WDW in December, Need Advice

[javamom]

Hello, I am new to the board. I visted WDW in '91, but did not stay on-site. My family (Me, DH, DS teen, and DD 8, DS 6) are seriously thinking of planning a trip to WDW for Dec 18-25th. It'll be my oldest DS 17th birthday and we will get to "do Disney" for Christmas.

I have questions:

1) The weather - will it be warm enough in Florida that we would want to maybe spend a day poolside at our hotel (thinking the POR). Bear in mind, that we are from the midwest where it is usually very cold in December. If so, I might want to drop off a day from our tickets. Would the water parks even be open (at this point I don't plan to add them at all)? What temperatures should we expect and pack for?

2) Pleasure Island - DH and I would probably like to do one night there alone. Should we add on the more parks or just pay for 2 one-day tickets? I also think that we might want to do Disney Quest... not sure?

3) Booking - I am thinking that I had better book this as soon as I can. Should I do it myself or use an agency. Will the agency also book my dining and stuff?

4) Dining - We will likely use the Dining Plan. My hubby is diabetic, can we carry snacks into the parks with him? Are fanny packs allowed in the park? I am worried about him passing out if we are waiting in a line to get food.

5) Disabilities - my youngest DS has a heart defect. He doesn't need a wheelchair or anything like that, but it could come about that the walking will get to be more than he can handle. He's too old for a stroller really, don't you think, but I guess we could try it if it becomes an issue? I just don't want him to tire out earlier than what is normal for a kid at an amusement park. What are the options for us for him? Should we register him as a guest with a disability?

6) Traveling with 5 - apparently there are no value level resorts that can accomodate a family of 5 And if you have to book 2 value rooms, you might as well go ahead and book one moderate room with better ammenities, right?

Any other tips related to the whole December issue would be appreciated. We are likely coming on our first and last trip to Disney and I want it to be wonderful for everyone. It mesmerizes me that this is sooo involved, and that one can spend sooo much money.

Thanks,
Steph from Wichita

 

[helenk]

The weather in December can vary greatly, I've been there when it was in the 60's and when it been in the mid 70's.
I personally would not do a whole day poolside, the weather just is not warm enough to enjoy a full day. I would go for a day or part of a day at a water park.
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As far as your tickets go, I think you would save money by adding the water park fun and more option to your tickets. I think the daily cost of PI or Disney Quest is over $20 each so take that into consideration. I would go to the Disney website and price the part tickets with and without the option and the cost of the PI and Disney Quest tickets alone to see where you'd get the better deal.
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I would book my trip now, the days you are looking for are a very busy week, use the Disney website to book or if you have AAA you might save money with a package, but you must book a package directly through AAA.
I have used Dreams Unlimted for my bookings and I have been very happy with the agents there. They book for you and will make your reservations for your dining as well.
You can carry snacks into the parks, they do not say anything to you at all, alot of people carry snacks in their back packs etc.
Can't give you any advice about the stroller, my children are 18 and 23 so I'd be no help there...
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I think that the POR is a great choice for a family of 5, you get the trundle bed, but keep in mind that the beds in the moderates are only full size beds, so your teenager and your 8 year old will be sharing a bed assuming that the 6 year old will be using the trundle. 2 connecting rooms in a value would actually give you more space and 2 bathrooms though.

 

[Katy Belle]

Hello Steph,

I am no expert, just been to WDW once, and hoping to go at the same time you will.

Just a few thoughts...your DS6 will probably fit in the Disney strollers. Our DS4 rode in one the whole time and was very large for his age at the time. Our DS6 rode in a disney double stroller one full day and in his brothers stroller part time the other days. You could rent a stroller on the days you feel it necessary.

Fanny packs are widely used at WDW. Snacks are no problem. I think Disney says no outside food, but it is common and no one bothers you about it

Traveling with 5- we are 5 also. We did stay at POR and it worked well for us. We loved the food court and the pools, and the atmosphere. That being said the rooms are small and the trundle bed is small. People have suggested to me that two rooms at a value resort may be better, loads more space, two tvs, two bathrooms, etc. I'm leaning toward doing that this time, but I keep changing my mind too!

As for it being your first and last trip to WDW....that was our plan too, two years ago. We have been to DisneyLand Paris since then and will definitely go to WDW at least once more, probably more than that if I have my say.

Wishing you fun planning and a fabulous trip!

Katy

 

[javamom]

Thanks! I have seen that the 2 value rooms are suggested as well... I am wondering if the transportation to and from the value resorts takes any longer than from POR? I will try to find that thingajigger that I saw on here last night and see how the transfer times compare. If it is any faster, it may be worth the switch?
My DH loves the idea of 2 rooms, but I don't. I really don't care about the size of the room, as we don't plan to be in our room all that much anyhow.

Is the trundle smaller than a twin? My DS and DD have twin bunkbeds and usually share one bunk anyway(they are both teeny little things). Perhaps they could share the trundle if it is a twin, and then DS17 can have a bed to himself? Heh, just thinking out loud here...

Steph

 

[GPALANGE]

Steph we are a family of 5, DD10, DD7 & DS5, we stayed at POR the trundle wasn't a problem for the 10yr old at all. And as far as the beds only being double, well they say they are double but I think they're a little bigger. I was REAL concerned about the double beds as my husband and I sleep in a KING, but we had no problems in those beds and believe me we are picky!! Oh and my DD7 and DS5 both road in my stroller I brought from home, and it's not even a double, but DD7 got tired of all the walking and we were able to lay the seat down and they both could fit in. Not a problem for your 6 yr old to ride in a stroller. Happpy Planning, and like the other poster said we went for our once in a lifetime trip Oct '05 and are planning another for the week before Christmas Dec '06.

 

[Mandy_in_NC]

On the stroller issue we rented one for our DDs who are 6 and 8. It was the first night we went to MK and they were having EMH until 3 am and we stayed until 2 am. We got a double stroller for $18 and they were both able to fit it in comfortably. So your son should have no problem fitting into a stroller. Hope that helps.

 

[javamom]

Oh thanks, it really does. I really am excited about this trip, I even dream about all this research I am doing...lol

We have a very comfortable King bed at home too, but believe DH will not mind having to snuggle closer! He never stays on his own side of the bed anyhow!

So, have any of you been able to make ressies yet for December... the flights are all still blocked out with thta whole 331 day thingy. I suspect that we will need to be sure to get our ressies made ASAP as we cross that date?

Here is how we are paying for this trip: we re going to borrow against our retirement savings through my DH's work, and pay "ourselves" back the loan over the year. Probably place the money into CD's or something interest bearing until time to finally pay the balance of the ressies. In the meantime, we will have already been repaying the loan over the course of the year a bit, and intend to cut back and save on frills throughout the year to give us spending cash on-site. Then we will pay for everything and start packing! lol

It's going to be fun I think, and a great way to teach my kids about saving. I am going to get 2 banks, one for Disney, one for church. And I am going to buy some play money. As we add to our vacation account, we will divide the "money" into the banks so that the kids can see the progress. At the end of the year, we will have spending cash, plus an extra nice donation to the church as well. I think this will be great