Suggestions Please? Preliminary planning...

[disneyfor3boys]

I'm a single mom to three wonderful boys (ages 14, 12 and 8). I'm thinking it may be possible (if I'm very smart with my budget) to take the boys to Disney World next spring. I think 3 days would be our maximum. Where would be the most economical place to stay on-site? I'm hoping to fly into Orlando, and take some sort of public transportation (open to suggestions) to Disney, and do three parks. Also seeking advice on feeding my hungry boys in Disney as well. Thanks in advance!

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Welcome and have fun planning! I would suggest staying in one of the value resorts (Pop Century or one of the All Stars...if I had 3 boys...maybe All Star Sports?) You can fly into Orlando and take Magical Express to your hotel. It's currently complimentary. They deliver your luggage to your hotel (you don't have to pick them up at baggage claim) and take you by motorcoach to your hotel. You can get a 3 day park pass to get into the parks. I don't know what your boys taste is in terms of food. If you want to eat at one sit-down restaurant a day, I would suggest the Dining Plan. It's currently $37/per adult/per night and $11/per child (your 8 yr old)/per night. With that you would get 1) sit down meal, 1 counter service meal, and 1 snack per night per person. However, if your boys are just going to eat counter service (burgers and chicken fingers, etc), it would benefit you not to do the DDP.

 

[stacy6552]

The all star resorts and pop century are the value resorts on property. I would stay at one of those anytime over anything else off property. For a smidge more you can get a FW cabin with a AAA discount. That would give you a full kitchen to off set the price of meals and a bit more elbow room.

Disney guests are offered free shuttle service between the airport and resorts. The Magical Express its called (or DME).

If you can hold off or bump up to late summertime, Disney has offered free dining packages in August the last couple of years.

Go register on Mousesavers.com for great discounts. If there's a code, they'll have it.

I would also watch the age of your youngest. The difference between a child's ticket and an adult's is the 10th birthday.

 

[Aliceacc]

HI and welcome!

I started a thread for other newbies: it may help you get your bearings: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715551

ONe small consideration before you look at lodging: many of the least expensive rooms have 2 double beds... would that be OK with your kids? One of the boys would have to sleep with you.

For general info on resorts: Disney has 3 different categories of resorts: Deluxe, Moderate and Value. It sounds as though you want value. Take a look at the resort fact sheets at www.allears.net and look at them. They're all priced the same, so it's really a question of personal preference.

Also, are you a member of CAA? Both the American and Canadian Auto clubs offer room discounts. For 3 days at a value it may or may not be worth the registration fee if you're not already a member. YOu can find the info at www.mousesavers.com -- go to the resorts discounts section.

OK, you have a direction. Sort through it and let us know what questions we can answer.

 

[trivial]

Good advice so far. I'm not sure if airfare is any more reasonable in NB than it is in ON, but what we do is drive across the border and fly with a budget airline (JetBlue, Southwest, etc.). This may be a way to save money for you as well, depending on how far you are from the border. I know that JetBlue does fly from Portland, MN to Orlando.