Trip advice needed

[momof3girls6712]

We have 3 girls ages 6, 7, and 12 and we will also be taking 1 or 2 of my oldest's friends with us on our next Disney vacation. We have taken the girls twice to the parks, but I have never really researched and planned ahead. We just spent a week in August there. My kids loved Mikey's Backyard BBQ and wanted to do that again. I just found out it is only seasonal. We usually do 3 character meals a trip. Any suggestions? We have done the epcot princesses (2 times), Cystal Palace, Cinderella at the Grand, Cinderella in the castle, and Mickey's BBQ.

Also any other advice would be appreciated. This is our first time taking other children with us. We will also be meeting up with my sister-nl-aw and her family while there and possibly another couple. Any advice for large groups touring the parks?

Also our dates are fairly flexible (we only live about a hour and a half away) any suggestions. We were thinking somewhere between Jan 20 and Feb 12.

I know I have asked alot. Just the last visits left the kids wanting more and not really satified so I am trying to acturally plan ahead and improve their experience.

Thanks

 

[ajcolorado]

Are you thinking about staying on Disney property? If so, you will want to book soon because that promotion with the free park hopper & water, park fun & more options has to be booked by Dec. 15th. This can save a group like yours quite a bit of money.

 

[momof3girls6712]

We will be staying on property. Not sure yet where. Previously we have stayed at Pop and Riverside. I did not even know of a promotion deal going on. I am really bad at planning. The last 2 times I have just called and had Disney handle everything. But we do not want to go to the water parks so I do not mind missing out on that. Living in FL we have season passes to the Busch parks and go to one every month and in the summer we go to a water park once a week.

Umm I wonder if annual passes to Disney are worth it? My hubby can only handle it once a year though so maybe not. The other theme parks are smaller and closer.