First trip advice for our family of five - DD9, DS6, DS3

[TimeWaster]

Ok, so my inlaws are giving us a trip to Disney for Christmas. Basically MIL told me to plan whatever I wanted and they will foot the bill, so cost is not a huge concern ! But I have not been to Disney since I was 15 and that was 20+ years ago. So where in the world do I start?!?!? Oh, I forgot to mention that we are going the weekend of February 10th (yes, we are taking the kids out of school for a couple of days).

So far we are planning two days at the Magic Kingdom, one at MGM and one at Universal (a MUST for my 6 year old Mavel freak!). How do I start deciding where to stay, where to eat, what to see, what to ride.... My brain hurts with all the possibilities, so any help I can get to narrow things down will be sooooo helpful.

Thanks for any and all help!

 

[deejohn]

Congrats on the trip. We have been there several times with our kids and have discovered some definite:
1. By day 2 they meltdown. Too much of anything is not a good thing. We always plan a day at the resort to help ground the kids and adjust their moods
2. If you like crowds, then go to the parks on "Extra Magic" hours days. Everyone appears to follow that schedule to get the most out of the trip --makes sense. If you don't like crowds, then go on non-EMH days.
3. Pack snacks. Disney does allow food into the parks!! A lot of people do not know this
4. Buy the refillable mug at your resort. Best investment you'll ever make
5. Map out what you are going to see and do the night before. My kids age from 12-3 so we go to an area and do as many of the age appropriate rides, and then move to the next section of the park
6. 5 People in one room can't be done in the Value resorts (except a family suite at All Star Music). If you want everyone in 1 room, then only Port Orleans - Riverside can do it. We are 6 now and I have to get 2 rooms every time we go. Although, since money is no object, you could book at a Deluxe resort or get 2 adjoining rooms

What to see: Sorin at Epcot, Rock-n-roller coaster at MGM. We have never been to Universal, just not enough time!!! Universal offers 2/3 day passes at a discount, which can be purchased through AAA or on-line.

Good luck and enjoy!!!

 

[720L]

You've already started out on the right foot by finding the DIS! I don't think you need 2 days at MK--if you get there at park opening and follow what people say here you'll get it done in a day. What about EPCOT and AK? Not interested? If you buy a park hopper ticket you could see the highlights of all parks in 3 days. Where to stay? If price isn't an option I suggest AKL. POP is the best value resort, IMO. If you're using the bus system these 2 resorts are the way to go. Where to eat? MK: Columbia Harbor House (sit upstairs-the best tip we ever got) MGM: not much good food here, IMO--we go to ABC Commissary because you can eat inside and there is lots of seating-the food is ok. We also like Pizza Planet.

 

[meeskamouska]

Order a Passporter....it is so full of info!!!!!

 

[2ScottishPrincesses]

Okay I'm jumping on the band wagon here. I've stayed on Disney property twice before 1st time CS and second ASM. We are planning a trip end of Apr begin May and now have an additional member of the team who will be nearly 2 at that time #1 dd will be 11 . Could anyone say which resort would be better suited to us, Grand Floridian, Poyl. or Wilderness Lodge...much appreciated

 

[ndgqmiller]

Okay, first question how many days are you going for?

Universal has a lot of big rides. I had a lot of people tell me to wait for that one until the kids get older, but its up to you.

I think with your age kids character meals are a must. My kids are ds9, dd6, dd2 and they loved Chef Mickeys breakfast great start to any Disney trip and Liberty Tree good characters and good country food. We also like Cinderellas Royal Table but not sure if yours would.

We stay at the POP Century, but our next reservation is for All star family suite. It will be nice for my husband and I to have space from the kids.

Also here is my opinion on the going back to your hotel every afternoon. A lot of people like to do this and take a break we did it one day and found this to take a lot of time and wasn't worth it. We go either really early and come back a little earlier or get a little later start and stay later. Our 2 year old napped in her stroller with no problem.

Okay here's my last opinion we love MK went 3.5 days out of 8 it was our favorite. hope this helps.

 

[Honeybehr1]

Congrats on the trip. We stay at a value resort because We like to stay on property, its a good value (only 4 of us so we fit ok in there) since we dont spend much time at the hotel.

There are two camps - one says to take a break and go back to the hotel for nap time and such, the other camp says not too. I am with the second camp because it wastes alot of time. DS was 2 when we went and he still napped but was way too keyed up to nap in the afternoon. He would fall sleep in his stroller for about 1 1/2 hrs and then be rearing to go. He would zonk out as soon as we got out of the main gate

My suggestion as to what to see would be to go to the library and get some books. Have each child make a list of 3 rides that they MUST do. Then make sure each of those are met and any other rides that you get too are a plus. We spent 2 full days at MK and there were a couple of rides we didnt get too because of long lines but noone was disappointed because the lists were finished.

We loved AK and spent a whole day there. MGM was good but the food there is horrible IMO but the kids really likes Pizza Planet and we enjoyed it as well. EPCOT was good for my oldest but my youngest didnt get much out of it but we did a school project on it. I am not big into the big thrill rides, so we skipped Universal.

 

[solgent]

Buy the Unofficial Guide. Gold mine of info, comprehensive, well-organized.

Put the emphasis on fun, not a checklist of things to do.

 

[MouseGirl]

Some very good advice from everyone - character meals would be wonderful given the age of your children, and staying on property would be a very good idea so you can head back to your hotel easily for naps/breaks in the afternoons. Since money isn't an object (what a nice gift from your inlaws!) you might want to consider a resort on the monorail - Grand Floridian, Contemporary or Polynesian - for easy access.

I would also like to add that if you do decide to go to Universal Studios that you look into booking a night at one of their on-property hotels, which are Loews properties. We did that when we visited US in 2005 and being an on-site guest gives you unlimited front-of-the-line (FOTL) access to all the rides at both US and Islands of Adventure. This saved us a ton of time waiting in lines with the kids, and one night's stay gives you two days of FOTL access. The pools at those resorts are great for little ones too. Just a thought...

Good luck with your trip planning,
MouseGirl