OK, where do we start???? First trip with kids!

[golfgal]

We are going to give the kids a trip to Disney for Christmas, although we won't be going until the end of May (they don't have any good breaks from school other then spring break and we are NOT going then). So, where do we start? There are 5 of us, DH and I and 3 kids, DS 1 is 12 (almost 13 when we go) and boy/girl twins that will be 10 when we go. We will probably stay a week--one day will have to be spent at Kennedy Space Center, though.

My first choice would be the Disney Cruise, but we will leave it up to the kids what they want to do. My guess is that they will want to stay at Animal Kingdom, but I would prefer to stay in Downtown Disney because of the cost for a family of 5 (unless we can get a good rate at AK).

Where do we start, where do we compare lodging, is it best to do a package or book each part separatly? I would obviously like to get the best deal for the best price, but without having to miss things, too.

HELP!!!!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

We are going to give the kids a trip to Disney for Christmas, although we won't be going until the end of May (they don't have any good breaks from school other then spring break and we are NOT going then). So, where do we start? There are 5 of us, DH and I and 3 kids, DS 1 is 12 (almost 13 when we go) and boy/girl twins that will be 10 when we go. We will probably stay a week--one day will have to be spent at Kennedy Space Center, though.

My first choice would be the Disney Cruise, but we will leave it up to the kids what they want to do. My guess is that they will want to stay at Animal Kingdom, but I would prefer to stay in Downtown Disney because of the cost for a family of 5 (unless we can get a good rate at AK).

Where do we start, where do we compare lodging, is it best to do a package or book each part separatly? I would obviously like to get the best deal for the best price, but without having to miss things, too.

HELP!!!!

Hi! Welcome to the DIS!

First thing's first....take a deep breath! Okay...now relax!

How cool of you to give the kids a Disney trip. Have you considered staying at the Allstars? You do have a family of 5 so I'm not sure how well that will work for you. Sounds like you need a resort with a suite so you'll have plenty of room.
I would stay away from packages. I don't like them personally myself, but everyone is different. Hubby and I come out better by pricing everything separately. Since we are FL residents, we get GREAT rates on hotel rooms and tickets!
Why don't you visit www.mousesavers.com and look at all the great discounts that are available for the time you will be going. There are some AWESOME discounts off of rack rates (regular rate) that can save you tons of money!! Also visit www.ticketmania.com for cool deals on tickets to see what fits your budget.
I hope this helps get you started. If you have any other questions, just ask.

Blessings,

Denise

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Buy your kids a copy of the book "Disney for Kids by Kids" ... has lots of info about the rides and activities at Disney with lots of photos.

If you're interested in doing a cruise why not do a land/sea vacation ... the best of both worlds.

Also, have you considered a cabin at Fort Wilderness ... they have a bedroom with a set of bunk beds and a double bed, then there's a Murphy (pull down) bed in the living room, plus you get a full kitchen ... so you can save money and eat breakfast before hitting the parks. We also kept sandwich makings so we could have an inexpensive lunch or dinner if we wanted.

Another option would be to get two rooms at one of the value resorts ... my GK enjoyed All Star Movies and Pop Century ... the theming is great.

I usually just book directly thru Disney online as it's quick and easy.

 

[jbwolffiv]

I agree with the Disney World for Kids by Kids. Just take your time and do what you feel will be best to make your trip special. You are going to love bringing your kids, there is nothing like it!

 

[golfgal]

What about pools? Which resorts have the "best" pools for 10 and 12 year olds? I am sure that will be one thing the kids will want to do. I have thought about getting two rooms at a value resort. What are the pool areas like at the values? Also, is there a place to check for upcoming events? I saw the calander on the official Disney site, but it doesn't list things like "Gay Week" that someone said was happening the first week in June. I would like to try to plan our trip so there isn't a big convention type gathering like this.

 

[bobcat]

In May you will have the flower show going on in Epcot.

The pools at the value resorts are nice with squirting water features.Pop Century even has a pop jets area with the water that shoots up out of the ground, lots of fun. They don't have pool slides however. The moderate and deluxe resorts have pool slides. Port Orleans has a section that sleeps a family of five with the addition of a trundle bed but I beleive there is an extra $10/night charge for this. AKL is beautiful but to sleep 5 you have to get a deluxe room which is pretty expensive. You might want to check into getting two connecting rooms at POP. My 12yo loves it here.

Check out www.allearsnet.com for restaurant menus. This is great for planning where you want to eat and for budgeting.

www.mousesavers.com is fabulous for discounts.

I suggest staying away from a package and booking everything seperately to save money. Invest in a good guide book.I personally love the Unoficial Guide and your local library might have a copy for you to check out. I also use a Passporter for my planning and keeping everything together. The kids book might be a little young for your kids. Good info but see if your library has one first.

 

[michmouse]

We are a family of 6, DH, me, DD6, DD4, and twin DS2 and are going next week we are staying a WL. We have 2 rooms. Disney will guarentee connecting rooms for families. We looked into staying at the cabins, but decided against them because of the 1 bathroom issue. I think all the deluxes (except WL and AKL) will accomodate 5 people in the room. I think they have 2 queens and a day bed. Check our Allearsnet.com, it gives lots of helpful info. on the different resorts and ammenities. Also, check out Mousesavers.com for all the latest discount codes. You can really save alot of money.

 

[Twigs]

I have always gone to the library and to get the latest edition of "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World" it has a lot of information on lodging in and out of the World, Restaurants, explanations of all the attractions, so you can plan before you go what are the things everyone would like to see the most etc. I usually buy a new copy every two years or so. Also as mentioned above the website www.allearsnet.com has a lot of info, and of course the forums here are wonderful for information.

 

[crisi]

Everyone has different opinions on what will make a great trip.

We love WDW and love the cruise, but I'd never do both in a week. Too little time with either, too much packing. Of course, other people love the land/sea. (BTW, its late to book May already for the cruise - be prepared for second seating for dinner and a fairly expensive trip - check out the cruise boards. We are already booked for October 2006).

Generally, people do better finacially booking each part seperately. However, some people like having a travel agent buy them a package - sometimes even including meals. Even if its more expensive, the lack of thinking is good.

I'd start with research. Personally, I like the Passporter as the best book and dislike the Unofficial Guide. Neither has a lot of information on the cruise, although the Passporter people also publish a cruise book. You can also find a lot of information here, at the parent site here (www.wdwinfo.com), at www.allearsnet.com and on the Disney web site (www.disney.com). I'd spend an hour at the bookstore browsing (or go to the library) to find the best one for you, so you don't spend $20 on a guidebook you dislike.

I'd then do a budget. That might determine a lot of what you choose to do. If you haven't started, you may be shocked to discover how much tickets will run you, for instance, and that may determine if you stay in a Value resort on site, a condo off site, or a deluxe on site.

Then I'd make a list of the things that are important to everyone. If everyone wants a relaxing vacation, a cruise may be the way to go. If they want lots of exciting thrill rides - go to Six Flags, that isn't Disney. For most people WDW will be long days, lots of walking, lots of entertainment, and lots of fun and magic. However, Disney is a resort as much as as several theme parks, so its possible to have a relaxing vacation at Disney - its even possible to do quite a few thrill rides.

Once you get those things down, come back (come here while you get those things down) and the lovely DISers will be able to give you great advice. When you can narrow things down to "we've decided to stay at a Moderate - which has the best pool" or "should we get connecting rooms on the ship, or is a category 4 the way to go" or "we think we'd like an offsite condo, any recommendations" it will be easier to give specific advice.

Conventional Wisdom is the best pool on property is Stormalong Bay at the Yacht and Beach Club. Its huge - makes my hair turn grey thinking about trying to watch my kids there. But it has a great slide (all Moderate and Deluxe resorts have pool slides, values do not), a lazy river, a sand bottom. I've been to that pool, the pool at BW, the pool at CBR and the pool at WL. My favorite is the BW pool, which has a great slide and is easier to watch kids at. The pool at WL is beautiful, but the slide is tame. POFQ is supposed to have a the best pool of the moderates - I haven't been - and has rooms that will sleep five - although it will be tight and you'll have one bathroom. The pools on the ship are small and shouldn't be a central point in anyone's vacation plans. Your kids will be too old for the Mickey slide on the ship and the Goofy pool is small and crowded.

 

[elf]

If you can be happy and comfortable with 1 bathroom and five people then I really like Fort Wilderness. With 5 people you might want to eat breakfast in most of the time, that should save a good amount of money and time. I found the rates to be reasonable, especially with a discount which I'm pretty sure you can get at that time. Time because I hate to waste morning time at a breakfast when the lines on rides are shorter.
FW has Boat to MK, Singalong campfire and canoe rentals, a beach area. And the Restaraunt Trails end is reasonable.
Things I didn't like. I found it a pain to get around with 2 younger children, with older ones it may not matter.

Don't forget a day or two at Universal, kids your age would surely like it.

 

[mamaprincess]

port orleans riverside usually has great rates and they feature a trundle bed which is great for families of five, that makes it very affordable. Also AKA usually has the best rates of all the deluxe resorts. Check and see what the sleeping arrangements are for standards, they may sleep 5 as well. I'm fairly sure that the contemporary sleeps five and also has rates comparable to AK. The contemporary is on the monorail so that makes transportation to and from the parks [except mgm and ak], very convenient. AK is slightly remote but gorgeous. I take it you'll be driving so youll be fine, how ever all resorts have disney transportation if you should want to park and use it, just pick up schedules as soon as you arrrive at your resort. Port orleans riverside has a nice ferry that will take you straight to downtown disney. call407wdisneyand talk to some one there to compare rates. Packages are to expensive. Also check this site, go to the resort thread, many people give links in there answers and lots of good reviews also go to the dining thread. Research is key. To save money, get directions to alocal gas station and buy you own water, put it inthe freezer and take it out in the morning before you leave. Also bring snac really great snacks that they love so they aren't alwas trying to eat everything they see in the parks [ we brought a carryon bag full.] Late lunch is cheaper than dinner. We asked for directions to a grocery store [publix], we boghtcereal milk juice and alittle fruit, that was breakfast. Buffets run fron around 19.99 to 24.99 per person.

Have a great trip, were goin dec 2005!

 

[mamaprincess]

Dont make the pool the decision maker. All disney hotels have grat pool some with more bells and whistles than others but you will certainly hit the water parks with kids that age. Go with the best deal. You'll be gone except to wake up and leave or to come back and sleep. All the resorts are quite nice. While you're there, visit the other resorts, that way next time you go you'll really know which ones excite you.

 

[Dancind]

Our daughter was a little younger than yours for our first trip, and she is now your son's age. Your kids will love WDW, and a week is NOT too much time to see it all. I'd save the cruise for another time too, maybe when you can take a 7 day.

Our first trip was first class all the way, 8 nights at Beach Club, length of stay passes, even the meal plan. We thought it would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Turns out, we were wrong!

Here's my suggestion. You might want to consider buying an annual pass for yourself or your spouse. Then you would be eligible for any AP discounts that come out for the end of May. A good discount means you can stay at a nicer resort. Yes, I heartily recommend Beach Club. My DD loves the pool there, it's an attraction in itself. Be sure and schedule a "no parks" day to spend at the pool! And the five minute walk to Epcot and boat ride to MGM are really nice perks. Since your kids are a little older, they might prefer these two parks to MK, though I'm sure they will want to visit MK. With an AP, you are also eligible to buy the Disney Dining Experience Card for only $50. This will give you a 20% discount at almost every sit down restaurant in WDW, which could mean big savings for your family.

Another suggestion, visit the Disney Vacation Club rental board here and look into renting points for a stay in a 1 or 2 Bedroom villa. It's pretty reasonable to stay in one for weeknights, and you would have a full kitchen and washer and dryer. With a 2 BR, you would have two full bathrooms. They're very nice, but beware, you might want to buy in after staying there!