Swan, Magic Kingdom, Christmas Week, and a confused Mom in a pear tree!

[MoyCoy]

BackGround...

I am a Disney Fan!~ I will be taking our 5 year old twin to WDW for the first time the Dec. We could only be in Orlando from Dec 18-27th I booked at the Swan ($190 a night) 18-21. We planned to stay at a better priced resort till the 27th (good neighbor resort) Pre-wins.. my husband and I stayed at PO and Riverside. I know the buses could be a pain during rush hour. We will have a rental car-- AND will be paying a parking fee and resort fee. I assumed we would have a park hopper, but after evaluating the height vs ride ratio, it seems the twins will mostly enjoy Magic Kingdom.


My Thought.....


My concern is that I booked the wrong hotel because we will still have to take a bus to MK.
I hoped for easy return for naps, but because we are visiting during the craziest time, the DW transportation may be packed.
I understand driving to Magic Kingdom and returning to the parking lot would take longer rather DW transportation.
If we stay off property and use a shuttle, that can be sporadic as well.

We are on a budget just because we are cruising with the twins the week prior.


Here are my questions...

1) I have read numerous articles that state Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom would be best for my preschoolers. should we just focus on Magic kingdom because of all the festivities . Will the crowds be so harsh that it will take 2-3 days to really enjoy the whole park? Should I do a park hopper

2) My twins still nap. I want the convenience of a Disney property (which I know the Swan is not) Without paying $450 a night for those on the rail system. I am not sure how my kids will handle Disney. I am visiting in the high season and the prices are crazy. 190 was the best I could find for a premium resort walking distance to Epcot. I could have a bigger room and a smaller charge if I stay off property. How convenient is it 'really' when staying at a property not on the monorail to get around during peek session? Should I plan to take breaks at the resort or plan to stay the whole day ?

Any other tips you can give me as a Mom going to WDW with her twins during a crazy week.!

 

[MoyCoy]

I thought of 3 more questions

1) Should we stay off property in a 1-2 bedroom will like the Sheridan upon our arrival 18 till departure 27th and use rental car or hotel shuttle the 18-21st? We plan to attend the Mickey Disney Party on the 18th)

2) Should we switch from the swan to PO and Riverside since we are paying almost the same amount 260 for PO / 190 plus 18 parking and 28 resort fee for Swan. We would have the magic wrist bands and options for the DDP. Plus we will still have to use the bus for both to get to Magic Kingdom.

3) How bad is the traffic I and around Disney during the week of Christmas? Is it better to stay on property due to traffic?

 

[staceyrhood]

In my opinion renting a car the week of Christmas is a very good option...buses and monorail will be insane with the crowds. It is by far the busiest week of the year. MK will close to capacity early a few days so get there early. That week I would plan on at least 2 MK days.

Napping depends on your child, my first would sleep in the stroller, my daughter who is 2 will not.

Have a great trip!

 

[Theaberdeenkid]

BackGround...

I am a Disney Fan!~ I will be taking our 5 year old twin to WDW for the first time the Dec. We could only be in Orlando from Dec 18-27th I booked at the Swan ($190 a night) 18-21. We planned to stay at a better priced resort till the 27th (good neighbor resort) Pre-wins.. my husband and I stayed at PO and Riverside. I know the buses could be a pain during rush hour. We will have a rental car-- AND will be paying a parking fee and resort fee. I assumed we would have a park hopper, but after evaluating the height vs ride ratio, it seems the twins will mostly enjoy Magic Kingdom.


My Thought.....


My concern is that I booked the wrong hotel because we will still have to take a bus to MK.
I hoped for easy return for naps, but because we are visiting during the craziest time, the DW transportation may be packed.
I understand driving to Magic Kingdom and returning to the parking lot would take longer rather DW transportation.
If we stay off property and use a shuttle, that can be sporadic as well.

We are on a budget just because we are cruising with the twins the week prior.


Here are my questions...

1) I have read numerous articles that state Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom would be best for my preschoolers. should we just focus on Magic kingdom because of all the festivities . Will the crowds be so harsh that it will take 2-3 days to really enjoy the whole park? Should I do a park hopper

2) My twins still nap. I want the convenience of a Disney property (which I know the Swan is not) Without paying $450 a night for those on the rail system. I am not sure how my kids will handle Disney. I am visiting in the high season and the prices are crazy. 190 was the best I could find for a premium resort walking distance to Epcot. I could have a bigger room and a smaller charge if I stay off property. How convenient is it 'really' when staying at a property not on the monorail to get around during peek session? Should I plan to take breaks at the resort or plan to stay the whole day ?

3) Should we stay off property in a 1-2 bedroom will like the Sheridan upon our arrival 18 till departure 27th and use rental car or hotel shuttle the 18-21st? We plan to attend the Mickey Disney Party on the 18th)

4) Should we switch from the swan to PO and Riverside since we are paying almost the same amount 260 for PO / 190 plus 18 parking and 28 resort fee for Swan. We would have the magic wrist bands and options for the DDP. Plus we will still have to use the bus for both to get to Magic Kingdom.

5) How bad is the traffic I and around Disney during the week of Christmas? Is it better to stay on property due to traffic?
Any other tips you can give me as a Mom going to WDW with her twins during a crazy week.!

1) I have read numerous articles that state Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom would be best for my preschoolers. should we just focus on Magic kingdom because of all the festivities . Will the crowds be so harsh that it will take 2-3 days to really enjoy the whole park? Should I do a park hopper

Your kids will get the most out of MK and AK (though my kids when we first went were 4-6 and their favorite park was Epcot). The crowds will be harsh but using FP+ will help make the trip more enjoyable. If you plan to eat in the parks you should make a reservation at a sit down restaurant, fighting the crowds at quick service and finding a place to sit and eat will be a nightmare. Don't do a park hopper, it will be a waste. The kids won't make an entire day, your best bet is to make your FP+ in the morning and have lunch in the parks, go back to the hotel in the early afternoon and let the kids nap and use the pool. If they have the energy you can go back out to the park later in the evening.


2) My twins still nap. I want the convenience of a Disney property (which I know the Swan is not) Without paying $450 a night for those on the rail system. I am not sure how my kids will handle Disney. I am visiting in the high season and the prices are crazy. 190 was the best I could find for a premium resort walking distance to Epcot. I could have a bigger room and a smaller charge if I stay off property. How convenient is it 'really' when staying at a property not on the monorail to get around during peek session? Should I plan to take breaks at the resort or plan to stay the whole day ?

Those hotels close to the MK on the monorail line are expensive but convenient. There is no way around it. Getting around during busy season is a hassle because of wait times to get on the buses. I think your best bet is what I mentioned above.

3) Should we stay off property in a 1-2 bedroom will like the Sheridan upon our arrival 18 till departure 27th and use rental car or hotel shuttle the 18-21st? We plan to attend the Mickey Disney Party on the 18th)

No stay on site, when the parks get towards capacity the first people turned away at the gate are those staying off site. Plus the shuttles aren't as convenient as Disney transportation.


4) Should we switch from the swan to PO and Riverside since we are paying almost the same amount 260 for PO / 190 plus 18 parking and 28 resort fee for Swan. We would have the magic wrist bands and options for the DDP. Plus we will still have to use the bus for both to get to Magic Kingdom.

There is nothing wrong with the Swan, its a great place. But then PO is a great place too. Im not sure I would change bookings at this point though

5) How bad is the traffic I and around Disney during the week of Christmas? Is it better to stay on property due to traffic?

Bad, and yes if you have the budget stay on property.

 

[hsmamato2]

I don't think Swan is a mistake- it's a lovely area to stay with kids... it's got great pools and the buses/boats go to various places just like any Disney resort- As far as MK, you have to take a bus from anywhere but the monorail resorts, so if that is too $$$ Swan is fine,and lovely. Check your rates again since they change sometimes too. I prefer to stay at Swan/Dolphin with no car,since I don't want to pay for parking. Naps? no idea, but perhaps you could condition them before your trip slowly to stop naps? (IDK my kids stopped regular naps by 2) or would a quiet spot in the shade with a stroller that reclines be enough rest for them? Personally I was never a fan of leaving mid day anyway, my kids just slept in the stroller if they got tired- We liked to see the parks,and when we got tired we went back to our hotel and enjoyed the resort time. I have stayed POFQ and Dolphin both, I prefer Dolphin/Swan area,there is SO much to see there-I love walking the boardwalk area too-