Walt Disney Resort in August - recommendations

[Theurbanmonkey]

Hi there

We're hoping to book a week at Disney with 2 kids (5yo and 2yo). Does anyone have any recommendations.

We can't go at any other time, I'm aware it's going to be packed!

Thanks for your help

TUM

We had a fantastic house with pool at sunset lakes which was only 10 mins from disney and was really quiet. we would love to go back again. yes it will be packed in august but the later on you go the better it is apparently. top tip is to make sure you are at the parks first use the passes system and dont be afraid of missing something and come back during the day for naps and pool times. the unofficial guide to WDW with kids is the most fantastic book ever suggest you get this and it will help to plan.

MN Disney-ites are pretty much divided between those who love staying in the resorts and those (like me) who prefer renting a villa or apartment close by. The resorts are great for kids, obviously, but I find it all a bit relentlessly Disney - totally up to what you want out of your stay.

Are you going to hire a car? If not, the Disney resorts and nearby hotels (I-Drive etc) are good, as they usually offer shuttles to and from the parks. It is do-able without a car, but I have to be honest, we always hire a car - gives you the freedom to get out and about for restaurants and bars, take day trips away from the parks, and visit various shopping malls etc. We also froze bottles of water in our apartment and left them in the car boot, so whenever we left the parks and were tired and hot, we had nice cold water. Such a 'Rake A Break' tip, but the best I could give you, as it is just SO hot there!

The Disney/Universal parks will be packed and roasting hot by midday, but we have been two years in a row at this time, and it is do-able with a bit of planning. Just be prepared not to be able to do a whole day at park, as it really does just get too, too hot (and there is NO shade at Disney or Universal!). We either got to the parks when they first opened and were out by lunch time, when it starts to get really unbearably busy and hot, or we spent the day by the pool, and went to Disney at night for the fireworks and closing parades (very busy, but magical).

Definitely check out the water parks. We love Disney's Typhoon Lagoon best (get there really early, and study the park map so you have an idea of where you want to have your 'spot' for the day, as people literally run in to the park when it opens and grab the best spots / places with shade!).

I love Disney/Orlando - we have been every year for the past 5 years - so am happy to give you more detail on any aspect of it.

Take A Break

End of August actually isnt a busy time over there - however it is incredibly humid and so you have to get to the park at opening and leave after lunch for a waterpark or resort/villa pool.

Get yourself over to The Dibb for British Disney advice.

We did 10 days in the end - the dc werent over the jetlag until day 4.

We did 2 weeks at the end of August last year. We stayed at a villa at Indian Creek, and it was great to go back to eat, sleep and swim. We took in water bottles and snacks. It's crucial to keep hydrated. We didn't queue too long for anything, with a careful use of planning and fast passes.
Your kids are little so you will probably want a double buggy, even if your big one doesn't use one at home. Make sure you have comfortable footwear as you will walk a lot, sports socks help too.

Thanks for your advice all, we're still undecided on villa vs resort, I think as it's our first time I thought I'd stay with familiarity of a resort, we are looking at French Quarter ones, still unsure though.

Thanks for the tips re water, double buggy and the HEAT!

What is The Dibb?

Any recommendations re tickets and fast passes, are these only through WD site? Is it best to prebook now or wait till we get there?

Sorry for all these questions I'm so ignorant about all this other than DD wants to meet Mickey and the princesses!

x

If you're booking the resort then you may as well buy your tix from Disney direct - you'll get 14 day ultimates for the price of 7 - pretty standard as they arent much more anyway. But if you book those UK tix then you wont get free dining which is only available if you book through the US site then you will need US tickets which are called Magic Your Way.

go to thedibb.co.uk for all info.

Fast passes you get as you go along - there is good info on this on that website as well.

You can hire big plastic double strollers from the entrance to Disney - they're great - even my 7 yr old was sitting in it by the end of the day

Don't hate me, but we get in to Disney for free as DH's aunty works there ....but for tickets to Universal and the water parks, if you dont mind not planning to the tee, look around when you get there - they sell them everywhere - restaurants, gas stations etc - and you can pick up a bargain if you shop around.

The Dibb is really useful.

If you decide to go with a villa I'd recommend www.ownersdirect.co.uk/usa/F1895.htm or for more choice look at www.loyaltyusa.com

For the ultimate experience of meeting princesses I'd recommend the breakfast with Cinderella and friends (about 5 other princesses) at the Magic Kingdom park. Its not cheap but you don't have to queue for hours and they come to you and you get a lovely photo with them.

PS, meant to say, you need to book well in advance for the princess breakfast, think booking opens 6 months in advance and when we went we booked around 4 months in advance

We've had many lovely family holidays to Florida and have had the 'villa with own small pool vs big hotel + multiple pools and amenities' debate. As we had an only child, we found the apartments/villas at the Marriott World Center (Royal Palms/Sabal Palms) to be the best of both in many ways. Spacious, 2 bedrooms, lounge/kitchen/dining areas, several pools nearby (as well as v. big one by main hotel) so our DS could find other kids to play with.
There was a shuttle minibus you could call to take you to the main hotel where you cld use the facilities, eat, have huuuge american breakfast etc -- bus v reasonable or you cld walk. (But perhaps not in August.)
It's very close to Disney and I-Drive. We've stayed in private villas that have been a good 30-40 mins drive away from everything. Kitchen fully equipped and easiest thing in the world to have light b'fast & other meals there, or have pizza delivered etc or of course you're spoilt for choice when it comes to eating out. Also you can rent them by the night, rather than the week. Atm they look to be abt $237 a night per apt in late Aug. (slps 4/6)