Possibly going to WDW in 2 months...am I nuts???

[acdmom03]

The reason I am on today is because I had a trip planned for my daughter and me for this weekend (not to Disney) that I ended up having to cancel. As a result I have a $298.00 credit with Southwest Airlines until February of next year.

My DD's school will be closed for a week after Memorial day so I thought this might be a good time to get away. I found two tickets to Orlando for the exact same price, so all I would need is money for hotel, park tickets and spending money. I figure it would be a good way to celebrate her graduating from preschool. The graduation is on May 22nd.

I was thinking about Wednesday, May 28 through Saturday, May 31st. She will be 5 years old. The flight I'm looking at gets to Orlando around noon on Wednesday and leaves around 11 on Saturday, so we'd basically have Wednesday, Thursday and Friday there. Probably only do the parks on Thursday and Friday. We are in NC. It's less than a 2hr flight and it is non-stop. We could get in earlier but it would mean a 7am flight, which would mean arriving at the airport around 5am. I'd like to avoid having to drag her.

It would just be the two of us as DH is two years removed from a fractured spine and can't handle this type of trip. I just want her to see Magic Kingdom and MGM studios. I could go without the other two.

Any advice is welcome, like hotel options, food, weather during that time, etc. Is it worth it to stay on site? Has anyone ever stayed off site and used shuttle service?

I can't even believe I am doing this. Am I nuts for trying to do this with only 2months to plan? It just seems right since I am going to have to take off work anyway.

My dd has been such a great daughter, as our family has been through a lot the past two years since DH got hurt. She deserves this trip. It is going to be a surprise for her. I'm not going to tell her a thing until I absolutely have to. I'd like to keep it a secret until we are actually in Orlando. With her I can do it. If you have a surprise for her, you can just tell her it is a surprise and she will accept that. Strange I know, but she will.

Thanks in advance. Sorry if this has been posted on before. I didn't have time to look. Feel free to post links to other threads. I found some threads about going at the beginning of May, but none for the end of May.

 

[dougsmom98]

When you get towards the end of May, you will be dealing with some Memorial Day crowds, but with a plan you should do fine. Get to the parks when they open. You can do so much in the first two hours that the parks are open. I suggest the Unofficial Guide to Disney World book for some other strategies and their touring plans. We use them for all our trips and we always have to go during peak season. We stay off site, but we always have a car. Shuttle service from off site hotels is sporadic and not very flexible, so I wouldn't stay off site without a car. You can stay at one of the All Star hotels on site and use Disney transportation and Magical Express.
Good luck.

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

Hi and what a great idea! I think you should definitely go. Three full days is great especially for a 5 year old and I agree with MK and DHS as the two parks to visit. I would suggest if you can do it financially try for a monorail resort. That would save you the most time when going into MK and also is not a bad ride at all to DHS. We just did almost the same trip with a 4 & 6 yo. Stayed at CR and visited MK and DHS.

Another more afordable option would be any of the value resorts - they have great theming for a 5yo. POP does not share buses, but is the largest of the values. There is also a special being run right now for your time-frame. I am a Disney Specialist TA and I can get a few quotes for you if that would help. Just PM me if you are interested.

Good Luck - I really hope you get to go. This is such a magical age and would make a great mother/daughter trip!

 

[stopher1]

I don't think you're nuts!!! I think if you can make it work, go for it and have fun! The memories would be wonderful. I took both of my boys on individual f/s trips when they were younger - and they STILL talk about those, even more than our regular family trips. IMO you should go.

 

[Rylee]

You aren't nuts... it sounds like a great idea, great trip!

Definitely stay at a Disney Resort! Since you will be traveling alone with a child, and since you will only be there a few days, staying at a Disney Resort will be the easiest and most convenient choice... once you check your bags at your airport... RELAX and let Disney take care of the rest. Free transportation to and from the airport, no need to claim your bags, free transportation around the world, plus the extra perks and surrounded in Disney MAGIC!

On arrival day, I would recommend relaxing at your resort pool and then a character meal for dinner or a trip to Downtown Disney. (If you are interested in a character meal, be sure to schedule one at a resort restaurant, since you won't have a ticket for park entrance that day.)

Call soon, for resort reservations and any dining reservations you may want.

Have a Magical trip!

 

[Camno's Mama]

It sounds like a great trip! And you only have to wait two months! That's the best kind of trip!

Definitely stay on site if you're only going for a few days. I think one of the reasons we stay offsite is because for the number of days we are there, it's just too expensive to stay on and get all of the amenities that we want! If I were only going for a few days, I would definitely stay onsite! No rental car to worry about, etc. Have fun!

 

[WDW Traveler]

Two months - Heck I planned a trip for DD8 and I in two WEEKS! DO IT!!!! You will have a blast. We had such a fun trip and it's memories myself and my DD will treasure forever. I flew non-stop from NH to MCO, we used Disney transportation, stayed from Wed - Mon.

Go for it!!

 

[Tinkermommy]

In 2 months I could plan a wedding! Of course, I got married by a magistrate in his condo! But that was 20 years ago and it still works.

And crazy me, we did a spontaneous Disney trip where some family came to visit heard we were a 7 hour drive to Disney so we literally packed up the car and drove down! It was Easter vacation and we stayed off-site but had a great time! We are all Disney people and have been to the parks multiple times so we knew what we were dealing with!

I say go. Get the unofficial guide and have a great time. You may not get any reservations for TS, but you can always find good CS meals and such. I would try to stay on property if at all able. With that short of trip you want to stay on Disney property as long as possible!

Have fun!