Sorrfolks our next trip will not be to Disneyland

[ironpig70]

So the saga continues. Last night as we where watching tv a commercial came on for Disney. My son was so excited and shouted "I have been there" to which he was told that was Disney World. He had that puzzled look. So I broke out the lap top and showed him the World. He pointed at the Magic Kingdom and told me that was Disneyland. After awhile of looking at the parks, water parks and hotels he is on board for a WDW trip.


What is a dad to do. We have wanted to go for a while. So I think we may forgo the next trip to DL and hit the World in a couple years.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Fun!! We are planning our first trip to WDW this fall. We too are forgoing DLR until Carsland opens in order to make this trip happen. Flying 6 to Orlando is a big expense compared to driving to DLR. Luckily our timeshare trades into DVC and we were able to get 2 weeks in a 2BR condo!!! Saves us about $2000 in hotel costs.

 

[skiingfast]

It's alright. Maybe you'll have fun there. I hear it is just ok.

 

[SplashMo]

Enjoy!

 

[taaren]

That's what I love about DVC. Most years we can't afford the time or money to fly all the way to WDW but those years we can still enjoy our happy place at DLR where everything is familiar. Then once out of several trips we can take some extra vacation time and do the World. Very excited about both so glad I no longer have to choose between them.

 

[ironpig70]

Fun!! We are planning our first trip to WDW this fall. We too are forgoing DLR until Carsland opens in order to make this trip happen. Flying 6 to Orlando is a big expense compared to driving to DLR. Luckily our timeshare trades into DVC and we were able to get 2 weeks in a 2BR condo!!! Saves us about $2000 in hotel costs.

We are also waiting for Carsland and Airels to open. While flying is more the drive is a killer for us. It's roughly 16 hours with stops. I saw in the WDW threads at certain times WDW "gives" you the meal plan for "free" I think if we can do that it may be a big plus. WDW versus DL everything is equal then minus flights which is like 1/3 the trip.

We looked at the DVC but DL only has villas at GCH(cheapest) and even on the cheapest times of the year they are more than what we can do at a good neighbor hotel which makes our every couple year trips even longer between trips.

Yeah the Villas are nice but I don't see us in them more than sleeping.

Wish there was a "cheaper" option.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

In doing research for our WDW trip, I learned that staying off site (blasphamy, I know) we would save over $1000. I calculated food, tickets, hotel, airfair, stroller rental, and trasportion to/from hotel and to parks. Even if we were to stay at a value resort, it would be $1000 more than if we were to stay at Buena Vista Suits.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I saw in the WDW threads at certain times WDW "gives" you the meal plan for "free" I think if we can do that it may be a big plus.

We enjoyed Free Dining for our WDW 10/09 - other than it being way too hot and humid we had a fantastic time *however DLR will always be #1 to me* you will find it $$$ staying on site for your family - once you're a group of more than 4 *5 if one is under ?2 or 3?*

We stayed at POP and in 2009 we got the regular *1 table service/1 quick service/1 snack per day* dining plan for free *now value resorts just get the Quick Service plan for free* my mom was with us so we were a party of 4 ~ I brought air beds for my kids so we all had our own beds *all values and I think most moderates are double beds only*

Have fun planning ~ I learned most of what I know from the DIS Budget and Family boards.

 

[ironpig70]

We are a party of 5 and that limits our hotel stays on property. But we will stay onsite at All Star Music as they have suites which will be nice to spread out.

My kids are turning 13 and 7(twins) in may so I'd like to go before they turn 10 as then they are adults.

As for food I think we will pay the extra $ to upgrade to 1 table, 1 QS and 1 snack. Personally after looking a little today I think it is a value to us as we went years ago for 4 days and did only QS. I think with this trip we would go for 8 days and do a few character meals and a few "nice" meals. Figure its probaly a once in a decade kind of trip.


And yes DL will always be my favorite.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Moving this over to the DL Community Board.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

We are a party of 5 and that limits our hotel stays on property. But we will stay onsite at All Star Music as they have suites which will be nice to spread out.

My kids are turning 13 and 7(twins) in may so I'd like to go before they turn 10 as then they are adults.

As for food I think we will pay the extra $ to upgrade to 1 table, 1 QS and 1 snack. Personally after looking a little today I think it is a value to us as we went years ago for 4 days and did only QS. I think with this trip we would go for 8 days and do a few character meals and a few "nice" meals. Figure its probaly a once in a decade kind of trip.


And yes DL will always be my favorite.

Sounds good ~ but perhaps consider 2 regular value rooms *should be able to get/can certainly request adjoining/connecting rooms - that might be cheaper than the family suite. I'm glad we had the DP but when we return next if we stay value and get FD or have to pay for it *if we chose to* I think we'd be ok with the QS plan - the regular plan was really fun but it was a lot of food and tipping is $$ + the meals take a while out of the day. But it's definitely worth doing at least once *especially if it's free/discounted.

 

[bumbershoot]

If it's going to be in a couple years, the free dining stuff might have totally changed. They already messed some people up by offering it for booking back in December, instead of waiting until spring to announce it. And, of course, do the math and figure out if the free dining discount is better for you than other discounts you might have available at the time.

Luckily our timeshare trades into DVC and we were able to get 2 weeks in a 2BR condo!!! Saves us about $2000 in hotel costs.

Nice!

 

[skiingfast]

I saw in the WDW threads at certain times WDW "gives" you the meal plan for "free" I think if we can do that it may be a big plus. WDW versus DL everything is equal then minus flights which is like 1/3 the trip.

We are a party of 5 and that limits our hotel stays on property. But we will stay onsite at All Star Music as they have suites which will be nice to spread out.

My kids are turning 13 and 7(twins) in may so I'd like to go before they turn 10 as then they are adults.

As for food I think we will pay the extra $ to upgrade to 1 table, 1 QS and 1 snack. Personally after looking a little today I think it is a value to us as we went years ago for 4 days and did only QS. I think with this trip we would go for 8 days and do a few character meals and a few "nice" meals. Figure its probaly a once in a decade kind of trip.

Free Dining isn't perfect. While people look at it as savings hundreds on food, what they don't consider is the extra paid on a room. My savings last time. $62 over 6 nights for one adult and one child. Why did I save so little? Because if I paid for dining I could of had a room discount. This is really common, take one freebie pay more elsewhere. Just a caution to not get caught up on free dining.

And regular dining plan may be the way to go. Since if the twins eat a lot, it might be good to get the buffets for your TS. That way these older kids are stuck with the same size meals that a 4yo gets.

If free dining comes up, it's important to know that they do the free quick service at the value resorts, which the All Stars are. You have to stay at a Moderate to get a free regular dining plan.

 

[DisneyIsMagical]

It's alright. Maybe you'll have fun there. I hear it is just ok.