Planning 1st trip to Disney with 3 kids..Help!?

Question

Hi, I want this Disney World trip to be great for the kids b/c I am dying and they have never been there.They have wanted to go there for years. This will be something that I hope they can remember of mommy and kids to do while I am still able to do this with them. Sorta of something to forget about the future for alittle while. I don't have much money, the medical bills are adding up.So I am hoping to get a great deal on this trip of a lifetime for them. Ok, SO on to my question...Anyone have information on the best deals/way to get the most from our trip? I know nothing about where to stay, what to see. I am afraid to book this trip and it not being everything the kids can imagine. I want this to be a trip to remember..Can't disappoint them with this, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

I think the best way to book your vacation is through the Walt Disney World website, or by calling. You're not likely to find deals any better on other sites. If you buy a vacation package through another company they have to buy it through Disney, too, so you end up paying what you'd originally pay to go through the Disney company yourself, but then you'll pay even more because the other company has to make a profit, as well. The Walt Disney World Resort has about 25 different Resort options on property. There's Value Resorts, Moderate Resorts, Deluxe Resorts, and there's the Fort Wilderness Campground. Your best bet would probably be a Value Resort. There's also benefits to staying at a WDW Resort that can help you to save money. There's transportation from each of the Resorts to all of the Parks and Downtown Disney, and there's also complimentary transportation from Orlando International Airport to the Resorts via Disney's Magical Express, so you don't have to worry about spending money to rent a car if you don't want to. I'm sure you can find an affordable deal through Disney. I suggest calling them. If you tell them of your situation I'm positive they'll find you a great package for a decent price. (It's the Year of a Million Dreams Celebration at WDW, so you never know, you could be one of those million people chosen. Cast Members, employees at WDW, choose Guests at random, so it's possible something very special will take place to make your vacation even more memorable.) Walt Disney World is just the most amazing place. Your children will definitely have the time of their life! There's no way they could be disappointed.

I'm very sorry you and your children are going through such hard times! A Walt Disney World vacation is the perfect idea, though. They'll appreciate it so much, and it'll be a great time to try and have fun and just spend as much time together as possible.

Check out the Walt Disney World website or call them...

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/index

(407) WDW-MAGIC

If you need any help or information, just email me. I can answer any of your questions and email you copies of the Resort, Park, and recreation brochures if you need help planning (I brought some home when I got back from Walt Disney World in August.)

Answer 2

Oh boy will you have a fantastic time.

My advice is to check out www.disneyworld.com. Here you can plan you trip and get a general idea of what the cost is. You can look between the resorts and parks to see what will work the best for you family.

I am not sure when you are planning on going, but if you go during the off-season, you can get some really great rates. Right now I think they are offering some deals like a family of 4 for 6 night around $1500.

Use the dining plan if you can. It is a great way to save money and allow you to not have to carry so much money with you.

If you stay on the property, you will get picked up at the airport and taken to your resort...all free of charge. And if you stay on the resort you can benefit from the buses between the parks, extra magic hours and just the pure excitement from being at the World.

I bought the Official Disney World books by Birnbaum's. They give some great money saving ideas, park tips, resorts diescriptions. I like Disney World For Kid, By Kids and the main guide. They also have a Dining Guide and Guide to Disney World without Kids. Go to the bookstore and flip them through before you buy in case they aren't something you would like.

Contact me if you would like some information. And have a great time. This will be a trip your kids will not forget, nor will you.

Answer 3

Let me say first of all, that I am sorry for your troubles and I hope you can find a way to make this vacation happen. It would do all of you a world of good.

That said, if you want to visit only Disney World, I would suggest that you stay on Disney property. Probably at one of the value resorts. These are not fancy, but reasonably priced. If you plan to fly into Orlando, you can use the Magical Express which picks you up right at the airport and takes you to your resort. You can then use Disney transportation to get to and from all the parks. I like this because there is no need to get stressed over traffic or driving directions.

I would suggest going to the Walt Disney World website. Look for the phone number of the WDW travel co. or you can make reservations right online. I suggest calling them, because you can then ask that you get a preferred room, explain your situation and you can ask for a room close to the main lobby so you won't have to walk far. (you will have enough of that to do in the parks, although you can get a wheelchair at each of the parks if one is necessary.

I like a guide book called PassPorter's guide to Walt Disney World (they also have a website so you can check them out)
There are several issues of PassPorter's including one designed especially for "special needs". (you don't mention what your health is like at this time, so I don't know how much physical help you would need.)

Also, contact your local Make a Wish foundation or a similar program. Perhaps they can help with the costs.

Some tips on saving money in the parks...If you purchase a bottle of water in the morning, you can refill it from drinking fountains in the park all day.
You can share meals, many times the portions are so large that you end up "stuffed" and cannot move around comfortably.
You can save a little bit of money on tickets if you don't purchase the Park Hopper option. This option allows you to visit more than one park in the same day. Some people find this to be the best thing in the world. They can go to, say, Magic Kingdom in the morning, then later at night they can go to Epcot for the Illuminations light show. I have purchased this option twice and never used it. I no longer puchase it. We go to one park per day. It is sufficient for us. Everyone is different though.

I wish I could have been more help. I also wish you all the best.

Good luck and have a great trip. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Answer 4

Number one I give you allot and I mean allot of credit for wanting to do this with all the other issues you describe.

Now my suggestion is this contact Disney direct you can get the number at there web site Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts. Ask to speak with one of there travel representatives and explain your situation to them. If they do not have special packages they can probably point you in the right direction for assistance.

DO NOT BE ASHAMED! The next thing I would do is depending on where your being treated is to ask for the family resource manager for assistance with this. There are organizations that provide assistance for families going threw what your ENTIRE family is going threw.

I wish I could give you the name(s) but I do not remember any off the top of my head. I know the 3 times we have been to WDW their has been groups who have had issues like yours where the trip was sponsored for them to be able to go.

I hope this assists you. Good luck!

Answer 5

Hi, I went to Disneyland 2 years ago with my children from Australia to California I bought a book called the The Unofficial guide to Disneyland (Frommers) this book was fantastic, if you follow there touring guide you will get the most out of your Disney experience. There is also one for Disney world in Florida it has different ranges of accommodation all the different rides and ratings depending on how old your children are. It will give you a touring plan to get the most out of your day which saves lot of time. I know you and your children will have a fantastic trip and I'm sure they will remember what a wonderful mom you were to take them on a trip of a life time. Good Luck

Answer 6

If you have medical issues that could prevent future trips to DisneyWorld, you should also check locally to see if there are organizations that will help you with your trip. Try your local television stations, because at least one of them may be hooked into a dream fulfilment-type charity. Also, check with your hospital or doctor's office. They may be able to point you in the right direction.

Once you begin planning your trip, let Disney World know of your circumstances. If you qualify, you will get special treatment that can make your trip even more special.

Good luck to you!

Answer 7

i would go to their website they usually have great deals and kids under certain age stay and eat for free. i have no idea how old your kids are so maybe a travel agent would be a good idea or just get a brochue and see what rides they want to ride if they are older like 10 or so GE THEM ON THE TOWER OF TERROR I LOVED THAT RIDE i went on that ride when i was ten with my dad and that is the best ride i went on. I also remeber going on the batman ride that was a great ride too. I can not remeber where we stayed but i think it was not that enexpensive place bc we had to drive a little to get the the disney world amusement park. they have a dvd/tape they can send you and you can check out what you want to do.
TRUST ME THEY WILL NOT FORGET THIS TRIP. THEY WILL LOVE GOING WITH YOU NO MATTER WHAT THEY DO. they have tons of things to do there.

Answer 8

Hey, I'd check out the book, "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World." by Bob Sehlinger. There's one for 2005, 2006, 2007... and there's "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World with Kids" by the same author.

They're on Amazon.com, but I bet you could find them at a local book store like Borders or Barnes 'n' Noble.

I'll paste the links below. I haven't read the one for going with kids, but I did read the first book I mentioned and it was very, very accurate.

Answer 9

Well first of all not to be mean, but Orlando is not a cheap vacation, if your planning on doing the parks, the food is expensive inside the parks, but if your child is small enough to be in a stroller you can pack a small cooler and hide it with jackets. They say you can't take in food but I always do and so far not a problem. Outside of the parks the food can be cheap, there are discount books all over that have good deals on meals. One hotel I have stayed at is OldTown suites, they are not the fancyiest hotel but the price is good and they are huge rooms it is also located by a ton of things you can do just by walking so that helps http://www.suitesatoldtown.com
If your still not sure you can email me with certain questions, I have some tricks I use on vacations