Introducing myself

[lucifie]

Hi everyone. I'm new here and starting to plan our first family trip to Disney World. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it and we're not going until January. We want to stay at one of the Disney resorts, but our options are limited, considering we have 4 kids (including a toddler). It seems like our options are one of the Value resorts, which the reviews say are noisy and not that convenient for transportation to the parks, and Port Orleans Riverside, which sounds nice, but the floorplan looks like we would be pretty cramped. We would also like to do a meal plan, assuming we stay at a Disney resort. I've looked at some off-site locations, but it seems like it would be almost as expensive when you include the cost of meals (we would like to do some character meals, which would add up quickly), parking, etc. We're planning on driving, so we will have access to a car.

Since we're not going until January, is it likely they will offer discounts at some point?

Our oldest DD(9) has special needs, so I'd appreciate any tips you might have. I just got the PassPorter's Open Mouse and it has a lot of great information, but the most recent edition is from 2007, so I'm afraid some of the information is outdated. We had great luck with the Unofficial Guide the first time I went, so I'm planning on getting a copy, but if I can make myself wait, I want to wait until the 2013 edition comes out. I've already signed up on touringplans.com.

I'm really excited about this trip. I'm just afraid that I'll be disappointed if they're not excited enough, KWIM? This is gong to be their "big" Christmas gift, so I'm also excited to be getting a big part of my Christmas "shopping" done so early.


I've really been enjoying reading through the forums and I've been taking notes in a Word document.

I've been reading a lot on the internet and I have a lot of (probably) weird, random questions, but I won't get into all of them on my first post

I look forward to getting to know everyone

 

[Lumiere Lover]

Welcome to the Boards!! If you plan on character meals, I highly suggest the dining plan. It is great to have your food costs covered before you leave home. For a family your size, have you considered renting a cabin at Fort Wilderness? A lot of people say the values are noisy, but I didn't think they were bad at all. We have always had very quick bus service at the values, much quicker than at Caribbean Beach Resort. I thought those buses were extremely slow.

Enjoy the planning!

 

[lucifie]

The cabins at Fort Wilderness sound nice, but I read somewhere that it's not a great choice for your first visit. I don't remember the reason, but I think it was because they're inconvenient?

I like the look of the layout of the value resorts and I have to keep reminding myself that we're going on the off-season so even if it's noisier than other resorts, it will be a lot less noisy than it would be in peak season.

I've only been to WDW twice (WAY before kids) and didn't stay on Disney property either time. I added up what it would cost for Cinderella's Royal table and Chef Mickey's and I was estimating around $500 (maybe a little less) combined and that's nearly half of what a meal plan would add to the cost of our trip for just two meals.

I'm having a lot of fun planning and I can't wait until January. Actually, I can't wait until Christmas because then we can start talking about it with the kids and finding out what they want to do.

 

[magicaldisney]

 

[Swissdog2010]

Hi everyone. I'm new here and starting to plan our first family trip to Disney World. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it and we're not going until January. We want to stay at one of the Disney resorts, but our options are limited, considering we have 4 kids (including a toddler). It seems like our options are one of the Value resorts, which the reviews say are noisy and not that convenient for transportation to the parks, and Port Orleans Riverside, which sounds nice, but the floorplan looks like we would be pretty cramped. We would also like to do a meal plan, assuming we stay at a Disney resort. I've looked at some off-site locations, but it seems like it would be almost as expensive when you include the cost of meals (we would like to do some character meals, which would add up quickly), parking, etc. We're planning on driving, so we will have access to a car.

Since we're not going until January, is it likely they will offer discounts at some point?


Our oldest DD(9) has special needs, so I'd appreciate any tips you might have. I just got the PassPorter's Open Mouse and it has a lot of great information, but the most recent edition is from 2007, so I'm afraid some of the information is outdated. We had great luck with the Unofficial Guide the first time I went, so I'm planning on getting a copy, but if I can make myself wait, I want to wait until the 2013 edition comes out. I've already signed up on touringplans.com.

I'm really excited about this trip. I'm just afraid that I'll be disappointed if they're not excited enough, KWIM? This is gong to be their "big" Christmas gift, so I'm also excited to be getting a big part of my Christmas "shopping" done so early.


I've really been enjoying reading through the forums and I've been taking notes in a Word document.

I've been reading a lot on the internet and I have a lot of (probably) weird, random questions, but I won't get into all of them on my first post

I look forward to getting to know everyone

ONe thing about the values is that noise is relative to season. Someone visiting in the summer is going to hear a lot more noise than the much more quiet time in January. And if you have 4 kids, you must be used to some level of noise already. Also, you didn't mention what needs your daughter has? A bit more specificity there might help with the responses you get. Discounts pop up at different times during the year so keep your eye on Disney TV ads. They just finished one for this month. One thing to remember, is that resturants fill up fast. You can reserve starting 180 days out so figure out what ones you want to do and be ready in July to make your reservations. One advantage to staying on property is how much easier it is to take a break in the day, go back to your resort, recharge and then hit the parks again in the evening. This help prevent burn out, especially for younger kids. Keep asking questions, you'll get lots of answers.

 

[lucifie]

ONe thing about the values is that noise is relative to season. Someone visiting in the summer is going to hear a lot more noise than the much more quiet time in January. And if you have 4 kids, you must be used to some level of noise already. Also, you didn't mention what needs your daughter has? A bit more specificity there might help with the responses you get. Discounts pop up at different times during the year so keep your eye on Disney TV ads. They just finished one for this month. One thing to remember, is that resturants fill up fast. You can reserve starting 180 days out so figure out what ones you want to do and be ready in July to make your reservations. One advantage to staying on property is how much easier it is to take a break in the day, go back to your resort, recharge and then hit the parks again in the evening. This help prevent burn out, especially for younger kids. Keep asking questions, you'll get lots of answers.

Thanks for your response. You're right that I'm used to a fair amount of noise. My major concern is that the kids won't sleep. It's probably not a huge concern since I'm sure they'll be exhausted.

My DD just turned 9 and will be nearly 10 by the time we go. She has global developmental delays. Our biggest concern is her mobility. She has low muscle tone and poor balance. Walking distances is hard for her (we're considering renting a wheelchair or an adaptive stroller), I don't think she could handle standing in long lines (although I don't think it will be a major issue in January) and she has some sensory issues. I just have no idea how she'll react to so many things. We have been to Dutch Wonderland, which is an amusement park geared toward kids, but nowhere near the scale of WDW.

 

[Swissdog2010]

Thanks for your response. You're right that I'm used to a fair amount of noise. My major concern is that the kids won't sleep. It's probably not a huge concern since I'm sure they'll be exhausted.

My DD just turned 9 and will be nearly 10 by the time we go. She has global developmental delays. Our biggest concern is her mobility. She has low muscle tone and poor balance. Walking distances is hard for her (we're considering renting a wheelchair or an adaptive stroller), I don't think she could handle standing in long lines (although I don't think it will be a major issue in January) and she has some sensory issues. I just have no idea how she'll react to so many things. We have been to Dutch Wonderland, which is an amusement park geared toward kids, but nowhere near the scale of WDW.

Access to anything you want to get to is quite good for wheelchairs, strollers, scooters etc. As you approach an attraction, the cast member at the entrance will direct or assist you to each spot. You are right, it can be a bit overwhelming but i'm thinking that if you take your time making the rounds it might not be so bad and there are lots of spots to stop and sit and watch whats going one which might help. Also, if you stay on property, if you think your daughter is reaching a limit you could head back to the resort for a rest and then head back out later.

 

[pontikes67]

Hi...you're starting early. Great idea! As for kids being excited...plan it right (I'm sure you will) and it will be the greatest trip they'll have taken to date...and maybe beyond! Enjoy!

 

[lucifie]

Hi...you're starting early. Great idea! As for kids being excited...plan it right (I'm sure you will) and it will be the greatest trip they'll have taken to date...and maybe beyond! Enjoy!

This will also be their first "real" vacation. They've never been away from home for more than a long weekend.

 

[Metro West]

 

[canadadoug]

Enjoy!