Planning my trip!

[bbinnsGA]

Ok I plan on going in may (dont know exact dates yet) and for 7 days.

I have a family of 5 (2 adults, 4 year old, 2 year old (will still be 2 at time of trip) and a 3 mths old)

We dont care where we stay. Just found offsite with shuttle for 192/week but if I can find a good deal for on we will consider it.

We arent sure about dining packages would like to hear how others decided, was it worth it....

We would like to do one charecter type thing and possibly princess for a day for my then 5 yr old.

We baby wear and dont/wont have a double stroller. Would you suggest buying one or renting one and if renting where?

So with that all being said what would YOU do.

We got quotes to stay on for 2300

[danceintherain]

Originally Posted by bbinnsGA

Ok I plan on going in may (dont know exact dates yet) and for 7 days.

I have a family of 5 (2 adults, 4 year old, 2 year old (will still be 2 at time of trip) and a 3 mths old)

We dont care where we stay. Just found offsite with shuttle for 192/week but if I can find a good deal for on we will consider it.

We arent sure about dining packages would like to hear how others decided, was it worth it....

We would like to do one charecter type thing and possibly princess for a day for my then 5 yr old.

We baby wear and dont/wont have a double stroller. Would you suggest buying one or renting one and if renting where?

So with that all being said what would YOU do.

We got quotes to stay on for 2300

Double check the shuttle service at the off site place. Many of them only go back and forth a couple times a day, which isn't convenient when you're traveling with young children. If I was going to stay off site, I would plan on renting a car, and budget the applicable parking fees.
You also cannot get the dining plan off site.

If you only plan on one table service meal in the parks, then the dining plan isn't a good choice for you. If you're planning on one table service every day, then it might be. It depends on the exact meals you choose.

With that assortment of children, I would go with the double stroller. I baby wore too, but walking at Disney is hard. The double stroller and a carrier would give you the option of many different combinations. Even the 5 year old will likely get tired occasionally, and it's easier to just load all the kids up and get moving. If the two older want to walk, you can leave the stroller in stroller parking or use it to carry any bags.

I LOVE staying on property, so that will be my choice for the foreseeable future. I love not having to drive, and being so close. I love the Disneyness of the onsite resorts.

[bbinnsGA]

we will be driving our own car so we dont need a rental (live RIGHT on the FL line)

how much is parking a day and is it good all day (i havent been there in 3 years)

We wont be doing 2 table meals getting my guys to sit still that long twice a day

We are thinking of staying on for a night or two and off for the other nights.

[Marionnette]

Originally Posted by bbinnsGA

Ok I plan on going in may (dont know exact dates yet) and for 7 days.

I have a family of 5 (2 adults, 4 year old, 2 year old (will still be 2 at time of trip) and a 3 mths old)

We dont care where we stay. Just found offsite with shuttle for 192/week but if I can find a good deal for on we will consider it.

We arent sure about dining packages would like to hear how others decided, was it worth it....

We would like to do one charecter type thing and possibly princess for a day for my then 5 yr old.

You cannot get a dining plan if you are staying offsite. If you want to stay onsite, the cheapest resort for your family would be a value resort room at one of the AllStar resorts or at Pop Century.

If you decide to stay onsite and get one of the dining plans, you would not have to pay for the 2yo or the baby. The 4yo would qualify as a "child" under the plan and then, of course, you have 2 adults. My own opinion is that the dining plans are not a great value and there are less expensive ways to eat at Disney.

We baby wear and dont/wont have a double stroller. Would you suggest buying one or renting one and if renting where?

So with that all being said what would YOU do.

We got quotes to stay on for 2300

I would rent a double stroller from one of the local places like Kingdom strollers. Not only are they less expensive than renting from Disney, but you would also have the added advantage of not having to turn it in when you exit the park. You will have it at your resort as well.

Originally Posted by bbinnsGA

we will be driving our own car so we dont need a rental (live RIGHT on the FL line)

how much is parking a day and is it good all day (i havent been there in 3 years)

We wont be doing 2 table meals getting my guys to sit still that long twice a day

We are thinking of staying on for a night or two and off for the other nights.

Parking for offsite guests is $14/day. Onsite guests park for free.

IMO, split stays for anything under 7 nights are more trouble than they are worth. You end up wasting a day of your vacation when you have to pack everything up, check out and then relocate and check in again. And with a family the size of yours, I wouldn't even attempt it. During the time between check out and check in, you have no home base to relax in. Most resorts have check-in times of 3:00-4:00 PM. That would leave you without a place for the little ones to nap that day. And that could lead to a pretty miserable day for everyone.

[bbinnsGA]

Mine actually nap on me in their carriers more thne in a bed but i definatly see what you are saying.

My husband wants to rent points off a DVC memeber and stay at AKV/AKL.

We dont see the dining plan being worth it for us either with grills at the hotel and a fridge.

I think we have decided to buy 2 Combi umbrella strollers since they are easy to fold and lightweight. We will most likely use them at other points and rental for a double at $75 a night no THANKS.