Help me plan from Toronto to WDW with 9!

[PrincessasMommy]

Hubby, myself and our 3 girls went in April 2005 to WDW. I had some family to visit so we flew in Fort Lauderdale, spent a couple days there and then drove up to Orlando, rented a pool home and flew out of MCO. It cost us a fortune, not that WDW is cheap but our SUV rental alone was $1500! Hoping to be smarter this time, and we are going with my sister and her family. Please offer your advice....

2 Families, 4 adults, 5 Children - Ages will be 11, Almost 4 (January Birthday), Almost 3 (January Birthday too), 2 and 7 months!

We'd like to plan it before January 7th so that my sister's kids would both be free to WDW(Almost 3 year old and 7 month old). Would first week of December or first week of January have lower crowds? Be better to visit? Can we swim at that time of year? Are the water parks open?

Booked itravel2000 last time, any better suggestions? Flying out of Buffalo isn't an option for us, too many toddlers to coordinate.

Pool Home or WDW Resort? I saw an amazing pool home posted on here that I would love to rent but then I think about rental van (must fit 9)and such. Do you think staying on-site would be cheaper after all?

Appreciate the advice!

 

[hockey mom]

The first week of Jan is very busy- so i would go the first week of December. One water park will be open and yes you can swim.

I take it you plan on driving again. If you are flying then it would be easier trying to co-ordinate all those kids in Buffalo than TO. Buffalo is a much smaller airport with alot less waiting in lines- therefore much easier with wee ones.

Check out skyauction for 2 bedroom units. I just got back and stayed at Cypress Pointe grandvillas for $261 US for the week. It was very nice and very close to Disney. This would free up enough money for 2 rental cars.

 

[runner26.2]

Our family of 5 (me, DW, DD9, DD6, DS3) went this past November.

We flew out of Buffalo. It was very easy. The airport is much smaller than Toronto, no where near as busy and you don't have the hassle of airport customs. Going through customs at the border in a car is much easier & quicker than at an airport. Airfare is also much cheaper. Airfare for 5 was under $1000CDN and there are cheaper airfares out there.

Take a look at the packages offered by Disney. Right now I thin a family of 4 is $1500 for accomodation and tickets. Disney Dining for 4 is something like $500 so your total cost for accomodation, food & tickets is $2000 per family.

If you are on site you really don't even need a vehicle which can save some $$ as well. With Magical Express they take you to and from the airport for free.

We stayed off site for 7 of our 10 days so I rented a mid size for 7 days for a total cost of $200 CDN from National. I booked it myself on line after joining their emerald club which was free. We had a 4 door buick that was enough room for our family of 5 with pleny of trunk room.

Alternatively, take a look at skyauction or other such sell of sites for a 2 bedroom condo or alternatively look at some of the suite hotels, Nickelodeon comes to to mind.

We have been in early January (after New Years) and I found the crowds to be fairly light (as compared to Christmas, summer, Thanksgiving, Jersey Week). If you use one touringplans.com or tourguidemike.com you can avoid just about any lineups at that time of year.

Good luck in your planning

 

[sean-1966]

Definetly fly out of Buffalo. If you are interested in Staying at one of the DVC resorts let me know. You'll be on site with a full kitchen. I have points I'll be renting out next year. It's more expensive than a house off site but no need for a car and you'll be surrounded by Disney magic 24 hours a day.

 

[tmli]

Another vote for flying out of Buffalo and for staying onsite.

If you will be going offsite check the cost of renting two cars instead of one large van...usually cheaper. Also everyone will not have to go everywhere together. There are homes that will accomodate all of you, but could you all be that together for that long???

 

[twinz]

Shop around for a vacation home, usually you can get them fro pretty cheap. We went for 10 days for $1000.00 for a three bedroom, two bath, private pool. At that time I would also pay for the heating of the pool. You can also find cheaper rentals. We searched on here and online for the cheapest and we got a minivan for about 700 for the 10 days. We really lucked out that trip. (there was 6 of us)

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

Check the DVC Board and inquire about renting points from someone to stay onsite at a DV property. It's much cheaper than directly from Disney, and very easy. We've rented a couple of times with no problems.

We had 8 people 4 adults and 4 kids (6+ yrs) and we had loads of room at OKW. You'll have to check about the rules with the 5th kid - not sure what they are but I doubt if you'd have a problem.

Definately stay on site with that many people, plus a 2 bedroom on site will cut down on eating costs.

 

[sean-1966]

Check the DVC Board and inquire about renting points from someone to stay onsite at a DV property. It's much cheaper than directly from Disney, and very easy. We've rented a couple of times with no problems.

We had 8 people 4 adults and 4 kids (6+ yrs) and we had loads of room at OKW. You'll have to check about the rules with the 5th kid - not sure what they are but I doubt if you'd have a problem.

Definately stay on site with that many people, plus a 2 bedroom on site will cut down on eating costs.

No need to check the DVC board just talk to me.