Questions from a Maybe Traveler

[frog3101]

Hi Everyone!
I have not posted here in years and back then it was only 2 posts. I hope it's ok to ask a few more questions to the experts! If this isn't the correct spot to post these inquiries, please let me know and I'll be happy to move to whatever board is the right one.

Okay, I MAY be making a trip to Disney at the end of May/beginning of June. I would be traveling with my 4 kiddos and a family friend. My husband would rather get a root canal than go to Disney. Please don't judge him, he has many wonderful qualities, loving Disney just isn't one of them. Anyway, I have started planning this trip in my head, but have yet to actually bring up the idea to my husband. Funds are tight and I'm not really sure a trip to Disney is in the budget...BUT I'm celebrating a "big" birthday in April and our youngest would be turning two during the trip, so I figure it's the perfect time to go. I'm doing my homework so when he asks all the questions I have all the answers. It's been over 5 years since our last trip and I know a lot has changed, I want to be prepared.

Ok, sorry for the ramble and on to the questions....

1. I'm looking at Art of Animation or renting points and trying to get Animal Kingdom Lodge. Kids are almost 2, 4, 6, and 8. We have traveled with said family friend before and do well together. Never for more than a night or two though so wondering what space would be better. I think my kids would LOVE Art of Animation for the theming, but wondering if for 5 nights a villa would be better? Which would you do?

2. We are looking into maybe trading pins this round. Are the ones you find to buy online "real" and legit to use at the parks? I've read many stories that there are "scrap" ones out there and sometimes cast members will still trade and others won't. I want to follow the rules, but how many we get to start depends on where we end up getting purchasing our starter pins. Any advice?

3. Is the dining plan worth it? I plan on doing 1 character meal per day. Two of my kids are pretty good eaters when they are hungry, but am wondering if we could get away with sharing meals/snacks other than the character meal. I've looked at some menus of possible places we would like to try to get in and know that my kids will want their own meal even if they don't eat it all. I hate to waste food, but feel the dining plan takes the worry out of budgeting for food since it's already taken care of before you get there. What has worked for you? I

4. As stated above, my youngest will turn 2 on the trip. Do I book him as an infant since at time of travel he will still be under 2?

Ok, that's all I can think of for now. Thanks so much for helping somebody who may not even be able to make this work, but am really praying for some pixie dust to make it happen!

 

[Kerriowl]

1. Art of Animation is great. We stayed there in 2013. The nice things about the rooms are the one completely separate bedroom, two separate sleeping areas in the main room (ie beds are not next to each other), two bathrooms, and small "kitchen" area. With the sink, minifridge, and microwave you can do some meals in your room, especially breakfast.

2. I don't know

3. Almost assuredly not. Most of the time you can definitely share meals or bring part of your meal and add things on in the park. When we bought the dining plan we never ate any of the snacks since we were always so full from the meals.

4. Disney doesn't charge for the child until they turn 3. That being said, if you were to hold off on the trip for a year, as long as the trip starts when the child is 2, Disney considers them 2 for the whole trip. Just a thought, that if it can't happen this year, next year the pricing should be similar.

 

[frog3101]

Thanks for your reply! I'm not sure why I had it in my head that they started charging for kids when they turn 2. Good information to know! Also, kind of what I thought about the dining plan. I'd probably be better off putting money on a Disney gift card and just using it especially for food. I would think I'd have a good idea of what we would spend once I get the character meals booked and the other ADR's I'm hoping to get.
Edit to Add: We would most likely do breakfast or afternoon snacks in our room, so that is another reason to not do the dinning plan.

 

[glassslippergirl]

Are you driving down? If you are, then you'll have a car. Staying off site is an easy way to save a lot of money. You could rent a whole house with pool within 15 minutes of the parks for considerably less than rooms at AoA. Your husband may be more inclined to agree to the trip if he knows he won't be surrounded by Disney stuff 24/7. Just a thought.

Definitely don't get the dining plan. Save money by eating breakfast in your room. Maybe even pack sandwiches for lunch for at least a few days. Character meals are fun, and as they are buffets, they can serve as the one big meal of the day.

DH ordered a lot of pins once on eBay. I never had trouble trading them with cast members; I'm pretty sure they were genuine based on descriptions of the scrapers I've read. But you honestly don't know what you have until they arrive. Honestly, save your money unless you think the kids will use their traded pins as souvenirs, and you can save on other souvenirs. Pin trading is not a must-do Disney experience (I feel like it's lost popularity since your last visit, but I'm really only basing that on my gut), and as you've mentioned scrapers are common. Your children may trade genuine pins for counterfeits.

I hope you get to take your trip. Good luck with your husband.

 

[Pesky]

1. I'd just be careful with the space at AKV. Make sure you have room for everyone. AKV totally depends on what size you are getting. I would assume you are looking at either a 2 bdrm or 2 studios. I'd probably judge based on price and convenience. Pools are likely equal although AKL has a slide, albeit a pretty small one. I think with the bigger villas (not a studio) you do get a washer/dryer and full kitchen so depends if that is worth it versus cost. I'd probably make a cost-based decision. FYI, remember you have to pay extra for a savannah view room as well, so consider pricing out similar resorts like VWL, BCV, and so on.

2. There is a thread around about reputable sellers. I don't know if that has been updated at all but might be worth searching for that. I will say that I got pins for my 2 prior to DLR and they just were not into it. Still aren't. I figure I'll check on the next trip and if not, we'll probably sell them. So I wouldn't go big on investment.

3. Again, I'd probably price and compare. For us, it didn't make much sense. We ate breakfast in the room, brought some snacks and didn't really have big meals generally. If you aren't driving, I'd consider a garden grocer order. The consensus does seem to be that the DDP is rarely worth it unless you are big eaters and just prefer the convenience.

4. Doesn't matter as stated as they don't charge until he is 3.

 

[frog3101]

Thanks a bunch for your responses. I will have to feel the older kids out about the pin trading IF we actually get to go. I just thought it might be something fun to try and keep them entertained. Maybe I will go with the penny pressing thing?

 

[wench]

The dining plan can be a good deal for some, but not always. I've found that your more likely to save money on the children's portion than the adult, especially with the character buffets.

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

Also, kind of what I thought about the dining plan. I'd probably be better off putting money on a Disney gift card and just using it especially for food. I would think I'd have a good idea of what we would spend once I get the character meals booked and the other ADR's I'm hoping to get.
Edit to Add: We would most likely do breakfast or afternoon snacks in our room, so that is another reason to not do the dinning plan.

Just to give you another view on the DDP. If you are doing breakfast in your room (the cheapest meal to buy) you aren't saving a ton of money in the grand scheme of eating out at Disney World.. With all of your kids being under 10 the DDP can save you a great deal of money if you plan to have 1 character meal per day. The child's price for the DDP is $24.22/day. That is LESS than the cost of every single character dinner! So, you are "paying" for a character meal and getting a QS lunch and 2 snacks for free EVERY DAY (plus the refillable mug). As for the adults, the cost is $67.33/day. The average character dinner for an adult is $45. So, after you "pay" for the character meal the adult is getting a QS meal and 2 snacks for $22/day, which is still saving money as a QS meal can easily be $20 for an adult. Not AS great of a deal as with the children, but a) your children out number the adults (= more OVERALL savings) and b) since you can't share at character meals, the DDP really is the best way to save money on them. The best way to eat a TS dinner "cheaply" at Disney is to go to the a la carte places and have the kids share meals, and the cheapest character meals are breakfast, but if you want character dinners every day the DDP save money for your family.

Until my oldest turned 10 we ALWAYS did the DDP. But, now that's she's an "adult" I can't stomach paying $67/day for her to eat off the kids menu/kids buffet everywhere.


Here are the prices for character meals as of now according to the thread on the Dining Forum (Adult/Child):

1900 Park Fare Breakfast $32/$20 Dinner $45/$27

Akershus Breakfast $48/$29

Cap May Café Breakfast $35/$21

Chef Mickey Breakfast $43/$26 Dinner $41/$25

Crystal Palace Breakfast $32/$20 Dinner $45/$27

Garden Grill Breakfast $35/$21 Dinner $45/$27

Hollywood & Vine Breakfast $32/$20 Dinner $52/$31

Ohana Breakfast $32/$20

Tusker House Breakfast $32/$20 Dinner $45/$27

 

[frog3101]

Just to give you another view on the DDP. If you are doing breakfast in your room (the cheapest meal to buy) you aren't saving a ton of money in the grand scheme of eating out at Disney World.. With all of your kids being under 10 the DDP can save you a great deal of money if you plan to have 1 character meal per day. The child's price for the DDP is $24.22/day. That is LESS than the cost of every single character dinner! So, you are "paying" for a character meal and getting a QS lunch and 2 snacks for free EVERY DAY (plus the refillable mug). As for the adults, the cost is $67.33/day. The average character dinner for an adult is $45. So, after you "pay" for the character meal the adult is getting a QS meal and 2 snacks for $22/day, which is still saving money as a QS meal can easily be $20 for an adult. Not AS great of a deal as with the children, but a) your children out number the adults (= more OVERALL savings) and b) since you can't share at character meals, the DDP really is the best way to save money on them. The best way to eat a TS dinner "cheaply" at Disney is to go to the a la carte places and have the kids share meals, and the cheapest character meals are breakfast, but if you want character dinners every day the DDP save money for your family.

Until my oldest turned 10 we ALWAYS did the DDP. But, now that's she's an "adult" I can't stomach paying $67/day for her to eat off the kids menu/kids buffet everywhere.


Here are the prices for character meals as of now according to the thread on the Dining Forum (Adult/Child):

1900 Park Fare Breakfast $32/$20 Dinner $45/$27

Akershus Breakfast $48/$29

Cap May Café Breakfast $35/$21

Chef Mickey Breakfast $43/$26 Dinner $41/$25

Crystal Palace Breakfast $32/$20 Dinner $45/$27

Garden Grill Breakfast $35/$21 Dinner $45/$27

Hollywood & Vine Breakfast $32/$20 Dinner $52/$31

Ohana Breakfast $32/$20

Tusker House Breakfast $32/$20 Dinner $45/$27

Wow, thanks for the breakdown. I never would have looked at it that way. I will have to discuss this with my friend.

 

[Nancyg56]

Wow, thanks for the breakdown. I never would have looked at it that way. I will have to discuss this with my friend.

With youngsters the DDP works for us. I like to take them to character meals for dinner and do enjoy the respite myself too. Even the CS portion makes sense for us because we split a lot so breakfast and lunch are usually covered.

Look at the menus, check the prices and figure out the snacks your family might choose. I never compare with tip because the tax is included on the food on the ddp. God me it's close enough to a wash

 

[Crystal824]

1. I love AoA. I agree that if you have a car, I would look into staying offsite especially if you are trying to save money. You could rent an entire house for less than the cost of AOA or renting points. I haven't stayed at AKL so I can't really comment on the room there. I do own DVC, and I will tell you if you are concerned about space and really want to rent points, I would consider Old Key West. They have the largest units. Since it is one of the older DVCs, the point are less than the newer ones.

2. Many of the pins on Ebay are scrapers. I will tell you that most of the pins you kids are going to trade for will also be scrappers. While I didn't use to have this opinion, I've now concluded if you can't beat them join them. We used to only trade real pins, but I got so tired of paying the real prices for my kids to trade for scrapers. I ended up buying a lot on ebay. The kids just trade those and the ones that got for those every year now. We still buy a few pins to commemorate the trip, but we keep those.

3. You can only get the DP if you stay on property. If you do stay, it may or may not be worth it to you. I don't find it to be a value for us. If you are doing one character meal per day, it may be for you. I find that it is usually only a good deal if you do a lot of character /family style meals. You can find dining plan calculators on line. One of those might help you decide.

4. Under 3 is an infant. Yes, book him as an infant.

 

[frog3101]

Thanks for all of the input. We will have a car but kind of have our hearts set on staying onsite. Im not a big on driving and after 17 plus hours in the car (flying is definitely out of the question) I don't think we will be in the mood to worry about driving. It will be nice to have the option to drive around if we choose once we are there. We will likely price both options but as stated above we are leaning heavily to staying on property.

I think I will forgo the pin trading and look more into penny pressing. My kids will like this and if we don't go nuts it seems to be a realatively fun and not so expensive way to make some souviouers.

Is Old Key West super spread out? How is the transportation? I will check it out. I guess I never considered it before.

 

[Crystal824]

Old key west is fairly spread out, but they have decent bus transportation. There are a number of bus stops within the resort. There DVC units are the biggest and rent for some of the fewest point as they are the oldest. They aren't the nicest or the fanciest DVC rooms. Just an idea to save you money and give you some additional space.

 

[frog3101]

UPDATE!! Sorry, I don't know how to change or update a title, so just posting. My husband and I talked about it and he gave me the green light for the trip!!! It's not 100% just yet, but I'd say it's safe to start more serious planning. Yippee!! The friend who is going with us will be home visiting the week of Thanksgiving so we are going to get together for a planning session and start the process.
Soooo for now here are a few more questions...

We are going to compare staying offsite but as I stated before, we kind of have our hearts staying onsite. Leaning heavily towards Art of Animation. If a 3rd adult decides to go we will revisit staying offsite. But if a 3rd adult does decide to go and we still want to stay onsite what do you recommend? Also, said 3rd adult will not be my husband. Will be the mom of my friend who is traveling with us. She made the trip to Disney with me 5 years ago, so I know we can do well traveling together.

We will be driving, so we will have our own transportation if needed.

I've decided against pin trading and am looking into pressing pennies. Maybe putting pressed penny books in their Easter baskets to reveal the trip. Anybody like penny pressing/do it as a souvenir?

Thinking of renting two single strollers so we can split up if need be. Has anybody wished they had just rented 1. Renting because our space will be pretty limited in our vehicle.

Thanks in advance for your help. I'm sure I'll be back often with updates and more questions.

 

[RLGNC]

I know you said you've decided to forgo pin trading for pressed pennies, but I just wanted to give my $.02 worth (no pun intended!) on the issue. Our whole family absolutely loves pin trading! That includes DH, myself, DS 16, and DD 13. We started back when kids were much younger, around 7 years ago or so. What I think is awesome is that there are SO many pins and, in our family at least, each of us has found certain types of pins or characters that we look for when trading. For instance, my son loves Chip and Dale, and my daughter loves Winnie the Pooh. A lot of times you'll see the same pins from CM to CM, but it's exciting when you find a really cool one or one you've been looking for.

I agree with the post below regarding scrappers. I'm sure we probably have at least some in our collections, but they're certainly not obvious to the untrained eye (all of ours have the Disney logo on the back and they aren't noticeably discolored or jagged), so unless you're collecting for something other than to have some cool, fun, pins, I don't see where that matters. When we went in August, I ordered a "lot" of 50 pins from ebay and we didn't have any trouble trading any of them in the parks. We even kept some of the ones we really liked! Anyway, as I said, just my opinion if you decide you want to give it a go.

2. Many of the pins on Ebay are scrapers. I will tell you that most of the pins you kids are going to trade for will also be scrappers. While I didn't use to have this opinion, I've now concluded if you can't beat them join them. We used to only trade real pins, but I got so tired of paying the real prices for my kids to trade for scrapers. I ended up buying a lot on ebay. The kids just trade those and the ones that got for those every year now. We still buy a few pins to commemorate the trip, but we keep those.