All inclu trip to Disney for single mom 2-college boys 1 girl 11 cerebral palsey never been?

Question

Single mom w/ limited income would like to take family to Walt Disney World have never been able to - 11 girl with cerebral Palsey - will be having surgery in July - I just received custody of her because her mother (not related in anyway) left her on my door step 3 years ago and did not want her -- My husband died 1986 - my two boys will be finishing college within the next year. Have never been able to do this with them and would like to sometime in September - Something special before the boys are reallly off on there own. Any help or recommendations would be geatfull. Money is an issue.

Answer 1

I am the "Disney on the Cheap" expert. And you have made a great choice; WDW is the most wheelchair friendly place on the planet.

Staying "on campus" will give you a much better value, because of all the guest priviliges that come with it.

If you choose a hotel, spend a little more to stay at a 'mid price' instead of the 'economy' level. It is SO much nicer and more convenient, with better service, better ammenities. Well worth the extra $20-$40 per night.

If you are staying long enough to make it cost effective, then buy, beg, borrow, or steal camping gear and stay at Fort Wilderness. You do the math and figure it out. Don't worry, there are handicap accessible tent sites, with paving and ramps and everything. This is like no other campground on earth. You can get "room service" and have drinks delivered to your tent. If someone calls the office and has a message for you, you will find a note on your tent when you return.

Skip the "park hopper" unless there is one day when you simply MUST visit two different parks. Plan on having a seated meal at EPCOT; to miss that would be like going to yellowstone and not seeing the Grand Canyon.

The area where you can really cut budget corners is FOOD. Prices are like $8 for a small burger, chips, and a fountain drink. I'm a small person and I could eat 2-3 of them easy.

Make your whole trip a long picnic. Get a room with a fridge, bring an electric kettle, buy an ice chest, whatever, but DO GROCERIES. The restaurants and snack bars will KILL you, so stock everyone's backpack with apples, meal bars, peanut butter crackers, cold chicken, bagels, whatever. AND bring a refillable bottle for TAP water -- bottled water prices are outrageous.

If you simply HAVE to fuel up your belly in a theme park, check your map to see if there is a hotel adjacent to the park. For instance, you can easily walk or monorail from Magic Kingdom to the Polynesian. The convenience store off the hotel lobby will have prepared sandwiches, boiled eggs, family sized boxes of cookies, bread and cheese, etc. As a WDW guest, feel free to take your purchases to the hotel's pool or picnic area and make your meal.

If you have car, drive back to your room for a real meal in the crowded middle part of every day. Or drive off campus to a Denny's of Waffle House. If you can keep your food, snack and drink bill down ... and if you can resist the temptation to buy fripperies and souveneers ... and if come well prepared with (or go off campus to buy) stuff like bananas, sunscreen, film, sodas ... then your cost won't be much above the room and the tickets.

If you have time for it, break up the theme park routine with a day at Typhoon Lagoon. Last time I went, we were allowed to bring in our ice chest and paid nothing beyond basic admission. The Lagoon day will really recharge your batteries. It's very relaxing compared to the theme parks, and lots of fun. Check out the other non-theme park attractions too! There is a bird island, a petting zoo, a model farm, and WDW guests are free to use the pool area of ANY hotel. Avoid Downtown Disney, it is just a collection of gift shops and crowded, overpriced eateries. The boys will want to see Pleasure Island, so advise them to save their own money for this extra treat. It ain't cheap.

Have FUN!

Answer 2

I recommend staying on site, it makes things a lot easier and there's lodging for every budget. The value resorts are the cheaper but keep in mind they are smaller and usually have 2 double/queen beds. The moderate and deluxe rooms are bigger but more expensive. Disney does a great job with helping people with special needs so you need anything in your room or need handicap access or anything like that for your daughter just let them know ahead of time so it's ready for you.

I recommend booking your trip through Disney or a travel agent because they are reputable and are able to help you with things you might not know of.

There's also the tickets which unless you plan on coming back you only want to purchase tickets for the days you're going to be there but keep in mind the more days you buy the cheaper it is per day. There's add ons but the most popular is park hopping it is great if you plan on going to more than one park a day.

I also recommend checking out some fan sites and maybe a travel book or two to help you figure out the best way for your family to enjoy the park. I listed Disney's site below and a great fan site too. Have fun and enjoy!!!

Answer 3

Since you want it to be special, I recommend staying onsite. It just makes things alot easier. The transportation to the parks makes it great and a lot more convienent. You are also closer, so there is much less travel time.

Since you have 4 you would only need one room, but you may prefer two rooms. The value resorts are kind of small and there would only be two beds. Riverside, a moderate resort, accomodates five, but the one bed is a trundle bed. The bed is small and wouldn't be very comfortable for older children. The Wilderness Cabins would also accomodate your party and would give you more space, it may price around the same rate as two value rooms. You could also do one of the family suites at the All Star Music resort.

Staying onsite would make it easier for you as well because you could get everything included. Your tickets and room would all be together and you could add on dining. However, you have all adults, so it would be around $152 per day for you. Unfortunately you just missed out on their promotion for free dining. But, the dining plan really is a savings and would save you money over eating at the parks. There is ways to eat for less, but it wouldn't give you as nice of meals and you would probably need to cook some meals for yourself or go offsite. But, to get a kitchen it would cost a lot more.


I'm sure at this point I am just I am just getting confusing, so I won't go into anymore details. If there is something I left out or you have a question about, just send me an e-mail. You may consider using a travel agent. They would be able to go into a lot more detail and make the trip perfect for your situation.

Again, just let me know if you have anymore questions.

Answer 4

I also suggest staying onsite at a Walt Disney World Resort. There's value, moderate, and deluxe Resorts, so you can pick whichever you can afford with your income. The Happiest Celebration on Earth should still be taking place... until October, at least, when they begin the Year of a Million Dreams Celebration.

I'm so excited for you, your family will have an amazing time!

Answer 5

I wish I had seen your question about a month ago! Disney just offered a package with onsite hotel accomodations, admission to the parks and free dining plan for $435 per person for the month of Sept. Unfortunately, I believe that offer ended June 28th.

However, try the Disney World website, or www.mousesavers.com

Good luck

Answer 6

You may want to check with the local UCP offcie or Make a WishFoundation to see if there is opportunity to go to WDW and be able to partake. As well, there are always plenty of deals available, based on your location and when you might want to go...

Write to me directly as I have some 'keys to the kingdom' as it were that could help you.

Sincerely,

Commando Disney

Answer 7

Hi there! Your trip idea sounds wonderful... what a nice mom! If you would like help planning your Disney vacation or would like tips and advice, visit my Disney Vacation Services Blog, I'm All Ears!

http://im-all-ears-disney-vacation-services.blogspot.com/

I would love to help you make this trip the best you've ever had for you and your kids.

Answer 8

Mousesavers.com: http://www.mousesavers.com/howlow3.html