First time planning a Disney vacation-- soooo excited, but where do I start?! Help!!

[DrRae2B]

Hello all!... I have lurked for many years on these boards, but at last I speak!!

Let me begin by giving you all some info about myself and my particular situation...

I am 27, married for nearly 5 years, with one daughter, 3. I am also about to embark on the process of applying to medical school which, hopefully result in the most difficult four years of my life. I am a self-professed Disney Geek and I have been to Disney twice, although both times were far from the elaborate trips many of you have enjoyed through the years (One was back in the early 90's, a short and cheap trip which my parents scraped the bottom of the barrel to take; and the other was an AMAZING experience in which I, as drum major, led my high school marching band to a FIRST place win in a 2000 MusicFest Orlando parade at MGM--- funny story about this one, but we'll get to that one later...).

I remember, specifically, the first thought that crossed my mind when the ultrasound tech announced that my baby would be a girl: I got an instant mental picture of her having dinner in Cinderella's castle, someday. And now, I am planning the aforementioned trip. Finally!! So, this is what brings me to the DIS Boards.

Traveling on this trip for sure, will be me, my hubs, our daughter (then 4), and my 14-yr-old sister. I want the trip to be especially special for her, since the only Disney trip she's ever had was back in 2000, when my parents came down to watch my band. She was a toddler at the time, and had a great time, but our daddy died only a month after we got home from that trip, succumbing to a leukemia no one even knew he had. She NEEDS to enjoy this vacation...

2010 packages are out in a few short weeks, and I have my money at-the-ready. But now I'm stuck. I have so many questions. Will I save by booking my trip a'la carte (room plus dining plus tix separately?)? I saw on another thread where a guy got an Atrium view room at Contemporary, with tix and dining!, for less than 3500!-- that's less than what my travel agent quoted me for next May at Carribean Beach! (How can I get that lucky?). My sis wants to bring a friend, but where could I get a room on Disney property that sleeps 5??? (I want the dining plan, so off-property is no good for us). Should I go with a travel agent or can I get a better deal by doing this myself? Can we avoid crowds and get lower rates in May, as opposed to Spring break or summer?....

I hope I'm not being too much a bother with all these questions, but I am new at this, and this vacation is soley on MY shoulders to plan (hubby isn't really into it...). I don't expect anyone to answer all my questions directly, as you all are undoubtedly planning your own vacations and don't need to be bothered by mine. But if someone could please just point me in the direction as to where I may find answers I would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks so much, in advance, for any help! Good luck with your own planning!


(Someday) Dr Rae



Siggy might come eventually, when I have time to figure it out... Right now my brain is tired from MCAT prep stuff. Ugh.

[Stitch2244314]

First of all, congratulations on deciding to pursue medical school-- that is quite the undertaking! Also, congratulations on this upcoming trip-- now to your questions.

I don't think you'd really save any money by booking separately. Most of the time, it's actually better to book a package because Disney has been offering promotions lately. Earlier this year they had the Buy 4, Get 3 nights free deal, and now they are offering free dining for most dates mid August- December. These promotions are only available through package deals.

I'm not sure about the $3500 quote for the CL at the Contemporary. That sounds like a great deal-- maybe he got the free dining offer?

For groups of 5, there are limited options below the deluxe level. You have the All-Star Music Suites, the Fort Wilderness Cabins, the rooms in the Alligator Bayou section of Port Orleans Riverside that have a trundle bed and sleep 5. I believe all the deluxes (except AKL and WL) sleep 5.

As far as a travel agent goes, maybe for your first trip it's not a bad idea to use one. It probably isn't necessary though-- you can really just book anything you like on the Disney website and it's really not a problem.

And for time of year, we just returned from a late May/early June trip and it was great! Crowds were low to moderate, and the weather was perfect. Now since we went in late May the prices were "summer" season prices. I believe if you go in early or middle May it will be considered value season and the prices will be lower, as will the crowds.

Good luck on your decisions, and have a great trip!

[MHSweb79]

Congrats to the future doctor! Pretty soon you can go to parties and have people say to you, "Can you just take a look at this for me?"

My first advice is to get a guidebook. I am a huge fan of the Unofficial Guide, although that one is 800 pages and you just might not have time to slog through a book that thick . Birnbaum's is another good book and is a much quicker read.

Another tip is to head over to allears. net and check out their resort section. You can see photos and decide which might be best for you. That site is chock-full of excellent information.

My last advice is not to obsess over someone else's deal. You don't know if the received a (random) discount PIN code, or what the deal actually included. Some people list their resort rate and don't tell you that it doesn't include park admission or the dining plan. So take these figures with a grain of salt.

We have booked through the Disney site and also through AAA, with the results being about the same.

Edited to add:
1) Welcome to the DIS!
2) Just reread your OP and want to reiterate that allears. net has sections addressing virtually all of your questions. Take a look!

[WEDWDW]

Welcome to the "World of posting" and CONGRATULATIONS on your trip!I went to Walt Disney World in 2003 for a "once in a lifetime trip".My trip two months ago was # FIFTEEN!LOLIf money is a consideration,for a party of 5,I would STRONGLY recommend the All-Star Music Suites.The Suites are basically two regular rooms that Disney has remodeled into a "suite",therefore you will have TWO BATHROOMS,etc.I usually stay at All-Star Sports and LOVE the Value resorts,but some Guests prefer Moderates or Deluxes.I love the Themeing,Food Courts,etc.of the Values and ALSO the extra money in my pocket!I would suggest that you visit the Mousesavers and Allears websites and familiarize yourself with the dates of the various resort seasons(Value,Regular,Holiday,etc.)I try to go in Value Season as much as possible since the rates are cheapest then.I think you are well on your way to a GREAT trip!

[michelleiada]

Hello! Congrats to you on applying to med school. You are ambitious taking on med school and motherhood all at the same time. It is true what the OP said about going to parties and hearing about everyones ailments. I am a nurse and it happens to me all the time. I have to remind people that "I am a nurse, not a Doctor!" Anyway, sounds like you really need this trip to be ""special" as it will be at least a few years before you will be able to do it again. Any trip to Disney is special, but there are definately ways to enhance your vacation. If money is no object....I would absolutely go Deluxe. Any of the Deluxe Resorts will sleep five people. Personally, we LOVE the Yacht and Beach Club. The pool, Stormalong Bay, is amazing. The location can't be beat. You can walk to two parks (Epcot and Studios) and the Boardwalk is on the other side of the lake. There is so much to do in this area. Get yourself a good guide book too! I like the Birnbaum's guide and the Unoffical Guide, as well at the Passporter. The websites that the other posters mentioned will give you lots of good information also. Don't even consider staying off site. It is not the same experience at all. When you stay at a Disney resort you are immersed in the magic 24/7. If you are anything like the rest of us, you will be wanting to go back as soon as you return....so hurry up with Med School so you can afford to go more often to feed the Disney addiction. The best of luck to you and I hope your trip is magical!

[MARCIAKAZ]

Hi there-just thought I'd agree that allearsnet.com and mousesavers.com are both great resources, in addition to the DIS, of course. I used all three when planning my family's first trip in 2004, and our second trip in 2007. There were also 5 of us. Another option I found in my research--Coronado Springs has a junior suite, which is basically two adjoining rooms. Planning is part of the fun, so enjoy! About crowds...if you have the opportunity to go at a time when most kids are still in school, I would recommend it. We've been in August and Christmas-New Year week and both were super crowded!! We enjoyed our trips very much, but I do look forward to going someday at a less busy time.

[amandank]

I would definitely go with Contemporary or Polynesian if you can afford them. There are several free dining offers out there right now which would make it more affordable. They do sleep 5, but the most awesome part is: the accessibility to quick and easy transportation, which, with my 3 year old daughter (and 6 year old son) makes trips so much easier and happier---which is my justification for putting up the extra money. If you are planning on dining at the Castle, make sure to reserve Cinderella's Table as soon as you are cleared to make the reservation...it is a hard reservation to get. You might enjoy Pooh at Crystal Palace too. If you want the other princesses too, try Askerhus in Norway



Have fun planning!!!!

[Claire&TheBoys]

Welcome to the DIS!!!

I just wanted to address one of your original questions regarding how to book. You said you definitely want the dining plan, so you will have to book a Disney Magic Your Way package. You can't add the dining plan to a room-only reservation (exception: if you have an Annual Pass); you must make it a package to include a ticket for every member of your party.

When the 2010 rates are released next month, you can book whatever you want for a $200 deposit. Then, keep your eyes here on the DIS, watching for whatever deals are released for your vacation time. You can always call and have a discount applied to your reservation, subject to availability, or even change resorts. The whole package won't have to be paid in full until 45 days before your arrival.

Go online and order the Disney planning DVD; some DIS-ers report getting special PIN codes after they've done that. (No guarantee, though!) PIN codes are special discounts specifically for you (non-transferable).

Have fun with the planning! It's addictive!

[serene56]

Me too... I am waiting to book my September 2010
I so much wanted the Coronada Springs but at 600. more per room I know I gotta grin and bear it and switch to Pop Century.

I dont book my vacations with the soul purpose of its a trip in a life time--although it will be as we are taking my grand daughter for her first time as she turns 5 years old.

600.00 is a lot of money especially when you have 4 rooms being booked.

I have a list of dining places-- Not necessarily a cs/ts each day but broke it down to which park-- and where everyone would like to eat.

I gave the Allearsnet site to everyone and said give me one you want to try.
I also asked for a back up place just incase we cant do these.
CRT is nice== but Park Fare will do for dinner for us this time.

[TillyMarigold]

If you want a cheaper option for 5 people, you can go with a family suite at All Stars Music (or Movies? I get them mixed up), or else Port Orleans Riverside, which (if you requested it) would have 2 double beds (for you and DH, and your sister and her friend) plus a trundle bed for your DD. But you could also see about renting points from a DVC member to get a 1-BR suite somewhere, which (I think) would have a master bedroom with a king-sized bed, a double-sized sofa bed, and a chair that converts to a bed.

Also, you should pay the same whether you use a travel agent or not.

Early/mid-May is a great time to go to Disney, crowds are lower and hopefully it won't be unbearably hot yet. Either Allears.net or Mousesavers.com should have the calendar showing which dates are the "value" (cheapest) rates.

Welcome to the DIS! I hope you have a great vacation and a great time planning it!!