First time to Disney and with 2 Kids - Please help

[sayrevilleNJ]

Hi Folks,

This site is excellent place, I read through lot of threads, but still need some help in few things, I would really appreciate help from those who have been there before.
We are family of four - 2 Kids ( 18 mo and 5.5 yrs), flying to MCO on Dec 23rd..and satying there for 8 nights. Would like to visit most Disney Resorts and couple of Universal Studios.

1. What is the best way to book a reasonable hotel (3 stars..3.5 stars) with Hot Breakfast. Also because of my younger one, I do need a Microwave oven and a mini fridge too in room too
Since I am staying 8 nights and its during Christmas time, is it more cheaper to go for a Condos instead of Hotels, etc...Need some help from you guys.

2. Do I need to have a car rental , or I can easily take a cab to hotel, and then daily cab or something to theme parks ? (I might need to go out one or twice to get some basics for baby)

I really appreciate your help, If I am posting in a wrong forum, I applogize and pls let me know which one is the correct forum.

Thanks,

 

[ColleenG]

It sounds like off site will be your best bet. Disney hotels that are moderate and up have a small fridge in the room, but no microwave unless you do a studio at one of the DVC resorts.

If you stay off Disney property I would look into renting a car. We stayed once at a Radisson and the shuttle they had ran only at park opeining and closing, so we were very glad we had rented a car.

Check out allearsnet.com they have a list and reviews of some of the off property hotels. As far as I know none of Disney hotels offer free breakfast. They all have some place to eat, but no "continental breakfast included".

 

[EthansMom]

Just a warning, in case you've never been, Christmas week through New Year's is THE MOST CROWDED time of year for Disney World. The parks often close to new guests early in the day. If you stay offsite, you won't necessarily be guaranteed entry into a park. Also, once in the parks, expect huge crowds and long lines for rides.

If possible, you would find lower prices and much lower crowds by going in the first or second week of December or the period between New Years until President's Day weekend. I've been both of those times and it was lovely. You couldn't pay for my trip and get me to go during Christmas week... especially not with my young kids.

Just my opinion.

 

[squirrel]

Are you sure you want to do Universal and Disney in one trip?

I know that your dates are at a busy time of year. If you are going to do both then staying off property will be easier. The WDW resorts are good at getting you to WDW parks not Universal.

The value resorts don't have fridges or microwaves in the rooms. They do have a microwave in the food court. There are also fridge swaps on the DisBoards so you could see if there is one available, if you want to stay at a value resort.

When I went to Universal we stayed at a Best Western across the street from Universal. I have heard that now it's best to stay at a Universal Hotel as their guests get a front of the line pass. I have not been since they built the hotels, but I have heard it takes a while to get on the rides now with all the people who have front of the line passes.

WDW property is quite large. You do not want to be taking taxis to get around, it will cost you more money than renting a car. WDW has buses that will get you from your WDW Resort to the parks and back. The hotels off property should have shuttles, but how often they come and how many stops, I can't answer.

 

[sayrevilleNJ]

Thanks for the quick replies, too bad for me, I already have reserved my air tickets for this trip

Looks like because of the crowd , I am better of getting something close to WDW and let go my free breakfast idea.

Also looks like covering two resorts in 7 days is not a good idea specially in this weeks..

Thanks Guys, If any more tips, I really appreciate, atleast I can start looking for right hotels now..Also is Priceline/Hotwire a good idea ?

 

[jtopp]

The one thing everyone forgets is that once Off WDW property, the perks that Disney provides do not come into play. All guests staying off property need to get to the parks, and all the local residents are also off for the holiday. It's a bittersweet problem- going to WDW but having it overcrowded, or going another time(two weeks earlier, perhaps) and having a completely more pleasant experience. You can also change your flights( for a small fee). The fee will not seem so bad when you see how much more you can experience.

 

[sayrevilleNJ]

Just a warning, in case you've never been, Christmas week through New Year's is THE MOST CROWDED time of year for Disney World. The parks often close to new guests early in the day. If you stay offsite, you won't necessarily be guaranteed entry into a park. Also, once in the parks, expect huge crowds and long lines for rides.

If possible, you would find lower prices and much lower crowds by going in the first or second week of December or the period between New Years until President's Day weekend. I've been both of those times and it was lovely. You couldn't pay for my trip and get me to go during Christmas week... especially not with my young kids.

Just my opinion.

I have a small question here, does that mean if I stay in any of those Disney Moderate resort, then I atleast have a guaranteed enrty to the park ?

 

[misled3]

Thanks for the quick replies, too bad for me, I already have reserved my air tickets for this trip

Looks like because of the crowd , I am better of getting something close to WDW and let go my free breakfast idea.

Also looks like covering two resorts in 7 days is not a good idea specially in this weeks..

Thanks Guys, If any more tips, I really appreciate, atleast I can start looking for right hotels now..Also is Priceline/Hotwire a good idea ?

If you call disney and ask them about the suites at all star music it has a fridge, microwave it also has 2 bathrooms and sleeps 6... We stayed there last year it was great... We always rent a car just because it makes it easier we go thru Costco.com and use the discounts the give on rental cars we have never spent more than 200.00 for a week. During that time of year staying on disney property will be easier on you.

 

[squirrel]

When the parks fill up with guests, they have to close the park to new guests in levels.

I believe if you are a resort guest then you will always be admitted, but someone will know for sure.

There are also companies that will deliver groceries to your resort. Check out the Budget Board.

Some of the other benefits of staying on property: Disney Dining Plan, Free Shipment of purchases to your resort, Refillable Mugs, EMH (Extra Magic Hours), transportation, free parking.

 

[Kaler131]

I always recommend renting a car....but that's just my preference. I like to have the power to come and go as I please and not have to rely on anyone else (cabs, busses, ect.) to transport me. I really LOVE having the freedom of my "own" car.

 

[estherhead]

With an 18 month old I recommend renting a car AND only doing Disney. I've been to Universal with a baby & the baby swap areas where you wait for your family are terrifying & LOUD for babies that age. I love Universal. Love it. But for babies, I hate it. It's hot & loud with no sweet baby running around spots while Mommy sits in the quiet shade chitchatting with other parents. Just my opinion.

Also, I've never been at Christmas, but I have been at Spring Break. In general, I love staying off site, especially with a baby. I love having a condo or house that the baby & I can go to & be quiet & non-Disney. Also, pools at non-Disney resorts are always better for my babies. There are just a lot of splashing in Disney pools, ya know? Great for my 7 & 8 year old, not for my 19 month old. However, the spring break week I went Orlando was crazy. Disney knows how to deal with crowd control, Orlando not so much. Avoid Interstate 4 for sure. If you do decide to stay offsite, stay on 192 south of Disney, not on International Drive at crazy busy time periods. Again, just my opinion. I hate sitting in traffic.

Finally, I'm sure since you've been reading you've read the rope drop line. With kids your age you MUST MUST MUST MUST MUST get there at rope drop. I swear. I'm not joking. It will make your vacation feel like a vacation and not a marathon. If someone in the group doesn't want to be there at rope drop LEAVE THEM HOME. lol. With teens & older ones it doesn't matter so much. With babies it is critical.

I've been off site & on site with babies & 5 year olds many a time. Ask away, I'm full of info. ;-)

 

[badblackpug]

We also say at the All Star Music Suites. (we are traveling with a baby, too, but she is only 9m) We have Garden Grocer (www.gardengrocer.com) deliver breakfast stuff (cereal, milk, bagels, cream cheese) and baby supplies (food, formula, pampers) We use the Disney Dining Plan.

We never rent a car. We find WDW transport much more convenient. We have never had issues with the busses. Also, it is nice to be able to sit down and let someone else do the driving at the end of a long day, rather than fight the traffic out of the parks.

I would recommend staing onsite for several reasons. As was mentioned before, you are going during a VERY crowded time. If you are a resort guest, you are at least guaranteed to get into the parks, even if you don't make it to the "rope drop." (a feat I have never even TRIED to accomplish) If you are on site it it also easier to return to your hotel to rest and then return to the park at a later time if you wish. You can purchase the Disney Dining Plan. ...and others will atest....there is just something more "magical" about staying onsite. Maybe it is being submerged in 24/7 Disney!

With 7 dyas and 2 small children, I wouln't even attempt Universal. You will find more than enough to do at the 4 Disney parks.

 

[mjkacmom]

I agree with everyone here. First of all, I personally would never go then - I have school-age children, and would pull out before attempting WDW at a peak time. That said, you will need to get there at rope drop, so stay onsite (we left the BC 45 minutes before rope drop, in November - I can't imagine how early we'd have to get moving if we stayed off site). Why are you travelling that week? Now that my kids are older, I'm kicking myself for all of the vacations we didn't take when they weren't in school yet!

 

[sayrevilleNJ]

I agree with everyone here. First of all, I personally would never go then - I have school-age children, and would pull out before attempting WDW at a peak time. That said, you will need to get there at rope drop, so stay onsite (we left the BC 45 minutes before rope drop, in November - I can't imagine how early we'd have to get moving if we stayed off site). Why are you travelling that week? Now that my kids are older, I'm kicking myself for all of the vacations we didn't take when they weren't in school yet!

Yeah, my elder one is in school already, and combined with work commitments , Thats the only week we can go, I am looking for onsite only, hopefully I can find something..Thanks for all your replies, this forum helped a lot clearing my confused mind.

 

[Disney1976]

I have a small question here, does that mean if I stay in any of those Disney Moderate resort, then I atleast have a guaranteed enrty to the park ?

No! The parks shut down in stages (Chesire Figment is the best person to tell you what those stages are) but I can tell you that in the last stage (Stage 4 or 5), the parks are closed to everyone, whether you are staying on property or not, whether you have an ADR or not, etc. If it's going to happen, it's likely to happen during Christmas-New Year's week, and more likely at MK then a larger park like Epcot, which can hold more people.

 

[EthansMom]

I have a small question here, does that mean if I stay in any of those Disney Moderate resort, then I atleast have a guaranteed enrty to the park ?

My understanding, though I've never been at that time of year, is that as a guest at a WDW resort, you'll be guaranteed entry to A park, not necessarily the park of your choice.

I highly recommend the Port Orleans Resorts, which are both lovely, and are in the Moderate price range.

Your best bet would be to get up as early as possible, get to the park at or before opening, then get out early. Our neighbor went during Christmas week a few years ago and reported that parks were closing to new entrants at 10 a.m.

 

[sayrevilleNJ]

My understanding, though I've never been at that time of year, is that as a guest at a WDW resort, you'll be guaranteed entry to A park, not necessarily the park of your choice.

I highly recommend the Port Orleans Resorts, which are both lovely, and are in the Moderate price range.

Your best bet would be to get up as early as possible, get to the park at or before opening, then get out early. Our neighbor went during Christmas week a few years ago and reported that parks were closing to new entrants at 10 a.m.

Thank you, Yeah I guess first couple of days would not be a problem to get there early, but then I guess kids (and us too) will be too tired to wakeup that early

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

I may not get love for this, but Sayerville, you need to identify what's right for you and your family. What is your goal for the trip? Is it to see everything and then some - a method known as commando touring, or is it to do a handful of things and experience the small stuff that you come across?

How does your family vacation? That will determine if the rope drop strategy is right for you or not.

Everyone can tell you that you have to be there at rope drop every day of your trip. I can tell you that will never happen in my family. My girls are not speedy to get ready. We tend to take our time in the parks, too. We suck up the little things that the commandos sail right by. We still get as much out of our vacation without the stress of needing to see it all.

Yes, there will be crowds. Lots of them. As long as you are flexible and don't mind hitting a different park than originally intended, you will be fine if you get up a bit later and stay on property. There are so many cool things to do on property that don't have anything to do with the parks, that you will find fun things.

If you ever plan to go back, then go to WDW and plan to relax and go with the flow - even during peak holidays! There will still be plenty to see on the next visit!