Disney Florida

[Felldownabackdonhole]

DPs parents have offered to pay for us to go to Disney in Florida next year (they are coming too). This would otherwise be well out of our price range. We will need to pay for flights and spending money (it will be in a Disney hotel so we get some food vouchers).

I have heard that if you are going to Disney World you need to plan it like a military operation. How much do we need to save? What are the best things to do ( 2 DC age 4)? It seems so massive I don’t know where to start.

We always found a villa was so much more relaxing than staying on Disney
Nice to get away from the crowds and madness in the restaurants
We had our own villa so yes was a lot easier but you could have a pool day/ morning
Or go back for a swim and go back in the evening and do you want to eat in a restaurant all the time?

I heartily agree that if you are going to stress about the costs, don’t go. Accept that this is a very expensive holiday and cut back elsewhere. For example, I never ever go to a hairdresser and ds’s first barber trip was when he was 17! That’s just small examples of our priorities

Anyway, the food is of infinite variety in Disneyworld and certainly burgers and fries are not the order of the day. You can get bigger apartment-style rooms with cooking facilities, but for a first-time visitor I would say this would be a waste of your trip.

We have stayed in off-property villas sometimes, and there are plus points (eg own pool, masses of room) BUT firstly you are not in the Disney bubble so get less of the experience and - very important - Disney’s latest adjustments make it harder to make the most of the parks if you are not on property . You will be paying ££££ for parking every day, plus you will not be able to access the parks early so you will inevitably be stuck in long queues. Additionally rumours are that only resort guests will be able to get fast passes if they are reintroduced, further disadvantagi g off-property people.

Can I just add OP, we hoped to go back next October but made a call not to book about a year ago because of COVID and the 50th year celebrations being deferred. We decided to aim for 2025. That was well before everything that’s happened COVID wise in the last 12 months alone.

I hate to be a party pooper but honestly, cancel. If the restrictions that are in pace remain in place next year, ie no fast passes (proper dining plan is already a blow), I can’t see it being the fantastic experience most of us have had previously. It doesn’t sound fun to me and you don’t need to ask me twice to go to Orlando.

I love Orlando just had to put my holiday back until September 2022 but previous times I've been I've never planned before I go we just decide the parks a couple of days in advance, have a look at discovery cove as if you book this you get seaworld and aqatica and Busch gardens in with your ticket, sign up to the dibb aswell, I've never stayed in Disney hotel always on international drive
Your gonna have a fab time

We won’t be cancelling unless we are not able to go. I know there are restrictions in place but they may well ease by then. If not we can adapt to it.

@Felldownabackdonhole

We won’t be cancelling unless we are not able to go. I know there are restrictions in place but they may well ease by then. If not we can adapt to it.

You don't have anything to compare it too so even if there are a few restrictions (let's hope non 🤞🏼) or they don't bring back dining and fast passes you don't have anything to compare it to. It's still Disney and Disney make things amazing even if it is different to how it's been before. You'll have an amazing time.

That’s they way I see it. I am obviously very lucky in that my in-laws are paying for most of the trip. Their attitude is that they don’t want to wait any longer. Whatever happens we will have an amazing time.

We have been a few times, it’s a great holiday, April/May is a time time to visit. Just avoid the Spring Break holiday in the states as v busy everywhere then. The last time we went we found it a little cramped in a hotel room the four of us. Would have a villa if we went again, so more space, quiet pool days in between park days. You will have a great time enjoy.

I agree it’s a bit unhelpful to tell the OP to book another time or “ it’s not the same” post covid. Disneyworld is always changing; there are some people on t’net forever weeping that it’s not like it was in 1971….

Anyway, Caribbean beach is top choice for small dcs - there are lots of pools etc and I don’t think the suggestions for outside Disneyworld such as Kennedy space centre or Busch gardens would have that much appeal for them.

Just make sure no one has new shoes, OP! Made the horrible mistake of buying ds a new pair of sandals when he was about 3… blister city! And yes to pushchair - there’s so much walking that anyone of any age wants to climb in one - and it’s a handy place to put ponchos/water etc.

We have always bought The Unofficial Guide to Disneyworld which gets updated every year. Ok, some things now are fast-moving and changeable, but it’s basic advice and information (on lots of things including for example emergency doctors) is invaluable.

“Its” basic advice - can’t let that autocorrect paint me as illiterate!

@DottyHarmer

I agree it’s a bit unhelpful to tell the OP to book another time or “ it’s not the same” post covid. Disneyworld is always changing; there are some people on t’net forever weeping that it’s not like it was in 1971….

Anyway, Caribbean beach is top choice for small dcs - there are lots of pools etc and I don’t think the suggestions for outside Disneyworld such as Kennedy space centre or Busch gardens would have that much appeal for them.

Just make sure no one has new shoes, OP! Made the horrible mistake of buying ds a new pair of sandals when he was about 3… blister city! And yes to pushchair - there’s so much walking that anyone of any age wants to climb in one - and it’s a handy place to put ponchos/water etc.

We have always bought The Unofficial Guide to Disneyworld which gets updated every year. Ok, some things now are fast-moving and changeable, but it’s basic advice and information (on lots of things including for example emergency doctors) is invaluable.

I agree. I've been going since 1990 and a lot has changed over the years. Some things are better and some things are worse (changing imagination ride with figment for one thing!) but I would never say to anyone don't go now, wait longer. I'm not waiting any longer. Disney is an amazing experience and the OP shouldn't be deterred by the negative people. She has a chance to go and should snap that chance up!

If you sign up to the Disney food blog, they send you regular emails with all sorts of updates and information as soon as it comes out. Things like info about fast passes, covid rules, dining plans and even new flavour ice reams, new items on menus and things.

@scaffoldingtheworld

Can I just add OP, we hoped to go back next October but made a call not to book about a year ago because of COVID and the 50th year celebrations being deferred. We decided to aim for 2025. That was well before everything that’s happened COVID wise in the last 12 months alone.

I hate to be a party pooper but honestly, cancel. If the restrictions that are in pace remain in place next year, ie no fast passes (proper dining plan is already a blow), I can’t see it being the fantastic experience most of us have had previously. It doesn’t sound fun to me and you don’t need to ask me twice to go to Orlando.

With all due respect that’s how you feel about it. A lot of us are a lot more optimistic. The op is excited and I don’t really think it’s fair to be a party pooper when there is no evidence yet to suggest residents will stay be in place.

Restrictions that should be.

On TheDibb there are dining reports from British people eating both within and outside of Disney. As you are staying at CBR then probably most of your eating will be in your room or within Disney. Disney transport is fantastic and we never hired a car. We have done other theme parks but just used Uber.

Day 3 is usually the day you hit the wall tiredness wise. We tend to do a water park on that day. The time difference can be very hard. Pushchairs are recommended for children up to 6 years old because you will be doing a lot of walking. You will definitely be heading back to the hotel for an afternoon nap.

You can get a grocery delivery to your room for breakfast stuff etc. Food portions in the US are big, very big, easily shareable. This website isn't really updating anymore but the maps are massively helpful

www.easywdw.com/easy/cheat-sheets/disney-world-cheat-sheets-maps-touring-plans-and-wait-times-4/

We fly into Dublin but do that the day before, then fly out of Dublin the next day and clear customs and immigration at Dublin. The downside is you land at 8pm ish which is 1am UK time but my children were/are older. We have been several times.

A couple of things I would recommend, firstly you can get wristbands with your phone number printed on (don't forget both country codes) which your child can wear and then if they get lost a member of staff can ring you. custom-wrist-bands.com/custom-debossed-wristbands-one-colour Ds2 was 7 when we first went and the child's size was good.

Also we take Laken wide neck flasks in, fill them full with ice from the ice machine then fill up with small amounts of water throughout the day. Ice water is completely free in the parks. Hydration is hugely important as is factor 50 once a day sun cream and top it up. Factor 50 swim tops/outfits too.

Bags wise a messenger bag or rucksack can be taken on every ride, even rock n roller coaster which goes upside down, only Tron will have a locker system I believe. We met Joe and Ashley of SeeYaReelSoon on YouTube in Disney at a meet up. Joe has a turtle rucksack and you see him shove it in the footwell of all rides.

And lastly, make sure your children watch some people in Disney so they can see the crowds but most importantly that they understand Mickey etc are massive human sized characters

And that the wave at Typhoon Lagoon is enough to knock you off your feet, even waist deep! I am completely jealous. Our plan might be to go back next year, even though my sons are teenagers they completely love Disney and Universal.

Disney is actually great for teens as they can mooch off by themselves if necessary! Dh and I love the Epcot Eat to the Beat concerts (ah, a wine flight with Jefferson Starship or Jon Secada….) but after my dcs were horrified by me strutting my stuff to Billy Ocean they go off elsewhere and we reconvene for a Chefs de France dinner. I can’t wait to go again!!

I have a friend who has travelled to the USA via the Caribbean to visit her terminally ill father. She wasn't allowed to take her 6 year old unvaccinated daughter with her. I'd wait until its clear who can travel before you book.

@lalafafa

I have a friend who has travelled to the USA via the Caribbean to visit her terminally ill father. She wasn't allowed to take her 6 year old unvaccinated daughter with her. I'd wait until its clear who can travel before you book.

Are there no age restrictions on vaccinations? He thought higher.