Need help planning for this November

[Stryker412]

My wife and I are toying with the idea of heading down with my son during "Jersey week." (11/6/-11/10)

She and I have been to Disney a few times now since we've been married, however this is the first time we're going as a family with our 2 year old son. There are a few questions I have.

1) Are there any good "deals" for packages right now? I priced out a 5 day package at the Animation Resort in the Cars suite with Park Hopper and Dining for $2500. I'm hoping there are some deals that are going on that might bring this down a bit further but I realize this is also a VERY busy week for them.

2) My son doesn't eat enough at meals to warrant a dining plan for himself. Can we get it just for us then buy his meals?

3) Any suggestions/tips for us as first time parent guests?

 

[raven0855]

My wife and I are toying with the idea of heading down with my son during "Jersey week." (11/6/-11/10)

She and I have been to Disney a few times now since we've been married, however this is the first time we're going as a family with our 2 year old son. There are a few questions I have.

1) Are there any good "deals" for packages right now? I priced out a 5 day package at the Animation Resort in the Cars suite with Park Hopper and Dining for $2500. I'm hoping there are some deals that are going on that might bring this down a bit further but I realize this is also a VERY busy week for them.

2) My son doesn't eat enough at meals to warrant a dining plan for himself. Can we get it just for us then buy his meals?

3) Any suggestions/tips for us as first time parent guests?

I cant really help with number 1- we always go at Thanksgiving and never get a discount!

As for #2 - you will not need to pay for a dining plan for him. He is still considered an "infant" as a 2yo and is free for park entry and he is welcome to share your meal. If you go to any of the buffets he can even have his own plate.

#3- We have taken our son at 10 months, 2yo, and we will be back for his 3rd bday. The 1st time we had my god daughter with us and thought it would be a good idea to go back to the room for naps. It worked but last year we did not go back ds just slept in his stroller- this saved us tons of time.

 

[Jennybump]

My wife and I are toying with the idea of heading down with my son during "Jersey week." (11/6/-11/10)

She and I have been to Disney a few times now since we've been married, however this is the first time we're going as a family with our 2 year old son. There are a few questions I have...

3) Any suggestions/tips for us as first time parent guests?

Raven answered your other ?s so I'm sticking with the subjective one. I would say my biggest tip with a child that age is to familiarize yourself with some of the places that are designed for longtime play such as the Casey Jr. water play area in MK circus area, the Boneyard in AK, etc. and be prepared to spend a lot of time just sitting. I don't know which end of two your child is on, and it makes a big difference in their stamina, interests, and ability to handle transitions. Depending on his communication skills you might want to take pictures of him on rides or at activities he likes, so that he can let you know if he wants to go back. And I would also be expecting to do a lot of strolling, just following him around as he wanders the parks and resort; there's so much to see and since you and your wife have been before hopefully this time there's no sense of urgency to "get a bunch done." If there is then I would plan on taking turns being single riders. While one person hangs out with des at a play spot, the other goes and does a handful of rides, maybe 60-90 minutes, then the other gets a chance at some point. If des is a good stroller mapper, there's your shopping/browsing time.

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Stryker412]

Anyone else?

 

[kim175]

If you are staying for 5 days, I would skip purchasing the park hopper...you will have plenty of time at the parks over 5 days. We traveled with our sons last year (4yrs and 1yr old) and spent most of our time at MK. Check to see if you can get free dining or resort discount on the dates you are going.

 

[honeybunches]

Your son will be just fine sharing your meal. I often ordered an appetizer if there wasn't bread or something else, just to tide my son over when he was at that age (or you could pack some goldfish crackers, fruit, etc). My kids get up early every single day, so we are at the parks at 8 AM if there is EMH. We go back to the hotel for a midafternoon nap then usually go to a different park at night. Park hopper is great for us. You'll have so much fun taking him at this age!!
Have you checked into the free dining offer?

 

[Stryker412]

Ok we are definitely going now. Just trying to find airfare that won't kill us. As far as the Disney portion of booking I looked at mousesavers and they had a recommendation of a place called Small World Vacations. I thought I'd try that to see if they could get us the best deal as unfortunately I can't monitor things as closely as I would like.

 

[timandjanl]

My advice would be to just plan on taking it easy and going at your child's pace. That is what we did when we took my 1.5 yr old last November. He gets up early so we would get to the park early. By lunch time we'd head back to the room to eat and snack. And then we'd do something else in the evening. It was great. And we loved AoA. You can take food and drinks into the parks (no glass or alcohol) so you might consider that instead of the DDP. It could save you some $$. Have a great time!!

 

[jimandami]

As far as deals, it looks like the $2500 already includes in the 15% RO discount offer, so that is probably the best you will get if you are set on the AoA suites. If you want to save more, you could switch to one of the resorts that have a deeper discount...moderates 20%, so would probably be around $2000 to stay at a mod with tickets and DDP. Another option is not to purchase the DDP, as it probably won't save you much anyway, unless you are planning a bunch of character meals.

 

[Stryker412]

I'm not set on AoA, I just thought it would be cool for him. However, he's so young it probably won't matter right now.

We don't plan on doing much character dining with the exception of Crystal Palace for breakfast.

 

[timandjanl]

I'm not set on AoA, I just thought it would be cool for him. However, he's so young it probably won't matter right now.

We don't plan on doing much character dining with the exception of Crystal Palace for breakfast.

I would definitely look into not doing the DDP then. Some people like the convenience of it. But if you are in AoA you will have a microwave and fridge. You can have groceries delivered and eat breakfast and/or lunch in the room. We used Garden Grocer.

 

[Stryker412]

AoA is booked (only suites are left) so we're going back to our old stand by of Caribbean Beach. We got a decent deal last night of:

5 nights in CB
DDP (1 quick, 1 table, 1 snack)
5 day Park Hopper

$1950

Right now airfare is the big killer, and I've been on every day checking prices.

 

[mjkacmom]

AoA is booked (only suites are left) so we're going back to our old stand by of Caribbean Beach. We got a decent deal last night of:

5 nights in CB
DDP (1 quick, 1 table, 1 snack)
5 day Park Hopper

$1950

Right now airfare is the big killer, and I've been on every day checking prices.

Don't expect them to go down if you want to fly uout of Newark, LaGuardia or JFK. And check in early at the airport for your flight home - last time we went for jersey week, flights were very overbooked.

 

[Stryker412]

I've been looking at Newark, Philly, and Atlantic City. Sadly it looks like it's going to be $1400 for the three of us.

 

[mjkacmom]

I've been looking at Newark, Philly, and Atlantic City. Sadly it looks like it's going to be $1400 for the three of us.

Yep - about the same as flying out on a major holiday, unfortunately. We ended up using miles to book.

 

[timandjanl]

AoA is booked (only suites are left) so we're going back to our old stand by of Caribbean Beach. We got a decent deal last night of:

5 nights in CB
DDP (1 quick, 1 table, 1 snack)
5 day Park Hopper

$1950

Right now airfare is the big killer, and I've been on every day checking prices.

Glad you found a decent deal. Good luck with the airfare and have fun!

 

[Stryker412]

Wow, flying IN to Tampa is the difference. We can save $600 flying there instead of Orlando. It's only an extra 30min drive too. It never even occurred to me to look there.