1st time in a hotel

[Gaynor]

Hi,
We really enjoyed our 1st experience of a week in a hotel after only doing villa holidays in Florida (but still love villas) so we thought next year we would split our time between both.
Now I'd like to stay onsite for a week and take advantage of the free DDP, as I always do DIY holidays will I have to book direct with Disney?
I can then take my time looking for flights and a villa and persuading my other half that 3 weeks will be good next year.
Can you Disney hotel experts out there advise me please?

 

[Leanne1977]

Yes booking with disney direct would be your best option as i think if you book a package then you will need to have the DDP for your length of stay.

Seperate flights, villa, hotel would be the best option.
You can book direct with Disney UK now to take advantage of the free DDP or you could wait until Disney US release it (which is not definate but i would put money on it).

 

[Gaynor]

Thanks Leanne,
I see you go in 8 days and have the free dp do you have to make all your dining reservations before you go? It's all new to me, think I need to do lots of reading!

 

[Leanne1977]

Thanks Leanne,
I see you go in 8 days and have the free dp do you have to make all your dining reservations before you go? It's all new to me, think I need to do lots of reading!

It is definately recommended that you do them as free dining has made the restaurants really busy. We made all ours at 180 days out. I tried a few nights ago to change 'Ohana dinner to another day. For the whole 3 weeks we are there they only had 2 reservations left and both were for 9.45pm!! Not great with 2 small children.

So my advice is make them if you get free dining.

 

[DISWolves]

The only thing I have against the DDP was that you may feel 'obliged' to dine all of the time in Disney and at times you may be eating because you have a reservation and not because you are hungry. Saying that we visited some super places
This years 3 week visit, we decided to do our own thing, and we all enjoyed it
There are still many good eating places outside of the WDW property, Orlando Ale House & Outback Steakhouse will always be a safe bet. I have just noticed that Wayneg has recommended Texas Roadhouse, which I am sure we will visit next year.
My main bonus staying on-site is to use the EMH.
We usually do the EMH morning from opening until about midday, leave the park - hotel pool or shopping and the return to EMH evening park about 7:00 and stay until it closes. This sometimes can mean 19 hour days....but hey! your at Disney

ENJOY