Visiting for the first time

[IcedMudd]

Hi everyone! We will be visiting WDW for the first time...EVER...next year. Dates are still a little iffy right now, but we should know more in the next two weeks!

My first question is: My daughters LOVE dalmatians; they watch 101/102 several times a week. They are 5/3 years old. Although I would rather spend the extra $$ for a nicer room, are the ASMo's "dalmatian'ed" enough that it would really make their days/nights?

My second question. Has anyone driven from TN (east TN or the vicinity) to WDW and if so, how long did it actually take you and did you stop somewhere and spend the night? If so, where?

Thanks everyone! I'm sure I'll have, oh, only about a million more questions!

 

[badblackpug]

Here is a link to allearsnet photo gallery for ASMo. I hope it works.

http://allears.net/acc/g_asm.htm

For what it's worth, we have stayed at value, moderate, and deluxe resorts. We find ourselves returning to the values. With kids, we spend so little time at the resort (...and we go annually, this will be your 1st visit) that the extra expense for a deluxe or mod resort just doesn't seem worth it.Plus the themes at the values are so fun and geared towards kids. My kids think that the values are "more Disney."

 

[jenniferyawn]

If your girls love dalmations, ASM will be the place for them!!! You should be sure to request a "dalmation" room or building. I totally agree about the value resorts being awesome as you probably won't even be there that much! Also the decorations and all are so Disney and kid-centered, it's like still being in the parks. Love them!

You all are going to have so much fun! We drive from central Georgia and it takes us about 5 1/2 hrs to get there. It's 5 1/2 hours to get from here to TN, so I'm guessing you're looking at about 11 hours. Of course we have to make lots of stops with kids and my diet pepsi drinking DH!!!

One more tip, try to do the dining plan if you can. Little kids are all about the characters. With the dining plan, you get character meals which saves you from having to wait for characters in the parks (which can be taxing). Plus the table service meal is a great place to cool down and rest every day.

Can't wait to hear more from you as you plan!!

 

[IcedMudd]

Thanks for your replies!

I have a question about the character meals. I understand I need to reserve those correct? We were planning on doing the dining plan, but only quick service and then paying for the character meal. However, I just did some quick math in my head and would it be cheaper for my family of 5 (with a two year old) to just purchase TS dining plan? And if so, how hard is it to have a meal without reservations? (non character).

Are character meals only breakfast?

 

[2Tiggies]

Yeah, values are great theming for kids, pools are good, lots of buses (despite what the occasional person may tell you) and really great value for money. You will be in your room to shower and to sleep and to get changed after a swim. Especially on your first trip. I am very excited for you and your family! You will make some very special memories there!

 

[peemagg]

We enjoy the TS dining plan for the fact that one meal a day we are eating something other than the equivalent of fast food.

Any table service restaurant you want to eat at you need to make reservations for them as soon as you can. Don't wait until a week or two before you leave and then try to make the reservations, because it is quite likely you won't be able to eat there as it will be full, especially character meals. It doesn't matter whether you use the dining plan or not, make those reservations early (months early if possible). You can make reservations now 180+ days out from the day you check-in.

 

[mejkjj97]

Thanks for your replies!

I have a question about the character meals. I understand I need to reserve those correct? We were planning on doing the dining plan, but only quick service and then paying for the character meal. However, I just did some quick math in my head and would it be cheaper for my family of 5 (with a two year old) to just purchase TS dining plan? And if so, how hard is it to have a meal without reservations? (non character).

Are character meals only breakfast?

I would not go without making reservations. It can be extemely difficult at any resturant to get the times you would like if you don't reserve far enough in advance or you could be waiting for a long time or not get in.

As for the character meals that are only breakfast
Tusker House at Animal Kingdom is only breakfast
Hollywood and Vine(play house disney)- is breakfast and lunch
O'hanas- Lilo and Stitch is only breakfast
Cape May- is only breakfast

 

[IcedMudd]

I'm still leaning toward just doing the QS dining plan. Anyone know the avg. price for a character meal...I'm gonna guess at Hollywood and Vine (playhouse disney characters), or where can I find that out at? Just curious, it doesn't even really matter! I'm just so excited (for the kids of course )

 

[momof1princess]

as far the dining plan goes, figure up the cost of the TS meals you want to do (allearsnet.com has menus & prices-make sure to include drink prices if they're not listed as included and tax and 15-18% tip) and add in the cost of your CS meals (same premise as TS, but without tip) then you'll know if the dining plan is a good deal. it wasn't for us (family of 3-DD11 counts as an adult), so we just paid OOP.
now about driving...we live in NE alabama, about 1.5 hours from Chattanooga, and it takes us roughly 10 hours to drive to wdw with rest stops and a fuel-up. we take I-20 to atlanta, 285 south to I-75, then straight to the FL turnpike. we usually drive at night, as there is MUCH less traffic. I-75 is practically deserted at night, except for state troopers, lol. if you have any other questions, just ask.

 

[IcedMudd]

Do you make the trip straight through or do you stop somewhere?
Mapquest has us taking I26 to Asheville and then I95 pretty much the rest of the way.

 

[indimom]

We drive from Indiana and I was also going to guess 10 hours from the middle of Tennessee. Whether or not to split the drive probably depends on your kids and how well they do in the car?? Ours had little trouble at that age, but some kids get really upset sitting in carseats that long. Definitely invest in DVD players for the car if you do not have them and buy/borrow some videos they haven't seen yet, this could keep them going for a LONG time! Personally, we would make a 10 hour drive straight through, leaving very early (like 3-4 a.m.), then you arrive with plenty of time to settle in and get a taste of the magic. If the kids can't manage that, drive like five hours the night before, and finish the drive in the AM.
You can find character dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner, whatever you prefer. We loved the dining plan, but you could just as easily book one or two you think the kids will really like and stick with quick service for the rest of the trip. That might be the easiest solution with young kids.
Whatever you decide, have FUN!!!

 

[momof1princess]

Do you make the trip straight through or do you stop somewhere?
Mapquest has us taking I26 to Asheville and then I95 pretty much the rest of the way.

yes, we usually drive straight through. DH drives us south of atlanta, then i take over and drive through the night to WDW. then once we check in at our resort, he takes DD to the pool and arcade for 2-3 hours while i nap. if our room isn't ready when we get there that morning (it usually isn't), he drives us around orlando for some outlet shopping and lunch.
if you're in or near chattanooga, it seems odd that you would drive all the way to asheville and take I-95. that seems VERY out of the way. you can take I-75 from chattanooga south to atlanta, then the 285 bypass around the city to get back on I-75 south and straight to wdw. it's a straight shot.

 

[momof1princess]

as far as dining goes, our family of 3 can usually do a character breakfast for about $70. your 2 year old should be free. www.allearsnet.com has menus and prices keep asking those questions! i love to help!

ETA: you NEED dining reservations. even if the parks aren't very crowded, the restaurants can be and you may get turned away if you don't have a reservation. you can make them 180 days + 10 in advance, which means you can make reservations 180 days out from the first day of your trip, for as many as 10 days following that first day. also, breakfast and lunch are cheaper than dinner, and if you do an early breakfast (before park opening) you can get a look at the parks before they get crowded. hollywood and vine (DHS) and crystal palace (MK) are good for little ones.

 

[IcedMudd]

indimomI think we're gonna shoot for a one day trip. The kids usually do pretty good on car rides, as long as we stop every now and then and of course watch some videos! I'm thinking the only thing that might be a snag is by then my 2 year old *may* be potty trianing...so we'll just see!


momof1princessWe're actually about 4.5 hours east of Chattanooga, closer to VA. Mapquest says it should take us right at 10 hours to get there. Of course if anyone's actually driven from my neck of the woods, I'd love any travel tips!
We've also talked it over and since it's our first time to the "World" we're probably not going to do any character meals, this time. We plan on making the trip more often if we love it as much as we think we will and all goes well, so we'll just save that for next time

 

[momof1princess]

aha! ok, if you're that far east of chattanooga, your route makes more sense. not doing character meals may be a good idea, since you're traveling with little ones. by not being tied down to a meal time, you can eat wherever you happen to be (restaurants are everywhere) and go at your own pace. i think you'll see it's very easy to become addicted to wdw, lol. my DH and i went there on our honeymoon and he complained the whole trip down there, but by our last day, he was saying "you know, we could just stay here and get jobs!" ROFL! both DH and DD love it as much as i do, and i'm sure your family will too if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.

 

[IcedMudd]

Thanks! We're also bringing DH's parents too so that's a deciding factor as well.
We're all excited! The only one I worry that wouldn't have much fun is my father-in-law. He's more of the stay-in-the-room-and-do-nothing kind of people. Know anything that he may enjoy? (other than staying in the room of course!)

 

[momof1princess]

each park has attractions where you can sit down and stay a while. let me see if i can lay a few of them out for you:

MK - Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree, Carousel of Progress, Haunted Mansion (just a few minutes). Lots of rides are sit-down, such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Peter Pan's Flight, It's a Small World, Snow White and Pooh. Buzz Lightyear too, but you're also firing your "laser gun" while you sit, lol.
Epcot - Innoventions West (adults can sit and enjoy while kids run around and do different activities), The Land (Living With The Land is a type of boat ride and it takes several minutes-about 10, i think). Spaceship Earth is a sit-down, and it goes pretty slowly, so you get to sit for several minutes. Several of the countries at the World Showcase have a film you can sit through (Norway, China, France and Canada) or a presentation (American Adventure-30 minutes).
DHS - Playhouse Disney Show, Voyage Of The Little Mermaid, Indiana Jones Stunt Show, Lights Motors Action Stunt Show, Walt Disney One Man's Dream (one of my favorites!), Muppet Vision 3D, Beauty And The Beast Live On Stage (great!).
AK - It's Tough To Be A Bug, Festival Of The Lion King (awesome!), Kilimanjaro Safari, Train to Rafiki's Planet Watch (there plenty of places to sit and kick back once you get there while the kids explore) and Flights of Wonder (pretty cool bird show).

As you can see, there are plenty of places to slow down and take breaks while still having a good time. If all else fails, there's always the hotel pool, lol. I hope your FIL enjoys himself

 

[IcedMudd]

Thanks everyone! You all have been such a wonderful oasis of information!