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Okay - since the day I got two pink lines on my pregnancy test I have dreamed of the perfect week long Disney vacation with my children at Disney World in Florida. I have two daughters that are 3 and almost 6. I think I am ready, or at least I can't wait any longer. I, however, am a Disney virgin. I need some super fantastic advice on how to go about this from anyone who knows the Disney deal. When should I book? Where do I get the deals? What would be the best things to do with a 3 and 6 year old? Places to stay - just anything anyone can offer to get us there for under 5.3 million dollars! Thanks a bunch !!!

We always stay at the Fort Wilderness Campground, which is on Disney property (but less expensive than Disney's other resorts), and it's just fantastic.
You get all of Disney's transportation - so you can ditch your car the whole time you're there - and there are a couple of great restaurants and some great kids' activities (hayrides, nightly campfire gatherings & outdoor movies) right there at the camp ground.
We just got back from a week at Disney (I just posted some pictures!) with our toddler, and it was amazing.
Of course, you know about all of the great Big Kid rides at the park, but they also have a place called Mickey's Toon Town Fair, and it's got a little roller coaster (called Mickey's Barn Stormer, or something like that) that's just perfect for preschoolers (mine rode it, like, ten times!).
My only advice is to go in December (between Thanksgiving and the week before Christmas), because it's cooler and less crowded (and they have beautiful Christmas decorations and some great holiday parades); book everything (including at least one character breakfast and - if you stay at the campground - a golf cart) as far in advance as you possibly can (we booked our stuff more than a year in advance) and take everything very slow, especially if you have a toddler (we spent only about three to four hours a day at the parks, then spent the rest of the time relaxing at the cabin - but my sister and her family went, too, and she has two older boys who were able to spend much longer periods in the parks, so I guess you just gotta plan according to your kids' personalities ...).

I almost forgot about food!
Everything at Disney is expensive, but you can make your own meals if you have a cabin or something like it.
They also have a meal plan that sounds like a pretty good deal, too - I wish we'd looked into that (because it includes really expensive places like Victoria & Alberts as well as more 'moderately priced' places - which, as far as Disney is concerned, can cost close to $100 for a family of four! - and fast food).
And I think your older daughter can enjoy almost everything there (my six-year-old nephew did), including really fast & scary thrill rides like the Rockin' Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror(MGM) and Space and Splash Mountains. But I'd stick with slower stuff for a toddler - mine loved Dumbo, Aladdin's Carpet ride, the rockets in Tomorrowland and the sight-seeing train, but he thought Peter Pan's Flight and It's a Small World were scary (!!!), so we didn't even try to take him on Pirates of the Caribbean or the Haunted Mansion (but we were lucky, because my parents went with us, so we had built in babysitters & were able to ride all that stuff after he went to bed...).
I hope you decide to go!!

I haven't been in 8 years, but am planning a trip with my Dad and Stepmom, and 1 year old son in April. I know my stepmother is a veteran Disney-goer, and she books her room at least 9 months in advance. She is very particular and has to stay on property, so I don't think she cares about getting a great deal (as long as it's not too expensive LOL!). I could use any helpful advice as well on what to do with a 16 month old at Disney? I think no matter what happens, it will be a memorable trip. LOL!

April-mommy to Ronald-1 year old on Wednesday! Yah!

Several years ago we took the perfect Disney vacation. We went the week after Easter. As it turned out, the parks were relatively EMPTY. We asked one of the bus drivers why the park was so empty. He said it was like that for a week or two after Easter but before the schools started their band spring trips.

I cannot tell you how easy we had it. The ONLY line we stood in was to get our picture made with Mickey (about 20-30 minutes). Otherwise, it was walk up and sit down. We rode all the big-name rides over and over.

My children were first in line at the Magic Kingdom one morning and got to open the park and got to ride in the disney fire truck to our first destination.

We were first in line at Typhoon Lagoon another day and my daughter answered a trivia question and got us in 10 minutes early to have the dressing rooms all to ourselves... and a private, roped-off table. She was the Big Kahuna for the day.

It was wonderful. I don't know if you can call to find out exactly when this lull is expected this year. If you can, it would be worth the time involved in investigating.

We happened upon it by chance. I hope to be able to do it again one day!!!

Good Luck!!

See, I heard that Ft. Wilderness was the way to go for an all inclusive package right on the grounds. I do have access to an RV - so that may be the way to go. I am thanking for all the advice so far - I know this is a subject that you either know all about or are clueless!

Thanks - anymore tips out there?

I totally recommend Fort Wilderness! It is the best campground I've ever been in, and a great destination all by itself.
And if you have any specific questions, please ask! I will probably have an answer (I've been about ten times!) and if I don't, someone in my family will.

Another great place to stay is The Grand Floridian, However it is pricey. It is centrally located to Magic Kingdom and Epcot by monorail.
Do the meal plan, schedule character meals. It kept my 5 year old and 2 year old very occupied during meals. Book early, we went through a travel agent.
We went over Thanksgiving, first time for us with children. With a little planning on our part it was wonderful. Buy a Disney with kids planning book, I recommend Fodor's Walt Disney World with Kids. Take or rent a double stroller, it's a must. If you take one make sure it is lightweight and easy to fold up.
Also, using Disney World's website to plan was a big help.

Also, with 2 girls you have to do the meal with the princesses. In order to book a meal at the castle with Cinderella you have to do so far in advance. What we did was book the princess meal at Norway (Epcot)Akershus is the name of the restaurant. The food isn't great but you get to see Jasmine, Cinderella, Mulan, Belle, And Aurora. At the castle I think it is just Cinderella. You can also get your girls little makeovers at Bippity-Boppity Boutique. We didn't but we saw so many little girls with sparkly makeup, nails, and hair pieces. Cute but expensive.
Make sure you take their princess dress-up dresses for the princess meal.
Also take a backpack with lots of snacks and mini bottled water. Everything is EXPENSIVE at Disney.

I have never been to Disney but saw this article today and thought it might be useful.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/TRAVEL/traveltips/01/07/disney.101/index.html

Here's another helpful article:
http://travelwithkids.about.com/cs/disneyworld/a/wdwtoptips.htm

We stayed on the property and took a friend's advice, also mentioned at this link, to take a rest break in the afternoon. That worked well because we missed the heat of the day and the lines were shorter in the evening.

Did you guys know that Disney has created a moms panel? It's at www.disneyworldmoms.com. By being on it, you get a free trip for 4. How do I get on this thing?

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20080203/NEWS/802030307/1005/SPORTS0106

Well I know some of you have had trips to Disney recently and wondered whether there was anything new or anything I should definitly do? I am getting to take my 3 1/2 year old niece too (Yipee!), and I am sooooo excited to see her reactions to everything. I need some advice on what to do besides the character dining (which we are already doing), and the boutique (I think she is a little young to appreciate spending that much money). I would like to know what I can't miss doing and what I should avoid doing?

BTW, I found that mom's panel, and they are great. You can search all of the questions, and they have already answered every question I had except the one I have posed to you all. Thanks a million for any advice!

I am going to Disney in December! Jack will be 2. So I'm also looking for can't miss things to do. Someone said there's a whole new area they built for the little little kids. I think it's at Universal?
We are going with my brother and his kids who will be 6 and almost 4.

When are you going?

April 5-12th. So I need any advice you guys have quickly. I am sooo excited. I feel like a little kid on Christmas Eve.