August Trip....HELP!!!

[scooter15]

It looks like we are going this August. I need help because it has been 6 years since I've been there and back then we had no kids.

We are going to be 2 families with 3 kids each, ages 8, 6(2), 5, 4, 2 at time of travel. Two of them will be having their birthdays my cousins daughter who will turn 5 and my son who will turn 2. We will be staying at the Port Orleans Riverside for 6 nights. Here are my questions...

1. Refillable mugs. I remember them the last time we were there but I am sure things have changed and I have read that the program changed. What's the cost and can we use it at various resorts?

2. Birthdays. Since we have 2 and probably are going to celebrate them separately, what do you suggest that is worth the money but not too expensive probably for dinner. Also, where do you get birthday buttons and do they sell the birthday buckets like at DL.

3. How's the weather? DH and I went there during our honeymoon in Sept and were caught in a hurricane so the weather was awful but how is it normally during that month. Also, what kind of hurricane season are you expecting this year?

4. R there things at various resorts that we should do or go to?

5. Babysitting? We may want an adult night off from the kids. Do they have babysitting service at the resort? If so, how much does it cost. 6 kids sounds like a lot to take care of but we can split them up too.

6. Strollers. How does that work since I assume you can't bring it outside the parks.

7. Fridge. Is there on in the room?

I can't think of anything else but if anyone wants to chime in, please do.

Thanks.

 

[Rylee]

It looks like we are going this August. I need help because it has been 6 years since I've been there and back then we had no kids.

We are going to be 2 families with 3 kids each, ages 8, 6(2), 5, 4, 2 at time of travel. Two of them will be having their birthdays my cousins daughter who will turn 5 and my son who will turn 2. We will be staying at the Port Orleans Riverside for 6 nights. Here are my questions...

1. Refillable mugs. I remember them the last time we were there but I am sure things have changed and I have read that the program changed. What's the cost and can we use it at various resorts?

The mugs are available for about $12.50 with free refills on coffee, sodas, ice tea, and hot chocolate. From what I understand, you can only use them at your resort.

2. Birthdays. Since we have 2 and probably are going to celebrate them separately, what do you suggest that is worth the money but not too expensive probably for dinner. Also, where do you get birthday buttons and do they sell the birthday buckets like at DL.

For the 5 y/o girl, I would suggest a character meal with the princesses... Cinderella's Royal Table @ MK, 1900 Park Fare @ GF, Akershus Banquet Hall - Princess Storybook Dining @ Epcot.
For the little guy... a character meal with Mickey @ Chef Mickey's @ Contemporary or Pooh @ Crystal Palace @ MK.

3. How's the weather? DH and I went there during our honeymoon in Sept and were caught in a hurricane so the weather was awful but how is it normally during that month. Also, what kind of hurricane season are you expecting this year?

Never been in August (taking our first August trip this year) but I hear reports of HOT & HUMID. Plan on taking afternoon breaks back at the resort for swim and nap time.

4. R there things at various resorts that we should do or go to?

A great way to check out other resorts is to dine at the resort restaurants.

5. Babysitting? We may want an adult night off from the kids. Do they have babysitting service at the resort? If so, how much does it cost. 6 kids sounds like a lot to take care of but we can split them up too.

I have never used the babysitting services.

6. Strollers. How does that work since I assume you can't bring it outside the parks.

I recommend bringing a stroller from home for the youngest members or anyone you know will need a stroller to keep up or get through the day. The price of stroller rentals has recently increased, (a weekly car rental is cheaper then a double stroller for a week at Disney). If you bring one from home, you could always rent another stroller, if needed and/or have the kids trade off when tired.

7. Fridge. Is there on in the room?

There should be a fridge in the room at all moderate resorts, (including POR).

I can't think of anything else but if anyone wants to chime in, please do.

When in August are you going? In case you are not aware... free dining starts on 8/24.

Dining Plan or not... if you want to experience/dine at any of the Table Service restaurants, you need to make Advance Dining Reservations (ADR's). You are allowed to book ADR's 180 days in advance.

Traveling with others or in large groups can be a challenge... have a loose plan...
Which park on which day, (check park hours at the WDW site calendar)
Make a list of "must-see-and-do" attractions, and try to take in these attractions in the mornings. (Uses fast passes.)
Schedule an ADR for any restaurants you really want.
Be flexible... agree to split up, if needed, now and then... When we travel with others, we usually start our day together, around lunch we might split up... some return to the resort for a swim or nap, others may choose to stay in the parks, or we split by age so younger and older kids can experience different attractions, then we meet back up for our dinner reservation and the evening shows.

Have a magical trip!

 

[DollfieDreams]

1. Refillable mugs. I remember them the last time we were there but I am sure things have changed and I have read that the program changed. What's the cost and can we use it at various resorts?

You can only use them at your resort. BUT. The small cups are all "Year of a Million Dreams" and the big ones are the only ones with the specific hotel's logo. Which means you can cheat with the smaller cups. :]

2. Birthdays. Since we have 2 and probably are going to celebrate them separately, what do you suggest that is worth the money but not too expensive probably for dinner. Also, where do you get birthday buttons and do they sell the birthday buckets like at DL.

Buttons are available at any front desk and at any Guest Relations. I know if you mention a birthday to the hotel staff that you will most likely get surprised with balloons and some type of sweet at a hotel. Mention it at a park and you may get to ride in the front of a choice attraction. For birthdays I highly suggest (for the adults) picking a nice resteraunt to go to and mentioning the birthday. Yummy sweets are never a bad thing. Also, if the birthday person is fond of the fireworks, call and ask about the special dining they do either for Illuminations or Wishes. I know with the Illuminations package you get to be on a boat during the show in the lagoon, you either get to eat dinner and cake, or just the cake and you get decorations to go with it. Worth checking in to if that sounds up your alley, but I recommend calling very soon! For children, especially the girls, consider the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique. They can do hair and make up make overs for girls of all ages, but once again, call soon! They have two locations, one at Downtown Disney in the World of Disney store, and the other in Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom

3. How's the weather? DH and I went there during our honeymoon in Sept and were caught in a hurricane so the weather was awful but how is it normally during that month. Also, what kind of hurricane season are you expecting this year?

August is HOT. HOT HOT HOT. Deffinitley pack the sunscreen and bring on the watter bottles (don't buy inside the park, they are $2 a bottle!) with the comfy shorts and tanks. I have also heard that the hurricane season this year is predicted to be less threatening than earlier years. Apparently the global warming problem is a having a reverse affect on what everyone had assumed before.

4. R there things at various resorts that we should do or go to?

Value resorts have the pools and various game rooms, the more ritzy resorts have special dinings and events. All depends on where you're staying.

5. Babysitting? We may want an adult night off from the kids. Do they have babysitting service at the resort? If so, how much does it cost. 6 kids sounds like a lot to take care of but we can split them up too.

Babysitting at Disney is free. I know most hotels do have child care services. Always call and enquire first though.

6. Strollers. How does that work since I assume you can't bring it outside the parks.

No, you cannot rent a purple Epcot stroller and take it to the land of the blue Magic Kingdom strollers. But, you can rent a double or single stroller in Epcot and then park hop to the Magic Kingdom and pick up another stroller for free. Single strollers are $10 and Double strollers are $18. You can rent them for any number of consecutive days and it will be $2 off all of the other purchased days (meaning...say you rent for 5 days. Your first day will be say $10 for a single, but the next 4 days will only cost you $8 each day. You don't have to worry about lines and can simply present your tickets to the CM that is distributing the strollers). Doubles can fit up to three small children or two children with only two seat belts. Each stroller is washed by hand every morning and comes with a sun visor and storage space for bags and watter bottles. The strollers are highly easy to manuever through crowds and all come with a name tag for finding them when you leave them outside of an attraction. There are also infant strollers for rent upon request and also umbrella strollers for purchase at about $42.85.

7. Fridge. Is there on in the room?

You have to ask for it.

 

[Chellymouse]

August weather is pretty brutal. It's very hot and very humid. Since you are travelling with 6 children, I would suggest you head out early in the morning, go back to the resort around lunchtime to nap, swim and just plain get out of the heat and head back in once the sun goes down. We've done several August trips and even though I don't mind heat and humidity, after 2 days, I'm beat. Make sure you have PLENTY of water and juice, we usually freeze it in our room and then leave a small cooler in our locker so that we have fresh and cold water/juice all day and it's WAY less expensive. Loose, light weight and light colored clothing is a must. Spray bottles with fans are also a must (we put ice in ours and the CMs are very cool about sharing ice for no cost) Purchase those ahead of time at your local big box discount store as they are $20 at WDW. Also, if you're planning to do a waterpark, go the minute it opens as the waterparks are usually jammed by 1pm. Go early, enjoy the park then head in for a break.

 

[Momsquared]

We're going in August too! Great info!

 

[noahdove]

First off, have a magical time Take lots of pictures.. I agree with the OP that you should take a break mid-day...everyone needs a little down time. Disney Marketplace is a great place for kids especially the Lego Store Goofy's candy store you can get special treats made to order for under $4.00...hair wraps for the girls..cool dude hair for the boys. take all the kids to the Barber Shop on Main St at MK and have their hair sprayed, jelled..and have sparkles added to the hair...enjoy this awesome time

 

[Castle crazy]

Chef Mickey's is wonderful for birthdays for boys and girls. All the characters are there and they do a great job.

 

[scooter15]

Thank you all for your suggestions. We've never done WDW with kids so it should be a fun and interesting trip.

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Baby sitting is free at Disney? Really? Where? I also thought that the cost of the stroller rental had gone up quite a bit from the $10 charge that was previously quoted. Could someone correct me if I'm wrong. Port Orleans does have refrigerators in the rooms, you don't have to ask for them anymore but they look like furniture so you may not realize they are there. It's a great feature to have, especially with small children to keep milk cold. I hope you have a great time!

 

[Rylee]

Baby sitting is free at Disney? Really? Where? I also thought that the cost of the stroller rental had gone up quite a bit from the $10 charge that was previously quoted. Could someone correct me if I'm wrong. Port Orleans does have refrigerators in the rooms, you don't have to ask for them anymore but they look like furniture so you may not realize they are there. It's a great feature to have, especially with small children to keep milk cold. I hope you have a great time!

You are right... the pp is wrong.

Stroller rentals are $15 per day for a single and $31 per day for a double or $13 and $27 for a length of stay rental.

You are also right about the refrigerators... all but the Value resorts should have one in the room at no cost.