Want to help me think out loud?

[ajk912]

We are doing our first *real* Disney trip next year- we are shooting for August 24-29th, 2008. I know it's far away, but it's when DH is eligible for vacation from his job. Anyway, my kids will be almost 9, 7.5, and 4.5. Since it will be August, I know it will be hot during the day. This is a once a decade trip, so we need to see as much as possible and minimize our breaks, but I want to keep it fun and not a miserable trip, you know? Keeping that in mind, one on hand it would be better to not do the DDP and just come back to the campground and veg out for a few hours in the afternoon and plan on eating there every afternoon? We will be staying at FW cabin for maximum relaxation, btw. OR, do I do DDP and plan on doing a TS meal in the afternoons to get us out of the hot sun and sitting and recuperation for an hour or so? I hate how you have to do decide on DDP months in advance, when I don't know how we will feel till we get there. We might be able to power walk the parks all day and not need a TS, since we are only there for 4 days- or we might need that break so we don't kill each other. WWYD?

 

[ajk912]

For out eating patterns, the only reason I am really thinking of DDP is more the break factor from the parks, without leaving the parks. We would lose so much time going to FW and back- even driving. But, it is SO expensive just for the break factor- but we somehow need an hour in the afternoon to recharge and get out of the hot sun and into some AC. So to eat too would be to kill two birds with one stone.

Without the DDP, I would like to do CRT once (I have never been and neither have dds 7.5 and 4.5) and we would probably hit the Trails End on the way to the parks in the morning for a big breakfast, a quick CS lunch inside (on some days, poptarts in the cabin and just a CS lunch and then a light dinner in the cabin some nights or Trails End or something light in the parks.

 

[js]

Will you be driving to the parks? Whether on or off site, we always use our car or rental car. If you will have a car, this will minimize your time getting to/from parks.
I can't tell you too much (well, really anything) about the DDP since we now own at Orange Lake and stay off site, but the one BIG thing I can tell you is that I think (as well as many, many people on this site) taking breaks during the day is a key factor to your vacation fun.
AND, if your 4 year old (and other children for that matter) is not happy, tired or cranky, will anyone be happy
My kids are 13 and 9 (my 13 year old will be almost 14 on my Dec. trip) and I can tell you, we still factor in breaks during the day back at the resort. We just go back, put on our pjs, most of the times we retreat to our own bedrooms, lay down, watch tv and/or nap. We are all SOOO much more relaxed and happy and ready to start our night.
I guess you have to first decide where/if/when you will take your breaks and then decide if DDP will fit into your plans. Good luck and have fun.