Disney 101 - I have some questions

[pinotgrig]

Sorry these are so basic - I've been reading some posts on here as H and I are dying to go, lol.

1. We're tentatively looking fall 2017. Our boys will be 3.5 and 1.5. Are these ages ok?

2. Any TA recs?

3. Ballpark cost for 1 week at Animal Kingdom Lodge and not being super budget conscious? I know this is a very broad question, but are we looking at like $10k? More? Less? We will likely drive, so no airfare cost.

4. When should we book?

[chicago]

Jul 3, 2016 13:25:20 GMT -5 pinotgrig said:

Sorry these are so basic - I've been reading some posts on here as H and I are dying to go, lol.

1. We're tentatively looking fall 2017. Our boys will be 3.5 and 1.5. Are these ages ok?

2. Any TA recs?

3. Ballpark cost for 1 week at Animal Kingdom Lodge and not being super budget conscious? I know this is a very broad question, but are we looking at like $10k? More? Less? We will likely drive, so no airfare cost.

4. When should we book?

1. I think the ages are ok if your future 1.5 year old naps in a stroller and is generally good natured. DD was a few months past 2 when we went a few weeks ago. She loved a lot of the rides and stuff to see and do, but she definitely had her fair share of meltdowns. We thought it would be easy to hold to her nap and sleep schedule, but it kind of went out the window once we started living the vacation. Even being close by on the monorail, leaving the park, transportation there and back, plus getting DD wound down for her nap was a challenge and took up a lot more time than we anticipated. Add in that we were all in the same room and she'd only nap if we were also lying down. (I feel like this sounds more negative than I'm intending. Id still totally do it again!)

2. We used a TA rec'd here, but I wouldn't use him again so I can't recommend.

3. I'd say less than $10k. We did a week at the Poly in peak season. DD was free at age 2. 8 day park tickets and hotel came to around $4700 IIRC, plus your cost of gas. Food cost us around $800 or so for one character breakfast and a combo of quick/table service meals, some alcohol, and daily Dole Whips. $85 for a stroller rental from Kingdom Strollers.

[stephm0188]

1. I think those ages are fine. I took my son at those ages.

2. I've never/wouldn't use a TA for myself. I don't want a middleman. I prefer to be in control of everything.

3. Probably less than 10k, but it depends on room type and how many extras you want to do.

[lala]

1. I don't think there is a wrong age unless this is your one and only trip to Disney.

2. I don't use TAs, do it all myself and for what we do (rent DVC) you can't use a TA anyway.

3. Less than $10k. We've never spent close to that and we do fly (but often on free flights). I'm a broken record but look into renting DVC. What is it about AKL that you want? It's not my favorite deluxe just due to to location - but the rooms, theming, pool, lobby, restaurants, etc. are all amazing.

4. We book about 9-11 months out usually but know what we want before that.

[Amy]

Ages are really kid dependent - 3.5 will be super into the magic most likely

I'm a Disney TA if you'd like some help

3 is really dependent on your choices, you could do it for less than 10

[pinotgrig]

lala - not married to the idea of staying at akl. H is a hotel/room snob and I think some of the pics of the rooms/views caught his eye. Also, he thought that the boys would love that some of the rooms overlook the animals. I'm sure those rooms are $$$ though.

What are other nice resorts that might be better located?

We're not really interested in renting points - I know it may cost us a bit more and we're ok with that.

[Amy]

Jul 3, 2016 18:19:17 GMT -5 pinotgrig said:

lala - not married to the idea of staying at akl. H is a hotel/room snob and I think some of the pics of the rooms/views caught his eye. Also, he thought that the boys would love that some of the rooms overlook the animals. I'm sure those rooms are $$$ though.

What are other nice resorts that might be better located?

We're not really interested in renting points - I know it may cost us a bit more and we're ok with that.

I'd look at the monorail resorts with your kids' ages - Poly, Grand Floridian and Contemporary

[lala]

Beach club, yacht club, Boardwalk, poly, grand Floridian, contemporary, wilderness lodge.

The first 3 are in the boardwalk area and walking distance to Epcot & the studios (boat service, too). The next 3 are on the monorail with boat & monorail access to the magic kingdom & monorail to Epcot. The last, wilderness lodge, has a slightly similar look to AKL, with boat access to the MK.

The Savannah view rooms at the AKL are awesome!

[curbsideprophet]

I agree with the monorail resorts given your kids ages.

We loved our theme park view at Bay Lake Tower. We could watch the fireworks and the water pageant from our room.

I have not used a TA so no advice there, sorry.

Is there a specific reason you do not want to consider DVC points?

[pinotgrig]

curbsideprophet - no real reason, except for the fact we'd like to outsource to a TA, which I don't think we can do if we rent. It also just seems more complicated and it already seems like planning a Disney trip is a bit of an undertaking in and of itself.

[alleinesein]

Jul 3, 2016 21:49:58 GMT -5 pinotgrig said:

curbsideprophet - no real reason, except for the fact we'd like to outsource to a TA, which I don't think we can do if we rent. It also just seems more complicated and it already seems like planning a Disney trip is a bit of an undertaking in and of itself.

You can still book a DVC room with a travel agent; they are called Deluxe Villas on the WDW website and anyone can book them.    Prices vary based on the room type and resort; studios start around $330 a night and 1 bedrooms start around $500 a night. They aren't that much more than a Deluxe hotel room and you have more space and better room amenities (w/d & full kitchen in a 1 bedroom villa, 2 bathrooms in the newer studios and 1 bedrooms, etc).  It is definitely an option to consider and it can help keep food costs down since you can have meals in the room.  

WDW is as easy or as complicated as you make it.  If this will be your only trip you will probably want to cram in as much as possible while you are there but if you plan on coming back you can take a more relaxed approach and not worry about missing out on something.   

[littlemermaid]

I agree with looking for a hotel on the Monorail. That way if your kids need some down time it's a quick ride back to the hotel and then you can go back later in the day. The first time we went to WDW we stayed at the Polynesian and loved it. The second trip we stayed in a suite at Art of Animation. The buses were quick but definitely a longer ride than if we were on the Monorail.

Definitely less than $10K. We flew both times and we spent over $5000 but way less than $10K. We had the dining plan both times too.

[kaycee]

We are staying at POR Royal Room with a 3.5 and 1.5 year old in September. We are doing 7 nights, 5 park hopper days, and free dining plan for $3k.

[Deleted]

1 bedroom Savannah View at AKL through a DVC rental for a random week in Fall 17 is about 2500.00. A studio is 1400.00

Food I would plan 1000.00

Park tickets will run about 1050.00-1400.00 depending on Hoppers or Water Park options.

Add in Souveniers, Gas and " extras" and you are looking at about 6k at the top of your budget.

If free Dining is available you could book through Disney and spend about 4500.00 for Dining Plan, Savannah View room, and Tickets with Hoppers. So very close in cost.