Disneyworld with children 21 and 24....
Oct 24th, 2006, 01:45 PM
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Disneyworld with children 21 and 24....
Well, color me surprised....
we asked our two children where they would like to go for a mini, say 4/5 day vacation in January - our son (21) is returning from 6 months college abroad studies and has 3 weeks before returning to school - our daughter (24) lives and works in NYC....
we wanted to go somewhere as a family before he went back to college to have some fun together and they picked Disneyworld !
We have always traveled a great deal together as a family, but have not been to Disney since they were probably around 12/14 - they'd been about 4 or 5 times between the ages of 5 and 14 b/c my mom used to winter not far from there.
At those times, we stayed in the Contemporary, the Polynesian, the Grand Floridian, and once in some All Sports something or other
I am thinking at 21 and 24 perhaps there is somewhere else we should stay?
My daughter says she loved the Grand Floridian best.
They want to be able to go to Pleasure Island at night for comedy clubs, dancing, etc now that "they can" and re visit Epcot/Disney/Universal....
Any suggestions? While we all love small children, is there a resort that would lean to having more older children or be better located for us and for them to have transport to and from Pleasure Island at night?
When they were younger we liked being in a hotel on the monorail in case one or the other needed a nap or break (or nana did, who usually went with us !) - but that is likely not as important now, at their age they can certainly do water taxis, buses, etc on their own.
Someone recommended the Swan or Dolphin as options -
or does anyone have opinions on a 'villa' or condo type option that would give us 2 bedrooms and that way a living room for the one/s who might want to stay awake watching tv, etc? We could do breakfast in if we wanted, b/c at this age "breakfast with the characters' wouldn't be on the schedule
Also, I've heard about the Safari type lodging where animals roam free - any thoughts on this or any other options mentioned?
Any of your ideas would be appreciated !
we asked our two children where they would like to go for a mini, say 4/5 day vacation in January - our son (21) is returning from 6 months college abroad studies and has 3 weeks before returning to school - our daughter (24) lives and works in NYC....
we wanted to go somewhere as a family before he went back to college to have some fun together and they picked Disneyworld !
We have always traveled a great deal together as a family, but have not been to Disney since they were probably around 12/14 - they'd been about 4 or 5 times between the ages of 5 and 14 b/c my mom used to winter not far from there.
At those times, we stayed in the Contemporary, the Polynesian, the Grand Floridian, and once in some All Sports something or other
I am thinking at 21 and 24 perhaps there is somewhere else we should stay?
My daughter says she loved the Grand Floridian best.
They want to be able to go to Pleasure Island at night for comedy clubs, dancing, etc now that "they can" and re visit Epcot/Disney/Universal....
Any suggestions? While we all love small children, is there a resort that would lean to having more older children or be better located for us and for them to have transport to and from Pleasure Island at night?
When they were younger we liked being in a hotel on the monorail in case one or the other needed a nap or break (or nana did, who usually went with us !) - but that is likely not as important now, at their age they can certainly do water taxis, buses, etc on their own.
Someone recommended the Swan or Dolphin as options -
or does anyone have opinions on a 'villa' or condo type option that would give us 2 bedrooms and that way a living room for the one/s who might want to stay awake watching tv, etc? We could do breakfast in if we wanted, b/c at this age "breakfast with the characters' wouldn't be on the schedule
Also, I've heard about the Safari type lodging where animals roam free - any thoughts on this or any other options mentioned?
Any of your ideas would be appreciated !
Oct 24th, 2006, 01:54 PM
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NeoPatrick: that lodge interested me b/c the "kids" had always wanted to go on a safari someday and they both love animals - i'm glad to hear you think the accomodations would work - I'll have to check it out on the Disney web more closely. thanks.
Oct 24th, 2006, 02:30 PM
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Escargot, when my now deceased stepson got his first bonus at work (he was 24 at the time), he treated his mother and two sisters (21 & 17) to an all expense paid trip to Disney for Christmas week.
I like to think it is kind of like going home for them.
My stepchildren went to Disney at least once a year growing up.
I like to think it is kind of like going home for them.
My stepchildren went to Disney at least once a year growing up.
Oct 24th, 2006, 04:21 PM
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Hi escargot!
I loved this post and I think you will chuckle at this. . . Hubby and I will be celebrating our 25th next July and we will be going to WDW with our two boys. The soon to be 20 year old said, "Mom, you WOULDN'T go WITHOUT us, would you?????" to which I replied, "I wouldn't think of it." (yeah, right. . .someday!!) I guess you're never too old to just go and have fun. Have a great time making wonderful memories with your family!
I loved this post and I think you will chuckle at this. . . Hubby and I will be celebrating our 25th next July and we will be going to WDW with our two boys. The soon to be 20 year old said, "Mom, you WOULDN'T go WITHOUT us, would you?????" to which I replied, "I wouldn't think of it." (yeah, right. . .someday!!) I guess you're never too old to just go and have fun. Have a great time making wonderful memories with your family!
Oct 24th, 2006, 05:13 PM
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Hello escargot - the Beach Club and Boardwalk both have one- and two-bedroom villas associated with their properties. Some are timeshare properties but some are available for rent by non-timeshareholders. Actually, there is some site somewhere for buying timeshare points. Anyway, this may be an option.
I love the Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk areas because of the easy walking distance to Epcot Center, where we spend most evenings. The Illuminations show at 9pm is something else. I can't remember how easy it is to get to Pleasure Island from there, but certainly the Disney buses must be working, or perhaps you'll have a car so it wouldn't matter.
How fun!
I love the Beach Club, Yacht Club, and Boardwalk areas because of the easy walking distance to Epcot Center, where we spend most evenings. The Illuminations show at 9pm is something else. I can't remember how easy it is to get to Pleasure Island from there, but certainly the Disney buses must be working, or perhaps you'll have a car so it wouldn't matter.
How fun!
Oct 24th, 2006, 05:29 PM
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Beach Club or Yacht Club for sure. At that age they'll likely want to enjoy an adult beverage. Nothing better for that at Disney than the Drinks Around the World at EPCOT.
Tbe Boardwalk is also a good spot for more adult oriented fun.
I would not recommend the Animal Kingdom. We stay there - but our kids are 5 and 3. It is the furthest resort from Pleasure Island. At least at the Beach or Yacht Club, a cab home isn't going to be that expensive.
Tbe Boardwalk is also a good spot for more adult oriented fun.
I would not recommend the Animal Kingdom. We stay there - but our kids are 5 and 3. It is the furthest resort from Pleasure Island. At least at the Beach or Yacht Club, a cab home isn't going to be that expensive.
Oct 24th, 2006, 06:18 PM
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mms: thanks, but since we want to go in mid-January and have limited time choices between daughters jobs in NYC and sons school schedule, I am a bit compulsive about having all my ducks in order, I would likely be making my reservations for everything within the next few weeks !
GoTraveland mma: yes, I guess that is what it is - them wanting to relive the memories of all those trips to Disney and the fact that now that they are of 'legal age' they are dying to do Pleasure Island and all that stuff - and Ryan they will love your idea of drinks around the world
(Gosh I'm making my kids sounds like lushes, which they aren't, it's just that as my dd said 'yea but it would be fun to be kids again during the day but now we can actually go out at night by ourselves!"
Thanks for all the suggestions so far.
No, I'd rather not rent a car. I'd rather avoid it if I can and just do the shuttle / transport from airport to Disney, etc. -
I will have to think about the distance to Animal Kingdom from Pleasure Island, Epcot, etc - b/c the kids will be out at night.
Ryan: you have stayed at the above - if not staying there can you still visit to see animals and/or eat there, etc?
mma: I'm chuckling right along with you - our kids both joined us for all our 'special vacations' - we finally, after 24 yrs, had our first trip to europe w/out kids !! It was wonderful, although we talked about them half the time anyway - and what they'd love, etc.....
kopp, - I will look into those areas you mentioned also w/in walking distance to Epcot -
are there any 2 br condo type accomodations that w/ transport to the park that are 'regular' (generic) non-decor/theme park oriented condos or are they all 'thematic' so to speak.
GoTraveland mma: yes, I guess that is what it is - them wanting to relive the memories of all those trips to Disney and the fact that now that they are of 'legal age' they are dying to do Pleasure Island and all that stuff - and Ryan they will love your idea of drinks around the world
(Gosh I'm making my kids sounds like lushes, which they aren't, it's just that as my dd said 'yea but it would be fun to be kids again during the day but now we can actually go out at night by ourselves!"
Thanks for all the suggestions so far.
No, I'd rather not rent a car. I'd rather avoid it if I can and just do the shuttle / transport from airport to Disney, etc. -
I will have to think about the distance to Animal Kingdom from Pleasure Island, Epcot, etc - b/c the kids will be out at night.
Ryan: you have stayed at the above - if not staying there can you still visit to see animals and/or eat there, etc?
mma: I'm chuckling right along with you - our kids both joined us for all our 'special vacations' - we finally, after 24 yrs, had our first trip to europe w/out kids !! It was wonderful, although we talked about them half the time anyway - and what they'd love, etc.....
kopp, - I will look into those areas you mentioned also w/in walking distance to Epcot -
are there any 2 br condo type accomodations that w/ transport to the park that are 'regular' (generic) non-decor/theme park oriented condos or are they all 'thematic' so to speak.
Oct 24th, 2006, 07:52 PM
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Here's a monkeywrench to consider... the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal along with the new experience of that property, Islands of Adventure, the Movie Studio, and one or two day pass to WDW to revisit their old favorites... I know they picked WDW, but 4 adults can quickly cover a lot of ground and Universal does offer front of line passes for guests on site...
Just a thought to chew on!!!
Just a thought to chew on!!!
Oct 24th, 2006, 08:12 PM
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garyt22: well, that is a thought - they do want to revisit Universal - and I'm sure lots have changed in the ten yrs since we've been to the parks -
I will definitely put this idea into the mix -
I just spoke with son briefly - communication is spotty as he is in India - but he said whatever his sister decided was fine with him - he's the easy going child - - and my daughter and I are going to try and choose within the next week or so, so I am compiling all these suggestions and doing some legwork and she and I will then hash it out !
Have you actually stayed at/been in the Hard Rock Hotel and what does that mean for getting to and from Pleasure Island?
Looks like I've got a lot of googling and research to do ! In many ways it was easier when I just booked Disney/hotel on monorail/ and off we went and we, as in the adults, made all the plans
I will definitely put this idea into the mix -
I just spoke with son briefly - communication is spotty as he is in India - but he said whatever his sister decided was fine with him - he's the easy going child -
- and my daughter and I are going to try and choose within the next week or so, so I am compiling all these suggestions and doing some legwork and she and I will then hash it out ! Have you actually stayed at/been in the Hard Rock Hotel and what does that mean for getting to and from Pleasure Island?
Looks like I've got a lot of googling and research to do ! In many ways it was easier when I just booked Disney/hotel on monorail/ and off we went and we, as in the adults, made all the plans
Oct 25th, 2006, 03:37 AM
#14
The Hard Rock Hotel is great. By staying on site at Universal you also get automatic express access for the attractions at the park. Just show your room key and go right in the express line. Little to no waiting. We split our last stay between the Royal Pacific resort at Universal and the Dolphin at Disney.
If you stay at Disney World , Disney busses run from Pleasure Island to the different on site hotels throughout the day and night.
If you stay at Disney World , Disney busses run from Pleasure Island to the different on site hotels throughout the day and night.
Oct 25th, 2006, 04:30 AM
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Our son, almost 20 and a sophomore in college, has a four week break during the Holidays. This will be the second year that we go to Disney for a few days in January. It is a great time for us. We are all relaxed and he doesn't have to worry about school for a while. He says you enjoy Disney more when you're little, but you appreciate it more when you're older. I agree with that.
Anyway, we stay at the Boardwalk Inn. There is also Boardwalk Villas, which would offer you more space. It's a great area. Since your children are of age, you might enjoy Jellyrolls (a bar on the Boardwalk with dueling piano players). I've heard it's great fun. We also like the location because we can walk to EPCOT and MGM (or take a water taxi).
Whatever you decide, have fun!
Anyway, we stay at the Boardwalk Inn. There is also Boardwalk Villas, which would offer you more space. It's a great area. Since your children are of age, you might enjoy Jellyrolls (a bar on the Boardwalk with dueling piano players). I've heard it's great fun. We also like the location because we can walk to EPCOT and MGM (or take a water taxi).
Whatever you decide, have fun!
Oct 25th, 2006, 04:49 AM
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The Wilderness Lodge also has timeshare/condo units available and I beleive the area that was once the Disney Institute has been renovated and is now called Saratoga Springs (or something similar). I believe that this facility is close to Pleasure Island - maybe by boat. I'm sure you are familiar with allearsnet.com - you can check out the resorts there.
and I think its wonderful that your kids want to revisit their childhood.
and I think its wonderful that your kids want to revisit their childhood.
Oct 25th, 2006, 05:19 AM
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bennie- I did not know about that link - thank you schmeri ,wednesday, mikesmom - I will check out these great suggestions today ...and most likely, be returning with more questions - thanx all
Oct 25th, 2006, 05:24 AM
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escargot--Oh I definitely understand. I like knowing my plans further in advance too. We lived in Orlando about 15 years ago, but so much has changed that I almost feel like we are going to a totally new place. Too many choices...it boggles the mind!
Oct 25th, 2006, 06:08 AM
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I would pick the Boardwalk or Animal Kingdom Lodge. If your kids are going to want to go out at night, Boardwalk has a brewpub, piano bar and dance club right there. AKL has a quieter feel, we just got back and LOVED it, plus it has a great pool. My DH and I have been to WDW many times before our baby and had a great time-it's a different perspective. EPCOT and MGM as an adult are enjoyable in different ways. Don't miss Expedition Everest-a great roller coaster at the Animal Kingdom.
