Remember Mr. Rental?

[Peepster]

We be the DVC'ers renting the child for our March trip. You folks were kind enough to help out with suggestions for where to eat, what he'd like, etc. and we're very appreciative, but (you know what's coming here, don't you?) we need MORE help!

Because of cost and timing we're coming in a day before we can check in to VWL. We get in about 3 in the afternoon at MCO. There are no discounted cash prices available for that night at VWL and we are trying to conserve our points for a special event in 2010 (yes, Lord, just once can we make it through without borrowing?) so we are planning to spend the first night off property. We weren't planning on visiting any of the parks that day because it'll be at least 4:30 or 5 by the time we reach WDW. But now we're concerned that our 9 year old Mr. Rental might be disappointed that we don't go NOW! MK is only open to 7 on March 20th and we were hoping that would be his "first" park.

Do you guys think we should buy him a ticket for that day and take him A) to MK anyway, even for a couple of hours to get his "feet wet" B) to another park or 3) save our money, get a less expensive off property hotel room and grab supper and a swim?

This will be my 31st or so trip and I'm surprised at how nervous I am about planning for this special kid!

All suggestions or opinions are appreciated! Again, you're the best!

With grateful thanks,
Chryste

 

[Chuck S]

When we arrive early, we usually spend that night at POP Century. It is very kid friendly, like all the Disney resorts. You can take a bus to DtD and wander around for a couple hours to burn off energy, if needed. The Toy Store and Lego Store would probably be something he'd enjoy. It would save the cost of a park ticket for the first night.

 

[edk35]

I agree with Chuck....stay somewhere like Pop or one on of the All Stars and hit DTD. My kids ages 18, 15 and 9 almost 10.....love love love going to DTD. There is plenty to do and see down there. You will not have enough time to enjoy much of MK arriving when you are. That way you will be well rested and ready to hit MK at rope drop the next day. HAVE A WONDERFUL 31ST TRIP.

 

[jblrn2b]

How about just the pool and early dinner to get up and hit the parks?

 

[Dillon]

Keep the Animal Kingdom Lodge in mind. It offers a great venue to see animals, hear a story teller, has a great little shop, offers a great cockail lounge, and a wonderful buffet (if you can get in).

 

[RobDoc]

Stay onsite someplace (Pop is a great suggestion), hop on a bus to MK and take a boat to GF, then board the monorail to the CR - walk around the Grand Concourse - then back on the monorail to walk around the Poly and then bakc on the monorail (or boat) to the MK to take the bus back to your resort. Time permitting, you could also grab a boat to the WL to stroll thru the lobby there before bussing back to your resort.

DD is also a good option to spend a few hours on arrival day without using an admission for just a couple of hours.

Enjoy!

 

[dgaston]

I'd just do pool and maybe DTD.

 

[Peepster]

Thanks so much for the ideas. We like them all...I know for sure that we will do some "monorailing". It never occurred to us that we don't ride the monorail that much when we stay at VWL so this would be a great start to the trip. If there's time we'll do a little DTD, but we plan on a stop later in the week, too. We hope to have a reservation at Boma (please Disney gods, get your ADR act together soooon!) and thanks for the storytelling suggestion.

I'm sure our "Rental Unit" would love POP! Chuck, do you know if there are any fold out chairs in the rooms or is it strictly two doubles?

We're told the kid loves swimming, too, so if for some reason we did end up getting in late he probably wouldn't be too disappointed.

Usually I laugh at posters who are so anal about the perfection of upcoming trips, but I think I've learned my lesson. And, not to worry, we're also pretty good at taking what comes. Sometimes there's more magic in the unexpected, right?

Again, thanks.

 

[Chuck S]

As far as I know POP is strictly 2 doubles or a king bed.

 

[CraftyMouse]

First, you are the adults. If you do not want to go "right now" then you simply need to explain that to Mr. Rental. If you say it in the right way and have something else that is fun to do (even just swimming at the hotel) he will understand.

Second, I would highly suggest not making MK your first park with Mr. Rental. Often, kids will go to the MK and then won't be interested in the other parks because they aren't as thrill-a-minute. My advice (and we've used it on many trips with first-time kids) is to save MK for third or fourth. Take him to EPCOT and the Studios before MK. He will enjoy those parks without comparing them unfavorably to the MK and then you can head to the MK after that. It's sort of like making him have dinner before eating dessert. Not that he won't enjoy the other parks (my kids' favorite is EPCOT)...but this way he will probably be a bit more open-minded about them.

 

[quentina]

We've had great luck with priceline. We bid $60.00 for a 4 star resort in the Disney area. We get the Hilton across the street from DD.

You can walk across to DD or take a bus (it is a 5 minute walk). It is a beautiful hotel and well worth the $60 bucks. I have heard people getting this same hotel for $55.00 at priceline.

We always check out and move first thing in the morning and off we go.

 

[crisi]

We are usually exhausted after a day of travel - and our kids LOVE the pool.

The nice thing about onsite is that they'll move luggage for you - so you can roll out of bed, turn luggage over to bell services, head to MK, and when you arrive at VWL, your luggage will be waiting for you - that is a significant advantage over offsite - less of an advantage if you'll have a car and can throw your luggage in the trunk.

If you land at 3:00 it will be 4:30 before you are at the resort if you use ME - if you drive it will probably still be 4:00. That makes for a short evening in the parks. Dinner out at AKL where you can check out the animals might not be a bad plan - or Spoodles at the Boardwalk - or Downtown Disney - but honestly, we tend to stay real close to the resort and the resort pool.

I disagree with not doing MK - I remember your rental as being the age where he is likely to enjoy the other parks as much - perhaps more - than MK. We like to start in MK - it isn't quite Disney until you've walked down MainStreet - and our kids have never had any issue - even when they were little - about then going to other parks.