Need tips for spur of moment trip

[Tracyee]

I need some ideas on how to pull together a trip in the next couple of weeks (April 30 - May 4th). We want to take our son, 11, who has global developmental delays (total care - nonmobile, nonverbal, tube fed, etc) along with his typical 9 year old sister and 2 year old sister to Disney as a treat/fun time before my son has major surgery in early May which will render him (and the family) essentially homebound for 4-6 MONTHS. He will be in traction for 6weeks and then home bound - Yikes!

Anyway, we want to really give him a good time so I am looking for suggestions:

Lodging Ideas- we are a family of 5 and will have equipment and supplies that seem to fill up a standard hotel room fast. Is there somewhere for us to stay with a little spreading out room? He loves the pool so a nice heated pool with a zero entry would be great.

Outside of the parks, what are some things that you all have done that were fun/entertaining? Best Character meals (if we can get an ressie), other activities? While this is for our son primarily, is there any suggestions for something special to do for our 9 year old daughter? She is a great daughter and sister but she definitely doesn't get the same attention as her brother due to his needs, or baby sister, who at 2 - gets lots of attention>>>


Thanks everyone.

 

[ireland_nicole]

I know this is probably a rude question to start with, but what kind of price point are you wanting for accomodations? If cost is a factor at all, I would recommend Carribean beach. Although they officially sleep 4, your 2 year old doesn't count into that total. They just had their pool redone, and there is a wonderful kids area that should be really accessible; (check to confirm) but the rooms are very spacious compared to the other value and deluxe rooms. All star music has family suites that are basically two rooms together with one room converted to a living room and a kitchenette. The downside here is that the pool is definitely not zero entry, although I believe all the resort pools are heated. I think parts of stormalong bay at the yacht/beach club might be zero entry, and also the pool at the poly? not sure about the others, though.

As far as the trip, definitely use a good touring plan that will allow you to minimize lines. If you want to have any "nice" meals (table service) book as soon as you possibly can, and be willing to keep trying and secure a reservation as people do cancel them.

What are your kids into? What do you hope to see? That factors into the equation, too. For your little princess, some love the princess character meals. Most people love either Akurshus(princesses vary, but usually at least 4 plus a picture with Belle beforehand) or 1900 park faire (Cinderella and Prince charming, Wicked stepmother and stepsisters). The Bibbiti Bobbiti Boutique (sp?) would be awesome for her too. She gets the royal treatment and little sister can't do it because you have to be at least 3; so it's just for her. Another thing she might like is tea with mom at the Grand Floridian. They do a high tea that some girls would really love. (incl. me, but DD isn't ready). For your littlest princess, She will probably love Magic Kingdom (just consider avoiding snow white- scary is an understatement) and might really enjoy Playhouse Disney Live on Stage at DHS.

Regarding accessibility, there is a great guidebook for disabilities you can get at guest services when you arrive. It will show you wherever there might be a different "handicapped" entrance and whether you can ride in your wheels or need to transfer; it also gives the location of all the companion bathrooms.

Hope this is a start!
If you can give some more info, we'll be happy to give more unsolicited advice

 

[pudge the fish]

well I can talk about character meals

My DD who will be 11 soon and my 16 YO ( I'm cool and I'm 16 so I hate everything type boy)LOVE the Crystal Palace. I am very fond of it myself
it normally NOT hard to get a reservation- We like Lunch or Breakfast. Pooh and tigger, piglet and Eeyore - We have never had BAD service and we have eaten there at least 40 times. thats in MK

Chef Mickeys is good for breakfast but hard to get ressies- keep calling EVERYDAY to see if one opened up. Garden grill is low key, we like the food no matter what some say we have had chip and dale "steal" my Dd's food, run away with her mouse ears- tie her napkin in knots, color with us and throw rolls at my hubby. Mickey is awesome. pluto is a bit naughty...good place for character interaction .We also liked 1900 park faire at breakfast ( A bit Noisy )or Dinner..

KEEP CALLING TO SEE ABOUT A RESSIE! People cancel all the time. I so know this- I called every day 3 times a day for CRT breakfast for 10 days and on the last try they were Oh we have a table..CALL- CALL -CALL I see on the restaurant boards no one can get a ressie for Sci fi- I called yesterday and got one for May no problem.

For your DD:
There is the Kim Possible adventure in Epcot- if she likes KP then your DD will like this and the whole family can join in. it's fun but girls like the whole "I can be like Kim and save the world"

If she likes HSM there is the show at HS- get there early and she can join in w/ the dancing-My DD loves the Beauty and the Beast show at HS

if she is too "old" for BBB ( and it does costs $$$$)she can go get pixie dusted at the main street barber shop. Pixie dust is free- but you can get streaks of color in the hair and we bring our own hair ribbons and they do a pony tail for her- it's about 10.00 for streaks, pixie dust etc..

Theres the Pirate cruise for DD- costs a bit but they LOVE IT! Even girls of course the fairies in toon town and the character spot in Epcot is awesome for waiting in AC for mickey, minnie, pluto, chip, dale, goofy sometimes Donald.

 

[Tracyee]

Thanks so much for the suggestions! I am going to start looking for lodging now. I am going to start checking into these options for availability now. Thanks for pointing out that the 2 year old doesn't count in the room count numbers.

Price is less of a factor for the room (we were blessed with a nice tax refund this year). I was guessing $150 -200 a night to be onsite. We have never stayed onsite other than our honeymoon at SOG, 15 years ago.
We will buy our tix at Shades of Green as hubby is in the Nat'l guard. SOG didn't have availability.

I spotted a Doubletree Guest Suites in DTD for a good price? Anyone have thoughts on it?

Thanks so much everyone!

 

[Tracyee]

Okay - I just went to the Disney site and saw the prices for rooms. As I stated before, its been more than a decade since I did Disney. That being said, I will definitely double up my $$ for lodging for this trip. We don't have to have an accessible bath as we give son a sponge type bath when away from home.

Would it be better for us to just book a package with room and tix, foregoing the military discount?

 

[ireland_nicole]

you can afford the carribean beach option, it's a moderate, so definitely under your cap. Unfortunately, I think you just missed (by a couple of days) the buy 4 get 3 offer, but it doesn't hurt to call central reservations and check.

 

[ireland_nicole]

you can afford the carribean beach option, it's a moderate, so definitely under your cap. The resort is huge! try to get a room close to the first bus stop (can't remember which one that is, but the resort board will know) for accessibility. Unfortunately, I think you just missed (by a couple of days) the buy 4 get 3 offer, but it doesn't hurt to call central reservations and check.

Personally, I'm an on site girl. There are busses that take you wherever you need to go (and are accessible)., there are extra magic hours; that means that at least one park is open an hour earlier and up to 3 hours later than other off site guests can stay. Anything you purchase can be sent to your resort. If you choose, all of your purchases can be done on your room key. Plus, it's all Disney, all the time- which for us is a good thing!