Dolphin vs. off sites (

[KBecks]

Thanks so much Robin, (and hi! I see you are in Madison!) I see it is harder with a family of five, but we sure do love having all these kids!

Thanks for the tip on the YES program for tickets. Our oldest is in 1st grade and next year our oldest 2 will be in 1st and 2nd grade. I will check it out!!!

We have decided that this May is way too soon and might take a good long look at May of 2013 or October or December of 2013, which gives us a lot more time to plan it out. October is busy for my husband's work schedule, but it is our anniversary and our oldest son's birthday, maybe we could squeeze it....

I am also looking at this First Trip to Disney web site (although it is technically our second trip), they highly recommend staying on site and doing a dining plan. Counter service seems like a potential good fit for us -- last visit we had good times at the Tavern in Disney World (dont' remember the name), and the restaurant in Epcot (Sunshine seasons??). Quick service fits our style very much as our kids don't sit a whole lot. We also enjoyed Boma and Marrakesh very much and would try to do one or two special meals. I don't think dining is that important to us unless it presents a real savings. We don't have to eat *that* much.

When I think back to our last trip, we loved those special meals, and we loved the Pirate Adventure Cruise that the kids did at the lake in the middle of the boardwalk area, and we loved the Epcot-area location. We also loved the Boardwalk pool and having a nice pool to hang out at.

I am still not really sure if we can really swing an on-site vacation with the 5 of us but will keep checking it out!

Thanks again for all the great help!

 

[robinb]

October is a good time for WI families because of the WEAC convention at the end of the month (last thurs & fri in October). You get two days off "free" (it's the 25th and 26th this year) so your kids would only miss 3 days of school. If you are thinking about getting Dining, you could try to hold out for Free Dining at a time that works for you. You essentially pay rack rate for your resort and for park tickets and you get the DDP for free! It would be a substantial savings for your family. Here is a link to previous discounts (including free dining), when they were valid and when they were released: http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html#codetrends . That doesn't mean that you would definitely get free dining in 2013 at the same time it was offered in 2011 or 2012, but I would consider it likely.

FTR, we have driving to WDW three times. Flying is easier, but the drive is not all that bad. Of course, I only have one kid to deal with!

 

[KBecks]

Wow, Robin, you are amazing! Thank you for the tip about timing during the teacher's convention at the end of October. Extremely helpful, thank you!!!