Several random first trip planning questions!

[monsmith]

Background: We're planning on our first DL trip (from TX) for the first week in June 2015. Kids will be 5 (girl) & 8 (boy). I anticipate we'll do this DL trip next summer & then another WDW trip when the kids are teens, but that's probably all the Disney magic we can afford.

Questions:

1) Will renting DVC points be a significant cost savings over a PPH or DLH package? I'm not sure if I'm missing something obvious, but it seriously looks like we'd save over half from even the best deals out there.

2) We'll have 7 days in CA & would like to visit at least one beach. Not sure if we should rent a car & break up our trip or just add the beach to the end (seems like less hassle). If we do 5 day hopper, we hope to be able to take it super easy at the parks. If you were planning, what would be your ideal? Other thoughts or considerations?

3) I know there is BBB/365 for the girl, but is there also a Pirates makeover or something else for the boy?

Thank you all!!!

 

[nikkislaght]

From Personal experience, break the trip and do the beach in the middle of Disney. on your beach day ,, you can sleep in.. be lazy in the morning, spend the day relaxing at the beach, really slow down and rest.
5 straight days in the park is a killer for my child.. we have been going since he was 5 and we always have a mid trip break and barely make it, this trip we went straight through and had more melt downs than ever before and he is coming up to 10 now.. even taking it easy in the parks the children have to be aware of others, there is no real running around to let off steam, a mid beach break is so good for their little bodies .. like I said just from our experience its better to have the break in the middle of our 5 days.. hope you have fun ..

 

[waltonmkb]

1. We are renting points for the first time in September and yes, it did save us quite a bit of money over regular DLR hotel prices. The downsides are that you must make reservations way in advance for VGC and once your reservations are confirmed, you cannot cancel.

2. With 5-day hoppers you can take it very easy and I would also take a beach day in the middle of the 5 days. You can rent a car in Downtown Disney so it shouldn't be a hassle at all. I would recommend Huntington Beach.

3. Sorry, no help here!

 

[figment_jii]

3) I know there is BBB/365 for the girl, but is there also a Pirates makeover or something else for the boy?

Sorry, but in the past, Disneyland has only offered Pirates League during Halloween Time.

 

[lalasmama]

Background: We're planning on our first DL trip (from TX) for the first week in June 2015. Kids will be 5 (girl) & 8 (boy). I anticipate we'll do this DL trip next summer & then another WDW trip when the kids are teens, but that's probably all the Disney magic we can afford.

Questions:

1) Will renting DVC points be a significant cost savings over a PPH or DLH package? I'm not sure if I'm missing something obvious, but it seriously looks like we'd save over half from even the best deals out there.

Are you 100% sold on staying on-site? You can stay closer to the main gates at several off-site hotels for about half the price. HoJo is about a 10 minute walk from the main entrance, and has a great kids' pool area, and special kids' suites that are Disney-themed. We prefer Park Vue Inn, which is across the street from the main entrance. Also, you said "PPH or DLR package." Not sure if you just meant hotel, or hotel/tickets/meals or such. Generally, it's cheaper to do each part of a package separately for DLH. There's cheaper tickets out there (orbitz and way.com are both recommended!). The meal program for DLR is a "dollar for dollar" voucher system that doesn't save any money either. Some people like the meal plan, though, knowing that they will still need to put out a little money at each meal, but feels like it gives them a better budget to play with.

2) We'll have 7 days in CA & would like to visit at least one beach. Not sure if we should rent a car & break up our trip or just add the beach to the end (seems like less hassle). If we do 5 day hopper, we hope to be able to take it super easy at the parks. If you were planning, what would be your ideal? Other thoughts or considerations?

I'd definitely go in the middle of the vacation! There's an Alamo Rent-a-car in Downtown Disney. Like another poster said, doing it in the middle will allow a day of rest--sleep in, have a nice breakfast, relax on the warm sand, etc., and come back for 2 more days of DLR!

3) I know there is BBB/365 for the girl, but is there also a Pirates makeover or something else for the boy?

BBB has "the Knights package"--hair and a sword and shield.

Studio Disney 365 has a rock-star package with hair gel and drum sticks (last I heard, at least!).

Both packages are about $20 plus tax.