Anyone Ever Gone to Orlando with Kids?

Typically around Christmas to New Years I take the family on a week long vacation.  My kids are 9, 6 & 4.  My wife is against this but I think it is time we go to Disney World/Universal/Sea World.  Anyone ever done this with kids before?  If so it is better to rent a house near Disney for all the comforts of home or stay on the Disney property?  If you stay on the Disney property is it better to get the meal plan or just buy as you go?  How much time should I plan on devoting to each park?  What I initially planned was 3 day park hopper in the Disney complex; 2 days at Universal and 1 day at Sea World.  Now I am starting to think that we might want a down day in between.  Thoughts?  Have any of you been to Kennedy Space Center?  Is it worth going to?  I figured we could do the first two days at Disney, the next day at Sea World, the next day at Kennedy Space Center and the final two days at Universal.  Thoughts?

I have been to Disney Land dozens of times as a kid but only Disney World once.  That is why I am kind of grasping at straws here.  The other option we are looking at is an all inclusive resort in either Mexico or Jamica.  We have never taken the kids out of this country so that is kinda cool but we are going to have to get passports for everyone too.  Passports are about $130.00 a piece and they are only good for 5 years for the kids.  Perhaps it would be best to say state side for a while and then go that route.  Thoughts?

Also, we looked at a cruise (we have done this before) but the kids would much rather do something like Disney this year instead so that is out.

Whatever advise, tips or comments that you have regarding this of course is appreciated.  Look forward to the dialouge!

No.  no one has ever gone to orlando with kids.  Sorry

Okay if everyone wants to be a smarta$$... I mean anyone in the Covers Community ever done this before because I have questions that I don't have answers for.  Thanks for your time!

hahaha... too tempting.  sorry. 

for the 6 and 4 year old, i don't think you should go to the kennedy space center.  stick to the parks.  Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Sea World.  that'd be a pretty good choice of 3 parks to do.  I would stay at a place like the Disney Beach/Yacht Club where you can spend a day just chilling at the pool in between.  your kids will get worn out (i mean, the PARENTS will probably get worn out) if you go back to back to back to theme parks. 

I agree with this.  Not plan on making a yearly trip to Disney World for this reason but they have been asking for a while and it is getting harder and harder to come up with good reasons to say no.  What about Universal?  I know there are some height restrictions on some of the rides but they look like an even better variety than Disney World.

Also, you mention Animal Kingdom.  What about Epcot or Disney Hollywood?  Those four parks are a part of the park hopper pass.  I only ask because if it is not worth it I could just get the regular pass and avoid that cost and invest it elsewhere.

Again thanks for your thoughts.

I wouldn't take the kids to Epcot, I went there as a kid and hated it, that was over 20 years ago, so I don't know if it's changed at all. 

My family and I made a trip there right at the tail end of Hurricane Andrew (1993 I believe). I was 10 at the time and to this day it was one of my favorite vacations.

We stayed at one of the Disney resorts (The Dolphin I think), which I think included Disneyworld passes. Not 100% sure as I was 10 or so and didn't really think about what my parents' were spending their money on. We did DisneyWorld one or two days, then Universal one day. I would also follow Pimpson's advice. We did Epcot and my sister and I hated it. That was the worst part of our trip.

We then rented a car and made the drive to Key West. Key West was probably the whole family's favorite part. Parents got to drink and have fun while the kids did parasailing, snorkeling, beaches, etc.

All around great trip and if you can make it to Key West and include some activities for the kids while down there I think it will be a fun experience for all involved.

Epcot is no fun for kids.  universal is a little more adult oriented.  The best ones for families are Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom

Disney yacht/beach club is definitely a little pricey.  My only point of suggesting it is that you want a hotel that has a pretty awesome pool setup so that you have a non-park option for a day.  your wife can get a massage while you watch the kids for an hour, and then you can get a bunch of drinks and watch the game at the pool bar while your wife returns the favor.  you know?

7 hour drives with 3 kids under 10 are NOT COOL

Very good advise from all.  Thanks for the input.  I went to Fort Myers Beach, FL this past March with the wife (not the kids though) and went to the Keys at that time too.  It was a great time but I never felt the Keys was super kid friendly.  I thought about renting a cottage on the beach in Ft. Myers Beach and driving up to Orlando for the day but after talking with the kids they much prefer to spend the vast majority of their time at Disney.

Anyone have a feeling one way or the other about staying on the park versus renting a nice house by Disney?  I looked at these houses and they are usually 2,000 to 3,000 square feet, 3-4 bedroom, private pool/hot tube and the works.  They are basically the same price (or cheaper) than staying on Disney property for a week.  Is there other advantages to staying on Disney property such as after hours entertainment that I don't know about?

Touche. I think we were 10 & 8 at the time and had fun, but I know exactly what you mean.

https://www.magicalmemories.com/rental/complex.html?ID=18 

Went to Orlando back in 2006 with the wife and 4 kids. Stayed at the link above.  Located in Kissimmee, right down the street from Disney World Complex. Kids loved it. Reserved a 2 room villa and they ended up giving us a 3 room - was bigger than our house.  Kids loved going to the pool EVERYDAY...They have washers and dryers and full kitchens w/ dishes, pots etc...just like at home...got home with luggages full of clean clothes...just went to walmart first day there and loaded up on groceries which saved bunch of $$$$ on food - you will still spend a left nut on food at the parks anyways but breakfast and dinner at the condo was home cooked

Definitely plan on a day in between to relax. Was planning on driving to the beach on that day off but kids were happy staying poolside all that day.  Did Disney 2 days, Universal 2 days, Sea World 1 day (worst day of trip - other than the show not much to do there).

Stayed a total of 8 days and still left without seeing lots of stuff....

Hahahaha. So true

Great info.  Thanks!

the method that walt disney used to buy the land in fla is pure genius.

i went a few years ago. stayed at the animal kingdom. smoked weed and looked at the giraffe every morning. it's pretty cool because you're there for a week and your balcony(mine did) overlooks the "safari" area .... you learn all of their patterns etc ...

i enjoyed it. i like to have options but also like having a nice hotel room that i can chill and watch a game or two. they have nice places to eat and casual.

i might visit again soon .......................

if you go .... animal kingdom

i've been to san juan, aruba a few times, all over the states etc ...

i like staying in a resort with a bunch of action but also a nice room to hang out in and relax.

kind of like vegas but not really.

a hotel and sitting on the beach all day isn't for me ....