1st time to Disney

[aqualung]

Well not the first for my wife and I but will be for my 1 year old. Looking for a place to stay in the resort area. How important is it to stay on the monorail line rather than somewhere not attached to the monorail. We would definitely like the convenience of staying in a resort on the monorail but they sure are expensive. I know the baby will not go all day and will need a nap a few times during the day.

Another question, how busy is it 2 weeks before thanksgiving. That is when we are going and do prices typically go down. It's over $500 a night at contemporary if I book now.

 

[Robo]

Have a great trip!

 

[uccats97]

Never pay rack rate for a room unless you are going during free dining (then you have to pay rack rate). If discounts haven't been released yet, you can book at rack rate and then have the discount applied once it becomes available. Monorail resorts are great for MK and Epcot. You'll still need bussing for AK and HS. Moderate resorts are a nice choice for a lot less money. I'd recommend Port Orleans Riverside or Caribbean Beach. Keep in mind your baby will likely fall asleep in the stroller or in your arms at some point. There are plenty of cool and dark shows where you can hang out during a nap. Also, make sure to take advantage of the wonderful Baby Care Centers in each park. These are great for feelings, diaper changes, etc. Check out the crowd calendars at easywdw.com for an idea of what to expect during your travel dates. Have a great trip!

 

[aqualung]

Nice. Did not know about the baby care center. Can you prepare food there for the baby and get supplies if needed

We really like the idea of staying in a resort on the monorail line and we most likely will only be going to Disney and Epcot. Depends on how much time we have. What is the tye price of a night in the contemporary/Polynesian during that time of the year.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I would keep an eye out for a room-only discount in that period before Thanksgiving. Looks like they released the discounts last year on 7/23. On the company's website, you'll see them under "Special Offers" at the bottom of the main page.

http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/

I would keep an eye out for discounted rooms in the Garden Wing of the Contemporary. Those are the lowest price rooms there and with a discount can be reasonable. Being at the CR is awesome because not only do you have the monorail but you can WALK back and forth to the MK.

Happy planning!

 

[aqualung]

I would keep an eye out for a room-only discount in that period before Thanksgiving. Looks like they released the discounts last year on 7/23. On the company's website, you'll see them under "Special Offers" at the bottom of the main page.

http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/

I would keep an eye out for discounted rooms in the Garden Wing of the Contemporary. Those are the lowest price rooms there and with a discount can be reasonable. Being at the CR is awesome because not only do you have the monorail but you can WALK back and forth to the MK.

Happy planning!

I like that idea walking between MK and the resort. Especially if there are long lines for the monorail.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I like that idea walking between MK and the resort. Especially if there are long lines for the monorail.

And there can be long lines for the monorail sometimes. It's so nice just to be able to walk, especially when leaving because by the time you walk up to the monorail platform, you feel like you could have walked back by then

 

[mjkacmom]

I suggest picking up a guidebook - I like the Unofficial Guide.

 

[itchin2go]

We really like the idea of staying in a resort on the monorail line and we most likely will only be going to Disney and Epcot. Depends on how much time we have. What is the tye price of a night in the contemporary/Polynesian during that time of the year.

Just did a quick search on disneyworld.com and I came up with $400 - $700 a night. Keep in mind - those are just regular hotel rooms, not suites. It's why we've never sprung to do that. We did a 1 br villa at Wilderness Lodge years ago, and I think that was around $400 a night. That was about my limit.

 

[aqualung]

I suggest picking up a guidebook - I like the Unofficial Guide.

We have been to disney plenty of times since we live pretty close. Just never took a baby. Just trying to gauge how much the rooms will be. We have AP's so tickets are no issue and it's just us 2 eating since the baby just eats what we bring for her.

 

[aqualung]

Just did a quick search on disneyworld.com and I came up with $400 - $700 a night. Keep in mind - those are just regular hotel rooms, not suites. It's why we've never sprung to do that. We did a 1 br villa at Wilderness Lodge years ago, and I think that was around $400 a night. That was about my limit.

Yea I got those prices too but I know there are no discounts on those rooms currently.

 

[LetsTalkWDW]

Nice. Did not know about the baby care center. Can you prepare food there for the baby and get supplies if needed

We really like the idea of staying in a resort on the monorail line and we most likely will only be going to Disney and Epcot. Depends on how much time we have. What is the tye price of a night in the contemporary/Polynesian during that time of the year.

Baby Care centers do have a microwave and an oven, check out all amenities here:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/baby-care-centers/

 

[Anesthesia Fine]

Hey aqualung!

(Sorry. I am so sorry.)

Check out DVC points for BLT, too, maybe. That walk to MK is really, really convenient.

 

[aqualung]

Baby Care centers do have a microwave and an oven, check out all amenities here:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/baby-care-centers/

Thanks. Good to know. Nice that they sell items you may have forgotten.

 

[aqualung]

Hey aqualung!

(Sorry. I am so sorry.)

Check out DVC points for BLT, too, maybe. That walk to MK is really, really convenient.

What is dvc points?

 

[mjkacmom]

We have been to disney plenty of times since we live pretty close. Just never took a baby. Just trying to gauge how much the rooms will be. We have AP's so tickets are no issue and it's just us 2 eating since the baby just eats what we bring for her.

The books will have a lot of information about the resorts, including pricing information, I believe.

 

[itchin2go]

What is dvc points?

Disney Vacation Club - You can rent villas at those properties directly from Disney, or you can rent "points" from a DVC owner.

Yea I got those prices too but I know there are no discounts on those rooms currently.

Historical discounts are here:http://www.mousesavers.com/historical-information-on-walt-disney-world-resort-discounts/
Looks like they weren't released until July 2014 and were around 15% - 30% discounts. In 2013, they weren't released until later.

I have taken advantage of discounts successfully, but the discounts may not be available for the kind of room you want in the resort you want. My advice would be to stalk the discount announcements and book immediately when they come available.

Also, in the past, I would go ahead and book what you want when you know for sure you're making the trip, and then check for discounts later.

I don't want to discourage you from staying onsite. We have, and we loved those trips. But just for comparison's sake, we now stay offsite for less than $800/week in a 2 br villa. The range of accommodations and prices of accommodations in the Disney area is going to be huge. You are looking at the priciest of those choices. Nothing wrong with that - I have friends who will ONLY stay at the Grand Floridian - but I just wanted to point out that you don't have drop that much money to have a great Disney vacation. Whatever your price point is, you can find something and have a great trip.

I second (or third) the advice to get a guidebook (I like Unofficial as well). You'll have so much more information at your fingertips.

 

[Anesthesia Fine]

Disney Vacation Club - You can rent villas at those properties directly from Disney, or you can rent "points" from a DVC owner.

I second (or third) the advice to get a guidebook (I like Unofficial as well). You'll have so much more information at your fingertips.

This! You can find some more info here as well.

Also Nthing the guidebook advice; lots of great reviews of places on- and offsite.

 

[larryz]

Well not the first for my wife and I but will be for my 1 year old. Looking for a place to stay in the resort area. How important is it to stay on the monorail line rather than somewhere not attached to the monorail. We would definitely like the convenience of staying in a resort on the monorail but they sure are expensive. I know the baby will not go all day and will need a nap a few times during the day.

Another question, how busy is it 2 weeks before thanksgiving. That is when we are going and do prices typically go down. It's over $500 a night at contemporary if I book now.

I think you'd find it quite fun to be sitting on a park bench... if you can find any.

Note the "seasons" in the table in this link.

 

[NavyDad]

Just throwing another option out there to consider:

A cabin at Fort Wilderness.

1. They are usually cheaper than a monorail resort.
2. Short boat ride to MK and TTC
3. You park your vehicle about 15 feet from your door
4. Has a bedroom that is seperate from the living area which is great with little ones
5. Has a full kitchen