Disney ... is meal plans worth it ... park hoppers ... thoughts on these hotels

haven't been to Disney since I was 13 or 14 so this my first time planning a trip. we are going with adults 2 4 year olds and on almost 2 year old.

here are my questions.

is the dinning plans worth getting? or no you really feel you don't need one.

do we need park hoppers? we will have I think 5 or 6 days there. also I am not planning on going during a busy time. I heard October isn't that busy so we are shooting for then unless anyone can recommend a better month/week

I got quotes on these hotels are they good, should I ask for different ones.
reading through other threads it seems getting to the park might be a pain from some hotels are deluxe the only ones that have hotels really close to the parks?!


Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney's Beach Club Resort
Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Disney's Pop Century Resort
Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Re: Disney ... is meal plans worth it ... park hoppers ... thoughts on these hotels

The dining plan depends on your group and how you eat. For us, not worth it. We tend to split entrees, only drink water and we don't really snack a lot. Look at what's included and see if your group would eat that much food.

Park hoppers again depend on your group. We have two small kids now (ages 3 and 1) so for us hoppers are not worth it. We only stay at the park until midday and then go back to the hotel and stay there. When the kids are older and we will want to go back to the parks at night it might be worth it.

The hotels are spread all around the property so they're not all close to all parks. The ones with the best access if you have small kids, imo, are Polynesian, Grand Floridian and Contemporary because you can take the monorail to MK and Epcot. But those are all $$$.

From your list I would stay at any of those places. Top of my list would be Beach Club because it has relatively easy access to Epcot and HS. And bottom would be Pop Century, but that's just personal preference. Art of Animation is great particularly if you're in a suite. You really can't go wrong with any of the ones on your list though. Check out the pics on the Disney site and see which theme appeals to your family most.

Re: Disney ... is meal plans worth it ... park hoppers ... thoughts on these hotels

i agree with the other poster... so much depends on your group and what you think you'll do.

if you think you'll want to do a lot character meals it might be worth it bc they cost more. i think the regular plan is good- everybody would get one sit down meal, one "quick service" meal and one snack a day. there are certain times in the fall they give you the dining plan for free at certain of the disney resorts. it depends on how full each resort is and all that. the dates for that usually come out in may.

Park hoppers, too depend on what you want to do. but i think if its the first time you've been in a long time, you probably don't need them. you'll probably spend the whole day at a one park. Park hoppers to me are good if you've been recently and have certain things you like to hit at each park... so you bounce around a little more.
the regular tickets are good for one park the whole day. so you could say go to magic kingdom for a few hours in the AM, go back to the resort to swim, kids nap, whatever... then go back to MK at night for a few more hours.

resorts, too depends on what you're looking for. a lot of the deluxe ones are easier to get to the parks... BUT you're gonna pay more for that POP century is decent- kind of "no frills" smaller rooms, but all the huge figures all over the place are neat for the kids to look at. AOA has suites that might be nice to fit everybody. we're staying at Caribbean Beach Resort for the first time when we go in september. i've been reading that its nice, but spread out... so we booked a "preferred" room to be closer to be big pool and food court and all that.
i've been using a really great Disney Travel Agent if you want help, i can pass on her name

Re: Disney ... is meal plans worth it ... park hoppers ... thoughts on these hotels

It totally depends on what you plan to do. My kids are almost 4 and almost 6. I personally don't think a meal plan and park hopper would be worth it for you.

The first time we went, our kids were ages 1 and 3. Half day at the parks were plenty and the kids loved hanging out at the pool in the afternoon. We ate mostly breakfast on the go and quick service meals. We have always done a grocery run or delivery so we have milk, drinks, fruit and breakfast foods in the hotel room. We always go to the parks at rope drop so the kids are eating breakfast on the go.

Now that our kids are older, we do more sit down restaurants but still do breakfast on the go and quick service lunches. A meal plan would be a waste for us.

Depending on the time of year, I know they have free dining plan promotions. That may be worth it since it is free!

Re: Disney ... is meal plans worth it ... park hoppers ... thoughts on these hotels

We never stay on site, so I can't comment on the meal plan. But I don't think the park hoppers are worth it with young kids. I would do one park a day. Try to get an early start each day, do as much as you can until the kids are done. Then go back for naps and pool time. You can always head back to Magic Kingdom for the night parade and fireworks, or dinner and fireworks at Epcot. Other then that, take the nights off to relax as a family.

Disney ... is meal plans worth it ... park hoppers ... thoughts on these hotels

I have to say, the bus service to the MK from the Beach and Yacht Club is horrible. We went last Summer, and always waited at least a half hour for a bus. It was ridiculous for the price point paid for that place. But, we enjoy the hotel so much, their pool is hands down the best on property.

Re: Disney ... is meal plans worth it ... park hoppers ... thoughts on these hotels

Re: Disney ... is meal plans worth it ... park hoppers ... thoughts on these hotels

Re: Disney ... is meal plans worth it ... park hoppers ... thoughts on these hotels

Re: Disney ... is meal plans worth it ... park hoppers ... thoughts on these hotels

Message edited 1/29/2015 1:30:07 PM.

Re: Disney ... is meal plans worth it ... park hoppers ... thoughts on these hotels

Re: Disney ... is meal plans worth it ... park hoppers ... thoughts on these hotels

Re: Disney ... is meal plans worth it ... park hoppers ... thoughts on these hotels

I actually love the Dining Plan, I love it more when it's FREE!! You get more than enough food and it also gives us a chance to have some sit down meals that would normally cost a fortune for a family of 4. I think it's worth it!!

We've stayed at PO Riverside and Pop Century. I LOVED PO Riverside. The grounds are beautiful!! There are some stops on the bus and you might have to walk a bit to the bus stop but I honestly didn't find it all that bothersome.

We were in Disney this past November and stayed at Pop Century. It was actually very cute and clean and fine for our needs...........we're never in the room anyway. It easily fit our family of 4 and that was with a pack n play in the room too. They do have their own buses which is nice BUT that being said, it's a long ride from most of the parks AND I found that Pop Century buses came less frequently than some of the other resorts so we waited A LOT to get to and from the parks. But overall, Pop is a good value and I would stay there again.

I use to always do park hopper passes BUT now that we have the kids I felt like it was going to be too much of a hassle going between the parks on a day to day basis so we skipped the hoppers this time. I didn't miss them one bit!!! I just planned full days at each park and we really were able to relax all day, take our time, and enjoy everything each park had to offer without feeling pressured to hop around. I had multiple days planned at Epcot and MK and one day each for AK and HS.

October usually isn't that busy and is a nice time to go but you might find MK busier on the days that they have the Not So Scary Halloween Party. Which, btw, was REALLY fun and we enjoyed. It's worth going if you're going to be there that time of the year, our kids loved it. Just note, it is an extra expense, you have to purchase separate tickets for that event.

Have a great trip!

Message edited 2/3/2015 11:21:08 AM.