I need all the Disney Help!!

[Music271410]

Our last Disney trip was 2016. My younger 2 were not yet 3 and do not remember much at all.
My older 2 kids will be performing in Disney in December so I’m considering going with the younger 2 to see them, but also give them a Disney experience.
Here are my questions…

How crowded are weekends in early December? Not too bad or you’ll wish you never left home?

I REALLY want to stay on property, but this is a budget trip. DH can’t join us so the 2 kids and I will have to fly as it’s too far to drive with them by myself.
-With that in mind…any cost saving ideas for Disney accommodations?
-What about transfer from airport to resort? Is there still a shuttle or bus service?

If I can’t find an affordable room on property, any suggestions for local resorts that have transportation to the parks? How does that work?

I’m open to package deals, but we can get park tickets through the tour company the kids’ school is using for a lower rate than I see on the Disney website.

Seriously, please explain any/all of this like I’m a 2 year old.

 

[FCDub]

Knowing the ages of your kids will help for transportation purposes. Do you need car seats or booster seats?

The Magical Express service has been discontinued. It’s its place are Mears Connect and Sunshine Flyer, which offer similar airport-to-Disney-hotel service for a fee.

 

[Music271410]

Knowing the ages of your kids will help for transportation purposes. Do you need car seats or booster seats?

The Magical Express service has been discontinued. It’s its place are Mears Connect and Sunshine Flyer, which offer similar airport-to-Disney-hotel service for a fee.

Sorry, the little kids are 9. No car seats or boosters necessary.

 

[midwestdee]

We just used Mears Connect - $16 adult, 13.50 child one way. Strongly suggest start pricing Disney resorts. Even the Good Neighbor hotels aren’t going to run bus service continuously. Travel agents should be willing to give you a price for what you’re looking for - we’re AAA members so we used them. Disney has been running promotions for Disney + subscribers. If you can swing it, Pop Century is a value resort with bus service & skyliner service. We stayed there in 2019 ( Skyliner hadn’t opened). I was pretty impressed- we did pay for a preferred room to be near the main building. Basically, this will just take a fair amount of research- the good news is you’re starting early.

 

[Narcoossee11]

Reality. VERY busy, MUCH more expensive than in 2016.

Take your vitamins, budget more money than you thought. EVERYTHING is different now. There will be people everywhere.
Enjoy the decorations, do some Christmas shopping, enjoy the weather (normally warm). Do what you can- you can't do it all.

ADDED: Your older kids will not be with you (due to being with the school), so you really will only need to worry about the 2 younger kids. That will be a blessing.
I agree with other posters, GET A TRAVEL AGENT.
I know you are probably nerve .. You should be !!!!!. Lol

 

[_19disnA]

We were last at Disney in 2019 after not going for several years. We were amazed at how crowded the parks were and way more expensive then our last trip. Even in the middle of the week, AK was wall-to-wall people that made just walking around nearly impossible. We left to go to a different park. I doubt there is any time of the year you can go when it won't be crowded. Disney lets WAY too many into the parks for the available ride capacity which causes all of the other issues people discuss on this forum. The main thing to know is you have to make park reservations in addition to having park tickets.

Neither FastPass nor that new Genie thing solves the problem of being overcrowded. I don't think Disney has widened any of the walking paths at any park so what made sense 20+ yrs ago doesn't currently. Expect it to be crowded and needing to wait in long lines for the most popular rides. You won't be able to do nearly as many rides/shows in a given amount of time as you did previously.

DME is no longer running which used to be a free ride to/from the airport. You can either rent a car or arrange for other transportation. We have stayed over the years both at Disney and other nearby hotels. Liked them for different reasons. Off-site is far less expensive and we always rented a car when doing that as it gave us more flexibility on how to get around. Disney food tends to be pricey and if you only eat on-site will be a lot more expensive.

We have ZERO plans to return anytime soon as we see less value in what Disney offers and prices have risen far greater over the years then other places we like to vacation.

 

[Her Dotness]

Weekends are always insane anymore, particularly once holiday decorations go up. There are also special weekend as well as seasonal events that draw locals. Even Epcot can feel crowded.

It will currently because the Future World entrance is a mess of construction. With any luck, that will be finished by year's end, but it was literally a maze of walls funneling guests into Epcot when we were there in November. DH joked we needed to get Mickey ears because he felt like a mouse in a maze.

As mentioned above, you will need both a park ticket and park reservation for each park day. The reservation is supposedly to reduce crowds. In reality, it seems more like Disney counting how many they've packed into a park and cheering the more they shoehorn in. If you get ParkHoppers, you can't hop until after you've tapped to enter your reserved park and then only after 2:00 p.m. You needn't actually enter your park of the day, only tap in, which just adds craziness to using ParkHoppers.

That's only a bit of why I strongly recommend you get with a Disney-certified travel agent because you really need to book this trip ASAP given that you've not experienced "New WDW." A Disney TA can ease you through the process. You're in for a shocker otherwise, sorry to say.

 

[DL1WDW2]

What will the tour company have planned for their activities ?
I know my grandson just participated and it was very structured.
We just accepted we would not see him … Unfortunately they did not actually perform on property. Will your children perform or just attend the off site Classroom to perform? Apparently there are different packages, etc.

 

[DL1WDW2]

The next step would be purchasing your flights and then resort reservation.
If you can get over that hurdle … keep us updated for next step.
I think the sticker shock will shock you .
Also a lot to consider with all the travel snafus , etc.
But we are here for you and also very excited to help make your dream a reality!

 

[DL1WDW2]

As you are planning and researching Hopefully you can consider staying on property with the younger children for safety reasons .
It helps to know Disney is nearby in case of emergency.
Have you priced the value resorts? My first choice would be POP because of the SkyLiner.
Actually for a first trip, your children would probably think the SkyLiner is the Disney trip ! ! Who needs tickets? Haha
Throw in the monorail and the water transport Dine at DisneySprings and you are busy …but you are right It can be overwhelming!

 

[Her Dotness]

As you are planning and researching Hopefully you can consider staying on property with the younger children for safety reasons .

Safety reasons? Huh?

Off-property hotels are just as safe as any on-site. We've stayed at the Doubletree near DS and the Hilton literally across the street. Both were fine--and lots cheaper.

 

[DL1WDW2]

No I was referring to traveling with young children , solo parent, and needing immediate assistance type of problems.
It would mean a lot to me to know Disney is nearby to assist.
It would be worth it just to help alleviate the worrying .

What do you have to offer for advice.? I am trying to respond in helpful way for this family and your comment is Not really helping .

I know you recommended using a travel company …but it would help to figure out some of the basics to know what to expect from a travel company besides just contact a Travel Agent .

 

[DL1WDW2]

Safety reasons? Huh?

Off-property hotels are just as safe as any on-site. We've stayed at the Doubletree near DS and the Hilton literally across the street. Both were fine--and lots cheaper.

.

 

[mikeuno]

Any suggested Disney-certified travel agents?

 

[Jaymarkm]

Renting DVC points is a surprisingly affordable option too! We would rent them, visit off-season when points went the furthest, and eat lots of meals (every breakfast, lots of dinner, etc) in room. Plus the DVC resorts are a staycation option, so we’d only go to parks every other day.

 

[Ricguz]

I’m using Dreams Unlimited. My agent updates me on everything with no extra cost.

 

[Her Dotness]

Any suggested Disney-certified travel agents?

I’m using Dreams Unlimited. My agent updates me on everything with no extra cost.

That would be my suggestion. See the toolbar above and click on "Book a Vacation."

We used to use a AAA TA who went to WDW often himself and did a great job for us. So, there can be other sources.

 

[Best Aunt]

Renting DVC points is a surprisingly affordable option too! We would rent them, visit off-season when points went the furthest, and eat lots of meals (every breakfast, lots of dinner, etc) in room. Plus the DVC resorts are a staycation option, so we’d only go to parks every other day.

You can always try to rent points, but December is a very popular time for DVC and people started booking in January. I'm not optimistic that there are vacancies at studios in early December.

On the other hand, DVC owners have taken to renting out reservations that they already made. You can check the two rental agencies to see if anything has been posted for your dates, as long as you understand the cancellation policies and the bed situation for a room you are considering.

https://dvcrequest.com/

https://dvcrentalstore.com/

 

[Her Dotness]

While DVC stays can be convenient due to having kitchenettes/full kitchens, they aren't really a budget stay.

Somewhat less pricey stays are available in a Value or off-property.

 

[jmc56]

Our last Disney trip was 2016. My younger 2 were not yet 3 and do not remember much at all.
My older 2 kids will be performing in Disney in December so I’m considering going with the younger 2 to see them, but also give them a Disney experience.
Here are my questions…

How crowded are weekends in early December? Not too bad or you’ll wish you never left home?

I REALLY want to stay on property, but this is a budget trip. DH can’t join us so the 2 kids and I will have to fly as it’s too far to drive with them by myself.
-With that in mind…any cost saving ideas for Disney accommodations?
-What about transfer from airport to resort? Is there still a shuttle or bus service?

If I can’t find an affordable room on property, any suggestions for local resorts that have transportation to the parks? How does that work?

I’m open to package deals, but we can get park tickets through the tour company the kids’ school is using for a lower rate than I see on the Disney website.

Seriously, please explain any/all of this like I’m a 2 year old.

If you can find dates that work for you we have flown with JetBlue they package a flight and hotel together.We have done so numerous times and saved some money that way.About a year and ahalf agoe we stayed at Pop Century the skyliner there will take you to Epcoct and ollywoodStudios.
I hope this helps and you have a great trip.