2 Adults 4 Young Adults- need opinions

[cckutner]

Good afternoon,
I am wanting to surprise my family (6) with a trip to Disney and surrounding parks last week in March 2023. Young adults: Two have never been and Two have not been in years and probably don’t remember much.
I am needing advice on where to stay that’s economical but nice. Place needs to have safe transportation since we will probably be pairing up and going separate ways. If resorts are with bus transportation and you are recommending that route, which resort is the quickest and easiest?
Is there a time to buy tickets when rates are lowest? Also, best way to purchase tickets/fast passes/etc to get most for your money. We are working folks so we have money but not excessive/extravagant, if you know what I mean. ;-)

 

[KittyKitty]

Hi. Great idea! Glad you are planning ahead.
Challenges. March is Spring Break time, so many guests. Don't know if Disney had a discount this year.
Disney is not cheap. Average one park ticket cost is around $155 a day(includes tax)per person.
Check here for price on longer stays..
https://www.undercovertourist.com/orlando/walt-disney-world-resort/#tickets
With 6 adults the room on Disney Property will probably start at $250 a night at All Stars Family Suites. Regular room usually limit 4 adults per room.

I budget $60 a day for food for one person. This is eating quick service only.

There is a lot more information you will need. I suggest you use a Travel Agent Disney Specialist.
Dreams Unlimited is wonderful and they are free. Look at the top of this page. Click on "Get a vacation quote"

Have fun planning!

 

[VAfamily1998]

When you say "young adults"=are they 18 or over? Disney hotels will charge an extra fee for more than 2 adults (18+) in the same room--except in certain situations like the DVC villas.
What kind of bed arrangements are you all comfortable with? Can two of the young adults share beds?

 

[cckutner]

When you say "young adults"=are they 18 or over? Disney hotels will charge an extra fee for more than 2 adults (18+) in the same room--except in certain situations like the DVC villas.
What kind of bed arrangements are you all comfortable with? Can two of the young adults share beds?

Two will be and two will not be 18. I would like to have 4 beds if possible.

 

[DebLovesPooh]

I think for 4 sleeping surfaces, 2 connecting rooms in a Disney value resort may be the most economical choice. But I would also price out the cabins at Fort Wilderness. The Disney transportation to and from the parks is easy and safe and I thunk the best option if the party will be splitting up. The cheapest time to buy tickets is now because they might go up between now and your trip. As for Genie+, I would recommend you do research and only buy it on the days you think you thinking you will really get benefit from it. Paying $16 x 6 of you per day in advance would be a waste in my opinion. Also, by staying on site, you can get early entry every day, which may negate the need to pay for the individual lightening lanes.

 

[focusondisney]

When you say Disney & surrounding parks, are you talking about just Walt Disney parks? Or meaning Universal too? Do you want to be on Disney property? Or somewhere off site?

 

[Marthasor]

Two will be and two will not be 18. I would like to have 4 beds if possible.

I would consider two rooms at Pop Century. You would have 4 beds, two bathrooms, buses to AK and MK and Skyliner to DHS and EP.

 

[Anna131517]

I would consider 2 rooms at POR and compare prices to other resorts. It’s close to Disney Springs and there’s a lot to do at the resort itself. CBR 2 rooms would also offer a nice pool and sky liner access to HS or EP.

 

[gottalovepluto]

I would consider two rooms at Pop Century. You would have 4 beds, two bathrooms, buses to AK and MK and Skyliner to DHS and EP.

I like that call. Especially if the young adults are over 21. Epcot is great for adults. They can easily just poke around for a drink or snack or dessert or even just wandering. Skyliner makes it easy to come & go from International Gateway.

 

[DJFan88]

We have 2 adults and 3 young adults (19S, 22S, 22GF). We opted for AoA Suite for the 2 bathrooms plus me and husband have own room- the 22 yr old couple gets the pullout couch and my other son the table bed. That is for 6 nights.
Then at BWI we got a Deluxe room for 5 nights,only 1 bathroom , but that’s our trade off for staying deluxe. This room has 2 queens for me and my husband on one of them and my 19 yr old gets his own. The 22yr olds get the pullout couch that is closer to the balcony.

 

[cckutner]

When you say Disney & surrounding parks, are you talking about just Walt Disney parks? Or meaning Universal too? Do you want to be on Disney property? Or somewhere off site?

I would prefer to be on Disney property, so I don’t have to worry about transportation. Parks: Epcot, Disney World, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios- mainly. Thank you for your help.

 

[cckutner]

I would consider two rooms at Pop Century. You would have 4 beds, two bathrooms, buses to AK and MK and Skyliner to DHS and EP.

Thank you! Great advice!

 

[cckutner]

I would consider 2 rooms at POR and compare prices to other resorts. It’s close to Disney Springs and there’s a lot to do at the resort itself. CBR 2 rooms would also offer a nice pool and sky liner access to HS or EP.

Thank you! Great advice!

 

[lanejudy]

Parks: Epcot, Disney World, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios- mainly.

By "Disney World" then I assume you mean the Magic Kingdom park. The whole property is "Walt Disney World" and the 4 major theme parks are Magic Kingdom (MK), Epcot (EP), Hollywood Studios (DHS) and Animal Kingdom (AK). Plus there are 2 water parks and a shopping/entertainment disctrict (Disney Springs).

Is there a time to buy tickets when rates are lowest? Also, best way to purchase tickets/fast passes/etc to get most for your money.

Tickets for 2023 have not gone on sale yet. Keep an eye here on DISboards and you'll certainly find out when they become available -- rumor is maybe June when historically packages have been released for the next year. But in these times, nobody really knows.
So ballpark on ticket prices for budgeting: currently late March tickets are ~$575 for a 5-day ticket (includes tax). WDW ticket prices are front-loaded, meaning the first 2-3 days are most expensive and then gets less to add day 4, 5, 6, etc. up to a 10-day ticket. That's this year's price, and I'd expect late March next year to be similar though probably slightly more. The park-hopper option is $85 for the full length of ticket, and you can also add-on waterparks if you have that interest. There are some authorized resellers who offer some savings, not huge savings but when talking about 6 tickets it adds up. There's a post near the top of this forum about one, and some folks have access to discounted amusement park tickets through work, etc.

Value resorts will be your least expensive on WDW property. Transportation to/from the values is primarily by bus, though a couple are also served by the Skyliner. Other WDW transportation includes boats and monorail, all of which can be used by any guest depending on where you are and where you wish to go. My family always uses WDW transportation options, though you can certainly pay for a rental car or call for Uber/Lyft/taxis at any time during your stay. Booking in well in advance may offer more choice of resorts, though discounts (if offered) aren't usually released until about 4 months out. I recommend booking a resort that fits your budget without a discount, then it's a bonus if you are able to add one later.

 

[ShannyMcB]

I highly recommend a dreams travel agent to make your life easier. Connecting rooms at POP or CBR will give you enough beds and 2 bathrooms. Maybe see if you can get connecting 5 person sleepers (or connected standard and 5 person) at CBR for the extra bed...it is small but will comfortably fit someone in the 5-5.6 foot range (I speak from experience). Or a family suite at AoA.
Why those hotels? Skyliner. Easy/safe transport. Buses to MK and AK are frequent and quick at least from CBR. Having recently stayed at CBR it's a great hotel for evening walks and late night swims as well. Easy access to EPCOT plus the skyliner hotels PLUS the EPCOT area hotels gives you lots of food options as well.
Seriously...travel agent. That's a lot of people. If you want ADRs as well they can help navigate the booking process for a larger party...2 smaller bookings within a couple minutes worked well for our larger party.
If the budget allows park hoppers would be nice...

 

[Kumanate]

Family of 6 here. Cheapest option with Early Entry and "kinda" on Disney Property has been the B-Resort in the past. We have enjoyed staying there but its not as convenient as some of the official Disney properties. But you can also find it fore below $100 a night (including the resort fee). You would need to secure two rooms for your family size. Another option is renting points through a group like DavidsDVC rental. We opted for this on the upcoming trip and booked two rooms at around $180-200 a night per room. This is about the same as it would cost to stay at Pop Century.