Just returned from WDW.........

[tiff211]

I tried to soak up as much knowledge as I could to post on this board!! Drove from RI to FL with DD's 4 and 2, went to all four parks, no water parks. I am five months pregnant, did the safari ride at AK, made sure to drink lots of water, and welcome the air conditioned inside sit down attractions. Did have some swelling towars the end of day. Stayed at Buena Vista Suites and Embassy Grand Beach Resort. Did the princess storybook lunch at the restaurant in Norway at Epcot. Well worth the money for the experience. The food was okay. Saw Cinderellabration, LOVED IT!!! I am happy to say this board was such a big help for planning a successful trip with lots of great pics and memories. I will now be using this board to plan our April 2006 trip. I will have lots more time to budget and plan the "perfect" trip. I will be flying though

 

[Luv Donald Duck]

How was the drive? Did you stop or drive straight through? We are driving down from CT in May and would be interested in seeing how it went for you. Thanks/

 

[Rachie0507]

I'd love to know about the drive also. DH and I are bringing our kids (5&3) down in December. I want to compare the price of driving versus flying and DH thinks I am insane--he wants to fly. How long did you drive at a time? How did you keep the kids busy and happy? Do you think overall it was worth it to save the money for flights? I can't wait to hear more!

 

[tiff211]

I'd love to know about the drive also. DH and I are bringing our kids (5&3) down in December. I want to compare the price of driving versus flying and DH thinks I am insane--he wants to fly. How long did you drive at a time? How did you keep the kids busy and happy? Do you think overall it was worth it to save the money for flights? I can't wait to hear more!

We left on Friday night at 11 so the girls went to sleep right away. We drove to NC stopping only for gas and bathroom breaks. The girls woke up around 8:30 and so they were okay since we arrived in NC about 10:30am. My dad lives there so we stayed there on Saturday and headed out about 4am Saturday. The girls were still sleeping until about 8:00am. We stopped for breakfast at a restaurant in SC and then again for lunch in GA almost in FL. We bought a DVD player which is the greatest thing since sliced bread. They watched a couple of movies inbetween napping and then we were there. The little one (2) started to get fed-up when we were about 45 minutes away. I think the key was traveling at night. DH drove most of the way down. I made it from RI to CT LOL! I then drove from the end of GA to FL.

We drove straight on the way back and that was a bit much. We left in the afternoon and stopped for dinner, drove all night and then again for breakfast, we made it home in 20 hours but we were very tired. I think if you do the drive especially with small children you should stay overnight midway. I also didn't like the fact that it took days away from our vacation

Gas is even more expensive in FL, I saw it as high as $2.51! There is a Hess gas station across from Downtown disney and it was only $2.18.

Between the rental which was about $250 and gas which was about $100 each way, we spent almost $500. I don't think we could get a flight for 4 to Fl for that cheap but if we booked it far enough in advance we probably could get something for 600-700 and pay for the convenience of getting there in 1/4 the time and having more time to vacation!!!

 

[Rachie0507]

Thanks for the info. I would like to drive someday, just to see other parts of the country. I had only been finding flights for $800-900, but while playing online today and changing my date from Friday to Friday over to Saturday to Saturday, I actually found 4 round trip tickets for $661. I think I'll have to do that this time. But thank you very much for all the details of your drive!

 

[dzneelvr]

when you are looking for flights, don't forget to include those smaller regional airlines that fly in/out of Orlando Sanford. We take TMA (iflytma.com) into Sanford and it is still just a one hour trip to the door of our WDW resort.
You may be able to get less expensive tickets that way instead of Orlando International. check out orlandosanford.com for all the information on carriers and ground transport. Sanford is less stressful in every way than International but it doesn't service every carrier.
It's a 24 hour drive from our house and we did it once (...never again).

 

[MandM-Mom]

I would love to drive someday to Florida, but Dh would never do it. We always fly Southwest so driving for us would probable be more expensive for a vacation. We usually book vacations around click and save deals on southwest. We booked ALB to MCO for $46, and MCO to Alb for $46. So for flying was cheaper. But I would love to drive just to see Places I have not seen before.

 

[Lynn4Mel]

We've driven many times... I prefer flying. This next trip we are tarveling Amtrak. Right now it's the same amount of $ as flying booking through Travelocity, but DH wants it to be an adventure

 

[leahannpen]

Glad you had a great trip!! I'm leaving Wednesday with DS (4) and I'm 6 months pregnant. Dh is staying home this trip, but I'm going with a friend and her daughter. We usually go every year and Dh won't go every year! LOL! Oh well, his loss! LOL!!

 

[123SA]

I am going in 2 weeks and will also be 5 months pregnant. How was the safari ride? Why do you think it is not recommended for pregnant women? I would like to ride it -- I don't think my husband will fare well without my help (DD5 and DS2 -- he loves animals but is a complete mommy monster!) I just don't want to take a risk.

Were there any other rides you recommend?

Are there any rides you would not recommend?

Thanks for your help!

 

[tiff211]

I am going in 2 weeks and will also be 5 months pregnant. How was the safari ride? Why do you think it is not recommended for pregnant women? I would like to ride it -- I don't think my husband will fare well without my help (DD5 and DS2 -- he loves animals but is a complete mommy monster!) I just don't want to take a risk.

Were there any other rides you recommend?

Are there any rides you would not recommend?

Thanks for your help!

I did the safari ride and felt fine. It just is very bumpy along the trails. But I am used to potholes that make me bump more!! I did ask to sit in the front where it is supposed to be less bumpy and the CM was very accommodating.

Most important thing is to take it easy and drink plenty of water!!! We did a lot of the indoor sit down attractions so I got to give my feet a rest and cool off.

I didn't do any of the "thrill rides" and when I got line to go on Goofy's barnstormer rollercoaster which is a "kiddie" ride, there was a sign that advised against prego women riding. By the time it was our turn, my guilt had taken over and I didn't ride. DH rode in one car with both DD's. Dh said it was really jerky and that's why I probably shouldn't have rode.

One great thing is i didn't get any grief from DH when I wanted to stop for a snack and nearly every booth we passed!!!

Feel free to ask me anymore questions!

 

[devotedchristian]

How did your girls enjoy Epcot? Did they do all the rides for Preschoolers? I guess can you tell me how your day went in Epcot? We are taking DS next October...he will be 3. It seems to be the most calmer of the parks.

But can you tell me how your day went?

 

[tiff211]

How did your girls enjoy Epcot? Did they do all the rides for Preschoolers? I guess can you tell me how your day went in Epcot? We are taking DS next October...he will be 3. It seems to be the most calmer of the parks.

But can you tell me how your day went?

They were okay there......just okay........ but kind of bored. We went later in the day because we did the storybook princess lunch at 2:30. I didn't find much for them to do or I shoud say much they were interested in. We did spaceship earth which was too dark for DD4, they liked the exhibits at the end of the attractions most. The imagination ride was okay, they enjoyed that with the little dinosaur figment. We went to Epcot first and I think they were expecting more rides, than educational attractions. We rode the little boat in Mexico which was like a spanish version of "it's a small world" and we did Maelstorm in Norway, the huge troll coming out of the water scared the bejeezers out of them! The highlight of the park was the fountain that they splashed in and got soaking wet with no change of clothes. I let them splash away for about 30 min. while DH did test track.

I hear living seas is good for the preschool set but since they were dripping wet we had to leave without seeing that. If I had to skip one of the parks that would be the one I would give up. Then again, some of the posters on this board say that their kids love Epcot.

We went back one evening for illuminations but the fireworks freaked them out!

 

[pixelpixie]

Glad to hear your trip was a success and you will be planning another next year! What can you tell me about Embassy Grand Beach? We'll be staying in a 3 bedroom suite in November. What was the pool like (expecially for the kids) and the playground? Thanks for the info!

 

[tiff211]

Glad to hear your trip was a success and you will be planning another next year! What can you tell me about Embassy Grand Beach? We'll be staying in a 3 bedroom suite in November. What was the pool like (expecially for the kids) and the playground? Thanks for the info!

We stayed in a two bedroom suite. It was nicely decorated. A full kitchen with cabinets to store your food and all expected amenties. Screened in patio which was nice to sit in the morning for breakfast or in the evening after the kids went to bed. It had a full size washer and dryer and they supplied one load's worth or detergent and bleach. There was a large jacuzzi in the master bedroom with a separate shower big enough for two. A vanity area with a hair dryer and a separate room with the toilet. There was also another full bathroom. Plenty of large towels with extra supplied under the sinks. Clean towels and housekeeping was extra, I think 35-40 to have then clean and 8 dollars for each clean towel. I just use the extra ones supplied and that was plenty. I figured if I needed more, I would just wash a load. Iron and board, broom, mop and pail, vaccuum, extra pillows and blankets were also supplied. There was a dvd player in the living room which was nice, we had dvd's with us but I know there was a dvd rental available in the lobby. Check in and out was a breeze! They do of course try to get you to do the timeshare presentation.

Parking was not a problem. You could park under the building which we did most of the time. There is an elevator on one side of the building. Of course it was on the opposite side of where we were but we were only on the second floor.

We didn't use the playground, but it looked nice, like a typical modern playground with sand. The pool was a little cool but the kids were fine. The kiddie pool was about 1 foot and a half. and had water shooting into it that the girls would go through and underneath. Lots of chairs and towels available. The regular pool was a good size and went to about 5.5 feet.

Iwould definitely recommend the resort and would stay there again...if the price was right!

 

[pixelpixie]

Thank you Tiff! I appreciate it. I'm looking forward to our trip in November!

 

[DebMcDonald]

Can you give me information about the princess lunch. What was the food like, good character interaction, what princesses?. I have daughters 2, 4, and 11 and we're going in August. Did you have trouble getting seats for lunch. Did you do the 90 days out? Did you try to get seat for CRT?

How was parking at the resorts?

 

[DebMcDonald]

Can you give me information about the princess lunch. What was the food like, good character interaction, what princesses?. I have daughters 2, 4, and 11 and we're going in August. Did you have trouble getting seats for lunch. Did you do the 90 days out? Did you try to get seat for CRT?

How was parking at the resorts, price?

Did you rent strollers, bring your own, etc.

Sorry about all the questions, but thank you so much for taking the time to tell us about your trip.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I would love to drive someday to Florida, but Dh would never do it. We always fly Southwest so driving for us would probable be more expensive for a vacation. We usually book vacations around click and save deals on southwest. We booked ALB to MCO for $46, and MCO to Alb for $46. So for flying was cheaper. But I would love to drive just to see Places I have not seen before.

Hi MandM-MOm.........just wanted to post to this....................

we are in Corning,NY. We drive. We prefer to drive. We have flown in the past and we just feel like sardines (we have a conversion van) and then all of the waiting. Drives me nuts. It's about 1100 miles one way, so we budget $360 for gas. The five of us could never fly from this area for that. And our budget is high because it is a big van. A minivan would be less.

We like to go for two weeks. Last Sept. it didn't work because of the Hurricane coming to town. We left at 6pm...........stopped whenever we needed to.......dropped off the pooch in Pa. ..............had breakfast in Savannah Ga. ..........made it to Orlando by 1pm. It went even better than I expected, but I think that was because from 9pm-8am the kids slept.

We check in at our condo at 4 for the next trip, so I don't think we will leave that early, I don't know. We'll check in, get some dinner, maybe sit in the jacuzzi before an early bedtime. We'll be ready the next morning to head to the parks.

It's really not that bad if you take full advantage of the perks......being able to stop and smell the roses if you want to. We take a packed lunch and stop at a rest stop and eat at the picnic tables, let the kids run around.

Just so you know, it can be done. We actually look forward to all the time together with no phones, no schedule........just our family.

 

[tiff211]

Can you give me information about the princess lunch. What was the food like, good character interaction, what princesses?. I have daughters 2, 4, and 11 and we're going in August. Did you have trouble getting seats for lunch. Did you do the 90 days out? Did you try to get seat for CRT?

How was parking at the resorts, price?

Did you rent strollers, bring your own, etc.

Sorry about all the questions, but thank you so much for taking the time to tell us about your trip.

Sorry, just saw this post with your questions! The princess lunch was okay. Not my kind of food. It wasn't buffet, the waitress brought it out to us. DD's were thrilled to see Jasmine, Belle, Aurora, CInderella and Ariel. I was surprised to see Cinderella there. I was lucky enough to book before a lot of people knew there was a lunch and dinner offered so I actually booked about 3 weeks in advance. I did ask about CRT but when I heard about all the other princess that were at the storybook one I opted for that instead.

I stayed offsite and parking was ample and free. DIsney was $8 a day but we hopped and just showed out parking pass on the same day and did nt have to pay more than once.

We rented double strollers. They offer a mutliday sicount of 10%, which also saves you the hassle of having to wait in line each day. You just go to stroller pickup with your prepaid ticket.

Hope this helps! Feel free to ask anymore ?'s!!!