First time Disneyworld family trip - HELP NEEDED!

I'm pretty sure you're going to get tons of recommendations along the lines of "F*** Disney," but ignore them. With kids at that age you'll have a blast. As for the budgeting side of things, there are quite a few sites that focus on Disney do's and don'ts specifically. I'd recommend browsing first.

ETA: 2 down votes for the OP and counting.

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Go to wal mart buy lunch meat snacks chips breakfast the whole nine yards. Rooms at port Orleans have small fridges. You can bring food snacks and drinks into the park that will save you a ton. Also give your kids each a Disney gift card for souvenirs when it's empty it's empty. My wife and I have been enough to know to share food when you can if you eat in the park. Park hopper is ok didn't purchase it the last time we went and did not miss it. Take advantage of magic hours my kids are 6 and 11 so we would usually sleep late and get to the park in the afternoon and stay as late as possible. After the fireworks the park will usually start clearing out.

Make sure you download the my Disney experience app. You can book all you fast passes for each day as far in advance as you want. We usually work ours around magic hours for each park. Post any questions you may have.

Just a heads up we did our last trip over the summer for about 2600 we stayed on grounds for 5 nights. That includes about 700 in spending money.

You can probably rule out reserving most of the nice restaurants this late, but that is a good thing if you're on a budget. Riverside is very nice...they have boats that take you to Downtown Disney, which is a little more adult for you and the wife. You can bring snacks and drinks (not alcohol) into any of the parks. You can get a free cup of ice water at any of the non table service restaurants.

WDW Magic has forums with all kinds of great info. Enjoy the magic!

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ETA: 2 down votes for the OP and counting.

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It's one of my pet peeves. I am fine if you don't like Disney World. Ignore the thread, and move along. If I would delete every thread that I had a problem with, Chicken would be broke.

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I can tell you all the tricks there

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Please do.

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This is the ONLY Way to do Disney with a family in our view unless you are rich.

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False.

In my experience, staying on property and using Disney transportation (especially Magical Express from MCO) is well worth the $30-40 more per night. Also, with kids, on-property is much easier. We went with our son when he was three. We thought we'd save money staying off-property, which we did. We saved about $200 over the week, but lost nearly 5 hours a day to and from the parks and parking, etc.

If u can get a hotel on site u can ride all rides with no lines and do whole park in a day or so. Even if u get for one night u can do parks for two days. I can get the royal pacific for under 200 a night typically. No waiting in line is huge time saver de stressor. Buy a popcorn bucket for 5 bucks u can refill forever for 99c. But the big plastic red or blue souvenir cups with built in straw, get the old ones not the new ones with the damn chips. Usually available right on site. Can refill forever for 99 cents or icees for 2 bucks. I have had mine for five years. Bring in both days. If u get the chip ones will only work for one day, which is why they are fading out old ones.

I have an annual pass. If u go for more than two days I would get one annual pass. it will still be 50-100 bucks less than u will pay for disney ticket. Then u get 15% off all food and more importantly the annual pass holder rate at hotel which is often 100's less. To see if u can pay for it on first visit go to universal website set up free account and enter APH into the discount code section and see what room rate is. U can buy oranges etc there but the food at universal is reasonable and good. also in city walk right by the theatre they have a Moes, BK, hot dog place, etc. We usually eat there is not in the park. They also have great place that sells Beignets right across from new NBC sports bar.