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thejohnsons
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/06 848 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
My DH & I are planning a vacation to Disney 4/13-4/19 with our kids 5 and 18 months. We are currently booked at PORFQ, but I am stressing about transportation to and from parks as my DD will definitely need a nap in the middle of the day. Would it make sense to rent a car? Is a resort near MK or Epcot a better idea? Is it worth it to get a dining plan? Thank you.
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Posted 1/31/14 11:14 AM  |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
It's a hassle to rent a car and use it for the MK. You have to park at the Transportation & Ticket Center. Then if you are parked pretty far, you have to take a tram to the center. Then either get on the monorail or the boat to go to the MK. It's a production, and I dislike it! A car is fine for the other parks though.
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| Posted 1/31/14 1:20 PM |
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MrsKR88
LIF Adult
Member since 2/10 979 total posts
Name:
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Re: Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
Do you have a carrier like an ergo? When we went to Disney last year (ds was 16 months) and we just wore him when he seemed like he was getting tired. We had no problems doing naps that way and we did not need to leave the parks.
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| Posted 1/31/14 1:49 PM |
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jellybean78
:)
Member since 8/06 13103 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
Do not rent a car if you only plan on going to Disney. Plenty of people that stay on Disney property go back to their rooms for a break then go back to the parks. Is it fast..no but then again Disney is HUGE. The transportation to the parks during the middle of the day is usually pretty empty so you should be fine.
Even renting a car it takes a while to walk out of the park, go to the parking lot, etc.
As far as the dining plan we have only done it when Disney offers the free dining plan. Other than that we don't. Last time we just bought our own food. Maybe because we're from the NYC area but I didn't find the food all that $$ and the cafeteria food in the hotel was actually pretty good.
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| Posted 1/31/14 3:18 PM |
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aliwnec10
mom of 3 boys
Member since 4/06 11426 total posts
Name:
Ali
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Re: Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
we've done both- stayed on property and stayed off (+ rented a car). We're big on naps for our kids.
Honestly i don't think there is one easier answer. Sometimes waiting for the bus could take a bit. So i'm not quite sure you're saving any time.
I almost think it's easier renting a car. But i'm impatient. 
ETA: we did the dining plan the 1st time, but not the other times. I don't think it's necessary. My boys aren't big on breakfast so grabbing a muffin or something small, always worked. As for if you save money with a dining plan... not sure.
But when i go on vacation, i like to pick where i want to go and not be tied down so to speak.
Message edited 1/31/2014 8:35:42 PM.
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| Posted 1/31/14 8:33 PM |
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LINewbie
Tigger the the Rescue!
Member since 8/08 5647 total posts
Name:
LB
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Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
I prefer renting a car. But I would never drive it to MK.
You need to price out what you buy to see if the dining plan is worth it and also keep in mind that if you get the one with a sit down dinner that will take away from park time more than the quick service one will.
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| Posted 2/2/14 2:24 PM |
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DancinBarefoot
06ers Rock!!
Member since 1/07 9534 total posts
Name:
The One My Mother Gave Me ;-)
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Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
Our last trip to Disney, (June 2013) we stayed at POFQ. We went back to the hotel almost every day because it was so hot we needed a break. We have never had a car at Disney and always relied on the buses/monorail. My suggestion though, is to make sure your stroller is one hand fold, and make sure you have a mommy hook on it. We also always get the dining plan because I don't want to worry about $$ once I'm there.
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| Posted 2/2/14 3:06 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
We just stayed at POR in May and will be back this May. We went with family who rented a car. We drove to three parks and took the bus to the MK. We are considering skipping the car this trip. We had only one issue the couple of times we went to the MK. It was about an hour after the fireworks. Most kids just slept in their strollers while we waited. FQ only has one stop so it should be equal or better than PORs transportation ( worst case is if the two share which they weren't doing on our trip). A car is a mixed blessing. ME is SO easy. No luggage to grab or baggage area waits. You just go. If you rent you miss out on that. You can't use ME for the bags and get the car. You do not want to drive to the MK. Buses go straight to the park entrance. If you drive you park at the TTC then have to take a boat or monorail to the park. The others are easy but if you are a distance you have to get on the tram which is a pain with a stroller. Doable but a pain. Bus might be easier.
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| Posted 2/2/14 5:33 PM |
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lazybug
LIF Adult
Member since 3/12 1013 total posts
Name:
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Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
I just booked the dining plan plus last minute. We leave in two weeks and I started doing the math. I have a three and five year old and I know between character dinners, a sit down, etc., the prices will add up to more than the dining plan. DD and DS are not big eaters but they like different foods. I initially thought they could share a meal but recently that have ordered different things when we go out so I know we will run into that at Disney. DH is also a big eater and I know he needs at least one sit down per day. When I did the math, it seems that I would save much more in the end. When I come back in February I will report back.
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| Posted 2/3/14 11:25 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
We have rented a car for every Disney trip, even when we stayed at Poly. We drove to AK and HS and only took the monorail to MK and Epcot.
We are not renting a car for our next trip in March for the first time. The guidebooks I read say that besides MK (if you stay on a resort with direct boat or monorail), it is faster if you have your own rental car.
I personally would get a car for Port Orleans. JMO.
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| Posted 2/3/14 11:57 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
I just realized you are going during a super super busy peak time. Spring Break. You def. will be experiencing wait times for the buses and super crowded parks. I would rent the car for sure to be honest. Then you can gauge whether you want to deal with the TTC at the MK, or take the bus. But at least you will have the option.
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| Posted 2/3/14 12:06 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
Posted by BargainMama
I just realized you are going during a super super busy peak time. Spring Break. You def. will be experiencing wait times for the buses and super crowded parks. I would rent the car for sure to be honest. Then you can gauge whether you want to deal with the TTC at the MK, or take the bus. But at least you will have the option.
Yes, I noticed she is going spring break week. I believe that week is crowd level 11.
The last thing you want is a cranky tired toddler waiting for a bus and not being able to get on and have to wait for the next one.
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| Posted 2/3/14 12:19 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
Posted by BargainMama
I just realized you are going during a super super busy peak time. Spring Break. You def. will be experiencing wait times for the buses and super crowded parks. I would rent the car for sure to be honest. Then you can gauge whether you want to deal with the TTC at the MK, or take the bus. But at least you will have the option.
But driving might be a problem bc if they don't go super early they might have problems getting into the lots as the parks close to capacity. Also if it is really crowded the trams can be a pain I think it is a crap shoot either way.
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| Posted 2/3/14 12:19 PM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
Posted by Lillykat
Posted by BargainMama
I just realized you are going during a super super busy peak time. Spring Break. You def. will be experiencing wait times for the buses and super crowded parks. I would rent the car for sure to be honest. Then you can gauge whether you want to deal with the TTC at the MK, or take the bus. But at least you will have the option.
But driving might be a problem bc if they don't go super early they might have problems getting into the lots as the parks close to capacity. Also if it is really crowded the trams can be a pain I think it is a crap shoot either way.
Totally didn't think about capacity of parks and parking lots being reached. You may bump into problems either way. I personally would still prefer the rental car and make sure I get there early.
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| Posted 2/3/14 12:26 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
Posted by Bridex100
Posted by Lillykat
Posted by BargainMama
I just realized you are going during a super super busy peak time. Spring Break. You def. will be experiencing wait times for the buses and super crowded parks. I would rent the car for sure to be honest. Then you can gauge whether you want to deal with the TTC at the MK, or take the bus. But at least you will have the option.
But driving might be a problem bc if they don't go super early they might have problems getting into the lots as the parks close to capacity. Also if it is really crowded the trams can be a pain I think it is a crap shoot either way.
Totally didn't think about capacity of parks and parking lots being reached. You may bump into problems either way. I personally would still prefer the rental car and make sure I get there early.
The only things is that lines to get into the parking lot could be long or closed then you are sitting in the car. If it is open to hotel guest you will get in by bus. I am a big fan of having a car for options but during crazy times not sure if it would be more of a hassle than to just get on the bus. Would stink to drive sit in traffic only to be turned away the, having to get on the bus. If you drive I suggest getting to the parking lot 1hr before it open. To maybe skip the tram and not deal with traffic or getting shut out.
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| Posted 2/3/14 3:20 PM |
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thejohnsons
LIF Adolescent
Member since 11/06 848 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I actually just switched my resort to the wilderness lodge. We are mostly planning to visit MK, so I thought the boat might be a plus. I hope I made the right choice.
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| Posted 2/5/14 11:03 AM |
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Bridex100
Two Under Two Mommy
Member since 3/08 10420 total posts
Name:
Momx100
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Re: Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
Posted by thejohnsons
Thanks for all the suggestions. I actually just switched my resort to the wilderness lodge. We are mostly planning to visit MK, so I thought the boat might be a plus. I hope I made the right choice.
Very good choice! We stayed at Wilderness Lodge on our last trip and it was so easy to get to MK.
I think we also took the boat to MK and took monorail to epcot.
I thought breakfast at Whispering Canyon Café was quite good. My boys were so confused when the waitresses were yelling at customers and brought over like 10 ketchup bottles to our table. It took them a while to realize it was a joke.
Message edited 2/5/2014 11:51:32 AM.
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| Posted 2/5/14 11:50 AM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
Posted by thejohnsons
Thanks for all the suggestions. I actually just switched my resort to the wilderness lodge. We are mostly planning to visit MK, so I thought the boat might be a plus. I hope I made the right choice.
Probably a good choice if you will spend most of your time at the MK.
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| Posted 2/5/14 11:58 AM |
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rugratmama
LIF Toddler
Member since 11/12 432 total posts
Name:
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Re: Planning my disney vacation is driving me crazy!Help.
I let my 21 month old nap in stroller. Buses are easy, but we've never stayed off-site.
Dining plan is worth it if you plan on doing sit down meals. If not, I I don't think you need it. We do one sit down per day. I can't eat "park food" all week. I make one dining reservation a day.
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| Posted 2/5/14 3:30 PM |
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