Once in a lifetime- help me start planning!

[todzwife]

We are DL vets but I haven't been to DW since in 18 years. We have 4 kids now, and are looking at a trip sometime in 2017. Ages at time of travel will be 5, 8, 12, 15.

What hotels will accommodate that many people (6). Is there anything "not to miss"? I don't know ANYTHING about DW but I figure I should start doing my homework!

 

[chloelovesdisney]

AoA suites, All Star Music family suite, Fort Wilderness cabins, two rooms in any resort (you can request connecting rooms though they are never guaranteed), 2 bedrooms in one of their DVC resorts. Also lots of rental condos, townhouses and single family homes close by.

I'd start by looking at each park and see what you want to do. The kids might also really enjoy one of the water parks.

I always like to go to a character meal or two.

No matter what we do or skip on any given trip, we always have a blast. There is no way to do it all.

 

[jenthern]

I love the fort wilderness cabins. There's a bedroom with a double bed and bunk beds (holds 4) and a Murphy bed (sleeps 2 more) in the living room. A full kitchen. Mouse keeping does the dishes. Lots to do at the resort. And you have more space to spread out than anywhere as. They're pricey, but no pricier than any other option that will accommodate your whole family.

 

[gules]

This also depends on your budget. If you have the money, a lot of the resorts have villas, which are meant for families over 4. Staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge isn't cost-effective, but it IS pretty amazing. I personally loved being able to see animals when I woke up in the morning, and the resort has some of the most innovative food.

How long are you looking to stay? There are a few things that WDW has that DL doesn't. I'd target those first and work out from there!

 

[mrsp1030]

Look into renting a DVC villa. You will enjoy the space!

 

[MandiC]

The previous posters have listed a lot of your options as far as where to stay. We are 99% sure we are staying in the cabins during our next trip. We like the room and the privacy you get (not that they are private but you aren't in a hotel with people on every side of you), plus that resort has a lot of fun things to do.

Can't miss...everything
Disney has so many different things for so many people of different personalities and preferences. If it is a once in a lifetime trip I would really try to visit all 4 parks. At least 2 days in Magic Kingdom, preferably 2 days in Epcot and 1 each in the other two parks.
From there, the must rides/sees are very dependent on your family. By the time you go Animal Kingdom will likely have AvatarLand if I remember the opening projections correctly. Hollywood Studios seems about to undergo some major refurbishment so that too could have new stuff by 2017. Lots of exciting things seem set to happen by then

 

[powellrj]

With a family that size, have you thought about Bonnet Creek? It is offsite but next to Pop so its really close. It is really nice and has lots of room for much less than on-site. We were a family of 5 and always enjoyed the extra room.

 

[todzwife]

Since I have 4-5 years to save, I'd like to say there is no budget LOL!

 

[gules]

Well, what does you family like in general? And in DL specifically? Do you want a modern, busy feel? The sound of water? The feeling that you've been transported somewhere really far away? Elegance and impressiveness? Just a place to sleep? Seclusion and quiet during your downtime? Are you attached to flora or fauna? Looking for something for the adults to do while the kids are asleep?

Do you want to eat on-property every day, or make some of your own food?

Is there a park you think you'll want to visit more than the others?

These are all things that can help narrow down where to stay and what might be a must-do.

 

[pad406]

This is a list of our favourites, might be a start for you. And wow, 4-5 years planning, don't know if I could manage that.

And as nobody has mentioned it (maybe you remember) but WDW is on a VAST scale compared to DL


HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Star Tours - A really cool simulator type ride. Someone gets picked to be the Rebel Spy for each 'trip'. The CM who controls the doors picks them. Wear a 'First Trip; button and try and catch their eye. Smile nicely and look excited. When you site down, don't put on the glasses immediately, looks straight ahead and don't fidgit. Good chance of getting picked.
Jedi Training - Sign up first thing, no FP+ for this. Must have the kids with you. They get to 'fight' Darth Vader! They'll love it
Indiana Jones - Stunt show based on the movie. Adults can volunteer as extras, great fun.
Lights Motor Action - Really cool show and a nice way to rest for a while
Toy Story Mania - THE family ride in WDW. Hugely popular. Even at that time of year, a must FP+
Rock N Roller Coaster - Good thrill ride. In the dark. Might be a bit scary for younger kids, my DS10 still won't go on it, but DD & I love it. Not sure of height requirement
Tower of Terror - Love this ride. Again might be a bit scary
Muppets Show - Great fun
Beauty & The Beast- Not a must see for us but we did enjoy it. A musical based on the characters from the movie
Fantasmic - Fireworks and water show and more. Hard to explain. Must see

EPCOT Our favorite park.
Soarin - A 4D simulator ride on a kind of glider thingy. Really cool.
Misson Space - Another simulator type ride. There are 2, Green and Orange. Not for the claustrophobic or those prone to motions sickness. The green is a lot less intense, would recommend you try this first if you're unsure
Test Track - Haven't done the new version yet, but loved the old one
Turtle Talk with Crush - Kids love this, it's fun. Just sit in a room and 'talk' to Crush from Finding Nemo
Agent P's World Showcase - Haven't done this, is the replacement for Kim possible, kids loved that and is a really nice way to explore the world showcase with kids. Keeps them busy while the adults can stroll around.
Spaceship Earth - We like this, some don't. Not leading edge but fun and worth doing at least once.
Innoventions - We nearly missed this. If any of the kids are into roller coasters. must do 'Sum of All Thrills'. You design a coaster, or airplane flight (and some others) and then 'do' them in a simulator.
The Seas with Nemo & Friends - A gentle 'ride' through an aquarium
World Showcase - We easily will spend 1-2 days just wandering through here. A lot is hidden off the main track, just explore.

ANIMAL KINGDOM
Partly a HUGE ZOO, partly a theme park
Expedition Everest - Love this coaster
Kali River Rapids - Good raft type water ride
Dinosaur - Dark and possibly scary for younger ones. We don't mind too much if we miss this
It's Tough to be a Bug - Great show
Nemo the Musical - Class
Lion King - Great show - broadway type of production
Flights of Wonder - Great fun, missed it our first time nearly missed this our second time.

MAGIC KINGDOM
Well it's magic Kingdom !
The first walk up Main St and seeing the castle :smile:

There is so much to see and do here. I couldn't possible list them all but here's our top ones
Space Mountain - Indoor roller coaster in the dark. Note the 'cars' are 3 seater one behind the other, not side by side. May be an issue for younger kids
Big Thunder Mountain - Our first ever ride in Disney, will always hold a special place in our hearts. Good family roller coaster, fairly gentle but fun
Splash Mountain - Log/Flume water ride, good fun, you don't get too wet if you're careful
Monsters Inc Laugh Floor - Love love love this
Buzz Lightyear - Ssshh but we prefer this to Toy Story
Mine Train - Haven't ridden it. A gentle type family coaster
Haunted Mansion - Might be a bit scary. DW and DD love this, I'm not bothered either way
Jungle Cruise - If you get a good guide, excellent, otherwise just good
Pirates of the Caribbeann - Love this, again might be dark and scary
Mickeys Philarmagic - Another 4D show, cool

And after all that, there's the fireworks, Wishes and Illuminations.Both are excellent. Then there's the show they project on the castle in Magic Kingdom, Celebrate the Magic, really really cool.

That's our highlights, many other will have many different ones, but hopefully it will give you some idea. We got lots of help on out first time, so payback time!

Most of all have fun, don't kill yourselves rushing around.

 

[com_op_2000]

Look into renting some DVC points/reservation over on the DVC board:
You can make the reservation at 11 months before day of arrival.
For your size family, you can choose to be in a GV which is a three bedroom suite with a full kitchen, a two bedroom villa which is mostly a one bedroom villa and studio that are connected, or a tree house villa as part of the SSR resort.
If you choose to be in a two bedroom villa with a Master suite, Full size bed/couch in the living room, and either two Queen beds or a Queen bed and Full size pull out couch in the 2nd bedroom. Depending on which resort you stay at you will have either two or three bathrooms.
Your choice of resorts range from OKW and SSR which are individual buildings spread through those resorts; to BWV and AKL which are part of the hotel by the same name; to BLT and GFV which are separate towers connected to those hotels; and last all BCV and VWL which are separate building connected by walk ways to those hotels. Also, by the time you go the Poly DVC should be up and running (it is currently being built).
The themeing of each resort should be a factor in your planning but as always location is most likely more important.

 

[MandiC]

With NO budget I would do a Bay Lake Tower villa. It isn't the most 'in your face' Disney as far as decorations, so if you want something with more theming it wouldn't be the best resort for you but I like that it is walking distance from MK and on the monorail, the only time you would need to take a bus to a park would be to AK. I'd also stay for 10 days or more if possible. Then you have enough park time with some extra days for resorts/downtown Disney/Boardwalk. I've heard BLT has a pretty awesome pool. Have you thought about going at a time of year when they celebrate holidays? There are many 'events' Disney has, which you want would really depend on what your family likes/enjoys. They have Flower and Garden Festival in the Spring, marathons in Jan/Feb, Star Wars weekends in May, Food and Wine festival in the fall, Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party in the fall, Mickey's Christmas party (and all sorts of fun Christmas decorations) in November and December.
I'd avoid extremely busy weeks if this is going to be a once in a lifetime trip, while also avoiding times that things are likely to be down for refurbishment (Jan/Feb). Really though it is so hard to recommend specific rides that far out. For right now I'd start trying to determine where you want to stay, when, and for how long. Figure out how much you'd need to save for that and wait until about a year and a half out to really start looking into what exactly you want to see/do there. So much of the parks could change by then that it would stink to get excited about something in particular and then have it close/change before you get there. By 2017 it is likely AK will have nighttime entertainment, whereas right now it is a park you can finish before dinnertime. HS had a ton close down recently so you know they will be adding more (hopefully!). I've heard rumors of Epcot possibly getting another land, ect.

 

[SandyES00]

I'd rent DVC points so that you can get several bedrooms. The space will make a huge difference.

 

[RustManFan]

To plan your time you may want to really think about what each family member will enjoy the most.

Is their someone that will want to do all the thrill rides and someone that will absolutely not set foot on them?

Is there someone that will insist on Character meet and greets and someone that will be bored out of their mind?

Is there a picky eater in the bunch? An adventurous eating type?

Is there someone that will be patient and kind while they wait for one of the other family members to do what they are not interested in?

Will anyone throw a fit if they don't get their own way?

Does someone want to spend more time at the pool rather than the parks?

Will you be able to assign someone to take the younger ones to the restrooms without incident? (gender important after all)

Is there a way to split up if the young ones might need to rest and the 15 year old is still at 100%?

You will have to split up for seating on the rides. How does the groupings make the most sense?

Maybe the older kids can take some of your vacation photos so it actually shows that the parents were along too. In my family my mother took almost all vacation photos so she is rarely in any pictures.

Involve everyone in planning! Don't be the only one to make plans.

Research so you don't find that what somebody would not have wanted to miss has in fact been skipped over. Only involve others as long as they are interested though. My kids generally wanted me to do all the planning for our trips to Great Britain. (they were both young adults)

 

[todzwife]

Thank you!

 

[North of Mouse]

Thought I'd add - even with the good advice/help you've been given - just remember at the rate Disney has made changes in the last 1-2 years in 'everything', you will be facing an entirely different scenario in some of your planning 3-4 years from now!!!

 

[todzwife]

Thought I'd add - even with the good advice/help you've been given - just remember at the rate Disney has made changes in the last 1-2 years in 'everything', you will be facing an entirely different scenario in some of your planning 3-4 years from now!!!

Oh I figured that, I'm just trying to get a VERY rough ballpark.

First part of the planning is what time of year...
Second part is choosing where to stay (Deciding between FW and AOA suites)
I'll be asking LOTS more questions as we get closer LOL!