Planning question

[jeepgirl30]

I'm trying really hard to swing a trip to the world this year. DH keeps saying IF we can afford it we'll do it. I will cut off my left arm to be able to see the kids faces! Heck I don't use it much anyway...

So, I'm trying hard to convince myself to stay at the value resort. In the past DH and I have only gone and stayed at CSR, Dolphin and GF. I have gone solo for business and stayed at CSR and CBR. Hated CBR.

I'm trying to stay in budget minded and now am wondering about number of nights and tickets, etc.

We were thinking of 5 nights/6 days with a 4 day hopper. The kids will be 5 and almost 3 at time of travel. We will also have my parents (very non adventurous types!) with us. They would never do water parks so we aren't getting plus options.

I'm wondering, should we cut the trip by one night to save a little and cut one day of parks. Just do a 4 night stay and 3 days at the parks? I don't really think the kids would be all that interested in AK.

Is this a smart way to budget or is it taking away from the experience and I'm better off cutting money in other areas than length of stay? One night is not going to make or break the deal.

 

[VintageKnight]

I'd keep it as is, and do AK, do a half day if they want to , go see the animals, and use the rest of the day to pick up the pieces of the parks you may have missed, or get that last ride on there favorite ride...=D

DVK

 

[matdamom]

My kids - same ages (5&3) really liked AK. If you can afford it, I'd keep it like it is. We did 5d/4n a couple of weeks ago, and got to see some of all the parks.

 

[sanibelover]

I think I might just get the three day ticket but leave the # of nights the same. We went for 5 nights and only did 3 days in the parks with a 6 and 9 yr. old and that was plenty for that trip. One day at the pool will be great for all of you. (that's all the kids want to do anyway....) You probably won't have a lot of time to do stuff on the first and last days, so you really only have 4 days to do stuf anyway. Four straight days of parks with 2 little ones seems like a lot.

 

[sanibelover]

You might also skip the hopper part of the ticket if funds are really tight. Just pick one park per day and stick to it. This saves a lot of time also.

 

[the kabuki]

post in wrong thread

 

[Taja]

In addition to The Lion King Show, AK also has The Boneyard. You'll be lucky if you get your two little ones out of there!

Since they do an audience "warm up" at Lion King that concentrates on participation, I've noticed that there are fewer meltdowns from little ones in that show, although it is quite loud.

Will your younger child actually be three or still under three at the time of your planned visit? You won't need park tickets if under age 3.

I would agree with one-park per day tickets, if possible. You can still have your hand stamped and return to the park if you go back to your resort for a nap or break.

 

[MouseHouse14]

We usually do stay at the Value Resorts. My kids' favorite has been the Movies because of the big characters. If we were going to spend time in the hotel we would opt for one of the nicer ones, however, we rise and park hop until we go to bed. We also like the convenience of the food courts. We are casual eaters, and love to be able to grab a yogurt or sandwich wrap and go. We do not care to sit down and be served every meal. You can save a lot by eating breakfast in your room as well. If you can swing it, spend all the days you can at the parks. That's where memories are made

 

[CajunDixie]

I don't really think the kids would be all that interested in AK.

Personally, I'd say skip the Studios with kids as young as yours. And I'd do AK. My kids loved AK and actually having good views of all the animals. You could easily take one day to be at your resort pool and do the Marketplace. You know your kids better than we do but some kids need a "down" day and that's a good time to sleep in and do the pool & shopping day.

 

[newholidayx2]

DS has been to WDW when he was 4, 9, 10 & 12
his 2 favorite parks have stayed the same - Animal Kingdom & EpCot
He absolutely loves Animal Kingdom - always has - and not so much for the rides/shows - he Loves the Animals

 

[G00fyDad]

I have gone solo for business and stayed at CSR and CBR. Hated CBR.

What did you hate about CBR? I like to get all the negatives on CBR as well as the good stuff so I can kind of know what bad things to expect. That way if they dont happen, then I am in an even better mood.

 

[sweet maxine]

There is a ride in the back of the park in the dinosaur area that my grandson loves. It looks like Dumbo, except it's little green dinosaurs instead of elephants (somebody help me here!). Anyway, we figured out that close to closing time---the last hour or thereabouts---there is little or almost no line for that ride (what's it called ). It is much better than waiting in long lines for Dumbo, and kids that age seem to really love it. I love the part about not having to stand in line for so much time!

I think your kids would love seeing the animals, and it seems to be a little less hectic there. The Lion King show has to be seen to be believed, and the food is so good at the Tusker House!

I agree about staying in the value resorts. I think the theming is exciting for children of that age. We have certainly enjoyed staying at the Pop Century, and my grandson loves the water popjet area. It's just my own opinion, but with the group you describe, it might be more feasible to spend three days in the parks instead of four. That way you can rest a day in between each park day and enjoy the pools at the resort or just let the kids sleep in. It's hard for little ones to understand the need to "hurry up and go", especially when they see something that interests them. So keep in mind that you may not be moving through the parks as quickly as you plan to.

Good luck with the planning of your trip!

 

[jeepgirl30]

I didn't like CBR because it was dirty. I mean everything was dirty. I was only there for 2 nights so I didn't feel like complaining and being moved (I was for business). My room smelled like stale smoke and mildew. The whole resort to me just seemed very run down.

This was several years ago and I think it has been refurbished since. I had just stayed at CSR and had such a great stay it was a big let down.

I always feel bad saying how much I disliked it because it may be a lot better now and someone may miss out because of what I say.

 

[sweet maxine]

My family loves the value resorts, but keep in mind that the rooms are smaller there than at the moderates. The POFQ is a very nice place, has just been refurbished, and has a really neat slide for the kids, and a kiddie pool. They have the best beignets in the food court there, too! Since you are used to the larger rooms at the other resorts, you might want to consider the moderates.

The most budget minded trip would be off-site somewhere close by, but that opens up a whole new can of worms!

 

[G00fyDad]

I didn't like CBR because it was dirty. I mean everything was dirty. I was only there for 2 nights so I didn't feel like complaining and being moved (I was for business). My room smelled like stale smoke and mildew. The whole resort to me just seemed very run down.

This was several years ago and I think it has been refurbished since. I had just stayed at CSR and had such a great stay it was a big let down.

I always feel bad saying how much I disliked it because it may be a lot better now and someone may miss out because of what I say.

Whew! You scared me for a second. Yeah, they've rennovated them in the past couple of years. You had me thinking that they were still like that.

 

[welovedis]

I think the ideas you got about one park each day would be of great savings overall. If you decide to do a value, you certainly have some good choices that your little ones would like. Are your parents going to stay at the same resort? If so, you could get connecting rooms and have a nice place for some to chill out while your little ones nap.

If you choose a mod, I personallly wouldn't go back to CBR either, CSR would be my first choice for the terrific pool area, followed by PO. I personally didn't like the pool at CBR and think for the money you could have a better experience at one of the other mods. CSR has a nice hot tub too!

If you go during value season you could get a great rate on the room and deal with less crowds so I would recommend that as well. We've only traveled in regular season once (July) and much preferred the slower times even if the park hours are shorter, etc..

As far as the parks are concerned, you know you children better than anyone here. Consider what they like at home, what they are interested in and what you do for fun as a family. AK really does have some wonderful things that you might not want to miss out of, including the Boneyard with the Dig Site and the huge playground, Triceratop Spin, Festival of the Lion King, and the neat places to explore and see the animals in some very neat ways. The characters meet/greet trails are great too and you'll find some characters here that you might have a tough time seeing otherwise. I'd just look at the park closely and see if your kids might enjoy it. If so, perhaps you could combine a day here with an evening at DtD or playing mini-golf.

If you budget wisely I personally don't think 1 day should make or break the trip. Maybe plan on some in-rooms meals (breakfast for sure!) and the whole pizza from All-Star Pizza is only $14.99, not too bad for Disney! Bring lots of snacks and you'll be surprised what you can save. Buy some small souveniers from the dollar store beforehand to curb that urge to buy in the parks.

I'm sure you can plan a terrific trip and be able to afford it!

GL!