Disney World, Here We Come!

The kids have three more weeks until school is out for the summer. These last few weeks always seem to fly by with final tests, reports, parties, and field day. It’s time to register the kids for their summer camp choices and fit a family vacation in there, too.

This is the year we are finally taking the kids to Disney World for a week of all things Disney. We will be going in July, and it will be our first long-distance family road trip. I know I'm asking for it because it was my idea to drive to Orlando from Texas -- not only save money but to have the freedom that comes with having our own car and being on our own schedule. Remind me later, that it was my idea to drive, if two children come home with their ears boxed and mouths taped shut. A friend told me that this would not happen if we travel with the kids strapped to the roof of the car and the luggage in the back seat.

I thought it would be convenient to stay at a Disney resort, especially with transportation to and from the various parks, but then I realized that we would be setting ourselves up to be totally saturated by the Large Mouse. I don't want to be Disney-tized. Sure, I want the parks to be fun for the kids, but we need a place to relax and chill out at the end of the day. I need a washer/dryer and a kitchen so we can have our own meals and not be on the Disney fast food wagon. We are going to stay at a private condo less than 2 miles from the park which came with high marks from a friend who stayed there with her family.

Now, if I could just figure out the park ticket and pass options. If anyone has any recommendations on what to consider when purchasing park tickets, let me know. It’s like picking out features for a new car or computer with all the options like Park Hopper, water parks, and so on.