Looking at DW/Orlando area next March?

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Registered: 09-04-2006
Looking at DW/Orlando area next March?
9
Fri, 07-20-2007 - 9:29pm

I have decided that we may try to do Florida/Disney this coming March on my kids spring break. I know they would love it and I hate to wait a whole year to go LOL However I am a big "pre-planner" and have started researching now and I'm a tad confused. We have always gone to the Destin area of Florida (we are from SW Tennessee so it isn't a terrible drive, Orlando will be a bit further but I don't want to fly 6 people, 3 of them kids LOL - my nerves are far from steel!) Anyway, these are the questions I've had surface so far:

1. What is the weather usually like in that area of Florida in late March (we would be going the 21 - 28 I think)?

2. I don't want to stay on site b/c to me and the kids it isn't Florida without the BEACH LOL !! I was looking at the Coco Beach area and then maybe driving over 2 or 3 days to DW...I know that is an hour trip and some people would be horrified but we live in a VERY rural area and it is AT LEAST 45 min for us to go anywhere to shop or out to eat anyway, if we spend the day at DW and leave early/come home late I don't think it'll be a big
thing. But....has anyone been to Coco Beach? Is it nice?

3. Totally don't understand the references to "parks" - we went to DW when I was 8 or 9 but of course I paid no attention to admissions and such (and I'm sure it's all changed anyway LOL) What are the different park areas and is park hopping important? My BIL's GF went w/ her mom, sis and 3 nieces this summer and said they decided against hoppers b/c they were only there for 2 days and didn't think they'd use them enough to justify the added expense. However, I am wondering if it would be good if say the 8 yo got bored and I could leave the two little ones with my parents in one park and take him to another....

4. My kids will be 4, 5 and 8 at the time of the trip. Youngest and oldest are boys, DD is in the middle - what parks do you recommend? How many parks are there?

5. One other question that is "semi" related - at first I had planned to book a 3 bdrm suite at the Nick Hotel. However, I read reviews that scared the living daylights out of me on (I think) about.com and have had second thoughts...they said it was nasty, people were vomiting/pooping in the pool and they'd have to clear it out and shock it, that the rooms were awful/cramped/uncomfortable...at $400 a night I think I'd want more. Plus it isn't near a beach so those things combined lead me to look at condos in the Coco Beach area...Anyone stayed at Nick? My 8 yo has begged for 2 yrs to go but no way am I paying that much for something if it is such a slum!

I'm sure I'll have other questions as I go along but those were the things that came out in my reading over the last few days. I've checked out (and bookmarked) mousesavers and allears - any other sites I should look at?

Leanne

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Registered: 03-21-2007
Fri, 07-20-2007 - 9:51pm

Hi Leanne and welcome,
How many days did you say you want to spend at Disney? There's no way your 8 year old will get bored at any one park...they all have something for everyone for sure.
Now if I were you I'd go to the library and get yourself a guide book, seriously there's a lot to read about "the parks"! LOL
I'll try to help with an introduction: Within Walt DIsney World there are FOUR theme parks: 1 -The Magic Kingdom. This is the one with the castle and the 'lands' that looks like Disneyland in California - many people think of this one when they think 'Disney World'.
2-Epcot (which is ENORMOUS and really two parks in one: The World Showcase is a lagoon surrounded by pavillions representing 11 different countries) and Future World (which has pavillions about technology, space, the ocean, etc). This is probably the most 'educational' of the parks but also tons of fun!
3. The Disney/MGM Studios. Rather than rides has mostly shows, ones for little ones such as Playhouse Disney (if they watch the Disney channel on TV), musicals, stunt shows, 3D muppets, and a'backlot tour' where they show you how they do special effects, etc.
4. The Animal Kingdom. Has trails with real animals, a safari ride and several thrill rides and shows as well.
I think the ages of the kiddos you're bringing is PERFECT for Disney. I'm taking my DS9 for the first time in a couple of weeks! Woohoo! :)

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Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 07-20-2007 - 9:53pm

Hi there. My kids are sort of close in age to yours... when we travel in august they will be 9, 6 and 5. This will be our first trip and we are staying on property. I'll take a stab at a few of your questions.

1. What is the weather usually like in that area of Florida in late March (we would be going the 21 - 28 I think)?

Late March will have temps in high 70s low 80s. Very nice.

2. I don't want to stay on site b/c to me and the kids it isn't Florida without the BEACH LOL !! I was looking at the Coco Beach area and then maybe driving over 2 or 3 days to DW...I know that is an hour trip and some people would be horrified but we live in a VERY rural area and it is AT LEAST 45 min for us to go anywhere to shop or out to eat anyway, if we spend the day at DW and leave early/come home late I don't think it'll be a big
thing. But....has anyone been to Coco Beach? Is it nice?

I dont know anything about Coco Beach so can't help you there. My parents live near Fort Myers on the gulf coast so I spend lots of time there. I understand you wanting to see the beach, but I really don't think it would be the best idea to drive to WDW multiple days from the coast. That is so much extra work after a full and exhausting day. If the beach is important to you, could you do a few days in Orlando, and then a few days at the beach? Doing that drive for a one day visit is one thing, but doing that drive back and forth for three days? No way in my book.

3. Totally don't understand the references to "parks" - we went to DW when I was 8 or 9 but of course I paid no attention to admissions and such (and I'm sure it's all changed anyway LOL) What are the different park areas and is park hopping important? My BIL's GF went w/ her mom, sis and 3 nieces this summer and said they decided against hoppers b/c they were only there for 2 days and didn't think they'd use them enough to justify the added expense. However, I am wondering if it would be good if say the 8 yo got bored and I could leave the two little ones with my parents in one park and take him to another....

There are four parks in WDW - Magic Kindgom (the place with the castle that people call 'disneyworld') - Epcot - Disney MGM Studios - and Animal Kingdom. Check out the WDW site or any of the other sites you already listed for info on each park. We are going with park hopper for the exact reason you stated. I imagine a night or two when my two little ones need to get to bed and my 9yo could keep going with dh or myself. He also is more adventurous when it comes to rides. I can see dh taking him over to MGM for an hour or so to do Rocking Roller Coaster. We're also doing hoppers to keep our schedule flexible if the crowds at a particular park are outrageous. We have the option to go elsewhere.

4. My kids will be 4, 5 and 8 at the time of the trip. Youngest and oldest are boys, DD is in the middle - what parks do you recommend? How many parks are there?

See above on park explanation, but Magic Kingdom is the obvious one. Other than that, you could get kids guide and let the kids look through it and decide which things they will like. My kids are looking forward to many of the kid activities in Epcot, as well as the shows at MGM, and the animals at AK.

5. One other question that is "semi" related - at first I had planned to book a 3 bdrm suite at the Nick Hotel. However, I read reviews that scared the living daylights out of me on (I think) about.com and have had second thoughts...they said it was nasty, people were vomiting/pooping in the pool and they'd have to clear it out and shock it, that the rooms were awful/cramped/uncomfortable...at $400 a night I think I'd want more. Plus it isn't near a beach so those things combined lead me to look at condos in the Coco Beach area...Anyone stayed at Nick? My 8 yo has begged for 2 yrs to go but no way am I paying 1that much for something if it is such a slum!

My kids were dazzled by the commercials for the Nick Hotel too. No way would I pay that money. We are staying at a FamilySuite at All Star Music which sleeps up to six people. Two bathrooms, kitchenette, queen size bedroom and a living room with pullout beds that sleep 4. Again, look at photos on line to get an idea.

I would also order a free vacation planning dvd from disney. We found this very helpful and the kids love to watch it and make plans.

Good luck!
Laura

Laura

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Registered: 09-04-2006
Fri, 07-20-2007 - 11:26pm

First, thanks for the information from both of you. That helps a lot about the parks! I think we will probably go with the park hoppers. It may be a bit more expensive but you are already paying a good chunk for "base" tickets and, like you said, if you got somewhere and it was super crowded or if one of the kids was unimpressed then it would be nice to have the option of going elsewhere. Also, I did decide to break the trip into two "legs" and do Cocoa Beach first and then DW last. That way we won't drive back and forth but will have both locations for fun. And, to me anyway, it seems like 2 vacations - one at the beach and one at DW.

Has anyone stayed at the Caribe Royal Hotel in Orlando? It sounded really nice on mousesavers and it says it is very close to DW. My parents don't want to stay "at" DW (they are dreading that part of the trip - they're as much fun as rocks in a sock *wink* but I can't see me doing ANYTHING w/ 3 kids that small by myself.) But CRH sounded close enough to be "nearly there" and it sounds like it has a lot to offer on it's own. I def want something that has separate bedrooms and a kitchenette.

Are the water parks at DW and hotel pools open that time of year? I don't know whether to plan for the water park option on the tickets or not. And, can it be added when we get there? The kids may not be interested in it at all but if they are and it is open then I want them to be able to go.

Also, how much do those of you who have been before recommend budgeting for things like souvenirs for the kids? This will be a big trip for them and I want them to be able to buy (within reason of course LOL) whatever they'd like to remember it.

Thanks,
Leanne

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Registered: 10-25-2004
Sat, 07-21-2007 - 9:02am

I think you need to take a look at all the different options available for on site stays! Why are your parents "dreading" it so much?

THere are PLENTY of options for under $400 a night (SOme as little as $100!) ALL On site and range from THemes like "MOvies" - where you can see larger than life icons from movies like Toy Story or MIghty Ducks, to more rustic setings like Cabins or New Orleans! YOu can stay at a "Beach at either Carribean Beach or in the Polynesian! There are options for families of 6 in one "room" (Or suite!) or even getting 2 interconnecting rooms! This trip, my family of 5 is staying at Port Orleans Riverside, with a coupon code for just $105 a night.

Since we are staying on property, we will get FREE transfers to and from the airport with them dealing with our checked bags, then we will take advantage of the FREE DIsney transportation.

Park Hopping is ~$40 extra per ticket no matter how long you are staying, and IMHO it is VERY worth it, ESPECIALLY if you are staying on property.

Water Parks and MOre is roughly $60 per person, and it is only a good deal if you plan on visiting at least 2 admissions to the waterparks, or Disney Quest!

I'm all for staying on property. There is much to do and see, and if you do stay on property, you get added benefits of "Extra Magic hours" or even adding the Disney Dining Plan (DDP) that will take care of most of your food!

There are resorts that are very convient to the Magic Kingom (just one of the FOUR Major Parks) and accessible of wither monorail or boat, and ones that are walking distance to Epcot. ALL the resorts have busses to take you just about anywhere (EIther directly, or indirectly, but you can get there all the same!)

I LOVE taking my kids to the EMH park in the morning, having a nice lunch, then coming back to our resort via Air Conditioned bus to swim/ nap/ relax for a few hours, then heading to a different park for Dinner. Depending on how crowded that park is, we can either stay for their night time show, or head to a 3rd park to catch that night time show, or even head over to Ft WIlderness for the free campfire and sing along, and if we have any energy left, catch a movie for FREE while there.

Back to one of your original question. Walt Disney WOrld is 4 "major' parks ( Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, MGM and Animal Kingdom) 2 water parks (BLizzard Beacha nd Typhoon Lagoon) 4 differnt categories of resorts (WIth several option siwthin each category!) 2 mini golf courses, 2 (Or is it more?) Full sized golf courses and DOwn TOwn Disney area which is 3 separate "Areas"!

WDW covers nearly 50 miles in area and offeres something for everyone.

I echo the PP recommentdation to get hte FREE planning DVD and see all that is available.

YS< it can be overhwelming, but ask lots of questions here and on other WDW planning forums, and you can have a very magical vacation to suit your family and your budget!!!

~Elena (HEading back to the world in 25 days!)

~Elena Princess Of Everyday Adventures! event.png
Avatar for shelb31
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Registered: 08-12-2006
Sat, 07-21-2007 - 9:53am

First let me say that I would SERIOUSLY reconsider going that week.

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Registered: 09-04-2006
Sun, 07-22-2007 - 8:04pm

Wow! More great answers! I really appreciate all the information I'm getting - it is making planning so much less overwhelming. So, M'shell, am I understanding that you find it easier to get around by staying offsite? Sorry if I misconstrued that...

The thing w/ my parents is - they aren't really "old" grandparents (59) but they act like they are on their last leg LOL Plus my mother has sort of a "crowd" phobia. So you can imagine her anticipating WDW. It isn't the amount of people that bother her though it's that she has a phobia about being around people she doesn't know so I can't really see ANY time being the "right" time to visit anywhere for her LOL LOL But, yes, seeing the g-kids having a blast does appease them. That and I'll be paying for it all ;) It wouldn't really matter when we went, it'll be 3-4 days at WDW tops. My kids are excited about it but we've done other (somewhat smaller) themeparks and they always poop out and want to leave before we've seen everything anyway. We are going for the *cultural* experience I guess (sightseeing, seeing characters, eating in the theme resteraunts and of course the SHOPS *grin*) more than the rides. Some of them they will really enjoy I'm sure but we aren't really into that kind of entertainment and when given the choice of spending the majority of their time a theme park or at the beach they always pick beach hands down. Being from landlocked TN has something to do w/ that I guess :)

How far in advance do you usually do your ADR's. What are character meals like? I know DD will be in heaven to do one of the princess ones. DS wasn't too excited when we looked at the others though. All I found were Pooh characters and the Mickey Mouse gang for boys. He thinks he's "too old" to be into them (though I know he will overcome some of that once he's there.) I think if I could find one with like Pirates or something he might think that was more cool. Didn't see that though. Thanks for the tip on the MGM park. That did seeem a bit over the younger two's heads. Maybe DS and I can do that one evening by ourselves.

What are extra magic hours? How does staying onsite entitle you to them - I mean do you have a special pass you show or something? Thanks for all the great information, I know our trip will be even better with all the advice I'm getting!

Leanne

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Registered: 03-16-2004
Mon, 07-23-2007 - 12:51pm

1. What is the weather usually like in that area of Florida in late March (we would be going the 21 - 28 I think)?

Here's a link to the average temps you should expect - http://www.magictrips.com/plan/weather.shtml. However, we went to WDW in late March in 2007 and it was already uncomfortably hot and humid . . . and I live in Florida! (Temps during Easter 2007 reached almost 100 F in NE Florida. I can't imagine what it was like in the rest of the state.)

2. I don't want to stay on site b/c to me and the kids it isn't Florida without the BEACH LOL !! I was looking at the Coco Beach area and then maybe driving over 2 or 3 days to DW...I know that is an hour trip and some people would be horrified but we live in a VERY rural area and it is AT LEAST 45 min for us to go anywhere to shop or out to eat anyway, if we spend the day at DW and leave early/come home late I don't think it'll be a big
thing. But....has anyone been to Coco Beach? Is it nice?

You should seriously reconsider that drive. Driving 45 minutes on country roads is not the same as driving 45 minutes in a busy metropolitan area. If you would still like to visit Cocoa Beach, which I enjoy, I really like the Holiday Inn there. It is very family friendly and it's right on the beach. And back to driving . . . If you googled directions from Cocoa Beach to Orlando, you are not really getting a true feel for your daily "commute." WDW is actually located in Lake Buena Vista, FL, NOT in Orlando per se. If you are staying in the southernmost tip of Cocoa Beach, it can take you up to 1.5 hours (or more) of HEAVY driving to get to WDW, especially during Spring Break.

5. One other question that is "semi" related - at first I had planned to book a 3 bdrm suite at the Nick Hotel. However, I read reviews that scared the living daylights out of me on (I think) about.com and have had second thoughts...they said it was nasty, people were vomiting/pooping in the pool and they'd have to clear it out and shock it, that the rooms were awful/cramped/uncomfortable...at $400 a night I think I'd want more. Plus it isn't near a beach so those things combined lead me to look at condos in the Coco Beach area...Anyone stayed at Nick? My 8 yo has begged for 2 yrs to go but no way am I paying that much for something if it is such a slum!

If you want to do Disney and still have money left in the bank, I say you should look at the value resorts. I have stayed off and on-property and the experience of staying on-property is SO much more relaxing that I would not do it any other way.

Ruth in FL


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Registered: 01-07-2005
Mon, 07-23-2007 - 4:51pm
I DON'T HAVE MUCH INFO ABOUT MUCH ELSE, BUT WE DID STAY WITH OUR THEN, 10 AND 7 YO IN 2005 AT THE NICK HOTEL, 2 MONTHS AFTER THE RENO, I BELIEVE. WE STAYED FOR 2 WEEKS AND LOVED IT. WE DID DISNEY SOME DAYS, SHOPPING SOME DAYS AND STAYING AT THE RESORT SOME DAYS, AS THE POOLS AND SLIDES ARE AWESOME. WE HAD A 2 BEDROOM KIDSUITE WITH SPONGEBOB THEME, KIDS LOVED IT. OUR ROOM WAS SEPARATE, AND THE KIDS ALSO SEPARATE ROOM BUT ONLY CURTAINED OFF, WHICH WAS FINE FOR US. THERE WAS ALSO A SMALL SINK AND FRIDGE, WHICH WAS CONVENIENT. I WAS A BETTER DEAL BACK THEN BECAUSE KIDS UNDER 12 USED TO EAT FREE, BUT NOW I BELIEVE IT ONLY UNDER 5, NOT THAT GREAT. MAYBE WE LOVED IT BECAUSE IT WAS NEWLY RENOVATED THEN, BUT WE HAD AGREAT TIME, NO PROBLEMS WITH DIRTY POOLS AT ALL.


 

Avatar for shelb31
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Registered: 08-12-2006
Mon, 07-23-2007 - 11:12pm

I'm not sure that I'd describe it as easier to get around (for our family), but we definitely prefer driving.

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