What to do Besides Disney plus budget About This Page:

[3kidsandagoldenpuppy]

I am going to dw with my 4 kids, ages 6, 4,,4 and 3 months. We are driving and leaving April 1. We will be there through the 10th. We are taking about 4k in cash because I don't use credit cards. I;ve done this every other year. We are staying at the comfort inn lbv. My first question is would it be feasible to take the shuttle bus from the comfort inn to and from the parks each day instead of paying for parking? Never done this before so is it easier? Trying to save the parking $. Secondly, we have 6 days worth of passes, not park hoppers. Figured we'd do magic kingdom maybe twice, epcot 1 day, animal kingdom 1 day and then hollywood studios 1 day. And wing it with the rest. But besides shopping at the outlet malls, what else is there to do? we didn't enjoy universal so won't do that again and sea world is out cuz of the recent whale attack. We also plan 1 day at downtown disney. I know the money is fine. I'm planning about $250 for gas total, plus $125 for hotel stays on the way back and down there. We are having lunch at chef mickeys 1 day but the rest just winging out eating. we eat breakfast and dinner outside the parks, leaving just lunch. How much money do you guys generally spend on souviners? The hotel is costing us $300 or so. Should I bring more then 4K? I figure we won't spend all of it. My problem is I spend a lot on souviniers which I dn't want to do this year. I'm also stresing because I'm waiting for a big check to arrive that will pay for most of our trip, and then the day after we leave I will have more $ available so need to find an atm machine. I get paid the 2nd of the month. Just want everything to be perfect and fall into place. When do you guys pack usually? I havent even started. Getting my car worked on tomorrow to make sure it's good to get down and back lol but I haven't put together our sit n stand stroller or installed the dvd player in the car. Sorry if I'm rambling. Any adivce/help appreciated. Thanks.

[elisa1006]

IMO I would go ahead and get park tickets for each day you'll be there. Upgrading from 6- 9 or 10 isn't much of a difference in price. This will give you the option to go to the parks each day. I do not have any advice as I haven't stayed off site so I haven't used the shuttles. But i hear they are good and take the place of a rental car, but you have come and go at certain times. I say $4000 is more then enough money. You could stay onsite and spend less then that!

[yalibrarian]

Wow! Where to begin? First go to this site: www.orlandoinfo.com/magicard/ where you can download a discount card and get information on other area attractions, places to eat, etc. Then go to your local public library and get the newest guide you can for the Orlando area. There are even guides for what to do outside the theme parks that focus on outdoor activities, cultural events, museums, gator farms, cowboy experiences, etc.

Lots of stuff is free or low-cost. Visit the town of Celebration, where you can explore shops and walk around the lake in the Disney-planned community. Spend a half day at Gatorland for an "Old Florida" type of attraction the predates Walt Disney World by many years. You can visit Tupperware World Headquarters and take a tour (you do own some, don't you? ) Here's some free family activities from the Orlando Info site: Free Smiles Await in Orlando - OrlandoInfo.com

Visiting Downtown Disney requires no parking fee. Eat lunch or dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express or the Earl of Sandwich, then look at all the different shops. Create a custom t-shirt or ear hat that is truly a one-of-a-kind souvenir, get a low-priced grab bag of mystery items, stock up on Disney-themed Mr. Potato Head pieces, make your own treat at Goofy's Candy Co., or buy a special Christmas ornament to remember your trip. Note that you cannot leave your car there and ride the bus to the parks as buses only go to/from resorts.

If you are driving down I-95 into FL, do not miss stopping at the Florida Welcome Center. In addition to a small cup of tasty free OJ, they have booklets and discount coupons for everything you can imagine and more. You'll have many more ideas to choose from than you could possibly do in one trip.

[Pris]

I don't know about the shuttle from the comfort inn but most of the hotel shuttles run on a very limited schedule. With your children and their ages, you will probably want to go back to the hotel for downtime in the afternoons. This would probably be quite difficult with the shuttle. It will cost more, but I would stick with your car and pay the parking. Certainly budget for it. You can always use the shuttle if it turns out to be decent.

[yalibrarian]

I just looked at the ages and number of kids a bit more closely and I must agree with Pris: take your car. The daily parking fee will be worth it when your little ones melt down and there's still four hours until the shuttle returns.

Control souvenir costs by budgeting a certain amount per person and letting the kids choose one special thing (or one special thing per park if you have the budget for it) as their personal souvenir of the trip. It could be a custom ear hat, a chest of pirate treasure, or some Disney Legos to add to their collection at home. Let them know ahead of time (sweetly but firmly) that they should look around before they decide. If they still want that Buzz Lightyear blinking shirt or whatever at the end of the day, if it's in the budget, get it. Keeping your word gives the kids confidence that you will NOT drive away without that Jazmine Princess Barbie or Goofy Sports mug that they have their heart set on if they take their time deciding. World of Disney is a good way to see a lot of stuff in one place that covers the range from $2-3 on up.

Also, lots of stuff is low cost. We buy MM plastic straws at our food court checkout for around 50 cents each as gifts for my son's class. Pick up an inexpensive album before you leave home and have the kids help save clean napkins, park maps, etc. to make a special record of their trip. Make autograph albums out of stiff cards (4x6 from Staples or Wal-Mart) with binder rings in the corners or pick up inexpensive ones at the dollar store. Take a big Sharpie for the characters to autograph with. Or bring plain shirts for each kid with a permanent laundry marker (try to get a fat one) and have the characters sign that. They'll love showing them off to admiring friends at home.

Make full use of the Kidcot stops at Epcot. Pick up a free mask at the first country you stop in at the World Showcase, then have the kids stop at each country to add to their collection of paper souvenirs, complete with CM autographs. And best of all, it's free! Hit Club Cool in Future World before you start that long walk, for some free tastes of sodas from around the world (watch out for the Beverly though!).

At AK, take part in the drumming, singing and animal exploration opportunities--and take pictures (see below). Many sales counters there have Disney wildlife conservation buttons available for $1 donation. My son thinks they are cool souvenirs and I bet your kids would like them too.

Give the six year old a disposable camera and let her/him take pictures of you all at the parks, in your hotel and so forth (don't forget a shot of the Welcome to Florida sign). Even children as young as yours will enjoy writing and drawing about their day on pages for their trip album. You can have your picture taken by a Disney PhotoPass photog with no obligation; just get a PhotoPass card from the first one. They will also take a snap or two with your camera so you too can be in the vacation pictures!

We moms can be the worst when it comes to souvenirs. I want something almost everywhere I go. I find food items from the countries at Epcot often fill the bill. Try tea from China and Japan, or some fun chopsticks. If you collect something--shot glasses, mugs, magnets, ornaments, hair clips--you will find it at various places at WDW. If you like a particular character, plan to look for unusual items or representations of your favorite. My son collects Goofys. He has safari, Mexican, Canadian, and pirate Goofys in addition to Santa Goofy (two kinds) and the regular Goofy in many sizes.

Treat yourself to one special item and you won't feel as though you must by a lot more. Stuff for folks at home doesn't need to be expensive either; pins are wonderful and in infinite variety, mostly under $10. We bring Mickey-shaped pretzels, Disney coffee, and unusual candies from the World Showcase for friends at home. They love eating up the treats -- and they don't have to dust or store them.

Have fun planning your trip!

[Sue M.]

Our first time at WDW we stayed in the Marriott Courtyard on Palm Pkwy, and we shared a shuttle with Comfort Inn on Palm Pkwy. If that is the same one you are staying in, We found the shuttle good in the morning, but you cannot come back to hotel for a break and go back to WDW at night. But if you are leaving for dinner and not planning on returning that night, it's o.k. service. As mentioned leaving times are restrictive (for us). As you do have your car, you could try the shuttle, and if you don't like it, can just use your car.
One day you could drive to Cocoa Beach for the day.
Mostly I find MK 2 days, Epcot 2 days, AK 1 day & DHS 1 day is a good touring plan. Then go revisit the favs.
Have a fun trip.

[mad4mickey]

We've never stayed off property and used the shuttle service (we drive if we stay off property) but I would budget for parking and take your own car. Keep in mind, if you leave and come back, your parking pass is still good for that day.

Not knowing how long the drive will take you, a 6 day pass could be perfect or you may want to look into adding another day or two on. We're leaving 3/19 and coming home on 3/28. We'll arrive in FL on 3/20 and take that day to get ourselves settled in, buy groceries and let the kids work out their *beans* after being stuck in the car for two days. We planned for a 6 day pass, Sunday-Friday. Since we're leaving on Saturday and driving I know we won't want to do the parks that day. If we fly in and out we usually plan our flight so we can enjoy all of our days.

You're actually taking about double what we are. Our hotels down and back are already paid for as well as our tickets. My Mom is driving with us so we're splitting the gas, that does help, but I would say you're more than covered on spending money. We are also doing Chef Mickey's and T-Rex in Downtown Disney. Other than that, we're probably doing mostly counter services for meals, although we'll eat breakfast at our room since we have a full kitchen.

Other than that, just enjoy yourselves!

[TheMadonna3]

Holy crap. That's a lot of cash and with a budget like that I'm sort of surprised you aren't staying on property.

I don't spend more than $100/day on extras and if I even spend that much I must have purchased something significant.

I don't have any advice, partly because I really don't understand what you're asking.

However, the whale attack has nothing to do with the safety of guests at SeaWorld. Dealing with a wild animal always has a risk factor. While I have my opinions about what should be done with the whale, I don't believe you should skip the many other wonderful attractions at SeaWorld because of that tragic accident if you feel your family would enjoy it.

[suzq62982]

I would stay on site at a value. You can go to and from the parks easily. If you purchase items they will send them back to your hotel so you don't have to cart them around all day. You can get a family suite at the Music hotel and have a kitchenette. Parking is free, but I would just use the buses..

You might need a stroller for your 4 year olds. Orlando stroller company is much cheaper then renting them in the parks.

We used to go to "old town" it has some fun shops. You could take a day and go to a beach. I also wouldn't discount Sea World. The Orca is a massive animal that was forced to perform several times a day, it is an animal, even though the trainers are very good, things like this happen unfortunately. I'm not a fan of Universal either.... BUT I really do want to see the Harry Potter area... BAD!!

[JulietsStars]

yalibrarian gave some excellent ideas with the discount coupons. When I lived in Florida, I always stayed off site. There was a hotel walking distance from Downtown Disney (used to have a Griffin as its logo) and the shuttle service was fast and hardly full. Someone else had a good idea about parking at downtown disney and taking shuttles from there - that also is a VERY good idea. I would opt for that one.

If you have time, check out Saint Augustine, FL. You will not be sorry and its totally worth the drive. As the oldest city in the United States, there's TONS of history, walking pirate and ghost tours, the historic fort, tons of wonderful shops... its amazing and perfect for a large family since theres so much to do.

I've never been to Celebration city so I'm going to look that one up later today. Florida is full of hidden gems (hidden mickeys ).