Big family woes

[Kenenitz]

Hi everyone, I'm new here and I've come here really to ask advice on planning a Disney vacation for my family of 6, soon to be seven. We would love to spend as little as possible so we can really spoil the kids with souvenirs and fun activites. I have spent HOURS online after the kids are in bed researching everything. Since the new 2009 rates aren't out for next year anyway, we are trying to put as many little details together as possible.

Right now, we are planning to stay at the All Star Music, in a family suite. We'll have seven in our family, but the baby will only be 5 months old. With that we are adding the park hopper (hopper was a necessity with little kids i felt) for 6 days, and the DP. Tix are only necessary for my three oldest. Right now the quote I got from a disney specialist is $3792, plus airfare ( $1600 ). However she assured me that the rates would go up and expect to add about $500. Right now we are considering driving. At the time of the vacation we'd be flying with an 8 yr old, two 4 year olds, an 18 month old and a 5 month old and that kinda scares me. lol ( yes two only 13 months apart.. no one was more surprised than us! ) Does my estimate seem like alot? We were planning to go in April '09. I will admit I am bummed that we seem exempt from staying a lot of the gorgeous hotels unless we are willing to go all out and get a two bedroom villa or two rooms. All total we are looking at a $5-6,000 vacation. That seems excessive since we only have a value hotel room, and only need the DP and tix for 5.

Basically I am looking for any suggestions to bring down costs, any suggestions for traveling with infants and preschoolers, and ideas for a plan of attack for the park. We know we need to make the ADR's 6 months out, but how can you plan for that so far in advance? Any suggestions?

This the first big vacation we are taking that has "activites" for us. We've gone to the beach, but that means hanging at the pool, going to the beach, walking the boardwalk at night.. it's very easy to play it by ear. Now I feel overwhelmed trying to figure out how to fit everything in, plan for meals 6 months ahead of time and where we will be each day. I also want to take the kids to Sea World for a day. My kids love going to the aquariums and this is going to blow their mind!

We also thought of moving the trip up to February, and going the first or second week. I know the average temp is only in the 60's but in Feb this year, temps were in the teens in PA, so 60 will seem like summer to us. Are the crowds really a lot smaller? Is it worth the difference in price? Does anyone think it's too cold?

Anyway, I know I must sound clueless but it's been 10 years since I have been to Disney, and the last time there were no kids to worry about. This is also my husbands very first visit. ( he was a deprived child lol ) Any advice would be appreciated! We plan to book everything as soon as the new rates come out, hopefully at the end of this month or early next month. Thank you sooo much!

 

[vcgirl925]

Ok, let's see.

I think if you drive down you will save a bundle. It's a do-able ride, i'm in NJ and it takes us about 12 hours straight through. If you have a mini van of some sort you would probably have to refill it 2 - 3 times one way. So a high estimate for gass would be $600 ($1000 less than flying and i agree you are WAY out numbered flying). Then stay off site. You can get hotels or even a house for pretty much $100 or less per night. You can get a hotel that includes breakfast and has two bedrooms/kitchen/2 baths/living room/ and free breakfast for about $100, especially if you go in Feb. I've done february before and the weather was cold (in the 50's, but we managed). You are missing some of the magic of staying within the park, but if money is a concern for you then i would recommend it. Then it's also easy for you to get to seaworld because you'll have your own car.

So, driving down will save you money in airfare. Get an off site hotel that will have more room & free breakfast (which saves a family of 7 a bundle). And walah! The only thing is you can't get the DP, but with some planning you can work it out and still save money overall.

 

[kokomos]

I dont think you need the hoppers even with small kids. You can still leave and re enter the same park after they have had time to rest. That would be a nice savings there.
You could also look into renting points for a disney villa

Take a deep breath and have fun planning.
Wanda

 

[Aliceacc]

Hi and welcome!!!! Let's see if I can help; I've been researching like crazy for my family of 5 for a year now.

1) Are you AAA members? If so, you can save 10-15% off your accomodations by booking your trip through an AAA agent:

From mousesavers.com:
AAA and CAA Resort Hotel Discounts
American Automobile Association (AAA) and Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) members qualify for "room only" discounts almost year-round, though there are a limited number of rooms available for each date. You can generally save about 10-20% at the Disney resort hotels, depending on the season.

In general, the discounts run as follows:

During Value Season you can get up to 15% off at the Disney Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts, or 20% off at the Value and Moderate resorts and the Ft. Wilderness campsites.

During Regular Season you can usually get up to 10% off at the Disney Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts, or 15% off at the Value and Moderate resorts and the Ft. Wilderness campsites.

During Peak Season and Summer Season you can usually get up to 10% off at the Disney Deluxe and Disney Vacation Club resorts, or 15% off at the Value and Moderate resorts.

The only time AAA/CAA discounts don't usually apply is Holiday Season (around Christmas) at the Value and Moderate resorts.

You don't have to book AAA/CAA rates through the Auto Club. Room-only reservations with an AAA discount can be booked directly through the Disney Reservation Center at (407) W-DISNEY or a travel agent who specializes in Disney travel. Just ask if there is an AAA or CAA discount for your dates and resort.

AAA/CAA rates for all of the following year are usually released in the summer. 2008 AAA/CAA "room only" discounts were released on August 5, 2007."


2) Once you make your reservations, start looking at airfares, and be sure to consider alternate airports. It might even be worth it to you to drive to Baltimore or somewhere if the airfare is enough of a bargain. Also look into the autotrain; it leaves from somewhere near DC I think. Even it it isn't cheaper than driving, it might be a more pleasant alternative.

3) Finally, this is some of what I've learned since joining: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715551

 

[ajk912]

I just wanted to point out that the AllStars is only cheap if you don't need the suite. The suite is expensive..I looked into it- it's cheaper to stay at a moderate than to stay at the suites. The suites are at least $180 a night.

You might be better off staying offsite. I know that's what I would do if I had 6 people, I have 5 people, so we can cram into POR for $149 a night. Any more than that, offsite we would go!

 

[Aliceacc]

Look into renting points at a DVC location-- there's a whole section of these boards devoted to that (although I personally know practically nothing about it.) It amounts to renting someone's timeshare. But as I understand it, some are 2-3 bedrooms, and there are supposedly some great deals to be found. AND they're on site! This should get you started: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1709083

Would you consider renting a home/condo off site? According to the Unofficial Guide, there are some bargains to be found, although it would mean sacrificing the meal plan.

Take a look at www.allstarvacationhomes.com
or

www.disneyrents.com

Also, have you considered the cabins at Fort Wilderness?

 

[Darcy03231]

We're a large family and have found the most ecomonical way for us to travel is to rent a house. We've been lucky and have always rented a 4-5 bedrm/3 bath private pool home for the less than the cost of one room at a value resort. By having a full kitchen we also save a lot of money on meals and snacks. We have breakfast in each day, stay at the parks until about 1-2, go back to the house for a swim/rest and something to eat and then back to the parks in the late afternoon/early evening. We usually end up either just snacking in the parks or only eating one meal there. If you drive down you won't even have the extra cost to rent a van (which we do since we fly).

 

[disneyjunkie]

When does school start in your area? Is it after Labor Day? If so, I'd move the trip back to the last week of August. That way you'll pay value season rates for your room and you may also be able to get the dining plan for free.

I would not opt out of the hopper passes. I'd hate to give up the flexibility.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I would get rid of the hoppers. Also if you want to want to stay on site change from the family suite to 2 rooms..go for the Pop where they dont share a bus.

Also your in PA.. drive down or looking into the train. Even the Auto Train will cut 600-700 off of that. Kids have been free every summer.

Have you considered waiting till the end of August and trying for free dinning if it comes out next year?

We did that last year with my family of six.

 

[mlraabe]

We are a family of 6 and usually with extras along on top of that! We have rented a house and are doing it again this trip. Honestly, I need the space. we have our own bedrooms and bath plus plenty of room to stretch out - more than 1 tv, a kitchen for breakfast and usually a crockpot meal late in the evening when we get back from the parks. Plus, I do not have to walk my kids to the resort pool - we walk out the sliding door. The hot tub to relax in after the kids are in bed is wonderful! We have spent less than $1000 for very nice and large (over 5 bedroom houses).

Then, you could drive, have your car and free up alot of $ for the extra things you want to do. I checked into the train for this time. It will cost us $1100 plus driving to VA. So, I think we are going to drive it again. We are in Central Pa and it takes us about 16 hours to drive. I thought about flying but just the thought of trying to fly with my four makes me ill!

Also, we did hoppers the first time but that was it. We really did not need them.

 

[aaronandterri]

lol we flew from the uk with our four in april, its not as bad as you think, well it cant be as were doing it again next may and taking baby no 5 that is due xmas with us aswell.
we normally combine ofsite villa with pool with some time onsite for our perfect holiday.
last year i blew our budget with two rooms at the poly but cant afford that again this year, but god those rooms are huge!!
i wouldnt bother with the hopper either, with that many kids you probably wouldnt get your moneys worth out of it.

 

[bellebud]

I'd not get the hoppers. we've been 2-3 times a year for the past 6 years, and have had annual passes most of those times, and still don't hop (our kids are now 6yo and 8yo). I think it's totally fine to go back to the same park if you take a mid-day break. And with kid so young, some days you might not take a mid-day break, and may do morning till afternoon, then call it a day, then the hopper isn't even used.

I'd not do the DP either, or I'd try for free dining at the end of august. I always read how the DP has too much food, and takes a lot of time away from touring. Little kids don't like to sit and each too much. I'd stick to 1 or 2 character meals (and do the *must meet* characters in the meals, then you don't have to wait on lines for pics and autographs in the parks). Then do counter service, even sharing a lot of the counter service meals. We still share, and have enough food (we'll get 3 meals for the 4 of us, and maybe a dessert, and sometimes that's too much).

And I'd price out 2 connecting value rooms vs. the family suite. The only thing the 2 connecting value rooms will lack is the kitchenette, but you can rent 1 or 2 small fridges (or go to the budget board here - they have fridge swaps - very worth it I'm sure). I believe because your kids outnumber the adults, you can get guaranteed connecting rooms???? Someone else might know for sure. Or maybe not because you have 2 adults, you could have 2 separate rooms - then that wouldn't work of course if they weren't guaranteed connecting. But the family suite sounds great anyway.

Driving can be very nice! We've driven from NY many times (and we fly too). Where are you coming from?

 

[Elmo888]

First, you can break it all down if you go through the disneyworld.com web site. And then you can see how much you are paying for each piece of the package.

Second, I would skip the dining plan. If you are driving, you can make a grocery store stop and stock up on snacks and breakfast foods. With the ASMusic Family Suite, you have a small fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker, so you can easily do breakfast. With snacks and water that you bring into the parks, you can save money. If you aren't driving, you can use a grocery service like wegoshop.com for your breakfast and snack needs. And then you can still plan on a few table service meals (TS), but not one everyday (which is what you need to do with the DP). And that will save some $$.

Third, check mousesavers.com for discounts. Even after you book (package or room only), you can apply a discount code if one is available for your time and room type. (There are a bunch of ways to save on mousesavers.com, including discounted park tickets.)

Two things that I would stick with are the park hoppers and on site. We are just a family of four, so I can't compare exactly. However, I found the Family Suites to be fantastic. With the fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker and two bathrooms, it was great. We did have a pack n play in the living room (it might be easier to put your infant in the bedroom with you), which made it a bit crowded. And there is just something about being on site. Don't get me wrong - I have looked into the offsite options and wouldn't rule them out. Check the disboard...http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=126. If you go look at some of those web sites (like Windsor Hills), the houses and condos/townhouses look great. Just keep in mind that if you stay off site, you will either need to rent a car (factor in that cost) or use your own.

I have to agree about value season, whether it is August or beginning of Feb. We went end of Jan/beg of Feb, and the weather is fantastic and the crowds are very low. If you can take the kids out of school, I'd go with Feb. If you can't and you can tolerate the heat, try late August. Value season is just an easy way to save money if you can travel during those times.

I don't think that it excessive, simply because seven people are seven people and have to be accommodated, whether it is at a value or anywhere else, but there are lots of ways to save some money. The Family Suites are two rooms (and cost a bit more than two rooms), so it might help to look at it like you are paying for two rooms at a value (which you essentially are).

Have a great trip!

 

[Kenenitz]

Ok, let's see.
Get an off site hotel that will have more room & free breakfast (which saves a family of 7 a bundle). And walah! The only thing is you can't get the DP, but with some planning you can work it out and still save money overall.

Thanks so much for responding, I think we really are going to drive down, I just feel overwhelmed at the thought of flying out of Philly with all the kids and stroller and luggage.. It's just to have everything in arms reach if I need it. When you go, Do you take I- 95 straight down ? we were thinking I-81 might be a little less congested.

I should have mentioned that dh really wants the dining plan, we spent hours on all ears, checking the menus and such and when you total up most of the places he wants to try out , we're saving money with the DP. Plus I cook breakfast and dinner every single day.. on the weekends, lunch too. I just don't want to be bothered with cooking. This is my fault, but I cook everything from scratch and my kids as a result are a little pickier... meaning they aren't fans of jar spaghetti sauce or box macaroni.. so if I actually want them to eat and not pick and then cry they are hungry an hour later, I'm gonna have to actually cook a meal and of course clean up afterwards..

We had originally thought about staying off site, or even booking through Universal's deals, but then the added cost of parking and gas to drive to the parks and food seemed like it would be about the same. To be honest, we can afford the trip as it is. It's something we were planning for and I expected to spend a bundle. I was just trying to figure out a few ways to minimize other costs, it would be nice if it was just a little cheaper.. I mean aren't we all looking to save money?

 

[Kenenitz]

Look into renting points at a DVC location-- there's a whole section of these boards devoted to that (although I personally know practically nothing about it.)


Also, have you considered the cabins at Fort Wilderness?

We have actually. I heard some good things and some bad things about renting points for the DVCs, so that kinda scares me. I am so afraid something would happen.

We were considering the cabins but our disney specialist said that it would be a tight fit if we needed the two pack and plays. And the fact that we live in a gated community, filled with cabins and beachy looking homes, the entire development is in a wooded area, with streams all around , and two lakes, one of which is behind our house. lol We moved here because it seemed like we were camping, everyday of our lives. LOL

 

[Kenenitz]

We are a family of 6 and usually with extras along on top of that! We have rented a house and are doing it again this trip. Honestly, I need the space. we have our own bedrooms and bath plus plenty of room to stretch out - more than 1 tv, a kitchen for breakfast and usually a crockpot meal late in the evening when we get back from the parks. Plus, I do not have to walk my kids to the resort pool - we walk out the sliding door. The hot tub to relax in after the kids are in bed is wonderful! We have spent less than $1000 for very nice and large (over 5 bedroom houses).

Then, you could drive, have your car and free up alot of $ for the extra things you want to do. I checked into the train for this time. It will cost us $1100 plus driving to VA. So, I think we are going to drive it again. We are in Central Pa and it takes us about 16 hours to drive. I thought about flying but just the thought of trying to fly with my four makes me ill!

Also, we did hoppers the first time but that was it. We really did not need them.

We are near Wyomissing or Reading area. Do you take 95 or 81? a friend that drives truck told me that the gas might be cheaper on 81.

 

[HelenePA]

I would also like to say drop the hoppers option. Last year we went with 3 kids and didn't feel the need to hop at all. I also wanted to say hello from frackville

 

[Kenenitz]

I'd not get the hoppers. we've been 2-3 times a year for the past 6 years, and have had annual passes most of those times, and still don't hop (our kids are now 6yo and 8yo). I think it's totally fine to go back to the same park if you take a mid-day break. And with kid so young, some days you might not take a mid-day break, and may do morning till afternoon, then call it a day, then the hopper isn't even used.

Driving can be very nice! We've driven from NY many times (and we fly too). Where are you coming from?

I struggled with the park hopper option too, but in the end I wanted the ultimate in flexibility. With the fact that I need to make ADR's 6 months out, I felt that it was better to have the hopper. I was talking to a friend of mine who goes to Disney a lot and she remarked that if we want to truly enjoy the vacation try to just let go as much as possible. When it came down to it, we decided if we need to use it, we have it. If we find out that it was unnecessary, then next vacation, we don't have to worry. I would feel horrible if we went and regretted not adding it. ... I don't know.. we really are still on the fence on that one.. lol

We're actually coming from the Reading area in PA, About an hour northwest of Philly.

 

[brymolmom]

I would get rid of the hoppers - a nice little extra cash to buy snacks/souvies with. I have a couple little kids and with the kind of planning it sounds like you're doing AND if you are going at a slow-ish time of year and not right in the high crowd time - they really aren't necessary. If you want to leave and return to a park - just return to the same one.

Also...depends on your family but ESPECIALLY if you're driving - you could likely save without the dining plan. Buy some groceries and bring sandwiches to the parks. Buy a few counter service meals most days to split among you (add some apples and grapes from your cooler) and then splurge on 2 or so character meals.

With kids those ages there is no way I'd want to do a sit-down meal every day anyway - sometimes they take a long time and if any one of the kids is cranky....well that's a LONG time to wait for food, etc.

With a family that size you'd definitely save getting a condo off-site, but if you really want the onsite experience I think the family suite could be good (unless you can find a good rate on room only for 2 regular rooms) - the kitchen-ette that is in the suites would be useful. If you're getting the dining plan anyway - well skip the suite and just get 2 rooms and look for codes.

Bringing stroller(s) for your family will definitely save over renting them there.

Bring some pre-purchased less expensive souveniers from home and hide them from the kids. Suprise them either in the car or when you get there - they'll feel like they have a couple new things and likely won't mind getting less when you're there.

Especially if you have a car - don't miss the fort wilderness campfire and outdoor movie - it's a ton of fun!

 

[moredisneyplease]

Hi there!! a few things:

1) I'd be driving through the night with the kiddos sleeping quietly!! Take turns with spouse and then have a real chill arrival day so everyone catches up on sleep

2) drop the parkhopper and save yourself nearly $50 per person. Hop back to the park you started with at the beginning of the day and save the money!

3) I think you might indeed get a better deal (or aleast better resort) by renting DVC points and staying at a villa.

4) So you dont want to cook......I get it! However, DDP is a bit rough sometimes because you have to plan your whole freaking day/trip around your ADR (advanced dining reservations). Is this something that you guys really want to do? I would aleast pick up easy breakfast food like cereal and milk and bagels and cream cheese and various juices and let everyone grab a quick breakfast

Thats all from my end. Good luck!!