Venting. Am I wrong?

[Ncrnation]

So was anyone given a reason why this was done?

 

[hellokitty]

you need to check this deal out

http://www.mousesavers.com/radisson.html

go to the radisson link listed and follow instructions
it is as nice as deluxe for only $59 a night.

good luck and let us know what you do.

 

[puffkin]

I agree with some of the other posters about changing your PS to later times or doing some of the restaurants in the resorts or DTD and Boardwalk after the parks close. IF your kids can eat that late, it will save some precious park touring time. Also, you didn't mention if you were renting a car, but figure that into the budget if you are going to stay off site. I would also look at some of the moderates. There are some great rates for them, and with 2 small children and 2 adults, you would probably have plenty of room.

 

[MKingdom]

Go in October instead; it's our favorite month for Disney. The temperature is just right and the crowds are so light that we don't need an e-night.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Bob NC


Geez, other folks know your kids better than you do....LOL....

My kids have always been great with staying up late at WDW....Other kids have a problem with it....I wouldn't presume to know which kids you have.....

My experience in watching kids kept up late to attend events like E-Night and the MVMCP is that the large majority don't handle it well, and do not enjoy it.

Like I said, how many E-Rides can really little kids go on anyhow?

Anne

 

[MJames41]

Personally, if I am there for a Disney vacation, I will never again stay off site. But then again, it's my vacation. If you think the money is more important, then by all means grab a suite off site. I would suggest making sure that e-nights are gone (they seemed to be making a come back) before making a change if they are that important to you. We stay on site for different reasons though. It's your vacation, do as you wish. Just my 2 cents.

 

[jabrown40]

I have taken my boys, now 14 and 16 to Disney over the past 10 years 14 times. We have never done an enight, or early entry. If you are going for 8 nights in early May, you will have enough time to see the attractions that are offered for your kids ages. I know the lines won't be as long during that time. If they are early risers, go for breakfast, get to the park, and see what you can before they melt down. Only you can decide whether or not they can nap in a stroller, or on your lap during show. From past experience, I can recommend the Hall of Presidents for a great nap inducer in small children. It's air conditioned and dark. You may find you make it til about 4 in the afternoon, and see just about everything they can go on. If they nap later in the day, you may take in Epcot in the evening. If you are at the Poly , you can hop on the monorail to both. We are going in Aug for the BC and GF - I stayed off site only one time, and never again. It just wasn't the same.

 

[jaguar9748]

It IS a huge difference in price to stay offsite. There are certainly many hotels around Disney. I, however, will never stay offsite again. I would rather cram the 4 of us into an All Star room than deal with the Orlando area traffic, potential bad service in offsite restaurants and potential bad hotel rooms. Trust me, I've had it all! I stayed offsite in March while going to Universal Studios and the folks at the hotel I stayed at could have cared less! There were teens at the pool drinking in the open and getting very drunk. Everyone turned a blind eye to it! I longed for even sometimes grumpy Disney CM's who were better than these "jokers" any day! Yes, EE is gone. Yes, there might not be an Enight. That is sad, but look at all that Disney still has to offer after the parks are closed - great pools, lots of different kinds of food everywhere, Downtown Disney and all its fun, 4 miniature golf courses, the Boardwalk, and so on. There is SO much to do that even in 8 days it will be tough to get it all done. Stay onsight, enjoy yourselves, take a moment to really relax and enjoy the Disney magic - it is priceless! You'll be SO glad that you did!

 

[Tess]

The cancellation of e-nights may not be that bad for you. You indicate your children are 3 1/2 and 2--a good many of the attractions that are operational during e-night really aren't geared toward that age group. Maybe it is a blessing in disguise and will now save you the added cost of admission for the four of you. That is, if you had planned to take the two little ones along. If you weren't, there are so many things for the grown-ups to do that I wouldn't be too upset at missing just one of those options.

E-nights are okay, we've done them on vacations past, but we've done many more vacations pre-E-night institution and managed quite well without them. I know how exhausted I was after those 1 a.m. e-nights and our kids are older.

I do agree with the other posts, however. Disney should definitely make a decision and live with it. There must be a fiscal answer for the cancellation of May e-nights--perhaps they aren't seeing the number of people willing to pay extra for such an event and that it makes it cost prohibitive. Maybe the CM staff has been diminished to the point there aren't enough to cover the additional hours. You can bet though that it's not generating the requisite revenue or e-nights would be happening.

As to your question, the decision to stay on or off property is yours--if you feel strongly about your principles, e.g., that you're not getting the best bang for your buck with the reduction of onsite privileges, vote with your $$$.

 

[kidzmom3]

I also vote for on site. You do have a right to feel any way that you want. And I do believe most people would feel anger and frustration for the quick change of plans. I personally just really love to stay on-site. We do stay off site every other year in a rented house and the magic isn't the same. Its still very very good, just not the same. Good luck with your decision.

 

[2boys'mom]

with 2 ds's ages almost 3 and just turned 6. They kept MK open until at least 830, mostly 930 every nite except grad nites when we were there. But no enites which were originally scheduled.
1. my husband and I had a sitter scheduled to go to enite which we cancelled.
2. My 6 yo ds would have lasted to go with us to an enite, but not the 2yo. He would have been wild. Also kids your kids age cannot do most of the enite rides.
3. If saving money is important, consider garden view poly or Wilderness Lodge over your other choices.
4. I might save my money for AKL when they are a little older and might remember it more. We loved Boma for dinner and you can take kids.
5. Do the petting zoo and the pony rides at Fort Wilderness regardless.
6. Do character meals. They are the perfect age for this. Chef
Mickey's is great.
7. My kids love the birds and ducks and boat rides at Wilderness Lodge.
8. Word to the wise. Both years, it took us about 4 days to do MK. Unbelievable.
9. At MGM, Bear is good and Ariel, Beauty and the beast is hot outdoors. Muppets is just OK. You can punt about everything else for kids.
10. Leave the kids time to dig in the sand and run around and nap. Try the Boneyard Dig at Animal Kingdom.
11. Get the kids lots of sleep and don't try to do too much. Leave some time for the pool.
12. Changing rooms sounds like a hassle. If you were my husband, I'd take the kids to the pool and let you pack and move if you wanted to do it.

 

[chrissyk]

All May e-nights have been cancelled?!! UGH! There were supposed to be 2 during the week that we were going. DH is going to be upset...he was really looking forward to doing the good rides with smaller lines during e-night!

 

[denise33]

When our dds were 3 & 5, they're most favorite things in Disney were running around the fountains & Legoland in Downtown Disney, swimming and boat rides at the pool and meeting Ariel at MK (they stayed at the grotto for over an HOUR)!!! I like to take it easy and certainly plan, but also leave enough room in the day to enjoy the little things (which are big things to the little ones)... You're all going to have a great time either on- or off-site!!!

 

[caverill]

We have stayed on-site and off-site. For our family, we will only stay on-site.

I would make one suggestion, if you go to WDW on a regular basis, you may want to think about the Disney Vacation Club. The amount of money that you are looking to spend would make a great down payment.

Check out the DVC forum and the Disney Vacation Club web site.

 

[tax58]

We only stay on site after two trips staying on 192. The Magic comes easier when I don't have to drive over to the park. No EE is tough and I haven't heard about the e-night going away for now. Good luck and enjoy the experience.