Disney!!

[mommydama]

Okay, give me everything you've got on Disney World vacations. Links, books, info, advice. I must be well informed or I will go crazy. We are trying to plan a good long trip to Florida when Brad gets back next spring and I want to make sure I do this right. Or at least as right as possible. Regardless, I love research. So throw it at me.

Don't forget to add what we should do and see outside of the Disney "World". We are planning about two weeks for this vacation (though I'm really hoping the biggest part of the second week will be spent at a friends house way down south!), so I want to make sure we don't miss something really good.

Comments

[noetic-toe.livejournal.com]

Definitely check out Mouse Savers for all kinds of helpful, practical info about a Disney trip. We used it to rent a villa at one of the theme resorts and had a wonderful time.

Also, Disney for Dummies is a great resource. Using it, Shell was able to plan our days through the Magic Kingdom, avoiding crowds and making the best use of our time. Good book.

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

Wow thanks for that website!! I was scanning it today and discovered that we can get a 20% discount at the military resort, Shades of Green, because Brad was deployed! It didn't say that on the Shades of Green website! I'm very excited about that one.

[erikaerin.livejournal.com]

We've never done a Disney vacation, but I can tell you that the Canaveral National Seashore (http://www.nps.gov/cana/) is amazing! We went one day and there was hardly anyone there. We loved it so much that we went back for a second day. Beautiful beaches, they're not overrun, it's cheap to get in, there's a fascinating historical shell mound (from the Seminole Indians) and one of the best fish shanties in FL is right before you get to the park.

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

Oh good tip! Thanks. Pretty beaches and nature and history are great stuff!

[moobabe.livejournal.com]

Did you know about Shades of Green, the military/civilian employee hotel? That's where we're planning to stay when we go next September (2009). It's within about a 10-minute walk of the monorail at one of the higher-end hotels.

I'm definitely watching this thread for tips. ;)

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

Yes, that is probably where we will stay as well. I could actually book it this far ahead too! You can't do that with most of the Disney Resort hotels!

[sarakate.livejournal.com]

We've been several times, and my kids ABSOLUTELY LOVED the character meals. They're pricey, of course, but worth it for the experience, in my opinion. In particular, there's a breakfast thing at the dinosaur restaurant in the Animal Kingdom that is a "don't miss" for us. And with your girls, I'd definitely look into the princess meals in Cinderella's Castle in the Magic Kingdom as well.

Those two should be consistently offered, but other offerings have changed from year to year, so I'd look at the Disney websites for what the current character dining options are.

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'd wondered which of those we should look into. Good tip.