Help me plan a trip!

[Maggie.sutherland]

we decided we'd like to take a last minute trip to Disney with a budget of $3,000 for hotel, tickets, food, etc. We have a 3 year old and 1 year old. Give me all your suggestions! Where to stay? Parks every day? Or skip a day? We want to go for 5 full days, 6 nights in March. Help me plan my trip!

 

[Maggie.sutherland]

Also, my parents will be coming, so we have the option of a suite with them or separate rooms. They don't really have a budget, just will do whatever.

 

[Alesia]

Staying offsite can save you a ton. You can get an entire house for less than the cost of one onsite room at a value resort.

We stayed here: http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-re...yid_text_o_loth&utm_campaign=VRBOOwnerInquiry this past summer.

 

[Maggie.sutherland]

We want to stay at a disney resort because we don't want to deal with rental car, parking, car seats, finding food, etc

 

[StitchBuddy]

Well, you could look at renting a DVC from an owner, that way you would have a kitchen and could split the cost. We have stayed at moderates and stayed within that budget in the past. We loved all of them! I would take a day off if it was me. Not sure what type of passes you are looking at, but we enjoy park hoppers. Get up early and take advantage of early entry. Then, go back to the hotel and take a nap. You could then go to a different park in the evening. Stay away from Sping Break week.

 

[bababear_50]

Hi
I would stay onsite, no car rental fee, no Theme Park parking fee, No Hotel Parking Fee and no airport Arrival / Departure shuttle fee.
Spring/March Break is busy and it is also one of the more expensive times to visit.
Just a note almost all of March and part of April are various Spring Break/March Break for many visitors.
As the previous poster said utilizing EMH (Early Magic Hours) with two young children might help your touring style,however I am not sure getting two little ones up early is going to be easy.
I would only get 4 day passes and take one day break in between to pool relax and maybe a visit to Downtown Disney /
maybe
bowling
dine in Movie theatre
I do know the one thing my grandaughter has wanted from our past trips is more resort time.
I swear she is a mermaid.
Epcot is great during this time as it has a few more activities for kids to do ,playgrounds butterfly exhibit etc. (Epcot Flower And Garden Festival).
Note that March 17 St Patrick's day has a few more activities going on in Downtown Disney (DTD) soon to be called Disney Springs.

Price wise

6 night five day stay at Pop Century is
March 15-21 2015.
Walt Disney World site quote

4-Day Theme Park Ticket
2 x Ages 10+

1 x Ages 3-9


US$1,934.71USD

You would still need to budget for food and souvenirs,however a quick trip to the dollar store ahead of time to collect and make a few treats for the kids will save you alot on souvenirs.

Have a great time planning
Hugs Mel

 

[bababear_50]

Take a look at
Easy Walt Disney world for March info planning

I know the week I am going is crowd level 7 or 8
but with a bit of pre planning it will be great!
the link is below

Link
http://www.easywdw.com/category/calendar/03-march-2015-crowd-calendar/

 

[bababear_50]

A quick note that Disney has added an extra
FOF Festival Of Fantasy Parade starting in the middle of March at 12 noon, which for families of small children is a welcome
surprise.
I would break up your MK Magic Kingdom time into two days.

 

[bababear_50]

Here is a link to information on Baby Care Centres at Walt Disney World

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/baby-care-centers.htm

 

[bababear_50]

Make a Plan, so you don't waste time trying to figure out what to do
Here is a link to Park maps

https://www.google.ca/search?q=Park...niv&sa=X&ei=g-3YVJ2lKIWgNrOug8gF&ved=0CEcQsAQ

Example
1st Magic Kingdom Day
Extra Magic Hours Am (EMH) , 8-9am

A Buzz
B Under The Sea ,Journey Of the little Mermaid
C Dumbo The Flying Elephant
D Meet a Princess OR Mad Tea Party cups

1.FP+ Peter Pan
2.FP+ The Many adventures Of Winnie the Pooh
3.FP+ Enchanted Tales With Belle

Stay for 12:00 noon Parade (Festival Of Fantasy) and then have some lunch in Magic Kingdom, or head back to resort for lunch.
Plaza Restaurant is a great TS (moderately priced option).
See all ears menus
link here
http://allears.net/dining/menu/plaza-restaurant/lunch-dinner

Try watching the Parade from the top of the Train staion,near entrance to park.

Hugs Mel

 

[bababear_50]

Can you tell I am off work with a sinus infection,,ok here is another idea
I am assuming you are taking a stroller....
Now just imagine a sea of strollers.....
So maybe drop down to the second from last forum on the DIS and get a personalized stroller tag made
Our moderator down there is Marion aka (RustmanFan)
here is a link to her License Plate /Stroller tags
http://www.disboards.com/threads/marions-license-plate-stroller-tags-only-do-not-quote.2802827/

also tie some pretty princess ribbon on your stroller

here is an example of one Marion made a teacher friend of mine
click on the image to see the full size

 

[bababear_50]

If interested post your 3 year old's first name (sorry I don't post blanks of my DISigns) and I'll make her a doodle (Journal) book cover. State her favorite characters or princess.
You just print it out and add a stack of papers and staple together. Use stickers and crayons during down times at the park or when waiting for attractions or rides--often castmembers will give you stickers that can be added.

example here

Doodle (Journal) Book cover
Click on the image to see a larger size



Things to pack for a 3 year old for FUN
Bubbles--small wedding size ones
glow sticks --as long as she doesn't put them in her mouth
small flashlight
Flashing buttons
Laynard with busy toys.

 

[xrygrl0500]

The one thing I learned on here a couple years ago was the cheap souvenirs that stuck with me. It was the penny presses. Use the M&M mini tube and put 2 quarters and a penny in the tube and you can get 31 souvenirs for $15.81. Then you but a book at any gift shop in any park for 8 bucks.

 

[LaurEm378]

Hi! It would help to know when in March you're going, since resort prices fluctuate.

Park tickets are going to eat up a lot of your budget. The difference between a 4-day and 5-day ticket is only around $10 per person, so that's not a big concern, but park hoppers add up, so you have to decide if hopping is important for you.

I wouldn't necessarily take a day off the parks. With young kids I would start early, take a midday break when it's hottest, then return to a park in the late afternoon/evening.

Run your dates through the WDW website and see what's available, then check Orbitz (there's usually a 15% off coupon floating around the Internet, the downside is you must pay 100% of the hotel upfront).

There are 1 bedroom villas at various resorts, and suites at Art of Animation that might be in your price range (splitting cost with your parents), but again it depends on availability. If you come back with your resort options the people here will happily help you narrow one down!