Help a newbie plan, please!!

[rysmama215]

I've finally convinced my hubby that my 4 year old will LOVE Disney. We've also convinced the in-laws to come with us. So, we've decided to go 11/10-11/17. Good time?

We'll be 5 ppl, 4 adults and a nearly 5 year old. We're planning on doing a house rental off site, but close by. If anyone has suggestions on where to look, I'm open, though we've gotten some ideas from family who have done it before.

Anyway, it's been forever since I've been to WDW, and even longer since I've been with a little one. What are must sees for my son (if it matters, he's not overly sensitive, especially if we'll be with him)? Good character meals?

At this point, any tips or tricks from those who have BTDT are greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!!

 

[CoralCayTownhome]

Great news and now it is exciting doing all the planning

Your 4yr old will love Disney. My 6yr old son loves the Buzz Lightyear ride in Magic Kingdom and his other main favourite would be Soarin in Epcot. If he is keen on animals then Animal Kingdom will be a good choice. But my list could go on and on and on - every park will have something for him

With regard to a home off site you will find many resorts off 192 and Highway 27 - just depends where you want to be - there a quite a few websites to help www.vrbo.com and www.cyberrentals.com to name a couple.

Good luck with the planning - this is certainly the place you will get loads of information.

Tracey

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

Just wanted to say Welcome to DIS! Your son is going to absolutely love Disney! You and your hubby are going to catch yourself with tears in your eyes as you see the magic come across his little face. Definitely get yourself a guide book to start reading up. I personally like the Passporter...great info and places in the back to log everything...confirmation numbers, ADR's, make notes, etc.... Your son is going to love everything at Disney...MK, AK, Epcot and MGM! Get yourself a guidebook, do some reading, check out the different websites about Disney and make yourself some type of plan. We'll be glad to help with any questions you may have!

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

Now is the fun time. Not that the actual being there isn't fun - but that's the relaxing, enjoying and having fun time.

As long as you're on the DIS you will receive invaluable information but you need a point of reference by reading the "Unofficial Guide to WDW" or "Passporter's Guide to WDW." Check them out, they will give rating and suggestions about rides, lines and meals. Since this is your 'first' trip just relax and have fun and remember - you won't be able to do it all. That's why so many of us are "repeat offenders!"

 

[Bethnde1]

rysmama, Hi, I see that this is your first time going, well it'll actually be my
sixth time going since 2001. All 6 of my trips were done by me, from leaving home plan~ to~ walk in my house again when we got back. without a travel agent, and I've actually priced it three different year's trip, but it's cheaper to use your knowledge. I've even helped me family and friends plan their trips as well. So, If you have any questions, need any answers, please drop me a line, I'd love to help you (for free, I'm not an agent yet, lol).

I must say my kids enjoyed the buzz lightyear (my 16 y.o.'s favorite, but now there's the nemo ride similar to it that she hasn't been on yet, lol) and my 6 y.o. loves the run away train. too funny their ages and likes.

 

[sschro3]

We really enjoyed Chef Mickey's. The food was good, the atmosphere was fun, although a little on the loud side, and it had plenty of characters. My son Kyle is almost 5 and he pretty much loves all the rides. His favorites are Test Track @ Epcot, Star Tours @ MGM and Goofy's Barnstormer and Big Thunder Mtn Railroad @ MK. He was only 2 last time we went to Animal Kingdom. My family favorite has to be Mickey's Philharmagic. It was a great show and watching the kids try to grab the 3D images was pricless. They still talk about it.
Have a great trip.
Sharon

 

[magicaldisney]

I would consider staying on site. If you think you will be breaking during the day it is so nice to be at one of the Disney resorts. There are family suites you might be interested in. Different characters are at different meals. If your son has a favorite that might help you narrow down a place to eat. Have a great trip!!

 

[rysmama215]

Actually, I personally have been to the World numerous times, although not since 2000, so it's been a while. I haven't been with a small child since I was a small child, so that will be all new for me!

We have considered staying on site, but the prices are way out of my league at the moment. We've found the houses (and again, we're currently using a site that comes recommended by family - villadirect.com) are so much more affordable for us. The ones we're looking at are only about 2-3 miles from the park gates, so we'd still be able to break during the day (What's the deal with parking? Do you only pay once a day, or would we have to pay everytime we leave and come back?), and we'd be able to relax by the pool without being surrounded by people, which is nice. I don't know, I guess just based on the preliminary research I've done, I prefer the idea of more space for less money. I'd rather spend the money we save IN the parks, as opposed to on a hotel room.

For those who said that their young kids liked the Star Tours and Test Track, I'm assuming that means those aren't too "scary" for littler ones? My son is a bit of a daredevil, and I'm hoping he'd be ok as long as one of us was with him, but those two rides, as well as Splash & Thunder Mts are the ones I was on the fence on...

Thanks a lot for all the advice/tips! This board is great, and everyone has been so welcoming and helpful!

 

[roxannensteve]

Welcome Home (because yes this will become your home real soon)

I think your dates sound great - I have never personally been at that time, but heard its good.

I have a 5 year old who is very much into Disney. He has been before though. A great character meal for us was Garden Grill. You'll get mixed reviews here but we had a blast. It is at Epcot. It has a revolving platform that you dine on. Food is brought to you family style. Farmer Mickey, Pluto, Chip & Dale are there. Chip & Dale are so funny. So is Pluto. They have lunch & dinner.

As for attractions, since you say he not overly sensitive - there is a wide range of things to do. Maybe show him some videos on YouTube so he can get familiar with some of the rides & plan from that. The only one I am thinking may too intense for my little daredevil is Dinosaur.

I too stayed out the world once (had to try it for myself ) but will never do it again. Its still too far IMO. But I had to live & learn.

Good Luck Planning & Have fun!!!

 

[Aly23]

rysmama215, To answer your question, you only have to pay for parking once per day. If you go to another park, you just show them your parking pass from the 1st park and they let you in.
We went last October and stayed off site (2 or 3 miles away) for the first time and it was great. I was nervous because I've always stayed at a deluxe resort in the past so I thought it would be a big pain in the neck to have to drive, but it wasn't at all. In fact we're staying off site again this Novemeber.

 

[jenseib]

Being a few miles away, doesn't always mean close in time though. Those few miles are probably form the property gates, as disney parks are all several miles away from each other. Depending on traffic, you could have a comuute each way of 45 mintues. Just to let you be prepared for that. But staying off site can be nice too. I have done that a few times. My last trip I was on site, and will do that in the future for my Disney trips.

I took my 2 YO the last trip and she rode everything that she was tall enough for. My favorite book is Birnbaums.

 

[poohtink]

Why not check DVC rentals? You maybe able to stay just as cheap and alot less agravation. I stayed outside and will never do it again. That week is not too busy so you maybe able to stay at one of the all-stars in a suite. Just a thought.

 

[rysmama215]

Why not check DVC rentals? You maybe able to stay just as cheap and alot less agravation. I stayed outside and will never do it again. That week is not too busy so you maybe able to stay at one of the all-stars in a suite. Just a thought.

How would I check DVC rentals? Is that like the Boardwalk Villas? Because I did check a couple of the onsite properties, and there really wasn't that much available for the week I'm there. And what was available was so beyond expensive...

I didn't think they had suites at the All Stars? More info on that, please!

 

[poohtink]

Right on this website there is a section for DVC Rentals. I know a person who did it and had a good experience?

 

[sschro3]

The Allstar Suite is at the Allstar Music Resort. If you do a search you should get a ton of info. The suites are pretty new and there was a ton of buzz going. The first time we tried to get the kids on Star Tours none of them wanted to go (The queing line is kinda dark). My dh and I rode it first to see what it was like and didn't think the kids would be scared. Once we got everyone on it they loved it and wanted to run around and get on again. There is one part on test track where it is made to look like a truck is going to crash into you and I think it's horn blows and the head light flash on...my son did say after the ride that part scared him. Not enough to keep him from riding it about a half dozen more times though. The cast members were really helpful they would tell you what to expect on the ride and if kids tend to enjoy it. the cast member at star tours was the one that actually convinced my oldest daughter to ride it. We asked a couple of times before we took the kids on something. My kids for the most part are pretty fearless. My 6yo cried because she wasn't tall enough for the rock n roller coaster and my son did the same thing when we told him he was still too small for space mtn.
Have a great trip.
Sharon

 

[BeastlyKingdom]

subscribing

 

[lunabkat]

Hi I have heard tgreat things about All Star Vacation Homes and the area called Windsor Palms is supposed to be the newest houses (6 mos to 1 yr old) and I believe it is the closest one to DW. Remember all these houses will probably have pools so you need to keep an extra eye on the little one if you don't own a pool, also the pools are very close to the house since they are enclosed by "lenais" to keep the gators out (i think). Have fun, we may use one of these for our trip in October.

 

[lunabkat]

PS:

DO NOT take your guy to "Its tough to be a bug" if he freaks out about anything being "scary" Those glasses give a terrific 3D effect and my two made it to where the tarantula shot the quills out his butt toward your face and then went screaming into the night - it is intense, tho some kids love it. Mine were 6 and 4 at the time. The bugs aren't very nice either (like flik, more the the grasshopper guy). Have fun.

 

[JKMJ441724]

I agree with MagicalDisney. Staying onsite is wonderful. We have stayed offsite a few times and last year I finally convinced myself that staying onsite is better - definately WORTH it. We have started renting people's vacation club points. We can stay at much nicer resorts for far less money. Plus, we are ONSITE!!
My little ones love Mickey's Philharmagic in MK; Whatever the ride is in the big ball at EPCOT (can't think of what it's called right now); It's a Bug's Life at AK; My DD5 did NOT like the Great Movie Ride at The Studios. It was because we sat in the front seat and when the CM gangster "stole" the car from our tour guide, he looked at my daughter and said "what are you looking at?" Totally hurt her feelings. It's been six months ago and she still talks about it.