We are going to Florida for the first time, and want a nice hotel for just hanging out with the kids (age 18months and 6). It's not worth the cost doing the theme parks as they are so young, but we'd like to spend lots of time in the sun by the pool, and hopefully they will have children's activities?
We've heard International drive is bustling and good to walk around and people watch, also maybe hire a car and go to some local places. Any ideas?
2007-03-24 21:25:38 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Orlando
You can. The Disney Resorts are filled with tons of great amenities and special activities for guests. HOWEVER, the main reason for staying at Disney Resort is to be near to and to visit the Disney theme parks. The Disney theme parks are designed for families of ALL AGES and is defiently worth the visit even if your children are very young. I would highly recommend that you at least visit Magic Kingdom, that is the original Disney theme park that is aimed towards families with young children and offers the classic rides and attractions, and of course you get to see the Cinderella Castle and meet all the Disney characters with your children.
I strongly recommend you visit the official Walt Disney World website and browse through all the great information:
http://www.disneyworld.com
I also recommend you order the free Disney vacation planning kit at that same site. Hope that helps. Have Fun!
2007-03-25 05:31:14 · answer #1 · answered by DCM 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Of course you can stay in one of the Disney hotels without going to the theme parks, but I can't imagine going to Orlando and not going to Disney World. I don't think an 18 month old will care, but I'd be kind of upset if I was a 6 year old staying in a hotel surrounded by Disney stuff with Disney World right next door, but didn't get to go to Disney World. I can understand thinking they're too young for MGM Studios or Epcot, but the Magic Kingdom was made for families and little kids, and Animal Kingdom has animals (obviously), which most kids like. The 18 month old won't remember anything, and the 6 year old might not either, but you should take them when they're young, when they get all excited over meeting Mickey Mouse (or whatever character they like). Disney vacations are magical experiences that are perfect for all ages, and are worth the cost!
If you really don't want to go to Disney, Seaworld (a fun animal park) is nearby, but it's not much cheaper.
2007-03-28 12:12:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We stayed at the All Star Movies , it was an excellent hotel ,
I suppose you could just stay by the pool , or maybe go to
Downtown Disney in the free buses, you are a fair distance
from I DRIVE , the Disney staff are very helpful as regards
to transport etc , Disney prices are high you may want to
explore for cheaper places to eat and shop , I would be
amazed if you don't go to park , they are well set up for
kids of all ages , good luck.
2007-03-27 07:04:45 · answer #3 · answered by da 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can stay at a disney hotel without going to the parks and international drive is OK...just don't stay at the Travelodge which is a dive! There's actually not all that much on international drive but if you are not planning on having a car, it would be the best place to stay because there are shuttles that go up and down it all the time that are cheap. Also, Seaworld is on I-drive and i think even with your kids at the age they are, they will love seeing all the animals - especially feeding the dolphins!
2007-03-24 21:36:22 · answer #4 · answered by knickersknight 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I answered your other question in detail, so here I will just summarize. GO TO THE PARKS. Your kids are not too young, they will love what Disney has to offer, and so will you.
I will tell you a story about the first trip to Disney with my daughter, who was 4 at the time. I have been going to Disney with my family since the mid-70's when it opened, went there on my honeymoon and once before we started having kids, so I knew what to expect. We stayed at the All-Star movies resort, and while we were checking in she discovered the little playground just outside the door near the pool area. We let her play there with her grandparents while my wife (6 months pregnant with my son) and I got everything settled. When we got done, our rooms were not quite ready, so we decided to let the resort hold the luggage while we went to the Magic Kingdom. My daughter had a fit! She thought that we were at Disneyworld and leaving. Anyway, she was pouting on the bus all the way to the Magic Kingdom, but the pout got less and less the closer we got. We walked into the Magic Kingdom, Peter Pan was off to one side, and Pinocchio was close by in the other direction. We were standing in the middle of Main Street U.S.A. with Cinderella's castle in the distance, and I looked down at her and said "Katie, welcome to Walt Disney World." She looked back at me with a grin and said, "Dad, we don't have to go back to that playground, if you don't want." I will never forget that moment as long as I live. She is 11 now and my son almost 7, and my wife and I are taking them back again in 11 days. I have never ever regretted a penny that I have spent over the years taking the family to WDW, so much so that we joined the Vacation club a couple of years ago. Take your kids to Disney, discover and enjoy the parks and show them why it is the most magical place on earth. You will not regret it.
2007-03-26 04:58:00 · answer #5 · answered by Natterjack9 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can definately stay at the Disney Resorts without going into the theme parks and there are tons of things to do! You can go to the petting farm at Ft Wilderness, They also have a movie under the stars while roasting marshmellows with Chip and Dale over there. There is the electric light boat parade that goes over the seven seas lagoon - can be seen from many deluxe resorts like Wilderness Lodge, Comtemporary, etc. You can also go to breakfast or dinner at one of the resorts to enjoy a character dining. The baby will either love the characters or hate it but I know that you will want to bring film to take pictures of your 6 year old! Many of the resorts at Disney also have things to do such as pool, beach area, some have a place to feed turtles or fish and you can also get inroom babysitters if you and your spouse wish to go out one night for an "adult" dinner.
2007-03-26 06:33:48 · answer #6 · answered by ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
6 is actually the perfect age to be taking your kid to the park! They remember how magical it was when they are older! I do think 18 months is a little young so maybe when your 18 month old is 4 that would be a good age to take your family to Disney World. I do think it is worth the money to take your family to a Disney World Resort only if you take them to a Deluxe Resort. That is were they have all the kid services and activities. Hope this helps!
2007-03-25 12:36:30 · answer #7 · answered by SeaGirl 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
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2016-12-20 00:41:41 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi, In general the Disney hotels tend to be more expensive than the ones outside of Disney , if you are not to worried about the parks you might be better off going to St Pete's beach or Clearwater as the beaches there are fabulous and they are only an hour and a half's drive from Orlando airport, if you were going to stay in Orlando i would go to Lake Buena Vista or Kissimmie, as they both still have the feel of Disney without being in the parks. we took my youngest son when he was around 1 and he really enjoyed it... hope that helps, have a good time...
2007-03-25 00:04:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You most certainly can, but personally I think its a waste of time and money, if all you want is sun and sitting around a pool. If it was me, I would look more toward the Tampa area. It's close to the Gulf of Mexico, with plenty to do for families, and much more convenient, plus less expensive.
I would keep in mind that the whole "Disney" area is overflowing with Disney ambiance, and it might be hard to tell the 6 year old, that you aren't going.
2007-03-25 02:47:34 · answer #10 · answered by lakebjohn 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋