Single parent at Disney world..

[starla]

Hi everyone,

I'm just starting to plan out a trip for my son's 5th birthday in may 2006 to Walt Disney World. I'm a single mother doing it all on my own [working and going to college!] so I'm looking for any budget advice ya'll can offer!

His birthday is on the twenty seventh and I think that I would like to stay for at least a week. That will run into the memorial day holiday.. Would it be better for us to go the week before and just pick a day to call his birthday to avoid the crowds? Or will they be just as bad?

Since he will only be five years old, and I'm the only other person I don't think we would need a dining plan? Or would it be recommended as a money saver? I know that I want to do one character meal [ lunch or dinner] and DS would love the priate cruse they offer, any other ideas on what we can do while we are there? We will not be going to the water parks..not my thing

Any advice on a travle agent to use? I'll be flying out from Philadelphia, is south west a good airline? they seem to offer very low faires and they fly to orlando. When should I start booking my trip if I do everything myself?

Is staying at the All Stars Movies Resort for 7-10 nights a good idea? I'm afraid that the busses will take forever, but I don't think I can afford to stay at a mod resort unless I shorten our trip. He loves toy story and 101 dalmations so I know that he would like to stay there, he's already gone nuts after just seeing the pictures !!

Or maybe split the trip between ASMO and POP just for a change ? If by chance we can upgrade to a mod, which one should it be?

Sorry for posting so many questions!

-Starla

 

[lurontravel]

How wonderful for you to do this trip for yourselves! I applaud you, it's hard enough being a single mom and going to college, and I am ultra impressed that you are taking the time / effort to budget a trip for your son.

With that said, when I go to WDW alone with my two kids (3 and 5), the last thing I am looking to do is to change rooms mid-stay.

While the ASMO sounds like a very good option for you, you also might wish to look into renting points on the DVC Rent and Trade board on the DVC forum if you end up going for a short trip. The going rate for points is about $10 each, and if you go in May or early June and stay at OKW it will cost you 10 points per night Sunday-Thursday nights. If you really want to stay on a Friday or Saturday night, this is probably not a good option for you, as the point cost on Friday and Saturday nights is 24 points per night during this time frame. The advantages to staying here for these 5 nights on rented points are: there is no room tax, you have a refrigerator and microwave as well as a coffee pot and toaster. Transportation to the parks is included b/c you are staying on property, as well as the extra magic hour in the am and 3 extra hours at select parks on select days (if you stay anywhere on property you have these advantages). At OKW with the micro and fridge, you will have the benefit of cooking or at least have cereal, lunchmeats and drinks etc. in your room. If you aren't worried about a school schedule yet (I assume that you won't be since your son will just be turning five), I'd suggest that you plan to come home on or just the day after his B-day to miss some of the crowds. Just some things to think about...

Happy Valentines Day from My Five Year OLD!

 

[Ambassador]

Do check the Budget forum here for helpful advice.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

AT your son's age I think he would love ASM or Pop. They are very kid oriented. For airlines I would also look at Air Trans. We've used them out of Philadelphia - good air fare and good service. The dining plan would probably be good for you (unless you got some good general public codes or bought AP) because it's only $10 a day for your soon. You will have a wonderful time.

 

[tjmw2727]

Although I am not a single mom I took my first WDW trip solo with my oldest dd who was 4 at the time. We had a BLAST!! I have since taken each dd solo 2x and did a solo trip with them both 2x and loved them all.

We left my dh and 2yo dd at home and took a much needed mommy and me trip for 5 days. Don't worry as my younger dd had her turn with me and we have done many family trips and mom & me trips (just check my tag for proof!). I have since taken each dd solo 2x and did a solo trip with them both 2x and loved them all.
anyway

My advice is to plan it yourself and not use a travel agent and not use the dining plan. Step one is to check orbitz and southwest websites for a good rate - if you see one book it. Step two is to book a room at a value resort - they are all great for a kid & me trip. Then watch this board and mousesavers.com for "room only codes" check the resort boards for the threads on the codes available now and watch for your dates. Then if a discount becomes available for your dates book it and then cancel your currrent reservation. (Make sure you have room only with a 7 day prior cancellation date.)

Step three is to consider a grocery stop by using a town car or have groceries delivered. This gives you the option of breakfast in the room as well as lunch fixins. You will also have access to water, soda, milk and juice as you know very important to the preschool set. I usually plan a late tableservice luch every day for a good meal at a good price and a break from the day. If you want a character meals to avoid long lines for the characters your son wants to meet do a lunch, late breakfast or early diner. Then you can do counter service or in room sandwiches or even cereal for the other meals.

A break at some point for swimming and a rest - even if it isn't a nap - is a must for us. A break for a movie or a book and maybe a nap followed by a swim and a trip to the playground works wonders with my kids. Then you can return the park - we like to do a different park then we did in the am - fresh and ready to go.

Have a gret trip and have fun planning and post more questions - lots of us have btdt and love to help.
TJ

 

[F1Julie]

I'm a single mom of DD4 and we love going to WDW together. We celebrated her 4th birthday at WDW last May. You'll have a blast. I think ASMo is a great choice. The bus system at WDW is very efficient, no matter where you stay. I wouldn't split my resort stay. For me, it would be too much hassle. I'd also book everything myself and hope for a code for your resort stay. I'd wait til the end of March of next year and if a code hasn't come out by then, book rack or AAA rate. You can buy your tickets in advance through a broker to save some money as well. As for timing, I'd go the week before and maybe end your trip the day after your son's birthday. That way you should miss most of the memorial day day crowds but still be at WDW on the big day.

 

[Madi100]

I can't help with most of your questions, but let me say that we have stayed at All Star Movies, and my DD would stay there every trip if we let her. It's a blast. Your son will love it. Request a room in the Toy Story section.

As far as going alone with your son, I'm a chicken, or maybe I don't like the hassle of "dealing" with the kids by myself. With that said, I'm seriously considering a girls only trip and leaving DH at home. We fly. And, we hire a towncar to take us to WDW. I strongly suggest that. So, I don't have to worry about lugging the suitcases all by myself. Once you get to your hotel, you don't have to drive to get anyplace. You just jump on a bus. The bus service was great for us. Just study the different maps and be familiar with how to get from here to there, and you'll do fine. I'd miss my DH something terrible, but would not be afraid to do a trip without him.

I also wouldn't use a travel agent, simply because you can do it yourself. Even if you check out the Walt Disney World website you will see it's pretty easy to plan your own trip.

Oh, and be sure to stop at City Hall in MK and get a button that says It's My Birthday on it. Sometimes the CMs give you special treatment. Here is a website, allearsnet, that tells about things to do for birthdays.

Birthday Ideas

 

[starla]

If you aren't worried about a school schedule yet (I assume that you won't be since your son will just be turning five), I'd suggest that you plan to come home on or just the day after his B-day to miss some of the crowds. Just some things to think about...

My son will only be in preschool next year, but I'm not worried about him missing any days from the program The DVC points is a neat idea, but I'm not sure if it would work for us since I want to stay for at least seven days. shame though, I'd love to be able to cook a few meals for us! I'm not a fan of eating out, so a week or more without cooking will be hard for me!

 

[starla]

AT your son's age I think he would love ASM or Pop. They are very kid oriented. For airlines I would also look at Air Trans. We've used them out of Philadelphia - good air fare and good service. The dining plan would probably be good for you (unless you got some good general public codes or bought AP) because it's only $10 a day for your son. You will have a wonderful time.

Thanks!

I will put air trans on the list of airlines to check. I only want to book a direct flight, even if it will cost me more $, so I'll really need to look around. I'm an AAA member so I know I can use that to get a discount on the rooms, so I'm not sure if I'll be able to use the dining plan after all.