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Slowtwitch Forums: Lavender Room:
Disney World

 
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Nacly

Jul 1, 08 11:42

Post #1 of 12 (339 views)
Disney World Can't Post
After Clearwater my wife and I were going to take our two young children to Disney for a couple of days. Anyone out there have any advise or recommendations on affordable Disney packages? Thanks...


FLA Jill

Jul 1, 08 11:50

Post #2 of 12 (330 views)
Re: Disney World [Nacly] [In reply to] Can't Post
For keeping an eye on Disney deals:

http://www.mousesavers.com/

I'd definitely stay at the park if you can. It's really nice to be able to easily go back to your room for an afternoon when everyone needs a nap.

If you want to do character dinners or other meals that offer reservation options, book them as soon as you can. Those spots go fast.


Fast&Crooked

Jul 1, 08 12:13

Post #3 of 12 (311 views)
Re: Disney World [Nacly] [In reply to] Can't Post
Here some of my advice...

-You can stay at the park but we perfer to stay off the grounds because you can get a really nice condo for the same price. If you prefer not to drive, stay at the park and take the shuttles. Parking is $11 per day per park = 2 parks in 1 day is $22. We stayed at a beautiful condo about two weeks ago for about $200 a night (3/3 with washer and dryer) and my wife doesn't stay at dirty places.

Make sure you get to the park right at when it opens. The first two hours are the best! So your plan should be go to the park in the morning, leave around 11 and go back at night when it cools off. Also Disney Park allow you to bring food and water (no glass). We bring our food b\c Disney food is terrible! Magic Kingdom takes about 30 minutes to into the park once you park because you need to take a ferry or the monorail if you are staying off the grounds, plan accordingly.

The new water park aquatica next to sea world is supposedly really cool! but $40 per person :(

PM if you have any questions.


MJuric

Jul 1, 08 12:36

Post #4 of 12 (301 views)
Re: Disney World [FLA Jill] [In reply to] Can't Post
Two for staying on grounds. It's probably more expensive but well worth it especially if you have little kids. We went as a family with my brother and his 3 kids last year. Two 3-4 year olds in the group. It was nice to be able to hop on the shuttle and 15-20 minutes later be back at your room in the middle of the day for a break, lunch or nap.

Also look into the meal plans. Although not as cost effective as bringing your own food or eating off site if you're staying off site but FAR more cost effective than paying per meal.

I've stayed offsite twice and on site once and won't do offsite again unless it's just adults. Not even sure if I would then, it's just to convient and fun to not have to mess with the car :-)

~Matt


Locke

Jul 1, 08 12:40

Post #5 of 12 (292 views)
Re: Disney World [Nacly] [In reply to] Can't Post
Affordable? Not going to happen. Be prepared to bleed cash the entire time you are there. I am not saying its not a great family vacation, I am just saying its expensive.

We stayed on property and found it to be great. Its great to hit a park in the morning then jump back to the room for some rest before hitting another park later in the evening. Its an expensive way to go, but worth it IMO.



"MOVE YOUR ASS!!!!!" - Chef Ramsay, Hell's Kitchen


last tri in 83

Jul 1, 08 12:42

Post #6 of 12 (289 views)
Re: Disney World [Nacly] [In reply to] Can't Post
quite possibly the hottest place in the summer I have ever been on the planet.

_____________________________________________
“I never exaggerate. I just remember big.”—Chi Chi Rodriguez

Tim


go so slow

Jul 1, 08 12:48

Post #7 of 12 (284 views)
Re: Disney World [Nacly] [In reply to] Can't Post
Not really a package recommendation, but my in-laws love the place so we go fairly often. We stay at the Caribe Royale. Nice place. Very close to the park. In fact, we've stayed on property before (not in one of the hotels) and found waiting for buses to be more inconvenient than the short drive from the hotel.


Meth

Jul 1, 08 13:00

Post #8 of 12 (276 views)
Re: Disney World [Nacly] [In reply to] Can't Post
Another vote for staying @ Disney. No parking. Free bus rides (that have their own lanes). Early park entry.

Costs a bit more in the end, but we found it to be well worth it.


ivansie

Jul 1, 08 13:52

Post #9 of 12 (243 views)
Re: Disney World [Fast&Crooked] [In reply to] Can't Post
You only pay $11 per day. You can move from one park to the other in your car with the ticket on the window and they wont charge parking again.

I have always found the park hopping thing overrated anyways. We have been to disney more than any human should be allowed (my wife loves it plus we get a lot of out of town people and thats what they want) and usually just hit 1 park a day, unless its really empty and you dont care about shows its more than enough.

To the OP

Certainly stay off disney at condo or hotel and safe a bunch, unless you get a really, really good deal and then go for the experience. You can take the shuttle between parks anyways even if you are not staying at a disney hotel.

Start from left to right and get "fast passes" for the top attractions early so you can go and get more once you use them.

If you kids are older, go to Universal Islands of Adventure, much better or even hit Bush Gardens in Tampa.

Peace


______________________________________
"Bros B4 Hos, Man" House MD

"No invente... pregunte"

Team Aquaphor 08

Proud to be a:
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Brian in MA

Jul 1, 08 13:55

Post #10 of 12 (240 views)
Re: Disney World [Nacly] [In reply to] Can't Post
I've stayed both on and offsite, preferred the onsite with the shuttles. Also agree with the previous recommendation on hitting the parks early, especially at Animal Kingdom since the animals will be active then on the safari ride since it is feeding time.


"You can never win or lose if you don't run the race." - Richard Butler



hpwvale

Jul 2, 08 2:02

Post #11 of 12 (190 views)
Re: Disney World [Nacly] [In reply to] Can't Post
We are annual passholders and go 6 - 8 times per year. I have stayed both on and off property. For little ones, I recommend the All Star Resorts, they are the least expensive. They also have the most reasonably priced food in their food court. I do not use the Disney transportation, as the wait can be unbearable. Also, when you are tired and want to leave, the last thing you want to do is stand in a 1/2 hour+ line to get back to your hotel where you will have to walk a good distance with sleeping kids in order to get back to your room. Your Disney hotel car sign will permit you to park in any park for free. When staying on the grounds you can also take advantage of the extra hours held in the AM an PM. The schedule is available on their website. I find the AM to be the most beneficial as most people are not awake and ready to be at the park at 7:00 AM. The night time extra hours are not as productive.

If you can afford it, stay in one of the monorail hotels, your movement to and from the MK will be very easy.

I have stayed in everything from the All star to the Contemporary and in the end they are all just a room with substandard bedding and towels.

The upside of staying off the grounds is you have greater access to dining, you also have greater variety of quality lodging. When off ground I typically stay in Embassy Suites or Reseidence Inn's, as they include a good breakfast with their room.

Food in disney is expensive, but contrary to other posters, I find it to be of good quality. Having been to all the major parks in Florida, it is in all likelyhood the best food in the industry. The variety is practically limitless and it is usually very fresh. I usually bring in my own bottled water and/or gatorade. Summer heat plus $4 drinks equals bankruptcy.

Call 1-407-wdw-dine and try to schedule character meals.

Now as for navigating MK. If your kids are young, go straight for Fantasy land and ride Peter Pan and Pooh. Both will have lines well over an hour later in the day. Small world and Snow White are easy to get on all day. Be in Toon Town as soon as it opens to ride the Barnstormer (roller coaster for little ones) This will also have a 1+ hour wait later in the day. If your kids are older, run to Splash and Thunder Mountain and then Fast Pass Space Mountain. Pirates is easy to ride all day. Jungle Cruise is also worth fast passing. Kill time waiting for the fast pass by relaxing on the People Mover, Carousel of Progress, Pirates, Small World and the Train.

Enjoy your trip.
The Cuban Comet
(Comets are unbelievably slow over Cuba)


fawill

Jul 2, 08 14:06

Post #12 of 12 (125 views)
Re: Disney World [hpwvale] [In reply to] Can't Post
Had to look up when Clearwater was: November 8th! There's good news and bad news. The good news is that you can plan ahead and rooms at Disney World should be available. The bad news is that Disney World is more or less always crowded. Going for 2 days get this into your head: you won't see everything! I've been a number of times and still haven't seen everything. Basically, most people choose to go to the Magic Kingdom, and then another park if you are going for only 2 days. I would suggest Epcot as that park soaks up crowds a lot. Invaluable advice is to be at the gates 30 minutes before opening. That is key to get on the major attractions before the crowds come. And come they will. Also, avoid early entry days at the park you choose to go to. Basically, Walt Disney World resort guests staying at a resort have the perk to get in 1 hour early before day guests and for the rest of the day the crowd is just packed. I think most posters on here thought you were going soon (within the month). The internet has awoken the beast and last year was a grim reminder of that as I saw lots of people with great Disney World knowledge (there are no more secrets/touring plans). Orlando is the number one world's destination with over 40 million people coming to see the mouse and packed parks with crowds and rude behavior is the norm. I hate waiting in lines with rude people, so I take my doses of Disney World once every 3 years. I swear I need a vacation from my vacation whenever I get back home! 14 hour days in the parks and walking 16 1/ miles wears on you. Disney is there to get your last dollar and everywhere you look they have their hand out. That is why a lot of attractions dump you into a gift shop and man, people buy into it (it is addictive!-trust me, I will be paying for years on my disney addiction!) If you can buy your tickets ahead of time, do so to avoid waiting to buy them at the gate. Recently I saw it was about $70-75 for a single day ticket, so be prepared for sticker shock. As others have stated, parking is $11 for day guests, so if you stay on site, you can avoid that fee. I would suggest Pop century (the newest value resort) if you want to go that route. If you want something nicer, go to Port Orleans Riverside (a moderate resort). You can check out mousesavers for discounts. While at the parks, try to avoid table service as that takes up a bit chunk of time. Before you go, visit the Disney World website and pull up the maps of the parks. Have a touring plan in mind. Try to stage out fastpass for the big attractions and become familiar with how it works (if you're going to spend all that money, take the time to figure out how to plan your trip). I realize this is a lot of information, but the deal is that if you really want value for your money you have to plan and can't just go on a whim (and lots of people do but they rarely get on more than a few attractions). 2 hour waits for splash mountain in the summer time are not uncommon! And I've just not even given you the tip of the iceburg as there are internet Disney World websites with fanatics that live/breathe it 24/7/365. (basically if they move a garbage can it goes on the wire and 10,000 people know within .02 seconds...I kid you not!)