TOTALLY GEEKED!

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Let's talk vacation! More importantly DISNEY WORLD!

NAOW · Vette's SS

I don't know, but I'd be willing to bet Disney goes above and beyond in making it work for you.

NAOW · Vette's SS

Oh, and Art of Animation is awesome.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Oh I am sure they will. We stayed in the resort once before, in 2004, and they were awesome with helping deal with my boys allergies. I have never seen a cabin so clean. And they cleaned it daily. Full on cleaning. New bedding, washing, dusting, vacuuming. They were awesome.

I am wondering what I will need to plan on needing, documentation wise.

And when getting off and on a ride, how much help do they give?

The bus is the main source of transportation for this resort so can I get on and off the bus?

I cant remember how it was handled last time cause I didn't need it then.

And what has changed? What's the new thing we have to do?

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

You need to email the resort with those questions.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

I didn't stay on a Disney resort so I can't help you there. But maybe you should think about which parks would be best for you before you decide where to stay. Your kids are older so maybe they would prefer to go to Universal to Harry Potter and other destinations. Since all the ticket prices are expensive you should choose age appropriate parks. Plus where ever you stay you want to spend some days poolside and such.

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

We have gone to Disney World in October, and November. And, we had a great time. smile

You couldn't pay me, to go in June, July ,or August. cry

Lily, Disney World is hot and miserable, during the summer months.

Move the trip up, or move it back.

The summer months are awful, in Orlando.

JMHO.

-- Edited by Fort Worth Mom on Tuesday 24th of February 2015 07:17:11 PM

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

I would never go April thru September. You can get better hotel rates off season too.

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

Tickets are now over $100 a day per person. Do a good search for a package deal including the meal plan.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

We love Disney. And they have the water parks too. We love the transportation provided and the perks of staying in the park. After staying in the park, I wouldn't want to go again without staying in the park.

Disney has the thrill rides and I am sure the kids will love Epcot now.

We didn't do Epcot last time because they were too young really. We did a few of the rides up front but not the back of it.

And Animal Kingdom was something we didn't get to spend a lot of time at last time.

The kids are wanting to go.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

If we go we will go the end of May.

The heat is not so bad then.

And staying in the park, you can go in the morning when it is cool, go to the resort and swim or whatever and then go back later when it cools off again.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Fort Worth Mom wrote:
We have gone to Disney World in October, and November. And, we had a great time.
You couldn't pay me, to go in June, July ,or August.
Lily, Disney World is hot and miserable, during the summer months.
Move the trip up, or move it back.
The summer months are awful, in Orlando.
JMHO.

-- Edited by Fort Worth Mom on Tuesday 24th of February 2015 07:17:11 PM

Agreed. And in a wheelchair, you will be even closer to the hot pavement - the heat will just roll up and smack you in the face. We were there in late May when DD was 6 and she almost melted. We were out for about 2 hours when she got so hot we had to get her out of the park. We couldn't leave the pool from about 12:30-4:30. It was awful. And in the summer, those hours of needing to be poolside will be longer. Probably more like noon - 6. That's a long time to not be at the park each day. And if your kids' asthma is aggravated by heat...

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Southern_Belle wrote:
Tickets are now over $100 a day per person. Do a good search for a package deal including the meal plan.

The tickets, hopper pass, is 95 each. It allows you to go to any park as often as you want at any time. Including the water parks.

Did you know the ticket is also good at the Downtown Disney big arcade? Yep. It works there too. We spent an entire day in that place. It's huge!

And if you stay in the park, if there is something going on at another resort, like the campfire movies at the camp ground, you can go to them.

Your room key is your ticket, credit card, parking pass, everything.

It really is your key to the world.

I found a room rate through Trivago. And that will save us about 200.

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

lilyofcourse wrote:
We love Disney. And they have the water parks too. We love the transportation provided and the perks of staying in the park. After staying in the park, I wouldn't want to go again without staying in the park.

Disney has the thrill rides and I am sure the kids will love Epcot now.

We didn't do Epcot last time because they were too young really. We did a few of the rides up front but not the back of it.

And Animal Kingdom was something we didn't get to spend a lot of time at last time.

The kids are wanting to go.

We love it, too, Lily. smile

Just, not during the Summer. cry

And, my kids loved Epcot, when they were, 13, 10, and 3 years old. confuse

Animal Kingdom? I wouldn't waste my time there. We have a great zoo, in Fort Worth.

We got out of there, as fast as we could. It was a waste of time, in my opinion.

Older kids will like Epcot, and the Studio Park, the best. I'm guessing.

They might want to spend half a day at the Magic Kingdom, just for fun.

Animal Kingdom is a waste of time. Go to the water parks, instead.

JMHO.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

The kids don't have asthma

We don't mind the heat so much. Been there several times. Always in the Summer months.

Shoot, we stayed in a pop up camper one time.

It was like being in a tin can in the oven. It was cooler INSIDE the park.

In late May it is not so bad.

Domestic Engineer · Guru

Disney was wonderful with assisting us with DS. If I remember correctly, they can only offer minimal assistance. They would slow or stop the ride to allow us to assist DS, then they would move his wheelchair to the place we would be getting off the ride.

DD is a Disney fanatic! She goes every year and is member of some kind of "mouse club". If you have any specific questions, pm me and I'm sure can she can help.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Well my kids love it.

They want to go.

Can we talk about the fun stuff?

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

lilyofcourse wrote:
We love Disney. And they have the water parks too. We love the transportation provided and the perks of staying in the park. After staying in the park, I wouldn't want to go again without staying in the park.

Disney has the thrill rides and I am sure the kids will love Epcot now.

We didn't do Epcot last time because they were too young really. We did a few of the rides up front but not the back of it.

And Animal Kingdom was something we didn't get to spend a lot of time at last time.

The kids are wanting to go.

With kids your age Epcot and Animal Kingdom are perfect. just make a beeline for the Safari Ride at Animal Kingdom first thing in the morning. Tickets are pricey and I get going in the summer is more economically feasible. Just bring lots of water.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

I think not I get

Fort Worth Mom · Mod/Penguin lover/Princess!

lilyofcourse wrote:
Well my kids love it.

They want to go.

Can we talk about the fun stuff?

Sure! Epcot and the Hollywood Studio, would be the fun stuff, for teenagers! smile

Animal Kingdom, sucks. Don't waste you time, if your kids have gone to a good zoo.

Go to the Magic Kingdom for half a day, just for the fun, and the memories. smile smile

If you really plan to go when it's hot, I'd think the water parks, would be a nice break from the heat.

I hope you have a great time with your family, Lily. smile

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Domestic Engineer wrote:
Disney was wonderful with assisting us with DS. If I remember correctly, they can only offer minimal assistance. They would slow or stop the ride to allow us to assist DS, then they would move his wheelchair to the place we would be getting off the ride.

DD is a Disney fanatic! She goes every year and is member of some kind of "mouse club". If you have any specific questions, pm me and I'm sure can she can help.

Thank you.

I will keep this in mind.

I have a motorized chair, do they have a place to charge if I need to?

I am not bound to a chair but I need it if I am doing more than going from the car into a store and things like that.

Are all the buses accessible?

And if I am doing something like just going to another resort for dinner, I wouldn't need the chair, but would I be able to get on and off the bus? I cant remember how steep the steps are.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Art of Animation is wonderful. If you get a suite - get it in the Finding Nemo section, that is closest to the food court and reservation desk. Lion King is the quiet section, but it's quiet because it's boring, and the decor is a little crazy for me. Cars section would be quieter than Nemo, but a little farther away. Little Mermaid section is the farthest away and those are not suites.

All the buses are handicapped accessible and can lift your chair in. Art of Animation has dedicated buses, which means they don't stop at other resorts, only go directly from there to the parks.

Disney is very hot in the summer and crowded - I would never go then, but that's up to you. I like October best, it's still warm but not nearly as crowded.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

I know if you want to go to another resort, you can connect with the buses/monorail/ferry that will get you there.

I am looking at the family suites.

The Nemo is looking the best because it is at the big pool and that has a zero depth entry which means I can get in and out of it.

I also like that it has 3 beds and two bathrooms.

C and I would have to share the queen but J and A would have their own beds. They are too big for bunk beds. So a pull out or Murphy bed is the best option.

And this is the newest resort so that means the newest bedding, carpets and sofas. I like that.

Now if I could afford them, I would also like to stay in the tree houses but those are way away from everything.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

We cant go in October. The kids are in school. We don't generally go anywhere during the school year.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

I stayed at Orange Lakes Resort. It's pricey in the building I stayed but there were other units in the resort that seemed they needed some work so are probably cheaper and in the hot months a bunch cheaper, bet you could get a deal on a 2 bed/2 bath condo. You have access to a man made lake and a few pool, shuttle service throughout the resort. 6 miles from Disney parks, about 20 miles from Universal.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

lilyofcourse wrote:
We cant go in October. The kids are in school. We don't generally go anywhere during the school year.

Yep, I don't take Dd out of school for vacas either. School is too important.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

lilyofcourse wrote:
We cant go in October. The kids are in school. We don't generally go anywhere during the school year.

They don't get a fall break?

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Yes. But we have things going on here.

Family things.

We vacation in the Summer.

NAOW · Vette's SS

OUr schools don't do fall break. What a crock.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

We have never had a fall break in any of our schools. Unless you count the 3 day Columbus Day weekend.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

NAOW wrote:
OUr schools don't do fall break. What a crock.

Your schools also don't start July 31st.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

lilyofcourse wrote:
Yes. But we have things going on here.

Family things.

We vacation in the Summer.

Ok - so that's a choice, then. Have fun.

FNW · Guru

We stayed at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. They had free transportation to the parks. We went with Hilton because they had "pure" rooms. THey had an awesome pool, too, that the boys loved. Huge winding water slide and lazy river. Our room had a view of the pool and the parks. We 3 or 4 different firework shows from our rooms.

Don't go in August like we did. The heat was unbearable and we had thunderstorms every night so we never returned to the parks at night as planned.

Once you get your reservations, a month before you arrive, go on to the Disney website and get your fast passes. It really helps save time waiting in lines. It's the only way to go. They are free, but go quick, so make sure you do it on time.

Also, we paid extra for the photo pass. I wish I had taken advantage more...the first day I only got one or two photos because I didn't notice the photographers and missed out. Second day whenever I saw one, I made sure I got the picture taken. If you buy on-line before your trip, you save money for the pass.

Hollywood park can be done in half a day, IMO. Magic Kingdom takes a lot more time. Haven't been to Epcot in years, but I enjoyed it when I went. Never went to the Animal Kingdom.

We don't take the kids out of school either, but after last summer, I might consider it. I think at their age now, they wouldn't be missing out on too much. And it would be nice to visit when the weather is nice and the crowds aren't as bad.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Lawyerlady wrote:
NAOW wrote:
OUr schools don't do fall break. What a crock.
Your schools also don't start July 31st.

Our schools started the first week of August (like the 4th or so) and we never got a fall break. I am sure we had other little days built into the schedule though. It seemed like we had a long weekend every month. But then again, we had to worry about using our snow days at that school and if we did use too many, they just took away the long weekends one at a time untill we made up the days. We never had to go until 5pm like other schools in our area did that winter.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I stayed at the Floridays for half the cost of staying at a Disney resort. We had a 2 bedroom condo with full kitchen. It isn't hard to drive around there with a garmin. We had no trouble driving to the parks, parking , getting out, etc.

If you go you HAVE to go to Discovery Cove. That is awesome. Honestly, that was our favorite day there.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Mellow Momma wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
NAOW wrote:
OUr schools don't do fall break. What a crock.
Your schools also don't start July 31st.
Our schools started the first week of August (like the 4th or so) and we never got a fall break. I am sure we had other little days built into the schedule though. It seemed like we had a long weekend every month. But then again, we had to worry about using our snow days at that school and if we did use too many, they just took away the long weekends one at a time untill we made up the days. We never had to go until 5pm like other schools in our area did that winter.

We go back around August 1st. This year it will be July 31st - we always start on a Friday. That is the days the kids get aclimated to their classes and such so they can start with a full week on Monday. We go August 1 - Memorial Day weekend. We have a week off in Oct., the entire week of Thanksgiving, a little over two weeks usually for Christmas/New Year's and a few days in Feb. for winter break (these are set as snow make-up days as needed, but that is not working this year, our snow days are coming AFTER that break), and spring break.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I stayed at the Floridays for half the cost of staying at a Disney resort. We had a 2 bedroom condo with full kitchen. It isn't hard to drive around there with a garmin. We had no trouble driving to the parks, parking , getting out, etc.

If you go you HAVE to go to Discovery Cove. That is awesome. Honestly, that was our favorite day there.

Discovery Cove is SeaWorld, not Disney.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I know. But, if you are down there, then go.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
I know. But, if you are down there, then go.

A Discovery Cove ticket includes 14 days to go to the SeaWorld parks and is pretty expensive. It would be hard to justify that and Disney in the same trip.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

"Justify" to who? We had a great time. I thought the ticket was cheap. It included an entire day at Discovery Cove, Sea world and Acquatica water park. I think it is the best deal down there.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

I have been to Disney 3 times. I love it. The kids have been once. They loved it.

We always take our vacations the first week school is out. We just always have.

I would like to do Discovery Cove. And we thought about doing the SeaWorld thing again cause we really loved it too. But Disney seems to have a whole lot more to do not only in the resorts but the parks.

I would not stay out side the park again.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
"Justify" to who? We had a great time. I thought the ticket was cheap. It included an entire day at Discovery Cove, Sea world and Acquatica water park. I think it is the best deal down there.

And that pretty much eats up the vacation. It is a great deal - but when you are going to Disney, which has 4 parks of its own, it's a bit much.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Am I reading this right?

I pay for one day at Discovery Cove and then I get unlimited to both Busch Gardens and SeaWorld for 14 days?

If so, that is a pretty good deal.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

I looked at it again. No. It isn't that great of a deal.

Disney is better.

The Discovery ticket is $289 for one person and includes 3 parks. Only one day at of the parks.

For a little more a day I get accommodations, with free transportation, pools, 4 parks and 2 water parks.

I think Disney is looking better and better.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

lilyofcourse wrote:
Am I reading this right?

I pay for one day at Discovery Cove and then I get unlimited to both Busch Gardens and SeaWorld for 14 days?

If so, that is a pretty good deal.

Busch Gardens adds another $25 to the ticket, but, yes that is correct.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

From the website -

Day Resort with Dolphin Swim
Reserved dolphin swim experience. Children must be at least 6 years old to swim with dolphins. Children ages 6-12 must be accompanied by a paying adult who is also participating in the dolphin swim experience.
Freshly prepared breakfast and lunch, plus unlimited snacks and beverages throughout the day.
Complimentary use of snorkel gear, wetsuits, towels, lockers, sunscreen, showers, changing rooms, and all day self parking.
Unlimited access to The Grand Reef, Serenity Bay, Explorer’s Aviary and Wind-Away River.
Unlimited admission to SeaWorld Orlando and Aquatica Orlando for 14-consecutive days around your reservation date.
All prices and price ranges are subject to change until purchased.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

The point is - I wouldn't even try to do both in one trip. Why pay for Disney if you have 14 days to spend at SeaWorld, etc. that you paid for?

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

After looking into it more, it would be cheaper to do Disney.

More included. Better value for the money.

Lindley · Guru

I want to a Disney trip with my family when the girls are older. I do want to do the one in Ca. I grew up just a few miles from Disney Land and would love to take them to Knotts Berry Farm too.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lily - I like the www.easywdw.com site for planning. It has a calendar to tell you what the crowd will be like. I fyou notice the number 8 in the center of each day - that is the expected crowd level on a scale of 1-10. The first park in green is expected to be the best of the 4 parks to visit that day, with the last park in red being a really bad idea. The dollar signs show this as peak season for renting rooms. There are two special events in June, Gay Days and the Star Wars Weekend.