The Big 2016!

[kariss]

Have a niece and nephew who's first time to Disney was a total bummer because grandma decided she can just wing it. Me and husband have been to Disney world about 3 times together and I've been going my whole life and am a total addict. So our last trip I planned the entire week out hour by hour and we got a ton of stuff done it was great! I will never go with out planning ahead.
So I decided that it's up to me to show my niece and nephew how awesome Disney really is and I've been doing research reading the Disney planning guide, checking out forums and taking plenty of notes.
I would like a few tips and opinions on my current game plan, nothing is solid but I believe this is what will work out best for everyone to have fun and not to completely drain our pockets.
- the time of year I'm thinking to go is either January, August or September. From what I see they seem to be either the cheaper times of the year or the best when it comes to the kids not missing school.
- Resort: we love CBR but with the kids coming along I think we will be better situated in a one bedroom. First choice would be Art of animation, second choice I thought we should go for DVC points rental and stay at the boardwalk.
- We are in love with the dining plan (1quick,1 table, 1 snack & Mug) and don't think we would ever go with out it. The Mr. is a fan of food and he loves trying out all the restaurants. So it's a must.
- last but not least, I want it to be a big super long vacation so I'm shorting for 14 nights. Plenty of time to enjoy our resort, Disney parks, universal, and be able to take it easy.

That's all I got so far. Trip has to be 2016 because I want to save a bunch of the cost myself being I know my niece and nephews parents can't contribute too much. I want to show them the world!(Disney world)

I'm going to Disney! I'm so excited, I can't breath!!

 

[uccats97]

If you can afford it now, buy your park tickets. The price just increased for the second time in less than a year last week. They may go up again in June like they usually do. If you wait until 2016 you could potentially have 3-4 more price increases. The tickets are good for 14 days after first use so you can buy now and hold on to them until you go. Keep in mind the ages the kids will be in 2016 and that Disney prices kids ages 3-9 and adults ages 10+.

 

[smiths02]

If you can afford it now, buy your park tickets. The price just increased for the second time in less than a year last week. They may go up again in June like they usually do. If you wait until 2016 you could potentially have 3-4 more price increases. The tickets are good for 14 days after first use so you can buy now and hold on to them until you go. Keep in mind the ages the kids will be in 2016 and that Disney prices kids ages 3-9 and adults ages 10+.

But OP wants to go during periods which historically offered free dining which requires a ticket purchase. Also, if the trip is cancelled that would be a big loss.
I know the tickets would be good until you used them, but I wouldn't buy tickets 2 years ahead of time

 

[MandiC]

I too wouldn't buy ahead. Especially staying on-site and getting the dining plan. You can frequently get package deal pricing when buying all 3 even during times that are not free dining (we had stay-play-dine for our stay Jan 31-Feb 7) Just save and factor in possible price increases.
Unless we can get our parents to agree to going before I am pretty sure our next trip will also be in 2016! (Likely in early December).
How many people are going? Most rooms can only have 4 people ages 3 and up, Port Orleans Riverside has rooms that can fit 5. Just in case that is why you want to go with a 1 bedroom suite. How old are they? Might change which parks would be best.
Though being 2 years away you just never know what kind of changes will be in place. Right now, as far as planning our next trip, I am just laying out our options. Which restaurants we have to go back to, which parks we will want to be in for how many days, which rides we didn't get to do or definitely want to redo...leaving room for any new rides/lands there will be. Kids change a lot in 2 years time too so the characters they are interested in now might be different in 2 years. Just build the 'skeleton' of your trip now and fill it in as it gets closer. Maybe pick which time of year you would prefer. Are you going to have trouble taking them out of school? Depending on where they live some schools start in August, all are in session by September and it's hard to miss those first 2-3 weeks of getting to know the new teacher/class/rules. However, free dining runs in September a lot so if you could do late September that might save some money (if you want free dining you might also want to think about your resort choices, value resorts only get the quick service plan so you'd probably want to upgrade and dvc rentals don't get free dining from my understanding though you can add the dining plan to them. Moderates get the basic dining plan with 1 snack, 1 counter service and 1 table service) Though September you will run the risk of hurricanes. January weather can be beautiful. For our trip there were only 2.5 days where we were cold and the kids did get to swim one day (they probably could have 4 of the days we were there but we were busy!). All things to consider when planning the timing, some may or may not be a deal breaker for you.

 

[kariss]

The kids will be 8 and 13. The 1 bedroom is so we can all be comfy during midday relaxation time. Being packed into a room won't be the best option for all of us plus there will be parents dropping by on different days of the trip so we would like to accommodate them. A room that fits 5 will be the best option.

I'm going to Disney! I'm so excited, I can't breath!!

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Not to be the wet blanket, but a teen (especially a boy) may not be as thrilled with Disney as you might imagine. And don't be surprised if MK is his least favorite and the water parks the main highlight. You're going to have to approach this a lot differently for him than the 8 year old. Just something to consider.

 

[MOpGrad2013]

What a great gift! Are the kids in on the planning or are you keeping it a surprise?

DS was 15 when we went and DD was 12. At first, they thought it was all about characters and parades, even though they had seen videos and read the books. Even DH, who went to DL as a child, was overwhelmed by the amount to see and do. So, I think no matter the ages, they will enjoy it with this great planning on your part.

Since you are looking at the parents stopping in, maybe two connecting rooms at the values? I like queen beds so prefer mods, but when you are trying to save a bit of money...

DS liked the Epcot kid stops so he could really speak with the folks from the country. DD is a scientist at heart so stopping in innoventions was great for her and she also had some trivia about the rides.

FOOD! Maybe the cupcake crawl that disneyfoodblog has listed. Sure, you are looking at $5 a cupcake or hopefully just one credit, but it might be fun. Or, perhaps with an adventerous eater for an uncle, maybe they can list foods they someday would try...DS wanted escargot. He didn't care for it prepared one way, but now he's had it at different restaurants across the country.

So many changes have occurred that the WDW secret type books are a bit out of date, but both kids liked looking for the ones that were there. And like I said before, trivia was fun.

Enjoy your planning and even more the trip!

 

[3boysNagirl]

What fun 14 days with 2 yrs of planning & saving can be!! I'm with you on the 1 bdrm & DP. Save,Save,Save to begin with while noting outlines of details such as rides & places for food & tips. Once you can detail a date around work & school call to secure a pkg with down payment. You can add any discounts that are released for those dates with availability any time before travel. So..set your main concerns in beginning resort,DDP,park days,MM then with any refund you can add perks or have extra for shopping! Good luck n have fun planning Its going to be Magical!!!

 

[MandiC]

A 13 year old might enjoy MK! Big Thunder Mountain/Space Mountain/Splash Mountain/Mine Train and while he/she may scoff at it I bet he'll like Buzz Lightyear Soccerer's of Magic Kingdom if he/she is into Harry Potter type stuff. If the 8 year old is the girl there will be a lot of princess stuff on her mind and I would highly suggest doing Enchanted Tales with Belle if the 8 year old is a girl.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

A 13 year old might enjoy MK! Big Thunder Mountain/Space Mountain/Splash Mountain/Mine Train and while he/she may scoff at it I bet he'll like Buzz Lightyear Soccerer's of Magic Kingdom if he/she is into Harry Potter type stuff. If the 8 year old is the girl there will be a lot of princess stuff on her mind and I would highly suggest doing Enchanted Tales with Belle if the 8 year old is a girl.

Oh absolutely. He could love it! Lots of kids that age do. But, it is getting to the point where that's no longer a given. That's all

 

[MandiC]

No worries I agree, it really does depend on the 13 year old. I am hoping my kids still like it at 13 cause they have no choice

 

[kariss]

My nephew will be 13 by the time we go and niece will be 7 or 8 ( I'm terrible with remembering my own age). I know he will be super thrilled with all the parks and my niece is pretty tough and tall for her age and would be up for I'd say 85-90% of all the park rides and shows.
I know I would save a ton of money getting the DVC rentals but will I be able to book 2 weeks? Do people rent out that many points from their plans? Or would I have to book 2 consecutive weeks from 2 different members?
I don't think getting the kids out of school would be an issue, the year starts September 8th in the NYC area. I don't want them missing any days the first few months of school so we would be back atleast a week before school if we do the August September time of the year. If I can have everything my way, early January would be the best time. Me and the Mr went once in May and it was way too uncomfortably hot on the park days if our trip. So I'm shooting for January.

I guess I'm looking for thoughts,tips and opinions on the time of the year and the best way to save money on the the trip.

I'm going to Disney! I'm so excited, I can't breath!!