1st Disney Family Trip - SEP 10

[jediagh]

Hi all,

Let me tell you a little bit about me because I need help as I think I just hit information overload and feel like my original plan is too much, too fast.

Last time I was in Disney (FL) was in the summer 1994. My parents took me as a graduation present for finishing high school. It was me, my 2 younger sisters, mom and dad. We stayed off site and went to Magic Kingdom and Epcot. We had been to Disney (FL) prior when I was younger age 10 again off-site.

Fast forward to now.
My Family is 2 Adults + 2 Kids (age 5 year 5 months & 2 years 10 months in SEP 10). 5 year is a girl that loves Mulan, Little Mermaid, Sleeping Beauty, Princess & the Frog and Toy Story. 2 Year old is into Cars & Mulan and Mickey Mouse.

I have a budget of $4,000.00 TOTAL. This would be travel via van from IN to FL, 1 overnight stop along the way, resort cost, park tickets, food, tips, spending $$, 1 overnight stop from FL to IN, gas cost for travel. I have estimate it will be $1100 for the "non Disney portion" (gas, hotel, food) for the days of driving giving me about $3,000 left. Flying is NOT an option. I'm through with dealing with TSA and the hassles/stress of airports.

Here was my initial plan.
Resort: Disney All Start Movie
Room: Std
Dates: 06 SEP - 13 SEP
Meal Plan: Deluxe Dining (3 Table Service + 2 Snakes per night)
Cost: $2532.37

Hoping it's a little less if they do the free meal plan again this SEP like in prior years. Yes I know the free plan is for the basic meal plan (1 TS + 1 CS + 1 Snack) but was told over at the "dinning" channels that Disney will adjust your package if they offer the deal and you upgrade. In any case for current plan lets say the above price.

The initial itinerary was as follows:
MON 09-06
Check-In + Resort + Downtown (to get autograph books for character signing) + Planet Hollywood for dinner

TUE 09-07: Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom: Character breakfast & dinner, TS for lunch
Park from 8 to 6 (dinner at contempt resort)

WED 09-08: Disney Studios
Character breakfast, TS for lunch, TS for dinner
Park from 8 to 8
THR 09-09 Animal Kingdom
Character breakfast & diner, CS for lunch
Park 9 to 6 (dinner at contempt resort)

FRI 09-10 Epcot
Character breakfast, lunch, dinner
Park 8 to 8

SAT Animal Kingdom (take 2)
Character breakfast & diner, CS for lunch
Park 9 to 6 (dinner at contempt resort)

TUE 09-07: Magic Kingdom (take 2)
Magic Kingdom: CS breakfast, TS for lunch, the Castle for dinner
Park from 8 to 10

The plans were designed around "eating times" which looking at it is perhaps not the best idea. In re-thinking this vacation here are my goals.

This is a vacation for the 5 year old so she can meet the princesses. We will have to come again when the 2 year old is older so he too can remember Disney.

Goals: Have 5 year old meet characters, have them sign her book, get pictures with them, enjoy the rides she likes. We do loads of swimming in the summer in IN so pool time for us is not a big deal.

Now in reading some posts and doing more research it seems like I try to do the ALL AT ONCE APPROACH for this trip. There are tons of stuff I would like to do myself but we may have to plan a 3rd trip of only adults for that one and leave the kids with grandma. LOL! But that is for another day.

In any case here is where I need help. Seems to me that I should cut some of the parks that are not really 5 and under parks for kids such as Epcot. Animal Kingdom sounds and feels like a zoo (aka Disney theme). We have been to many zoos (San Diego, Chicago, Indianapolis, and aquariums as well) so if we miss AK no biggie. Leaning like it should perhaps be 3 days of MK and 1 day of studio instead of 6 days of parks and spend the rest in resort + downtown.

What about the resort? I choose that one since it looks like the best for little kids with the big 101 dominations and toy story figures on the outside. Do like the Pirates of the Caribbean one (they like the pirate movies and Capt. Hook) but would have to redo my numbers on it as it would mean I would have to get a "lower" meal plan. I sure would be nice if they had a 2 TS + 1 CS plan as oppose to 1 TS, 1 CS or 3 TS plans.

The deluxe plan sound like too much food but the basic plan sounds like you miss a meal and instead substitute a snack for your meal. Hum... When I was looking at the restaurants I choose mainly buffets to make it easier on us. We are not the type to try new foods so the "fancy" restaurants at the park are of no interest to us. At the same time I don't want to eat burgers every day (quick service) for 7 days. My last memory of a burger from Disney (CA) back in 2001 was that is was an overpriced dry item.

So some help would really be appreciated. I can go anytime in SEP 10 but figured that the week I am choosing is the best one since they offer the free meal deal during that time.

Final thoughts.
Our last dinner will be at MK in the castle so we can see the fireworks from there.
No park hoping will be needed.
No water parks have enough back home and have been to them (non Disney ones)
Is it better to drive within the resort (personal van) or use the buses/train
Take pics of 5 year old with characters and get signatures of characters
Ride for the little ones to play on
Shows for the little ones to see

Thanks all! This is a great website for Disney talk.

 

[mjkacmom]

Since you don't go all of the time, I think the deluxe DDP is WAY too much food and time. We had the regular one, and had many leftover snack credits left at the end of our trip. There is NO way my kids (or myself) would want to have 2 sit down meals each day - they take too long, and I can't imagine being hungry enough (and I love to eat) to eat 2 ts meals, plus a cs meal (if I eat at a buffet, that's enough for 2 meals for me). The only way I would do deluxe is if it was an adult only trip, and then I'd be booking signature high end meals. Plus, if they offer free dining, you will have to make ADR's 180 days out, because restaurants will fill up.

If I stayed at a value, I think I'd pick POP, because they don't share a bus, and I've heard they have a great food court.

 

[t_catt11]

I agree. Deluxe dining plan is overkill unless food is the driving force behind your vacation - you will end up spending every single day saying "we can't do XYZ right now, we have to get to our ressie."

Regular dining plan gives you 1 TS, 1 CS, and one snack per day. In the past, we come down to the end trying to burn up those snacks and such as is.

I'd advise downgrading from the DDP and using the savings as souvenier money or the like. We personally love going "big" and staying at deluxe resorts, but the theming is wonderful even at the values... and how much time are you planning to spend at the resort, anyway?

Also, please note - Animal Kingdom does not feel at all like a zoo. It is an animal-themed Disney park. When my DS was six, it may have been his favorite overall... think twice before skipping it. It also features three great shows for kids!

1. Festival of the Lion King (maybe the best show in Disney) - some kids get to participate in every show, help lead the audience, etc.
2. Finding Nemo
3. Flights of Wonder (live bird show - though they do have similar shows at, say, Sea World or nicer zoos)

AK also has the Boneyard play area - little ones LOVE this. Great way to spend some cooldown time. Note that MK has Pooh's Playful Spot, and DHS has a play area, as well. Note: don't understimate the value of the fountains at Epcot (near the Kodak area) - kids love to play in these... however, Epcot is the least friendly of the four parks for small kids (though there is plenty for them to do).

I agree on skipping the water parks. Only add these if you have a really long trip/have been to Disney a lot.

We personally LOVE Disney trasportation. No need to worry about parking, figuring out where to drive, etc. Of course, you have to "build in" wait times to your day.

Have a wonderful vacation!

 

[Eeyore's Girl]

Agreeing with mjkacmom & t_catt
Sounds like WAY too much food...I just would not want to schedule vacation around mealtimes.

Although MK is my fav park, and the children will have a blast, I would not sacrifice AK completely for the sake of MK. AK is a great park, the kiddos will love the animals and I definitely wouldn't compare it to a zoo.*Great shows and afternoon parade*

Don't underestimate the value of swimming. Our first few WDW trips didn't even include swimsuits. Then I realized that "swimming" equals "vacation" in my DD's opinion. Why not enjoy the pool a bit, enjoying a little down time from the parks? Which leads to...

Spending every day in the parks, especially if they're long days, will be exhausting. It's the way I like to do WDW, but I've had to accept that my DD's don't necessarily appreciate going commando. They need some down time, which leads us back to the pool idea.

I love your plan to have your last meal in the castle, watching fireworks. What a memory you'll have!

I recommend one of the adults experience Stitch's Great Escape before including the kids. It gets loud and dark at times, which may be scary for your little ones. Some people love it, but I have to say it is probably the only attraction at WDW that I downright dislike.

Allow your children to spend some time in the play areas of the parks. They're great places for children to just play. They all enjoy and need time to just play.

Have a fabulously wonderful time!

 

[mjkacmom]

Agreeing with mjkacmom & t_catt
Sounds like WAY too much food...I just would not want to schedule vacation around mealtimes.

Although MK is my fav park, and the children will have a blast, I would not sacrifice AK completely for the sake of MK. AK is a great park, the kiddos will love the animals and I definitely wouldn't compare it to a zoo.*Great shows and afternoon parade*

Don't underestimate the value of swimming. Our first few WDW trips didn't even include swimsuits. Then I realized that "swimming" equals "vacation" in my DD's opinion. Why not enjoy the pool a bit, enjoying a little down time from the parks? Which leads to...

Spending every day in the parks, especially if they're long days, will be exhausting. It's the way I like to do WDW, but I've had to accept that my DD's don't necessarily appreciate going commando. They need some down time, which leads us back to the pool idea.

I love your plan to have your last meal in the castle, watching fireworks. What a memory you'll have!

I recommend one of the adults experience Stitch's Great Escape before including the kids. It gets loud and dark at times, which may be scary for your little ones. Some people love it, but I have to say it is probably the only attraction at WDW that I downright dislike.

Allow your children to spend some time in the play areas of the parks. They're great places for children to just play. They all enjoy and need time to just play.

Have a fabulously wonderful time!

OP, looked at your plan, and noticed you didn't schedule in any break time on any afternoon! My kids ranged from 4 - 11 the last time we went, and we got at the parks at rope drop, and by 1:30, they were very ready to go back to the resort for a rest/swim. I also noticed that the DDDP is 3 ts meals a day - that can eat up almost 6 hours a day! And the only way you might be ready for lunch is if you get the earliest ADR you can make - you want to start going on the attractions at rope drop, not eating breakfast (you can get done more in the first 2 hours of opening then in the whole rest of the day).

 

[jediagh]

Thanks for all the great advise.
What is POP by the way? A resort I take it but not sure which one?

 

[Ennazus8810]

POP is Pop Century, the newest of the Value Resorts.

 

[wvdislover]

Pop Century...one of the value resorts. It's a great place to stay...and it has its own bus service (you don't share with any other resorts). I agree with PP's--you're going to HAVE to schedule some "down time" each day, or you and your kids and probably your spouse will HATE each other!!! You'll all be miserable. Doing Disney all day is like nothing you've ever experienced. You'll be exhausted, and you'll end up not enjoying yourself. I would also drop the deluxe dining plan. The regular dining plan is usually too much food for most people. Forget eating so much (way too time consuming!) and enjoy all 4 theme parks. They're all so different...each one needs to be experienced! Good luck, and have a great time! Maybe we'll see you there!

 

[jediagh]

Yes major "dad" mistake of trying to crap as much as possible on the family.

I talked it over with the wife this evening and she suggest we skip the AK & EPCOT for this trip and focus on MK and DS (Disney Studio). She went to AK and EPCOT with his sister and her 2 girls (8 and 10 @ the time) 2 years ago and said the girls did not care for EPCOT and they only 1/2 liked AK. From my reading and what I remember of EPCOT its more for teen+.

Plus she said what no naps? ARE YOU CRAZY! So my tentative plan (the one in my head right now) is as follows.

MON - Resort + Quick Downtown for auto books
TUE - MK 1 (till 3PM); Breakfast characters
WED - Resort
THR - Studios; Breakfast characters
FRI - MK 2 (till 3PM)
SAT - Resort + Downtown
SUN - MK 3 (start off later since Dinner @ castle)

& yes I think we can do with the basic dinner plan (1 TS, 1 CS, 1 Snack).
So guess it's back to square 1 for me and planning.

With the lower dinner plan it opens up the options of doing the moderate resorts. The Caribbean one looks nice, especially for the days we are only at the resort. Could even do the theme.

So how much time should I give myself for each "activity/show/ride" I had my excel sheet in blocks of 30 mins per activity but perhaps I should do 1 hour per activity. I had blocked off 2 hours for the sit down dinners is that enough?


Oh one last think. Is DH = Disney Husband; DD = Disney Daughter; and DS = Disney Son?
Seeing a lot of those D"x" on the signature lines with the number afterward. Age I take it?

 

[wvdislover]

Not sure if you need 2 full resort days. You can always hit the parks early in the morning, take a break in the afternoon, then go back for a while in the evening. I would still think of including at least AK...some neat shows, attractions your kids might like. Do you have one of the guidebooks yet (Unofficial Guide, etc)? Read through that and see if the attractions sound like they may interest YOUR family (don't base all of your decisions on what happened when your wife last went, or you may miss out on something your family may enjoy). I can see maybe skipping Epcot this time, as there aren't as many attractions that will appeal to your kids, but you and your wife may enjoy it (in our family, it's not always about the kids. I mean, mom and dad PAY for the trip ) You may not need 30 minutes per attraction in September, especially if you can get there at rope drop. We've gone for the past 3 Septembers, and some of the attractions have been 10 minute waits or less (Aladdin's Magic Carpets--no wait at all sometimes!) Don't get me wrong, b/c plans are great and can be a big help, but don't to into overkill with the planning that you're not able to enjoy yourselves. Be flexible while there. Kids aren't always the best at "sticking with the plan."