We have decided to plan a Disney World trip for November, most likely the week of thanksgiving. I know it will be busy but with school and work that may be our best bet.
I need ALL the tips. I don't even know where to begin. I'm assuming I should do it through Disney since I will need to work out special needs accommodations for DS2 with O2? I hate to drive but I think it is the safest option. Thank you!
Even if you don't stay at a Disney hotel they will help you with accommodations within the parks. If you will need special accommodations in the room I would either book through Disney or maybe contact the make a wish facility- I forget what it's called- and see if they have any help/suggestions
I don't think you have to book through Disney b/c of that - is there something specific you are worried about? (I know nothing about traveling w/ O2, though). In fact, if I was booking a package or special, I'd probably book through trusted travel agency b/c they often know more than some disney folks in a call center - that said, disney is known for being amazing in general w/ accommodating special needs.
If there is any chance of going the week before or after, you will be much happier. I know school & work make it hard, but it will be pretty crowded and w/ the special needs, it might be overwhelming. But again, I don't know how it will really impact you.
I am a big fan of staying onsite. I rent DVC villas through dvcrequest.com and buy my tickets through a broker. If I was booking a package, I'd probably use Dreams Unlimited travel or mouse world travel.
Other useful sites: wdwinfo, touringplans, mousesavers.
Even if you don't stay at a Disney hotel they will help you with accommodations within the parks. If you will need special accommodations in the room I would either book through Disney or maybe contact the make a wish facility- I forget what it's called- and see if they have any help/suggestions
Magic Kingdom is really the main part everyone knows as "Disney world". It's perfect for kids. Spend two days there if you can.
Epcot/Hollywood studios/animal kingdom all have things for kids to do too, but IMO are really just one or even 1/2 day parks depending on your interests.
You can book restaurant reservations 6 months in advance. So do that NOW!
There are walk up counters for food too...but if you want ANY sit down meals, look at the Disney website and see where you might want to eat, then book those now.
Also, Disney has fast passes. 7 dwarves mine train, princess meet n greets, and the bigger roller coasters all have long lines so those are good to fast pass.
You might want to consider going back to your hotel midday for naps and to recharge.
If you stay on property, like lala said, you can rent other peoples' vacation club points...but we love port Orleans riverside (a moderate price resort), but also art of animation is a budget level hotel but it's adorable and has an awesome zero entry pool.
So, 1. Book hotel (and park tickets) 2. Figure out transportation (we always fly and stay on site and use their bus/boats/monorail), but you can certainly drive 3. Book dining 4. Book fast passes 5. ENJOY!!!!
Post by rosesandpetals on Jul 1, 2015 12:07:37 GMT -5
They replaced the old accommodations card with the new one -- DAS is what it is called. It isn't as easy as the old one. Basically, you go to guest services and have it linked to his magic band (or ticket) and when he wants to go on a ride, they will scan it at the fast pass entrance and give you a return time. the return time is the current wait time minus ten minutes. Then, you can go through the fast pass lane.
Your whole party of up to 6 people (including ds) can be on the card and go with him through the fast pass lane. He does not need to be there to reserve a time but he does need to be there when everyone gets on the ride.
While waiting for the return time, you can use fast pass tickets to other rides, eat, go on something else, or just sit around. The return time does not expire like fast passes do. If the return time is 9am for example, you can use it any time until the park closes.
You can use a stroller as a wheelchair, if he needs one. Just tell them at guest services.
Also, they aren't allowed to ask about a dx or any Dr notes or info. They can only ask about a disability. So muscular dystrophy is a dx and the disability is "not enough stamina to stand in line" (for example).
Oh, and when he gets a das added to his magic band, they take a picture of him with an ipad and have that linked with it so they can't be sold or transferred or anything.
And Disney is having their free dining plan thing going on right now. It ends soon so look into it. It may be worth it for you.
We would want to stay onsite, this may be a once in a lifetime thing so we are going to do it all. I may do another week. DS1 is only in K so I'm not really concerned about missing school. He also gets a week for Mardi Gras but I hate to put the trip off.
How many days would you recommend? I was thinking 5 at the parks? DS1 is 5 and dS2 will be 3 but is developmentally about 15 months so I don't know how much he will be able to do.
That's great to know about the DAS. That was my concern. We will need to use a stroller as a wheelchair and need to be able to have a large O2 tank in it. I want to find out if maybe they have O2 tanks around I could trade out or something. Our big tanks last about 4 hours so I don't want to have to head to the car constantly to trade out tanks.
Our room doesn't really need to have accommodations.
Where should we stay? I'd like easiest access to parks, mainly MK. What restaurants do you recommend? Stroller rental? I am thinking I may rent a double for DS1 to ride if he gets tired or for all the extra equipment.
Post by rosesandpetals on Jul 1, 2015 14:44:20 GMT -5
I definitely wouldn't rent a stroller at the park if you can avoid it. They look awful. There are off site places you can rent from but we just brought ours from home.
The contemporary is walking distance to MK and has the monorail. It is $$$ though. There are a couple that connect to epcot through a walking trail (the swan is one, I forget the others, you can Google easily though). Caribbean beach is a moderate that is really close bus ride to epcot and you can always take the monorail to MK from there. If you stay in a moderate, make sure you tell them you need a ground level room. They don't have elevators and you don't want to carry all that stuff up stairs.
I would not recommend animal kingdom. We stayed there and it was beautiful and I loved the resort itself, but it took forever for the buses to come. When they did come, it was absurdly long to the parks. By day 3 I was over it.
For best access to MK, you should stay at the Floridian, the contemporary or the Polynesian. (They are all on the monorail line, but are also deluxe prices resorts).
There is no parking lot right by the MK, so if you need more O2 (if Disney doesn't have any...I'm not sure on this policy), then you'd have to travel a bit to get back to your car. It's a lengthy walk at any park so if you can bring two tanks that would be great...OR...plan to play for 4 hours, take a break midday for naps or swimming...then you could switch out then.
Any of the deluxe resorts are LOVELY. Art of animation is the best low price option, and for mid range, we adore port Orleans riverside.
Dining: MK...if this is THE Disney trip, I'd say you have to eat at the castle Be our guest is also great Liberty tree tavern has family style country-American food Tonys Italian
Epcot: any of the countries!!! (We love Italy most)
Hollywood studios: They have a lot of cute options 50s prime time cafe (like eating at "moms" in the 50s) ---that's actually my favorite restaurant in all the parks I think Sci fi diner is like eating at a drive through movie (it is kind of dark in there though if that would bother either of your kids) Mama melrose's pizza Feel like I'm missing something here...
In animal kingdom we like yak and yeti
BUT, you can also eat at any of the resorts restaurants...we enjoy whispering canyon cafe at wilderness lodge (the cast is hilarious here) People LOVE breakfast at the polynesian
And behind Epcot is the boardwalk with some fun things
2 days at MK 1 day each at animal kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood studios would be my recommendation.
If you could squeeze in a free day to enjoy your hotel's pool mid to late week, it might help everyone recharge
And don't worry about your little guy. We've taken our kids at 15 months, just over 2 years and 3.5....it's great fun every time...plenty for him to enjoy!!
Post by rosesandpetals on Jul 1, 2015 14:55:04 GMT -5
And (sorry, last eta lol) if you want to save money on food, the wildnerness cabins have kitchens in them. and a bedroom, so put the kids to sleep and you can hang out in the living room. I've never stayed there but it is on my list for someday.
You are also able to bring coolers in the park. Drinks, snacks, etc.
If this is a big do it all trip: I'd stay on the monorail at the contemporary, poly or grand Floridian. I'd get a 7 day park hopper so that you can be super flexible, just a few hours here & there and not have to worry about packing it in quickly.
I'd definitely rent the dvc units, spring for a 1 bedroom if you can, but the studio will work.