First long xc with 8 & 12 yo kids to Disney World

Wayne Gillispie · #1 03-29-2012, 08:45 PM

We are just in the beginning stages of planning our trip to Disney World mid to late May. We also plan to visit family near KSEF- Sebring and friends at Spruce Creek. The longest trip in the -10 so far= 1.5 hrs. About the same in the 172. I did my transition training with David Maib, so 5.8 hrs in the sunshine state. I am vfr only. I have on board xm wx. It looks like KISM would be the best destination at 8 miles/15 min drive. We are planning two days at WDW. I'll have paper sectionals and TAC's and maybe Ipad 3 with Foreflight by then. Watch out for the TFR, right. I will stay on FF as long as possible. I appreciate all of the advice.

Our newbie questions: Best FBO? Hangar or tiedown? I guess that depends on wx and cost, right? Best place to buy WDW tickets? What do you think about the tickets that also include hotel and meals? Is it better to stay at a hotel inside or outside the theme park? Rental car, taxi or other ground transportation?

Flyguytki · #2 03-29-2012, 08:59 PM

Definatly with the kids staying inside WDW is the best way to go, use WDW transportation and they take care of everything its very easy. Go on the disney site and give them a phone call they will help you out and get you everything you need and will most likely throw some discounts in there for you as well.

-david

rockwoodrv9 · #3 03-29-2012, 09:13 PM

We have been to WDW a couple times. Once staying at a very nice house just a few miles from the park and the other staying at the Grand Floridian hotel - right on the monorail line. The house had it own pool and was great - but we had to drive to the park, find a parking space, then get in lines to go in. There is so much travel time between the water parks and Disneyland, we felt we were spending so much time traveling, we didn't get as much time in the parks when we stayed at the house.

I started thinking how much total money we spent on the trip - from California with 4 kids, one son in law, and 2 grandkids and came up with a cost per hour of vacation. The cost of travel to the park , parking, and waiting in line was costing me more than the cost of lodging when you consider 9 people.

The next time we stayed at the Grand Floridian - at about 2 times as expensive as the house, but I believe it was a much better value. No lines to get into the park and it was easy to go back to the hotel if needed during the day.

There are cheaper hotels on the monorail line that take you directly into the park than the GF and maybe others that have a better shuttle system, but consider how easy it is to get from where you are staying to the park. If the kids are young enough, they will probably get tired before the park closes, so it wouldn't be as important. One of my grandsons is autistic, and having the option to go back to the room when he needed to relax was worth whatever the cost was for us.

If you are military, there are discounts on lodging and tickets.
Have fun and let us know how the planning and trip goes.

Wayne Gillispie · #4 03-30-2012, 07:38 AM

Thanks David and rockwood.

DR JK · #5 03-30-2012, 08:17 AM

We travel to/through WDW at least once a year on average. Never flown in on my own though.

Not much help in that regard.

My best advice? Get the Unofficial Guide to WDW. A lot of good info and touring plans which usually work well. A visit To WDW can be very stressful - this book (and others) will make you a pro!

Vlad · #6 03-30-2012, 08:37 AM

It will be great trip Wayne. Please keep us informed. Last year on my way from the Bahamas I flew close to red circle hoping to be back soon.

JDRhodes · #7 03-30-2012, 08:50 AM

My wife and I met there while on a high school trip 20 years ago, honeymooned there 13 years ago, and have been back twice since with one and then two kids - so it's pretty special to us.
ISM is probably the best place to fly in. If you stayed at any Disney hotel property and could arrange a ride from/to the airport, then you could EASILY survive without a rental car - using only free Disney transportation.
I'll betcha the FBO could help you with airport transportation. There may be some sort of shuttle bus, or something. You won't be the first tourists they've seen there

Also - The Disney campground is one of the nicest around. Although, probably better with the other kind of RV.

They do have nice cabins though.

pjaffray · #8 03-30-2012, 10:48 AM

Here are two web-sites that have good planning information. I have no affiliation with either.

www.allears.net

www.mousesavers.com

pdj

Wayne Gillispie · #9 03-30-2012, 05:40 PM

Jim, I ordered book on Amazon. Thanks for that recommendation.

Vlad, Join us at PMH. We'll fly over to see our good friends at Spruce Creek in the little yellow birdie.

Jeff, Thanks for all the great info. Congrats on the long marriage...23 years for us.

PDJ, Thanks for the two sites.

Wayne Gillispie · #10 03-31-2012, 01:15 PM

At an approximate cost of $1.00/min for WDW, equaling my fuel cost per minute in the -10...one has to think of how much the kids will remember it. I know I do, from 30 years ago.

I know I will look forward to sliding back in my Oregon Aero seats after two days of over-priced pegging of the funometer and shoving all those knobs forward. Ahhh, the smell, view and sounds that 100LL makes.