I'm in over my head!

[jtlund]

Hi all and Happy New Year!

I'm usually great at finding deals on everything. I told someone on my parenting board I wanted to take 5 year old to WDW and boom I ended up here. The only time I have to research is here at work so it obviously leaves me very little time. Maybe someone with VAST WDW knowledge can answer a few questions for me so I can get started booking everything. Like another poster said, I'm feeling overwhelmed.

1. Where to stay? I've stayed at Fort Wilderness, Contemporary, Poly when I was a kid. That was 20-30 years ago. I want to say at a Disney resort that my 5 year old will love. I was thinking Fort Wilderness or Animal Kingdom but I would love a recommendation. My husband is a smoker so I'd like somewhere he can get out of the room and smoke when he wants to.

2. When to go? I don't have a time in mind. We live in MN so October-December would be nice. I don't want to go when it's crazy and more expensive either. Any recommendations on what month to shoot for? It's definitely going to be this year.

3. We also want to go to Sea World - is that a full day thing? AND - Isn't there a place that has the cartoon characters to that the kids watch all the time - Little Einsteins, Max & Ruby, etc. Is that at Disney or Universal?

4. What about the land/sea deal? I'd love to go on a cruise AND spend 3days at a Disney resort. Is that too much for a preschooler?

Last but not least, my son has a heart condition and I'd like to know if any of you have had experience with medical services in and around WDW and the resorts themselves. If Lord forbid something happened, I'd like to know about that as well. Thanks.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[lighttech]

I'm also at work, and just have a minute on my break, but being new to the boards, here's a suggestion.

Break up your post into individual questions. You'll get a lot more responses if your topic gives a hint at what kind of answers you are looking for.

i.e. - Post your hotel question on the resort board. Make your title "Where to stay on a budget". Put all the details of your stay and wishes wants in your post.

Gotta run... good luck!

 

[IamErica]

Hi all and Happy New Year!

I'm usually great at finding deals on everything. I told someone on my parenting board I wanted to take 5 year old to WDW and boom I ended up here. The only time I have to research is here at work so it obviously leaves me very little time. Maybe someone with VAST WDW knowledge can answer a few questions for me so I can get started booking everything. Like another poster said, I'm feeling overwhelmed.
I would start with the Passporter. It is a great book and has tons of information and has worksheets you can use for planning. I have also learned A LOT from reading this board. I haven't even been to Disney yet, but I fell I could give some advice I am a very obsesive planner

1. Where to stay? I've stayed at Fort Wilderness, Contemporary, Poly when I was a kid. That was 20-30 years ago. I want to say at a Disney resort that my 5 year old will love. I was thinking Fort Wilderness or Animal Kingdom but I would love a recommendation. My husband is a smoker so I'd like somewhere he can get out of the room and smoke when he wants to.

We are staying at Pop Century. I think the fun characters and building themes are fun for kids of all ages Not sure about the smoking thing, I think WDW is mostly (if not completely) smoke free.

2. When to go? I don't have a time in mind. We live in MN so October-December would be nice. I don't want to go when it's crazy and more expensive either. Any recommendations on what month to shoot for? It's definitely going to be this year.
Where are you from In MN? I am from ND... so I understand the freezing winters and wanting to escape. That's why we are going in Feb.

3. We also want to go to Sea World - is that a full day thing? AND - Isn't there a place that has the cartoon characters to that the kids watch all the time - Little Einsteins, Max & Ruby, etc. Is that at Disney or Universal?
I think Little Einsteins in in Hollywood Studios.

4. What about the land/sea deal? I'd love to go on a cruise AND spend 3days at a Disney resort. Is that too much for a preschooler?
???

Last but not least, my son has a heart condition and I'd like to know if any of you have had experience with medical services in and around WDW and the resorts themselves. If Lord forbid something happened, I'd like to know about that as well. Thanks.
Check out the DisABILITIES board. Just scroll down in the Dis trip planning forums.

Thanks in advance for your help. Hope this helps... I am sure there are more experienced vets out there that can be even more help
Good luck and have fun

 

[tiggerfan1]

Welcome to the DIS boards!!!

I agree with the previous poster who suggested posting each of your questions on the appropriate board (general questions on the Theme Park Attractions and Strategies board, medical question on the DisABILITIES board, dining questions on the Disney Restaurants board, etc.) I can only answer your "when to go" question.

I think that it would be best to choose a time to go based on a special event that you would like to see (if any). A lot of people like to go in October for the MNSSHP (Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party) @ MK (Magic Kingdom) and the Food and Wine festival @ Epcot. Just to let you know, many of the other DISers say that they have noticed an increase in crowds during October (which is considered to be part of value season). By the way, if you want to go to any of the special Disney parties, try to go on a Tuesday or a Thursday (unless it's Halloween week for the MNSSHP) and get your tickets in advance!

In early November, there is a week or two more of the Food and Wine festival and in mid-November the MVMCPs (Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parties) start. Many of the Christmas decorations are already up by mid-November, too. Super Soap weekend (where soap opera stars make appearances at MGM studios) is also around mid-November.

In late November through Christmas, there are a lot of special Christmas events going on at the different parks (Candlelight Processional and Holidays around the World at Epcot, Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights at MGM studios, etc). A lot of the other DISers say that they like to go to all the Disney resorts to see all the decorations. (If you go during this time, you must go see the gigantic gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian resort! )

I'm not sure when the best time to go in October is, but I do know that it's best to got to WDW during the first couple of weeks of November, the week AFTER Thanksgiving and during the first couple weeks of December. Jersey Week (which will be Nov. 6-8 this year) and the Pop Warner event in early December does cause the parks to be more crowded, but it's not nearly as bad as going during a holiday week.

I'm sorry that this is so loooooooooooong. I hope it helps, though. Happy trip planning!

 

[Cee]

Welcome aboard! My suggestion is to just go on every board here and scroll
down and I wouldn't be surprised if you found the answers to all your questions
without even having to post them. You will have the time of your life. Enjoy!

 

[torinsmom]

Hi all and Happy New Year!

I'm usually great at finding deals on everything. I told someone on my parenting board I wanted to take 5 year old to WDW and boom I ended up here. The only time I have to research is here at work so it obviously leaves me very little time. Maybe someone with VAST WDW knowledge can answer a few questions for me so I can get started booking everything. Like another poster said, I'm feeling overwhelmed.

1. Where to stay? I've stayed at Fort Wilderness, Contemporary, Poly when I was a kid. That was 20-30 years ago. I want to say at a Disney resort that my 5 year old will love. I was thinking Fort Wilderness or Animal Kingdom but I would love a recommendation. My husband is a smoker so I'd like somewhere he can get out of the room and smoke when he wants to.

2. When to go? I don't have a time in mind. We live in MN so October-December would be nice. I don't want to go when it's crazy and more expensive either. Any recommendations on what month to shoot for? It's definitely going to be this year.

3. We also want to go to Sea World - is that a full day thing? AND - Isn't there a place that has the cartoon characters to that the kids watch all the time - Little Einsteins, Max & Ruby, etc. Is that at Disney or Universal?

4. What about the land/sea deal? I'd love to go on a cruise AND spend 3days at a Disney resort. Is that too much for a preschooler?

Last but not least, my son has a heart condition and I'd like to know if any of you have had experience with medical services in and around WDW and the resorts themselves. If Lord forbid something happened, I'd like to know about that as well. Thanks.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi and welcome to the DIS! I started coming here in January 2006, a few months before our first trip in a few years. I thought I would use the site for a few months and I AM STILL HERE! I am always planning our next trip. The Disboards keeps me feeling the magic between trips, LOL.

1. I would stay at one of the Values. Your son will love the big icons all over these resorts. We have stayed at Pop Century for our last few trips, and just love it! If you are going to only use your resort room to sleep and shower, there is no need to pay more for a room, IMHO. There are smoking areas at all the resorts, but no smoking rooms anymore.

2. I would recommend either October or late November-before Christmas. You definitely don't want to be there at Christmas. From what I hear it is CRAZY full on Christmas day.

3. Sea World is definitely a full day park. It is a lot of fun too! If you buy a ticket, you get your second day free. I think Little Einstein is at MGM Studios(Disney)

4. I don't know about the Land/Sea deal, but I would think 3 days at Disney would not be enough to really enjoy the parks.

Sorry, I don't know about medical facilities around Disney, but maybe someone else will.

Marsha

 

[disney54us]

Hi all and Happy New Year!

I'm usually great at finding deals on everything. I told someone on my parenting board I wanted to take 5 year old to WDW and boom I ended up here. The only time I have to research is here at work so it obviously leaves me very little time. Maybe someone with VAST WDW knowledge can answer a few questions for me so I can get started booking everything. Like another poster said, I'm feeling overwhelmed.

1. Where to stay? I've stayed at Fort Wilderness, Contemporary, Poly when I was a kid. That was 20-30 years ago. I want to say at a Disney resort that my 5 year old will love. I was thinking Fort Wilderness or Animal Kingdom but I would love a recommendation. My husband is a smoker so I'd like somewhere he can get out of the room and smoke when he wants to.

2. When to go? I don't have a time in mind. We live in MN so October-December would be nice. I don't want to go when it's crazy and more expensive either. Any recommendations on what month to shoot for? It's definitely going to be this year.

3. We also want to go to Sea World - is that a full day thing? AND - Isn't there a place that has the cartoon characters to that the kids watch all the time - Little Einsteins, Max & Ruby, etc. Is that at Disney or Universal?

4. What about the land/sea deal? I'd love to go on a cruise AND spend 3days at a Disney resort. Is that too much for a preschooler?

Last but not least, my son has a heart condition and I'd like to know if any of you have had experience with medical services in and around WDW and the resorts themselves. If Lord forbid something happened, I'd like to know about that as well. Thanks.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Hi and Welcome to the boards!
There are so many great places to stay, so I would go on WDW and click on the resorts and read and take virtual tours of them. I do love the poly. As far as smoking, they are all non smoking now even balconies and patio's. They have area's throughout the hotels that have smoking area's. So I would request a room near a smoking area.

Oct.-Dec are great. Usually great weather, and can differ depending what time of the month you go. I have been in the later part of Oct. crowds were good. In Nov. Super soap weekend is the same weekend as Veteran's Weekend which also when Jersey week is (NJ has a 4 day weekend for the teacher convention, so many use that so there kids won't miss to much school) I have been during that weekend. Super soap is held in MGM, so that is packed. since I went for that I really can't say how the other parks are effected. I would make reservations, soon since it does book up. I have gone many times the first or second week of Dec. It is beautiful then, I haven't been since 05 and I don't know if pop warner was there back then. Normally, the crowds are low. I do know it is becoming more popular, because it's off season and people can enjoy the Christmas stuff w/o the crowds.

Sea World?? Can't help you there, but I believe there is a forum, just scroll down the boards when you sign on.

I have done the cruises and love them. I don't know if it would be to much for your son. You would know best. If it is his first trip, depending how long you are staying you may just want him to enjoy Dis and Sea World. My DS's first cruise was when he was 5 or 6 but he had been to Disney many times before. I don't know, if it was his first trip that he would want to leave to go on a cruise.

As far as your son's medical condition, I would contact his Ped. I would have rec. of DRS. & Hospitals, I know there are many in the area. Being that this is a heart condition, I would just want to have everything in place and get that advice from your DR.

There's also some other boards that are aimed toward deals and budgets, you may want to check them out.

Good Luck, and enjoy!!

 

[wilde_oscar]

depending on the level of illness, ya might contact gktw.org and ask about medical facilities.

"Open Mouse" by Deb Willis also covers a lot of what ifs on medical needs.

Where to stay... the value level is a great choice.

Late August - Early Sept is a great time of year to go, with kids all going back to school, the parks are as least busy as it gets. But it is also still amazon hot in central FL. Other wise Mid-Feb just before things pick up for peak spring break season.

All the Disney Channel stuff is at Disney Studios (formerly MGM Studios)

How much is too much for your pre-schooler... well you should know that better than anyone.