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Mother, Son, Giraffe, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Animal Kingdom, Savannah
  • On Oct 6, 2015
    Charnelle from MS Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I am soon to be a first time visitor to Disney World however, I'm not sure of where to stay, which parks to visit, what to expect on my drive there, how much money to have or the best time to visit. I have a family of five; Ages 19, 14, 9. Please Help!

    Charnelle:

    The first thing I like to tell folks to do when planning a Disney vacation is to decide on their dates. "Best" time to visit means different things to different people: best weather, best (low) crowds, best value... The weather in Orlando is much like it is in South Mississippi: hot and humid. However you can still find "shorts" weather in the winter. If you have to work around school, keep in mind that so do many others and that drives up crowds--and the Law of Supply and Demand means the price as well. If you're looking for a time for all three of these "bests", I'd recommend mid-November, early February or late September, typically "Value" season. 

    If you're looking for accommodations for a Family of 5 visit www.disneyworld.com, create an account and then go to PLACES TO STAY to enter your family's ages and approximate dates of when you THINK you might like to go. You'll then get a list of all of the resorts that can accommodate 5. (HINT: Although some will have a "pull-down bunk bed," to allow you to fit in a Standard Room, I don't recommend it for a 9-year-old.) If you're on a budget, I'd look at the family suites at All-Star Music Resort or Art of Animation. If your budget allows, also consider the Contemporary Resort or Beach Club if you are visiting in warmer weather and want a good pool.

    Because it's your first visit, I'd purchase at least a 4-day basic ticket so that you can go to each of the theme parks at least once. Adding this on to your account as well as the dining package will give you an approximate budget from which to work. Your account makes it easy to "play" with the numbers. Even if you decide not to add the dining package and pay out-of-pocket, you'll at least know what to expect financially. Then, you'll only have to budget for souvenirs like Mickey ears. If you have questions about specific resorts or restaurants, feel free to come back and ask!

    Wishing y'all a magical vacation!
    Whitney
thumbnail image for Whitney

Meet the Panelist: Whitney, Mississippi

My family of 6 appreciates Disney's value! Although Ft. Wilderness is our second home, we've enjoyed the resorts for business, reunions and romantic getaways. For me, Disney also means dining: last count, I'd eaten at 55 restaurants around the World! Learn More About Whitney

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