I would love some advice on trip planning with 3 kids

[LittleDickensDesigns]

Hello!

We are traveling to Disney for seven nights arriving on either Saturday or Sunday (April 25 or 26, 2009). We are currently booked Saturday to Saturday but I may change it to Sunday to Sunday.

I've booked us in a cabin at FW. It will be me, DH, DS (7), DS (3) and my sister-in-law and her DD (3). I know it will be tight, but we've traveled together before and I'm really close to my SIL (she's like a sister to me). Our kids get along great (well....like siblings LOL). Since we couldn't be guaranteed connecting rooms we decided this is a better option. Plus we like the option of being able to cook breakfast and a dinner or two in. Also, for the first 3 nights it will just be me and my SIL and kids. My husband doesn't have as much vacation time so he's just coming for 4 nights. I've stayed at the value resorts before and also a few Mods (POR, POFQ), but never at FW. I'm looking forward to something new and it seems to be to be a more relaxing environment overall. Both our families love to camp, so we are used to the more rustic.

Here are some of my questions.

1) is it really necessary to have a golf cart at FW? It's a pretty big expense. How hard is it going to be getting around at FW? I know we'll be doing a ton of walking in the parks and will have a few tired nights coming back to FW.

2) Right now we only have 7 days base tickets. We have been to Disney many times and have done it with and without the hopper option. While it's nice to have, I'm not sure it's worth the extra expense. I could see us going to a park early in the AM, staying for several hours, coming back to FW for swimming/relaxing, then heading back to the same park for evening hours. On the day we do AK I figure it will take advantage of that being an early night and instead take advantage of the things FW has to offer, like movies and the roasting marshmallows. I don't want to feel crazed, like we need to see EVERYTHING, because it's just not going to happen. There will be future trips. I want some down time! I'm thinking for the extra $200 it would cost our family for the hoppers, we could put that a character dining, or something like that. Does that seem like a good approach? Or would you not consider doing it w/out hoppers?

3) Same goes for the water parks. Really the person who would enjoy this the most is my 7yo. I know the two 3yos would like it, but they'd also be content with the pool LOL. Given the fact that we only have seven days and part of that is travel days, I'm not sure when we'd fit it in! My husband will be there for the shortest time so it might be difficult for him to fit it in at all. I'm more inclined to spend the extra $200 for the WP option than I am for hoppers, but still not sure. If I just wanted to take my older son for one day, can you buy one day passes?

4) Given all of this, any ideas for a good itinerary? I'll check which parks have early openings, late closures of course. We might get a sitter for one night so the grown-ups can go to one park for a late night. I'm thinking since my DH won't be there until later in the stay my SIL would do something like Epcot & MK our first two days, then either AK or Studios our third, then the other one for the fourth (when my DH would be with us), and then repeat MK and Epcot. That last day if we have time we'd hit whatever the majority wanted to do again.

5) any other advice, must sees, tips on FW, anything else? None of the kids nap still, but we may be encouraging that most days just so we can do evening time in the parks.

Thanks so much!

 

[Faldred]

Sounds like you're asking good questions -- and it seems you already know most of the answers, you just want confirmation.

1) No idea, I don't have experience with FW

2) I think you answered your own question -- for you, it sounds like hoppers (for this trip at least) don't make sense, so why pay for them?

3) You can certainly just buy admission to the water parks ala carte, they don't have to be part of your ticket package. So just buy admission for those who need it on the day that you go (in case you change your mind). According to AllEars.net, as of January 2006, the one-day rates were:

Water Parks 1-Day Pass provides one-day admission to Typhoon Lagoon OR Blizzard Beach for designated time period: $37.28 (Ages 10+); $30.89 (Ages 3-9) with tax (1/06).​

4) Your itinerary sounds pretty decent. Just be sure to be flexible in case the little kids need a break.

 

[thepeach80]

Sounds good to me, I have no FW experience either. We took our 3 in Sept and they were much younger than yours and we had a great time. We didn't do the hopper passes, it just seemed like more stress than it's worth, especially w/ little ones. Ours were 10 mos, almost 3, and 4.5yo and they spent ALL day at WDW, no break. lol We stayed for magic hours (baby went home w/ grandma) and they had a blast and we did 'Ohana's the next morning for a character breakfast. That one was our favorite and we'll do it again this next trip.

 

[Deffenm]

You should check out the camping forum here on the DIS to get a good idea about FW. They have a ton of information posted. Have a great trip.

 

[Princesspigletsmom]

We just stayed at the cabins 2 years ago YOU ARE GONNA LOVE THEM!!! Make sure you take the boat over to Magic Kingdom from the Main bus stop. Its a great trip, you go right to Wilderness Lodge ( for a pickup) and then to Magic Kingdom!

1. No you don't need a cart, their is a bus stop in a very short walking distance from all the cabins. Will you be driving? Or have rental car? They do have a lovely grocery store close to cabins but I wouldn't walk to it (depending where you cabin is). Also the store is in my comparison not bad in price.

2. Personally we do a whole day each park, we did the hopper once before and hated it. Just my opinion but I would say with 7 days your fine without the hopper.

3. I would skip the water parks with a 3 yr old. If you are repeat disney visitors you can always do that on another trip when the kids are all older.

4. Seeing the early and late nights is a good idea. Ive read that doing magic kingdom later is better because its the most exciting park, and that way the kids don't feel let down. My children however love each park the same so we do not have that issue.

5. Tips; You can bring your own food/drinks as long as it is the size of a locker ( cooler wise). Freeze water bottles the night before to stay cool. Don't forget sunblock, and bug spray. I heard that the best place to watch fireworks with a toddler is in pooh's playground, that way they can play AND watch. But it was warned to be buggy. Best seats at Hollywood for Night show is middle back ( center for show, back for quick exit).