KeriKadi

We need some help. Any suggestions or recommendations, tips and tricks would be GREATLY appreciated. Right now we are looking at hotels and packages and trying to figure out if we can make this work this year or if we have to wait another year.

We will be driving so Disney World is the only option. Driving to DL would take at least 3 days each way. I am not sure where DH is getting his information but he was in a doom and gloom mood this morning and doesn't think we can make this work.

Of course one of the biggest issues is that we are a family of 7 so we would either need a really big room or 2 rooms. I understand Holiday Inn has family suites is anybody familiar with these?

Whatever you guys can share would be appreciated.
We have to go during 'peak time' because we won't take the boys out of school. We get out of school the end of May so we were hoping some kids would still be in school and that is our only chance at it not being over 100 just about every day. So we would leave here May 29-30.

AmandaL

Keri,

I grew up at Disney World and it is my favorite place! We just went in December last year. Disney's low end hotels (all star music, all star movies, etc) they do offer rooms with connecting doors, so that might be an option for you. There are many benefits to staying on Disney Property , you save 10% on your park tickets and you get in early or get to start late in a different park each day. Getting in early or staying late helps a great deal if you are going during peak season for the big attractions, also you can use the Disney bus system to go to all parks, or if you drive you can park for free at any disney park (parking is otherwise $11 per day). You also might want to look into the disney dining plan, which can save some money.

I get offers all the time from Disney for room and ticket deals, if I get another soon I will be happy to pass it along to you. Somehow I got on a list years ago and get offers for deals that are unadveristed. We went in december for 2 adults and on child 6 days 5 night, hotel and park hopper tickets for $600. great deal.

I could write a book on disney world, if you have more questions or want to talk more about it, feel free to email me , itsagoodthing@hotmail.com


Amanda

MissPitchy

I'm reading the Unofficial Guide to DW which is great. My mom always read it before our trips and she felt like it was so helpful. They offer tons of information on saving money. I think DW is supposed to open suites in their value resorts this fall which may be too late for you. We're planning to go this time next year.

symesa

OK, I've only been once...but I'm with Amanda on being completely sold on the idea of staying on Disney property. Just being able to take the shuttle back to your hotel where you can relax (or nap) in the afternoon and hang out by that hotel pool and then hop back on the shuttle to return to the parks later that day is worth it to me (hello run-on sentence).

Lynni

Look into the value packages. You can get some good deals with rooms and tickets.
I'm also for staying on the property, it is really really convient. Also, what saved us a ton, was the Disney meal plan. It is appx $40 a day per adult and $15 a day per child (I think the boys will be considered adults). I know this sounds like a lot of money, but once you get into the parks you'll see that it is a real savings. You get 1 snack (popcorn/bottle of water), a counter meal (burger, drink, side and dessert) and a sit down (app, entree, drink and dessert) a day. You can change them up how ever you like. ie - you may not want a sit down one day, so you can use 2 counter meals (these are usally at the park) instead. You can use some of the sit downs towards character meals as well. We had more then enough food for one day. I can't tell you how many rice crispy Mickey treats I had in my bag. We had granola bars for breakfast and we were fine.
We ate in Italy at Epcot. DH's steak a la carte would have been $40 - no salad, no drink, no side, no dessert. He got all of this in his sit down meal. You can only get this meal plan when you stay on the property.

I've never stayed at one of the value hotels, but I hear they are great. The kids only care about a pool really, and they have that.

Let us know what you decide.

symesa

Wow, that really does sound like a good deal! Especially when you lose your mind at Disney and figure paying $3 for a bottle of water is a perfectly reasonable thing...

cece

Ditto on the Disney dining plan and the Disney Value rooms.(All Star Music and Sports)I am all about the dining plan.We used it when we went and it is so easy b/c you don't have to carry around money,just the dining card.And with a family of 7,that is probably easier for you.

mclisa

DH just got back from staying at the Wilderness Lodge on the Disney campus. He loved the big breakfasts every morning (eggs, hashbrowns, and bacon).

8marie

We are planning on going this time next year, too! We could Ya Ya!