Disneyworld advice?

[Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!]

My in-laws want to take the kids to Disneyworld (the one in Florida) this year. They want to fly --- It'd be 7 of us, and stay at the resort.

.. When is the best time to go? To get the best flight rates and such?
Should I book myself? A travel agent? Through Disney?

Thanks.

 

[93Devil]

Been there twice in the last two years.

First, if you can, go when schools are open. The park will be dead and the weather mild.

How old are your kids or kid?

 

[Shoeless Joe]

I can't help with reservation advice, but I will say staying at one of the Disney resorts is the only way to go. You get shuttle service to and from the parks, and you get in an hour or so early before it opens to the general public. Hit the high traffic areas then, and then do the rest of the place when the crowds come.

Go to Epcot. They sell beer.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

If you're staying at a Disney resort, get a meal plan for each of you. You'll save money, and there is so much food in the plan, you may not be able to eat it all. There were people giving us meals because they couldn't use them all.

Also, make reservations at the restaurants so you don't have to wait. And, at least once, have a character meal, even though it may cost a little more. The kids will enjoy having the characters come right to your table for pictures and autographs.

One more tip, when you get to the park, resist the temptation to start doing stuff and hop on the little railroad to the back of the park. Then work your way forward. You don't want to be hiking all the way to the back, then be exhausted and have to wait on line for the train to go back to the front.

 

[93Devil]

OK, so quick thoughts...

- Everything at Disney is very nice, so staying in a "value" resort will still be very, very nice.
- Stay on site
- Use AAA or Disney to do a package - they throw in transportation to and from the resorts, which is huge
- Devote at least two days to the Magic Kingdom and two days to the Animal Kingdom
- If you have older kids, Hollywood Studios is good, but if you have younger kids it might only be a half day park
- Epcot is meh for youngers but Nemo is there
- Get familiar with past pass
- If any kids are disabled, that can really be to your advantage
- buy a small umbrella stroller if you kids are under seven, you can move around so much easier with one of those
- do a meal plan
- we do Disney with a meal plan, park hopper, stay on site and flight travel for $3,000 (four days, four nights).
- DO NOT travel as a seven person group. Split onto smaller groups and agree to meet at certain locations to do family stuff.
- Disney is starting to get some very good apps that will help you find things quickly (like character meet and greats) so you can line up quickly and not waste your entire day waiting in line.
- If you go in the off season, when schools are in session, you really should not wait more than 15-20 minutes for anything.
- Two adult quick service meals on the meal plan can feed two adults and a child.
- try to get a room as close to the front of the resort as possible

Do not leave without seeing...
Lion King show
Nemo show

 

[Captain Obvious]

My in-laws want to take the kids to Disneyworld (the one in Florida) this year. They want to fly --- It'd be 7 of us, and stay at the resort.

.. When is the best time to go? To get the best flight rates and such?
Should I book myself? A travel agent? Through Disney?

Thanks.

Best time has passed. It's generally January or February when kids are in school. Went there during Super Bowl Weekend and stayed in a four-bedroom townhouse in Polk County for $99/night.

Try Orbitz and Priceline for deals, or Southwest.

In the parks, use FastPasses. If you need a stroller, get one from a company that will deliver it to the hotel.

 

[Iron_chet]

Depending on size and age of group consider staying at one of the resorts that have direct park access.

We have stayed at The Contemporary Resort, The Caribbean Resort and off site. The nice thiing about the 3 resorts with park access is thet time and aggravation factor they save.

When we stayed at The Caribbean here was the routine, 10 minute walk to front of resort for the shuttle bus, 20 minutes on the shuttle to Magiic Kingdom, walk from Shuttle bus stops at park to entrance, may not seem like a big deal but with a stroller, snacks, water, etc it was a bit a pain in the ass.

We stayed at the Contemporary and all we did was walk to the Monorail floor right in the hotel and it deposited us to the fron entrance, well worth the extra cost.

The resorts with direct access also have better pool options which was great when we needed a break from the heat and the park.

 

[93Devil]

It all depends on what you want to spend.

We would not return to the room until the end of the night, so buses were not a big deal. You are spending about an extra $200-$250 a night per room to use the monorail. I would take the $1,000 and put it towards a meal plan and park hoppers, but when you go when we did, the pools do not come into play.

The walk from the bus stop to the gate is about 100-200 yards. When you consider that you are going to be walking between 7-10 miles each day, I don't think it's such a big deal.

If money was not an object, I would stay at the Wilderness Lodge and look out at a giraffe when I got up in the morning.

 

[expendable]

OK, so quick thoughts...

- Everything at Disney is very nice, so staying in a "value" resort will still be very, very nice.
- Stay on site
- Use AAA or Disney to do a package - they throw in transportation to and from the resorts, which is huge
- Devote at least two days to the Magic Kingdom and two days to the Animal Kingdom
- If you have older kids, Hollywood Studios is good, but if you have younger kids it might only be a half day park
- Epcot is meh for youngers but Nemo is there
- Get familiar with past pass
- If any kids are disabled, that can really be to your advantage
- buy a small umbrella stroller if you kids are under seven, you can move around so much easier with one of those
- do a meal plan
- we do Disney with a meal plan, park hopper, stay on site and flight travel for $3,000 (four days, four nights).
- DO NOT travel as a seven person group. Split onto smaller groups and agree to meet at certain locations to do family stuff.
- Disney is starting to get some very good apps that will help you find things quickly (like character meet and greats) so you can line up quickly and not waste your entire day waiting in line.
- If you go in the off season, when schools are in session, you really should not wait more than 15-20 minutes for anything.
- Two adult quick service meals on the meal plan can feed two adults and a child.
- try to get a room as close to the front of the resort as possible

Do not leave without seeing...
Lion King show
Nemo show

Said no one, ever, until Devil did on SportsJournalists.com on March 6, 2013.

Park hopper -- yes.
Meal plan -- definitely. (If you have little girls, get a reservation to eat dinner in Cinderella's castle). Our sitting was late, and we ate dessert and watched the fireworks through the cut glass windows. That was a unique perspective.
I suggest staying at a moderately priced resort.
-- There are more, and more direct, bus routes to and from the parks. The buses aren't as crowded.
-- It's much, much quieter.
-- You probably won't be sharing the hotel with hundreds of band students and the like on class trips.

If one of your kids are having a birthday during your stay, you can get a delivery to your room of a button, some balloons and some other add-ons for $$$.
Don't go in August, if you can help it. It's kind of hot in Florida during that time of year. ;D

 

[93Devil]

Well, it can at Disney. If you child is autistic they don't have to wait in lines. It is worth investigating.

 

[expendable]

Well, it can at Disney. If you child is autistic they don't have to wait in lines. It is worth investigating.

I'll be sure to get my kids vaccinated.

 

[93Devil]

We have eaten in the Castle and at Cafe Akershus is a good option if you don't want to use all the dining passes. But eating in the Castle is eating in the Castle.

 

[93Devil]

Well, it can at Disney. If you child is autistic they don't have to wait in lines. It is worth investigating.

I'll be sure to get my kids vaccinated.

I know it sounds ****ty, but they do help people out that might need help. And there is something where parents can reride something if they have a kid that does not want to ride or only one parent to ride. It does not apply to my family, but there is some thing they do to help out if a child does not have someone to ride with.

 

[YGBFKM]

I would rather take the family to Afghanistan.

 

[93Devil]

I would rather take the family to Afghanistan.

Of course you would.

 

[expendable]

Well, it can at Disney. If you child is autistic they don't have to wait in lines. It is worth investigating.

I'll be sure to get my kids vaccinated.

I know it sounds ****ty, but they do help people out that might need help. And there is something where parents can reride something if they have a kid that does not want to ride or only one parent to ride. It does not apply to my family, but there is some thing they do to help out if a child does not have someone to ride with.

I'm glad they have it. Disney thinks of everything.

Oh, and Slick Ric checks in:

 

[Boom_70]

Well, it can at Disney. If you child is autistic they don't have to wait in lines. It is worth investigating.

Investigate whether your child is autistic? How does that work ? Can you get a note from your pediatrician.

Maybe you can rent autistic children for the day.

 

[Captain Obvious]

Well, it can at Disney. If you child is autistic they don't have to wait in lines. It is worth investigating.

Investigate whether your child is autistic? How does that work ? Can you get a note from your pediatrician.

Maybe you can rent autistic children for the day.

No notes, and it doesn't always mean you can skip lines.

 

[Here me roar]

These people know nothing.

Stay on the park. If you belong to AAA, use it. If you are out of state, booking the meal plan basically gives you free food. Be aggressive in your bargaining. Staying on the monorail is the bomb. Younger kids, though, loves the buses. A really, really good best is the Port Orealns/French Quarter. It's a moderate and not terribly pricey. But as I said, by doing hotel, tickets and food, you always save. Monorail is king and the Epcot resorts are so good if you want to walk in the back entrance, but Port Orleans works for all. Nice setting. Good pool. Movie at night. Enough food options. Moderately priced.

By being aggressive, I mean call. Find the deals. Disney is really easy to deal with. They want you to come.

DO NOT come spring break or summer. too many people spring break. too ****ing hot. Despite what some may say, the parks ARE NEVER empty. Are there emptier options? Yes. But, there are always people.

So, moderate hotel. If price is no option? Book the Contemporary, with castle view. If there's a bunch of you, might want to look into the vacation club options, which include Bay Tower at the Contemporary, Saratoga Springs and Key West. Condo style digs,which means you can eat breakfast in the room.

BOOK RESTAURANT OPTIONS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. many, many good choices. PM me for details.

 

[93Devil]

Well, it can at Disney. If you child is autistic they don't have to wait in lines. It is worth investigating.

Investigate whether your child is autistic? How does that work ? Can you get a note from your pediatrician.

Maybe you can rent autistic children for the day.

They don't help trolls, though.