First Time Disneyworld Traveller - Booked!

[unityco]

Hello!

I've been told this is the be-all end-all site for Disney travel tips. I need it all! We have a week of vacation booked beginning the 21st of February, and we plan on spending some/most of it at DW. Advice on everything from flights to Park itineraries would be appreciated. Some details that should help narrow the field:

• 3 travellers (3yo son, DH and myself.)
• Departing Toronto or Buffalo (or even Hamilton - but Toronto is preferred.)
• On site/off site doesn't matter
• We'll want to spend some time away from Disney (a day at the shore, KSC, etc.)
• Around $2100 budget (including flights and most meals.)

TIA!

 

[rxs148]

Wow where do you start... read info on this site ...and read somewhere.
On site/off site depends on $$$
But for one week you could stay on for 4 days off for 3 ....
We were there 10 days and still not enough.
4 days on you could rent some points from DVC member. Sun to Thurs minimizes cost.
3 days at local hotel to travel to shore and visit other attractions.

See the new offer from Disney buy 4 days get 7...and you could sell unused tickets. Prices look really good.

Thats a start
I'll be back

 

[unityco]

Wow where do you start...

That's kinda my problem, lol! I don't even know where to start to narrow down the information!

Beside this site, are there others with good tips (perhaps not in a forum format?)

Thanks for replying!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

You will find everything you need right here - there is an amazing deal that just came out yesterday - pay for 4 stay for 7 - it's a great deal!
If you are only going for a week you might want to stick to just Disney or just off site activities - 1 week really isn't enough to see it all especially with a 3yo - there is so much on Disney property to see that it could keep you busy for a long long time!!
KSC is cool but not that interesting for a 3yo - we took my youngest when he was 4 and he was bored to tears!!

If you are planning on flying out of Toronto you won't do much on $2100 - flights will cost you an arm and a leg (typically $400 + per person) unless you find an amazing deal where out of Buffalo you can typically fly for $200 PP return or less. Try www.kayak.com for flight searches.

 

[lisalonglash]

Hello!

I've been told this is the be-all end-all site for Disney travel tips. I need it all! We have a week of vacation booked beginning the 21st of February, and we plan on spending some/most of it at DW. Advice on everything from flights to Park itineraries would be appreciated. Some details that should help narrow the field:

• 3 travellers (3yo son, DH and myself.)
• Departing Toronto or Buffalo (or even Hamilton - but Toronto is preferred.)
• On site/off site doesn't matter
• We'll want to spend some time away from Disney (a day at the shore, KSC, etc.)
• Around $2100 budget (including flights and most meals.)

TIA!

There really is TOO MUCH information available online on WDW I would suggest that speaking with a Disney-specialist travel agent might be a good place to get an accurate figure for the trip you'd like Also, I sent you a PM (private message).

 

[ajschell]

That's kinda my problem, lol! I don't even know where how to narrow down the information!

Besides this site, are there others with good tips (perhaps not in a forum format?)

Thanks for replying!

I have found www.mousesavers.com and www.allears.net very helpful with planning. Hope you get all the information you need.... although I am sure by the time you go you will be a Disney pro!!! Good luck and happy planning.

 

[Csaks]

I have found www.mousesavers.com and www.allears.net very helpful with planning. Hope you get all the information you need.... although I am sure by the time you go you will be a Disney pro!!! Good luck and happy planning.

I second ajschell for these two sites. Both have all the info you will need.

 

[Jackie Psarianos]

Flying:

We used to fly out of Toronto and the highest we paid in airfare for four was $2500 and the lowest we paid was $1300, until we discovered Buffalo. Last July we flew the four of us out for $900 return. Unless Toronto, gate fees get lower, fares will continue to be high, and we will fly out of Buffalo.

Disney has a deal:

They have a buy four nights at a Disney resort with a four day pass, and you'll get an extra three days with a three day pass. It's worth looking up.

If your budget is low, ask for a quote at a value resort at Disney. They resemble two level motels, their theming is great and they are very clean. They provide complimentary shuttle to all the theme parks and to Downtown Disney and complimentary shuttle service called Magical Express from Orlando International airport to your resort.

Good luck, and have a great vacation.

 

[momdad4kids]

Hello!

I've been told this is the be-all end-all site for Disney travel tips. I need it all! We have a week of vacation booked beginning the 21st of February, and we plan on spending some/most of it at DW. Advice on everything from flights to Park itineraries would be appreciated. Some details that should help narrow the field:

• 3 travellers (3yo son, DH and myself.)
• Departing Toronto or Buffalo (or even Hamilton - but Toronto is preferred.)
• On site/off site doesn't matter
• We'll want to spend some time away from Disney (a day at the shore, KSC, etc.)
• Around $2100 budget (including flights and most meals.)

TIA!

First ,get your self a good travel agent, someone that specializes in Disney vacations even,CAA is a good place to start ,they will work with you wether your a member or not,generally though membership cost will be more than recouped on CAA savings.
Second, if you have a week ,Disney is a good place to spend it. If this is your first trip to Florida,the temperature is good in late February but you might find the beach a little chilly.Plus staying on site with the 4 day ,3 free deal is as cheap as staying off site.We've had some less than stellar experiences with Orlando hotel "deals",Disney is always clean and they dont "forget" to make your bed after the 3rd day.Also staying on site you wont need to rent a car ,saving a few extra dollars.
thirdly ,you can glean a huge amount of information from this site but Id also recommend "The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World", they have good park itineraries we've used in the past . The book is huge and looks rather like your about to read war and peace but its really packed with information on everything at the parks with some excellent tips as well,The "official guide" is good as well just with less detailed information and slightly more "pro' Disney,lol, good luck

 

[unityco]

Well, I took the plunge and booked something. $3600 For flights out of TO, Coronado Springs and the new "Quick Service" DP. Obviously, the budget had a lot of flex, lol. Did I get a reasonable deal?

 

[JackJack08]

Sounds decent, with flights. If it were me, I would book a value resort (POP for example) and go with the regular dining plan (if you want to stay within your budget). It is sooo nice to have a "real" meal at the end of the day (or to start the day). And there are so many yummy table service restuarants to choose from. Just my opinion ! Have a great time planning!,

 

[unityco]

Sounds decent, with flights. If it were me, I would book a value resort (POP for example) and go with the regular dining plan

Surprisingly, POP was only ~$150 less total (not pp,) so that's why I upgraded. I could have got the All-Stars for about ~$350 less total, but the "quiet pools" at the Moderate resorts seemed like something we would take advantage of (none of us deal well with crowds, and I'm sure Disney will be busy at that time of year. We'll need the escape, lol )

I hear you on the Dining Plan. I'll be curious if the 2009 plan allows you to use two QS credits for a sit-down meal. I guess we could still upgrade later, right?

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

Hello!

I've been told this is the be-all end-all site for Disney travel tips. I need it all! We have a week of vacation booked beginning the 21st of February, and we plan on spending some/most of it at DW. Advice on everything from flights to Park itineraries would be appreciated. Some details that should help narrow the field:
TIA!

Welcome!!!

 

[sk8jdgca]

check flights out of buffalo- southwest has a sale right now-I just booked 49 one way for january

 

[snickerboo]

Welcome. Feel free to ask any questions. This is definitely the place to learn about all things Disney!

 

[MECH8T7]

I would recommend starting with one of the popular WDW guidebooks. The one that I found most useful for planning my first trip is the Unofficial Guide to WDW.

http://www.amazon.com/Unofficial-Guide-Disney-World-Guides/dp/0470285702

Something like that is going to probably be your best starting point because everything is laid out for you in a logical order to allow you to "get your bearings" so to speak. Once you've had a chance to get familiar with the common considerations, it makes spending time on a site like the Disboards much more useful because you will be able to better understand some of the jargon or why certain questions or comments are being posted.

 

[DearDaisyinDurham]

when you really have the DIS "disease" you find yourself listening to a theme park cd, while reading your unofficial guide and marking and highlighting things in the book according to colours you've assigned to each park- get the picture of the illness?

 

[JackJack08]

Surprisingly, POP was only ~$150 less total (not pp,) so that's why I upgraded. I could have got the All-Stars for about ~$350 less total, but the "quiet pools" at the Moderate resorts seemed like something we would take advantage of (none of us deal well with crowds, and I'm sure Disney will be busy at that time of year. We'll need the escape, lol )

I hear you on the Dining Plan. I'll be curious if the 2009 plan allows you to use two QS credits for a sit-down meal. I guess we could still upgrade later, right?

Sounds like a good deal. You probably would like the quieter pool. I just stayed at the All Stars and they were not my fav.
Honestly though, think about the dining plan. Especially if you want to get out of the rat race for a bit. You can upgrade later. But don't forget you will need dining reservations in advance.