Orlando Florida/Disneyworld (Part 2) *CLOSED*

fizzyhelen

dinglebert wrote: »

Are you able to park at Downtown Disney and then get a shuttle to the parks? I came across an auction on ebay for info on how to get free parking at Disney World. While its only 99p for the auction I dislike paying for info which I'm sure is freely available on the web. A search came up with parking at Downtown Disney as its free. However I can't confirm this info. If true it will quite a bit in April.

You could park at DTD, then catch the Lynx bus no 50 to the Ticket and Transportation Centre ($2 for adults) then get the monorail or free Disney buses to the parks.

MollyJoe

Hi,

I am hoping someone could help me.
I was hoping to take my son to disney but i am slightly concerned as to what he will be able to ride / take part in.

He is 4 years old this month and 42 inches high.

I wanted to take him while he still believes in "magic".

My DH and I are differing on everything it would seem, main points being
a) is he too young
b) should we go to a value resort or moderate - i say moderate as we do not want to go into the parks everryday, may be a day at the pool,
c) a direct 9 1/2 hour flight or indirect changing planes?

any opinions gladly received.

jeanniebeanie_2

Hi,
Just my opinion, but for a childs first Disney Florida holiday to have the real WOW factor, I think it would be better if they were older. Loads of families do have a great time with a four year old, but we first took our kids when they were 8, 9 and 11 and it was just perfect. All of them had the most amazing time- old enough to experience all the more thrilling rides and enjoy the shows, yet even the eldest (boy) readily joined in with the character thing and the 'magic'- we all did!

As for resort I would definitely go moderate if your budget allows, only because they are themed in a more adult way in terms of relaxation after a hectic day at the parks.

Flight- wise we never do indirect- although it is invariably cheaper. Some people enjoy the break, but my family never want to get back on the plane and the second leg seems to go on for an eternity!

As I said, just my opinion!

aldo560

JustWonderful wrote: »

If you are staying on International Drive, and are only going to the Universal Parks, then the i-Ride is fantastic IMO.

When i went in August, i stayed in a cheap hotel (Wynfield Inn) which was great for my budget (i was travelling thru America). But it was just slightly off I-Drive, basically it was opposite SeaWorld.

There was an I-Ride stop right outside the hotel, so you bought a ticket in the hotel lobby and then could travel as much as you wanted for the week. You can buy daily tickets, 3 days ticket or a weeks ticket if i remember correctly.

It is well worth it, and so MUCH cheaper than taxis for a week, there are obvious downsides- they are not quite as frequent as i would like- having said that we never waited more than 10,15 minutes for one and it does get crowded, so adults may have to stand, people usually stood up for the children.

Equally make sure you study the I-Ride map, as until our last day i didnt realise you could get up to Universal Studios (you have to use the Green Line) and the walk is quite long!

HTH

good post justwonderful:T


i ride website https://www.iridetrolley.com

jackieblack

jeanniebeanie wrote: »

Hi,
Just my opinion, but for a childs first Disney Florida holiday to have the real WOW factor, I think it would be better if they were older. Loads of families do have a great time with a four year old, but we first took our kids when they were 8, 9 and 11 and it was just perfect. All of them had the most amazing time- old enough to experience all the more thrilling rides and enjoy the shows, yet even the eldest (boy) readily joined in with the character thing and the 'magic'- we all did!

As for resort I would definitely go moderate if your budget allows, only because they are themed in a more adult way in terms of relaxation after a hectic day at the parks.

Flight- wise we never do indirect- although it is invariably cheaper. Some people enjoy the break, but my family never want to get back on the plane and the second leg seems to go on for an eternity!

As I said, just my opinion!

Completely agree.

If you go now then your 4 year old will have a great time, but probably won't remember much of it in a few years time, which may be fine if you plan to go back again but if this is a 'once only' trip, I'd wait. Also days can be long and tiring, in a few years he will be able to handle the long days better.

Direct flight, every time.

2boysmum

MollyJoe wrote: »

Hi,

I am hoping someone could help me.
I was hoping to take my son to disney but i am slightly concerned as to what he will be able to ride / take part in.

He is 4 years old this month and 42 inches high.

I wanted to take him while he still believes in "magic".

My DH and I are differing on everything it would seem, main points being
a) is he too young
b) should we go to a value resort or moderate - i say moderate as we do not want to go into the parks everryday, may be a day at the pool,
c) a direct 9 1/2 hour flight or indirect changing planes?

any opinions gladly received.

I don't think 4 is too young, our youngest has been going to Florida since he was 18 months old. We didn't go last year but he still remembers certain parts of the year before, he talks about when he was on the Buzz Lightyear ride and tells people all about Shamu! Just go at his pace, if he is tired then go back to your hotel for a nap, maybe consider hiring one of the strollers from the parks.
Can't comment on the Disney hotels as we always stay offsite.
I would also go for a direct flight as you want to get there as soon as possible with the little one, we went indirect once, via Iceland, and we were travelling for 15 hours, far too long with a little one.
Our 12 year old has said that after this year he doesn't want to go back, so they don't believe in the magic forever!!

lrr_2

my daughter was 5 when we first went and to see her face the first time we went through the disney gates - i would have paid all the money i had in the world for that moment! one of the best if not THE BEST memories i have!

aitch-aitch

MollyJoe wrote: »

Hi,

I am hoping someone could help me.
I was hoping to take my son to disney but i am slightly concerned as to what he will be able to ride / take part in.

He is 4 years old this month and 42 inches high.

I wanted to take him while he still believes in "magic".

My DH and I are differing on everything it would seem, main points being
a) is he too young
b) should we go to a value resort or moderate - i say moderate as we do not want to go into the parks everryday, may be a day at the pool,
c) a direct 9 1/2 hour flight or indirect changing planes?

any opinions gladly received.

We took our children when they were 4 and 2.5 and they had a fantastic time. We spent all the time in Disney rather than going to any of the other parks.

We are going back this year - they are now 12 and 10 and have a 6 year old brother. We wanted to take him whilst it was still magical for him.

IMO 4 years is a really good age to take them.

Also I too would not go indirect with children. The flight is long enough as it is without messing about changing planes / waiting in another airport.

Personally I would always stay in a villa with its on pool rather than hotel but as you only have 1 child they may prefer the company which a hotel pool gives them.

aitch-aitch

Also meant to say that our 2.5year old still talks about it now and he's 10. The look on his face when he say Mickey in the night parade - words can not describe!!

clare1076

Hi were going in June with our 4 year old son and 2 year old daughter it will be our first time at disney world, orlando and reece is really excited and paige keeps asking when are we going to worida (florida). I think this will be a great age to take them. We have been to disneyland paris twice, the lastest time being last year when reece was 3 and he often still talks about what he did and what he'd seen. So i would really say your best to judge whether you think he'll enjoy it all, and if he's anything like my 4 year old reece he's like an elephant and never forgets a thing i'm sure you'll be ok.

I would also go direct flight with a little one cos i'm starting to think of things to pack for on the plane cos 9 hours on a plane with a 4yo and 2yo is going to be fun, not!, lol.