OKAY I WANT TO GO! How Much will it cost?

This is a post which is NOT based on opinion, it comes with much research and the prices I quote are directly from the WDW website. Here is what I did, first of all I put in was the dates I plan on traveling this next year (2015). Next I told them about my traveling party (Jule, I and the three kiddos) along with their ages at the time of traveling. I then put no preference for the resort and then hit search. Up popped all of the resorts that met our requirements and the I filtered them by cost low-high. The following is a list of the ten resorts from the lowest cost to the higher cost. My dates I chose were from April 4, 2015 to April 10, 2015 with a seven day base ticket. I did NOT include a dining plan with the cost. For a family of five here are the top ten bargains at WDW Resorts. Each of these prices are for Standard Rooms that fit at least five people or the cheapest option for the resort.

1. Campsites at Fort Wilderness ($2,636.86)
2. Port Orleans Riverside ($3,581.74)
3. All Star Music Resort ($4,268.02)
4. Cabins at Fort Wilderness ($4,668.58)
5. Art of Animation ($4,763.02)
6. Beach Club Resort ($5,539.30)
7. Villas at Grand Floridian ($6,180.58)
8. Animal Kingdom Villas at Jambo House ($6,484.30)
9. Bay Lake Towers ($6,835.30)
10. Disney's Yacht Club ($6,977.02)

I chose to research the resort bargains for a family of five for personal reasons but not everyone has that many people or have more people. (maybe I will research how much it would cost for parties more than five) I did pretty much the same process as above but included only two children instead of all three. So the next list is the top ten bargains for a family of four all over the age of ten.

1. Campsites at Fort Wilderness ($2,290.40)
2. three way tie All Star Resorts (Movies, Music, and Sports) ($2,646.92) *All Star Music Resort is one of only two "Value Resorts" that offer Suites for families larger than four. This room would be a standard room...
5. Pop Century Resort ($2,749.28)
6. Caribbean Beach Resort ($3,046.40)
7. Port Orleans French Quarter ($3,248.84)
8. Coronado Springs ($3,269.12)
9. Port Orleans Riverside ($3,437.84)
10. Cabins at Fort Wilderness ($4,322.12)
*11. Art of Animation ($4,416.56) I am not sure why this is considered in the Value Resort category? (more on that later)

Of course there is much more to consider when you plan your trip to Walt Disney World but hopefully this helps. I have done some additional research and possibly could help you more. For a family of five staying six nights and seven days on property you would add another $1,819.20 to your bill for a Dining Plan which would give you the following : One Table Service Meal per person per night. One Quick-Service Meal per person per night. One Snack per person per night and a refillable mug. I will also quote the price for the Deluxe Dining Plan (add two more Table Service Meals and Snacks per person per night) This plan would add an extra $3,285.90 to the original quote without the dining plan or $1,466.70 more than the Basic Dining Plan. There is also what they call a Quick-Service Plan and then there is the Premium Dining Plan which is above and beyond the Deluxe Dining Plan.
Personally, we have done both the Basic and the Deluxe Dining Plan and the first family trip we paid out of pocket and for us it is better to have a plan.
 I hope this helps? I was surprised at the Art of Animation price compared to some resorts that are not in the Value Resort category.

It is HOT!

Hmmmmm? I am in Central Florida, in the summer months, and I am surprised that it is hot. Does anything seem strange about this last statement?
Yes, it can get warm at Walt Disney World. It can also be HOT and humid. However, if you take some precautions you can still enjoy your time at the "Most Wonderful Place on Earth!"

1. SUNSCREEN and H2O (lots of it)
2. Dress in light colors and COMFORTABLE shoes...
3. Plan ahead using your FastPass + (download apps that show wait times for attractions)
4. Shows are air conditioned...
5. take a break in the afternoon if time allows...

Number one is a must. Make sure you apply and re-apply the sunscreen and you hydrate yourself regularly. Even if you tan well the Central Florida sun is intense so keep the sunscreen near you. Number two is almost as important as number one. A light colored t-shirt and shorts plus good walking shoes are a must. I one time saw a group of ladies who were in long black, yes I said black, dresses and the same color head dress and veils in the Magic Kingdom and I felt so sorry for them. I know it was for cultural purposes but I knew they must have been miserable.

As I continue and we look at the remaining "suggestions" number three is for those of you who are staying onsite. To avoid the lines plan ahead and use the FastPass + choices for the long line attractions.  There are usually some rides that don't need FastPasses although they offer them, It's a Small World in the Magic Kingdom "usually" does not need one, however 2014 happens to be the 50th anniversary of the attraction (debuted at the 1964 World's Fair) so it has been more crowded than usual but still there are down times and if you are connected with the wait time app you can catch those times. There are some musts for FastPass such as Toy Story Mania, Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, and Soarin' plus others. However, if you have a Frozen addict in your party whose trip would be ruined if they could not see Anna and Elsa you MUST use one of your FastPass + choices for that character meet and greet (at least currently) wait times have been known to last over four hours which would take away a huge chunk of your day unless you used the Fast Pass. I am just grateful that I didn't have to make that decision. When we went in April I saw the sign that read 200 minutes as we passed it on our way to It's a Small World and it's ten minute wait.

Air conditioning blasts in all of the gift-shops and indoor rides, shows, exhibits. Know which ones are least crowded and you have a way not only to beat the heat but an entertaining way. My favorite ones are the Carousel of Progress in the Magic Kingdom, Great Movie Ride and Muppet's 3D in Hollywood Studios, Spaceship Earth and Figment's Journey into Imagination at EPCOT. Animal Kingdom has many little shops and shaded areas to beat the heat.

Finally take a break. Especially with little ones plan a time to escape back to the resort and relax at the pool or take a nap during the heat of the day. Although, I would suggest if you have never done it to catch the Festival of Fantasyland Parade at the Magic Kingdom which shows at 3:00 pm daily. The ideal day would be to arrive at opening of a park and break around 3:00 pm, except for the aforementioned parade, and return to the park around 7:00 pm and stay until the park closes. We always say this is going to be our plan but it never works out that way.  Just remember, it is HOT, especially during the summer months. Reminder the summer weather in Central Florida could come early and it doesn't really ever get frigid so these "suggestions" could be year round ones.

Sometimes these tikis spit water another way to stay cool:)

An airconditioned gift shop cannot keep Donald happy but it did wonders for me!

THE PARADE was AWESOME!

Chinese Pavilion at EPCOT is another way to beat the heat... 

Need to use a Fast Pass selection for this one but worth it...

A non-crowded way to beat the heat...