Hello everyone ! I'm new!

[shopperlady]

Hello everyone! I'm so glad to be here. I have been reading the board religiously for two weeks now trying to learn everything I can!

I am going to WDW September 20-28. I have two DD, 10 and 5, and this will be our first family vacation ever !

Actually, I'll be attending a conference there for the first three days and then the rest of the week we will be vacationing. My conference is at the Dolphin so we have reservations there. However, I am considering moving to a different hotel once we begin the vacation portion because I think we can probably get a cheaper rate elsewhere. Haven't started to work on this yet. It will probably be a shock for the girls to stay in the Dolphin for 4 days and then move to a less luxurious place, but I think we should save the money to spend on other things. Where do I begin to find a cheaper hotel?

My husband and I went to WDW (pre-children) in 1990 and we stayed at the Radisson in Kissimee. I know everything has changed so much that I won't recognize much.

I have so many questions that I don't know where to begin. The first thing I've learned is to not stress! I will not stress, I will not stress!!!!!!!

While my 5 yo doesn't take naps, I feel certain I should bring or rent a stroller. Can I bring my own? It's her baby stroller, but it has a basket underneath and a canopy. Any advice is appreciated.

We are driving down from Missouri (not looking forward to that!) so we should be able to bring most of what we need. I just don't know what all of that is. Is there a list of things to bring to Disney?

Anyway, thanks everyone for sharing such valuable information. I could never go on vacation without doing a little research. Unfortunately, with Disney, it calls for a LOT of reseach! I'm so looking forward to my children experiencing Disney!!!

 

[mmiller711]

Hi, and welcome to the DIS!

I always take my own stroller. I like having it for the long walk to the busses and back to the room. I don't know what your budget will be but I love the All Star Resorts! The rooms are smaller than other Disney resorts but less expensive and I am sure your girls would love them! I just can not bring myself to stay anywhere but on Disney property. I can park my car and forget about it till I leave. No parking fees, no traffic jams in and out of the park and if we want to split up or go back to our room it is just a short bus ride away.
We also drive down from MI so I know what a long car ride that can be. Just remember it is soooo worth it!

 

[jkovick]

I have to agree with mmiller711 --if you want location at a cheaper price look at the Allstars. Rack rate during value season is only $77.00 and who knows, a better rate may still pop up. www.wdwig.com has some wonderful pics and info on accomodations, check it out. Hope you and your family have a wonderful time!

 

[GoofItUp]

Welcome to the best Disney board on the web!

I've stayed in the All-Stars before and they were fine. Not luxurious, but I wanted to spend my time (and money) in the parks and just have a hotel for showering and sleeping. I, too, prefer to stay on-property. It's so nice to be able to send your purchases to your room, use the transportation and not have to bother with your own car.

I don't have kids, but the last time my aunt/uncle went with their girls (twins-5 at the time) they didn't take a stroller but only rented one on the last day when the girls were tired. This worked well for them, but each child is different as to how much they can do.

Have a great trip....reading your post got me excited for you!

 

[MermaidsMom]

Try not to dread the car trip part of the trip. Some of our funniest stories are about car trips to WDW in years past!

 

[SeaWitch]

Don't worry about switching to a less expensive room.. your kids will be thrilled just to be at Disney! And if you do move over to the All Stars... they will love the atmosphere - LOTS OF FUN!

 

[disneydarlin]

I LOVE the drive...I love looking at the countryside. Plus, it allows you to stop when and where you want.

Welcome to dis.

 

[Michelemouse]

Welcome to the DIS!

I would also vote for the All-Stars, adding that I would choose the All-Star Movies over Sports or Music. All three are fine, however the ASMovies is just soooooooo Disney. Giant dalmatians, Sorcerer Mickey, Buzz & Woody. It's great!

And don't sweat the drive. We always drive when we go to WDW (from CT) and always have a great time. The drive there just builds so much excitement!

Have fun planning!

 

[shopperlady]

Reading this board has really gotten me excited about our trip (and I NEVER get too excited in advance-- I'm the cool and collected type), but our trip to Disney has been prevalent on my mind since finding this board.

Plus, you are very encouraging . . . I've decided to look at the drive a different way . . . another experience for our family! Like a previous poster said this time together created special memories for them.

Thanks also for the advice on the All Star Resorts . . I will definitely check those out!

 

[April76]

Another vote for ASMovies!!!!! We absolutely love that resort..... you can't beat the value and the atmosphere is VERY DISNEY!

Your kids will love it and I'm sure you will too!!

If you have any questions, please ask!

 

[twinx4]

COUNT ME IN ON ALL STAR MOVIES!!!!! This will be my 4th year with my DD (11yrs old)at DisneyWorld during the xmas holiday and we absolutely love the All Star Movies.

This year she wants to try POP CENTURY. But I really wanted to stay in All Star Movies, but I am trying to break away and try something new. Eventually I want to try them all But for now its perfert for my DD b/c at her age (HMMM WHO ARE WE KIDDING AT MY AGE TOO ) The bigger than life Icons are fabulous.

The first year we went I was also struggling with the idea of where to stay. And after seeing the pictures and comparing prices. All Stars it was Because after I thought about it, we just needed somewhere to put our luggage and sleep at night. The big thrills would occur outside of the room. We didn't spend money on a vacation to spend the entire time in our room.

But I know all of the hotels are beautiful and like I said before eventually we will experience them all. But for now I enjoy being a kid and looking at the big gigantic smile on my daughters face when she's looking at all the huge figures on the hotel grounds.

The money we saved we used to dance and sing with character dining.

 

[montessori]

Welcome, shopperlady!
I'm sure that you and your family will have a very magical Disney vacation!
Be sure to check out the Disney Tips board for tips on what to pack.
I agree with the other posters, it's always best to stay at a Disney Resort. We've never stayed at The All-Stars but it sounds like a fun place!
Our favorite moderate resort is Coronado Springs, it's a little more expensive than the value resorts but it's a beautiful place and great for kids and grown-ups.
As long as you stay on Disney property, you will be very happy!
You will find lots of information about the Disney Resorts on the Disney Resorts Board.
Have fun planning and have a fantastic vacation!

You are in the Dis Class Yearbook!!!

The yearbook is on the Community Board.
Click here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?threadid=385337&referrerid=28080
Your yearbook picture is on page 67.

 

[ducklite]

Here's another idea for you--if you are getting a good rate at the conference from the Dolphin, they likely will extend that rate through the remainder of your stay for you! That way you don't need to take vacation time to pack up and move. Also, often conference attendees are offered special discounts on park passes. You might want to look into that.

Also, at the Dolphin, Shula's offeres free childcare for two hours in the evening if you and your DH want to have a "date night". While Shula's is expensive, when you throw in the free childcare, it takes a lot of the sting out, and really brings it down to a level comparable to that of one of the more moderately priced restaurants

Anne

 

[ceecee]

I vote for the ASMo.....we love it. I originally booked the FTP for a moderate this year and my daughter was really disappointed not to be going to AS. DH and I decided to stay there again and rebooked and saved the $600.00! We keep saying next year we'll stay somewhere different. The rooms are small but we don't spend a lot of time there anyway.
When our daughter was 5, I bought a $12.99 stroller with basket from Walmart. We fiqured if it lasted 2 days we'd be ahead. We used it 8 days and it was still in good shape (sold it at my gargage sale for $6.00! It was nice to have the basket for all of our things and we put the carry on luggage in it and pushed it around the airports. I don't think the kids will be disappointed if you go to the AS, maybe more excited, the Dolphin is more for the grown ups.