Planning...WWYD?

[AMaloy314]

Here's the scenario....Next Feb 2-11, our family of 5 is planning to go to WDW.( myself, DH, DS 6yo, DS 5yo, DS 18mon). We would like to stay on property since we know that we will be returning every day to the room for a nap. We also stayed off property the only other time we went several years ago and really want to experience all the magic. This will also mean that we will require 2 rooms (or somehow to give sleeping area to baby and let other boys, well... be boys). Boys are all picky eaters and we are planning to bring (ship? Have delivered?) snack/breakfast type foods for them to eat in AM, but would like to have them attempt other foods at park. I know that we will be getting 8 day tickets with hopper option. We will be at the parks everyday, but will not do commando tours. I'd like to keep the trip around $5000-6000.

Ok, that's what I've got. Now, what would you do? Where would you stay and why? Dining plan or no? Where would you get ADRs and for when? What days to do what parks? Package or no? Any special shows or attractions that are a must for the kiddos?

Anyone up for the challenge? lol

Thanks for any advice!

Anna

 

[lovesdumbo]

Well your family of 5 includes 1 under 3 so you can stay anywhere. You could do a value to save money. I stayed at ASMo and really enjoyed it. You could "upgrade" to a moderate. I am trying POFQ for the first time in May. It is the smallest of moderates so not as spread out as the others (shorter walk back to your room after a long day at the parks). Has a great kiddie pool and boat service to Downtown Disney. It will give you a bigger room, 2 sinks, and more landscaping at the resort and a slide at the pool. You could upgrade to a deluxe for an even bigger room and closer to the parks. I really love the Poly but now that my youngest is 3 I cannot afford 2 rooms there. You'd get great access to both MK and Epcot, HUGE rooms, great pool and a you can see the MK fireworks from the beach.

I don't know that I worried too much about the older boys. 1 adult can take them outside or in my experience my kids are pretty tired at Disney and sleep real easy. It is actually the youngest who tends to sleep poorly due to napping in the stroller.

Good luck with your planning-they are magical ages for a Disney trip.

 

[psufamilyluvsdis]

I would definately go for a value or mod., save the money for all the great extra stuff. I got my son a packnplay in our room for our trip and it fit between the beds, so you could get just one room, one bed for your boys and one for you and your DH. We absolutely love POP. I think your kids would enjoy the whole atmosphere and all the different pools. The food court has alot to choose from, and I am a very picky eater and I found things that I liked. I have never done the dining plan so I can't advise on that, Sorry. My DS was 16 months old on our last trip and he absolutely loved Mickey's Philharmagic he laughed the whole time! And he also loved the Spectro parade. He really enjoyed alot of the things that we could take him on, nothing scared him. And it is nice that you can take toddlers on almost every ride, except the big ones, that way you don't have to miss out on alot! Enjoy your vacation, no matter what you do you'll have a great time!!!

 

[staci]

I would probably stay at a value resort, the kids are at the age they will really appreciate the theming and they wouldnt really notice the extras at the mods anyway. I think you could swing one room but that is up to you. Your ds may or may not be a stroller sleeper, probably too early to tell. But if not, your dh could take the big kids down to the pool or for a walk while your little one napped. At night, same thing. If the baby wouldnt calm down, have one of you take the kids down to the gift shop for a postcard or some other little trip to get out of the room.

Are you flying?

Bring lots of breakfast stuff with you - we had one whole carryon full. Nutrigrain bars, rice krispie bars, raisins, bananas, little applesauce cups, apple juice boxes, fruit snacks, 100 calorie pack snacks, etc.

We enjoyed the dining plan. If you do the dining plan your kids can do a few character meals which can get expensive otherwise. I would do at least one. Chef Mickeys is very fun. I would highly recommend it. The buffets have some very kid friendly food so they should be able to find something to eat. We ate right at 5pm (firstdinnerseating) which was nice because the food was all freshly prepared and hot. We also did the first lunch seating at Crystal Palace (I think it was 11:30) and found the food to be good as well.

 

[wrldpossibility]

It's our first trip, so I don't have any advice, but I can tell you what we've planned, for what it's worth!

Our family of 5= me, DH, DS7, DS5, DS2. We're getting two rooms, because like you said, even though we "qualify" for just one since the little guy doesn't count, it's just not enough room for naps and everyone getting decent sleep. We debated that though, since it would have saved us money. DH decided it just wasn't worth the savings to all be in one room. With two, we can put the kids to bed and have some space to relax, and space for DS2 to nap, etc. We decided on POR. We really liked AKL, but two rooms there was just too much for our 10 day trip.

We got a package in order to get the dining plan. We want the dining plan not so much for the amount of food (way too much), but because we can take advantage of tons of character meals and shows with the DP, and otherwise would do far fewer. So we'll get our $$'s worth out of it for the convenience and the character meals. We're splitting lots of them and using them for breakfasts when we don't eat in the room (the option of a fridge in the moderates factored in).

I'm sure you can do what you want for $5000-$6000. Our trip is about $6500, but that includes my parents, who are coming also and we're paying for them. Good luck! I bet I get some tips from reading what you decide, too!