agamble
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2011
We would like to take our kids to WDW next summer. Probably mid to late June. We live in CA about 5 to 6 hours from DLR, depending on LA traffic, and have visited DLR on many occasions. My DH and I visited WDW for 6 days in June 2008, before FP+ and MDE. A lot has changed since then. Our younger daughter will be a few months shy of 5, our son 7, and our older DD10. Based on current height and our other children, I expect out youngest to reach the 44" mark by next summer, though if she doesn't we're comfortable with rider swap. Unfortunately the school calendar is such that we can't squeeze the trip in before our oldest turns 10 in early June (I teach at their school).
I am considering 2 weeks in and near WDW. We have timeshare points we can use for a week at one of several resorts near, and I'm planning the first week on property, possibly with rented DVC. We would probably want to see Universal for a couple days as well during our off property stay. I'm thinking 8 day park hopper+ tickets with some rest days. Looking forward to the water parks. We could maybe do 10 days since it isn't much more and do some sleep in and pool days with park evenings. I know my husband will need some down time. My oldest not so much. LOL.
The biggest planning piece for me right now is choosing how many days on site and which weeks to visit. Even with DVC, point rentals on property means a smaller room costing more money (compared to our timeshare). I've considered Caribbean Beach rooms that sleep 5, assuming price doesn't skyrocket with the Skyliner. Or a cheaper DVC such as Boardwalk, Poly, or Wilderness. I realize those are deluxe, but with the studio layouts they don't seem much better than Caribbean Beach. Anyone have any help with such things? Based on this year's prices Caribbean would be somewhat cheaper than the cheapest studio for 5, but discounts may be less next summer with SWGE opening soon. Are Deluxe Suites roomy? Good value? Worth the little more per night? Or is it not worth dealing with renting points if the cost is comparable to say Caribbean Beach? Better to have control of your own reservations? How early do they need booking?
I'm concerned about FP+ and feel that we must spend part of our trip on site or we miss out on FP for popular rides. It seems that Pandora rides are hard to get. I expect SWGE to be hard as well. Though we may visit DL this fall and see it there first. Maybe I am worrying too much about FP+. I would consider PPO breakfasts and even a few late nights. Is it necessary to be on site to ride all the major rides without waiting 60+ min? I do like the idea of EMH too, but I know those parks also get busy fast.
Any other early planning tips? I feel pretty lost. Back in 2008 we had EMH every morning and night. I didn't pre plan anything except which park to visit based on EMH. The crowds were not too bad, also June, and we used paper FP. We napped every afternoon and were up early and late. That may not work with 3 kids. Please help.
I am considering 2 weeks in and near WDW. We have timeshare points we can use for a week at one of several resorts near, and I'm planning the first week on property, possibly with rented DVC. We would probably want to see Universal for a couple days as well during our off property stay. I'm thinking 8 day park hopper+ tickets with some rest days. Looking forward to the water parks. We could maybe do 10 days since it isn't much more and do some sleep in and pool days with park evenings. I know my husband will need some down time. My oldest not so much. LOL.
The biggest planning piece for me right now is choosing how many days on site and which weeks to visit. Even with DVC, point rentals on property means a smaller room costing more money (compared to our timeshare). I've considered Caribbean Beach rooms that sleep 5, assuming price doesn't skyrocket with the Skyliner. Or a cheaper DVC such as Boardwalk, Poly, or Wilderness. I realize those are deluxe, but with the studio layouts they don't seem much better than Caribbean Beach. Anyone have any help with such things? Based on this year's prices Caribbean would be somewhat cheaper than the cheapest studio for 5, but discounts may be less next summer with SWGE opening soon. Are Deluxe Suites roomy? Good value? Worth the little more per night? Or is it not worth dealing with renting points if the cost is comparable to say Caribbean Beach? Better to have control of your own reservations? How early do they need booking?
I'm concerned about FP+ and feel that we must spend part of our trip on site or we miss out on FP for popular rides. It seems that Pandora rides are hard to get. I expect SWGE to be hard as well. Though we may visit DL this fall and see it there first. Maybe I am worrying too much about FP+. I would consider PPO breakfasts and even a few late nights. Is it necessary to be on site to ride all the major rides without waiting 60+ min? I do like the idea of EMH too, but I know those parks also get busy fast.
Any other early planning tips? I feel pretty lost. Back in 2008 we had EMH every morning and night. I didn't pre plan anything except which park to visit based on EMH. The crowds were not too bad, also June, and we used paper FP. We napped every afternoon and were up early and late. That may not work with 3 kids. Please help.