New and clueless!

[vodkanut]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to go to Disney in October this year. It will be my first time so I'm a complete novice. There will be myself, my husband and my 3 children one of whom has autism (he's 5), my other son is 10 and my daughter will be 3 when we go.

Does anyone have experience of going to WDW with an autistic child?

Could anyone recommend best places to stay and the pros and cons of staying on site/off site please?

Also are the dining plans good value? Is food majorly expensive within WDW? x

Sorry for lots of questions but I'm excited! haha

 

[mackay_j]

A few things before we start to help.

1. how long are you going for

2. Are you planning on going to any other of the parks - Discovery cove, sea world or Universal or are you just planning on doing disney (prob depends on how long you are going for.

3. Are you up for driving in florida



Also wtr the Autism check out the disabilities section on the boards- they will be full of help.

If you are planning on being WDW over Halloween then you had better book any restuarants that you plan on eating in on site as they will be quite booked up (infact this is a must do for any time for disney table service restuarants.- there is a thread discussing the diff resturants that you can have a look at to see what ones you would want to do- also a few regulars will be quite willing to throw in some suggestions here as well.


Have fun planning

 

[wilma-bride]

Hey vodkanut and to the DIS.

Planning a trip can seem very intimidating at first. I am afraid I don't have any experience of travelling with a child who is autistic but I know there are a couple of long-time members here who do so I will elave the advice on that to them.

As far as where to stay, etc, it really is down to budget and personal preference.

We stay onsite now since buying into DVC a few years ago but our first few trips were offsite and weren't any better or worse, just different.

Pros for onsite (off the top of my head) would be convenience to the parks, use of Disney transport, use of Extra Magic Hours (early/late entry to the parks), ability to add dining plan (if that suits), ease of taking a break during the day (would consider that important, probably, if travelling with an autistic child - or any young child, for that matter), no parking costs

Cons would be that you get less 'room' for your money (generally), some can find being immersed in Disney 24/7 too much (seems to be less so if staying at moderate/deluxe resorts), not many resorts sleep 5 (and I certainly wouldn't want 5 people in 1 room for 2 weeks), staying onsite is generally more expensive

As far as the dining plans go, there are many who find they save them money. It can be expensive to eat onsite but there are also ways of eating relatively cheaply. Again, I'm no expert, but to take advantage fo the dining plan (standard, not quick service) would mean knowing where you wanted to eat and making ADRs well in advance. Travelling with 3 children, I would imagine you might want to retain some flexibility to your plans and, in my experience, that is harder to do if you have to be at a particular place for an ADR.

Even though we always stay onsite nowadays, we rarely eat at Disney, purely because there are so many offsite places we love to visit. For that reason alone, the dining plan is not an option for us. However, if you were to stay onsite at a moderate and have the quick service dining plan, that might work OK for you as there are some great choices on the quick service plan and that would mean you could be more flexible.

Feel free to ask all the questions you want, everyone is very friendly and helpful here

 

[vodkanut]

Thanks folks!

Thinking of going for 14 days in October, not looking to spend more than 8k if I can help it!

Not thinking of going to other parks even though I would love to go to Universal! Wasn't planning on driving either but will do if it gives us more options re food etc x

 

[wilma-bride]

Thanks folks!

Thinking of going for 14 days in October, not looking to spend more than 8k if I can help it!

Does that include spending money? Everything? Do you want to do just Disney or other parks too? As a PP asked, are you prepared to drive over there?

I suggest you price up some package deals, both on and offsite and compare. Do some research on some on and offsite hotels and see what you think might suit you and your family's needs. Then you can try pricing up flights, accommodation and tickets separately and compare to package prices, see what the costs are like and go from there.

 

[wayneg]

Hi Vodkanut, Welcome, glad you took my advice and signed up. Its far easier to help you on here rather than over on HotUKDeals, that site is great but we have more Disney/Florida experts on here.

Most of ours stays have been offsite, generally onsite stays are more than I am willing to pay but I never rule them out, I have stayed at the Animal Kingdom lodge with an Annual pass rate and stayed at Old Key West 4 times due to free dining making it very good value.

Unfortunately you have missed free dining for this year, personally I wouldn't pay for the dining plan but we enjoy eating offsite more than onsite. For us a car is 100% required for an enjoyable trip but others have a great time without a car, its totally your choice.

Have you got set dates in October, it will help with flight searches if you can be a little flexible, which airports can you leave from?

Just done a search for random dates in Oct, 2 weeks at a value resort on Expedia starts at £683, there is usually a 10% discount code or cashback which will bring it down to around £600.
If you are set on not renting a car then onsite is probably a good option for your first visit, free transport is included around all the Disney resorts and parks, Also to and from Orlando International airport. http://www.expedia.co.uk/Orlando-Ho...fcid=expe.uk.001.000.1795922.17346466&rm1=a2&

Flights are the most expensive part of your trip. School hols being the most expensive weeks. Like I said the more flexible you are the more chance of a better price, indirect can save a small fortune but I guess with an autistic child you would prefer direct if possible.

Going on a bit now so digest some of the info and questions. Ask anything you want to know, we have so much experience on here someone will know the answer, only problem with a trip to Florida is you might get conflicting advice, there is no right and no wrong ways to go, its all about finding the right way for you and your family.

 

[mackay_j]

for a rough idea of cost use complete orlando or disney web site and plug in the dates you plan to go - hotels class for disney

most basic - all stars and pop centuary (but I think only the suite rooms in the music will sleep 5) price through disney for 3-17th oct direct flights, tickets and meals (ddp - 1 table and 1 counter and 2 snacks per day )= £8671 for a suite (virgin is coming in cheeper at £8351


mid cat port orleens - £8192
art of animation (these looked very good for children - again suites so more room- £9097

It would be about £700 cheeper to do quick dining - but you would not get table service or character meals as part of that deal.

It was also about £1000 cheeper to fly indirect - 1 stop


Complete orlando will probably be cheeper (can't get on their site at the mom)

Also It would be probably be cheeper to plan it out youself - but may be a bit of a hassel.



Remember that over and above this cost you have to factor in tipping costs when you are out there- "20% meal cost.- and can add up.



Staying off site would be much cheeper - It what I would do if I didn't get the free dining offers that come out for early booking with disney. - but you would have to drive.


We stay in a villa/cono- £5700 includding tickets and car but no food and car parking (£120ish).


drawbacks - needs a bit more planning - for each day- as not so easy to go back for rests and changing park is a bit of a drag - go back to car etc.- not so much magical (but we still love it as with a villa you can have days away from disney to calm down and rest)

 

[wayneg]

Sorry didn't see it was for 3 children, you would need to look at suitable rooms not just the standard room I quoted.

 

[gipsy4]

Disney dining plan has to be highly recommended as food is not cheap. Occasionally, Disney offer free dining plan with bookings and when they do, it's well worth investing then. Only catch from your point of view is they may not put out that offer in time for you to book. If not, it's certainly an offer to look out for in the future. We are a family of four and estimate the plan saves us at least £1000 spending money on a trip as the full dining plan (the middle one of the three) includes a counter service (a bit like a visit to McDonald's) a sit down meal and a snack during the day.

 

[mackay_j]

I have heard that the free dining for 2014 is planned to be release in a week or so - anyone else heard anything.


If money is a deciding factor it may be worth looking at what is released for next year and compairing the diff in the cost with v without free dining.


The restuarant part of this board will give you info on the cost of meals in disney (including character meals - good way of meeting the characters without the stress of long lines )

 

[married2mm]

Free Disney dining for next year is due out around April 25th-however some companies are already quoting for next year with free dining.

Op- i don't know if you've already been to the disabilities section- so forgive me if I'm repeating info.
When you go to Disney,you need to go to guest services,and a cast member there will assist you who your child's needs- they will issue a guest assistance card,which will enable your holiday to be as stress free as possible.

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Free Disney dining for next year is due out around April 25th-however some companies are already quoting for next year with free dining.

Could you please let me know who exactly is quoting Free Disney dining for next year as I'd love to book

 

[wilma-bride]

I have heard that the free dining for 2014 is planned to be release in a week or so - anyone else heard anything.


If money is a deciding factor it may be worth looking at what is released for next year and compairing the diff in the cost with v without free dining.


The restuarant part of this board will give you info on the cost of meals in disney (including character meals - good way of meeting the characters without the stress of long lines )

Free Disney dining for next year is due out around April 25th-however some companies are already quoting for next year with free dining.

Op- i don't know if you've already been to the disabilities section- so forgive me if I'm repeating info.
When you go to Disney,you need to go to guest services,and a cast member there will assist you who your child's needs- they will issue a guest assistance card,which will enable your holiday to be as stress free as possible.

The OP is planning to visit October this year so free dining for 2014 is probably not going to be any good to her. As far as I know, the free dining offer for 2013 is no longer available. Although, OP, it is worth bearing in mind that Disney USA may release free dining for October but that is unlikely to happen for a few months yet. They have only just released offers for the summer period.

 

[married2mm]

On the onsite v offsite debate,I think it totally depends on personal preference-with price obviously featuring in the equation!

Our first few trips,we stayed offsite and had fab holidays.
In either town houses or villas,some more lavish than others,and some closer to Disney than others.
We also included one night stays at value resorts,so tasted a little of being onsite,and experienced extra magic hours.

We have since stayed onsite for our full holiday,and loved being totally in the Disney bubble.
We still hire a car.
We've had free dining,which definitely swayed our decision to book onsite.

Our pros for onsite-
Extra magic hours
free parking
Disney dining
Being close to parks
being totally absorbed in disney bubble

Our pros for offsite-
Could be better value for money
more room
Personal space
Possibility to have own pool


We really loved old key west in a 2 bed villa,but currently at £467 per night,that's not happening!?

 

[mackay_j]

The OP is planning to visit October this year so free dining for 2014 is probably not going to be any good to her. As far as I know, the free dining offer for 2013 is no longer available. Although, OP, it is worth bearing in mind that Disney USA may release free dining for October but that is unlikely to happen for a few months yet. They have only just released offers for the summer period.

USA free dining is usualy only until the end of sept quite often basic hotels only until mid sept with delux and moderates offering the end sept (offer goes up in about June).

What I meant was it may worth looking at the diff in price it would make to wait until next year to go. So as to weigh up all options

 

[wilma-bride]

We really loved old key west in a 2 bed villa,but currently at £467 per night,that's not happening!?

Have you thought about renting DVC points?

 

[married2mm]

Could you please let me know who exactly is quoting Free Disney dining for next year as I'd love to book

I've not had any quotes personally,but I've read of some from ocean Florida and possibly charter travel.

I also read of a person,who has booked with wdw UK for next year,with dining,and were told if Disney released free dining for the period of their holiday,they would not be charged.

 

[married2mm]

Have you thought about renting DVC points?

My dh does not seem keen on the idea, but it's definitely a consideration.

 

[thestevied]

Just thought I'd add that in all the times I've been we've never hired a car. Only recently we started staying on disney property. This does make it easier as getting around disney world is easy. When we do universal and seaworld we just get a taxi. I know there are cheaper options but its convenient and we budget for it when we save for spending money.

It also means we can both enjoy a drink or two!

So for me, I'd recommend staying on disney and not getting a car. Everyone's different though. This is just what suits the wife and I.

 

[MrRomance]

Hi everyone,

I am looking to go to Disney in October this year. It will be my first time so I'm a complete novice. There will be myself, my husband and my 3 children one of whom has autism (he's 5), my other son is 10 and my daughter will be 3 when we go.

Does anyone have experience of going to WDW with an autistic child?

Could anyone recommend best places to stay and the pros and cons of staying on site/off site please?

Also are the dining plans good value? Is food majorly expensive within WDW? x

Sorry for lots of questions but I'm excited! haha

We have been to the world many times, 3 times with our children who both have different types of Autism. As I'm certain you know, ASD is a spectrum and no two children with autism are exactly the same. My daughters are very different, have very different needs and very different difficulties, so if you can explain a little about the things your son struggles with, I will probably be able to help you more.

One of my daughters has "classic" autism, the other has Aspergers, they are completely different kids, but a lot of what we do covers both. The first thing I would do is plan. No one knows your child better than you do, so you will know what he can or can't cope with. Our kids are older, but we go through our plans with them so they know exactly what to expect.

I would recommend staying on-site because it is much easier to get the kids back to the hotel if they need time away from it. Off-site is doable but less convenient with special needs kids. I would recommend SSR for your hotel. It works well for us as it is less crowded and much quieter than other hotels we've stayed at.

We are actually going in October/November ourselves. The dining plan works very well for us. If you son has food issues (ours do) then it gives you the ability to eat anywhere without worrying about cost. We always go during free dining for that reason.

If you have any more questions or need any more help, you can always PM me.