If you aren't planning to have a car, staying on property is worth it if you are going for more than a few days. I have stayed off property with my own car (which is easy because you pay for parking and can factor that into the price.). I have used uber which seems relatively inexpensive in Orlando, but could be a peak times with park opening and close. (I think I paid from $10-25 a ride depending). I would not count on any other hotel having a valuable shuttle.

We really like Coronado Springs and we typically get a multi-room suite. The club floor is nice too, if that's your thing.

The shuttles are great most of the time, though we usually have one notable bus snafu (bus never comes, buses are full, etc.) per trip. We've come to expect it so we're able to laugh at it and not be too frustrated when it happens. All in all better than driving/parking IMO.

Anonymous wrote:Growing up, September and October were always pretty desolate crowds-wise. Not sure if that’s still the case. Weather was perfect.

Nooooo. Cheerleaders.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The extra hours for deluxe guests on M/W are from 9-11 pm, so that’s not worth it for little kids.

8 and 10 year olds can probably hang

My kids are younger than that and can hang. The key is to plan lots of slow activity for the afternoons. That’s your time to take in a meal or see your indoor shows.

Besides that you can't plan to rope drop and be on your way at 630am and then try to wake up and do it again the next day. If you have a late night, better plan on a late start that day, and the next day too. Many people try to cram too much in.

'

The way that one early poster described going to WDW read like an operational plan for a Soviet work camp. I went to WDW six times last year and always take it easy, but I can because I know when and why certain rides and restaurants are relatively clear and open. And none of it involves rope dropping ever.

Most people aren’t going 6 times a year so they want to get the most out of what might be their only trip.

Hate to say it but, staying onsite is the only way to go now. The benefits on Lightning lane multipass and pre booking rides make it crucial. It’s the difference between having fun or not having fun. Don’t believe anyone that says you don’t need multipass. You do.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The extra hours for deluxe guests on M/W are from 9-11 pm, so that’s not worth it for little kids.

8 and 10 year olds can probably hang

My kids are younger than that and can hang. The key is to plan lots of slow activity for the afternoons. That’s your time to take in a meal or see your indoor shows.

Besides that you can't plan to rope drop and be on your way at 630am and then try to wake up and do it again the next day. If you have a late night, better plan on a late start that day, and the next day too. Many people try to cram too much in.

'

The way that one early poster described going to WDW read like an operational plan for a Soviet work camp. I went to WDW six times last year and always take it easy, but I can because I know when and why certain rides and restaurants are relatively clear and open. And none of it involves rope dropping ever.

Care to share more info?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The extra hours for deluxe guests on M/W are from 9-11 pm, so that’s not worth it for little kids.

8 and 10 year olds can probably hang

My kids are younger than that and can hang. The key is to plan lots of slow activity for the afternoons. That’s your time to take in a meal or see your indoor shows.

Besides that you can't plan to rope drop and be on your way at 630am and then try to wake up and do it again the next day. If you have a late night, better plan on a late start that day, and the next day too. Many people try to cram too much in.

'

The way that one early poster described going to WDW read like an operational plan for a Soviet work camp. I went to WDW six times last year and always take it easy, but I can because I know when and why certain rides and restaurants are relatively clear and open. And none of it involves rope dropping ever.

Growing up, September and October were always pretty desolate crowds-wise. Not sure if that’s still the case. Weather was perfect.

The weeks before and after Easter are categorically worse than other times you could go (apart from other busy holiday times like winter break, Thanksgiving and presidents/ski week.)

Spring Break is fine if it’s not your first trip and you know what to expect but I wouldn’t choose it for my kids main childhood trip.

Just got back from a Disney World Spring Break trip and stayed at Pop Century. Same as you, 4 night stay, 3 park days (did not do park hopper as kids are 12 and 9 and one park per day was enough). Staying on site meant that we did not need a rental car. Skyliner was very convenient to access Hollywood Studios and Epcot.

7 days booking advantage for Lightening Lanes was huge. But even with 7 days booking window, our first park day only had afternoon lightening lanes available.

Food will be expensive since you're completely in the Disney ecosphere. But it's manageable. Generally speaking, sit-down meals at the Disney hotels is better and slightly cheaper than food inside the Disney parks. We ate dinner at different resort hotels (using Disney transportation) rather than inside the parks, and it was a nice break from the crowds at the parks.

Spring breaks are different state to state. As long as you are not planning to go when Florida has their spring break, which was stated, it can't be worse than other times.

Disney is just crowded basically all the time. I do not want to go in early summer when it is slammed and hot, or in late summer into fall during peak hurricane season. And coming from the northeast would not want to chance snow impacting air travel in the winter. March or April seems like a better time as it is knowing it is just ALWAYS BUSY.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The extra hours for deluxe guests on M/W are from 9-11 pm, so that’s not worth it for little kids.

8 and 10 year olds can probably hang

My kids are younger than that and can hang. The key is to plan lots of slow activity for the afternoons. That’s your time to take in a meal or see your indoor shows.

Besides that you can't plan to rope drop and be on your way at 630am and then try to wake up and do it again the next day. If you have a late night, better plan on a late start that day, and the next day too. Many people try to cram too much in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The extra hours for deluxe guests on M/W are from 9-11 pm, so that’s not worth it for little kids.

8 and 10 year olds can probably hang

My kids are younger than that and can hang. The key is to plan lots of slow activity for the afternoons. That’s your time to take in a meal or see your indoor shows.

Now that you’ve decided on spring break, keep checking back on prices. The last few years Disney has discounted rooms for the weeks around Easter. You can call and switch hotels or apply new promos if available for your resort after booking.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:More good info, thank you! So it is 30 min extra for on property guests per day and then additional time on Mondays and Wednesdays?

We would go Sunday through Thursday so that would align well (going over spring break next year, not during FL's public school spring break). Thinking three park days and then a down day for pools and rest. It will be just me and the kids so rest will be good for all of us! We do not need a suite so a standard room works well.

Don't go during spring break. Pick a long weekend that is unique to your school district. Like a grading day off or something.

This is the most valuable advice on the thread. Also, the Disney resorts are fine.