Disney advice :)

Sara · Guru

RE: Disney advice :)

sbucking · Guru

We were there in early October. We stayed at the All-Star Sports. I'd say the only disadvantage of the All-Stars is that they are furthest away from everything, which equals lots of bus time. Do, check out Pop Century as it's on it's own bus line, where-as the All-Stars can share buses at times.

I brought my double with and Kaylin did lots of stroller riding. Even Braydon (7) rode every once and awhile. I wouldn't say it's necessary though, but it's nice to have a place to put all the stuff.

I have to say that I was HIGHLY disappointed in the Halloween party. I was hoping for a quiet night, WRONG. It was insane. Wall-to-wall people. I was so excited to meet the rare characters and get lots of candy, however there was no way we were going to wait in line for 45 minutes to do so and the kids only ended up with a handful of candy. The fireworks were great, but for the price, there is so much I'd rather do. It was fun to dress up though.

We didn't tell the kids about our trip until we got to the airport. It was great not having them asking all the time about it!!

Check out Passporter.com. I like it better than disboards and order a Passporter. Great info!!!

I loved being on the dining plan. Granted it was free, but it was so nice to not worry about meal cost, as eating there is EXPENSIVE!!

We loved all the character meals. We did Crystal Palace, Tony's Good Morning Breakfast (for Grand Gatherings only)

, 1900 Park Fare

, and Akershus (late breakfast)

.

We followed Tour Guide Mike's touring plans and they worked like a charm! Highly recommend. I know it seems a little nuts, but it's worth not waiting in lines.

What do you know about Photopass? I'm so happy we pre-ordered. We got a lot of great pics and the Magic Shots are so much fun.

I also went a little crazy making shirts:

Hope your kids have as much fun as mine did!! This is Kaylin's expression for most of the week:

-- Edited by sbucking on Friday 25th of February 2011 07:06:10 PM

a_mastermom · Guru

Sara wrote:

That video is priceless..lol

We have not been to Disney since 2009, gosh how I miss it!

disboards.com as Erin said, love that site!!

I also took quarters and did laundry down there. We rented a nice double but at 5-6 I think you will be okay. They might get tired later in the day so I guess you could haul around a small umbrella stroller to take turns.

Bryce was 6 when we went in 09 and he never rode just sat in the stroller watching the fireworks one night.

Alicia, insanely jealous of your polynesian stay! such a fabulous resort! you will love being on the monorail line! are you pulling the boys out of school? john is not for that anymore since bryce is not kindergarten age so it really puts a damper on even trying to visit disney..sigh...

Sara, we are pulling the kids out of school. I told all the teachers back at the conferences in November that I was planning on taking them out for a family trip. They were all absolutely fine with it (however Jake's teacher made a snide comment to him about it last week, which completely pissed me off). The way I see it, missing a week of elementary school at any age is okay if the kids aren't having any major educational issues, which mine aren't thank goodness. Middle school however, is a whole thing and I wouldn't pull them out at that point. That's why this will probably be our last Disney trip. I can't imagine going during peak weeks like school breaks, or in the heat of the summer. This was our last chance and we are soooooo excited!!!

Sara · Guru

ShanCan5 wrote:

I just wanted to say thank you for all the pointers ladies! We are going to Disney in June and just booked our flights but haven't booked tickets, a hotel, or meals yet so the information you have all provided will work for me as well. THANK YOU! :)

Hi and welcome! Your boys are too cute!

Definately book a few character meals. Chef Mickey's is classic but there are many other great options as well.

bigmama124 · Newbie

I have been a passholder to Disney for a few years (minus the past few due to unemployment ashamed

)

There are SO many ways to save money and plan ahead is the biggest one!! Goto the website and create an account. You can look at all of the restuarants to decide which ones you MUST attend. These reservations can be made up to 180 day in advance--and for several of the character restuarants--you need to make those reservations that far ahead. You MUST do the Crystal Palace, but do either breakfast or lunch, the menu is the same for dinner and you pay the same---unless you schedule dinner during the fireworks--it is beautiful. The same for the restuarant in Animal Kingdom Tusker House---and if you are SO LUCKY as to stay in the Animal Kingdom lodge, get a room on at LEAST the 3rd floor and up. The animals have free range and to see the giraffe's, wilder beasts, and long horns at your window when you wake up is the ultimate experience. The restuarant Bama's food at the Animal Kingdom lodge is to die for as well. We ate there 3 out of 5 "dinners" during one of our trips there.

Another food tip---if your hotel does free breakfast, eat there, then do a late lunch early dinner. You can also take soft sided coolers with snacks and drinks. I used to pack full lunches, and we would go and not spend a dime except to park.

Another must do if you have daughters, is Cinderella's castle. The resturant there has ALL of the princess's there, some you will not find in the park---the cost is a little pricey, it is a set price, and you pick your menu over the phone. All you have to do is show up.

These are the best of the best character resturants at Disney. The Contemporary Hotel has a resturant, but it was not as good as the others, and was seemingly much more expensive. Print the map off the Disney site to see those must do's.

One of the biggest tips I can give you. Take ALOT of breaks, you have ALL day and most of the night to do the park and you will get it all done during the day. Depending on the ages of your kids, you will need to take the break because they WILL get on overload. If you go at a leasurely pace, you'll do just fine.

Another HUGE tip---take a water bottle for each of you. October is SOOOOO HOT here, and you can refill the bottles. I also pack a wash cloth to wipe us down and cool us off. Don't forget sprayable sun screen. Florida sun is very unforgiving. Quick splash of sun screen will save you grief I promise. I say the spray kind, because you dont want goopy sun screen all over your hands and smearing it in, it's a mess you will save yourself.

You can also get a pull cart to tote these things in. People just park them in the stroller section when you go on the rides. It'll save your back. Pack your personal things into a fanny pack or just right in your FRONT pocket---I put cash, credit cards, DL's things of this nature in my front pocket (elimates pick pockets because my things are shoved deep into my front pockets!) that way you do not need to worry about a purse being left in your cart, or toting it on the ride while trying to corral kids, and everything you need is at your waist. Take a small camera/video camera that takes pictures and a zip lock bag it will fit in. Some of the rides YOU WILL GET WET and you dont want to leave the camera in the cart, and we don't want it to get ruined right! Dont forget extra batteries for the camera, extra sim card chargers etc.

Lastly, make your reservations NOW. You can always alter them. You can call a few days before you leave as well to get your itinorary as well. I have Disney Dining and Disney Customer Service on my speed dial (no joke) I would recommend putting them on your cell phone as well. If you need to call them, you have the number, if you don't need to call them---you still have it. Odds are you just might need it.

OH Disney pins---if you are going for a special occasion goto City Hall (located on the left side as you walk in) you can get celebration pins for anything there. On the right side walking in are usually 2-3 characters. In the middle are a few characters, as well on the left side.

Trading pins---buy several on ebay before you go!! Disney employees will trade pins with Disney Pins!!! It's a totally cool thing they do. You'll need a lanyard to hold the pins---don't forget autograph books to!!

There are SO MANY things you can do prior to getting there, and surprise the kids the morning you go!!! Email me if you want more information!!!