New and need help, please :)

[amzking]

I am thrilled that my kids get out of school before the end of May, we are planning on being there the next day! The weather, while warm, is nowhere like later June/July/August and the crowds are manageable.

I would strongly recommend going when you can spend a week there. There is so much to do that three days will be rushed. I would also try to swing a moderate if you could, all but POFQ have excellent pools with great slides (not a fan of POFQ's slide - way too short). They had the buy 4 get 3 deal during April/May last year.

 

[Cruz91]

...by stopping by these boards! You'll learn so much. The biggest challenge is figuring out which of the opposing views you want to listen to (because everyone's got an opinion).

I can't help you out much with which time to pick. We've only done traditionally less busy times. As for where to stay - I recommend you at least look into staying off-site. You can generally get a 2 or 3 bedroom condo with a full kitchen for the same price (or less) than a value resort.

Most of all - just realize you won't be able to do everything Disney has to offer in one trip, regardless of whether you go at a very busy or less busy time. Just enjoy the time you do have and every moment of focusing on the family!

 

[Denise K.]

We use to get out of school before the end of May, but for the past 3 years school now ends in June...grrr! I am going to figure the cost for value and cost for moderate and see how that goes. I do like the Colorado Spring Moderate And yes after all the advice we will now spend more days there

 

[Denise K.]

...by stopping by these boards! You'll learn so much. The biggest challenge is figuring out which of the opposing views you want to listen to (because everyone's got an opinion).

I can't help you out much with which time to pick. We've only done traditionally less busy times. As for where to stay - I recommend you at least look into staying off-site. You can generally get a 2 or 3 bedroom condo with a full kitchen for the same price (or less) than a value resort.

Most of all - just realize you won't be able to do everything Disney has to offer in one trip, regardless of whether you go at a very busy or less busy time. Just enjoy the time you do have and every moment of focusing on the family!

LOL, yes I am sure I will get lots of different opinions and views but that is what the boards are all about. I still need to compare off sites have not done that yet. Can you get the same deals and benefits? We are driving so I am not worried about having the shuttle or whatever.

 

[Wonders10]

LOL, yes I am sure I will get lots of different opinions and views but that is what the boards are all about. I still need to compare off sites have not done that yet. Can you get the same deals and benefits? We are driving so I am not worried about having the shuttle or whatever.

If at all possible - stay onsite! Yes you can probably get a cheap hotel room off property for $50 or less a night. But to me, part of my disney vacation is staying in a disney resort - any disney resort. The busses at the resorts are much more reliable and frequent than off property hotels, and you can still drive to the parks yourself if that's what you like to do. Plus you will be a tad closer and will not have to pay for parking (as a WDW resort guest). That would be one of my biggest recommendatios for travelers - do what you can to stay on property!

 

[tink20]

Just wanted to say, if you have to go in summer, we have been in early June. It is the only time I have been, so can't compare to other times, but I will say we have had three awesome trips. We are from the south, so the heat doesn't bother us as much. We stayed all All Star Music, and really enjoyed it, this past summer. Its all about the planning, as long as you have a good plan, you will have a great time.

 

[palavra]

I'm a school teacher too, and when we decided to go to WDW, we narrowed it down to late May/early June, because school gets out around May 25th for us, and Thanksgiving break. We ultimately chose Thanksgiving for the cooler weather and Christmas decorations.

Even at really busy times, it is possible to have a great time. We went just to MK two years ago in late June. The crowds were manageable, but none of us enjoyed the heat. It's something to think about.

 

[jamstew]

Now that I have gotten some great advice and I have had a chance to do some other research, I have realized another part of this. We really love waterparks, so I need to add that into my planning strategies. I think if I go when it is cooler then 80 outside, it might be too chilly for me, my kids probably do not care..LOL. So, I am thinking I will need to plan to go in May or one of the first weeks of June. Since I live in Texas the heat is not a huge factor for me, I am so use to it..LOL, but early June will certainly be better then July/Aug and hopefully just a little bit less busy....

Since you're in the Houston area, the humidity probably won't bother you as much as it does me, but it isn't nearly as humid in early June as it is later in the summer and into the fall. My two September trips have been "surface of the sun hot." I've been three times right after Memorial Day, and although it sure isn't as nice as early May, it's very do-able, especially for Texans! I also recommend the morning EMH if you can get there for rope drop--it gives you an hour of cooler temperatures, but you have to be staying on-site for this. Personally, I'd never stay off-site again.

It's in the low-50's here in the Austin area today, and I had to turn the heat on

 

[mickeyluv'r]

My husband and I want to surprise my kids with a trip to DW. We are both school teachers, and we wanted to just go this summer, but I keep hearing that it is very hot and crouded. Then we thought about going during Spring Break but again we heard it is a bad time. Anyone have thoughts or has gone during those times and liked it? Our other option is to go during the school year. We are both also coaches so we have to work around the sport seasons. Here are a few times we could work in a trip next year...Mid-late April, May, Thanksgiving or Christmas Holidays. Any advise would be wonderful.

Our kids will be 10 and 8 when we go, I hope my 8 yr old daughter will be tall enough to ride most the rides. I do not need luxury, so I was thinking of just staying at a value resort. Any suggestions on those, how do I choose which one? I was thinking of staying at the sport one.

I also need to know the best things to do and see....the top of the list?

And also how many days should we stay there? We were thinking 3 full days....

Every time of year has pros and cons. The peak holidays:Christmas, Easter, and in-between holidays like President's week, Labor Day - to a lesser degree - will have higher pricing and higher crowds. The winter months are cold and the summer months are hot (And may well be crowded). But it sin't just hear in summer it's risk of hurricanes - but prices are cheap. April has often perfect weaterh, but crowds to match. Jan, say has low crowds but cold weather and lots of rides closed for rehab.

So picking what time of year to go has to be about YOU. What are you willing to tolerate: crowds, heat, high prices, cold weather, etc. There is no one time of year that has low prices, low crowds and ideal weather. November (but not around Thanksgiving) may be close to fitting the bill for you, but that means pulling the kids out of school. Another time that may be close to fitting the bill are some of the lesser three day weekends. If you pick one though, I'd stay for more than three days. May might work, BUT it dpends where youa re comong from. May can be worse than AUgust if ou coming from a cool climate because come August your body is acclimated to summer heat, in May you are not. You ca coming from Houston. Summer in FL is usually about low 90's, high humidity. So yeah, it's warm, but if you are from Houston, you probaly won't think it's particularly bad. Gotta remember a lot of folks who post onthe DIS are from nothern states and Canada - places that rarely see 90's in the summer ever. (and the more north you go , the more temps drop off at night in summer)

I have done three day stays, but they were lesser trips. If htis is your big family trip - I'd say arounda week is a better time frame to work from.

Crowds can diminish one's fun, but I've been durng Easter a number of times, and you can still have lots of un at WDW. You just have to look at the pros of that particular time of year - great weather! Fresh green landscaping, the Garden festival in Epcot! and accept that there will be lines.

As far as which resort, that's atough call. Again, each has pros and cons. If Sport appeals to you, then go for that one. Do look at the varous amentities of each resort, compare sizes, comapre prices. Pick what works for you. Our famil has no stayed at most fothe reosrt excpet the DVC ones. (I kind of don't want a kitchen on vacation, and I think the prices on those rooms is generally too high, plus, some of the locations aren't as prime.) WE've enjoyed our stays at all of the resorts we've stayed at: values, mods, deluxes, Swan. The deluxes do give more amenities, but the prices can be steep. The mods are a nice compromise, the values a re a good value.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

If you go with a value, my research suggests Pop to be the best - they don't share busses.

We travelled in late Aug. 2008 (2nd to last week) to make our trip of a lifetime(stayed at Poly, DDP, etc). We flew home (PA) on Sun. and I started my teacher week Mon. We were there during Tropical Storm Faye... So, heavy rain might be a factor for Aug. We fell in love and travelled back 6 months later.

This time, Feb., we stayed at CSR (LOVED IT- QUEEN BEDS - same as POLY-room much smaller). The resort was lovely. I took a Friday, Mon and Tues. off the week before Pres. Day (Our twin girls' seventh b-day.) I think the queen-sized beds offered make it better than a value and worth the additional money. The pool was awesome and the resort was quiet.

We are returning mid-June. I am not too worried about crowds. We will go to parks early and have a touring plan. (This time we are staying at BCV - our new home- we just bought DVC resale.)

I will PM you with some additional info.

Planning is critical. Starting on the Dis is a great way to learn!

 

[Mickey_for_President]

Hi DENISE! Welcome to this board from our other board... LOL! Glad you took the advice!



The one thing I forgot to say in my email is... THREE DAYS! You won't get everything you want done in three days. There are four parks and each park needs, at least, two rope drops each to just get a FEEL for the wonder that is Disney World. So, you should really plan a week.

If you wait wait wait a bit... the new promotions for next late spring/summer will come out. You can save a bundle on the value resorts by waiting for the deals... therefore get a longer vacation.

Plus, the tickets get cheaper and cheaper the more days to go... like, the difference between a 6 day ticket and a 7 day ticket is $3. $219 for three days in The World... or $234 for seven days in The World.

Round trip plane tickets will cost the same for seven days or three days.

Get what I'm sayin'!!??

Also, search these boards for threads about WDW secrets and you will find little unknown things you MUST do. These people are a wealth of info!!

 

[Mickey_for_President]

LOL, yes I am sure I will get lots of different opinions and views but that is what the boards are all about. I still need to compare off sites have not done that yet. Can you get the same deals and benefits? We are driving so I am not worried about having the shuttle or whatever.

First timer... DON'T go offsite. It is so much more convenient to use the transportation they have provided for you.

#1: They pick you up from the airport for free and drop you off for free. It is faster if you arrive in the evening hours...
#2: They have busses to transfer you around to your resort and back.

THAT, in itself, is enough to convince me to always stay onsite.

SOME EMHs are good, and you only get that option by staying onsite. LIKE, for instance, the evening EMH at Magic Kingdom. What can beat being in The World until 1 or 2am? It gets way dead at that time and it is cooler too. Not as many screaming babies.

 

[Denise K.]

Hi DENISE! Welcome to this board from our other board... LOL! Glad you took the advice!



The one thing I forgot to say in my email is... THREE DAYS! You won't get everything you want done in three days. There are four parks and each park needs, at least, two rope drops each to just get a FEEL for the wonder that is Disney World. So, you should really plan a week.

If you wait wait wait a bit... the new promotions for next late spring/summer will come out. You can save a bundle on the value resorts by waiting for the deals... therefore get a longer vacation.

Plus, the tickets get cheaper and cheaper the more days to go... like, the difference between a 6 day ticket and a 7 day ticket is $3. $219 for three days in The World... or $234 for seven days in The World.

Round trip plane tickets will cost the same for seven days or three days.

Get what I'm sayin'!!??

Also, search these boards for threads about WDW secrets and you will find little unknown things you MUST do. These people are a wealth of info!!

LOL, yes I took the advice and came to the disboards! We are driving so the airport thing not important, but we are staying onsite, just makes the most sense you know. We are definitely going to stay more then 3 days now that we have heard we need more time and yes it does not cost more as far as park tickets it is the room really but even that not a big deal. When I get it all planned out, who knows when that will be..ha, can't I book and if a discount comes out get it deducted and swap or whatever?

 

[patsfan101]

Another school teacher here.

We always go during February break. I need to thaw out in Feb!

Yes, its crowded, but we always have a great time. So great, in fact, that we keep going back.

I think that Feb break is more crowded than April, and more expensive, but like I said, I need to thaw out. Even if it's barely 70 degrees, it's still much warmer in Orlando than it is in Mass! To beat the crowds, we have found going to the parks early is the best. We also plan at least one "resort day" to just hang out and relax. The resort pools are surprisingly un-crowded in the middle of the day, even at the busiest times.

Mini-golf and renting boats or bikes are other things you can do that keep you away from the crowds.

If you end up going at a very crowded time, don't try to do everything - you'll end up frustrated and unhappy. Avoid "Fantasyland" during the most crowded part of the day (just after lunch and into the afternoon in my experience) you can barely move!

 

[redheadx3]

I am from Houston as well, Cypress to be exact.
Don't worry about the heat. Orlando weather is just like ours expect their winters are a bit milder. Since you are both coaches and outside alot, you will be use to it. Disney has alot of attractions that have airconditioning.
We have stayed at Movies and Pop. They are both great. Pop has better bus service.
Definitely go at least 5 full park days. Our other trips were 5 days and you can get alot done but it is jammed packed.
If you can go when school is in, like May. That will be the best crowds.
Avoid Christmas and New years. We haven't gone during our spring break, but I should be the same as the 1st week of June just cooler.
We are going as soon as school lets out June 3. This time we are going for 9 or 10 nights and staying at CSR. I wanted this trip to have extra time and be a bit nicer than the previous trips.

 

[Denise K.]

I am from Houston as well, Cypress to be exact.
Don't worry about the heat. Orlando weather is just like ours expect their winters are a bit milder. Since you are both coaches and outside alot, you will be use to it. Disney has alot of attractions that have airconditioning.
We have stayed at Movies and Pop. They are both great. Pop has better bus service.
Definitely go at least 5 full park days. Our other trips were 5 days and you can get alot done but it is jammed packed.
If you can go when school is in, like May. That will be the best crowds.
Avoid Christmas and New years. We haven't gone during our spring break, but I should be the same as the 1st week of June just cooler.
We are going as soon as school lets out June 3. This time we are going for 9 or 10 nights and staying at CSR. I wanted this trip to have extra time and be a bit nicer than the previous trips.

I live in New Caney, it is 15 min North of Kingwood on Hwy 59, so you are not too far away from me .. LOL... Also, the more I keep thinking about it, we might just plan to leave when school gets out also. I would leave June 4th but I still have to work even though kids are out!! So we might be there at the same time!

 

[redheadx3]

I debated to go over spring break or 1st week June. One of my deciding factors was that the kids want to go to the waterpark and March is just too cold for my heat loving southern body. If you remember later on when time gets closer, PM me and I can help with your park planning. I'm one of those over planners. The ADR time frame is going to change to 180 days Oct. 27th, so you will be able to make ADRs around Dec 6th.

 

[Smokeyspawn]

Another teacher here: I've been Spring Break 3 outta the last 4 years. We got to the parks at rope drop. Took breaks mid day and went back at nite for dinner and "kisses". We used fastpasses and have a plan and have always had a wonderful time. I have never been discouraged by the crowds. Early, diligent planning and getting there early each day will make any time of year an ideal time...That said, I cant wait for my first October trip in 6 days....

 

[starbox]

We've done Disney every which way (offsite condo, onsite value, onsite moderate, onsite deluxe, offsite hotels of various 3-4 star level). Even owning DVC, we STILL stay offsite for arrival weekends and weekend trips. I honestly like both options - but that said, I'll say that I always Hotwire or Priceline my offsite stays.

PROs to staying Onsite:

If you are doing a meal plan, you can really do an all-inclusive stay.
Disney Transportation saves lots of hassle - and money since you won't pay for parking.
Resorts are themed and just more magical - friendly CMs, you feel like you never leave Disney.
Convenient for breaks.


PROs to staying OFFsite:

Honestly, if this is a "once-in-a-lifetime" trip and you are planning to pack it all in and be in the parks from rope-drop to fireworks, you are better off staying OFF site because you won't be spending time eating/swimming/relaxing at the resort - it will mostly be a place to crash.

That said - you can get a much bigger and more luxurious room (with much nicer beds/linens) at a five star deluxe resort for what the values cost.

With Hotwire/Priceline -
For 60$ a night, we've stayed at the DTD Hilton (with character breakfasts, park shuttle, and EMH benefits).

For 75$ - we stayed at the Peabody (home of the Peabody ducks, and with complimentary water bottles. duck-shaped soaps, robes, real bath mats and a flatscreen in the marble bathroom)

For 85$ - we've gotten Gaylord Palms (on par with any Disney deluxe for sheer magic) and at the Grand Cypress.



These were really nice resorts, and were either the same price or cheaper than a value resort.


For me, paying the big $$ to stay ONsite makes sense only if you are planning to:
1. Take advantage of a promotion like buy 4 get 3 or free dining.
2. Purchase an all-inclusive package w/dining included.
OR
3. Spend day times at the resort (off days, nap breaks)


Otherwise, staying OFFsite can be every bit as wonderful - and a good deal friendlier on the pocketbook.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

. We are definitely going to stay more then 3 days now that we have heard we need more time and yes it does not cost more as far as park tickets it is the room really but even that not a big deal. When I get it all planned out, who knows when that will be..ha, can't I book and if a discount comes out get it deducted and swap or whatever?

It is not just the room you need to budget - it's also the food. however, if you are spending x number of dollars to get there ( fixed cost), then it makes sense to stay fora bit so the expenses even out.

You'll also wanta certain amount for souvies. It's easy to say before you go that the souvies don't interst you, but Disney has an amazing array of souvies; including several art galleries, jewelry, crystal, gifts from around the world: German steins, Mexican blanket, Japanese kimonos, British chess sets...just to name a few of the unexpected things you'll find. While none of the above may appeal to you, the overall marketing at WDW is remarkable,and something to note.

Theother big thing - which goes with the above - that sometimes gets neglected - time is money!

If you are a big water park fan then Disney has some fun attractions, however, in terms of filling up time - it's far from a must. AND - most Disney resorts (mods and above) have pretty elaborate pools, complete with water slides. Not a full water park, but somethign to consider that comes as part of your stay. If water fun matters, be sure to check out teh resort pictures on Disney's website before you book.