New member from Ontario

[melissa.irwin]

Hi, I am a new member and am in the beginning stages of planning our very first trip to Disney (for any of us!), and are thrilled! Our son will be 11 when we go (December 2008) and our daughter will be 5.

We're hoping to rent DVC points to stay at the Animal Kingdom and to visit all of the parks. Can anyone tell me if it's worth using the water parks in December or is it too chilly for that?

We have looked into flying vs driving and have decided to drive to save on costs (it will be less than half even with taking into account gas, oil changes, hotel room on the way down/back etc.). I have estimated that the trip will take about 22 hours. Any tips from those experienced with this drive (especially w/kids)?

I've been reading and keep seeing info on free dining, but have no idea what this is, any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help our trip planning a little easier!

 

[typod]

to theDIS boards

 

[Perditamarie]

Hi and welcome to the Dis! Here is some info for you and I am sure someone else will be along shortly w/some more!

* Free dining is usually offered Sept/Oct to fill hotels during Hurricane Season around/after back-to-school. It is offered as part of a package.

* You can add the dining plan if you are staying DVC by asking the person you are renting from to request the DDP for you and you can pay for that when you get there.

* You can also order groceries online to be delivered to your hotel. It is very convenient and 1 bedrooms and larger have a full kitchen (studios have a nice kitchenette). I have used gardengrocer.com and they are good. Others here also like wegoshop.com.

* I think it is a little too iffy/chilly to do waterparks in Dec....especially if your hotel has an awesome pool...which I believe AKL does.

* we haven't driven yet, but would consider if airline prices are crazy and we had more time than money. I am looking forward to reading the advice you get on this, especially where to spend the night on the way. Definately make sure the children are entertained w/music, movies, books, projects, etc.

* If you want to rent points, I would start looking now. It may be tricky to get AKV as they are new and may not have many units available. It is also a popular time for DVC owners to stay. The closer to Christmas the busier the parks/resorts. If an owner owns at AKV, they can make reservations at 11 months from the vacation date and owners at other DVC locations can reserve at AKV 7 months from the vacation date. Check out the DVC boards here if you haven't already for info.

Happy planning

 

[melissa.irwin]

Thanks for the welcome, I am amazed at how nice and willing everyone is to take the time to share information and advice, it is so helpful!

I truly appreciate the information, particularly about the DVC points, I'm looking into it now.

Melissa

 

[byoung]

Welcome to the DIS!!!

 

[Aliceacc]

Welcome!

I started this thread for other first timers-- it may help: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715551

 

[Tora Millypoops]

Welcome to the dis!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

We've done the 22 hour drive - from Georgia to MN with 2 kids. All I can say is Gameboys and Nintendo DS lites are your friend. :

I'd also recommend earplugs for the parents - I got mighty sick of hearing "are we there yet?" or "Mom - she's in my space."

Have fun!

 

[melissa.irwin]

We've done the 22 hour drive - from Georgia to MN with 2 kids. All I can say is Gameboys and Nintendo DS lites are your friend. :

I'd also recommend earplugs for the parents - I got mighty sick of hearing "are we there yet?" or "Mom - she's in my space."

Have fun!

LOL! I can actually hear my kids saying that...which is why we made sure the van had bucket seats when we bought it so they couldn't "touch" each other! I think I'll invest in a couple of MP3 players for each of them as they are now starting to fight over the music we play! We have a portable DVD player but usually take our laptop with us because of course they can never agree on a movie either!

Did you stop for the night or go straight through?

Thanks!

 

[lustergirl]

Hello from your neighbor to the south- Buffalo!

 

[M&N]

Welcome. I have no kids so cannot help there. If you drive yourself. you would have more freedom with a car there. The Christmas decorations are wonderful at the hotels. The Grand Floridian has a huge gingerbread house. I went for the first time last Dec. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) was a special time at MK after it closed. The tickets are extra for it but I enjoyed the time then. If you check back in the posts to Dec you will find lots of info on special Christmas activities. It was warmer than usual last Dec but don't think I would bother with the water parks. The parks are decorated special too. Have fun planning.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Welcome arty: And yes, AKL does have an awesome pool (beach entry). I've gone in WDW pools in Dec. but not the waterparks. However, in early Jan. 06, we did visit BB even though it was only in the 60's that day. It was a little cooler than I like, but it was still great. If it was me, I would just play it by ear and go if the weather is warm enough. I know when we were there in Dec. 2003. I actually wore my thermals during the day. Of course, I'm from sunny Southern California, and anything under 60 is freezing to me!

 

[melissa.irwin]

Welcome arty: And yes, AKL does have an awesome pool (beach entry). I've gone in WDW pools in Dec. but not the waterparks. However, in early Jan. 06, we did visit BB even though it was only in the 60's that day. It was a little cooler than I like, but it was still great. If it was me, I would just play it by ear and go if the weather is warm enough. I know when we were there in Dec. 2003. I actually wore my thermals during the day. Of course, I'm from sunny Southern California, and anything under 60 is freezing to me!

Yes, I guess to you that would be cold! I think I'll take all of the advice and decide if we will do the water parks once we get there, I've been told that if we do the water park for one day it's cheaper to buy the tickets separately rather than the water park add-on. This way we can wait and see what the weather is like, although this past week has been -12 C (and at night colder), which is about 10 F so I'm sure that 60 F will be a welcome change in December! Just knowing that we don't have to put snow pants, hats, mitts, scarves etc. on in Dec. will be so exciting

I'm playing it up a bit for all of those who think Canada is soooo cold, we love the change in the seasons, however by the time Feb. and Mar. come we're ready for it to warm up!

 

[melissa.irwin]

Welcome. I have no kids so cannot help there. If you drive yourself. you would have more freedom with a car there. The Christmas decorations are wonderful at the hotels. The Grand Floridian has a huge gingerbread house. I went for the first time last Dec. Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP) was a special time at MK after it closed. The tickets are extra for it but I enjoyed the time then. If you check back in the posts to Dec you will find lots of info on special Christmas activities. It was warmer than usual last Dec but don't think I would bother with the water parks. The parks are decorated special too. Have fun planning.

My husband is quite reluctant to get there and not have a vehicle, that way we can go when and where we want to without having to wait.

Thanks for the tip to check back to Dec. posts to get some info, I'll do that! Christmas is by far our favourite time of year and my kids (and myself) will love to see all of the decorations. The gingerbread house would be awesome! I've heard quite a bit about the MVMCP and we will definitely go to that. I'm still having some trouble booking the resort we want (we are hoping to rent DVC points) but hopefully will have it booked soon!

 

[melissa.irwin]

Hello from your neighbor to the south- Buffalo!

Hello to you too!

 

[mollyseven]

Hey there.
You know you can get airfare out of Buffalo around 800 for the 4 of you and maybe less. A friend of mine went at the end of nov.beg dec. and they paid 800 from Toronto with sunwing for 4 of them.
If you have plans to do things out of disney then yes have a car or drive but if you are going for disney and spending your week at disney which you probably will your first visit.....you will never see it all....then you have no need for a car. You can have groceries delivered (we are in March to POR) and the buses are fabulous for getting everywhere!
I would not drive ...you couldn't pay me and my kids are 13 and 10.
We always rent a car for 1 day while we are there and go to cocoa beach....alamo picks me up and takes me to the car and drives me back to the hotel when I am done with it.....very cheap.
If you stay at a moderate you can have the money for the flights and probably the money for a car rental for a day or so if needed.
I wouldn't drive to the parks because you have to pay to park and then get from the parking lot to the front gates which can involve a trolley....the parking lots are huge....and leaving at closing time with all the other cars will take longer than the bus.
Just my 2 cents.....

 

[Dizneydaz]

.....I wouldn't drive to the parks because you have to pay to park and then get from the parking lot to the front gates which can involve a trolley....the parking lots are huge....and leaving at closing time with all the other cars will take longer than the bus.
Just my 2 cents.....

This IS true, unless you are staying on property. When you check in they will ask if you have a vehicle, and if you do you will be given a piece of paper for your windshield which will get you into you resort, as well as all the park's parking lots. Then you can park for free at all parks. We always rent a vehicle but that's because my DM refuses to spend the entire vacation at Disney (I know, what's with her! ) and she always wants to check out the "Real Florida". I kid, but it is nice to be able to leave the property, when you want. It also makes it easier to travel to another resort, for a meal, etc. I believe Disney Dining recommends allowing at least 1 hr. to travel from your resort to another for a meal. With our own car, we can get from POP to Kona (Poly) in less than 1/2 that time. We also go to either Super Target, or Super Walmart to get some souvenirs, water, and food. I've also gone to Sam's Club to download my digital camera to a CD (before I bought extra cards-now I have plenty, or do I? )

Last trip my DM and Dsis even rented another (compact) car for an off-property trip. DD8 and I went to BB instead!

Since you're driving your own car, you won't have to make the decision of whether or not to rent one. We've almost always gotten pretty lucky with getting a great rate. Less than $300 for 10/days isn't unheard for a minivan from Alamo.

And another benefit to renting is being able to leave for the airport when you want, not when Magical Express wants you too. We like to squeeze as much fun out of our last day as possible!

 

[karmalicousss]

Welcome to the boards!

 

[melissa.irwin]

Hey there.
You know you can get airfare out of Buffalo around 800 for the 4 of you and maybe less. A friend of mine went at the end of nov.beg dec. and they paid 800 from Toronto with sunwing for 4 of them.
If you have plans to do things out of disney then yes have a car or drive but if you are going for disney and spending your week at disney which you probably will your first visit.....you will never see it all....then you have no need for a car. You can have groceries delivered (we are in March to POR) and the buses are fabulous for getting everywhere!
I would not drive ...you couldn't pay me and my kids are 13 and 10.
We always rent a car for 1 day while we are there and go to cocoa beach....alamo picks me up and takes me to the car and drives me back to the hotel when I am done with it.....very cheap.
If you stay at a moderate you can have the money for the flights and probably the money for a car rental for a day or so if needed.
I wouldn't drive to the parks because you have to pay to park and then get from the parking lot to the front gates which can involve a trolley....the parking lots are huge....and leaving at closing time with all the other cars will take longer than the bus.
Just my 2 cents.....

Thanks for the advice, we've priced from Toronto, Buffalo and Syracuse but haven't seen a direct flight for less than $2400 for all four of us, and I don't think I want the headache of having to change plans, worry about our luggage getting lost/delayed, plus if we drive we will be saving approx $1200-1500 compared to flying. That being said, we may be changing our travel dates by a week so that might make a difference as well.

I'm not looking forward to the drive with the kids (although am praying for a miracle that by December they will not be fighting over absolutely everything ).

 

[mollyseven]

I didn't think the southwest or airtran prices were out yet.
Plus the sunwing prices aren't out yet from Toronto either.
You will never pay 2400.00 for flights that is just crazy.
You should be able to get something no more than 1200 I would bet on it....
What are your dates?