Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

Please do not move to travel, Im looking for parents opinions on kids at disney, thanks!!!

My parents have 2 RCI timeshare weeks, one of which my sister and I use exclusively and alternate every year. Well I spoke to my father who is going to bank my week for next year and use it in Orlando!!!!!!! I think we are going to try to go when the Magic Kingdom is done for Christmas! My parents are thrilled to be with Eddie on his first trip to Disney. They took us a million times as kids, and even until we were in our early 20s and its my favorite place on earth.

Im beyond excited to take DS. He is obsessed with disney and especially excited about the monorails, LOL!

A few questions for those who have been with the kids:

When is it decorated for Xmas? I know not to go the week the kids all have off for winter break.

DS will be 3 when we take him next year, hell be able to enjoy it, right? Im pretty sure he'll have a blast but just wanted to get opinions from other moms on it.

Also, have you driven down there? We want to do this on a budget, and if we can cut out flying and do the drive in 2 days down and 2 days back up, that would be way more cost effective. How long is the drive? We arent opposed to flying since its not costing us anything for lodging but Im just checking out all of my options.

Any tips/tricks to know? Any good cost saving methods I should know about?

Message edited 12/2/2009 6:21:21 PM.

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

Message edited 12/2/2009 6:40:15 PM.

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

Awesome!

We just went three weeks ago (on 11/10) and it was totally decorated. You NEED to see
THIS!

My DDs are 2.5 and 4. The 4 year old definitely "got" it a bit more, but my younger one absolutely loved it too. She talks about "Snow White's Scary Adventures" pretty much every day. NOTE: Do NOT go on that ride! It's...uh...TOO scary for little ones.

If you have any specific questions, etc. please FM!!!

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

Posted by Eireann

Awesome!

We just went three weeks ago (on 11/10) and it was totally decorated. You NEED to see
THIS!

My DDs are 2.5 and 4. The 4 year old definitely "got" it a bit more, but my younger one absolutely loved it too. She talks about "Snow White's Scary Adventures" pretty much every day. NOTE: Do NOT go on that ride! It's...uh...TOO scary for little ones.

If you have any specific questions, etc. please FM!!!

Message edited 12/2/2009 6:54:13 PM.

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

Posted by Xelindrya

Posted by eddiesmommy
When is it decorated for Xmas? I know not to go the week the kids all have off for winter break.

I havent taken AJ yet.. but I went for my honeymoon the first week of Nov and it was decorated the DAY after halloween!!! We actually got to watch them do it.

SOOOOOOOO pretty!

Some saving tips. If he's under 3 he eats free including buffets! Which I think is awesome - I'm working to get AJ there for her 3rd Bday!

We personally LOVE the dining plans it makes things SOOO much easier.

PS: Disney has a great section on their site for visiting parents with kiddos. Mom type forum.

Hope you have tons of fun!

ETA: including character meals (free for under 3) and no proof of age is required for 3 and under

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

The Free Dining is at both parks and resorts! A great deal, but only offered if you are staying on Disney property.

ETA: Misread post! Thought you were inquiring about the free dining promotion. I think the answer to the kids eat free under 3 applies to the character buffet dining. You can find out on the link I posted below...Go the The Disboards and then the dining message borad.

That said, RCI now trades with Disney resorts. I know this because I am a DVC member and I can now stay at RCI proprerties. Try to see if you can get a trade as staying on property is most convenient. It offers the magic express bus from the airport where they actually retrieve your luggage and place it in your room!!! Extra MAgic Hours (Early entry/late stay in the parks) Staying on property offers many, many extra special perks. If you do not, you will still have a wonderful time regardless, but I highly reccomend trying to do so.

We have driven twice with our toddler and I think it is almost easier...We flew also three times while he was under one and the packing was nuts. We stay one night on the road and drive about 9-10 hours each day. I think I've had the best ever converations with my husband during those loooong drives.

Disney during the holidays is absolutely magical! Just be sure to go before the school break when lines for the bathroom will be 20 minutes. No joke. Forget about the rides...it is absolute gridlock.

AAA does ticket discounts (buy before you leave) and also some restaurant discounts. The sites below are great resources to learn how to save on all things Disney. Feel free to ask me any questions....I am a Disney girl (I was even married there!)and would be very happy to help you in any way I can.

http://www.disboards.com/

http://www.mousesavers.com/

Message edited 12/2/2009 8:37:29 PM.

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

He is definitely old enough to love it! I suggest going soon after they decorate, which I believe is early November. That way you can enjoy the Christmas feel, but still lukc out with some nice, warm pool days.
As for driving, it really depends how your DS is in the car. DS is good for about an hour or so and then it starts to get ugly. He's gotten better, but he's still not great, so driving to Florida would be out for us. We've been going to Florida 1-2 times a year since DS was born and we've never paid more then $180 per ticket. When you take into account the time in the car, a hotel for one night, the gas and the mielage you're putting on the car, I don't know how much you'll really save.

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

Can we come!!???????? I didn't hear about this trip!!! (so we don't have HH timeshare this year then, right?)

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

You should ask my sister. She goes every December. She is leaving tomorrow and driving there with the 2 kids.
We went with them last year Dec 5-12, but we flew Southwest. Landon was 6 months old, Genevieve was 3 years old, and Billy was just under 2... and we had a blast! The weather can really fluctuate that time of year. There were hot days where we wore shorts & tank tops and then freezing nights (40 degrees) at the Xmas parade.
Feel free to FM me for more info, or if you can wait for Michelle to get back next week she is the Disney expert!
Here is my post from when we got back:

http://www.lifamilies.com/chat/topic.aspx?ID=370512&Highlight=disney

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

Posted by DPerotti

Can we come!!???????? I didn't hear about this trip!!! (so we don't have HH timeshare this year then, right?)

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

Posted by eddiesmommy

Posted by DPerotti

Can we come!!???????? I didn't hear about this trip!!! (so we don't have HH timeshare this year then, right?)

Of course you can come! Id love it if you came! Joey will be one by then and we can get him Mickey Ears!!!!

And no, you had the timeshare this year and had the idea to bring everyone with you, LOL!

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

Posted by DPerotti

Posted by eddiesmommy

Posted by DPerotti

Can we come!!???????? I didn't hear about this trip!!! (so we don't have HH timeshare this year then, right?)

Of course you can come! Id love it if you came! Joey will be one by then and we can get him Mickey Ears!!!!

And no, you had the timeshare this year and had the idea to bring everyone with you, LOL!

I'll have to discuss with Matt! omg, joey will be one...I can't even fathom that right now!

& yes, I was nice and invited everyone to come this year and it was the best vacation ever! (except I couldn't drink! lol )

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

And by the way, we own with RCI, where do you think you might stay? We own at Orange Lake, which we LOVE! This past September my BIL and his GF came with us and they stayed at Summer Bay. It was a lot smaller then my home resort, but it was great! They had a lot of organized activites for kids (arts and crafts, face painting, magic shows, etc...) and a great splash area for just kids. I also got my friend an extra week and they stayed at Sheraton Vistana with a 3yr old and 1year old and said it was awesome. The Hiltons look pretty nice too.

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

My family lives in Miami and we have dirven down more times than I can count. Most recently, we did it on Oct with my almost 3 year old and a 10 week old Actually, it wasn't too bad. We stopped quite a bit and stayed overnight along the way. I bought a bunch of little toys for DD (crayons, magna doodle, TAG Jr. etc to entertain her plus DVDs and snacks.

Both kids did amazingly well. We will be doing it again soon so we'll see.

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

We took DD at 15 months and are going back this may when the girls will be turning 1 on the trip and about 1.5 months from turning 3.

At 3 he should LOVE it. Christmas time is crazy though and depending on when you want to go the parks sometimes fill to capacity. Are you thinking of going in January? The crowds die down a few days after New Years.

DH and I went Jan 5-12 several years ago (I'm pretty sure it was that week). The decorations were still up- but they came down DURING the trip about 2 days into it. The disney marathon was the day we arrived or the next day - it was VERY crowded but then about a day later it was DEAD. Everything was a walk on. Some rides were closed for rehab though (they use slow months of Jan and Feb to do some rehabs).

Let me know if you have questions... weather wise - it was 70s and 1 or two days low 80s but nights were FREEZING. 30s and 40's at night where we needed coats, and gloves. The key was layering b.c it was cool in the mornings but it really warmed up so plan on doing layers.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

link about age stuff

one of many

Here's the MAIN PAGE for the Disney Mom panel..

TONS of cool info can be found
Main Link

I used this to ask questions and they are really good about answering quickly

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

we went in the Summer when DS was 10 months all and he had a ball. I'm sure your son will love it. I've never driven to FL, but all I can think of is that it could add up. Good luck and happy planning.

Re: Its OFFICIAL we are taking DS to Disney!!!! (have some questions)

We've gone down twice the week after Thanksgiving and it's already decorated for Christmas.

I think he'll def enjoy it next year. if you guys are into in, then he'll be into it.

We have never driven but my cousins drive down every year (actually twice a year). They drive straight through. They leave at 8pm (around the kids bedtime) and my cousin drives for a couple of hours, then his wife takes over and drives some, then he drives some more. They usually stop in the morning and get breakfast and get the kids out and change their clothes and let them stretch their legs. They usually arrive early afternoon (generally it takes them about 19 hours). They don't stop though unless it's to go to the bathroom (they bring a cooler of food with them).

We usually buy our tickets through the ticketmania website. www.ticketmania.com.

We sometimes eat off property to save a little bit of money. There's also a lot more options for dining.