Anonymous wrote:Not the op, but I would appreciate the pp's advice:

Where should a family with four kids stay on property? Kids are: infant, 2.5, 5 and 9. We love the boardwalk inn and I came across a site that listed a club level suite for six, but it doesn't always come up on Disney searches. The new suites at the animation property seem bizarre with tables that become beds (why didn't they just make real suites with multiple double or queen beds?).

Before AofA opened, we reserved two rooms at one of the Allstars or the Pop. With an adjoining door, you get much the same spaced as AOA, but have two bathrooms.

Intercot

All Ears

TouringPlans.com


or buy a book. I found the Undercover Guide to Disney World really useful. Other people really like Passporter.

Try allears.net, or touringplans.com. The latter charges a fee, but gives great advice on what to do based on crowd levels and your group's age range. We've also used an authorized Disney planner for all 3 trips we've taken, 1-888-812-8750, mickeytravels.com, we've worked with elyssa and highly recommend her - to top it off her services are free and she monitors discounts. We got her name off of this listserv a couple of years ago.

Two other sites that are great sources of info and that are more user-friendly than the disboards for a non-Disney fanatic would be easywdw.com and allears.net. The first site has a bit of a snarky attitude (which some find humorous and others don't), but it is filled with great info and also has discussion boards that are more friendly than the disboards. The second site does not have the discussion boards but has great fact sheets, photos, and comprehensive and well organized info about all the hotels, attractions, menus for restaurants, etc.

Thank you! We had many on our to-do list already and are glad to hear we are on right track.

Is this plan workable - 3 must do park activities in the a.m. and 3 in the afternoon/evening. Fill in with random stuff/eating.
It is most likely workable--it's going to depend on how busy it is, and also how early you go to the parks/how late you are willing to stay. The earlier you arrive, the less crowded it will be. By 10 am, that's when it starts getting crowded.

Need recommendations for top 6 activities at each of the parks for 8 and 10 year old kids (one girl/one boy).

Magic Kingdom: Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Tomorrowland Speedway, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion...but Peter Pan and Dumbo will have very long lines as well...

Epcot: Soarin (longest line, you should try to hit this one first or get a fast pass) Test Track, Mission Space, when I was there last week I saw a lot of kids in that age range doing the new Agent P game http://www.disunplugged.com/2012/06/22/agent-p-game-debuts-in-epcot-at-walt-disney-world/, go to Club Cool and let your kids try all the differnt sodas,

Hollywood Studios: Tower of Terror, Rockin RollerCoaster, Star Tours, Toy Story Mania (longest line--you should try and hit this one first or get a fast pass), my kids favorite place to eat in Hollywood Studios is Sci Fi--not for the food, but for the atmosphere.

Animal Kingdom: Kilmanjaro Safari (Longest line--go on this first. Animals are also more active early in the morning, so do this as early as possible) Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Festival of the Lion King, Kali River Rapids (you may get SOAKED on this ride), if your kids have a favorite animal, make sure to see it here...

If we stay at the Swan, can we use another nearby resort pool as well? The ones at the Dolphin, yes. But the pools at the Boardwalk, Yacht Club/Beach Club? No. Stormalong Bay (the pool for Yacht Club/Beach Club has a gate all around and an employee checking room keys to make sure those not staying there don't go in. The last time I was at Boardwalk (back in May) there was no such security...but you're not supposed to...

Is this plan workable - 3 must do park activities in the a.m. and 3 in the afternoon/evening. Fill in with random stuff/eating.
Need recommendations for top 6 activities at each of the parks for 8 and 10 year old kids (one girl/one boy).
If we stay at the Swan, can we use another nearby resort pool as well?

Try to rent one of the resorts that are the Disney villas, they are Disney's version of timeshare. You coudl rent a 2 bedroom with kitchen, laundry, etc and have a ton of space. If you like the Boardwalk area, do the Boardwalk villas, although we stayed at the Animal Kingdom villas safari view and had a 2 bedroom with 3 baths plus a view of the animals. It was so nice and plenty of space.

I agree that disboards is over whelming but the information given is so helpful and well worth it IMHO. You could try mouseowners.com and their boards for info, esp if you do the villas or tourguidemike -- you have to pay but his info is so helpful or at least it used to be. Also, go to the bookstore and buy the Unofficial guide to Disney and look at the other books and get some info.

Anonymous wrote:Not the op, but I would appreciate the pp's advice:

Where should a family with four kids stay on property? Kids are: infant, 2.5, 5 and 9. We love the boardwalk inn and I came across a site that listed a club level suite for six, but it doesn't always come up on Disney searches. The new suites at the animation property seem bizarre with tables that become beds (why didn't they just make real suites with multiple double or queen beds?).

Hi! I'm the PP. I agree, I didn't like the way most of the beds in the new Art of Animation resort require you create the bed out of something else. From what I've heard, it's wonderful, and assembling the beds at night is no problem...but I'm still reluctant to try it.

We are also a family of 6! And the last time we went to Disney as a family, we stayed at the Boardwalk Inn. We stayed in a 2 bedroom suite in the club level--the Master bedroom had a King size bed and a huge bathroom (whirlpool tub, separate shower, etc). The second bedroom had two Queens and "regular" bathroom (with a tub/shower combo, 2 sinks outside the main bathroom, etc.) Then there was a living room area with a small table and chairs set (seats 4) a little kitchenette area (just a micro, sink, mini fridge, some type of pod or Keurig coffee maker, and some counter/drawer space). There was also an additional 1/2 bath there. I'm pretty sure that all the suites like this type face the courtyards/garden--no water views and they start somewhere around $1400/night, more during the busier seasons.
There are two other large suites--Presidential and Vice Presidential (another family member was staying in the VP during our trip, so I got to see that one). The VP one was set up mostly like ours except the living area was much bigger--the dining table was a true dining table that could sit 6 or 8? Also, they both have large balconies that over look the boardwalk/lake. I imagine the Presidential suite is even more grand.

There are also "Deluxe" rooms that sleep 6---more like a standard room with 2 Queen beds plus a sitting area with a pull out sofa. These start at $630/night and I've heard they all have Boardwalk views...


http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/board-walk-inn/rates-rooms/

If you're not getting these in your results when trying to book, I would just call Disney and book over the phone...they may be able to reserve one for you... If your dates can be flexible, you may want to try adjusting your trip in either direction to see if it opens up availability....

I have to go to a meeting right now, but I'll come back and post more later!

Not the op, but I would appreciate the pp's advice:

Where should a family with four kids stay on property? Kids are: infant, 2.5, 5 and 9. We love the boardwalk inn and I came across a site that listed a club level suite for six, but it doesn't always come up on Disney searches. The new suites at the animation property seem bizarre with tables that become beds (why didn't they just make real suites with multiple double or queen beds?).

Are you looking for an actual message board, or just a page of hints/information?

I agree Disboards is overwhelming at first, but it really is an amazing source of info.

A lot of people on those boards know more than the employees at Disney World do! Seriously.

I'm a bit of a Disney nut...I might be able to help you some---at least so you know more specific questions to ask on Disboards, if you like?

When are you going and for how many days?

Who is going (number of people, their ages, if they are
kids, any special needs?)

What else do you know about your trip (do you know where you plan to stay? Do you know if you plan to do just Disney, or do you also want to visit Universal, Sea World, etc?)

I find Disboard overwhelming - rather like WDW itself. Is there any other board that has just basics - best/most popular attractions for certain age groups, fun dining experiences, navigating tips or do I need to put on my Disboard wading boots?