Now its my turn for help

[lisavet]

We (family of 4) are planning our trip to WDW and need as much info as possible. We are flying in from Pgh, PA in Feb. Is it real crowded in Feb? We want to stay at a central location close to MGM, Magic and Animal - any suggestions? We are like everyone looking for the best deals we can get - flight, hotel, food and all. Any help would be greatly appreciated. We will only be there for 3 nights - arriving on a thursday and hitting one park on thursday, one on friday and one on Saturday - we only want to go to MGM, Magic and Animal... We would hope to spend no more than $3,000 seeing we would only be there for 3 days so any help shout it my way. Thanks, Lisa

[myhandd]

Go to mousesavers.com for hints on hotel discounts, if you are wanting to stay on property I would suggest the Polynesian or the Contemporary (because it is close to Magic Kingdom by monorail). I'm sure others can give you their thoughts.

[lisavet]

thanks for the input - i will surely do that.

[shelleyz]

I don't know when in Feb you are going but disney has a special from Feb 12 thru sometime in April on hotels and on package deals. Here's the link. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/tickets/packageListing?id=SpecialOfferListingPage

Also 4 day park hoppers are $192 in advance for 10 and over and $152 in advance for ages 3-9. Also from the Disney site. If you don't use all the days they never expire. I've heard of a 3 day park hopper but don't know where to get them.

Not sure what type of hotel you are looking for but the Values are close to AK and MGM.

[lisavet]

ShellyZ - thanks. I am going from 2/5 to 2/8 or 2/9. Looking to get into MGM, Animal and Magic. Looking to stay in close distance to all of these. Was thinking of one of the WDW resorts but did not know anything about what is around them such as eating so i do not have to spend a fortune on room service or the hotel restaurants. What site do you think i could book the best deals since we do not want all the parks just the three of them.

[shelleyz]

I don't know what restaurants are around Disney as I've only been once and stayed on property with no car. We always ate in the parks or at our hotel food court. Heres a site for Disney park and resort restaurants. It has menues and prices. http://allearsnet.com/din/dining.htm Very good site for other info too. Disney has value, moderate and deluxe resorts. Just depends what you are looking for and willing to pay. We stayed at All Star Sports in October and are satying at Pop Century the last week of January. They are both value resorts. Check the disney site for info on the resorts. I have only booked through Disney directly and only bought my tickets through disney. Maybe someone else can help you out also.

[topgumm]

Did anyone mention the Visa "kids play and stay free" deal? I don't know all of the particulars but I do know it saved us a huge chunk of cash! I have seen a few web sites with the details. Try to Google for the info. My travel agent told us about it. I do know it is valid Jan 6th thru Jun (something). Hope that helps.

[jcemom]

We will be there at the same time!

I checked Expedia for your dates (I find it easier to navigate than the WDW site) and they are showing 299/night Polynesian, 219 Wilderness Lodge, Beach Club 289, Pop Century 77, Animal Kingdom Lodge 199, Caribbean Beach Resort 133 -- just to give you an idea of the price range available.

You could try dreams unlimited for a rate quote http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/ as they would probably be able to get you the best rate available.

There's a lot of information and pictures of the different resorts here http://allearsnet.com/acc/faq_hot.htm if you would like to check it out to help decide what you're looking for.

There is just about every restaurant imaginable not too far away if you will have a car. If you won't have a car you would be limited to WDW restaurants. However, if I didn't have a car I would not want to stay outside of Disney because of the shuttle difficulties back and forth to the parks.

[lisavet]

keep the info coming - i am taking it all in. we will not have a car so prefer a hotel that has shuttle service to and from and a hotel that has some reasonable restaurants around. thanks to all of you.

[jcemom]

Originally posted by lisavet
keep the info coming - i am taking it all in. we will not have a car so prefer a hotel that has shuttle service to and from and a hotel that has some reasonable restaurants around. thanks to all of you. "Reasonable" is probably a relative term at Disney...LOL ;) I'm not sure about the shuttle services from off-site hotels. I haven't used them personally, but I haven't read anything good about them either. The consensus seems to be (and you could probably get more info about it on the Orlando Hotels board) that if you are staying off-site you will need a car.

So, in my opinion, without a car you should be looking at onsite resorts, maybe one with a good food court that would have lower prices on food. Here are some price examples from the All Stars: 16 inch Cheese Pizza $13.99, Cheeseburger with Fries $5.49. From Pop Century: Mom's Night Out Specials! Thursday-Friday: Homemade Meatloaf $8.99 Saturday: Sliced Roast Beef $10.99, For Young POP Stars (11 and under) Chicken Nuggets and Fries $3.99, Macaroni and Cheese $3.99, Penne Pasta with Meatball $3.99 (Those are both in the Value category). You can check out full menus and prices for all the resorts here: http://allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm#res

[jcemom]

Oh, what are you including in the $3000 budget? Is that for airfare also? Or do you already have that?

[lisavet]

JCEMOM - From what I am seeing I can get airfare for $200 round trip per person so for the 4 of us $800. The tickets to get into each park is like $55 a person so for three parks that would be about another $650 so far now with tickets and airfare we are at $1450.00 - now for the room for 3 nights - looks like i like the WDW Pop Century at about $100 a night for $300 - now we are at airfare, room and tickets = 1800.00 and the rest $1000 or so for just us for three days. That is what I am seeing. The hotel offers a shuttle service so we are okay there. And I see if offers for a few extra dollars - Magic Hour and E-ride nites for Magic Kingdom. Am I doing okay?

[jcemom]

Yep, it's looking good. I would still check with DreamsUnlimited if you haven't just to see what kind of room rate they quote you. (It's all done via email, no need to talk to anyone.)

I would also consider checking out Mousesavers.com for tickets. They have a 3 day hopper plus for only a few dollars more than buying 3 one-day tickets and that would allow you to visit more than one park in the same day. Here's why I think that would be useful (you didn't mention the ages of your party, but with only three days for parks, I would plan something like this): Thursday - arrival day (how early or late will you be getting to Disney?) If you arrive before check-in time you can leave your bags at the resort and head to the parks - I would choose MGM and stay for Fantasmic at 7pm. Friday - since you have a full day, I would spend it at the Magic Kingdom, you can see Wishes fireworks at 7pm or hop over to Epcot for Illuminations fireworks at 9pm. Saturday - Animal Kingdom, then hop over to Magic Kingdom later for Spectro Magic Parade at 7pm and Wishes at 8pm.
Of course, if you're not interested in SpectroMagic (Animal Kingdom closes at 5:00) you could head to downtown disney that evening and stick with the one-day tickets. I've read that if you buy your second day before leaving the park the first day, they will discount it. Ditto for the third day. It may make those tickets even a little bit cheaper.

This is assuming a Sunday departure, of course. If you have kids, you may even want to schedule Chef Mickey's for breakfast before you leave if you have time.

You also don't want to forget the cost of transfers to/from the airport. You can find out a lot about that over on the transportation board. Sorry, but I have no idea who is good and what the cost is.

It looks like you'll have plenty of spending money left over! I'm not sure how much you like to eat, but certainly not $300 a day's worth, I wouldn't think...LOL

[jcemom]

Extra Magic Hour for the Magic Kingdom is on Thursday (which you would miss) and on Sunday (your departure day) so I don't think that would work for you. Unless of course your return flight was late enough to allow for going on Sunday morning (8am), that would also mean you would need a 4 day ticket.

E Ride nights haven't been announced yet, but I'm not looking for one to be held during our stay. Last year they were later in the month.

The best day of your stay for Magic Kingdom would be Friday, because Thursday is EMH and may be more crowded because of that. Saturday is always crowded.

Friday is EMH for Animal Kingdom, but I would be at Magic Kingdom that day if I were you, so that doesn't really help.

Saturday is EMH for MGM so you may want to consider that one, then go to Animal Kingdom on Thursday. The thing is that Animal Kingdom closes at 5pm. I'm not sure what time you're arriving, but if it's not early and you can't hop to another park, you would be using a ticket for only a couple of hours in the park.

[lisavet]

hello jcemom - by the way my name is lisa, thanks for all the info. I think i just hit it good. i looked in our local paper and there was a number to call for discounts at all the WDW resorts and I got a deal now for 4 nites. I will be arriving afternoonish on thursday - i will book an early flight - the check in time for Pop Century is 11 so that is good. I will now stay thurs - fri - sat- and sunday and leave on monday late day. I got 4 nights at a premium room for $388 at the Pop Century - and (4) 4 day hopper passes for $600. Now I will need to see what parks to go to on each day - thur - fri - sat - and sunday. The guy told us that the beginning of Feb will not be that crowded so we will not have a problem. Did I do good? So my room is $388 - my hopper passes are $600 and my flight is $800 total $1800.00 - not counting money to eat and things.... How is that?

Also what is a hopper pass? Can I use them to hop each park my entire 4 days?

[shelleyz]

A hopper pass means that you can visit more than 1 park in a day, say if you wanted to split your day into 2 parks. You can use them at all four parks any day you want. If you go from one park to another in the same day, I read to make sure you get your hand stamped though. They know if your park hopper has been used so if you go to another park without a stamp they'll think someone else used your hopper, which isn't supposed to happen.

[lisavet]

shelly - do they take the pass though - since it is a 4 day hopper pass - i dont want to give it up and then have no pass the rest of the days. Or do you just show your pass and get a stamp and then go to another park and show your pass and get a stamp etc.. Can I go to the same park on different days or when i go to one park is that it for that park or can i hope for all 4 days?

[jcemom]

It sounds like you're doing great Lisa! With the hopper pass, once you've entered any park it gives you unlimited admission to all four parks for the entire day. So, with a four day hopper, you will be able to come and go between all four parks for your entire four day stay. When you leave a park they will stamp your hand, then when you enter another park you will need your ticket and to show your hand stamp. (You keep your pass.) You can go to the same or different parks, whatever you want. You are going to have such a great time!

I have only been once at the beginning of February and it was not crowded at all, though that has been a long time ago. That's why we chose to go then on this trip, hoping to avoid long lines. From what I've been hearing, for the most part the longest waits we encounter should be only 10-15 minutes. I can live with that! (Heck, we waited 45+ minutes to ride the Exterminator at Kennywood this summer, then it made us all queasy! lol)

You can check out http://www.touringplans.com/BestDays.htm for the best days to visit each park.

We will be at Epcot on Thursday evening for dinner and Illuminations. On Saturday we're planning on Epcot in the morning, then hopping over to Magic Kingdom for dinner and SpectroMagic/ Wishes. Right now we don't have any parks planned for Friday or Sunday. We'll be there for 10 days though, and with three kids I want to make sure we have some "down time" if needed.

$388 for 4 nights at Pop Century sounds pretty good! It just opened last month, so it should be nice staying in a brand new resort. I've read nothing but good reviews about it, too!
Here's a link to some great pictures if you haven't seen them yet... http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_pop.htm

[lisavet]

Kennywood - how funny...I live near Pgh in Moon Twp. That ride makes me laugh outloud. I love the big coasters at Cedar Point. I usually am not scared of any ride so this trip to disney should be fun. I have two kids and they usually arent chicken either so we all should have fun. I am excited to go - i have not been there since i was a kid - many moons ago....I could not find the Jurassic Park ride though - what park is that in? What park order do you think I should do, or does it not matter since i have the hoppers. Are shuttles easy to get from park to park? This will be an adventure for us seeing we usually just do the beach vacation without any thinking. You have been great - thanks so much. Maybe I will run into you.

[jcemom]

Jurassic Park is at Universal Studios, that's probably why you couldn't find it listed anywhere! ;)

The order you choose the parks depends on what you want to see to some extent. Are you interested in Wishes fireworks at MK? Fantasmic show at MGM? The Spectro Magic nighttime parade at MK? Do you still want to skip Epcot, or try squeezing it in? How old are your kids?

I'm by no means an expert, but rather a compulsive planner...LOL I've planned and replanned my trip to the point of everyone in my house "tuning me out" every time I say Disney. LOL So I'm more than happy to help plan your trip! ;) :teeth:

Edited to add: I haven't used Disney transportation before, though we plan to use it this trip. We will have a rental car, but think taking the Disney buses will be less stressful for hubby, not needing to look for signs, parking spaces, and all that. From what I've read/heard they're pretty good.

Tracey

[lisavet]

i have been on these web sites so much - i am going insane. My daughter is 6 and son is 10. I get tuned out all the time so dont feel bad. No epcot for us - just the fun rides. So I am hitting MGM - Aminal and Magic. Maybe MGM Thursday when we get in - Friday - Magic and Sat - Animal. Sunday will be a do whatever day - maybe hit what we liked the most. Monday home sometime. I forgot about transportation from the airport to Pop Century and from Pop century to the Airport - any suggestions?

Lisa

[jcemom]

Those are the days I would choose for each park. AK closes at 5:00 (you'll probably be done before then anyway) so you may want to hop over to MK that night for Spectro Magic and Wishes, or back to MGM. There's also the downtown disney marketplace if you'd like to just walk around or do some shopping. They have a Lego section with giant lego creations and a play area that my 9 year old is looking forward to (of course he LOVES Legos).

Sunday is Extra Magic Hour for the MK, so if you feel like getting up early you may want to hit that for riding the "Mountains" a few more times.

I've never used transportation from the airport either, sorry. We've always had a car. Check the transportation board, though because they are always posting about it over there. http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=16

We're supposed to have a high of something like 28 degrees tomorrow...Florida here I come! (It can't get here soon enough!)

:sunny:

[lisavet]

my emails are not going through - i am trying

[lisavet]

well looks like i got a plan going - as for a rental - we are not sure if we want one since we do not know our way around and would have to pay to park everywhere. hopefully the shuttle thing will work out if we go that way. the cold weather here in the burgh is terrible - i hate winter. I love summer and spring. Come over and help me work on the plans for building a new home - i could use the help and you seem to be a good helper.

[jcemom]

As long as you're staying in a Disney Resort hotel (and you are) there is no charge for parking at any of the parks. A car would also give you the option of eating off site. But, it is one more thing to plan for. I would think you could get a rental for somewhere around $100-150

A shuttle from the airport to Disney would cost about $96 for your family (Mears). http://www.mousesavers.com/shuttle.html#wdw

You could also use a towncar service for around $115 plus tip. http://www.mousesavers.com/limo.html

Looks like roughly the same amount of money no matter how you go, so I guess it would be whatever you prefer. (The rental may cost a bit more, but then may save a bit on food.)

i could use the help and you seem to be a good helper I change my mind WAY too often -- just ask the folks at Disney Dining! (where you call to make Priority Seating "reservations" for sit-down meals, in case you didn't know.):crazy:

[shelleyz]

We only used Disney buses when we went in October. We didn't have any trouble with the disney transportation. We didn't rent a car cause we just didnt want to have to bother with a car. We used Cartier TownCar from the airport to our hotel and then from our hotel to the airport. We had no problems with them either. They include a grocery stop if you need to pick up some snacks and drinks. We have them booked again for our trip this month. It's $85 roundtrip, plus tip.

[lisavet]

shelly - how would i go about booking them for my feb trip - good info - thanks a bunch.

[shelleyz]

There website is http://www.cartiertowncar.com/
Check out the site and see what you think. All Disney hotels are $90 but if you book online you get $5 off. If you decide to go with them click on the reservations and fill in your info. They will email you back with a confirmation. They will meet you in baggage claim of the airline you are using. Anymore questions, ask away and I'll try and help.

[lisavet]

thanks i will go online and check it out now. I am staying in the Pop Century - got a good deal I think anyways for 4 nites at $388. I have not been there since i was a kid so I am winging all of this and praying it all works out.

[snyderla]

WOW, Lisa!! You're getting a lot of really good tips here! I think you got a really good deal. I don't think you would need a rental car, personally. I usually drive down, but we park our car, unload it, and don't go back to it again until the day we leave!! Disney transportation can't be beat. I've used it almost every trip and it's so nice not to have to worry about parking or even worse, getting out of the parking lot at closing time...flashing back to the 1 time we didn't use it, stayed offsite on New Year's Eve...2 1/2 hrs just to get out of the parking lot! But I digress...Since you have a 4 day Park Hopper, the only suggestion I have is to try EPCOT, maybe the day you go to AK, since it closes early. Illuminations is the wonderful! It's a fireworks show, with a twist! It begins at 9PM at the World Showcase lagoon. There are also a couple of great thrill rides, I notice you like those! Mission Space and Test Track. And there is a neat 3D Movie show, about 15 minutes long, called Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. I'm not sure why you didn't mention wanting to go there, but alot of people think it's just a big science class or something. There are learning opportunities, but more, too. Just an idea. You might want to check out some info sites about the parks to get an idea of what each has to offer. Maybe go check out the park maps site at disneyworld.com?

You will have a wonderful time! Just don't try to do everything, relax and enjoy!!!

Lori

[lisavet]

Lori thanks - yes i went to epcot as a kid and remember it as a learning experience and my kids have enough of that at school but if there are thrilling things to do - i most certainly will. What time do they close? I am going to use the town car service and not worry about a rental car and just rely on the wdw transportation and hope it all works out. This has been a learning experience and i am sure there is way more to learn about wdw. We want to hit all the good rides - do you have a list in your head?::::

[LoriMistress]

I would suggest staying at an All-Star Resort. It's affordable, has good facilities, and its located on the parks. I would suggest buying your airfar through the airlines website (sometimes you can get them much cheaper than from expedia.com, or other sites). I would suggest bringing some food with you for your trip (bring cereal, milk, bottled water, snacks), with you. For $10 a day you can get a refridgerator and you can store your food. It's much easier and cheaper. You can have breakfest while everyone gets ready, and bringing bottled water and snacks to the parks helps a lot. Drinks starting off cost $2.50. Believe me, you'll be saving lots of money by bringing bottled waters.

For other tips, I would suggest going to other websites, message boards, etc. and they can help you out as well.

[jcemom]

Hey Lisa! I'm pretty sure (if I'm remembering correctly) that Test Track, Mission Space, and Honey I Shrunk the Audience are all open until 9:00pm. I'm not sure what the lines will be like at that time of year late in the day. Maybe someone else can chime in and let us know!!!

[lisavet]

thanks to all for all your input on WDW - you all have been great to chat with. As we all know when we go it will be a blast. I feel comfortable with all my arrangements so now it is just time to have fun with it. Again thanks so much....

[nigel-bigel]

Well, I know I'm coming along after you'r plans are already made, but here's my .02, anyway.

I would look into changing your ressies to a moderate resort. it would only cost you around $50/night more, and you would get a more service-oriented resort with some very cool pools. Then again, I don't know how much time you'll have for the pools.

Another benefit of the Moderates is that they have full-service restaurants on the property (except Port Orleans French Quarter), not just food courts.

Also, since you are more interested in thrill rides than the whole Disney Magic thing, I would skip Animal Kingdom all together and go to Universal or Islands of Adventure for the day instead. AK has some great attractions, but not too many of them are thrilling, and the ones that are supposed to be thrilling are pretty lame Triceritops Spin? Primevil Whirl? Blech.

Over at Universal/IOA you will find much more of what you are looking for.

You will have a great time, whatever you decide!

Nicole

[lisavet]

thanks nicole - i will look into that - i was looking for food type courts to eat at a moderate price and not pay $20 for a hamburger, if you catch my drift. i like the contemporary though. the monorail thing seems cool. as for rides yes we all love the thrill rides, isnt the dinosaur ride in animal kingdom any good?

[nigel-bigel]

I don't know the cost of the food at the Moderate restaurants, but I doubt a burger is $20. That's high, even for Disney! But I do know what you mean. On the other hand, at the end of a long day touring the parks, sometimes you just want someone ELSE to find you a table and someone ELSE to bring you your food, ya know?

I have never been on Dinosaur, and I avoid all rides where you get wet (Who wants to get wet in street clothes?). My second all-time favorite attraction is at Animal Kingdom - the Legend of the Lion King. But, it is a show....

Anyway, Animal Kingdom is a small park to begin with, we usually do it when we only have about a half a day to spend in a park, and we still see all we want.

You have a limited amount of time... I would be pretty disappointed if I had allocated one of my three days to a park with about three "fun" rides and I was done by 3 pm.

The only problem for you going to Universal/MGM is that you need a way to get there.

Oh, my all-time favorite attraction? That would be Rock-n-Roller Coaster at MGM. Wow! What a rush!!

However, do keep in mind that there is so much to enjoy at WDW that doesn't go fast! The first time I went I was skeptical that I would want anything but roller coasters. Boy, was I wrong! It's such a cliche`, but it really is a magical place. For instance, The Great Movie Ride at MGM is slow, but pretty cool. When the slooow moving tram arrives in Oz, it's my favorite part. You are surrounded by Munchkins!! They are so lifelike and all doing their own little thing, it is amazing. You don't miss the speed.

Nicole

[lisavet]

well it is a world of adventure - all of it....We will have fun and then continue going back since i am a amusement park type of gal. I was born to ride the thrill rides....

[shelleyz]

The Dinosaur ride is a great ride. My husband and I did it in October and will do so again in a few weeks. You will have a great time at Disney. We haven't tried Universal, but maybe someday. I'm addicted to Disney even though I've only been once this past October but hubby and I are already going back in a few weeks without our 3 and 4 year old sons. We want to experience all the bigger rides. I wasnt able to do any (except dinosaur and splash mountain)cause my 2 year old at the time wouldnt leave my side and stay with nana.

[jcemom]

Don't forget, she has park hoppers, so when they've finished with Animal Kingdom, they can hop over to another park!

[nigel-bigel]

You are right, I did forget! Good thinking...

Nicole