1st timer, would love any help

[dunningdisney]

Use the child swap for rides that not all family members can go on. Let the ride attendent know, and they will direct you (different on each ride) where to wait or re-enter ride when other family members are ready. That way you don't have to wait in line 2 times.

 

[dunningdisney]

We have done many calculations with the dining plan vs not. We find it very difficult to make the dining plan worth it. You would almost have to make it a eating vacation.

 

[dunningdisney]

If it is an option to stay onsite, I would. We have been many times and have done both but I feel like it would be less stressful to stay onsite for your first trip.

 

[gap2368]

some ways to save money bring some of your won food PBJ tuna dose wonders fruit granola bars oat meal ( most places you can get hot water with out having to pay) you can get free ice water at the parks if this is your first time and last I would stay on property and use the extra magical hours the parks close early enough that the extra 3 hours at night is well worth it I would do QS with maybe one charter meal for a specle treat

 

[DisTXMom]

We only stay onsite and love to be in the bubble and get the easier FP's and ADR's. The last time we went, I raised the idea of getting a rental car and DH said "absolutely not! Not having to drive/park is one of the best parts!"

Also, I would not be a fan of the dining plan unless you do the math and are certain it will save you money.

 

[daughtersrus]

Consider getting prices from a travel agent that specializes in Disney. I was surprised how much we saved on our last trip compared to me booking it myself. If you haven't ordered the planning video you might want to. Once we did, I started getting some promo coupon codes from Disney via email. Not sure if it was a coincidence or not. The travel agent was able to add the free hopper to our tickets along with the other discount.

We ordered water. pop and chips from Amazon. They arrived at the hotel before we did and then were brought to our room. We flew SW so we were each able to check 2 bags. We didn't need that many so we packed one with towels and a case of beer. We also packed cereal, granola bars, crackers...

For us, the dining plan was not worth it. We didn't do any character meals. The meals were large enough that I was able to share most adult portions with my DD. We ate breakfast mostly in the room (2 times in the hotel dining) and then 2 counter service meals in the park or hotel. Even with one table meal in Italy at Epcot and pizza in our room one night, we spent less than $400 total for the 3 of us for 7 days.

 

[buzz2400]

My feeling stay onsite. I have stayed offsite (and prefer it) but when you stay for about a week, parking adds up. It would be easier for your family to just come and go with the buses or car (if you rent one). If you stay onsite and rent a car, parking is free. Don't bother with park hopper tickets. I find that it is more trouble than it is worth and harder to plan, for instance, when you pick your fast passes you have to consider what park you will be at on a certain day, and then you can't get more fastpasses at other parks unless you go to that park. Plus park hours are not long in January. I would also recommend bringing your own stroller (and you will definitely need one) to cut more costs. Buy your own rain ponchos at walmart and bring them into the park every day. They are only about $1 at walmart and something like $10 at the parks. Also consider bringing some of your own food into the parks like granola bars. I would not buy the dining plan. I don't believe it is really worth the extra money. The websites I use to plan are allearsnet.com and mousesavers.com (plus this one of course). There is a lot of information and advice on all three of these websites.

 

[LovesTimone]

Ok trying to do my research, but honestly a first trip to WDW feels more daunting than traveling overseas. I hope you all don't mind helping a newbie I would really appreciate it.

A little about our trip, we would like to go for 7 nights 8 days, flexible on dates, but looking at right after new years to minimize time out of school. We are flexible though. It's our first trip and may be our last as well so would love to go at a time where there aren't crazy lines.

We are debating on staying on sight in a value (AofA) or moderate (POR-standard or CBR-garden) or off sight in roomier accommodation's. We are a family of 5, 3 kiddos between 3-9.

Our budget is between 5 and 6K and have found hotel, 5 day park tickets (no hopper) and hotels in all above categories during that time of year for that amount if we do offsite we could add a car as well and it would be the same price point as staying on sight with no car.

Just looking for ways that won't break the budget, but will also create a magical experience for the kiddos and us as hubby and I have never been to WDW.

Thanks so much!

January is a good time to visit but its Disney so there will be lines, you just have to use a bit of magic and get your plan in place, but do realize that you will need to be flexible, because sometimes there is a moment that will become the best memory, so stop and smell the roses, or at WDW look for the magic and pixie dust that will be all around you. Also there is normally some type of special pricing, that you can add to your ressie. Be sure to run the numbers, I think in the past some sort of free dinning is offered, which with your age of kiddos might be a benefit with character meals which can get expensive, But for us we like the character meal, characters, air conditioning, a choice of food, and someone to wait on us,... was always a good thing.

If this might be your only trip, I suggest staying on site, there are a lot of reasons, DME to and from the airport is a huge benefit, this way you don't have to worry about renting a car and the cost of that, rental, gas, insurance, and mileage, plus the fact that you will be driving in a area that you are not familiar with. This also takes the driving out of your DH's hands so that he can enjoy the vacation time too. Plus there are a lot of benefits to staying on site, extra magic hours for one give you some early or late time which equals more time in the parks. Also while a lot of people don't care for the buses again your not driving, and the buses will get you there and to the gate quickly and safely as possible. This might sound silly but when my DD's were little they loved to ride the buses, they thought that is was neat. This also gives you more family time and take the stress of driving away from your DH. As a tip, with 3 little ones, have DH practice opening and closing up the stroller, also make sure each kid knows what they are to do, maybe the oldest can grab one of the day bags, and the hand of a younger one, while mom grabs the littlest one, and the other day bag, and also how they might need to sit in your lap and what to expect if the buses is crowded and they might have to stand. The night before we left I made my DH practice with the stroller, which he was like I can open and close the stroller, which I was well how fast can you do it which is important when boarding a bus, he did give in and practiced, and I had the DD's practice what they were to do. On a funny side note, when we were leaving the park one night the bus pulled up and DH got the stroller folded and we were ready to board there was another gentleman trying to fold up his stroller and DH offered some advice like he was a pro, and I stood there with a grin... Another benefit to staying on site is if you need a break, naptime, or pool time its never more than a bus ride away. Also there is the resorts themselves, which is offers more magic and theming everywhere you look. Oh and one more thing, you can have some adult beverages, and not have to worry about driving..

With a family of 5 either AoA ( family suite) or POR would be your best choice, There would be more room at AoA, and 2 bathrooms which is a real plus in the Family suites, and 2 TV's might come in handy. POR the pull down bed is great, and you would have the benefit of POFQ right next door, for pool and food offerings, plus they offer carriage rides, and a boat to DTD which is nice ride and there is a lot to see so the kids will like it. I have stayed in both and love each of them. As a matter of fact, I am heading to POR today for the weekend to celebrate DH's birthday,

You can have food delivered through a grocery delivery service, most people use Garden Grocer. Which is nice if you want to do a quick breakfast in the room while everyone is getting ready, also snacks to stock while in the parks. I used to make PB&J as a before bedtime snack when we would get back to the room as all of a sudden the girls would act like they were starving to death, plus the familiar food was always good.

Have a magical time,

 

[cajunfan]

And if you want to save a little money and still stay in a family suite try All Star Music. They are not as elaborately themed as AoA, but for the money it saves, you still get the same space. We were pleasantly surprised by them when we stayed there last May. That being said, I am spending the extra money and staying at AoA next year!

 

[3boymthr]

Make sure if looking at offsite hotels to look at their fees. When we went a couple of years ago, my kids really wanted to stay at the Nick hotel. DH wanted a hotel with a fancy pool and other activities. I was shocked to see that they and many other hotels (even some of the condos) charge a "resort" fee for use of the pool and other facilities. Some also charged a parking fee. After applying WDW discounts and adding up these fees it actually worked out to be cheaper for us to stay on site than to stay at the Nick Hotel or another nearby resort.

 

[hsmamato2]

as a 1st timer I recommend onsite.... and for 5 people, I like the idea of a family suite at All stars... cheaper than AoA.... but the rooms at POR are very nice if you don't mind being all close together for the week. (we always stayed in whatever we could fit in for the least$)- Dining plan vs. not.... hmmm.... if there's a special running for it,maybe you would enjoy trying it- but personally I prefer mostly quick service with small kids, and one,maybe two sit down meals over the week.(probably with characters for the kids)
Also,depending on your family, I recommend bringing the cereal,paper bowls and plastic spoons with you,and buying milk for breakfast at the gift shop of hotel. It's cheap,easy,and you don't have to get young kids out the door without food in the morning! Then you only need lunch and dinner at the parks... all ears .net has great menus listed in detail by park and area. Quick service doesn't mean burgers and fries (unless you want that)
Another thought, there are discounts on Disney rooms all the time, watch the boards,esp. resort threads for info.
to sum up, I think you should stay onsite, buy food as you decide you want it,and bring simple breakfast food with you.(and coffee in the room for grownups!)