Trip Planning. How long is too long?

[Grimm Grinning Ghost]

Hi guys and gals.
I've been with my current partner 10 months now . She has a boy 6, girl 10 and we have a little girl on the way in may
We had our first Disney trip as a family last October to DLP and as much as we loved it I really want them to experience WDW.
I've been a few times while in a previous relationship but taking my new family and especially my little princess to see the world is a must. So I'm asking you is it really too soon to start planning and saving to go?
Bare in mind I want my princess to be able to ride Splash Mountain (my favourite ride) and BTM and experience everything she can. So I'm realistically thinking when she's 5.
Any help and feedback would be appreciated guys

 

[DisFanJen]

It's never too early to look at options but if you are waiting for 5 years before you go you won't really be able to lock anything down for a while.

But you can always work out a 'ballpark' figure and start saving now so it'll be a lot easier to budget for.

 

[Grimm Grinning Ghost]

It's never too early to look at options but if you are waiting for 5 years before you go you won't really be able to lock anything down for a while.

But you can always work out a 'ballpark' figure and start saving now so it'll be a lot easier to budget for.

Well I've done a rough estimate on this Octobers prices and it will be easily achievable. I know park ticket prices will increase but can't see a drastic price hike for flights, hotel or anything else.

I would like to go a little sooner but as it's expensive holiday I'd rather wait until the little one is old enough to recognise the characters and ride majority of the rides.

 

[Elise79]

Depending how tall your little one is you may reach the magic 40" earlier than 5.

Our DD was just under 3 when she reached 40" and at 5.5 she reached 48". She is tall for her age though. I would have thought you probably would be ok looking at 4 if you want.

Just something to bear in mind - if you are looking at taking the whole family if you wait 4 or 5 years your GFs DD will be doing her GCSEs so you would probably need to look at some other time than October.

 

[Holstar]

Hi guys and gals.
I've been with my current partner 10 months now . She has a boy 6, girl 10 and we have a little girl on the way in may
We had our first Disney trip as a family last October to DLP and as much as we loved it I really want them to experience WDW.
I've been a few times while in a previous relationship but taking my new family and especially my little princess to see the world is a must. So I'm asking you is it really too soon to start planning and saving to go?
Bare in mind I want my princess to be able to ride Splash Mountain (my favourite ride) and BTM and experience everything she can. So I'm realistically thinking when she's 5.
Any help and feedback would be appreciated guys

We started planning three years ago, and we're going in 140 days! It really does depend upon your requirements, where you want to stay whether you want to stay onsite, how long for etc... All of these things will effect your budget and how much you comfortably want to save for.

Personally, we're paying around the £8,500 mark for five people (two adults, and three children who are 16, 13 and 10... so not all children by Disney standards!) and we've been able to slowly pay the balance over time. This is a 'once in a lifetime' trip with our nieces for us, as after this we're saving for a house/wedding/family of our own, so we're trying to not hold back on expenses.

All that having been said, it's never ever too early to start saving! You can usually book as a package around 18months in advance (I think we booked with TCD at around 18 months out), it would be amazing to be able to just pay it off in one go at this point, thanks to being good and saving previously

With the height thing... I'm sure the average height for a three year old is 98cm... and the height requirement for Splash Mountain is 104cm... so you may be able to get away with it at four or even three if she's tall, just keep an eye on her growth and make that decision a little closer to the time!

 

[Grimm Grinning Ghost]

Depending how tall your little one is you may reach the magic 40" earlier than 5.

Our DD was just under 3 when she reached 40" and at 5.5 she reached 48". She is tall for her age though. I would have thought you probably would be ok looking at 4 if you want.

Just something to bear in mind - if you are looking at taking the whole family if you wait 4 or 5 years your GFs DD will be doing her GCSEs so you would probably need to look at some other time than October.

Didn't really think about the school issue to be honest. That's another thing we'll have to look at.
Going at the age of 4 would be even better . And as we're both tall I'm hoping for the growth spurt haha

 

[Grimm Grinning Ghost]

We started planning three years ago, and we're going in 140 days! It really does depend upon your requirements, where you want to stay whether you want to stay onsite, how long for etc... All of these things will effect your budget and how much you comfortably want to save for.

Personally, we're paying around the £8,500 mark for five people (two adults, and three children who are 16, 13 and 10... so not all children by Disney standards!) and we've been able to slowly pay the balance over time. This is a 'once in a lifetime' trip with our nieces for us, as after this we're saving for a house/wedding/family of our own, so we're trying to not hold back on expenses.

All that having been said, it's never ever too early to start saving! You can usually book as a package around 18months in advance (I think we booked with TCD at around 18 months out), it would be amazing to be able to just pay it off in one go at this point, thanks to being good and saving previously

With the height thing... I'm sure the average height for a three year old is 98cm... and the height requirement for Splash Mountain is 104cm... so you may be able to get away with it at four or even three if she's tall, just keep an eye on her growth and make that decision a little closer to the time!

Obviously it's a few years in advance but that's roughly the price I estimated including spending money.
Would love to stay on site but again it's all down to budgeting.
Thinking of the heights and what people are saying 4 will be better and still leaves us a good amount of time to save.
Will start getting a saving fund up and running and decide what to do depending on her growth.
It's exciting just thinking about her going and she isn't even born yet

 

[DLPDreams]

Have to say my DD2 was 4 in the May and we went to DLP in the June and she was able to ride BTM which is the same height restriction. But, she was, at the time, one of the tallest in the class - probably second tallest, and many of the class were a full head behind her. So, I really don't think you can judge tbh.

But saving a little here and there is going to be a great start .

 

[minimog]

I think that there is no such thing as too early, planning far in advance means that you can save without it being huge amounts every month and you can introduce your little one to lots of disney movies before you go!

I've been realistically planning to go since dd was a baby, she will be 5.5 when we finally get to the world.

I also have a plan on the back burner to go to japan and Tokyo disney, disneysea and the ghibli museum when shes a bit older.

 

[Grimm Grinning Ghost]

Have to say my DD2 was 4 in the May and we went to DLP in the June and she was able to ride BTM which is the same height restriction. But, she was, at the time, one of the tallest in the class - probably second tallest, and many of the class were a full head behind her. So, I really don't think you can judge tbh.

But saving a little here and there is going to be a great start .

Originally I was thinking of taking her to DLP as the other 2 kids enjoyed it last year but doing that would hit the saving funds and it would take more time to save for WDW.

 

[Grimm Grinning Ghost]

I think that there is no such thing as too early, planning far in advance means that you can save without it being huge amounts every month and you can introduce your little one to lots of disney movies before you go!

I've been realistically planning to go since dd was a baby, she will be 5.5 when we finally get to the world.

I also have a plan on the back burner to go to japan and Tokyo disney, disneysea and the ghibli museum when shes a bit older.

Would love to take her to all of them but with my partners 2 it would cost a lot of money.
Fingers crossed she'll be tall enough at 4 as it gives us time to save and fill her brain with everything Disney ;-)

 

[DisFanJen]

Would love to take her to all of them but with my partners 2 it would cost a lot of money.
Fingers crossed she'll be tall enough at 4 as it gives us time to save and fill her brain with everything Disney ;-)

Just put some headphones on the baby bump and run 'Smallworld' on repeat.

She'll be born a Disney Addict...

Or maybe a serial killer...

 

[Grimm Grinning Ghost]

Just put some headphones on the baby bump and run 'Smallworld' on repeat.

She'll be born a Disney Addict...

Or maybe a serial killer...

Hahaha love the idea but Small world on repeat is only something I'd torture people with ;-)

 

[DLPDreams]

Originally I was thinking of taking her to DLP as the other 2 kids enjoyed it last year but doing that would hit the saving funds and it would take more time to save for WDW.

I know there are some who won't agree with me (as there are some DLP 'haters' out there), but I think DLP has been a great introduction to Disney for my children. I know WDW will be on a whole different level but they've had some amazing times at DLP - and we have some fabulous memories from when they were quite small there (DD2 started going when she was 6 months old). We have always been lucky enough to stay in the DLH at DLP and that in itself makes our stay magical.

We have purposely waited to take them to WDW. Could have done it years ago but we wanted to wait until they could get on most things, enjoy Universal and be able to swim with dolphins at DC. Also, not least because DD2 hasn't been a great flyer in the past, this has now improved as she has grown. We managed a 5.5 hr trip to Egypt last year with no problems. So, I am less inclined to worry about the long flight, than I would have been 2-3 years ago. DD1 has flown longer haul since being 6 months old and has always been fine. All children are different!

We don't intend to go back again - this is a one off trip - at least that is what I keep telling myself. Therefore, we have been saving for an age and so can afford to stay onsite, fly direct etc. But if I'm honest, if we were to go back, it would be a budget trip and I'm not sure it would have the same appeal - I could be wrong though. So it's one good old 'blow out' trip for us . I am sure I will live to eat these words!!

I have had this trip in my mind for a good few years, like yourself, but until January this year, I've kept it to myself really. Otherwise, in the 'real world' people sometimes think you are barking when you start discussing a Disney holiday 3-5 years away . Having said that, notice how no-one on here blinks an eye - you gotta love this place .

 

[Grimm Grinning Ghost]

I have had this trip in my mind for a good few years, like yourself, but until January this year, I've kept it to myself really. Otherwise, in the 'real world' people sometimes think you are barking when you start discussing a Disney holiday 3-5 years away . Having said that, notice how no-one on here blinks an eye - you gotta love this place .

That's the exact reason why I've asked on here Nobody will judge as we all love Disney.
I even apologised to my partner because it felt like I was wishing our life away just mentioning it but she laughed, told me to shut up and said she loves having something to look forward too :-D

 

[Elise79]

I know there are some who won't agree with me (as there are some DLP 'haters' out there), but I think DLP has been a great introduction to Disney for my children. I know WDW will be on a whole different level but they've had some amazing times at DLP - and we have some fabulous memories from when they were quite small there (DD2 started going when she was 6 months old). We have always been lucky enough to stay in the DLH at DLP and that in itself makes our stay magical.

We have purposely waited to take them to WDW. Could have done it years ago but we wanted to wait until they could get on most things, enjoy Universal and be able to swim with dolphins at DC. Also, not least because DD2 hasn't been a great flyer in the past, this has now improved as she has grown. We managed a 5.5 hr trip to Egypt last year with no problems. So, I am less inclined to worry about the long flight, than I would have been 2-3 years ago. DD1 has flown longer haul since being 6 months old and has always been fine. All children are different!

We don't intend to go back again - this is a one off trip - at least that is what I keep telling myself. Therefore, we have been saving for an age and so can afford to stay onsite, fly direct etc. But if I'm honest, if we were to go back, it would be a budget trip and I'm not sure it would have the same appeal - I could be wrong though. So it's one good old 'blow out' trip for us . I am sure I will live to eat these words!!

I have had this trip in my mind for a good few years, like yourself, but until January this year, I've kept it to myself really. Otherwise, in the 'real world' people sometimes think you are barking when you start discussing a Disney holiday 3-5 years away . Having said that, notice how no-one on here blinks an eye - you gotta love this place .

I didn't 'hate' DLP but I won't be back in a hurry - WDW is in a different league. We tried it while I was pregnant for a quick fix and still ended up back at WDW a couple of months later.

DLP needs a lot of help in my mind - it just doesn't give the same experience at all. Yes, you have Mickey but the atmosphere and customer service were lacking in my eyes. I suppose this could be as my first trip to WDW (albeit as a child) was before DLP was even built and I had been there several times before visiting DLP so had high expectations.

I would rather wait to go back to WDW than go back to DLP - JMHO

 

[Grimm Grinning Ghost]

I didn't 'hate' DLP but I won't be back in a hurry - WDW is in a different league. We tried it while I was pregnant for a quick fix and still ended up back at WDW a couple of months later.

DLP needs a lot of help in my mind - it just doesn't give the same experience at all. Yes, you have Mickey but the atmosphere and customer service were lacking in my eyes. I suppose this could be as my first trip to WDW (albeit as a child) was before DLP was even built and I had been there several times before visiting DLP so had high expectations.

I would rather wait to go back to WDW than go back to DLP - JMHO

To be honest I completely agree with you 100%.
While everyone had s great time there just seemed to be something lacking . There was definitely a lack of magic at DLP.

 

[DLPDreams]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion and they differ wildly with regard to DLP - so much so that I nearly didn't reply about it. We personally did not want to travel 9+ hours with our children when they were smaller, so DLP fit well for us. I have read time and time again that some things are better there than at WDW, but a lot isn't. I like the 2 hour flight in particular

'Haters' is probably a strong word - it was meant in the context of not being enamoured, but I had brain fry at the time and couldn't think of a better word .

We have yet to be encaptured by WDW, but DLP has ticked many boxes for us - I can see it's flaws - Disney by European standards is 'different'. But I'm not saying I wouldn't go back again. I see Orlando as a one off for us (atm anyway), so probably will do DLP again in future (I want to stay at Sequoia!), but would rather wait until there is more park expansion - which is planned.

Anyway, I didn't really want to sidetrack the OP's planning .

One thing is for sure, you are guaranteed that all the kerfuffle over FP+ will be sorted by the time you go - no guinea pigs for you ! That is, until they come up with the 'next best' idea....

 

[Rach78]

I also have enjoyed DLP for what it is, I have been 3 times when the kids were younger. Its a do-able few day trip. However after going to WDW for the first time October 2012 I don't think I would go back to DLP. I would rather save the money towards Florida instead. And in fact, just in case anyone is interested, we fly on Sunday for our second 'once in a lifetime trip'!!!!!!!!!! So excited!!!! (just had to get that in)

 

[Grimm Grinning Ghost]

It's not that I didn't enjoy DLP it just felt like something was missing. BTM and HM in my opinion are better rides than the WDW versions but that's about it tbh
I want my little ones first trip to be like my first one was and due to cost it could be possibly a once in a lifetime trip.
5 days In DLP cost us roughly 2k everything in and on estimate a 2 week WDW trip will cost 8k.So when you take everything into consideration what Orlando has to offer (WDW, Universal, Sea world, Busch) it's not a huge difference.
If I was to take a DLP trip next year or year after then that's the cost of attraction tickets for Orlando.
I'll just need to resist temptation of going to DLP as soon as I see the savings mounting up haha