Disney Vacation (2 Viewers)

[sho nuff]

1. Is it too soon to plan a spring or fall 2012 trip?2. Am I completely insane to go with four kids ages 5/3/1/1? Assume I would bring one or both mother/MIL to help...

1. Not for Spring if you need airfare.2. Not crazy but plan accordingly. Days at the park with 5 and 3 year old should not be a problem if you don't push them too hard.

Agreed...but days at the park with 4 of them that age will be very very hard. Even with 1 or 2 MILs.

 

[Disco Stu]

1. Is it too soon to plan a spring or fall 2012 trip?2. Am I completely insane to go with four kids ages 5/3/1/1? Assume I would bring one or both mother/MIL to help...

1. Not for Spring if you need airfare.2. Not crazy but plan accordingly. Days at the park with 5 and 3 year old should not be a problem if you don't push them too hard.

Yeah, leave the two 1s either at the hotel with Grandma or back home with Grandma.Maybe one day at the Magic Kingdom just to get a few pictures.

 

[Worm]

- No airfare needed

- Plan would definitely to leave the twins at the pool/hotel with the moms as much as possible. I think my wife would just feel better doing that than leaving them 10 hours away for 5 days or whatever it ends up being.

 

[GreekFreak]

Monorail=convenience. Especially with little kids. My wife would like to stay there the next time. I'm pushing for Animal Kingdom Villas. We have only done the cheap hotels (pop century, sports) and Carribean Beach. I would only stay at Carribean Beach if it was dirt cheap. I hated my expeirience there.

Wilderness Lodge was the best of both worlds IMO. They had a boat that would take you right to Magic Kingdom and another that would take you to the Contemporary to ride on the monorail. It was like a 5 minute boat ride over to Contemporary and like 15 over to Magic Kingdom.

Just got back on Saturday (Me, wifie, and 2 kids-5 and 1 yrs old) and I can't recommend the Contemporary enough—Actually we stayed at the Bay Lake Tower which is right next to the Contemp and as close as you can be to the MK. We had a theme park view, 12th floor, that we could see from Space Mtn to Castle and through to Splash Mtn. Most of the nights we watched the fireworks from our balcony to avoid the crazy crowds, plus they pipe in the music through a special channel on the room TV.It was a 5 minute walk from the door of our resort to the entrance of MK, with only crossing 1 street and the rest a private, paving stone walkway that was pretty well lit at night.There were no food places in the hotel, but the 5th floor had a covered walkway to the main level of the Contemp. where Chef Mickey's is as well as a pretty good quick serve and some shops. 1 lv up from that was the monorail. We thought we would use it more, but the route to the MK was around the lake and stopping at the other 2 MK resorts, so we just walked.Pool was great, deep enough to get wet, but shallow enough for the kids, with a good, twisting water slide that I couldn't pry my daughter off of. The also had a nice kiddie area with that fountain-type water spouts for the 1 yr old to run around on. Attached to that was a small beach area, hot tub and a nightly fire pit lit. Between them was a place to rent boats, para-sail and water ski/wake board.I recommend getting a smartphone app that yells you the wait times all over the park. Came in huge when we were moving from attraction to attraction bc we could just look at that and not have to go to each attraction first just to see the fastpass or wait times.

I love Bay Lake Towers, we stayed in a 2 bedroom last year and loved it. Great location and tons of stuff to do.Going back in October.

 

[JFT Ben]

I love Bay Lake Towers, we stayed in a 2 bedroom last year and loved it. Great location and tons of stuff to do.Going back in October.

My family (2 kids 4 and 6 now) and our best friends' family (2 kids around same age) are considering DWD in 2012. For those that have gone to one, the other or both; which is a better time for this group - late October (Halloween) or early December (Christmas)? I've been reading the DisBoards and sounds like Christmas (even early Dec) is getting more crowded and weather is cooler (swimming possible?). Right now leaning towards the Halloween stuff and Epcot's food and wine festival since it's kid and pool friendly.

 

[ATC1]

I love Bay Lake Towers, we stayed in a 2 bedroom last year and loved it. Great location and tons of stuff to do.Going back in October.

My family (2 kids 4 and 6 now) and our best friends' family (2 kids around same age) are considering DWD in 2012. For those that have gone to one, the other or both; which is a better time for this group - late October (Halloween) or early December (Christmas)? I've been reading the DisBoards and sounds like Christmas (even early Dec) is getting more crowded and weather is cooler (swimming possible?). Right now leaning towards the Halloween stuff and Epcot's food and wine festival since it's kid and pool friendly.

Christmas is absolutely nuts, but we go the week after christmas and the parks are usually empty. October is not bad. Unfortunately my wife found the disboards and now she is like a little kid with Disney at home in front of the computer. She is currently planning our 2013 trip with the September, January and 2012 trips already planned.

 

[Battles]

I love Bay Lake Towers, we stayed in a 2 bedroom last year and loved it. Great location and tons of stuff to do.Going back in October.

My family (2 kids 4 and 6 now) and our best friends' family (2 kids around same age) are considering DWD in 2012. For those that have gone to one, the other or both; which is a better time for this group - late October (Halloween) or early December (Christmas)? I've been reading the DisBoards and sounds like Christmas (even early Dec) is getting more crowded and weather is cooler (swimming possible?). Right now leaning towards the Halloween stuff and Epcot's food and wine festival since it's kid and pool friendly.

We went last Christmas and will probably go again this year. It was probably more crowded than off season, but less crowded than summer/spring break. The weather was great except for one cold day. Some of the pools are heated. Depends on your resort. We tried one day, but it really wasn't that enjoyable. Once you were in it was too cold to get out. If you don't want the Disney Christmas experience (parades, lights, etc) then go in October.edit to add...I think going once for Christmas is really worth it for the frequent visitors. They do a really good job with everything.

 

[Bruce Dickinson]

I was thrilled to learn that today my lovely wife got a free Dining Plan added to our upcoming Disney World trip in December, knocking about $500 off the cost of our stay. I wish I knew all the details, but IIRC was some sort of deal that went live today she read about on one of the Disney travel message boards. If I remember to ask her about it later I'll post how she got it but some of you regular Disney deal-seekers might know where to look for it. The add-on might just be for people staying on Disney property. FWIW, we already had our room and meal reservations booked (yes, Ohana, Le Cellier, and inside Cinderella's castle are all on the list) and were still able to add the free DDP this morning.

Wish I knew more, but hopefully this is enough for others to figure out the rest.

 

[Mr. Ected]

I was thrilled to learn that today my lovely wife got a free Dining Plan added to our upcoming Disney World trip in December, knocking about $500 off the cost of our stay. I wish I knew all the details, but IIRC was some sort of deal that went live today she read about on one of the Disney travel message boards. If I remember to ask her about it later I'll post how she got it but some of you regular Disney deal-seekers might know where to look for it. The add-on might just be for people staying on Disney property. FWIW, we already had our room and meal reservations booked (yes, Ohana, Le Cellier, and inside Cinderella's castle are all on the list) and were still able to add the free DDP this morning. Wish I knew more, but hopefully this is enough for others to figure out the rest.

Doing a trip in October thru Small World Vacations, and my Agent there sent me an email today saying that she was able to get us on that discount as well. We saved ~$175 for the week, which is great. She said that other times this discount can be near $500, it just depends on your rate before you redo with the discount for the meals. We had a really good deal going in. 2 rooms at Pop Century for a week 2 adults, 3 kids (8, 7, 4), tix with Park Hopper and meals (Quick Service) for $2,800.

 

[GreekFreak]

Are water parks do-able in October?

 

[Disco Stu]

Are water parks do-able in October?

I would say yes, but it might depend on how late in the month. Also depends on where you are from. Average October high is 85, low is 65. Link

 

[gmbacm]

When I was a kid I went to a gator place near Disney I remember enjoying. A search finds "gatorland", is this the same place from 30+ years ago. Worth a visit still?

 

[belljr]

When I was a kid I went to a gator place near Disney I remember enjoying. A search finds "gatorland", is this the same place from 30+ years ago. Worth a visit still?

YEP was there as a kid,still have a picture holding a baby alligator.Too bad circus world closed. Have a picture of me painted up like a "real clown"

ETA: no idea if it's still worth a visit

 

[Mr. Ected]

I have to pay for the remainder of my trip in October next week. I have done my purchasing through Small World Vacations, and have been extremely pleased. No extra fees on our end; and they monitor our vacation making adjustments to lower our total without any effort on our end. She has adjusted it a couple of times, saving $3-400 in the process over the 8 months she has had our reservation.

My question is do you guys buy the Travel Insurance from Disney? We have 2 adults, so it will cost $140. We also are driving, so we do not have to worry about airfares.

Any thoughts?

TIA,

 

[sho nuff]

When I was a kid I went to a gator place near Disney I remember enjoying. A search finds "gatorland", is this the same place from 30+ years ago. Worth a visit still?

YEP was there as a kid,still have a picture holding a baby alligator.Too bad circus world closed. Have a picture of me painted up like a "real clown"

ETA: no idea if it's still worth a visit

Did circus world too...somewhere there is a picture of me with my face painted by the pool at our hotel.My brother still makes fun of that picture.

 

[belljr]

LEGOLAND opens in October Maybe I should kept this a secret

 

[Mr. Ected]

LEGOLAND opens in October Maybe I should kept this a secret

We are planning to go there on our way down in October. They should be open for about a week before we get there. My 7 and 8 year old boys should be thrilled with it! There 4 y.o. little sister is a huge Lego fan too.

 

[soothsayer]

LEGOLAND opens in October Maybe I should kept this a secret

We are planning to go there on our way down in October. They should be open for about a week before we get there. My 7 and 8 year old boys should be thrilled with it! There 4 y.o. little sister is a huge Lego fan too.

I think they open on the 15th and I'll be there a few days after that. Perfectly timed with a trip to DW.

 

[gmbacm]

I have to pay for the remainder of my trip in October next week. I have done my purchasing through Small World Vacations, and have been extremely pleased. No extra fees on our end; and they monitor our vacation making adjustments to lower our total without any effort on our end. She has adjusted it a couple of times, saving $3-400 in the process over the 8 months she has had our reservation. My question is do you guys buy the Travel Insurance from Disney? We have 2 adults, so it will cost $140. We also are driving, so we do not have to worry about airfares.Any thoughts?TIA,

Too late this time but for next time get a good credit card with trip insurance. Mine has an annual fee, but I recoup that and more in trip insurance coverage/medical insurance out of country and other perks.

 

[Mr. Ected]

I have to pay for the remainder of my trip in October next week. I have done my purchasing through Small World Vacations, and have been extremely pleased. No extra fees on our end; and they monitor our vacation making adjustments to lower our total without any effort on our end. She has adjusted it a couple of times, saving $3-400 in the process over the 8 months she has had our reservation. My question is do you guys buy the Travel Insurance from Disney? We have 2 adults, so it will cost $140. We also are driving, so we do not have to worry about airfares.Any thoughts?TIA,

Too late this time but for next time get a good credit card with trip insurance. Mine has an annual fee, but I recoup that and more in trip insurance coverage/medical insurance out of country and other perks.

Good thought...We have done it with AMEX, I will check with them.

 

[GoFishTN]

Doing a trip in October thru Small World Vacations, and my Agent there sent me an email today saying that she was able to get us on that discount as well. We saved ~$175 for the week, which is great. She said that other times this discount can be near $500, it just depends on your rate before you redo with the discount for the meals. We had a really good deal going in. 2 rooms at Pop Century for a week 2 adults, 3 kids (8, 7, 4), tix with Park Hopper and meals (Quick Service) for $2,800.

Is this place pretty reputable? Seems like they want a lot of info just for a quote.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Doing a trip in October thru Small World Vacations, and my Agent there sent me an email today saying that she was able to get us on that discount as well. We saved ~$175 for the week, which is great. She said that other times this discount can be near $500, it just depends on your rate before you redo with the discount for the meals. We had a really good deal going in. 2 rooms at Pop Century for a week 2 adults, 3 kids (8, 7, 4), tix with Park Hopper and meals (Quick Service) for $2,800.

Is this place pretty reputable? Seems like they want a lot of info just for a quote.

I don't remember whether there was any info they asked for that was strange, and I am usually sensitive to that.Another place that I get info on WDW discounts and other good WDW info is MouseSavers.com, and they give a very good recommendation for Small World. I am 99% sure that is where I started with them.

 

[GreekFreak]

Any rental car tips?

We are heading down October 19th, should I wait until the last possible minute to reserve a car?

 

[gmbacm]

Any rental car tips? We are heading down October 19th, should I wait until the last possible minute to reserve a car?

Reserve now for the best price you can get, then keep watching prices and codes. You can always cancel current reservation if you find a cheaper one between now and the trip.I generally find best prices with alamo. sign up as an almamo insiders and you get some good deals along with a search for various alamo codes.

 

[GreekFreak]

Any rental car tips? We are heading down October 19th, should I wait until the last possible minute to reserve a car?

Reserve now for the best price you can get, then keep watching prices and codes. You can always cancel current reservation if you find a cheaper one between now and the trip.I generally find best prices with alamo. sign up as an almamo insiders and you get some good deals along with a search for various alamo codes.

I just did Priceline and bid half of what the asking rack price was and I got a full size car.

 

[gmbacm]

Any rental car tips? We are heading down October 19th, should I wait until the last possible minute to reserve a car?

Reserve now for the best price you can get, then keep watching prices and codes. You can always cancel current reservation if you find a cheaper one between now and the trip.I generally find best prices with alamo. sign up as an almamo insiders and you get some good deals along with a search for various alamo codes.

I just did Priceline and bid half of what the asking rack price was and I got a full size car.

priceline works but you can often get less with codes on the sites themselves, with no commitment to pay up front or lock in. Earlier this month with alamo I had a full size car for 7 days $67 all in.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Broke down and let the wife schedule one for the end of October. Food and Wine Festival. Deadly. It should actually be a crime what they do to you with all the menu choices and alcohol in such a family setting. How am I supposed to be a good upstanding member of society when glutony and lust take over the second I walk into the World Showcase? How I ask?

 

[regularguy]

Free admission during the last week of October to Legoland (2 per household). Check it out here - Fatwallet link. You can sign up for the Lego VIP program over the phone and receive a welcome email right away that you can use with the PDF coupon for the free admission.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Free admission during the last week of October to Legoland (2 per household). Check it out here - Fatwallet link. You can sign up for the Lego VIP program over the phone and receive a welcome email right away that you can use with the PDF coupon for the free admission.

Was so giddy until I realized it was Oct 24-30. I am going 21 or 22. D###!!!

 

[FBGirl79]

Broke down and let the wife schedule one for the end of October. Food and Wine Festival. Deadly. It should actually be a crime what they do to you with all the menu choices and alcohol in such a family setting. How am I supposed to be a good upstanding member of society when glutony and lust take over the second I walk into the World Showcase? How I ask?

I just had to get on here to let you know that I am currently sitting in the lobby waiting for our name to be called at Ohana! I had my Dole Whip Float earlier and we will be here for the 1st weekend of F&W...oh how I love this place!ETA...it is still amazing. Even better than last year!

 

[Osaurus]

Free admission during the last week of October to Legoland (2 per household). Check it out here - Fatwallet link. You can sign up for the Lego VIP program over the phone and receive a welcome email right away that you can use with the PDF coupon for the free admission.

Get your shots before you enter the 863

 

[soothsayer]

Free admission during the last week of October to Legoland (2 per household). Check it out here - Fatwallet link. You can sign up for the Lego VIP program over the phone and receive a welcome email right away that you can use with the PDF coupon for the free admission.

Get your shots before you enter the 863

Can you unpack this?Will be there on Oct 19 - really kind of jazzed about it. Surprising the kids.

 

[soothsayer]

Broke down and let the wife schedule one for the end of October. Food and Wine Festival. Deadly. It should actually be a crime what they do to you with all the menu choices and alcohol in such a family setting. How am I supposed to be a good upstanding member of society when glutony and lust take over the second I walk into the World Showcase? How I ask?

I just had to get on here to let you know that I am currently sitting in the lobby waiting for our name to be called at Ohana! I had my Dole Whip Float earlier and we will be here for the 1st weekend of F&W...oh how I love this place!ETA...it is still amazing. Even better than last year!

Any menu changes? Will be there in a few weeks!

 

[FBGirl79]

Broke down and let the wife schedule one for the end of October. Food and Wine Festival. Deadly. It should actually be a crime what they do to you with all the menu choices and alcohol in such a family setting. How am I supposed to be a good upstanding member of society when glutony and lust take over the second I walk into the World Showcase? How I ask?

I just had to get on here to let you know that I am currently sitting in the lobby waiting for our name to be called at Ohana! I had my Dole Whip Float earlier and we will be here for the 1st weekend of F&W...oh how I love this place!ETA...it is still amazing. Even better than last year!

Any menu changes? Will be there in a few weeks!

Nope, still start with coconut pineapple bread followed by salad w/ honey-lime dressing. Next is pork dumplings, wings, noodles, broccoli. Then onto steak, pork, chicken and shrimp and top it all off with bread pudding! It was still great! We are leaving Disney tomorrow but only have to wait 7 weeks before we are back!

 

[The Ref]

Well now that we live in south florida we have planed our first "we have old friends coming into disney world so we might as well go meet them" trip. Started out as a one day visit, still a month away and we are up to three.

 

[oso diablo]

going mid-October as the kids have a week off for "Fall Break". Staying in a townhome at Windsor Hills. We have 3 days left on our no-expire tickets. Some questions...

1. When we bought the no-expire tickets (2006), the kids were obviously younger and in a lower price bracket. Will that matter?

2. Our oldest kid is now in college and won't be going. Any chance Disney would let us convert her ticket to our youngest kid who wasn't around in 2006 (well, he was so young that he didn't need a ticket then)?

3. With only 3 days in the parks (don't have the park hopper option), and 4 parks to choose from, which park gets left out? Kids are 13, 11, and 6. Will probably come down to cutting either Epcot or Animal Kingdom.

4. Any suggestions for an airboat ride to see the swamps/alligators/etc?

 

[oso diablo]

didn't mean to kill the disney thread. answering some of my own questions, based on subsequent research.

1. no. kids tickets are still good

2. no, no conversions allowed.

 

[ATC1]

going mid-October as the kids have a week off for "Fall Break". Staying in a townhome at Windsor Hills. We have 3 days left on our no-expire tickets. Some questions...1. When we bought the no-expire tickets (2006), the kids were obviously younger and in a lower price bracket. Will that matter?2. Our oldest kid is now in college and won't be going. Any chance Disney would let us convert her ticket to our youngest kid who wasn't around in 2006 (well, he was so young that he didn't need a ticket then)?3. With only 3 days in the parks (don't have the park hopper option), and 4 parks to choose from, which park gets left out? Kids are 13, 11, and 6. Will probably come down to cutting either Epcot or Animal Kingdom.4. Any suggestions for an airboat ride to see the swamps/alligators/etc?

Personally like Epcot more as the parks stays open longer, fireworks to end it, more to do, better food.

 

[chet]

LEGOLAND opens in October Maybe I should kept this a secret

We are planning to go there on our way down in October. They should be open for about a week before we get there. My 7 and 8 year old boys should be thrilled with it! There 4 y.o. little sister is a huge Lego fan too.

I think they open on the 15th and I'll be there a few days after that. Perfectly timed with a trip to DW.

Me too. I will be there week after next.

 

[soothsayer]

LEGOLAND opens in October Maybe I should kept this a secret

We are planning to go there on our way down in October. They should be open for about a week before we get there. My 7 and 8 year old boys should be thrilled with it! There 4 y.o. little sister is a huge Lego fan too.

I think they open on the 15th and I'll be there a few days after that. Perfectly timed with a trip to DW.

Me too. I will be there week after next.

I will be at Legoland on Wednesday and will do my best to provide a report on Thursday.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Anyone do the online check-in a WDW vs plain old ordinary? I've heard you can run into a line with both.

 

[GreekFreak]

Online check in is quicker. They already have your info so you stuff is ready when you walk up to the desk.

Leaving in 4 days.

 

[The Ref]

Online check in is quicker. They already have your info so you stuff is ready when you walk up to the desk.Leaving in 4 days.

See you there Geek - leaving after work on Thursday. Thinking about being a devil and blowing out our budget out by a few hundred and secretly upgrading out of the All Star and moving up to a moderate....

 

[Mr. Ected]

Online check in is quicker. They already have your info so you stuff is ready when you walk up to the desk.Leaving in 4 days.

My thought is that I am getting there on Sunday Morning, and there might be a bunch of people at Pop Century, so I would be faster in the regular line, not the online line.We are leaving Thursday, driving down and hitting Legoland. As of now, the kids do not know. They think they are being pulled from school on Thursday to go to doctor's office to get flu shots!See you guys there!

 

[FBGirl79]

Online check in is quicker. They already have your info so you stuff is ready when you walk up to the desk.Leaving in 4 days.

See you there Geek - leaving after work on Thursday. Thinking about being a devil and blowing out our budget out by a few hundred and secretly upgrading out of the All Star and moving up to a moderate....

Which Mod are you thinking about? We just got back a couple weeks ago from Port Orleans French Quarter and really liked it. You have the option of using the pool and/or activities there or Port Orleans Riverside. We also took the boat from POFQ to Downtown Disney quite a few times. I've also stayed at Coronado Springs and liked that one too. I liked the beds & hot tub much better at Coronado but liked the smallness, double sinks, & boat to DTD much better at French Quarter. No matter what you decide to do, you guys will have a blast! We head back down in a few weeks and I can't wait!

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Leaving Friday. I've been mentally there for two weeks.

 

[ATC1]

Next trip will be the half marathon run early January at Old Key West. Wife called me during my lunch break to discuss 2013 plans.

 

[Mr. Ected]

Online check in is quicker. They already have your info so you stuff is ready when you walk up to the desk.Leaving in 4 days.

See you there Geek - leaving after work on Thursday. Thinking about being a devil and blowing out our budget out by a few hundred and secretly upgrading out of the All Star and moving up to a moderate....

Last visit stayed at the Old Key West Resort. Was really nice, bus was quick, lake is nice, pool is great. Every thing was different since the resort is small. Just can't do it anymore because we are 5, and that time my little girl was under 3 so she didn't count.We are doing 2 rooms at Pop Century.

 

[The Ref]

Online check in is quicker. They already have your info so you stuff is ready when you walk up to the desk.Leaving in 4 days.

See you there Geek - leaving after work on Thursday. Thinking about being a devil and blowing out our budget out by a few hundred and secretly upgrading out of the All Star and moving up to a moderate....

Which Mod are you thinking about? We just got back a couple weeks ago from Port Orleans French Quarter and really liked it. You have the option of using the pool and/or activities there or Port Orleans Riverside. We also took the boat from POFQ to Downtown Disney quite a few times. I've also stayed at Coronado Springs and liked that one too. I liked the beds & hot tub much better at Coronado but liked the smallness, double sinks, & boat to DTD much better at French Quarter. No matter what you decide to do, you guys will have a blast! We head back down in a few weeks and I can't wait!

This late in the game I'd take whatever. When I planed my first trip last year I was all about the Coronado but the pool was closed so we upgraded to the Wilderness lodge. It's funny though, I think the French Quarter is the one that stand out to me now. In fact I'm going to call right now.

 

[gmbacm]

Online check in is quicker. They already have your info so you stuff is ready when you walk up to the desk.Leaving in 4 days.

My thought is that I am getting there on Sunday Morning, and there might be a bunch of people at Pop Century, so I would be faster in the regular line, not the online line.We are leaving Thursday, driving down and hitting Legoland. As of now, the kids do not know. They think they are being pulled from school on Thursday to go to doctor's office to get flu shots!See you guys there!

If you check in online you can get in either line. Just pick the shortest one...