Need tips for taking mom to Disney!

[duckybelle]

I am a Disney junkie...always have been, and ALWAYS WILL BE. We took the kids in March for their first trip, and they liked it, but weren't overly excited . SO I have decided to take a trip next year, between end of May and beginning of July, with my mom, who loves Disney as much as me. It will be a surprise birthday present (early) for her.

Mom gets around great, as she's only 53. BUT for the first time in years, I am staying on site. My mom is a FUN person, crazy goofy, etc. and I need to know which VALUE resort will suit her best. I am thinking Pop, as she is a music lover, but I am not sure. DH knows nothing of this yet MWAHAHAHAHA. We are leaving him home, and honestly, he is like the kids so he will more than likely be happy (I love the Mommy and Me idea!)

ANYWAY, also for the first time we will be flying down. I need to know what we need if we fly say Airtran? Drivers license, birth certificate, etc., and about Magical Express. I am keeping this from Mom until the day we leave, cause I am a mean daughter like that.

Thanks ahead of time!

 

[duckybelle]

ALSO, can we pay this monthly until we go? Like make reservations and pay so much a month until it is paid off?

I just talked to dh at work, and he said if I could do it as cheap as I have been able to before, have fun! WOOT!

 

[bucket o' butter]

I love surprises. We just surprised our kids about flying. They knew we were going to Disney, but had no idea we were flying until we turned off of the interstate to the airport! We got it all on video and it is great!

Magical Express is great. We flew Southwest, so I am not sure about Airtran. Our only difficulty was finding the Magical Express buses from the airport terminal. As I stated in an earlier post, I was with 2 men who didn't need to look up directions, or heaven, help them, ask for directions. Apparently, it is printed in the back of the book where to go, but they couldn't be bothered looking there! Ha! We found it with only a little extra effort. It was very easy to check in and although the lines seemed long to board the buses, it only took about 10 minutes. I loved Magical Express and cannot imagine flying without it.

Just make sure to pack what you will need that day in a carry on because you won't get your luggage for a few hours after you check in at your hotel. We packed bathing suits and sunscreen because we planned to go to the water park as soon as we arrived. So, just keep in mind what you will need that day. On the day you leave, you will board the bus 3 hours before your plane is scheduled to take off. Keep that in mind if you schedule an early flight. I think Magical Express has limited hours, so I wouldn't book a flight too early in the morning.

Can't give you advice about the hotels because I have never stayed at Pop or All-Stars. I have heard great things about Pop though. Good luck and have fun!

 

[duckybelle]

Thanks! I am still checking airfare, so I am going to check out SW, seems a lot of people like them!

 

[bucket o' butter]

ALSO, can we pay this monthly until we go? Like make reservations and pay so much a month until it is paid off?

I just talked to dh at work, and he said if I could do it as cheap as I have been able to before, have fun! WOOT!

You asked about paying for it monthly. Yes, you can do this. I think of it as vacation on layaway. I don't know if you are booking it yourself or not. We used Magical Vacations and they were wonderful. I had no intention of using a "travel agent" because I thought the cost would be more, but I couldn't have been more wrong. They made all the ressies for us and even after we booked our room, she found a better rate and changed our reservations. I would have never found that myself. There was no extra charge to use Magical Vacations and they are backed by Disney. I highly recommend using them. It saves you a lot of time and frustration!

 

[LEXAVE]

You are a great daughter.

For flights you might want to try www.sidestep.com to give you an idea of where the good flights may be. I have flown Airtran several times without a problem. Prices change daily so check back often. I checked for about a month before getting $79 flights (each-way) for Thansgiving week!

When checking on flights on sidestep (or any other travel website), I choose "one way" (going both ways) instead of "round-trip". This way, I can see who has the best flights going each way. In August we are flying out of White Plains, NY and coming back to LGA.

HOWEVER, keep in mind if you need to change your ticket, and you have booked two different airlines, you would be charged a change ticket from both airlines.

On top of paying off your vacation monthy, you can also buy Disney Dollars at any Disney Store. This can be used for souvenirs, food, snacks and even to pay your hotel bill.

Have a great time with your mom! My mom makes fun of my Disney obsession, but comes with us any chance she gets!

 

[pooch]

had to get my walker close to the computer thingy, pop in the teeth and the hearing aid, try hard to concentrate - after all I'm 53!!!!

Let me tell you, my DD (23) can't keep up with her dear OLD Mom!! I'm a park open to close kind of gal and she's asleep on her feet!!! My guess is I could run circles around you too Don't you know 50 is the new 40!?!?!? As for the plane, be sure to have her release from the nursing home ready!

 

[MinnieLee]

I am a Disney junkie...always have been, and ALWAYS WILL BE. We took the kids in March for their first trip, and they liked it, but weren't overly excited . SO I have decided to take a trip next year, between end of May and beginning of July, with my mom, who loves Disney as much as me. It will be a surprise birthday present (early) for her.

Mom gets around great, as she's only 53. BUT for the first time in years, I am staying on site. My mom is a FUN person, crazy goofy, etc. and I need to know which VALUE resort will suit her best. I am thinking Pop, as she is a music lover, but I am not sure. DH knows nothing of this yet MWAHAHAHAHA. We are leaving him home, and honestly, he is like the kids so he will more than likely be happy (I love the Mommy and Me idea!)

ANYWAY, also for the first time we will be flying down. I need to know what we need if we fly say Airtran? Drivers license, birth certificate, etc., and about Magical Express. I am keeping this from Mom until the day we leave, cause I am a mean daughter like that.

Thanks ahead of time!

I agree with previous post -53 is the new 40! You can also pick POP Century and ask for the 50's building (her era not her age!). You also have All STar Movies with not only the newer movies but the "classics". You are a great daughter for doing this for your mom and the two of you will have a blast. I am also that age and, trust me, we go from open to close! We fly SW all the time - prices seem to be the best and there is no charge for your luggage. Driver's license is all you need as proof of identiy. ME you need the booklet. When you check in at the resort we have always been asked to show driver's license (never birth certificate) and it helps to have your resort confirmation. Have a great time and kudos to you for what you are doing!

 

[justplaingoofy]

This upcoming trip for us with be my 3rd "mommy and me" trip.
me(37), mom (64)

We have a blast! We did find that Pop Century was too loud for us. Not so much the noise in the food court because we expected that...it was the noise in the rooms...alot of water running (toilets, showers, & sinks)..plus people running & screaming past our doorways at all hours!

We are doing All Star Music which from what I've heard is a quieter resort.

re; payments.. if you are booking a package you can make monthly payments, but final payment is due 45 days prior to travel. if you book a room only the deposit is the first night stay, then balance upon check in so you could budge for that right up until travel date.

Disney prices are regulated so whether you book directly through disney, on an internet site, or through a travel agent the price should be the same.

We go to the parks early in the A.M. then when it starts to get hot we get into some air conditioning (either visiting hotels or get into shows)

Hope you have a blast!

 

[duckybelle]

My mom may be 53, but she works harder than most 19 year olds. She has never acted "old", and I suppose never will. LOL!

Thanks for all the advice. Now I just have to start planning!

 

[Wild4Walt]

I go every OCT with my mom. We always have a blast!

She will need a government photo id - either a Driver's Liscense or a Passport to fly. Birth Cert's for adults do not work.

Have a fantastic time!