Wake Up Jeff!

[mxylplik2]

I got one person out of two to agree to wake up early and leave the house by 8am (20 minute drive to Park from Davenport). So since everyone else is waking up early, so its going to be hard for him to buck what everyone else is doing.

Don't know what the recommendations are for what time we should be there before the park opens (at 9am).

The onsite idea would solve my problem in the future but it is much more expensive than renting a huge house with a pool a short drive away. The two car idea - checked and the two cars cost almost a $100 more than the minivan (not counting gas). Thanks everyone for their feedback.

 

[jann1033]

I'd go with a "set a place and meet up later"...we had a family who felt like your friend and we were late to everything...wished we had done that as it would have saved a lot of frayed nerves ( mine ) If they don't want to do that then guess they need to be ready to leave when you are as you are giving them the option of doing what you both want to do

and if i were offsite and renting a car i'd rent 2 anyway..imo too much togetherness is just too much. that way you could each come and go as you please and not be trapped into doing what the other group wants to.( been there to many times....)

and as far as staying off site..by the time you rent a car which you need offsite( but don't onsite) are you really saving that much?

 

[jsmla]

We travel a lot with another family that has a different vacationing style from ours. Here's what we've worked out over the years. We were staying on-site with me, my 2 kids (9 & 12), DD's best friend (9) and a good friend of mine with her 3 kids (5, 9, and 10). Our hubbies refused to go to WDW in July with 6 kids! It was the height of summer and very crowded. We get up early on vacation, friend does not. We could have split up but really didn't want to since the whole point of the trip was to spend time together. The first day we did things my friend's way. Got up when we felt like it, took our time and got to the park around 11. Stood in massive lines and swealtered in the heat but still had a great time. The next day we did it our way and it was sooo much easier! My friend was more than happy to get up early for the rest of the trip. The thing is that we agreed to each try the other's way beforehand and see what worked for us. Now, when we go to the beach or the mountains we follow my friend's schedule, when we go to Disney or some place like Washington, DC we go with mine.

 

[mxylplik2]

and if i were offsite and renting a car i'd rent 2 anyway..imo too much togetherness is just too much. that way you could each come and go as you please and not be trapped into doing what the other group wants to.( been there to many times....)

and as far as staying off site..by the time you rent a car which you need offsite (but don't onsite) are you really saving that much?

Togetherness hasn't been a problem so far - its my wife's sister and boyfriend of 10 years.

Car rental is $300 for five days. Daily rate for house around $175. How much for onsite at near top (luxury) level? For 2 couples, plus two kids and one other? I've got to believe its a lot more than renting a house with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. I would rent a car anyway if I was staying onsite - always want the option to get in the car (e.g., supermarket, restaurants, etc.).

 

[mickey4ever]

going early is the best thing. If I'm spending all of that money, I'm going to get the most out of it. We always go with other couples with their kids and we all feel the same. Heck , we will go with you!!!

 

[SammieG]

9am or 10am.. goodness thats REALLY early for us! we dont usually get into the parks until about lunchtime.

last trip we did the early thing a couple of days, and whilst it was cooler, and probably slightly less busier, we found it much harder as the day gets progressively hotter.. so by 2pm we were sweltering and had to leave to get some pool time.. whereas if you get there at 2pm, the day gets progressively cooler and so you can stay quite happily until fireworks or any late stuff.

Thats just a personal preference.
In response to your question: you either need to lay down the law with your friends, or rent two cars.. or make a compromise.
or rent onsite. You could probably get two rooms at allstars for less than $200 per night.. would that work for you?