As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
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PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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I brought this up in another post but it seems to have gotten lost, and I could really use your feedback.
My daughter dances competitively and our Nationals will be Orlando next summer. (Can I get a big WOO HOO?!? ) We've already decided we will stay at WDW and just commute back and forth to the Peabody as necessary.
My Question(s):
** Has anyone ever stayed at WDW when you are there for another reason (like our competition)? How did that work for you? We figure there will be a lot of back and forth. What was the one thing you learned or would do differently? **
Tentatively, we are going to arrive a full day early before the competition starts and stay 3 extra days after it's over. Depending on her schedule (which we won't get until the week before we leave ), we'd like to spend our free time in the park. Thoughts?
You can get much nicer places to stay off site for a lot less money. If you're not taking advantage of the on site perks (EMH, buses, gift delivery) WDW hotels are just not worth the $
I agree. If you aren't going to WDW or using the onsite perks, I'd stay elsewhere.
My niece lived in Orlando for a few years and would drive down to spend a day in the parks with us. As long as she could miss rush hour it was okay -- otherwise she said it was a bear.
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Carolyn
Last edited by Carousel96; 08-17-2010 at 01:18 PM..
We're planning on the 4 full days at the parks. Her schedule could allow, though, a morning here or an afternoon there. We know we could stay cheaper (although not sure the Peabody was much cheaper than than where we would stay at a Value). To us, it's about the atmosphere and being able to take advantage of WDW when we can.
I was just curious about other people's experiences.
We also stay at Disney Value Resorts.....we love them. For the money, we get two rooms, one for the kids and one for us (my husband and I). We stay for a week but only get passes to Disney for say 4 out of the 7 days. We drive down to Florida from Toronto, so we have our car. We like to eat and shop off of Disney property and in past trips we have also visited Sea World and Universal.
In my opinion....just staying at Disney is really limiting. I like to get out and see Orlando and have the flexibility of either staying on property or going to the Outlets and trying different restaurants around Orlando.
And Orlando is very easy to get around, once you get the hang of it. We've been so often its like second nature to us now.
Enjoy Disney but enjoy other parts of Orlando as well. Have fun planning!!!!!
The only time I've stayed there for something else was when I interviewed for a Disney job (which I didn't get). It was weird to be on property and not go to the parks.
I think the only disadvantage is the traffic situation. My favorite Disney trips are the ones where we can stay completely on Disney property...something about having to go offsite - even to go to the store - just sort of loses the magic. Of course we have no luck when getting on I-4 or in the hotel plaza blvd area...always seems to be backed up when we trying to get somewhere.
I was in Orlando for work (a training class I attended) back in March 2008. DH flew down with me and we stayed in the hotel the training was held in for three nights but moved over to Animal Kingdom Lodge the last 4 nights. This was nice because we could stay at a nicer place for less days and really enjoy our time. We did drive over to the parks at night for dinner a few times but we had APs at the time so we didn't pay for parking either.
If you do not have an Annual pass and plan to drive to the parks at night the parking costs could certainly add up. It might be worthwhile to stay on property if you plan to sneak off to the parks every possible moment you can. On the other hand, will your daughter feel like she isn't able to participate in some down time activities with other kids there for the competition if you are not staying at the peabody with the rest of the girls in the competition? The Peabody is gorgeous but definitely high priced so yes you can usually stay onsite cheaper if that is what you decide.
We were in Orlando for Penn State's bowl game over New Year's. We tried to get into the parks on NYE. We got to the parking lot around 10am and the MK was already closed. We were only in Orlando for 2.5 days and 1 day was devoted to the bowl game. We loaded up the car to leave and DS goes "what park are we going to?" It was heartbreaking to tell him we weren't going to a park (he is still complaining that we were in DIsney and did go to a park. We tried to sooth him with a trip to DTD for ice cream for breakfast, what ever he wanted at Goofy's and a trip to WOD for tons of little treats.
I remember one time when i was young my mom went to orlando for a school thru the military. When she was free she went to DTD and got my suvies since i wasn't with her.
If my dad and i had gone with her, we would've gone to parks and met up with her later. Another time when she went to a school over Labor day weekend, My dad said hey lets go to DISNEY for the weekend. I was only 8 yrs old. I went and had the time of my life for the weekend. It went by too fast. We stayed at SHADES OF GREEN.
Thanks everyone! We've already decided we're staying on property. Another family is definitely doing the same and I'm sure there will be many more that jump on board.
We've all decided that we'll stay where we want according to each family's desires and the girls will have plenty of time together at the competition. When feasible we'll be at the parks and the girls will be able to do rides together. We're trying to plan a few character meals or other nice dinners.
We'll dance and support each other and get our Disney fix at the same time!!
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