Sept/Oct Family Trip, NEED YOUR ADVICE!!

[Rmurphy005]

Over the weekend I officially got the green light to start planning a trip for Sept/Oct 2016. I have been a lurker on the DIS for a long time and i have always been very interested in how everyone on here plans out their trips. This is going to be the first time i will be able to plan so far in advance and i am really excited to see how I can get it to play out. All of your help will be greatly appreciated...
HERE ARE THE QUICK FACTS:
-The primary cast for this vacation is My DW, my DD(will be 1.5 during the trip), and myself.
-We are going to ask my DW's parents and also my father to come along. (We have not mentioned it yet but we are pretty sure they will want to go on this trip)
-This trip is so we can view Disney through the eyes of my daughter. (well and because i havent been in a few years and i am sick of just reading about it on here haha)
-I am trying to decide between Sept/Oct of 2016 for 8 days with a 5 day park hopper.
-I am the only one going on this trip that is obsessed with Disney, my father really loves it but he just loves going and isnt into the whole planning aspect of it. I dont think my DW or her parents have any idea how much i know about disney from these boards. It will be an interesting trip lol.
HERE ARE SOME QUESTIONS I HAVE FOR YOU:
-What suggestions do you have for a 1.5 year old going to Disney?
-What is your favorite Value or Moderate Resort with 1.5 year old and why?
-We are leaning towards Sept since the crowds are the lowest, would you agree?
-Any suggestions on bringing extended family? (I can see my in laws not wanting to stick to the detailed plan i have and i dont want there to be any arguments) I am thinking of just telling them when we invite them that they are welcome to come with us and we are going to stick to the plan we have made and if they want to follow along with us that is great, but if not that is ok too.
-This will be my first time going without the meal plan, any suggestions on great food spots that wont kill my budget?

 

[Chief Powhatan]

Every November, my DW, DD and myself go to Disney with my in-laws. We stay in an RV in Fort Wilderness. We have found that the key to the trip is to have 2 cars. Me, DW and DD love to do Rope Drop every morning, while the in-laws would rather have a leisurely breakfast and join us at the parks later (or not at all on some days). We have learned that what works best is to give everyone the freedom to enjoy the trip at the pace and schedule they are comfortable with.

Good luck and I hope you have a great trip.

 

[minnie mum]

Just a few things come to mind.
- Resort: I think CBR is perfect for those with littles. It has a zero entry main pool and THE best splash area for toddlers.As for when to go- have a look at easywdw's crowd calendar. Just know that the trade off for the lowest crowds will be "surface of the sun" heat and humidity. Personally, we like the end of Sept, early Oct better.
- Touring with toddlers: Try to keep yourself to their schedule at home. Plan your meal times according to when you usually eat at home. This means scheduling ADRs fore BEFORE these times, to allow for a delay in being seated. Plan for an afternoon nap at your resort. Not all toddlers will nap in their stroller. And it is SO hot in Sept/ early Oct, that most people need the break to cool down and recharge.
-Touring with extended family: I think you are on the right track. The surest way to end up with family tensions is to try to stay joined at the hip for the whole trip. Share your daily plans with everyone, with the clear understanding that people are free to do their own thing whenever they want.
-Dining- we haven't used a dining plan in years. There just isn't any value in it for us 2 adults. Limiting the number of Prix fixe restaurants (buffets and family style) and sticking to a la carte restaurants will usually save you money.

 

[fairy oma]

We are going to WDW with extended family (9 in the party) in December and the age range is from 3-64 years of age. We are doing PHs so we can go to breakfast in one park and then hop to another a bit later. Be sure to plan a nap time for your little one and a rest period for the adults.

We also plan at least one resort day for just goofing off at the resort and pool. The little ones seem to love the Disney pools as much as the parks.

We had a family meeting and agreed that we did not have to be together all of the time and we can go our own way if we choose. Some of us have separate ADRS and DH and I have special event tickets for a date night.

We are using DDP simply because we do so many Character Meals for the kids and it does payoff in the longrun. If it was just my DH and me we would do OOP.

Have fun...the gift of seeing WDW through a child's eye is a precious memory none of you will forget.

 

[Disneymooners4eva]

Hi Rmurphy005! I am planning a trip similar to yours! With my DH, my then 22month DS and in-laws.

We are aiming for Sept for low crowds and free dining, but mind you late Sept is F&W so its gets a little more busy.
I just took DS to Disneyland and I think character meet and greets were awesome! He squealed when he met mickey, minnie and pluto.

You might also want to think about a more easily accessible hotel, my in-laws requested afternoon naps...my DH wants Contemporary but I said Yacht/ Beach club.

Good luck planning! Maybe we'll see you there next year!

 

[ToddyLu]

DH and I start out by getting a separate room for those we travel with. We love one another but have different goals and ideas part of the time we are there. We have even stayed in different resorts before and just met up for meals or a couple of hours in the parks. I create an excel spreadsheet starting with park hours and everyone gets a copy. They all have input in the meals and at this point I know all the favorites. I typically go with Easy WDW recommendations and then try to guess where we might want to eat. For that time of year keep in mind...

F&W in going on as well as MNSSHP. You need to plan accordingly your days for those parks. If EPCOT has EMH on a Friday night and that is your destination--you have to remember that crowds will be bad, it is a weekend, DHS may close early as well as AK, putting more guests into EPCOT. Combine that with a MNSSHP and guests from MK, not staying for the party, coming in and you have a nightmare. It can be done but you will need a plan. If you plan on eating there that evening YOU HAVE TO HAVE AN ADR. So when I use my spreadsheet it gives me the whole week at a glance and I can make adjustments. I can not see it that way on MDE.

Everyone has permission to do a park alone or as a couple. I turned to my parents on one trip on the third day and said "OK guys you are on your own tomorrow"...my Mom was wide-eyed and I simply told her "this is your vacation too, take Daddy and go to the resorts or DTD, enjoy getting lost and we will see you the following day". I think that freedom makes them want to travel and go with us. My MIL has learned that she enjoys a solo day and knows her way around. She feels comfortable on the buses and can take her time. I am already in the planning stages for our 9 night trip next May, just DH and I. We are DVC which lends itself to relaxing and not traveling commando to the parks. If you feel like you want a copy of my spreadsheet as a starting point I am willing to share. Just need an email address and rather than posting it in the thread you can PM me in a conversation.