I want to take my daughter to Disneyland but need some advice

[Robert_in_NY]

When I get my insurance money after I am better I want to use most of it to pay off my equipment but I also want to keep enough out to take my daughter to Disneyworld in Flordia. My daughter will be close to 4 years old by the time we go (thinking around April or May). She is in love with all the Disney princess things and I know she will be head over heels to see the castle there as well as all the characters and princesses.

So has anyone on here taken a young child to Disneyworld? If so I would appreciate any tips on things to do, not do and to watch out for. I am hoping my parents will be able to come with us so that we have three sets of eyes to watch over my daughter and so I don't get worn out trying to keep up with her. I am thinking we would drive down but I have no idea how much it will cost to go there for a couple days.

I am trying to look things over on the Disney website but that site is confusing to me. If anyone has any insight on this trip please post it as I want this to be fairly easy and enjoyable and most importantly I want my daughter to be happy. Thanks guys.

 

[AlanB]

You are actually wanting to go to Disney World Robert, slight difference, but just so when you are searching, stuff makes sense, Disneyland is in CA.

That said, there was an excellent thread here on TBN about taking kids to Disney World, that covered many of the options. I cannot remember who started it or what it was titled, but someone here will probably remember and help you find it.

Anyway, it should be a grand time. Something to set your sights on for sure.

It can definetely make some magical memories for the two of you.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Thanks Alan, I changed it to Disneyworld in the post but can't change the title.

They are very confusing trying to remember what is what. The Disney website doesn't help matters any either. I will search this site and try to find the thread your mentioned.

 

[KubotaSteve]

A lady I used to work with took her niece who was around that age to Disney World. She said the little girl had a great time, and said the only down side was that when the little girl got tired she wouldn't take a nap as she was afraid of missing something. She had planned the trip out for sometime in advance and had different things set up like breakfast with some of the characters or something like that. She said that was the key, was taking the time in advance to have the special activities lined up.

 

[LMTC]

Do some searches....I'm pretty sure there was an extensive thread on this a year or more ago. Take pictures....have copies in your suitcase, one always with you. IF you get separated nothing will help as much as having a picture for security people.

 

[Dmace]

2 years ago, we took the whole family to Disney, FL. The kids had a blast, and the parents had there fun at night. One big thing is to look into the Park Hopper Pass, we got these at $200 a pop and could go to any park (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, etc...) for 4 days and no waiting in line. Even though there are a bunch of kids rides, they (ages 2-5) had more fun at Sea World than anywhere.

Just by sitting through a 2 hr presentation about timeshares, I got a 4 family condo for the week for just $600. That was great since there was 4 familes going down all together. I can't remember the name of the place right now. We flew down (Southwest) for about $99 per person round trip and the flight from Manchester, NH to Orlando, FL was just 3.5 hours! Once there, we rented a few Dodge Stratus' from the airport for about $100/wk and we were off. I had the most fun just loading the family in the car and driving around Orlando, seeing Ripley's sinking building, the Harley shop, varius museums, etc... Just bring a GPS or really good map.

We went in October, so the weather was great with no humidty and there wasn't a ton of people there because it was their off-season but it also falls in hurricane season. Our last day there was ruined with some hurricane force winds and flooding and our flight was cancelled until the next day. Luckily the condo owners let us stay another day.

Whatever you do, don't go to Disney Land in California. What a waste of money that was...

 

[terbear1963]

This Thread http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/related-topics/87599-disney-advice-needed.html?highlight=disney+world by EddieWalker regarding Disney World

Hope you and your daughter have a blast. My daughter was 11 when we went 4 years ago so the interests would be a lot different than for a 4yo.

 

[MossRoad]

If the website is confusing, I suggest you check with a local travel agent for a package. They are usually pretty reasonable.

 

[ToadHill]

About 6 years ago we took the 4 kids, husbands or wifes, and the 5 grandkids for 8 days. If you can go from Thanksgiving to Mid December it is the slowest time of year.

The hopper is a great idea, also go to a travel agency and see about renting a home for the time you are their. We got a 6 bedroom place with it's own pool in Kissimee, about a 15 minute drive from DisneyWorld for $1000 for the week, a lot less than a hotel.

If your flying, check out prices and make reservations in advance, we used southwest and tickets were about $110 round trip. If your daughter rides on your lap, no charge for her.

One nice feature for rides is the opportunity to take a ticket for a ride that has a long line and reserve a place on the ride later in the day.

I don't know how long you plan to stay but plan for at least a day in each park.

Some of the resturants in Epcot are wonderful with foods from all over the world, and you can tell how I like to eat.

One thing I really enjoyed was the Canadian exhibit. It was a theater in the round with screens all around you. One of the scenes was taken in the middle of a flock of migrating geese in air, the sensation was like you were flying with them.

Take lots of pictures it's something you will want to sit down with your daughter and talk about for years to come.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I am thinking of being there for 3-4 days at most as if my dad goes he can't leave work for more then a week.

I am planning on driving there as even though I have been in a plane before I just don't feel comfortable flying commercial airlines. We have drove to Flordia before and it wasn't bad as driving the East coast states give you a lot to look at and visit if you are not in a hurry.

All I really care about is that Ava is happy. I don't have a lot of money to spend but Ava is worth it. I am going to talk to a family friend who recently visited and see if they used a travel agent or if they just winged it and see what advice they have.

Thanks also for the link to the other thread.

Also, we will have both our digital cameras (if my dad comes) and plenty of memory chips and my laptop back at the hotel to unload them each night (I have a DVD burner if I start running out of hard drive space).