What would you do

We want to plan a trip that DS will enjoy as well.

I am looking into the Atlantis Paradise Island for October. When all is said and done, we are going to spending a lot, since it is just really overpriced from the food plan to the activities. Plus, DS won't be able to do to much - he'll be 3.

We were planning on going to see FIL in Florida for Thanksgiving. So DH wants to rent a car to drive to WDW and spend 4-5 days there and then fly home.

I just don't know where to start planning this vacation. Which hotel is better? Do we really need that much time there? How do I know if I'm getting a good deal? Are there ways to get discounts on the park tickets? Do we need to go to all the parks etc...

Would you just stick to the Bahama's or do WDW? We were going to wait until DS was at least 5 to take him, but DH thinks he'll love it now.

Please help!!!!!

Message edited 5/7/2013 9:20:26 AM.

What would you do

I think 3 is a great age for Disney. He would def love it. I would do Disney!!

What would you do

I took DS to Disney a few months before he turned 3 and he loved it and still talks about it and can't wait to go back.

I would skip the Bahamas (in October the weather is iffy) and just do Disney.

We stayed offsite so I don't have hotel recs.

As for the parks - the Magic Kingdom is a must, a ton to do for 3 year olds. We also did Hollywood Studios. They have a great breakfast with Jake, Handy Manny, SA Oso and June from Little Einsteins. They also have an opportunity to get your picture taken with Lightning McQueen and Mater. I wasn't planning on going there but, glad we did because DS loved it. We did the Animal Kingdom too - breakfast at Tusker House with the characters, safari, Dino Land and saw all the characters with short lines.

What would you do

Ok I will look more into Disney.

How long should we stay? Should we just do the Magic Kingdom?

Did you purchase anything before going? Any tips to get the most out the park...

Re: What would you do

Why dont you do the best of both worlds.. ? Take one of those 3-4 day cruises out of Port Canaveral that goes to the Nassau (Paradise Island)?

Re: What would you do

What would you do

I would def do Magic Kingdom and another park. Does your son like animals? Disney Jr? Bc Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios are fun!!!

What would you do

Depending on how many days you go - I would do more than one park. We only went to the parks in the morning and did the pool at the hotel in the afternoon (DS loved it). We did 4 mornings at MK, 1 at HS and 1 at AK. We covered the whole MK in 3 mornings and the 4th was just mainly because we had an extra day on our pass.

I like Animal Kingdom and DS did as well but, I think he liked Hollywood Studios more (the breakfast, LM and Mater, the Disney Jr show, Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground).

I got our tickets before we went there from the Disney Store. I looked into some discount possibilities but, it was for park hopper passes and since we weren't planning on doing more than one park a day, it wasn't worth it.

Re: What would you do

Honestly have no interest in Atlantis, unless I found an unbelievable deal. I think it's pricier then it's worth. But of course that's just my opinion.
I would personally do Disney. You definitely want a day or two in Magic Kingdom and then either HS or AK based on your DS interests. If you aren't hell bent on staying at Disney and only doing Disney parks, then you should consider SeaWorld and Legoland as well. They are both great for younger kids.

Re: What would you do

I was going to recommend the disney cruise too. We just got back and its literally all we can talk about! The characters were there with much smaller lines, the beach at castaway cay was great, etc I could go on and on. And it was not as rough, motion wise as our 18 ft family boat!

We have been to Disney with ds1 3x and ds2 just went for his first visit. This last time we stayed off site at Sheraton vistana villages in a 2bedroom 2 bath room, I will continue doing this type of hotel as long as I have young kids. It was nice to be able to put younger son in for a nap and have the rest of the place to spend time with our other son. It was great to have a kitchen so the bypassing have to sit in a restaurant every meal, and when ds2 got sick, the washer and dryer was a huge help. We got a great deal on costco.

I would focus my attention on magic kingdom, maybe 1 day at epoxy, and 1 day at animal kingdom or Hollywood studios ( I prefer AK over US at that age). If you are looking for a more relaxing feel to the trip then base fix are fine, if you want to cram as much in as possible go with park hoppers.

Re: What would you do

Oct is hurricane season in the Caribbean so that alot would turn me off to Atlantis. I would def do Disney. We took our DD's and one turned 3 while we were there. She LOVED it. Tons to do (and she doesn't even love rides). Her favorite thing was at Hollywood Studios and was the Disney Jr Live show.

Re: What would you do

He will probably love both now, for different reasons: he'll swim in the ocean with Daddy in Atlantis and probably be on cloud nine... or he'll get a high-five from Tigger in WDW and be like WOW - but both, he'll likely have no recollection of once he is older. For me, when I was a kid, we did WDW when I was just under 4. I have no recollection of that. So, when I was like 8 or 9 I begged my parents to take me again so that I could go because, to me, it's like I had never been! That trip I still remember to this day, vividly.

That being said, since Atlantis would be enjoyable for you and DH (I'm guessing slightly moreso than WDW), and it's such a beautiful place, I would do that now - DS will still have a ball doing the things he will enjoy - I mean, he's three, he'll probably sit in the sand with a bucket and shovel for hours and be THRILLED. I know my nephew is that way - give him some toys, take him in the pool, forget it. And you and DH will get some nice R&R time in there - the place is gorgeous, restaurants are great, the flight is SO short, etc. You can't beat a short flight with a 3YO -- vs. the 4/5 hour car ride in Florida, IDK.

I mean, you can't go wrong either way but I think I would wait until DS is older for WDW so he can a. participate in more and b. actually retain and remember what he's doing.

I can't imagine him growing up and being like "ugh, I don't remember the Bahamas, I wish I could go again and experience it" but I could see him saying that with Disney - only cuz that's what happened with me.

HTH!

Message edited 5/7/2013 2:14:25 PM.

Re: What would you do

Posted by BriBri2u

Posted by JP826

Why dont you do the best of both worlds.. ? Take one of those 3-4 day cruises out of Port Canaveral that goes to the Nassau (Paradise Island)?

Ha! My DH wants to do this but I get really bad motion sickness - a playground swing makes me sick.

I can barely tolerate a one hour boat ride when we go out on our friends speed boat.

I know a lot of people say you don't feel it on the big boats. I just don't want to take the chance that I will be sick the entire time. I get quesy at the mention of cruises.