Greetings!

[Stellapedia]

I've been lurking on the board for awhile but finally needed to actually ask my own question, so I had to register. Which now means I have to post. Which means, whoops, there goes another hour out of my day, but I know I'll get sucked in. Good thing I don't actually have to work while I'm at work.

My name is Estelle. I live with my partner and our two boys in FL, just under 2 hours from WDW. We go ~3 weekends a month and love it. We never intended to get sucked into Disney, but it happened and I am powerless to change it. Disney lets my kid be normal, not the multiple FAK/IC kid with the dog that doesn't leave his side. So, we suck it up and spend weekends there. 3.2 hours of OT a week can finance a decent hotel every Saturday night. Not that I've done the math or anything. And I certainly haven't factored in taxes and resort fees or anything of that nature...

We're always offsite, but are staying onsite for a week in Sep for my son's birthday, first time onsite, and I don't know how I'll manage a week at WDW. I can barely handle Saturdays! But I'm pretty sure I won't go back for all of October.

I love reading here and have gotten so many hints and tips without ever being a member. I guess my free ride is over, eh?

 

[Metro West]

 

[magicaldisney]

 

[lovetoscrap]

A week will be fun! Just use it as a time to really slow down and enjoy some of the things "off the beaten path". Where are you staying?

I am assuming that you have annual passes so don't feel like you need to spend hours at the parks. Just ride a few things early in the morning when it is cooler and less crowded and then find some other things to do. Maybe go back in the evening for a night show or to ride a few more things before bedtime.

Check out the things at the Ft. Wilderness Campground. Even if you aren't staying there they have a bunch of fun things like a bonfire and movies (I think Chip and Dale appear), the Trails End Restaurant or the Mickey's Backyard BBQ. They have wagon and carriage rides.

Watch the MK fireworks from the beach at the Poly and see the Electrical Water Parade. I love the Boardwalk at night. They have a variety of acts that are really great for kids--we have seen acrobat/jugglers and magicians. Rent a Family Bike and go for a ride. Spend a day just enjoying the pool and exploring the hotel. Enjoy one of the Mini Golf courses. Explore some of the other resorts (just don't try to use their pools!) Animal Kingdom, the Poly and Wilderness Lodge are some of my favorites to visit and just look around or enjoy a meal at one of their restaurants.

 

[Stellapedia]

Yeah, we have passes. And I've never done anything NOT at the parks. Normally we arrive Saturday morning, do MK all day, hotel offsite, and Epcot or AK Sunday morning for a few hours, then home. But I'm planning late breakfasts (9:30-10), late lunches (3) and then home for naps before late dinners (8). One kid sleeps fine in the stroller, one doesn't nap (but will if we run him ragged all day). He would be heartbroken without the nighttime shows, so we've gotta find a way to be night owls.
I'm at AS movies. I wanted CBR, showed him (child) CBR, went to several hotels in person to show him around and let him pick. He picked ASM every time hands down and even the pirate ship pool at CBR could not detract him from the 40' tall Buzz Lightyear. He almost went for POFQ, but then came back to ASMo and that's where he stuck. So, since I saved on such a cheapy hotel, I splurged on dining since the character meals are his favorite part of WDW. And WDW is the only place he can really eat at a restaurant without eating grilled chicked and fruit. They go so far out of their way to feed him safe food, that I'm willing to give up a hundred bucks and 5 hours a day for sit down meals.

Thanks for the boardwalk tip! We're having dinner there one night, so I'll definitely arrive early to play! We don't feel rushed to do anything, if we only do the parks (we're mainly focusing on AK and MK, with a few hours in Epcot and skipping HS entirely) for a few hours a day, I don't care. We've got MK memorized, right down to the wait times and closest bathrooms.

 

[MarkinNM]

 

[MelanieC]

to the DIS!