Way past time to start planning

[abby]

Ok so we leave in 2 months and one day and our world has been crazy for the last month. (DD started 3rd grade, crazy soccer schedule, step mom died, friend got married, out of town company for 2 weeks, oh and did a mention new boyfriend for a gal that hasn't dated in 9 years.......)

I need to start planning. This trip is way different then our past trips. Usually it is just dd8 and I. Last Dec. we took her god mother and it was great. This trip is me and dd and godmother and her husband and new boyfriend (conviently a freind of godparents) and my neice who is 13. We are staying at the new trendwest resort. So here are my initial questions:

1. three of us have annual passes, so I haven't been paying attention to park hopper prices, where are the cheapest park hopper tickets? probably need 5 days altho the boys think they won't go all the days.
2. How do you manage the needs of this type of group? I assume splitting up is necessary, how do I politely tell everyone dd and dniece and I are leaving early every day to get there for the rope drop?????????
3. Has anyone let a just 13 year old and an 8 year old on their own? I am way too overprotective and suspect I just can't do that.....what do you folks do with kids this age??????
I am sure I will think of more questions. thanks

 

[Sherry E]

Ok so we leave in 2 months and one day and our world has been crazy for the last month. (DD started 3rd grade, crazy soccer schedule, step mom died, friend got married, out of town company for 2 weeks, oh and did a mention new boyfriend for a gal that hasn't dated in 9 years.......)

I need to start planning. This trip is way different then our past trips. Usually it is just dd8 and I. Last Dec. we took her god mother and it was great. This trip is me and dd and godmother and her husband and new boyfriend (conviently a freind of godparents) and my neice who is 13. We are staying at the new trendwest resort. So here are my initial questions:

1. three of us have annual passes, so I haven't been paying attention to park hopper prices, where are the cheapest park hopper tickets? probably need 5 days altho the boys think they won't go all the days.
2. How do you manage the needs of this type of group? I assume splitting up is necessary, how do I politely tell everyone dd and dniece and I are leaving early every day to get there for the rope drop?????????
3. Has anyone let a just 13 year old and an 8 year old on their own? I am way too overprotective and suspect I just can't do that.....what do you folks do with kids this age??????
I am sure I will think of more questions. thanks

Hi, Abby! Good luck with the new boyfriend! It sounds like you deserve a good guy with all the chaos happening!

I cannot answer questions 2 and 3, but as far as chepeast Park Hoppers...first of all, if you go through Disney to get them, order them online rather than get them in person or at a Disney Store. I don't know how long your trip is for, but the DLR website offers discounts on certain multi-day tickets until January 2009 if you order them online in advance, and that is a better deal than getting them at the gates or in a Disney Store. However, many folks on DISboards swear by Getaway Today. Apparently you can get just tickets there without a hotel package, and the prices are often cheaper. Have lots of fun! The holidays are the BEST time to be at DLR! It is extra, extra magical during that time!

 

[avalon451]

Go through Getawaytoday and get two Magic Mornings with those 5-day parkhoppers. Those who want to get up early for MM can do so. GAT costs the same as DL travel if you order online.

Lay out your best park tips a la Hydroguy, explain about FPs and why you tour the way you do. Explain that you understand that not everybody wants to do it that way, so you're going to do your thing and if they want to tag along, that's great. If not, that's great, too, just keep in touch via cell phone and meet up periodically to have lunch, see a parade, do a special ride all together, at set times during the day. Maybe everybody get back to the hotel for a relaxing time by the pool for your midday break?

I know what you mean about the 13 y.o. and the 8 y.o. Part of you wants to give the freedom, the other part thinks No Way, with all the weirdos out there. We thought about it, too, when we were there with DDs 12 and 10. We did let them walk a few dozen feet in front of us when it wasn't too crowded; we would have let them go on a ride by themselves if we could see them get on, and we were at the exit waiting (though it never came up, that they wanted to).

DD12 was almost 13 (one month shy) and she is our babysitter at home. She's had babysitter training and CPR and stuff, and is very responsible. So we leave the younger two with her and go out occasionally. We stayed at GCH, and we originally planned to have her "babysit" in the hotel room with a video and a pizza, while we slipped downstairs to have a nice dinner at Napa Rose. (however, she got sick, so we canceled and all had room service-- which turned out to be quite nice, too!) When she has one cell phone with us on speed dial, and we have another, we feel pretty ok with stuff like that.

 

[Brady's Mom]

Ok so we leave in 2 months and one day and our world has been crazy for the last month. (DD started 3rd grade, crazy soccer schedule, step mom died, friend got married, out of town company for 2 weeks, oh and did a mention new boyfriend for a gal that hasn't dated in 9 years.......)

I need to start planning. This trip is way different then our past trips. Usually it is just dd8 and I. Last Dec. we took her god mother and it was great. This trip is me and dd and godmother and her husband and new boyfriend (conviently a freind of godparents) and my neice who is 13. We are staying at the new trendwest resort. So here are my initial questions:

1. three of us have annual passes, so I haven't been paying attention to park hopper prices, where are the cheapest park hopper tickets? probably need 5 days altho the boys think they won't go all the days.
2. How do you manage the needs of this type of group? I assume splitting up is necessary, how do I politely tell everyone dd and dniece and I are leaving early every day to get there for the rope drop?????????
3. Has anyone let a just 13 year old and an 8 year old on their own? I am way too overprotective and suspect I just can't do that.....what do you folks do with kids this age??????
I am sure I will think of more questions. thanks

abby,

I went with a diverse group in March and did too much standing around wondering what to go on next. It wasn't really tooooo bad, BUT, I won't do it again. We are going again with almost the same group in Dec. and I have touring plans and food decisions already made. The nice way to tell them that you are getting up for rope drop is to just tell them! It saves a lot of hurt feelings and frustration. Have them meet you somewhere, carry your cell phone and just go. It should be fine. They can sleep in, you can get a lot done. That way you don't feel like you are missing out on anything you wanted to do!

The nicest place for 5 day park hoppers is Getawaytoday dot com. They come with 2 Magic Mornings for a 3 day or more park hopper. If you don't need the MM's then get them through someone else. Disney store or Disney dot com, perhaps? 5 day hoppers are $194 for adults at Getawaytoday $160 something for kids.

I couldn't let a 13 yr old and 8 yr old go by themselves. Maybe a 12 and 13 y.o. but not 8. I am protective like that. Now, they could ride a ride by themselves, while I waited at the entrance/exit for them if I didn't want to ride it. But, I couldn't just let them wander through DL or DCA by themselves. Just me!

If you have any more questions about a large group, just ask me! I love/hate large groups. But I must love it more since we are going again with one!!!

Shannon