Help with planning after ten year wait to return

[lvs2trvl39]

It has been a right around ten years since we took our kids to WDW now they are both teens and we thought we would go again. I know that alot has changed since we have last been to WDW so I am looking for anything helpful in booking our trip. I don't think we will go until 2007 and considering either beginning of June or over Thanksgiving. Is one time better than the other. Both kids are in HS so I don't want to pull them out for a week. Also we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside (Dixie Landings when we stayed there) and I have priced the moderate hotel vs. one of the All star hotels - it is about $500.00 difference is it worth it to spend the extra money on the hotel or use it for something else. Also what about the meal plan? Worth it - I am seriously considering this since both my teens can eat. I would be grateful for any helpful hints/suggestions that you may have.

Happy Travels ~
Andrea

 

[KimWDW]

If I had to choose between the beginning of June or Thanksgiving, personally I would choose June. I've just heard such horror stories about the Thanksgiving crowds.

Since they are teens, they'd probably enjoy spending a couple afternoons at the water parks, so I would get a park hopper ticket with water parks included. Use FastPass. It probably wasn't in use the last time you were there... it's the only way to go! It's free and you'll save so much time you'd be waiting in line. Definitely go with the park hopper pass. For teens Disney Studios is probably a half-day, so you could go to Animal Kingdom in the morning and Disney Studios in the late afternoon through Fantasmic.

Are they roller coaster fans? If so, you may want to schedule a day for Universal Islands of Adventure, in addition to all the Disney parks.

Regarding moderate vs All Star... how much time do you think you'll be spending at the hotel? That's a consideration. The All Stars have food courts which are great because they are quick and easy with a lot of choices. However, the All Stars don't have pool slides and most (if not all) moderates do.

 

[disneyfan19712006]

I think you are much better off with a value. In my opinion and my teenagers there are not as many food offerings at the moderates. The beds are the same size and the food choices much better at the Values especially Pop. I wouldn't do the dining plan as the meals are fairly reasonable unless you dine at sitdown alot. We spend less buying our own meals check out the menus on allearsnet.com I know my teens don't want to be tied to a dining schedule. They like to eat whenever they want. I usually get two or three planned meals with them on a week trip.

 

[Smileybug]

Our experience, with teens (DS17 and DD15 at time of trip) at a value resort was not the greatest. My teens were very unhappy because there were so many younger kids around. And it was sooo noisey. We stayed at the Pop for 7 nights. The food court can get old too. Needless to say for us personally, we will never do this again. Upgrading is well worth it. (I realize that we could have gone at just a bad time. But this was our experience with this resort.) Just take into consideration what any resort has to offer your family and how much down time you need. We enjoy soaking up the resort atmosphere as well as enjoying the parks. Continue your planning and you'll have a wonderful time!!

 

[Mich Mouse]

There is so much for you to see since your last trip to Disney!

Since your teens are likely adult sized, I would seriously think about the room size at the values. They are the smallest hotel rooms I have ever seen in my many years of travelling. Way too small for four adult sized people. They do have suites now available at the All Star Resorts, which costs close to what a moderate would, and would give your family plenty of room.

Another fact about value resorts is that large groups also tend to book rooms there, (cheerleaders, sports teams) and you have a chance of being immeresed in that. Never happened to us, but I've read the stories here.

I would reccomend your looking at the different options, and deciding which type of experience your family would like best.

You also might consider purchasing one annual pass and using it to get an annual passholder room discount, since you plan to stay on property, and be there for a week. Not only would you get a room discount, but one member of the party would have their ticket paid for. You can also look into AAA disounts on rooms, if you are a member, but they will not offer as much off as an AP rate.

We have not done the dining plan, since we have the DDE, but I have read wonderful reviews about it.

You are in the right place here on the DIS to plan your trip! Someone will always answer all of your questions, and help you to plan a magical trip.

 

[lvs2trvl39]

Thanks so much for the information - we will all need to sit down as a family and decide what we want to do and where we want to stay and go from there. Disney has grown so much in those ten years that we will have alot more to see!

 

[MariaEllerºoº]

Thanks so much for the information - we will all need to sit down as a family and decide what we want to do and where we want to stay and go from there. Disney has grown so much in those ten years that we will have alot more to see!

I would take a look at Deb Will's wonderful site. So much information, lists of menu's and faq's on each resort. I personally would pay the extra for a moderate resort. CBR's rooms are larger than other resort rooms and they have a fantastic food court area with plenty of things to choose from. I haven't stayed here as of yet, but will be at the end of the month and decided on this resort myself from personally walking around the grounds of the resort, visiting the food court area and shops. It was wonderful and I'm very anxious to try it out. The Dining Plan is worth it in my opinion if you like to have at least one sit down meal during your stay. The Dining Plan is $39 for adults and $11 for kids and includes 1 snack, 1 counter service and 1 TS each night of your stay for each person. If your teens are anything like my teens one meal will pay for itself. LOL Definitely get park hoppers!

 

[jess20k]

If June and Thanksgiving are your only options, then I would choose June. As others have stated it is EXTREMELY busy over Thanksgiving holiday! Also, a moderate is definately much much better than a value, but if the cost is a concern, then of course the value would be much better for you. Especially if you are not going to be spending much time at the resort. Good luck in your planning and I hope you have a great trip!!!!

 

[pickles]

It is a vacation, not often you go..enjoy it!
get a 1 bedroom at the deluxe..try for BC, great pool OR
try BW your kids will enjoy going out on the bw at night and its convienent to the parks. the 1 bedroom means you can bring less clothes and wash in the room and you will have a seperate bedroom from the kids(assuming they can share a bed?)
dont cram yourselves into 1 room..yuk what fun is that?

good luck deciding!

 

[BabyMo]

We were there last year for Thanksgiving (and will be going back this year) and it was not that bad. It was not nearly as nice as it is was in September, but it was better than August.

Seriously, we were able to get on everything we wanted to- either by walking on or Fastpass and the crowds were not excessive. We did look at the park schedules and avoid the extra magic hour morning park (the park that opens an hour earlier for resort guests).

I would recommend the dining plan. It will give you a chance to sample some really great restaurants.