[Merrymom4]

Hi! I am hoping for some Disney World tips. We decided yesterday that we are going in May. I am so excited! I have been sitting at the computer for two days though, trying to find a good deal. I am tired of that!
Here's the situation. I really want to stay at a Disney property because of the shuttle service. I want the freedom of being able to take the babies back to the hotel while my husband and the older kids stay at the park. Plus, I like the idea of the parks opening early and staying open later. It's obviously more expensive though and my family is too big to stay at any of the discount Disney resorts, unless we get two rooms.
Does anybody have any suggestions? How about tips on finding discounts? ( I think I've been to every discount web site that exists!)
Thanks!

[floridamama]

We were just there last month and stayed at the Pop Century Hotel. It was our very first time staying at a Disney property, and let me tell you...we LOVED it! Once we arrived at the hotel and parked the car...we never had to drive again for the rest of our stay! The shuttle was so convienent. It will take you to all three parks and to Downtown Disney! The hotel itself was super clean, fairly new, and very, very reasonable. My only complaint would be that the food served in the hotel resteraunt was gross & overpriced! Other than that minor thing...the whole stay was wonderful, and my 3 children just had a blast!
The Pop Century is the coolest hotel! We stayed in the 70's section. Each building has theme from a certain era. You can check out their hotel at the disney website! We are Florida residents so after our visit we upgraded our tickets to seasonal passes! I'm so excited about that! Now we can go pretty much when ever! There are some black-out dates...but I don't mind. Ok, I'm babbling! I hope you & yours have as good a time as we did!

[floridamama]

Oh, I almost forgot to ask...how many are in your family? We have a large family too, and I thought I'd have to book 2 rooms as well, but we told them our youngest (she's 2) was still in a pack & play, and we pulled it off! She just slept w/ my dh & I, while my other 2 shared a bed. Maybe you can do that? The summer is also sometimes the "off season" so you can probably book one of Pop Century's rooms at around $79 per night. That's what we paid, and if you shop around that's pretty much average for any decent hotel in Kissemee. From now on though, it's Disney hotel's all the way for us! I've been spoiled now! !

[Merrymom4]

We have four children and I called about Pop, but they said there's too many of us. Oh well. However-I did find another really good deal. it's at the newly remodeled Radisson in downtown Disney. It also has a shuttle service, though not quite as frequent as the Dosney shuttles. It has a ton of free activities at the resort and it includes free breakfasts and all the kids meals free with adult purchases. All for about $90. a night. That's not bad! They say up to 5 in a room but I am going to call tomorrow and see if that is counting the baby.
Thanks for the info! This is going to be so fun!

[floridamama]

I'm really surprised they said 4 people were too many for a room at Pop Century! It sleeps 4. Oh well, it sounds like you find a really good deal at the Radisson! You guys will have a blast at Disney! Idon't know who gets more excited whenever we visit there...the kids or the parents?! !
Have fun!

[sfharper]

We used AAA tours to set our trip to Disneyland last year. They also arrange Disneyworld trips. Included was airfare, the room, shuttle transfers, and additional trips to other parks like Universal Studios. The Disney properties were sold out when we went so I can't help with those, but it is a reminder to make your reservations early. Their packet included a gift pin and a holder for the tickets for everyone. Another nice things was they had properties with separate rooms for the children and the adults and add on cots. I don't know it that would work for you. Have fun.

[Merrymom4]

There are 4 kids and 2 adults.

[pattiewrites]

Have fun on your trip! We were planning a trip to Florida this summer, since we lived there for 12 years and haven't been back to visit. I'm expecting a baby in July, so we put off our trip until the kids are on Christmas break next school year. The baby will be big enough to travel well by then. We stayed at one of the Disney discount resorts a few years ago. I think it's called the All Star. It had a sports theme. It was very reasonable in terms of price. Oh, I don't count the baby when I give them the count. You probably aren't supposed to do that, but I do. I couldn't get 2 rooms as they are young and we wouldn't like staying in separate rooms. Enjoy your trip! We can't wait to go.

[Merrymom4]

Okay, so I have two packages and I am trying to figure out which one is the better deal. Please tell me your thoughts. First of all I am not buying park hopper tickets. With four small children, we won't be doing a lot of hopping. Is that a mistake?
We are not going to do universal this time and we are undecided about Epcot. My husband and I have been there before and the little kids may not find it that interesting. We are thinking two days at magic kingdom and 2 at Animal kingdom. Maybe we could swap out one day at animal kingdom for Epcot.
As far as the packages go, We can get a room in the sports themed hotel in the resort plus our basic 4 day tickets to the parks for $1638. I like being in the resort because of the frequent shuttles and the extra hours.
The other packege costs $30. more. It would be just outside of the resort area in a very new hotel. There are morning shuttles and evening shuttles, but no afternoon shuttles. The good deal here is that breakfast would be included and the kids eat meals free with adult purchases. We would save a lot of money on food! But, I don't want to be stuck at the parks all day if the babies are hot or tired. We could just buy bagels, juice boxes and fruit for our hotel rooms. And. to be honest we wouldn't eat many meals at the hotel anyway.
I think I have answered my own question, but does anyone else have thoughts?
Thanks!

[floridamama]

This is just my opinion, but I think you should do the park hopper. It'll save you money as opposed to buying tickets for each park, each day. I don't think staying somewhere that has no shuttle service other than am or pm is going to work for you either. Just speaking from experience here...! If the kids get tired & want a break at let's say 2:00...how will you get back to the hotel? And if you drive your car you have to pay for parking.
You can bring a small cooler into the parks with you! They will check it, but it's allowed. I brought juice boxes & water. Also, bags of pretzels & gummies! It saved us a little bit of money there.
If you stay at a Disney resort, you could always drive elsewhere in the morning for a quick bite as opposed to eating their expensive food.
These are just my suggestions! Have fun!