She IS right especially with a 5 yr old as good as they can be, a tired, hungry over stimulated kid can make or break your day! Better to error on the side of caution this 1st trip and rent a car!
It will allow you to come and go as the 5 yr old dictates. And if its hot or crowded that is the time to nap! Hang by the pool and chill in the air conditioning! And then go back to the parks! when you all are rested and fed! And the parks at night are really fun! Go to Fantasyland at Mk during the parades you will have the shortest wait times! Also Go early mornings before it gets too crowded at 11:00am Or Noon.
Since you are staying off site ask about where to eat off site at least for dinners. A quick stop at a fast food place can cut dollars off your food budget or at one of the many buffet places around WDW.
I sent for a free Kissimme vaction planning package and it was the best maps and coupons I found for our WDW vaction.
Read WDW Guide Books from your local library. I read everything I could find from Frommers to The Unofficail Guide to WDW, to a WDW kids guide really good because it gave listing on the rides and shows for scaryness, sicky rides, dark rides and it rated them for kid types, dare devil, shy, scared and so on.
Then I read the Disabled Guide to WDW also had tons of good advice for the everyone. Did you know that the first aid stations have Sharps Containers for my Insulin needles, that means I don't have to carry used needles home on the airplane!! And that if you just need to get out of the heat and need a drink of water the aid station will let you rest there. And they have a full staff of RN Nurses on duty for anything you might need like a bandaide. Or more!!
Plus there are baby care stations too! Where mothers can change a child, feed a child ,or warm a bottle or even refigderate medication while you are in the park that day.
I do not suggest using Celebration Hosital we had a bad experiece and had to go to Sand Hospital the next day we were in and out with the proper care having been given with kindness and Knowledge!!
Plus a car means you can stock up on low cost bottled water a real NEED, only buy brands that are NOT bottled in Florida, there is too much sulfer in their water it can make you ill. Buy breakfast items, fruit, vegis and favorite sandwich fixings. Bring flavored packets for the water! Koolade has ones that are just 30 calories! You will walk that off in the first hour!! I have real problems with having too low blood sugars at Disney Parks, this makes me cranky, anxious, and fatigued. This not a time to cut out sweets and diet, moderation in all things!
Mmmm... Have someone tell you the cost of parking at WDW??? I haven't checked lately.
Have a Magical trip 1st Trip
