First Trip in Quite Awhile

cwasil

Earning My Ears
Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Messages
56
The last time I was at the world was back in around 2004 when it was my fiancee, her 7 yr old daughter and myself. Now it's 2010 and it's my wife, 13 yr old step-daughter, 4 yr old son and 3 year old daughter. I'm starting the planning to go next May and the more I read the more questions I have. I'll start off first by saying my son has moderate autism...PDD-NOS for those in the know. I still don't exactly know what that means but apparently the doctors don't either so I don't feel so stupid. Let's just say that over-stimulation creates some interesting situations.

Our intentions are to visit all the parks, play in pools and probably have a diet consistenting of various flavors of ice cream. We'll probably also hit Seaworld (blasphemy, I know...do I get banned for say it who shall not be named). I think we'd spend 7 days at a Disney resort and then a couple of days at a Universal hotel to get the transportation to and from Seaworld. My sister lives in Orlando so I think we can muddle our way from one place to the other.

We'll be flying down. As much as I remember how fun the road trips were from Wisconsin to Florida when I was a kid, I think the two youngest are a bit too young to spend that amount of time in a vehicle over 2-3 days. It won't do us any good to drive if I'm in jail for child endangerment after dropping the 3 year old off in the mountains in Tennesee. I can only stand that "Happy Birthday" song for so long

1st question - Hotels...err, I mean Resort
When I plug our dates into a more reasonable timeframe Disney can handle, our family gets booted out of a lot of resorts because our family is too big. The ones our budget can handle would be the Riverside, Coronado Springs, All-Star Suite and (2) value resort rooms. What on earth is a trundle bed? I think the Wilderness cabins might be doable if it is necessary. Obviously, our goal in being at WDW is not to sit and check out the wonderful decor of the rooms. I also don't understand how their website can say Cabins are from $265/night and Wilderness Lodge from $240/night yet there is always at least $2000 difference for any week long stay at anytime. All of this said...is there one resort that you have a personal preference that ties into my situation? I like the idea of the cabins just because of a room to put the kids in for a nap in the afternoon. It's a $1000 extra just for this perk, however. If we decide to leave a park, what is a reasonable time estimate to get from park to resort with the bus service? idk about you but when I see the twinkle diminishing in my 3 yr olds eyes I know I've got a certain amount of time before she either becomes the devil or she takes a nap.

I've got more questions to be sure but I think what I asked above is only going to spawn more questions. This will be my first time staying at a resort and having all these "perks" at my disposal. Thanks for your help
 
Here is my 2 cents:

* Port Orleans Riverside - will be assigned to Alligator Bayou w/trundle bed for family of 5. A trundle bed is a smaller mattress on a rolling frame that slides under the main bed. Perfect for a small kid/toddler. I'm 5'4" and it was okay for me to lay on too. These are fine hotel rooms that seem to grow smaller as a family of 5 settles in, w/all the luggage, strollers, and general clutter. The resort has excellent pools, many food selections and we enjoyed the boat to DTD and using the pool at the French Quarter (sister resort)

* Cabins - my research on these would only tempt me to stay there if I had a car at my disposal....Seems like getting around the campground and then to the parks is a bit convoluted w/internal and external buses, renting a golf cart, etc. Probably a great place if you will be spending a lot of relaxing and meal times at the resort.

* Family Suites - have stayed at the All Star resorts, but not the suites - the whole set up sounds great w/ private bedroom, 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette. Have found buses and food courts at the All Stars to be great, especially for the # of people going thru.

* I would say you probably have about a 45 min trip from when you decide to leave a park, walk to the entrance, wait for a bus, travel etc. I have found dum dum suckers, snacks (here is where the ice cream comes in!!), a drink very helpful! Also, we found that touring in the am, returning to the resort after lunch for a nap/swim then back to a park for dinner is a great schedule. We usually skipped fireworks when they were toddlers.

* check out the Disabilities board for excellent hints for traveling w/autism. I have read great tips on these boards -- like bring the childs own stroller and let him pull the canopy down so the kiddo can "turn off" all that stimulation.


Happy planning!
 


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