New, Looking for help/advise! :)

[Chris]

Hi~
I'm Chris from MA and this is my first post here! My husband and I have 5 children, boy 10, girl 9, boy 7, girl 6 and girl 3. We are planning on going to Disney in June, we JUST decided this about 2 day's ago! We were going to go to Busch Gardens VA again but said lets see what we can do for Disney! I have been wanting to take them but financially it's never been a good time and now we're just saying the heck with it! But trying to keep it w/in reason!!!

Anyway, we are going to rent a house and will be there for 8 day's.
I am leaning towards the 7 day hopper pass because it is only 14.00 more than the 5 day hopper! For the 14.00 differenece I wouldn't care if we went to MGM for 2 hours one day. I am going to get the pass that expires since it is cheaper and who knows when we'll go back! The last time we went we had 2 babies and was in 1997 so it's been a while.

Any tips, help and ideas are appreciated and welcome! How busy will Disney be in June <23-July 1>. My husband just went to get Birmbaums book from the library & I'll sure I"ll be purchasing it but wanted to look at it NOW! Are the other books I should read?

We haven't told the kids & Probably won't. We will be driving so we'll be stopping once on the way down and once going home for sanity reasons I"m sure! I think I will start buying Disney Dollars here & there from the Disney store which is about 3miles away!

 

[pat fan]

Book- I would recommend getting the Unofficial Guidebook.We have used that book extensively for planning our trips.

Tickets- 7 Day Hopper is a good bet for the money.And you'll want to spend more than 2 hours at MGM,it's one of our very favorite parks!

Dates- We haven't been during the exact dates you are planning,but our 3 trips have been during July 4th,after the 4th(7th arrival) and the beginning of August.As long as you ar3n't there on the 4th of July,I think you'll be just fine.It will be busy but manageable with the proper planning.

Are you renting a house because it's cheaper than getting two rooms staying on property?Just curious because with those ages for children,it would be so convenient for you to hop back to your on-site hotel for a mid-day break for the little ones.

Feel free to ask any specific questions and I'll do my best to help you out.I haven't been to WDW as many times as some on these boards,but have really tried to plan with a budget and we're both from Ma. so........

 

[Chris]

Book- I would recommend getting the Unofficial Guidebook.We have used that book extensively for planning our trips.

Tickets- 7 Day Hopper is a good bet for the money.And you'll want to spend more than 2 hours at MGM,it's one of our very favorite parks!

Dates- We haven't been during the exact dates you are planning,but our 3 trips have been during July 4th,after the 4th(7th arrival) and the beginning of August.As long as you ar3n't there on the 4th of July,I think you'll be just fine.It will be busy but manageable with the proper planning.

Are you renting a house because it's cheaper than getting two rooms staying on property?Just curious because with those ages for children,it would be so convenient for you to hop back to your on-site hotel for a mid-day break for the little ones.

Feel free to ask any specific questions and I'll do my best to help you out.I haven't been to WDW as many times as some on these boards,but have really tried to plan with a budget and we're both from Ma. so........

Thanks! We are renting a house because it is cheaper and I *know*<online for 4 years> the family we'll rent from. It is very close to Disney and sice we'll have our van we'd go back & forth!

Have you been to Animal Kingdom? How old are your children?

Thanks!

 

[Local_Girl]

Hi Chris, and welcome to the DIS!!

We have 2 kids (hard for me to imagine 5!!), 11 yr old son, and 8 yr old daughter. They enjoy all of the parks, including Animal Kingdom. My son is a daredevil and enjoyed Dinosaur and Primevil Whirl...as well as checking out the animal trails. Both kids love the Lion King show and also liked Tarzan Rocks. My daughter is more timid; she tried Dinosaur but didn't like it much. We like the theming of AK, and spend at least a full day there, usually longer. Your 4 oldest children will probably be tall enough to ride all of the rides in all parks, and the 3 yr old would be able to ride most...though some rides may be too intense for the younger ones.

We are staying offsite as well, in a nearby condo. We plan to do all breakfasts there. Lunches will be a mix of counter service and picnic lunches we prepare ourselves (sometimes we keep them in the car and eat as we park hop) also to help defray costs. We're planning on a couple of special dinners (Hoop De Do and 'Ohana), but we do plan to eat many evenings at the condo.

Hope you and your family have a great time!!

 

[Lisa AF]

Hi Chris! Welcome!
I enjoy Birnbaum's book, but never buy it. It has great pictures but no real advise (nothing negative). I would agree with the recommended Unofficial Guide or the Passporter.

We sometimes rent pool homes too. Our children prefer it. With 5 I think the pool will be easier then keeping track of everyone at a resort pool. You can eat a healthy inexpensive breakfast before you leave in the morning. My advise is don't get groceries at the Walmart on 95 It is horrible! Terrible crowds and almost impossible to get out of the parking lot. There is a grocery on 95 near 27 (can't remember the name). Much less stressful!

Plan on spending some time at MGM. I think at your children's ages you could spend an hour in Honey I shrunk the kids play area. It's usually pretty empty in the morning. I bet they would love the Beauty and the Beast show too. Also, a fun attraction is the Muppet Vision 3D. If you come back in the evening don't miss Fantasmic (one of our WDW favorites). Get there a bit early. We usually buy sandwiches and carry them into the stadium. Eating dinner while we wait makes our wait easier.

Have fun!
Lisa

 

[pat fan]

Chris-
We have two boys who are 15 & 12 right now,but were 10 & 7 on our first trip to WDW.We've been to AK every trip and while we really like it (they have some very fun stuff there) it's probably our least favorite park.And least favorite is like saying Rocky Road with Peanuts is my least favorite ice cream compared to Vanilla, Buttercrunch and Black Raspberry.Least favorite, but still awesome

We always do Kali River Rapids,one of the walking trails,It's a Bugs Life 3-D show(be warned that you're littlest ones may want to skip it,our youngest hasn't been to see it since the first time.) and we still spend a lot of time looking at the amazing Tree of Life.

 

[Boo Mc]

I understand not wanting to tell the kids yet. However, sometimes it's very fun to have something to look forward to and you can use it to your advantage for the next couple months (do your homework, stop bickering etc ). Also, you could have the Easter bunny and the Easter grandparents (if you believe in or have either) to give Disney dollars or put money in plastic eggs. We have driven from Michigan and it's OK - the kids are just so happy to go they don't mind the drive (DS is 8, DD is 6). We love all four parks and would be happy to recommend rides, restaurants, shows etc. We just got back from a two week trip recently and I think we hit almost every attraction so let me know if you have questions. Have fun!!

 

[pjlla]

Your next step (IMHO) would be to buy an Unofficial Guide to WDW... priceless information in there! (Don't be intimidated by the size the book). Read it ALL... even the chapters that you don't think would pertain to you... it is just loaded with good information.

Personally, I would plan on seeing EVERY park... you will certainly be there for enough days. We usually do one day at each park, ending with a second day at the MK, with a rest day somewhere in the middle of the week. On our rest day we sleep in a bit, hit DTD, and swim in the hotel pool, have early dinner and get to bed early. It helps to gear us up for the rest of the week! And (unless you all don't care for shows and parades) you should be able to fit in the major shows and parades like Fantasmic, SpectroMagic, and Illuminations. In my opinion, the parades are not to be missed. My favorite is SpectroMagic (at the MK) followed close second by Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade at the AK.

If you are trying to be on a budget, try to plan to eat at least two meals a day out of the parks... breakfast at your "home" should be easy. And you may be able to eat lunch at your home also, if you are planning to go back for afternoon naptime.

Well.... I could go on and on... but I won't!! If you have any more specific questions or need an opinion, stop on by and ask... We all will be more than happy to help!........BTW, where in MA are you? I grew up in Sturbridge, but since you said there is a Disney Store 3 miles from you, I am assuming you are no where near there............P

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

5 kids! God Bless You! I'm one of 6 children and I wonder how my mother remained sane. I have 2 and they drive me up a wall, across the ceiling and down the other side on a daily basis. You have my deepest admisration.

I think you've made a good choice to stay in a vacation home instead of a resort...more room for all of you to spread out a bit. The downside will be having to drive back and forth to the parks every time. That can get old fast but it's worth the savings.

I also think you've made a wise decision to go with the 7-day MYW Hoppers instead of just the 5-days ones. That way, you won't hesitate to vist a park during your stay just because it will take one valuable day off of your pass.

I like Birnbaum's book for newbies but I think it really sugar-coats things. Remeber, it is the Official Guide. You're not going to find much about the area outside the Mouse's gates from Birnbaum. The Unofficial Guide gives a much more objective view of WDW. I would take Birnbaum's out from the library but I would purchase the Unofficial Guide.

Late June/early July will be hot, humid and crowded. It will rain every afternoon. Don't let that discourage you.

• Bring disposable ponchos from the dollar store in your fanny packs and keep going.
• Learn about the FastPass system and use it to your advantage.
• If your family can manage it, eat at off peak times (like lunch at 2pm, dinner at 4:30 or 7:30). You'll avoid a lot of the meal-time crunch, plus you'll be waiting in shorter attraction lines during the normal meal times.
• Try to find Brita Fill & Go bottles for water. The WDW water in the drinking fountains has a sulfurous odor that offends some people. The Brita bottles filter all that out. I bought one for each of us last year and we carried them in a California Innovations insulated bottle strap, a different color for each of us. Check eBay for the Brita bottles if you can't find them locally. They're worth getting.
• Bring some easy to carry snacks that won't melt or crumble. Eat them in line or while waiting for a show. This can help tide you over until that late launch or dinner. Much cheaper than buying snacks in the parks.

There's a lot more but this post is getting too long and I know that others will have more to add. Good luck with the planning!

 

[Chris]

Your next step (IMHO) would be to buy an Unofficial Guide to WDW... priceless information in there! (Don't be intimidated by the size the book). Read it ALL... even the chapters that you don't think would pertain to you... it is just loaded with good information.



Well.... I could go on and on... but I won't!! If you have any more specific questions or need an opinion, stop on by and ask... We all will be more than happy to help!........BTW, where in MA are you? I grew up in Sturbridge, but since you said there is a Disney Store 3 miles from you, I am assuming you are no where near there............P

THANK you!!
I already got the official one from the library and will go to either Barnes & Noble or Target tomorrow for the unofficial guide, I'll read through all of it! I'm so excited! I'll hide it from the kids though!
I do think giving them Disney $$ at Easter is a great idea, but my kids would go NUTS knowing they are going to Florida, plus my husband really wants them to be suprised. They will think we are going to VA like we normally do <only it will take us 2x as long to get there!! LOL>

I'm 3 miles from the Burlington Mall!

 

[Chris]

5 kids! God Bless You! I'm one of 6 children and I wonder how my mother remained sane. I have 2 and they drive me up a wall, across the ceiling and down the other side on a daily basis. You have my deepest admisration.
Thanks!!


I also think you've made a wise decision to go with the 7-day MYW Hoppers instead of just the 5-days ones. That way, you won't hesitate to vist a park during your stay just because it will take one valuable day off of your pass.
Exactly what we thought!!
I like Birnbaum's book for newbies but I think it really sugar-coats things. Remeber, it is the Official Guide. You're not going to find much about the area outside the Mouse's gates from Birnbaum. The Unofficial Guide gives a much more objective view of WDW. I would take Birnbaum's out from the library but I would purchase the Unofficial Guide.
Going to do that tomorrow!!
Late June/early July will be hot, humid and crowded. It will rain every afternoon. Don't let that discourage you.

• Now I'm scared!!!
• Bring disposable ponchos from the dollar store in your fanny packs and keep going.
• Learn about the FastPass system and use it to your advantage.
• If your family can manage it, eat at off peak times (like lunch at 2pm, dinner at 4:30 or 7:30). You'll avoid a lot of the meal-time crunch, plus you'll be waiting in shorter attraction lines during the normal meal times.
• Try to find Brita Fill & Go bottles for water. The WDW water in the drinking fountains has a sulfurous odor that offends some people. The Brita bottles filter all that out. I bought one for each of us last year and we carried them in a California Innovations insulated bottle strap, a different color for each of us. Check eBay for the Brita bottles if you can't find them locally. They're worth getting.
• Bring some easy to carry snacks that won't melt or crumble. Eat them in line or while waiting for a show. This can help tide you over until that late launch or dinner. Much cheaper than buying snacks in the parks.

There's a lot more but this post is getting too long and I know that others will have more to add. Good luck with the planning!

Disney lets you bring in snacks? Good to know, I didn't know that!!
Thanks for the great advice!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I didn't mean to scare you about June/July, Chris. I just wanted to let you know that it will rain. Maybe for a few minutes or maybe for an hour, but it will rain. Dollar Store ponchos are a must for the summer in WDW. The one's in the parks will cost you a bundle ($5 each?).

As far as crowds go, it is more crowded in June than it is in January but it less crowded than on Christmas Day! Bigger crowds mean longer park hours and more seasonal attractions are open. Attractions like Big Thunder Mountain run more trains so that the lines move faster. And the evening shows like Fantasmic! and Spectromagic often have 2 shows per evening instead of just one. Don't let the crowd size intimidate you. I would make sure that I had a touring plan devised for each park.

And yes, the official policy is no outside food brought into the parks but they don't seem to have a problem with you bringing in a few granola bars or other snacks to tide you and the kids over until you eat. I've never seen anyone's Gummy Bears being confiscated at the gate.

 

[Taja]

Your three-year-old definitely will need a stroller, and your six and seven year olds may want to sneak a ride! WDW requires a lot of walking! It's a good idea to start a family walking program a couple of months before you go. I was hobbling badly during one trip, and a bit less so during the next one. Not the most pleasant way to see WDW!

Plan a few breaks to relax and enjoy the scenery and give the feet a break. Mom and Dad probably will appreciate breaks more than the young ones!

The Brita water bottles are a great idea. It's very humid in Orlando and it's important to stay hydrated. Water is much better than soft drinks, although an occasional drink of something different certainly doesn't hurt!

Remember to apply and reapply sunscreen throughout the day. Hats and caps are a good idea for everyone, as well. Particularly anyone who is fair or has fine/thin hair--sunburned scalp is miserable!

Those comments aren't intended to alarm you--just help you plan the things you'll need to take!

 

[amwhitaker]

Any tips, help and ideas are appreciated and welcome! How busy will Disney be in June <23-July 1>. My husband just went to get Birmbaums book from the library & I'll sure I"ll be purchasing it but wanted to look at it NOW! Are the other books I should read?

We haven't told the kids & Probably won't. We will be driving so we'll be stopping once on the way down and once going home for sanity reasons I"m sure! I think I will start buying Disney Dollars here & there from the Disney store which is about 3miles away!

Here is a website that can help you pick a park to visit on certain days.

 

[johnhalvor]

June 2005 will be our 4th year driving to Disney World, (with 3 kids). If you do not already have one, I would invest in a portable dvd player. You can pick one up almost anywhere, Wal-mart, Best Buy... The kids can watch movies which will keep them from fighting with each other, and will help make the time pass by quickly. We won't leave home with out ours.

 

[mrsgus06]

Welcome Chris! I have 6 kids dd's 10,8,6,3 and ds's 18,9. It will be very busy in June (I will be there with my 5 youngest) but not too busy that you will hate it. I stay onsite, at first the cabins in Ft. Wilderness, but that became really expensive, so we bought a travel trailer with bunks. I find it easier to stay onsite because most of the time I am down there by myself with 5 of them. My 3 yo stays in her jogging stroller most of the time, but if she wants out, then on the leash she goes. I do get some mean looks, but if they looked further, they will see that I have 4 more orbiting around my body. The leash is a must for right now, so I will deal with the looks. I find that the best snacks are the mini M&M's in the tubes. I buy a couple of boxes and save the tubes, refilling them the next time with skittles, trail mix, raisins or anything that they like. The tubes do not get crushed. I also take (or rent) a double stroller because it gives you the extra room for a collapsable cooler. I freeze Capri Suns or Koolaide Jammers the night before, throw them in the cooler along with water and drink mix for the adults. I think you will have a great time with the kids. My older ones do go on the rides by themselves due to the fact the 3 yo does not like ANY rides but I am always waiting for the at the exit. They tell on each other when coming out so if I get a bad report, the troublemaker will be sitting out with me on the next ride. Girls just can't stop talking . Don't forget to take time and explore some of the resorts, kids love looking at stuff. Mine especially like to go to the free sing a long/movie at the campground. Enjoy your trip.

PS: being the mother of a lot, I understand the not telling them right now. Plus, when they do find out, it is going to be a looooooooong car ride . Have fun!