My wife and I will be taking 2 small children to Walt Disney World in Florida in 2 weeks. I get to go as a bonus thru my work. We are staying at the Hilton. My question is what is the weather like down there in January? Any good ideas on what to see and do with twins that are 2 years old? I am kind of looking forward to it. A chance to get out of Iowa in January. Oh well, enought blabbing. Any responses are greatly appreciated. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BigRedChief:
what about Airbnb? There are a lot of them near Disney. Reputable one with a long history of reviews. Good neighborhoods and family friendly.
Probably save $200-300 a night. Get a whole house close to Disney for $300 a night. The resorts are really getting expensive and the tickets are pushing $120 a day now.
That's what we've done the past 2-3 times we've been to Disney. Rent a house off property and save the money on the room. But, if we can, I'd like to be on property this time since none of the little kids have ever stayed on property. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mr. Plow:
That's what we've done the past 2-3 times we've been to Disney. Rent a house off property and save the money on the room. But, if we can, I'd like to be on property this time since none of the little kids have ever stayed on property.
I stayed on property last year for a couple nights at the Contemporary before we moved off. It’s great being there. There is nothing like it. Being submerged
Off site was great too and more relaxed, but being on property if you can afford it is second to none. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Deberg_1990:
I stayed on property last year for a couple nights at the Contemporary before we moved off. It’s great being there. There is nothing like it. Being submerged
Off site was great too and more relaxed, but being on property if you can afford it is second to none.
I agree with both of those statements.
Staying off property gives you an opportunity to relax & get away from it all. We usually rent a place with a pool so at the end of long park days, we come back, grill some food and swim. Always a great way to end the day.
Your comment about staying on property is exactly why I want to do it. My oldest & youngest have stayed on property one time each. Oldest when he was 6 or so, and my youngest a few weeks ago for a cheerleading competition. But my two middle boys haven't. I really want them to experience it at least once with me because of the memories with my parents. I want them to be immersed in the "magic". Just once.
I know that it will likely cost me more money to do it, but I think it will be worth it. That's why I'm hoping that there is some other places I can cut some costs. One of those cost saving measures is to drive down. It takes a few days & a night or two in a hotel on the way to and from, but the cost of 6 people flying makes it so much cheaper. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Deberg_1990:
I stayed on property last year for a couple nights at the Contemporary before we moved off. It’s great being there. There is nothing like it. Being submerged
Off site was great too and more relaxed, but being on property if you can afford it is second to none.
Just got back from a 5 day trip to WDW.....was at Disney Studios the day that Rise of The Resistance was debuted (not the soft opening). Didn't get to ride it, but no big deal for me since we are Annual Passholders and will probably go again soon when the crowds are a little more sparse.
But I will say this.....I have gone to WDW a little over 50 times since my first visit in 1987 and this is the first time I have come back from a trip a little wanting. There were opportunities for the Cast Members to exhibit that "Disney Magic" that has always been the nice component of a trip to DisneyWorld that were missed. I'm not talking freebies or comps, more of the opportunity to provide a nice experience.
This was supposed to be a special trip for myself and my family....my daughter and her hubby of one year came home for Thanksgiving and to go with us to WDW. In addition, my wife and I were celebrating our 35th anniversary, something she let Disney know when we made the reservations in April, along with every subsequent phone call to see if there were cancellations that would allow us to move to a different resort or a better room.
Without going too deep....none of the calls she made to the reservations line were pleasant or accommodating, (unless of course we would like to choose a larger room which they were happy to handle for the normal change in price).
When we got to the resort and were at the check-in line we asked for something available closest to the front so that the trek to the bus stop wasn't worse than walking around the park. What did we get....a room (non-refurbished) at the furthest point from the front of the resort!!
And while everyone else around us was being asked as they checked-in if there was a special occasion (first visit, birthday, ANNIVERSARY, or other special event) our illustrious Cast Member seemed more intent on just finishing our booking and sending us on our way. (Yes, I know I should have spoken up....but I have yet to visit Disney where a Cast Member didn't make that part of their "welcome" speech)
As always there were Cast Members who were exactly what you expect at Disney....courteous, considerate, helpful....and I will send a note to #CastCompliment to acknowledge it.
But honestly...this trip left a little to be desired. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Mosbonian:
Just got back from a 5 day trip to WDW.....was at Disney Studios the day that Rise of The Resistance was debuted (not the soft opening). Didn't get to ride it, but no big deal for me since we are Annual Passholders and will probably go again soon when the crowds are a little more sparse.
But I will say this.....I have gone to WDW a little over 50 times since my first visit in 1987 and this is the first time I have come back from a trip a little wanting. There were opportunities for the Cast Members to exhibit that "Disney Magic" that has always been the nice component of a trip to DisneyWorld that were missed. I'm not talking freebies or comps, more of the opportunity to provide a nice experience.
This was supposed to be a special trip for myself and my family....my daughter and her hubby of one year came home for Thanksgiving and to go with us to WDW. In addition, my wife and I were celebrating our 35th anniversary, something she let Disney know when we made the reservations in April, along with every subsequent phone call to see if there were cancellations that would allow us to move to a different resort or a better room.
Without going too deep....none of the calls she made to the reservations line were pleasant or accommodating, (unless of course we would like to choose a larger room which they were happy to handle for the normal change in price).
When we got to the resort and were at the check-in line we asked for something available closest to the front so that the trek to the bus stop wasn't worse than walking around the park. What did we get....a room (non-refurbished) at the furthest point from the front of the resort!!
And while everyone else around us was being asked as they checked-in if there was a special occasion (first visit, birthday, ANNIVERSARY, or other special event) our illustrious Cast Member seemed more intent on just finishing our booking and sending us on our way. (Yes, I know I should have spoken up....but I have yet to visit Disney where a Cast Member didn't make that part of their "welcome" speech)
As always there were Cast Members who were exactly what you expect at Disney....courteous, considerate, helpful....and I will send a note to #CastCompliment to acknowledge it.
But honestly...this trip left a little to be desired.
Sounds like a lot.....but of those times 10-11 have been combined with industry conventions at either the Contemporary or the Dolphin/Swan. Add in a few that were due to being part of a national advisory board and you have about 35 times that were trips I paid for.
Living in the Southeast (NC, SC, and FL) give you the opportunity to visit Disney often. [Reply]
My wife’s brother works for Disney corporate so we get to go for free, along with staying at their place for the weekend. Probably spent 20 days at the parks in past year and the trips still seem expensive when all we have to pay for is food, which we also get a discount on. I can’t imagine how expensive it would be to take a family to stay at Disney for a week. [Reply]