Walt Disney World

[Brianfo]

My wife and I will be taking 2 small children to Walt Disney World in Florida in 2 weeks. I get to go as a bonus thru my work. We are staying at the Hilton. My question is what is the weather like down there in January? Any good ideas on what to see and do with twins that are 2 years old? I am kind of looking forward to it. A chance to get out of Iowa in January. Oh well, enought blabbing. Any responses are greatly appreciated.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by NewChief

Ahh, so it's not a single pass that waves you into the fast pass line every time? That's how ours worked before. We just had a slip of paper that we showed, and it would put us into the fast pass line. So we still had to stand in lines, it was just always the fast pass line. So basically it's just doing fast pass without having to schedule the fast pass every time.

Oh it's the same pass, it just won't work the way it did before. Before Disney implemented the new guidelines, you could ride Space Mountain, get off it, then go back to the Fast Pass line and get waved in thru the fast pass line or if the ride didn't have a fast pass line, they would take you in thru the Exit line and take you to the front.

Now, as I understand the rules, they won't be as flexible even with the Guest Assistance Card.

Here is a link to one of the articles on the changes...

http://www.babble.com/disney/disney-...-need-to-know/

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

I would never recommend 7 people in one room....not sure how you are getting a room for $150 a night anywhere and fitting 7 in them unless it is one of those resorts with only suites.

The fun thing we did with the cabins was do a cabin/campsite combo one year.

VRBO.com - they do vacation rentals. Just as an example, this place is $140 (plus tax) a night: Rental Property

For us, I wouldn't mind cramming 6 of us into a room. It wouldn't be ideal, but 3 of the 6 are under 10 years old, so they don't mind sleeping on the floor, couch, etc. But, bringing in another 15 year old would be way too much.

The other option is paying for 2 rooms on property - which defeats the purpose of not getting one of the larger rooms that fits everyone. It would end up costing around the same amount either way.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

VRBO.com - they do vacation rentals. Just as an example, this place is $140 (plus tax) a night: Rental Property

For us, I wouldn't mind cramming 6 of us into a room. It wouldn't be ideal, but 3 of the 6 are under 10 years old, so they don't mind sleeping on the floor, couch, etc. But, bringing in another 15 year old would be way too much.

The other option is paying for 2 rooms on property - which defeats the purpose of not getting one of the larger rooms that fits everyone. It would end up costing around the same amount either way.

With your situation, you are probably doing it the right way.

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

With your situation, you are probably doing it the right way.

Yeah, I've tried to find a way to stay on property because I would LOVE my kids to be immersed in the Disney experience like I was growing up - just doesn't work.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by NewChief

Ahh, so it's not a single pass that waves you into the fast pass line every time? That's how ours worked before. We just had a slip of paper that we showed, and it would put us into the fast pass line. So we still had to stand in lines, it was just always the fast pass line. So basically it's just doing fast pass without having to schedule the fast pass every time.

The way I understand it is, this new Fastpass+ Let's you basically plan out your entire trip. Like a mini itinerary.

If you are a schedule oriented person, it's for you. If you just like to freelance, you might not like it as much.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

The way I understand it is, this new Fastpass+ Let's you basically plan out your entire trip. Like a mini itinerary.

If you are a schedule oriented person, it's for you. If you just like to freelance, you might not like it as much.

You're talking about a FastPass....he is talking about a Guest Assistance Card that is available to anyone with a child who has medical/physical/mental disabilities. It gave you the opportunity to not have to wait in line for any ride. If the ride had a FastPass line, you just went up to it and they took you thru the line without having to get a FastPass.

If there was no FastPass line, then they would take you into the ride thru the Exit line and work you in amongst the "next in line" queue.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

You're talking about a FastPass....he is talking about a Guest Assistance Card that is available to anyone with a child who has medical/physical/mental disabilities. It gave you the opportunity to not have to wait in line for any ride. If the ride had a FastPass line, you just went up to it and they took you thru the line without having to get a FastPass.

If there was no FastPass line, then they would take you into the ride thru the Exit line and work you in amongst the "next in line" queue.

Ah...ok, got ya.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

There are only 4 property hotels that can accommodate 7 people:

Animal Kingdom Lodge: $1,463 per night
Animal Kingdom Villas: $718 per night
Saratoga Springs Resort: $471 per night
Old Key West Resort: $471 per night

The cabins looked really cool - but still, I can stay off property for cheaper than $360 a night.

I really wouldn't mind cramming me & my family into a room on property, but adding in another teenager tips the scale the other way. Just too many people in a room.

I've used VRBO.com several times in the past for various vacations. Generally find an awesome place with a pool, etc for around $150/night.

You can also do a campsite at Fort Wilderness, which will sleep up to ten. But you have to bring a tent and actually camp. They also have RV hookups.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by NewChief

Ahh, so it's not a single pass that waves you into the fast pass line every time? That's how ours worked before. We just had a slip of paper that we showed, and it would put us into the fast pass line. So we still had to stand in lines, it was just always the fast pass line. So basically it's just doing fast pass without having to schedule the fast pass every time.

Yeah, the new one is issued when you go into the park, then you talk to a cast member at every attraction you want to see. They give you a time to come back and use the FastPass line that is ten minutes less than the posted Standby wait time. Not as good, but much harder to abuse or use unfairly.

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by Mr. Plow

There are only 4 property hotels that can accommodate 7 people:

Animal Kingdom Lodge: $1,463 per night
Animal Kingdom Villas: $718 per night
Saratoga Springs Resort: $471 per night
Old Key West Resort: $471 per night

The cabins looked really cool - but still, I can stay off property for cheaper than $360 a night.

I really wouldn't mind cramming me & my family into a room on property, but adding in another teenager tips the scale the other way. Just too many people in a room.

I've used VRBO.com several times in the past for various vacations. Generally find an awesome place with a pool, etc for around $150/night.

Yea, its expensive no doubt. Personally, im not sure id want to stay at the Animal Kingdom lodge and a few other ones that are farther out. Ive heard varying opinions on the wait for bus service. Id rather stay at the contemporary or the Polynesian and ride the monorail. But thats just me.

One of the reasons i liked California better was that it wasnt nearly as spread out as Florida. Everything was within walking distance. oh, and the SoCal weather was alot better than Florida in June.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Yea, its expensive no doubt. Personally, im not sure id want to stay at the Animal Kingdom lodge and a few other ones that are farther out. Ive heard varying opinions on the wait for bus service. Id rather stay at the contemporary or the Polynesian and ride the monorail. But thats just me.

One of the reasons i liked California better was that it wasnt nearly as spread out as Florida. Everything was within walking distance. oh, and the SoCal weather was alot better than Florida in June.

AKL is for people who want to be at a resort that is not close to a park....and you'd be surprised the number of people who want to get away from the park after a long day there.

The wait for bus service is something you have at most of the resorts. If I wanted to stay close to the Parks but not too close, I would choose the Wilderness Lodge.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by Silock

You can also do a campsite at Fort Wilderness, which will sleep up to ten. But you have to bring a tent and actually camp. They also have RV hookups.

I've actually done both....rented an RV to hook up, and also camped out. I like camping so it was actually something I enjoyed.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by Mosbonian

AKL is for people who want to be at a resort that is not close to a park....and you'd be surprised the number of people who want to get away from the park after a long day there.

The wait for bus service is something you have at most of the resorts. If I wanted to stay close to the Parks but not too close, I would choose the Wilderness Lodge.

AKL is so awesome. I especially love Sanaa. Here's some pics of the views at AKL that I took last month.

Sanaa at sunset:
Sanaa Savannah Feeding Time by silock99, on Flickr
Sanaa Savannah Too by silock99, on Flickr

Random animals outside the Kidani village rooms:

Kidani Village Crane by silock99, on Flickr
Baby Zebra Kidani Village by silock99, on Flickr

I have some more from inside the lodge if anyone's interested. It's really, really cool. More than cool enough to justify its distance from the parks.

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Yea, its expensive no doubt. Personally, im not sure id want to stay at the Animal Kingdom lodge and a few other ones that are farther out. Ive heard varying opinions on the wait for bus service. Id rather stay at the contemporary or the Polynesian and ride the monorail. But thats just me.

One of the reasons i liked California better was that it wasnt nearly as spread out as Florida. Everything was within walking distance. oh, and the SoCal weather was alot better than Florida in June.

We did California last year and planned on it again this year, but since this is a business/pleasure trip to Orlando, part is covered by the business. We're planning on California again next year because it's so beautiful out there.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by Silock

AKL is so awesome. I especially love Sanaa. Here's some pics of the views at AKL that I took last month.

Sanaa at sunset:
Sanaa Savannah Feeding Time by silock99, on Flickr
Sanaa Savannah Too by silock99, on Flickr

Random animals outside the Kidani village rooms:

Kidani Village Crane by silock99, on Flickr
Baby Zebra Kidani Village by silock99, on Flickr

I have some more from inside the lodge if anyone's interested. It's really, really cool. More than cool enough to justify its distance from the parks.

Great pics man....I'd love to see the inside pics too. Have you ever stayed at one of the Savannah Suites? They are nice!!

Did your kids do the Hidden Mickeys for the pin at the Store there in AKL?