Yikes! g'parents need help on trip with 6 & 8 yr old....

[gramd44]

Just too much information for me to read it all! We're planning a trip with two granddaughters for 4 nights in October. Don't know if it's better to stay on or off Disney property, do they have suites with 2 BR and kitchenettes with a nice pool and play area around $200 a night (or lower if poss.)What is more fun for the kids? ANY and ALL help I can get will be so appreciated! I'm going cross eyed from reading all the posts and keep changing my mind on where to stay. And is it better to book room/air together as package or do it separately? THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!

 

[TheDizMom]

Stay on site for sure it will really make your life much easier. I would say your best bet would be to do a family suite at All Star Music(the other 2 may have them now too, but I am not sure) if you can get one. They do book fast so book early. Most of the other resorts to not have kitchenettes especially at 200 or less per night, and though you can request connecting rooms to have more space there is no guarantee you will get it. If the kitchenette is really important to you then you would be best served off site I think, but then you have to add in the cost of transportation to and from the parks unless your resort has shuttle service. There are Disney Vacation Club Villas with kitchens and stuff but they are not cheap and hard to get. The other option would be a cabin at Fort Wilderness.

We book everything together,except air, and always stay on site. The atmosphere of a Disney resort is hard to beat since each one has a different theme and so many things to do. I am a firm believer in on site. We have done value and deluxe and been happy in both cases although the value rooms are small for 4 people. We however are at the park pretty early on in the morning and stay until close most of the time so don't spend a lot of time in our room. We also always plan a resort day in the middle of our trip to just hang at the pool and relax and don't leave it unless we have dinner reservations somewhere. I would also make sure to plan for 2 days at Magic Kingdom. It really is the park the kids always like best and one day is just not enough time.

We did a trip with my husband's entire family last year in which his parents picked up the tab. We ran the poor things ragged, but they still say it is the best trip they ever had and worth every penny and minute of high octane go go go!!! My mother-in-law says she would never stay off site after this experience (they have done both).

 

[gramd44]

Thanks for a start. What if we were to spend more money? Where do I find what resorts inside Disney have kitchenettes?

 

[Neesy228]

All Star Music has the family suites with kitchenettes...and I believe that the cabins have kitchens, and maybe some of the deluxe suites? But they're much more expensive. Other people could help you more with the kitchen, than I could, but I'm the mom of three kids, so I thought I'd chime with some advice...

We've always stayed at the Value resorts because the themes for little ones are amazing (especially Movies). You could get two connecting rooms and then you each have a bedroom and bathroom (although no kitchen). The rates are affordable and then you can use Disney transportation and the Magical Express and will have no need for a rental car. It makes your life easier when you don't have to figure out where you're going every time you jump in the car.

If you're concerned about eating while you're there, I would recommend looking into the Disney Dining Plan. It's $38/adult and $10/child per day. If you take a break each day for one sit down dinner with your GD's, then it would probably pay for itself. It also allows you to book the more expensive character meals without worry of skyrocketing costs.

I would definitely book airfare separately from the rest of your package. You can find a much better price on some of the discount carriers (Southwest, Airtran etc) than the package prices.

Hope that helps a little. Have a blast. I think it is SO AWESOME that you're taking your GD's to Disney. What amazing memories you're making for them....

 

[Aliceacc]

Also, someone can tell you about renting points from a Disney Vacation Club member, or go to the DVC forum here. There are ways (and I don't know them) to stay onsite and have a full kitchen and more than one bedroom. Here: go down to "Disney Deluxe Villas" on the right hand side under "On Site properties" http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/Resorts/resortmain1.htm

 

[Ariel8676]

The Disney vacation club resorts are beautiful..Studios have a kitchenette, a pull out sofa bed and a Quen size bed ( i believe..lol).
They also have 1 and 2 bedroom villas that have a full kitchen, & washer and dryer. They can get pretty pricey though...
Look through the rent/trade board here on DIS..you could possibly rent a DVC members points and save some money
**LOL i posted at the same time as the poster above me..

 

[Aliceacc]

The Disney vacation club resorts are beautiful..Studios have a kitchenette, a pull out sofa bed and a Quen size bed ( i believe..lol).
They also have 1 and 2 bedroom villas that have a full kitchen, & washer and dryer. They can get pretty pricey though...
Look through the rent/trade board here on DIS..you could possibly rent a DVC members points and save some money
**LOL i posted at the same time as the poster above me..

That's OK-- you had more info I only know what I've read; it sounds as though you've actually seen them.

 

[Darcy03231]

I took my kid when they were 6 & 8. At that age I would definitely stay onsite. You'll need a midafternoon break. While they were beyond the nap ages, they just needed some "down" time in the pool. We tried not taking a break one day and they were just miserable. I also second the recommendation for the Disney Dining Plan. You get one table service meal, one counter service meal and one snack on the basic plan.

 

[mojjo627]

Thanks for the info...we're taking DS for the first time this September.

 

[gramd44]

Oh, thanks so much! I think we're definitely thinking of staying on-site. Now, when you get those "great" rates, say at the Polynesian, do you book through Disney or where? The dining plan is sounding good, too. We are already booked for the luncheon at Cinderella's Castle...that's the only thing I booked because I've heard it's hard to get in to and the girls didn't want to miss it. Any other suggestions for events these little girls might enjoy? they are very girly.

 

[Aliceacc]

My "great deal" was via a personalized pin code from Disney Destinations for 40% off. I signed up for the planning video, priced out various options on the Disney website, and was incredibly lucky.

Luck aside, AAA and CAA members can get a 20-20% discount off room accomodations.

Other places we're eating with my kids include:
- 1900 Park Fare (at the Grand Floridian, easily reachable by monorail from the MK)-- it's dinner w/ Cinderella and the stepsisters (who are supposed to be hilarious)

- the Coral Reef. One entire wall is a huge aquarium, and I arranged for personalized menus to surprise the kids.

-Chef Mickey's at the Poly (again, on the monorail) Dinner w/ the characters, and there's an ice cream sundae bar

-Fantasmic Dinner Package at Hollywood & Vine. That way we'll have "preferred" seats for the show. More importantly, we won't have to wait as long in those seats for the show to start.

- Le Cellier in Epcot-- a steakhouse that everyone raves about. This one is for my son, the steak eater.

-Ohana at the Poly. Meals are served family style; it looks like a lot of fun!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Aliceacc- I wanted to tell you that O'Hana is a lot of fun! We love it there! The food was really good too.

 

[mikymouse]

Oh, thanks so much! I think we're definitely thinking of staying on-site. Now, when you get those "great" rates, say at the Polynesian, do you book through Disney or where? The dining plan is sounding good, too. We are already booked for the luncheon at Cinderella's Castle...that's the only thing I booked because I've heard it's hard to get in to and the girls didn't want to miss it. Any other suggestions for events these little girls might enjoy? they are very girly.

My Daughter did Bibbie Bobbity Boutique for her 6th birthday and loved the whole experience. This is done either at downtown disney or in the castle at the Magic Kingdom and you can make an appointment via Disney Dinning (same phone number you made your Castle Meal reservation). There are various levels of make over packages but your girly girls would enjoy this. I would be great fun for them to have a princess makeover and then head over to the ToonTown in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom to meet all the princesses. Have Fun!

Note: Chef Mickey's is at the Contemporary Hotel and is A FUN place to eat. I would recommend this for your first night dinner as it is a great way to start your vacation meeting Mickey and Minnie. This is the only place we have seen Mickey or Minnie outside of the parades.

 

[tazdev3225]

My DH and I are taking DGS in Oct. We are staying at ASMo, his request, and doing the dining plan. He will turn 10 right before we leave. We took him at 5 and at 8. This is the 3rd time for the resort but he loves it and I love the convenience. Disney transportaion and no car since we are not planning on any other parks this trip is great. I am packing snacks and easy breakfast foods as he is not a huge breakfast eater, and will hit the food court for my coffee. I have not tried any of the other values resorts but I love the one we are going to. I am basically cheap when it comes to a room I'm only going to sleep and shower in.

 

[brandylouwho]

I just wanted to chime in that the Disney Deluxe Villas (which are their DVC/timeshare rooms) are very nice (so nice we bought at Animal Kingdom , but they are rather pricey when you are paying cash. But you probably don't need a 2 bedroom. A one bedroom sleeps 4 ( 2 in a King bed in the bedroom and 2 on a pull out couch in the living room). The studios (one room- like a normal hotel room) sleep 4 too, and include a "kitchenette" which is basically a wet bar (small sink, a mini fridge, toaster and microwave).

Example prices at Old Key West are approximately $315/night for a studio, $430/night for a 1 bedroom or $630/night for a 2 bedroom at full rack rate for regular season (which Oct is considered). These are big rooms and it is a nice setting, but like I said, PRICEY.

The All Star Music suites rack rate on the disney site comes in at $220/night in Oct, if there is availability on your dates (there are a limited number of suites). I think the Values are fun for kids and I don't mind staying at them, although my husband does not enjoy them. He prefers to have a balcony and a "view" from our room.

The cabins at Ft Wilderness list at $299/night in Oct. I have always wanted to stay there, it just seems fun.

Staying off site would be cheaper and there is nothing wrong with staying off site, but we just can't bring ourselves to do it. Heck, we don't even rent a car, just take Magical Express & use Disney transportation to get around. It is nice to get up early, go to a park, come back and relax, swim or whatever in the afternoon and then go back to a park in the evening for awhile, this is much easier if you stay on site (or stay very near--like the Downtown Disney Hotels and get a rental car)

If you get the dining plan, then you won't need a kitchen, right? If you plan to be in the parks most of the time, then a value resort would be perfect...save your money-especially if you just need a room to sleep in and a pool in which to cool off.

If you want to lounge around a bit more or spend a lot of time at the hotel (as opposed to being in the parks all day) you might want to consider a moderate or deluxe. And don't forget about the Swan/Dolphin either. I have never stayed there, but it looks beautiful on their website.

Whatever you do it will be fun...it is Disney World afterall.