shots, but I could be wrong. I think you just need to ask each photographer you come across which special shots they can do!

I'm not sure how the prices compare, but a few years ago we stayed at the Fairfield Inn and Suites on I-Drive (its on Virgins website if you want a look)and loved it. Clean, friendly, spacious rooms, and most importantly a free breakfast each day which saved some wonga!! You will also save loads eating on I-Drive rather than Disney. I believe you can get a kids-eat-free card from somewhere as well? Someone will know better than me! :goodvibes

[Shooby doo]

Gem first of all I'll deal with the parks: MK obviously,Hollywood Studios,AK,SW & US would be my pick for kids that age.IOA has a few kids rides but IMO it is mostly geared to an older age group,Ep we like but for that age it's more about what's happening at the kidspots than the actual attractions but depending on your pass I would go if you have the chance.
As mentioned the characters are now at spots at particular times so you no longer catch them wandering around the parks therefore it takes more planning.
Coral Reef is in Ep & is beside the big "fish tank" in the Living seas,if you can't get CRT have a look at Norway as they now have a Princesses dinner (not sure if Cindy is there but someone will put you right).We have always managed to eat well off-site so I wouldn't be too stressed about ADRs,there are plenty of other options.
Hotel wise,will you be driving?I would look at I-Drive or LBV,LBV is nearer to WDW in fact it's about as close as you can get without being on-site! There are a few suite options around,possibly look at Springhill suites at Marriot village-2 double beds & a sleeper sofa so would suit your needs.
My main advice would be not too get too stressed trying to make it the perfect holiday & be prepared for the hotel pool being the most favourite part of the holiday!:scared1:
HTH SD:thumbsup2

[DADAD]

Zuese Landings In Universal
They Will Love That At There Age

[Camac]

I think you may be thinking of Golden Coral wich is an all you can eat buffet restaurant and offer good value for small $. Not sure if kids eat free but you can pick up discount vouchers which help reduce the bill further.

I know there is one in Lake Buena Vista near Premium Outlets and probably at other points on I4. Others will know the exact locations.

[madmumof2]

Thanks so much for all of your replies! They've been really helpful. I'll be saving this page to look at nearer the time lol.

[Kymie]

I've always found the Quality Inn International on International Drive to be the best value, and I booked it through Virgin but make sure you haggle the price! Travel City Direct are usually cheap too. I like the QII as it has a kids eat free policy in the restaurant, free coaches to Universal, its next door to the big McDonalds, and across the road from the Golden Corral at the FRONT entrance, not the IDrive entrance, (very good cheap all you can eat buffet with the best range of food we have found so far!!). Its got two pools and a little kids splash pool bit,only about 2ft deep so great for the 3yr old. Also if you end up going on your own (as I did the first time) Virgin do a single parent reduction.

[amystevekai&bump]

Zuese Landings In Universal
They Will Love That At There Age

AGREE AGREE AGREE!!!!!!:thumbsup2 :thumbsup2 :thumbsup2

Having just got back with DS4 and DS10mths - we LOVED Seuss' Landing and IOA in particular -we are even contemplating a Universal only holiday as we were so impressed!!!! (But I do still love Disney - but would say that for little ones - MK and HS are best there - Epcot and Animal Kingdom were too big for ours and they got very tired there!!) - Oh and we didn't go much for Seaworld (too much sitting and waiting for the shows - but then I have a very impatient little boy!!):lmao:

hope that helps!!:thumbsup2

[PoppyAnna]

Hi
Welcome to the DIS.
:idea: I have just done a quick doc for a mum at school who is going for the first time in Oct with her children, if you PM me your email address I'll send it to you too.
My girls were the same age as your children when we went last year.

[madmumof2]

More great advice, thank you all.

Thanks so much for helping Joanna, my email is admin@mums-r-us.co.uk, although that ends soon, so growingpainsmod@yahoo.co.uk will work. :)

I'm so depressingly obsessed with Florida it's quite pathetic lol. I'm sat here with tears in my eyes looking at pics, and imagining my childrens faces when they see Mickey for the first time, and the castle. I love it so much and can't believe it's so long since I last went.

I know whatever we do, they'll love it, and of course I will lol. I just want it to be perfect for them. :)

Oh and I could never miss Seaworld! Mine both love whales and dolphins, and even my 2 year old talks about manatees! I don't know another 2 year old that knows what they are lol. They must know the whole Shamu how by heart after the amount of times we've watched my collection of Orlando dvds! :$

Thanks again for all of your help!

[thestevied]

Well if the kids like animals then Seaworld they will love and also Animal Kingdom. There is loads of stuff you can do there with regards to the animals but not too many rides. DHS and Epcot are great, but don;t think there would be too much that kids that yound could appreciate, especially epcot! Any specific questions, please ask