Totally agree about visiting WDW in the summer. We have gone for the last 6 summers. Friends think we are crazy because of the heat. It actually has been hotter here (NY) the last two years than in Orlando. Also just doesn't seem as hot when I am on vacation. Even though we are doing a surprise birthday trip in October, would take summer over the school vacations anytime.


. Yes, the parking fees and other costs associated with staying offsite do add up. We stayed offsite in a condo on our last trip and parking was $15 a day. Now it's $20 a day! You also have to do your research to get a good rate on a minivan rental; but again since we need two rooms, staying offsite works out well for us in more ways than one. I am considering upgrading my ticket to an AP so that we can get free parking and purchase TIW. DD14 will be doing a high school music dept trip to Disney next year so I would be able to utilize the AP since I plan on chaperoning the trip. I am hoping that since we are going in late August which Disney categorizes as either "value" or "fall" season (depending on the resort) that they will offer an attractive discount promotion. If they do, then the lower off season rates along with a good discount promotion will definitely make staying at a Disney resort more feasible for us. 