I totally agree with renting the stroller. They are super sturdy and worth the cost. My dd's are 8 and 3 and in two weeks we'll be going for the 4th time in a row. But we save money by going to only one or two parks per year. I like Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Animal Kingdom for my kids at this age. Also Sea World is Great. Definitely call ahead (like right now) for the character dining, I called in January and I couldn't get the Cinderella Breakfast so we're going to Epcot and doing the Princess Storybook lunch it's great we went to it last year and it's not horribly expensive about $70 with everything for a family of four and really fun for the girls (last year it was our older dd's birthday present we liked it so much we're doing the same this year - her birthday was last week).

I think kids get overwhelmed with too many parks and the crowds can be killer around Spring Break which is when we have gone. That and saving money is why we have never gone to all the parks in one trip. We haven't gone to any of the Universal Parks or to Disney MGM or the Disney water parks just because I think they might be more appealing to older kids. Both my dd's are VERY girly so we go where they can see the Princesses.

As for saving money on food, We're staying at a Homewood Suites, which we loved last year, It's very affordable and has great reviews on tripadvisor.com, (which I totally reccomend for reviews of hotels). The rooms have a kitchenette (fridge, sink, micro, toaster, 2 burner stove), living room area and seperate bedroom and bathroom, they are clean and include breakfast buffet everyday and Mon-Thu a dinner like thing with beer and wine too. So we save on food by eating there. I also go to the grocery store (Super Target is great) for sandwich stuff and snacks. If you have a kitchen in the condo you could do this especially for breakfast which is really expensive everyday.

Also try to take as much as you can from home. We're driving so we bring a cooler and water bottles (bought on sale). The prices in Orlando are really high for everything, so bring tylenol or motrin and a first aid kit from home so you don't have to worry about paying a premium on those things.

Sorry if this is so long but I'm trying to think of anything else. PM me if you have any more ?? cuz I'm sure I'll be able to help at least a little.

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Monstein, We did pass on the waterparks. I figure they are still at the age where they will be satisfied with the hotel pool that from what I can tell looks pretty good.

We are leaving later this month. I got a deal at Pop Century hotel that included dining. My kids are 4, 1 1/2 and 5 months. Wish me luck. But I just booked everything this month and I was still able to get into 4 character meals. Since we bought the dining plan it pays for the character meals.

We are taking our own double stroller and I have a wrap to carry the baby when the other two need a ride. Paying for the stroller seemed expensive to me. There was a deal to rent one over multilpe days but it only saved like two dollars a day, and they are only inside the parks, I wanted one at the hotel and to and from the park also.

We are flying into the Orlando/Sanford airport since it was cheaper and a friend told us it is easier because even with the drive since the airport is not as busy. I belive they might have a shuttle also, but Disney does not pick up there.

We also did not get waterpark tickets since the hotel has 3 pools. We did not buy hoppers since the kids are little and I just looked at the Disney website and picked which days one would open early and decided to go that day.

Disney.com also has an option to plan your iterniery and if you can order free personalized maps with where you want to go.

Hope this helps.

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Mom to the 3A's
Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday and all is well.

No, wagons are not allowed in the park.

Hawkshoe, Thanks

I spent a an excessive amount of time on the Disney Board today! Mostly researched the Magic Kingdom. Found out what attractions you can use Fastpasses for and to somewhat prioritize what we want to see. YIKES we want to see almost all of it.lol I also printed out parade and fireworks time for the parks!

I had to add another awesome website to check out:

www.allears.net

It's got great tips and information about all the parks (including some info on the Universal parks) and resorts.

Hope this helps - I love it! We've been to Disney World 4 times (one was for a Disney Wedding I was in) since October. I grew up in So. Florida, so I've been to Disney more times than I can even count since I was a kid.

Have fun!

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The best things in life aren't things. - Ann Landers

Is it in writing?? would you be willing to share it with us?? LOL

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Tammy!!

If you just go to Disneyworld.com you'll be able to find all the parks info - hours, fireworks times and all that. Epcot and Magic Kingdom have really nice fireworks shows. At Epcot you get a good view by France or England. We've seen it two times already and will be going there this year. Animal Kingdom closes early (no fireworks) but they have awesome shows and the Safari is really fun I got great pictures just a couple feet away from the Giraffes, It's a Jeep type of vehicle and they drive you through the animal habitat and there are no fences it's cool.

Epcot is nice and calm for the Most Part.

Magic Kingdom is the wildest place and so far the Busiest I've seen.

For those of you who have girls, I just found this thing today - At the World of Disney store at Downtown Disney (no admission fee and free parking - btw) they have something called the Bibbiddi Bobbiddi Boutique. Prices start at $35 for girl ages 3 and up and they'll do a hairstyle, makeup, nails ($10 extra for nails) and starting at $175 they do all that plus they get a complete costume of their choice with accessories and 2 pictures. I would love to do that but it'll blow our budget so we might do the hairstyle and makeup as long as we go in the morning If not it defeats the purpose.

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Thanks for that info I was going to post asking opinions about the Animal park!