Probably taking our last trip to WDW in 2026

Walt Disney World
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My wife and I are in our 70s and have probably been to WDW over 20 times. I never got to go to WDW or DL when I was a kid growing up in the midwest. My parents took the family to WDW when Epcot opened but I had already left home by then.

So when my kids became old enough we started taking them to WDW in the 1980s and we created many joyful memories with them. I am not sure of the exact number but we took several times until the last one was out of HS. I remember going when AK first opened and getting to test new rides like Mission Mars and Alien Encounter with my children before these were open to the Public.

From 2007 to 2017, I had business interests that took me to Orlando every fall and we would combine the business trip with several days at WDW, just my wife and I. At first we thought it would be weird going without children but it was actually a lot of fun and a different experience not having to cater to the whims of children. My wife and I had a lot of fun on those trips.

Since then we have taken the entire family (children, spouses, and grandkids) to WDW twice and those were enjoyable trip. Life has gotten so busy with everyones’ schedules those trips are probably over.

My wife and I are both blessed, so far, with good health and no limitations but who knows how long that will last. So now we are thinking about a final trip to Orlando for the theme parks. Here is the kicker - for all of those trips, we have never stayed on site at Disney. I tend to be a bang-for-the-buck type of person, with the kids(and grandkids) we frequently rented homes in the Kissimmee area. Or when it was my wife and I we rented hotels in Bonnett Creek and the Disney Springs area. It was pretty cost effective, IMO.

Since this will be (most likely) our last trip I thought we would stay at the Grand Floridian for a week (renting DVC points if possible). The cost is hard to swallow not because I cannot afford it but because of my innate nature ( my parents grew up in the depression). My wife always wanted to experience the Grand Floridian but told me not to spend the money - I told her to just enjoy the experience.

I am not looking for advice, I just wanted to share my Disney journey with a group that I think will understand (you guys).

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It’s a magical resort. We rented points and got a great deal in the new resort rooms.

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It’s still not cheap but it is a huge savings over paying rack rate! I think you and your wife will love it and I hope you have an incredible time!

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While GF isn’t my typical vibe we did stay there once on rented points. I LOVE the studio rooms. The hotel and grounds are very pretty. Monorail access was great. I really hope y’all love it!!!

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Your journey is very similar to ours tho we stayed on property mostly since '88.

Lots of visits DH stayed home while I traveled with my sister. He liked to say, been there, done that. If he knew he could hang at the resort he was much more likely to accompany us.

I struggled with what to do for our 50th wedding anniversary until I realized he liked to eat and to talk to people. So where can you do that without being creepy. :wink: But I asked anyway: what should we do? With very little thought he said, Disney.

We were there 8 days. I rode one ride, he rode two, but we had great meals and lots of wonderful conversations with all sorts of people. :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:

I hope your visit is as magical. :sparkles:

Oh, we were Disney transport only as we flew to Florida and didn’t rent a car. :blush:

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We have never stayed at the GF, but our children are also grown, and we have many happy Disney memories, so your post touched my heart. We are trying to hang on to the magic. I hope you have a wonderful trip and decide that you want to return! I have read many trip reports from some long-time forum members who enjoy their trips now not so much for the attractions, but just to soak in the experience and do things they never had time for with kids. Hope this is the case for you and your wife. :heart:

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Lovely post. Try to time it when GF lobby is back open.

I’ve stayed at the Montage in Orange county in CA many times and the one year the lobby was closed for renovations - the experience truly was very different. If it had been my first time staying there I would have been very disappointed.

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That resort is beautiful. I stayed there 1 night a couple years ago. It makes GF look like a 2 star motel.

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It really is other-worldly. We used to go for my husbands annual conference in January, with a highly discounted rate, which was the only way it was affordable.

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Hello again…

I just wanted to make sure you were aware of this thread in the Disney Vacation Club section. @JJT always finds the most amazing deals on DVC rentals, and hopefully, he will find a way to keep this valuable project going!

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The rooms at Grand Floridian are absolutely gorgeous. I got to stay there with a friend and her DCP daughter at a very steep discount. My cost was just over $100 per night.

Grand Floridian is cheaper at certain times of the year, especially with discounts. Summer is one of those times that the price is easier to swallow. Look at dates from May-September to get more bang for your buck.

Enjoy every minute!

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I LOVE the bathroom set up in the studios. It’s nice for multiple people staying in the rooms.

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I hope you have a lovely time planning and taking this trip together. The Grand Floridian is a great choice for such a trip, I think. It is a beautiful resort with top notch food and service. I love riding the boat directly from the pier to the Magic Kingdom and watching the fireworks and water pageant from the resort. I enjoy the decor of the resort studios the most.

Before we bought (resale) DVC, we rented a few times through one of the popular rental sites. It was well worth the experience and didn’t cost much more than a moderate for the same time periods (although this was a few years ago).

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I hope you have a wonderful trip. I am about your age and we too are approaching our last trips after having visited about 35 times. It’s fitting that you end your WDW trips at The Grand Floridian. I took my wife there about 8 years ago, it definitely felt like a splurge trip for us. The problem is that it spoiled us so bad, we’ve stayed there about 10 more times since. I think we would be better off financially if we had waited until our last trip! LOL. If you can, wait until the lobby refurbishment is completed.

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Splurge on a Theme Park view room.

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I understand what a large pill it is to swallow to pay to stay onsite, but you really should do it!

I know that you and your wife will enjoy the ambience and convenience so much.

Have a magical trip!

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Stay at the Grand!!! You won’t regret it- especially if you feel it might be your last chance. It’s such a beautiful resort. Also in a place renowned for their customer service the Grand Floridian is even better! The Cast Members are so helpful, polite and friendly. Make an appointment at the spa - it’s wonderful! I will warn there’s construction in the lobby but unless you stay club level it shouldn’t be an inconvenience. I choose to never regret spending extra to stay someplace you’ve always wanted to be. We are taking our first trip to Disneyland in November and even though we could’ve spent less off property we picked the Disneyland Hotel. I just had to stay there for my first trip to Walt’s park. Luckily my husband loves me enough that cost isn’t the top priority for this trip

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I thought I would update this forum on my progress for this trip. (Let me know if it is better to start a new thread instead of adding to this old one. I am not very experienced with the Forum protocol.)

I did find a person on DisBoards who I was able to rent points from (I did all the recommended checks and he had references and providing a contract). I booked a week in early September for a 1 bedroom at the Grand Floridian. I have the reservation and it is linked to MDE. We choose September as that time of year is good for us - it is still warm and we can catch both the food and wine festival and the MNSSHP (which we enjoy).

Now I am on to the next phase of my planning. I want to get a couple of dining reservations - definitely the Cinderella’s Table, for the experience. Also considering Space 220. We are looking at the experience and understand the food at some of these restaurants can be underwhelming. Not really interested in Victoria and Albert’s as our expensive foodie days are behind us. We don’t really drink ( I have an occasional beer and my wife does not drink).

I will probably purchase 6 day ticket with the Park Hopper so we have the freedom to get around and catch all the rides that we want to catch.

Considering purchasing After Hours for HS which occurs during our stay. Any thoughts if that is worthwhile. Also does anyone know when they announce extended evening hours?

Thanks. I will keep updating as I make progress.

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It’s perfect either way, but having the information leading up to it in one thread may make it slightly easier. :smiling_cat_with_heart_eyes:

It looks like they just announced January and February recently, so maybe about 2 months beforehand???

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I can hardly believe that 6 Months have passed. I really appreciate all the encouragement and advice given on this forum. I appreciate you all. Here is my draft plan: I have only done a couple of dining reservations but may put in a couple of more. I want to be prepared for my 60 day window for dining and keys to the Kingdom tour.

Rides are the headliners we want to hit and possible use LLMP and LLSP on.

Disney Plan 2026.

Sunday, September 6, Arrival day. Travel and Check into the Grand Floridian

Monday, September 7, EPCOT

Dining – Space 220 lounge – Advance Reservation

Rides:

· Guardians of the Galaxy

· Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

· Soaring

· Test Track

· Spaceship Earth

Tuesday September 8, Magic Kingdom (CL=1)

Eat at Cinderalla’s Royal Table – Advance reservation.

Rides:

· Tron Lightcycle

· Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

· Big Thunder Mountain

· Dwarf Mine Train

· Haunted Mansion

Go over to Epcot for Extended evening hours. Or Stay for MNSSHP.

Wednesday Sept. 9, 2026 – Hollywood Studios

Rides –

· Star Wars Rise of the Resistance

· Slinky Dog Dash

· Toy Story

Thursday – Sept. 10th, Animal Kingdom.

Rides :

· Kilimanjaro Safaris.

· Avatar Flight of Passage

· Expedition Everest (maybe)

· Na’vi River Journey

Go to Disney Springs for shopping.

Friday Sept. 11, 2026 – Magic Kingdom

Take the Keys to the Kingdom Tour.

Stay for MNSSHP. (if we don’t go Tuesday)

Saturday September 12, 2026

A floating day – go to any park or go shopping.

Maybe attend Disney After Hours at HS.

Sunday, September 13, 2026, Travel Day – head for home.

Feel free to comment especially if you have any ideas that would improve the trip.

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