Help needed...budget ideas for large family's 1st visit

[CheapMom]

I was concerned about mentioning the Ft. Wilderness campfire/movie night because I thought you had to be WDW resort guests to attend.

We did this in June- We did not need to show any id... My kids ages 7 & 8 - thought it was great- we bought a s'mores kit (at the snack bar) for around $4 and they made friends around the campfire and we watched Disney's "The Kid". We all loved the movie.

I found the bus situation at Ft. Wilderness very confusing. It was not well marked where you need to go/ what bus to get on...

 

[crisi]

Although technically not legal, it would be great if they could find "gently used" hoppers. That would get them park hopping privledges - really handy in September when the parks close early - they can get Epcot done in the evenings and spend their days at two of the other parks.

Or see if they can't find two day convention hoppers somewhere. Sometimes they can be found.

 

[pumpkinfish]

I agree to the resort hopping. Pre 9/11, I used to do this with my family every time we went to WDW. My father would lug us kids around and talk to my mom about what resorts he wanted to stay at. As an adult I love to go to the resorts, andI still dream of the day my DH and I are able to afford staying onsite. Post 9/11, my DH and I just told the gate that we were really there for. No lying needed. Just said we were there to check the place out! LOL.

But back to what I was saying, I am not sure if the kids will enjoy the resort hopping. I just remember being bored to death, only looking forward to the theme pools, and wanting to be in the parks, not the resorts. Just keep that in mind. Good luck with the vacation!

 

[FayeW]

My husband, who usually does not take an interest in my Disney surfing, was talking to me while I was reviewing this thread. His opinion is that your friends are making a "really big mistake" taking the teenagers to WDW instead of US/IOA., especially if the park they intend to visit is MK. He ( and my 9 yr old DD) both felt that many of the rides and attractions at MK were geared to the MUCH younger crowd. Keep in mind that this was our first visit, and we went to ONLY MK ( 1 full day, and the MVMCP). Perhaps MGM or EPCOT is more lively for the older set. We will find out when we go back next year, but we plan on getting 3 - 4 day hoppers, and probably splitting a day between AK in the morning, and MK late afternoon/evening to see the parades and fireworks.

I am sure everyone will enjoy the holiday regardless, and if the teenagers don't know about the Universal parks they won't know what they missed.

 

[disneysteve]

Originally posted by pumpkinfish
I am not sure if the kids will enjoy the resort hopping.

I think it depends on the kids and what you do at the resorts. My DD always likes riding the monorail through and going up to the observation deck at Contemp, seeing the animals at AKL, seeing the geyser at WL, walking around the grounds at All Stars seeing all the giant structures (haven't been to Pop Century yet but we plan to next trip), etc. There are a lot of fun and interesting sites at the various hotels. We usually let her play a few arcade games somewhere as well.

Does the Contemporary still show free Disney movies every day? That would be another good place to spend some time.

 

[pumpkinfish]

True,
I forgot about how the kids will like the animals and the geyser. I just remember going to Swan and Dolphin, CBR, OKW, and CBR. We walked around GF when I was older and I thought it was so beautiful and romantic.
I didn't see WL and AKL until I was married so it was a different first experience.

As for the teenagers... I think that since I grew up with Disney I feel differently. When I went as a teen, I loved MK. Of course I remember being so moody as well, no matter what we did, I had words to be said. But input she be gotten from the whole family.

DTD. That's a good idea. A longtime tradition in our family is that we also got to pick ONE ornament from the Christmas shop there. My DH and I do this every time we go as well. This is an easy way to gain a souviner, and it is fairly cheap as well. Plus, you will have the memory for years to come as you hang it on the Christmas tree.

 

[poet123]

We have been told about Rock Springs in Kelly Park, you can hire a tire and cruise the river for $1 all day, with a picnic it would be great. We plan on doing this next trip.

 

[BRIANSMOM]

Cypress Pointe also has a game room, minature golf area (small charge) and the volcano pool. Volley Ball net/area. My son is 10 and he and his friend had a ball meeting the other kids and playing volleyball all night. I think they would have loved staying at the resort and not going to the parks everyday.

There are other water parks around also, if you go online to Watermania.com, you can get some coupons to save money that way, if they want to go to the water park.

If they want to do one park at Disney, I would do Magic Kingdom, even though most teenagers would probably prefer IOA/US. Save that for a diff. trip. Do Magic Kingdom, I think all the magic is there. Then if you wanted to do another park at disney, I would do MGM.

 

[Frannypooh]

Originally posted by FayeW
My husband, who usually does not take an interest in my Disney surfing, was talking to me while I was reviewing this thread. His opinion is that your friends are making a "really big mistake" taking the teenagers to WDW instead of US/IOA., especially if the park they intend to visit is MK. He ( and my 9 yr old DD) both felt that many of the rides and attractions at MK were geared to the MUCH younger crowd. Keep in mind that this was our first visit, and we went to ONLY MK ( 1 full day, and the MVMCP). Perhaps MGM or EPCOT is more lively for the older set. We will find out when we go back next year, but we plan on getting 3 - 4 day hoppers, and probably splitting a day between AK in the morning, and MK late afternoon/evening to see the parades and fireworks.

I am sure everyone will enjoy the holiday regardless, and if the teenagers don't know about the Universal parks they won't know what they missed.

I SOOO Agree!
My Dd just turned 12 she was 10 when we were there last (and our first time) she didn't not like disney, but she didn't Love it either. I mean the MK. She (so did my son, now 13) thought the rides were boreing We live pretty close to a six flags and go there every summer so I can see the difference. Really looking threw there eyes what kids wants to ride on a boat and look at "dumb stuff" when they would rather be a coaster.
This year we are doing Universal too, So I hope they enjoy that
But Mommy NEEDS to see the Mouse and eat breakfast with Cinderella!!! We also have a 4 yr old Dd and 6 yr old DS who is happy everywhere!