Where do I start?

[suebree]

We're a family of 6 - 4 girls ages 11, 9, 7 and 1 next March when we travel. We are driving from WI and planning a 2 week vacation split between Disney and Sanibel, FL. For the Disney portion, we are toying with the idea of a land and sea package but are completely overwhelmed with the different options. This will be expensive so I don't want to make any big mistakes. However, I don't have tons of time on my hands to research. Any quick help out there? We've never been to WDW before so we are really confused. Is there alot of benefit in staying at the higher end resorts? What about non-Disney properties? Don't know where to even start.

 

[bicker]

If this is your first visit to WDW as a family, and you're only spending half of your two weeks with Disney, then I'd recommend against the land and sea package, because one week is really a good amount of time to spend just exploring WDW itself (for the first time).

There is a thread currently active in the Resorts forum about deluxe hotels versus moderates versus budget. There are good arguments for every different perspective, so I think you need to tell us a lot more about you, about your family, and about what you value and don't value, to give us a chance of giving you good advice. I will say that with a one year old, I liked being able to stroll back to the resort much of the time, avoiding the bus hassle, and leaving the rest of the family able to continue their fun. I would recommend, either way, staying at a Disney property, so you really get the full Disney effect.

Just keep asking questions, and keep giving more and more details about what you care about so we can answer your questions better.

 

[pepe of ohio]

I'll agree with bicker...........you have your task cut out for you. there's alot of info on WDW but a one week stay is about the minimum I'd recommend for seeing WDW. We've done the cruise and for me, once I'm on the boat, the longer the better, same for WDW, longer the better. As for resorts....with a family of 6 the deluxes are just about the only ones that can hold you in one room......getting 2 rooms your options are open but the price is double. Good luck on that one...we're deluxe people...like the locations, theming and amenities. We don't rent or use a car at WDW, and 43 trips to our credit and Disney transportation has served us well. I'm not one to recommend a trip planner or travel agent but it sounds like you could use one for a quick trip....someone very knowledgeable about Disney...if you had the time, making preparations is quite easy but eats up your time. Send for the free DVD from Disney, good overall review, get a good Disney guide...I like Birnbaums and read it over and then make my choices.

Basically it's pick a resort (of your liking, theme and price) then how long a stay you want (longer the better, too much to see and do) then it's just ticket purchases. Dining plan we never use because it saves us nothing and I don't want ADR schedules. Then you just go, take in each park and enjoy. But like I say the longer the stay the better to take the parks at an easy pace and enjoy leisure time at your resort and all the rest that WDW offers. Just remember it's a vacation, not a triathlon, enjoy the mouse world!

 

[lovetoscrap]

I agree with bicker-- I would just focus on a WDW vacation or the cruise but not both. With the ages of your kids you are probably going to want to have time to take the little one back to the room for a nap and probably a rest for the others also. It is more fun for everyone if you don't try to fit everything in in just a few days and wear yourselves out.

Generally speaking I recommend you allow:

Magic Kingdom: at least 1 day
Epcot: 2 days
Animal Kingdom: 1 day
Disney Studios: 1 day

You may have people tell you that AK and DHS are "half day parks" but with the ages of your kids you will probably spend more time at them than those with older kids and it is really too much to try to do them both in one day. Use the other part of the day to relax and swim or go to Downtown Disney.

Also you may not want to spend time at the World Showcase in Epcot if your kids aren't interested so I would use that time to go back to MK.

As for resorts you will need to keep in mind that most of the resorts only allow 4 people. You will be able to only count as 5 since your youngest is under 3 but that still limits your choices.

You can do a room for 5 at Port Orleans-- you will have a small trundle bed for one child and a Pack-n-Play for the youngest.

You could do 2 rooms at a Value resort (request connecting) which will give you 4 beds and 2 bathrooms. All Star Music offers Family Suites which a separate "master" bedroom and a pull out couch and chair.

With a deluxe you will get more floor space but something that accommodates a family your size will be more expensive. There are also cabins at Fort Wilderness complete with a kitchen.

I would think about how much time you think you will really be spending in the room and what you will be doing. If you think you will be taking the children back for a rest time or go to bed early then having a separate room for them might be nice so that the parents/older ones can watch TV, play games etc without disturbing the ones that are sleeping. If you think that you will only be at the resort to sleep, shower and change clothes and you all go to bed at the same time then being in one room may not be a problem.

I would suggest that you get a few good guidebooks for WDW. You can probably get them at the library but you will also find some good choices at the book store. My personal favorite is The Unofficial Guide. This way you can read through them whenever you have any free time.

Also keep an eye out for specials. March will be a busy time due to Spring Break season so there may be few discounts but there may be something.

 

[eeyore68]

I would not try to do land and sea in this trip. Your children are going to see so much that they want to do over and over and over that one week will be pushing it!! Remember to schedule rest times for all or call it an early evening. Our first trip we tried to pack too much into it and everyone ended up cranky!

 

[Disn3y]

 

[redd2go]

I agree-save the cruise for another time, if it's your first time going you'll want more time for the parks! I would look into a villa resort-it's nice to have the extra room to stretch out and move around after trekking the parks all day

 

[tigeradpi]

Save the cruise