Need Help With Decision On Disneyworld!

[truescorp]

I need help deciding on whether I should book a trip to Disney within the next couple of days. Here's the situation-we have 1 week of a Timeshare available to us(this is a one-time offer) for $124 for a week. We have been to Disney once, last year, and stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort and paid at least $2500 for the whole trip for me, my husband and 5yr old son. We have been able to think of little since, but figured it would be at least 2 yrs before we could afford to go back, and also 2 yrs before our 2 yr old daughter would be able to go. Now that we've been offered these cheap accomodations(at the Club Cevilla resort-11miles from Disney-its an International resort of destinction with RCI), we are tempted to throw caution to the wind, pack up my 6yr old son and now almost 3 yr old daughter in the minivan and drive to Disney within the next few weeks. We are looking at Sept 15-22.
I am looking at these figures-2 5Day Park hoppers at $262 each, and one child $208,accomodations $124,gas-approx $160, parking $30($6 a day?),food-in the room plus on meal a day in restaurants-$300. Do these figures look right? Can we possibly go to Disney for under $1500? Am I forgetting anything? Will it be pushing my toddler to go on her first trip there off site and when it is still pretty hot down there?
ANY advice would be greatly appreciated as I am getting no sleep thinking about this!I NEED HELP!!! inkbounc

 

[Joym]

I say go for it!! We have stayed both on and off site with our 4yo since she was a baby, and have really enjoyed EVERY trip!!

 

[disneymania]

Pack your bags & run for WDW!!! We have taken all 3 of our kids at very young ages & it was great. Just plan some quiet time in the park if you can't leave for a break or go a little later in the morning. Big bonus for taking little one before she is 3 is that she is basically free in parks. It is also nice that your kids are at an age where you can go before missing school is such a big issue.

Let us know if you go!!

 

[zurgswife]

Pack and go. Toddlers are great in the parks if you just don't do it all. Remember the strollers and let the 5 yr old ride as well as the 3 year old. If you can get away for an afternoon break back to your accomodations due it fif not make an early day of it and head back before everyone gets worn out.

 

[sc2001]

We used to stay off-site when the kids were little - first time we went my daughter was almost three and son was four. We had condo-style accomodations and really wanted the extra room (this was pree-OKW and BWV days). We used to head to the parks early morning until about 1pm then head back for a late lunch, nap, swim, etc. and then go back to the parks for a couple of hours in the evening. We did it three years in a row and it was great. Have fun!!!

 

[Mercy]

I say go for it also! Disney can be done as expensive or as inexpensive as you want. Your biggest expense are your WDW passes (if they were cheaper I could go more often). You might want to consider annual passes (if your budget will allow), that way you could get in another trip and not have to pay for passes again. Plus, with annual passes you could get a great discount on your resort for the next trip.

But whatever type pass you buy... DO IT! Hey it's a vacation and I'm all for going on vacation no matter where it is!!

 

[Barbruka]

I say do it also!!! I have gone several times with small children. The last time I went with the family, I had a 2, 6, 12, 16, 17 year old. We drove from Wisconsin, and spent two weeks there over Chistmas. This was in 95. The kids still talk about this at their favorite family vacation we ever took. You could buy four day hoppers and spend a day right in the middle of your week, relaxing at your resort. That would give you a much needed break from the parks, and make your hoppers a little cheaper. Do it, you will love it. Sometimes, these spur of the moment trips turn out being the best ones!!!

 

[Dream]

Go!!!



Wait....what's that? I hear Mickey calling you!!!! Pack your bags and head for the magic!!

 

[NancyIL]

You can get a 5-day park hopper plus from www.floridaorlandotickets.com - go to http://www.disboards.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=81302 for more info.

 

[truescorp]

Thanks guys for all your replies. You confirmed what I already knew-life is too short not to do the things that really make you happy, and Disney really made us happy. I'm sure my almost 3 yr old will love it, and I will take your advice and build into the vacation some downtime. Thanks especially for the connection to the park passes. Is it really really hot down there in September? When we went in October the weather was perfect-70's and clear.

 

[Dream]

truescorp,

I know how you feel worrying about the heat...we hate it too! These were some tried and true things that got us through when our kids were little:
Everybody had their own fan/water squirter thingy...we still don't go in the summer without these! We always get ours at home, not in the parks...much cheaper! You can find them in cute animal shapes that are smaller for little hands.

Wear a bandanna...we use the same color...easy to locate eachother. If you get really hot, wet your bandanna and put it around your neck....ahhhhh! Godd old scouting trick! Also good for wiping sweaty brows and wiping melted ice cream off of little mouths

Drink water water and more water! We always take a case from Sam's club instead of buying in the parks.

Pack extra clothes in your back pack and if the kids get hot let thme play in the fountains by Ariel's grotto. This is great to do as a refreshing break in the day anyway and then dry off while you have a snack.

Good luck and HAVE FUN!

 

[madaboutMickey]

Don't forget that the parks close earlier in Sept. This may help you from doing too much in a day. Better for everyone. Unfortunately it doesn't make it easy to take a break in the afternoon and return later in the day. We will be there the 14th to the 22nd. Enjoy!

 

[Mouser]

I say go for it, kids are more resistant then we think they are...and lots of places to cool off in the parks..Bring their bathing suits in the parks with you and let them cool off in special fountains at Epcot and Donald's boat area..made for kids to get cool and run some steam off....

 

[mooses41]

Just make sure you don't have to take a tour to get the rate. If you do, do a search on this board for how to get through it.

 

[fkj2]

Think about where you want to eat on-site. Many of the restaurants have allowed us to meal share, even adults. That way you might get a better meal and still stay close to your budget.