foster kids to Disney - just checking for help

[lobokay]

Hi
We are going to take our two little foster girls to Disney for 2 days in April. I know this is an opportunity that they will never again have in their lives if they return to their birth home. I would love any help in finding discount tickets, the best places to visit for a 6 yr old and a younger one. Im more concerned about the 6 yr old. We are staying in Tampa and will have to travel to the magic Kingdom.. Should we go to Busch Gardens or stay in the magic Kingdom.. the 6 yr old loves Cinderella and the other one likes the animals so we were thinking. I am checking with DHS about getting money to help with our trip and are hoping that we can make this a lifetime memory for both of the girls. Thanks for any help that you might be able to give

 

[kel3420]

I would stay just at the MK, if you want to see some animals, and you have park hopper tickets, then hop on over to Animal Kingdom.

But truly, there is so much to do just at the MK, you can spend both days there and still miss many things.

Have fun!

Don't forget you will need permission to take the girls out of state, but I am sure you know that already.

 

[peachgirl]

Check this site for discounts, although ticket discounts are few and far between.


http://mousesavers.com/

If money is that limited, I would think going to just one park would make the most sense.

 

[LibertyBelle]

Please read your Private messages, I have sent you one and hope I can help out

 

[mickeyfan1]

When you say "stay in the Magic Kingdom" do you mean the theme park or do you mean hotel and theme park. Busch Gardens is a themepark that can fill 2 days with small children. As can the Magic Kingdom.

As far as discounts, you can try Ticketmania or Mousesavers, they often sell or have links to discounted tickets. SInce you are only talking about oine day in the MK, park hoppers will be very expensive in comparison to one day one park passes. If you decide to hop from the MK to the Animal Kingdom on that day, you will need valid hoppers, and keep in mind that the AK closes at 5pm. You are also looking at a 1.5 to 2 hour drive depending on traffic from Tampa to WDW.

It's a tough call.

 

[JKanownik]

I just wanted to tell you that I really admire you. I think it is so generous to take in foster children. There are so many kids out there who need the stability of a loving family. Not to mention that you are taking them to WDW to give them the vacation of a lifetime! That is amazing! Good luck!

-Colleen

 

[LibertyBelle]

Email sent your way

PS to check your PM's you would just go to the top of the screen and click on User CP then Private messages I sent the same thing in the email to the address you sent me

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by mickeyfan1
You are also looking at a 1.5 to 2 hour drive depending on traffic from Tampa to WDW.

I wanted to comment on this. I live 1 hour south of Tampa. it takes me 2 -2.5 hours Maximum to drive to Disney. I would imagine your drive would be more like 1-1.5 hours, probably closer to 1 hour.

Why is your time so limited?
Could you spend more than 2 days there?
If you do spend the 2 days, are you planning to stay over in Orlando for 1 night or head back to Tampa and then come back the next day? There are some really, really cheap rooms to be found off site in Orlando. We've found rooms as cheap as $29 per night. Now granted these are not fabulous places but they're cheap. If you could swing it to stay on-site for one night, the all star resorts can be had for less than $100 per night.

www.mousesavers.com has great info for discount codes, etc. They also explain all the ticket options so you can decide what is best for your situation. Ticketmania is a good place to buy from.

Also, I've read that Alamo car rental has a 3 day hopper for a reasonable price.

You might want to also post this on the budget board here to see if you get any good tips there.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Busch Gardens is a fabulous animal park and they also have alot of thrill rides and shows. It's worth doing but if it's a choice between Busch Gardens or Disney, I would have to say for kids that age, Disney wins hands down! Even an animal lover is going to prefer the "disney magic" to Busch Gardens. You could do 1 day at Magic Kingdom and 1 day at Animal Kingdom. I would buy some kind of park hoppers.

You should get the unoffical guide to Walt Disney world out of your local library. Even if it's an older edition, it will give you so fabulous tips and an understanding of how to get around and what you want to see. They also have sample touring plans to help you get the most out of your day there.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I think that I would do the two days at the MK. There are a lot of other parks tht they would enjoy, but given such a limited amount of time they would have a wonderful time there. Is there any way that you could swing one night in Orlando so that you don't have to travel back and forth? Make sure you get to the park at opening so that you can do Fantastyland without too long a wait.

T&B

 

[C.Ann]

I would check with the foster agency that you received the children from.. My sister and her DH were foster parents for many, many years and they received quite a large allowance from the various agencies to do things with the kids..

Hope it all works out!

 

[all4fun]

That is such a nice thing for you to do! You must be really wonderful people to give them such a treat.

I really recommend you take them to MK and Animal Kingdom. I think both of those parks are far more geared to little kids than Busch Gardens. We took our 7-year old nephew to WDW a few years ago. He really enjoyed Animal Kingdom a lot. The shows and parade are great as well as the rides. I really think it's a well-rounded park.

I would also recommend at least staying in Orlando overnight, if you can swing it. If you could stay on-property that would be even more ideal, but you and the kids will have an easier time of it if you are closer to the parks.

Sorry I can't offer a lot of advice on good deals and strategies but I hope that you have a wonderful trip and are truly blessed by it.

 

[lobokay]

WE will be in Disney for only 3 days and are wondering where to head first in the park as I know that some of the rides and waits are not appropriate for a 6 yr old. thanks any help on food is good too. should we bring sandwiches?

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by cruisnfamily
You should get the unoffical guide to Walt Disney world out of your local library. Even if it's an older edition, it will give you so fabulous tips and an understanding of how to get around and what you want to see. They also have sample touring plans to help you get the most out of your day there.

I just wanted to restate this as it will help you with your questions of where to go first and what to see.

As far as sandwhiches, I personally wouldn't do that. I would have a quick breakfast in the room(pop tarts/donuts/bagels) and then head to the parks. You could do counter service meals for lunch and dinner which would be less expensive than sit down meals. Personally, we always do a sit down meal every day and we usually do that for lunch because 1)it's cheaper than dinner and 2)we need the "break" of sitting down in the air conditioning and being waited on for an hour. It recharges us.

 

[cruisnfamily]

Did you see this:

$169.35 for Adult 3-day hopper plus
$135.27 for child 3 day hopper plus

$219.40 for Adult 4 day plus
$175.24 for child 4 day plus

That number is .........(800) 225-2475


__________________

This is thru Alamo Rental car. Maybe this is a solution for your tickets.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Originally posted by lobokay
WE will be in Disney for only 3 days and are wondering where to head first in the park as I know that some of the rides and waits are not appropriate for a 6 yr old. thanks any help on food is good too. should we bring sandwiches?

I agree with the prior poster about sandwiches, it can be a hassle, but people do it. IF you go this route be advised that there are no picnic areas, WDW would prefer you buy thier food and drinks. I would bring a jusice box or 2 for each child each day, it will be a lot hotter than they are used to, and they need to be hydrated.

As far as rides and waits that are inappropriate for a 6 year old? In the MK, there are height restrictions for many of the rides. Depending on the child 10 minutes can be too long or an hour is fine. Using fast pass can save a lot of waiting in line time. You are the only one who would know if the child would be comfortable on Space Mountain (an intense coaster) or Splash Mountain (a fast wet drop) or any other ride or attraction.

You are now saying you will be in Disney for 3 days. Have you decided to stay there or are you still going to be in Tampa?

Use the guidebooks, get them from the library. It will help a lot.

And don't expect DHS to fund this trip. They are pretty tight budget wise, paying for a vacation would look odd when there are so many kids that need lifes necessities, food, clothing, diapers, etc.

 

[cruisnfamily]

I replied by PM to your question but I am also posting here:

If you go to www.allearsnet.com and click on "dining" the have a section called "the menus" that will list menus and prices for every single meal there is, even the ice cream carts and counter service places. We usually do a quick poptart/donut breakfast and then make a PS(priority seating...like a reservation) for an early lunch at like 11am or 11:30am. The lunches are cheaper and we enjoy the break. Then we'll have probably an ice cream mid afternoon and counter service for dinner. We find the food to be the most expensive part of our trip. As far as bringing food in, the only thing we've ever brought in are things like goldfish crackers, fruit snacks, little things like that for a quick snack when someone is cranky. I would not want to bother with packing a cooler and I don't even think they would let you bring one in anyway. Hope you can put together a fabulous couple of days!

Here is a cut and paste from the kids menu for the Plaza Restaurant in Magic Kingdom:

Small Fry Meals
For Mickey's little friends only, please.
Includes French Fries and beverage
Two Mini-burgers - $4.99


Mini hot dog and mini-burger combo - $4.99


Grilled cheese sandwich - $4.99

Beverages
Sodas, Lemonade, Iced Tea or Milk - $1.99
Bottled Water - $2.79

Here is one from the Crystal Palace which is a character meal so obviously it's more expensive:

An All You Can Eat Character Meal
Join Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore for Lunch
Menu Items Change
Lunch Hours: 11:30am to 2:45pm

Sliced Roast Beef, Salami, Turkey and Ham
Tossed Salad Fixings
Caesar Salad
Sliced American, Cheddar and Swiss Cheese
Chicken Salad
Tuna Salad
Tomato and Mozzarella Salad
Cole Slaw
Fruit Salad
Rye, Wheat, Pumpernickel, and White Breads
Steak Sandwich Slices
Ham Roll-Ups
Chicken Caesar Pasta
BBQ Chicken
Sausage and Peppers and Onions
Shepard's Pie
Mashed or Roasted Potatoes
Rice

Kid's Buffet with Mini Hot Dogs, Macaroni & Cheese, Chicken Nuggets, and Cheese Pizza

Ice Cream Sundae Bar
Brownies
Cupcakes
Lemon Bars
Chocolate Chip, Sugar and Peanut Butter Cookies
Peach Cobbler
Whole Fruit

Chefs are happy to cater to your special dietary needs. Let the hostess know at the Podium and you can also talk to the Chef at the Buffet.

Non-alcoholic beverage and desserts included

COST: $17.99 adults; Lunch $9.99 (3-11)

Tax and gratuity extra

Where the Characters Dine

Return to Menus

 

[cruisnfamily]

Originally posted by mickeyfan1
You are now saying you will be in Disney for 3 days. Have you decided to stay there or are you still going to be in Tampa?

Good question...have you made room reservations anywhere?

 

[Bojangles]

Originally posted by mickeyfan1


And don't expect DHS to fund this trip.

I have never heard of DHS ever paying for a child to go on vacation.

My friend had a huge yard sale so she could afford to take her foster kids to WDW.

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by Bojangles
I have never heard of DHS ever paying for a child to go on vacation.

My friend had a huge yard sale so she could afford to take her foster kids to WDW.

-------------------------------

Oops! My mistake.. I should have worded my statement about the foster agency differently..

What I meant to say was that the monthly stipend per child that my sister and her DH received each month was more than enough for the kids daily living expenses (food, clothing, etc.) and they often had a good-sized surplus each month that they used for special activities and treats - with the blessing of the agency..

I just wasn't sure if the OP's agency was agreeable to that or not and thought she should check.. Also, she should be sure to check with the agency to see if she's allowed to take the children out of the state.. Under certain circumstances it's not allowed..