have you been in Disney World? Do you have any advise about hotels or anything that I need to be aware?

First of all, you can go with Disney hotel with 5 people. Port Orlean Resort has some rooms allowing 5 people. Another option is a Family Suite in value resort. Staying on Disney property would eliminate need to rent a car since you will have all day long transportation to parks and free transportation to/from airport.

Going over Christmas is not a good idea, very busy times, very expensive time and if you stay off property you will have slim chances to get into park you want on Christmas, parks close to capacity very early and first to be turned away are those who stay off property.

The better time to go is first week of December, the slowest time, decorations are up but remember that winter time in Orlando may be very cold, 30s were reported many times this and last year.

Summer time is hot and humid but you have longer hours and parades run every day unlike during slower times.

If you find Disney resorts I mentioned not what you want, check Bonnet Creek resort, on Disney property but not operated by Disney. Also check DownTown Disney resorts, some has suites that can sleep 5 people and they have their own transportation to Disney which almost as good as Disney one and gain you will not need a car.

There are many options for condo or suites you can find on Expedia.com but really count your expenses, cost of renting car, parking at hotel not always free, parking ar parks $14 a day.

There are tons of places that rent houses and villas around Disney. However, you would have to rent a car, too. If you are not going to have a car, you can also stay AT Disney and use their free transportation, and you would never have to rent a car. I personally always rent a house now when I go, but I highly recommend that if it is your first time, stay at a Disney hotel. It just makes things easier in so many ways. Then you can book a package with Disney directly. The only thing is flights - I would not book those with Disney as you can usually find better deals on your own. Don't know where you are, but Southwest is great for cheap flights to Orlando, and they can be booked on their website.

There are a couple places you can stay with 5 people without having to get 2 rooms - Port Orleans Riverside has rooms that sleep 5 if one can sleep on a trundle bed. And All-Star Music has family suites that will sleep 6. Or otherwise, you are looking at 2 rooms or more expensive villas.

I have stayed with http://www.allstarvacationhomes.com/ several times and love them. We have to spend more to rent a car, but we end up saving a lot on food because we have a full kitchen, and we have a ton more space.

There are two things I must suggest you do before you make any reservations, or pay for anything in regards to your trip. I've learned these from many trips to Disney World.

1. Learn as much as you can about Disney World before you reserve anything. The first step is to buy a guidebook from a bookstore focusing on the World itself (it is a worthwhile purchase, I promise). Please read it through. From there, you can learn about what Disney World itself offers, and plan according to what you want to do.

2. When you decide what you want, make reservations way ahead of time. That means book your rooms six months in advance, and other things no less than three months in advance. This may seem extreme, but I promise that rooms and other attractions will fill up fast.

This actually covers all of the big picture stuff. Good luck!

talking the straightforward reality, the distinction aren't from now on large sufficient to shell out the extra money to stay on the moderates. i have stayed in any respect the moderates and all the values and if a a foot or 2 of more beneficial area contained in the room and a extra acceptable pool is that efficient to then you definately bypass for it. The Pop Century is palms down the suitable value hotel, that is the most up-to-date and would not percentage a bus sytem like the different value hotels. human beings have made negaitive comments about this position yet extremely is tremendous for the cost, that is consistently sparkling everybody is pleasant, on the point of dissimilar the parks, that is a winner. The Carribean coastline is a effective hotel yet proximity smart, that is merely as on the point of the parks as Pop Century. for my section my adventure at Disney has been that each and each and every motel of theres is held to a intense popular and also you under no circumstances extremely spend that a lot time contained in the room anyhow. EDIT related to what someone above me stated I agree, the moderates bus sytems are truly undesirable. Coronado develop into the worst, you ought to under no circumstances tell at the same time as the bus develop into coming and we actually had a 5 minute force to and from the nutrition courtroom we were thus far away. under no circumstances stay at Coranado, they use that motel for conventions and if a convention comes into city they're going to positioned them close to the nutrition courtroom formerly you. I vote for Pop Century.

The cheapest Disney resort options for a family of 5 would probably be either a cabin at Fort Wilderness or one of the family suites at the All Star Music resort. Definitely stay on Disney property so that you can utilize the free transportation to and from the airport as well as transportation for anywhere you need to go on Disney property during your stay. If you stay on property, you will also be eligible for the meal plan, which I URGE you to sign up for. This is a big money saver.

I live an hour away from Disneyworld so i've been there many times. It really depends when you want to go. Certain times of the year can be really crazy, since you have said summer or chirstmas those are two really good times if you know when to go. For summer go in between july and august, it may be hot but most people are done their vaction by that time. And for christmas(which is my favorite end of november into early december. thats when its the chepest.

Hello! =)

Summer is going to be REALLY hot but there's plenty of pools, water parks, etc. Christmas time is gorgeous!! The decorations and the icicle lights on the castle can make the trip. The actual week of Christmas is very busy but if you go before that, you should be ok. I'm a Disney travel agent myself, so if you want any free help feel free to email me misty@magicalvacationplanner.com I can look around and get you the best deal. I can look up flights but I usually tell my clients if they look around they may be able to get it cheaper from all the looking. We try to go every year. Good luck & hope to hear from you!

Stay away from the Westlake Condos. While they are very nice inside, the timeshare people can ruin your vacation with their constant sales pitches.

Also, you may want to keep an eye on Travelzoo.com for their last minute deals on hotels, theme park tickets, etc.

Have fun.

This website has a ton of information, and they're not trying to sell you anything: http://allears.net/pl/planning.htm