If going during the off-season wasn't our single best decision, then the only other possible candidate was our decision to stay on-site. Had it not been for our trip to Kennedy Space Center, we really wouldn't have needed the car; for SeaWorld and the few trips on Disney property that the buses weren't suited for, we could have sprung for a cab if we hadn't had the car. The kids also didn't mind going back to the hotel because they still felt they were at Disney World. With the cheapest Disney hotels running something like $80 a night during the slow season (note to our fellow Scandinavians: per room, not per adult), we really couldn't have saved enough money staying elsewhere to make up for the hassle.
Right along with that, renting a fridge and taking some groceries was a good decision. Having a simple breakfast in our room saved money and time. If you are used to a simple breakfast at home, and a hot breakfast is not one of your favorite vacation pleasures, it's worth it. For those flying to Orlando, by the way, several of the town-car-based ground transportation companies will make a free stop at a local supermarket if you request it when you make your reservation. The staples we brought could be taken in a suitcase, too, and though milk and juice are more expensive at the resort shop than your local grocery store, they're still cheaper than buying breakfast in the food court.
Making use of guide books and websites was also a good move. We really had no idea what we were going to and would have been flying blind if we hadn't done some research ahead of time. We missed so much when we knew it was there, how much more would we have missed otherwise?
I am also glad we got the kids (and ourselves!) used to walking before we left. We saw many kids Robert's age in strollers, but he declared they were for babies. If his little legs hadn't gotten so strong, this would have been a serious problem! As it was, his legs always gave out just about the time his mind was getting over-stimulated and it was time for a break anyway. As for us bigger folks, we got foot-sore, but never so bad that we couldn't convince ourselves to get out of the hotel room and go have fun.
We may or may not repeat character meals. A lot depends on the age of the boys when we go back, and what they'd like to do. For Robert, aged not-quite-5 at the time of our trip, it seemed to be a good idea. Kenneth, who was a month shy of 11, definitely seemed to enjoy Chef Mickey's, and it certainly is a way for older kids to meet the characters without the embarrassment of lining up with the toddlers at the parks... but he talked a lot more about the Fantasmic! show afterwards. If you don't count jokes about the food at Chef Mickey's, that is.
One thing I really wish we had was more time. Five theme parks and KSC in six days was just too much. Epcot and the Magic Kingdom could each fill two days, even in off-season. Ideally I'd like seven or eight days. I believe next time we will skip SeaWorld, which we did mostly because my mom really wanted to see Shamu. It's a great park, it just didn't end up high on the List Of Things To Do Again for any of the four of us. I think we will plan a rest day for sleeping late and doing more low-key things, like swimming in the hotel pool, playing in the arcade, maybe seeing a movie, or shopping. Kenneth, who especially enjoys thrill rides, might like to visit one or both of the Universal theme parks (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) if time permits.
Next time I think we should tour the Animal Kingdom earlier in the trip. By the time we got there we simply weren't willing to give this park the time and attention it deserves, because we'd fallen into the habit of being entertained with as little effort as possible. I would also not try to do the Magic Kingdom in one day again with a four-year-old, though of course, we won't be going with a four-year-old again! Robert was so over-stimulated by the end it wasn't funny. Maybe next time he'll be old enough to handle it, but still, I think we might enjoy the park more in several shorter doses.
I want to see some of the evening shows. Again, without a pre-schooler in tow, that should be easier.
I'm not sure yet how we did with balancing planning with spontaneity. Some of the things we remember best were very spontaneous. For instance, outside our hotel's food court were some tables that had a view of the swimming pool (though food was not allowed on the pool deck itself). Steinar and Robert ate supper there one night, and to this day Robert will talk about "eating beside the swimming pool". Nothing we planned, Steinar just felt like sitting outdoors for a while, but it was obviously very special for Robert. On the other hand, I wouldn't want to try to be completely spontaneous in such an utterly huge place, because while fun things would almost certainly happen, so would a lot of running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
Finally, I would have taken a lot more pictures and - erm - gotten myself a T-shirt. Okay, I admit it, I'm jealous of Kenneth's Donald Duck T-shirt. That isn't too pathetic, is it?
(You don't have to answer that.)
flodnak.com
Created 14 July 2005 * Last Updated 14 July 2005