[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by The J-Man

I'm not sure they are wacko beliefs, man. Probably more like observations from a local.

I've been to Disney parks a couple of dozen times myself. With two WDW trips in the last two years and can't say I've seen anything that would keep me from bringing my 5 year old granddaughter to any Disney park.

When it comes to pedos and grooming I'm far more concerned about Catholic priests and people like Matt Gaetz than a crossdresser of either sex.

[Gritty]

Originally Posted by infinitekidM2C

That lodge sounds awesome. Yeah the Contemporary used to be cool like 20 years ago but if you want monorail access stay at the Grand Floridian. it's really nice and has some awesome pools.

A bucket list trip for the kids and they enjoyed it, but the overall experience wasn't fantastic in my opinion - That said I'm not a theme park fan for vacations.
We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and had access to the "concierge level" it included food offerings from 7am-10pm with wine and some drinks. The Lodge was a nice space and it never felt too busy. We maximized the food offerings on the concierge level and didn't buy a meal plan, but made reservations for dinners at different restaurants each night.
As some have mentioned the Lodge is further away from the other parks and requires a bus ride to get anywhere...not great (some use Uber). If I had to do it again I would have stayed in Polynesian and more centrally located.

[wtwo3]

So we're going with another family of 4 (so 8 of us total - 4 adults 4 kids) - the 2 bedroom villas are much cheaper... 2 bedroom villa at the animal kingdom lodge kidani village which includes 2 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, living room, full kitchen, and in unit washer/dryer... is coming out to about $6,500/family. This includes the Disney meal plan and theme park tickets for 4 days. Much cheaper than the $9k/family for individual studio rooms.

This sounds like a much better option... with the money saved doing it this way we may even splurge for the VIP tour for one of the days.

[bucketfoot]

The 2 bedroom villas at animal kingdom are a great option. That 3rd bathroom can be a pretty big deal. A lot of people say transportation is worse from there, but it's really not.

I know you got the dining plan, but I would still do a grocery store stop. Having the full kitchen is a huge benefit.

[OtoPA]

Long ago, we offered the kids cash in lieu of a large birthday 'party', but still offered the cake with a friend or two. They always went for the cash. Dropping 10K on a 6yo's BD for 'memories' would be like crazy town in our household. Expectations set, they grew up with Christmas 'nuclear parity'. They could have one present to a dollar limit, or 6 presents to a total dollar equivalency. They did not grow up scarred...

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by OtoPA

Long ago, we offered the kids cash in lieu of a large birthday 'party', but still offered the cake with a friend or two. They always went for the cash. Dropping 10K on a 6yo's BD for 'memories' would be like crazy town in our household. Expectations set, they grew up with Christmas 'nuclear parity'. They could have one present to a dollar limit, or 6 presents to a total dollar equivalency. They did not grow up scarred...

The bday isn't so much the reason for going... it's sort of like, we're going anyway, let's just attach the bday to it in lieu of a bday party (rather than spend money on both a bday party and a Disney trip). Albeit, we moved the trip to early 2024 rather than late 2023 when her bday is.

[OtoPA]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

The bday isn't so much the reason for going... it's sort of like, we're going anyway, let's just attach the bday to it in lieu of a bday party (rather than spend money on both a bday party and a Disney trip). Albeit, we moved the trip to early 2024 rather than late 2023 when her bday is.

I understand your child would likely have a great time. Speaking for myself, as an adult, not my cup of tea. I'm also against the price gouging that Disney is going to do. They might as well tell their kid viewers to go get mommy and daddy's credit card while they sleep. LOL. Overall, Kudo's on you taking one for the team (your family).

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by OtoPA

I'm also against the price gouging that Disney is going to do.

While I do not like the pricing, it is nothing but the perfect example of both capitalism and supply & demand.

The fact that it is not something you are willing to pay for does not make it gouging. They are controlling the fact that there is excess demand by raising prices. When they get a bit too high, they then offer discounts. Basically they are trying to keep the parks from getting way too crowded or not busy enough by adjusting the pricing.

Seems to be exactly how all of the pro-business people think things should operate, except when it's Disney.

[DocL]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

While I do not like the pricing, it is nothing but the perfect example of both capitalism and supply & demand.

The fact that it is not something you are willing to pay for does not make it gouging. They are controlling the fact that there is excess demand by raising prices. When they get a bit too high, they then offer discounts. Basically they are trying to keep the parks from getting way too crowded or not busy enough by adjusting the pricing.

Seems to be exactly how all of the pro-business people think things should operate, except when it's Disney.

Well they now have a Florida resident special for $228 for four days, single park per day. They haven't offered a deal like that in a few years.

But the prices inside the park for beverages and food is ridiculous. When we used to go we brown bagged our food and drinks and saved a ton.

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by DocL

But the prices inside the park for beverages and food is ridiculous. When we used to go we brown bagged our food and drinks and saved a ton.

I will somewhat disagree here. We have found that the food at Disney, while certainly not cheap, is less expense than most other entertainment places. We find things like movie theaters, sports venues, heck even other amusment parks to be higher priced than the Disney parks.

That said, whether at Disneyland or Disney World we've stayed in places with full kitches for probably the last 10 years. In part because as a diabetic heart attack survivor it makes breakfast way easier for me and in part because we will frequently come back to the hotel midday and at a minimum have drinks that we got at the grocery store rather than buying at the park or hotel.

Bottom line to me is that food & drinks are expensive at any entertainment venue and that in my experience Disney is actually on the lower spectrum of expensive.

[DocL]

Originally Posted by bucketfoot

I will somewhat disagree here. We have found that the food at Disney, while certainly not cheap, is less expense than most other entertainment places. We find things like movie theaters, sports venues, heck even other amusment parks to be higher priced than the Disney parks...

Sporting events I agree with you. I haven't been to other parks to compare prices for food, but $5.00 for a bottle of water or soda is a rip off. We always stay off campus resort with a 2br/2ba, full kitchen, washer and dryer, and eat in. I guess you can say I'm frugal when we go to Disney.

[bucketfoot]

Drinks are a ripoff anywhere. So I always bring along my own!

[bucketfoot]

Originally Posted by DocL

I guess you can say I'm frugal when we go to Disney.

We are and aren't

We find areas to save, but then will splurge on dinners at some of the nicer places. Which I will also say, while they are absolutely expensive, they are no worse than a higher end restaurant pretty much anywhere else.

[wtwo3]

Alright guys... we've booked a 2 bedroom villa at the animal kingdom resort - kidani village for early next year. It's on like donkey kong.

[floridaorange]

That will be fun - congrats . The kids will love the animal kingdom experience!

[BMWGUYinCO]

Originally Posted by wtwo3

Alright guys... we've booked a 2 bedroom villa at the animal kingdom resort - kidani village for early next year. It's on like donkey kong.

You and your family will love it. It takes a little work using the Disney app, get lightning lane add-ons, make dining reservations ahead of time, but you won't spend hours in line and will sail through the parks.

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by floridaorange

That will be fun - congrats . The kids will love the animal kingdom experience!

I am going into this with an open mind.... the chaos is just part of it....

[Alfisti]

You watch them say "meh" and you're the only one going "this is fucking awesome".

[wtwo3]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

You watch them say "meh" and you're the only one going "this is fucking awesome".

I'll take "meh" over tantrums and meltdowns... that would be a win in my book.... enough for me to say "this is fucking awesome"

[Alfisti]

Ha!

I picture you sittign there on your 4th adult pop looking out the window at wilderbeast or whatever and saying "screw the kids, i'm living here".

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Ha!

I picture you sittign there on your 4th adult pop looking out the window at wilderbeast or whatever and saying "screw the kids, i'm living here".

But ONLY if I get to be a lion tamer

[floridaorange]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

You watch them say "meh" and you're the only one going "this is fucking awesome".