New and need help!

[PoohBearFamily]

Hi all! Im new here and our family of six (all kids are 6 yrs & under) would like to travel to Orlando sometime in 2022 and do Disney! If you veteran Disney-goers wouldn't mind answering some of my questions I'd be so grateful!

1) Does 9 nights sound like too much? I think we'd do 4 park days so we can see all 4, but probably just go from Open - 1pm so we can nap/chill. The other 4 days maybe Kennedy Space Center, Seaworld, Universal, just relax at resort, etc? We could adjust to 6 nights but I just worry it'll go by fast...

2) Other than plane tickets, car rental, car parking, hotel, food, souvenirs, and the actual park tickets...are there any other fees I'm not thinking about?

3) Is the Wyndham Grand Orlando Bonnet Creek hotel resort nice? Thinking about a Double Queen room, bringing pack n play for the baby. Or is a resort on-site WAY better? For instance, a WDW resort similarly priced to the Wyndham, like Caribbean Beach?

4) Our kids are little so we don't NEED to travel during school year breaks. When is the best time to travel to avoid crowds/weather wise?

5) Where to look or book to get best prices? So far I've been budgeting on the direct websites, but love to save $$. We're total newbies.

Thanks so much!!!

 

[PCFriar80]

Hi all! Im new here and our family of six (all 6 yrs & under) would like to travel to Orlando sometime in 2022 and do Disney! If you veteran Disney-goers wouldn't mind answering some of my questions I'd be so grateful!

1) Does 9 nights sound like too much? I think we'd do 4 park days so we can see all 4, but probably just go from Open - 1pm so we can nap/chill. The other 4 days maybe Kennedy Space Center, Seaworld, Universal, just relax at resort, etc? We could adjust to 6 nights but I just worry it'll go by fast...

2) Other than plane tickets, car rental, car parking, hotel, food, souvenirs, and the actual park tickets...are there any other fees I'm not thinking about?

3) Is the Wyndham Grand Bonnet hotel resort nice? Thinking about a Double Queen room, bringing pack n play for the baby. Or is a resort on-site WAY better? For instance, one similarly priced to the Wyndham, like Caribbean Beach?

4) Our kids are little so we don't NEED to travel during school year breaks. When is the best time to travel to avoid crowds/weather wise?

5) Where to look or book to get best prices? So far I've been budgeting on the direct websites, but love to save $$. We're total newbies.

Thanks so much!!!

Hi and welcome!
Full disclosure, we don't have kids, are retired and have been to Disney multiple times over the last 20+
years. I'll address each of your questions but my gut says that you might have the best results if you go through a travel agent/agency. I'm not sure if that's an option but you have specific [and good] requirements that they may be able to address the best.

1. Normally, I would say yes but the way you outlined it you're mixing things up so sounds like a good plan!
2. No hidden fees. I think you have everything covered.
3. I can't respond to this since we're usually onsite.
4. Best time? Mid to late September; still warm, humid and hurricane season but crowds are low.
Late January/early February; weather can be cool or warm. Crowds lower ahead of President's Day holiday and spring breaks.
5. This is where a travel agent will help you and save you some time and most likely money!

Good luck!

 

[LeslieLou]

I’d consider signing up for mousesavers monthly newsletters for some deals. I’ve never stayed at bonnet creek. We always stay on site.
You can pick/drop a car rental at the Swan. You could consider only renting for a portion of your trip if it saves funds.

we almost always go for 10 days. It takes me awhile to get into vacation mode. We don’t usually do more than Disney in that timeframe though. We just go at whatever pace we feel like. Especially with young kids, some parks (MK) will take more than a day.

how important is pool time to you? I wouldn’t recommend Jan/Feb because you could run in to poor weather. September or early Oct would be pool guaranteed slower times.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Hello & Welcome
You forgot about car seats for your 4 children.
I think you need to make your first trip a lot simpler.
You also need to find a room that sleeps 5 plus your baby.
If you stay on property you will be eligible for theMagic Express roundtrip from MCO And will not need car seats.
I think Art of Animation family suite since you aren’t a DVC member. Plus this location has the new SkyLiner gondolas and a bridge that connects POPCentury toArtAnimation & SkyLiner Station. Yourchildren will love it and it has a nice laundry room Near pool.
poops I just noticed the date in 2022 and Disney has eliminated the Magic Express ... also what will baby age be in 2022 ? Might be too big for pakn play...
Anyway to plan trip before end of 2021 or drive your family car?

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Hi and welcome!
Full disclosure, we don't have kids, are retired and have been to Disney multiple times over the last 20+
years. I'll address each of your questions but my gut says that you might have the best results if you go through a travel agent/agency. I'm not sure if that's an option but you have specific [and good] requirements that they may be able to address the best.

1. Normally, I would say yes but the way you outlined it you're mixing things up so sounds like a good plan!
2. No hidden fees. I think you have everything covered.
3. I can't respond to this since we're usually onsite.
4. Best time? Mid to late September; still warm, humid and hurricane season but crowds are low.
Late January/early February; weather can be cool or warm. Crowds lower ahead of President's Day holiday and spring breaks.
5. This is where a travel agent will help you and save you some time and most likely money!

Good luck!

Thank you so much! I appreciate it!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

I’d consider signing up for mousesavers monthly newsletters for some deals. I’ve never stayed at bonnet creek. We always stay on site.
You can pick/drop a car rental at the Swan. You could consider only renting for a portion of your trip if it saves funds.

we almost always go for 10 days. It takes me awhile to get into vacation mode. We don’t usually do more than Disney in that timeframe though. We just go at whatever pace we feel like. Especially with young kids, some parks (MK) will take more than a day.

how important is pool time to you? I wouldn’t recommend Jan/Feb because you could run in to poor weather. September or early Oct would be pool guaranteed slower times.

I will look up mousesavers! Where do you recommend staying on-site?

And pool time would be good but not necessary. Thanks so much!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

Hello & Welcome
You forgot about car seats for your 4 children.
I think you need to make your first trip a lot simpler.
You also need to find a room that sleeps 5 plus your baby.
If you stay on property you will be eligible for theMagic Express roundtrip from MCO And will not need car seats.
I think Art of Animation family suite since you aren’t a DVC member. Plus this location has the new SkyLiner gondolas and a bridge that connects POPCentury toArtAnimation & SkyLiner Station. Yourchildren will love it and it has a nice laundry room Near pool.
poops I just noticed the date in 2022 and Disney has eliminated the Magic Express ... also what will baby age be in 2022 ? Might be too big for pakn play...
Anyway to plan trip before end of 2021 or drive your family car?

Good point about the car seats! I think we'd need to rent boosters for the older 2 and check our car seats for the smaller two. Baby will actually be barely 1 by next year so I think pack n play should work, but I'll check out Art of Animation family suite! thanks!!

 

[LeslieLou]

We love so many places!
Swan or Dolphin can be good deals and you cannot beat the location. We frequently stay here on cash or Marriott points
Otherwise, we typically stay in DVC studios like Bay Lake Tower