WDW with 4 kids ages 2mo-9yrs is definitely harder than with a 5yo and 13 month old (our last trip). But it is doable .
RESORTS: Shades of Green is a nice hotel. The rooms are big enough (but we are about to outgrow them). However, there is no Disney magic there. Guest Services was so-so. To check on dinner PS, they have to call the WDW-DINE number... only reason to use them is to save the .50 charge on your room phone. I much prefer using the Guest Services desk at the Disney Resorts and tried to do that whenever I remembered (we were checking on earlier Chef Mickey's seatings and Crystal Palace seatings).
We want to return next fall for Joel's birthday and are going to check Passholder rates for the Poly and GF and for WL. We are also going to check into DVC, since we are such a large family and we like to go every year or 2.
RENTAL CARS: If we fly again, we won't rent a car. The minivan didn't have 2nd row buckets which is essential to make it easier to get in and out, especially if you have to install a second row carseat. It was also difficult to fit all our luggage into the van, as it wasn't an extended wheelbase version.
MEALS: We will do less buffets next time; mostly do a few character breakfasts and then do "real" food for dinner, with mostly snacks or counter service for lunch.
PARKS: We definitely found that avoiding a park on its Early Entry day was the way to go. MK was much easier to enjoy and do things in when it was an off day. That seemed to hold true for the other parks too. We didn't get enough time in Epcot this trip, so we will make sure to get some time in there on the next.
FAVORITES:
Rides/Attractions: Things we will be sure to repeat on the next visit: RnRC, ToT, Buzz Lightyear, Winnie the Pooh, Great Movie Ride, Doug Live, Star Tours, most of the Fantasyland rides.
Meals: Breakfast at 1900 Park Fair, Artist's Point, Cape May, Hollywood and Vine and Chef Mickey's
Dinner at Le Cellier
It was hard for me to keep our trip journal updated on the trip. My hands were always full of baby! Hopefully that will change with the next trip. Maybe the next reports will be better.
Karen
1988: offsite
1994: CBR
1997: Poly
2000: SOG
RESORTS: Shades of Green is a nice hotel. The rooms are big enough (but we are about to outgrow them). However, there is no Disney magic there. Guest Services was so-so. To check on dinner PS, they have to call the WDW-DINE number... only reason to use them is to save the .50 charge on your room phone. I much prefer using the Guest Services desk at the Disney Resorts and tried to do that whenever I remembered (we were checking on earlier Chef Mickey's seatings and Crystal Palace seatings).
We want to return next fall for Joel's birthday and are going to check Passholder rates for the Poly and GF and for WL. We are also going to check into DVC, since we are such a large family and we like to go every year or 2.
RENTAL CARS: If we fly again, we won't rent a car. The minivan didn't have 2nd row buckets which is essential to make it easier to get in and out, especially if you have to install a second row carseat. It was also difficult to fit all our luggage into the van, as it wasn't an extended wheelbase version.
MEALS: We will do less buffets next time; mostly do a few character breakfasts and then do "real" food for dinner, with mostly snacks or counter service for lunch.
PARKS: We definitely found that avoiding a park on its Early Entry day was the way to go. MK was much easier to enjoy and do things in when it was an off day. That seemed to hold true for the other parks too. We didn't get enough time in Epcot this trip, so we will make sure to get some time in there on the next.
FAVORITES:
Rides/Attractions: Things we will be sure to repeat on the next visit: RnRC, ToT, Buzz Lightyear, Winnie the Pooh, Great Movie Ride, Doug Live, Star Tours, most of the Fantasyland rides.
Meals: Breakfast at 1900 Park Fair, Artist's Point, Cape May, Hollywood and Vine and Chef Mickey's
Dinner at Le Cellier
It was hard for me to keep our trip journal updated on the trip. My hands were always full of baby! Hopefully that will change with the next trip. Maybe the next reports will be better.
Karen
1988: offsite
1994: CBR
1997: Poly
2000: SOG
