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JRHmom
LIF Infant
Member since 11/06 268 total posts
Name:
Gia
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Need Disney help!
I am planning a trip to Disney for October. My 2 children will be 5 and 1.5 yrs old at the time of the trip.
I was planning for October to avoid the HUGE crowd and the unforgiving heat while having a 1.5 yr old.
I have a few questions:
1- Is it too early to book. I don't really see any promotions for that time of year yet. If I book now would they revise my package to reflect any promotions? Who do you use to book or do you do it all yourselves?
2- Do you think I should bring a grandparent for the kids. I know it would make sense for help with the kids but I also feel like my family trip will now change because we will have to "check" with someone else.
3- Where do you recommend staying with and withou the grandparent: Me, DH, 5 yr old DS, 1.5 yr old DS (and possibly a grandparent).
TIA!!!!! Please help.
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Posted 1/26/11 3:25 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need Disney help!
1. It's not too early to book a vacation. If a new promotion comes out you can change it. I have used Magical Journeys in the past - they stayed on top of new deals and offers so we got the best prices available. There's an official diseny travel agent on this site...Mouse Tales Travel.
2. It's your choice to bring a grandparent. You need to consider room sharing, whether or not they will keep pace with you & your family, additional costs, etc.
3. Your budget will be the jumping off point for picking a resort.
Deluxe - most expensive, larger rooms, easier access to parks, multiple dining options.
Moderate - rooms are slightly smaller, exerior corridors, usually a little spread out, main themed pool has a slide, they have a table service restaurant and a food court (except Port Orleans French Quarter - they do not have a sit down restaurant but it is walking distance to Riverside which does have a TS place).
Value - no frills - no fridge, uncovered bus stops, no sit down restaurant just a food court, no pool slide.
Villas - part of the vacation club. thecy can be rented for cash. the studios have kitchenettes and there full kitchens, washer/dryer and jetted tubs in larger units.
If budget permits, a resort along the monorail is extremely convenient for families with young children as there's super easy access to the Magic Kingdom. If you have an extra adult staying with you in the room, the extra space will be nice.
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| Posted 1/26/11 3:51 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need Disney help!
Posted by JRHmom
I am planning a trip to Disney for October. My 2 children will be 5 and 1.5 yrs old at the time of the trip.
I was planning for October to avoid the HUGE crowd and the unforgiving heat while having a 1.5 yr old.
I have a few questions:
1- Is it too early to book. I don't really see any promotions for that time of year yet. If I book now would they revise my package to reflect any promotions? Who do you use to book or do you do it all yourselves?.
NO - definitely book now. Disney releases their packages in August for the following calendar year - many people book a year out. The only deal they have out now is Kids Stay and play free but that ends 10/1. You can book at rack rate now and the minute a code comes out you just call up disney and they will gladly make the change (provided it is available - sometimes your room category might not be available but if you are flexible it is no issue). I always do that - I book when the packages are released and then the day a code I like comes out I just switch.
Disney is great about this - in fact if say a one code comes out and you switch to it - then a better code is released you can switch to that rate. Just keep in mind you can't stack codes (if you have discount off the room rate like 30% off you can't also get Free dining) - but make sure you price out all the codes b.c for some people free dining is a great deal - but not for others - they do better with the discount off the room rate (you can still get a package with that type of discount).
Your only alternative is to book through AAA - AAA has package discounts - they are minimal - but depending on the time of year that you want to go if there are no discounts historically it might be a worth it. Keep in mind IF you book through AAA you MUST go through them to make any changes (so if you book through them and free dining comes out and you want that discount they CAN do it - but they are VERY slow and not very reliable so you run the risk of having it not be available b.c if you book through a TA then they own the booking and they are the only ones who can make changes.)
I recommend -(I had a couple of people do this and they got emails within a few days or a week) going to WDW's website. There is an area where you can register (free to do) and request a free copy of their trip planning DVD. Also go to their trip planning area and price out a few trips and save them. If you don't go often you will probably get a discount email pretty quickly. The last person I recommended to do this I think got one like 2 days later. They are codes that are exclusive to the person who receives the email so only that person and someone traveling with that person can take advantage of them. I think usually they are a pretty good % off the room (you can add tickets - and dining IF you add ticket - and make your own package - but the % is off the cost of the room not the tickets or dining). Other times they have offered free dining in the past etc. So you don't know what you will get - if you get one.
Keep checking Mousesavers.com (there is a way to subscribe to receive emails when she makes changes to her site - and you should sign up for her newsletter). She posts right away when a new code is released (she also has codes and hints for discounts for car rentals, entertainment book, disney musicals and disney shows and disney cruise line discounts).
Also you will often see chatter about discounts before they are released over on Disboards.com
Posted by JRHmom
2- Do you think I should bring a grandparent for the kids. I know it would make sense for help with the kids but I also feel like my family trip will now change because we will have to "check" with someone else..
The 1st time we took DD#1 she was 15 months old. My parents came along and they are NOT disney type of people (they prefer Europe or cruises). It was VERY helpful to have them. They came around with us for a good portion of the trip - but they also watched DD for us a couple of times - 1 hour here so we could go for a walk, they took DD#1 back to the room when she crashed in the stroller at MNSSHP- we had connecting rooms so they put her to bed and could watch her. The down side - they are not big on disney so they LOVED spending time with DD but didn't really enjoy the trip. I would say if you think the grandparent will be easy going - give you some family time but be there if you need them then go for it.
Our second trip DD#1 was almost 3 and DD#2 turned 1 on the trip. We went without family. It was a LOT of work and we missed not having those extra hands but it was so nice to just go and be a family without anyone but DH and the girls.
So I think it really depends on your family dynamic and what you want to get out of it.
Posted by JRHmom
3- Where do you recommend staying with and withou the grandparent: Me, DH, 5 yr old DS, 1.5 yr old DS (and possibly a grandparent).
TIA!!!!! Please help.
What is your budget that really makes a HUGE difference.
I think you can have a good trip at any of the WDW resorts so it really depends on what you are looking for. Are you willing to rent a car? Only use WDW transportation? If you have a car the resort matters less b.c you can come and go on your time.
I really like the Poly (or any of the 3 monorail but the poly is the best for us). You have quick access to the MK from the monorail (you can wheel your stroller right onto the monorail and NOT fold it up which is a HUGE + when you have a sleeping child or it is really crowded.)
You can walk next door to the TTC where you can
1) hop on the ferry to the MK which you can also roll your stroller onto and it a great exit during busy closing times at MK at night.
2) go to the TTC and get on the EPCOT monorail without having to change trains.
But if that isn't in your budget - WL is the cheapest of the deluxes and is close to the MK and EPCOT.
Then the moderates are all good.
The values have some family suites now which are about the price of a moderate but you get a little kitchenette.
It will probably still be hot in Oct. We went 1st week in Oct (9/27-10/5/08) and it was upper 80's low 90s and very humid.
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| Posted 1/26/11 5:30 PM |
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twobabies
Praying
Member since 7/05 9662 total posts
Name:
Mrs. Honeybee
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Re: Need Disney help!
1- Is it too early to book. I don't really see any promotions for that time of year yet. If I book now would they revise my package to reflect any promotions? Who do you use to book or do you do it all yourselves?
Not too early to book at all. Im not sure if they will revise a package once booked. We always book thru disney directly and we do it ourselves. The agents there are fantastic.
2- Do you think I should bring a grandparent for the kids. I know it would make sense for help with the kids but I also feel like my family trip will now change because we will have to "check" with someone else.
I went to disney with my kids for the first time when they were 3 and 5. We didnt bring any grandparents. I dont think you will need the help. I really dont.
3- Where do you recommend staying with and withou the grandparent: Me, DH, 5 yr old DS, 1.5 yr old DS (and possibly a grandparent).
Our favorite resort is the Wilderness lodge. If you like a bigger place we did the Wilderness lodge villas last year and loved it. We also got a great deal thru disney.com for 40% off.
Fm if you have any other questions :)
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| Posted 1/26/11 6:09 PM |
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JenniferEver
The Disney Lady
Member since 5/05 18163 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Need Disney help!
I agree with everything Christine said. They do have promotions out for October.
I would also recommend that one person in your party gets an annual pass. You can book a room (maybe a villa) at up to a 40% discount.
we LOVE going in OCtober. Make sure you take the kids to Mickey's not so scary Halloween party (which is also the only time adults are allowed in the parks in costume), and also enjoy the food and wine festival. Leave the kids with grandpa and go for some wine tastings!
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| Posted 1/27/11 11:57 AM |
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LINewbie
Tigger the the Rescue!
Member since 8/08 5647 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: Need Disney help!
Jut be ware that the food and wine fest will be going on - it is AWESOME but also will make ECPOT crazy crowded.
October i a great time to go. I agree w/going to Mickey's not so Scary PArty
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| Posted 1/27/11 4:51 PM |
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