-> NH> I live about 5 miles from the parks and would be glad to help, as
-> NH> I'm sure alot of people on this echo would :)
-> Five miles. How lucky can you get. You should think about setting up a bed 
and
-> breakfast. You would make a killing. As for the help. Count me in.
A B&B would be a great idea except for the fact that right now I only
have about 1/2 a spare bedroom.....maybe next house :)
Actually lucky may not be the word for it...it's nice when you want to
"do Disney" but not so nice when you want to drive to work in the
traffic :)
-> NH> Have you been before??
-> Never to WDW but five times to DL.
Lucky you!!!!  I've been to WDW and DL Paris but never made it to DL...I
really have to fit that into a vacation one of these days.  All the
things I've heard that are better at DL I have to check out for myself.
-> NH> Do you want to stay on disney property or off?
-> I have to plead ignorant on this one. I thought everything was on Disney
-> property. Maybe you could fill us in on (dis)advantages of both.
Disney has their own hotels that are on "Disney Property"...many chains
and local hotels are scattered around the near by area also.  Staying on
Disney property is a nice perk...you can enjoy "length of stay"
passes...meaning from when you check in to midnight of the night you
check out you have run of the parks including the water parks and
Pleasure Island. Also you have use of all the Disney transportation.
It's also nice because you are treated to Disney Employees (opps sorry
Cast members :)) The major downside to staying ON Disney property is
Price.  Nothing Disney is cheap.
Staying off property is much less expensive but you'll need a car.
There are some very nice hotels within a 1-10 miles radius of the parks.
You can get suites with kitchens and save yourself a bundle in food
bills and have xtra space all for less than staying On property would
cost.  Also if you call the Kissimmee/St.Cloud Conventions they can send
you an Orlando Magic Card which gives some really good discounts on
hotels in the area.
I have stayed both On and Off property and both are nice....You have
more of the "Disney Experience" staying On....but you can buy more in
the shops staying off :)
-> NH> Do you have an idea of when you would like to go?
-> No, but I have read here that October would be a nice time of year. I hate
-> crowds and find the off season to be just as much fun.
Yes Oct is good also one of the very best times is between Thanksgiving
and Christmas holidays...also after New Years up until Spring
Break...although with the 25th anniversary going on this year who knows
what the crouds will be like.
As far as what not to miss....that's a hard one...depends on what you
like.  Since you have been to DL I would recommend seeing the things
that are not the same, although I have heard about all the differences
in some rides ex. Pirates that you probably will want to see and judge
for yourself.  The Great Movie Ride at MGM is one of my fav. also The
Lion King Show at MK is great too.  I haven't seen the new 25th parade
yet or the New Illuminations at Epcot either but have heard both are
great.
Also with your son you might want to drive to Universal Studios....He
would LOVE that!!!  If you get the internet look it up at
http://www.usf.com
Personally I almost like it better than MGM....well except for the Great
Movie Ride at MGM.  
Well hope I have helped somewhat...and what ever you decide to do or
when ever you decide to do it I'm sure you will have a GREAT time.
BTW...it's almost Nov and it's 85 degrees outside...come on down :)
Nancy
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