1st Trip ever

[ksumn1]

First, I've been surfing this site for about a week now, and it's GREAT!!! I've had many
of my questions answered just looking around. I'm planning a trip to WDW in the last
week of Aug, 2002. Since money's a little tight, we've decided to stay off site, so we'll have more fun money. I have a 3 year old who'll want to meet lots of princesses, and buy lots of souveniers. (I'm going to be doing a goood bit of shopping myself) The hotel(s) I'm looking at are 1: Comfort Inn Lake Buena Vista, 1 mile from WDW, with a double standard w/fridge and microwave. Only 31.00 a nite (+12% tax). Is this a good hotel? Clean, and really that close??? I've also checked out Holiday Inn, Maingate East, and a few more. Please tell me if either of these is OK. I'm not real picky, but it must be clean, and fairly close to WDW. We're staying 6 nites. One to recover from the drive (9 hours) and 5 fulll days at WDW. There are so many places to choose from, and most look good, but I need some advice from somebody who knows. I know this is long, but I'm already so excited, I don't know how I can possibly wait 'till Aug!! I don't want to let a bad motel experience spoil it. Thank you SOOOO much!

 

[bobcat]

Don't have any tips on the hotels but can help save you some money on souvineers. There are two Character Outlets in the Beltz outlet mall. We always stop here first on our way into town and buy many of our souvineers. Save alot of money that way. We also don't wast alot of time in the stores at the parks and we have more time for rides.

 

[LKS]

If things are slow next summer, you may luck into a really cheap rate at the all-stars too, so I'd keep my eyes open for that.

I do know that some of the really cheap off-site hotels are pretty filthy and run down, so you might go to the Orlando Hotels and Attractions forum to ask about specific hotels.

 

[josierac]

I also second checking into the All stars. This summer they were offering $59 per night rate in August. You won't have to worry about renting a car.

 

[ksumn1]

Thank You so very much!!! I have actually been doing alot of reading over the last few days (Birnbaum's and the Unofficial Guide to WDW) and have really been reconsidering staying off site. I joined the Disney Club, for pass discounts, and haven't been able to find codes yet for Aug. Should I go ahead and reserve a room at the ALS (Movies is our preference) and then call back and use the discount when it becomes available? Also, if I call WDW will they tell me about DC discounts if I ask? I already know what building (Buzz, courtyard) we want if we stay there. I never planning a vacation could be so much work (OR FUN) I Love this site!!

 

[kinlaw6450]

Definately book now for the All Stars! You can always go back later if the discount codes become available. Have you seen www.mousesavers.com ?

 

[ksumn1]

I've checked mousesavers and she doesn't have anything yet. But I may be jumping the gun a little bit. Since our trip won't bee till Aug, I've got 8 months to search for the deals. Surely something will turn up between now & then. If not, at least I'll have saved on my tickets and some of the food costs. I not a great cook, so I'm sure my family will enjoy any and all of the food at WDW (LOL) I keep picturing my DD face when she looks out of that window & sees Woody, Perdita, etc .. every morning. I think it would be woth the extra $$. Now, to convince the hubby...........

 

[bobcat]

Definatly book ASMo now. Rates usually don't come out until closer to the date. Movies is a great place to stay and I don't think you will be disapointed. The food court is average but great for food on the go. They also have refillable mugs for around $10 - unlimited refills. Great deal and you can use them for your next trip. It sounds like you've caught the bug!

 

[pooh2001]

Stay on WDW property if you can find a WDW hotel within your price range.
Other money saving ideas...
Go to Walmart, K-Mart, Disney store with your DC card when they are having a sale...
buy...Disney themed t-shirts, small toys, pez containers, key chains, hats, ....
Stash away and hide in your suitcase for WDW. Each morning let your child find some
"pixie dust" (a stashed away Disney bargin) under his/her pillow. Stops some of the
gimmies. And much less expensive.

Bring or stop at a food store - to get cereal, snacks, water bottles, pop tarts, gummies,
what ever your family would like for breakfast (which is a dry good) and snacks.
In the AM - have an adult get milk for cereal. Eat breakfast in the room before going
to a Park. Bring your own snacks and water bottles into the parks.

Decorate the hotel room with Disney window clings. Use Disney themed paper bathroom
cups. Bring Disney themed shampoo for the kids (and you) to use.

There are many ways to save and still have Dsiney Magic

 

[ksumn1]

Thanks to tink, I already called and have my ressies!! I was having a little snafu w/my computer & couldn't pull up my DC Club Benefits list, but she came to the rescue & the discount went into effect for AllStars on Aug 25th-the exact same day we're checking in!!! (I couldn't have planned it better!) $345.78 for 6 nites, but the lady at ressies told me "to keep my eyes open, because you never know when new discounts can pop up". She was very helpful and said that IF I found a better deal, I had until Aug 4 to change my ressie.

The souvenier idea seems like an easy way to save alot of cash. I'm sure my DD won't care where they came from, and what she doesn't know I'll never tell. I actually went by Wal-Mart today and walked away with 6 pairs of shorts and 2 t's for $24. Of course, I love the clearance rack on any occasion! I'm also going to use some ideas I've seen on the boards. Go to the mall and buy $5-$10 Disney dollars and put them in the jar, so hopefully by Aug, We'll have a nice little fund so my DD can buy a few cheap souveniers of her own.

I have to be at work at 6:00am every morning (my hubbie @ 6:30), so we're used to the cereal and fruit breakfast. Our bigger meal will probably be lunch. This way we can be up and at 'em bright and early!!! I already have the bug, and I haven't even been to WDW yet! And I am loving every minute!!! I already have a notebook crammed with day schedules, downloaded maps, character greeting sites.........Can you ever OVER plan? Thanks so much!

 

[tink2dw]

Ksumn1- I was glad I could help!! one more thing you may want to check out is the Guide Book called the Passporter it is part guide book,part file cabinet,part diary,part sheduling tool,all in one,and still small enough to carry.Passporter has a website connected to it so you can get updates,too.

To learn more check out this site.
http://www.passporter.com/default.htm

 

[kozmo]

Stay at an all stars,shop at belz!!!

 

[busy mom]

If lunch tends to be your big meal of the day, and you plan to book a character lunch, try to book one of the last lunch times available. Lunch prices are much less than dinner, and if you really "stuff" yourselves, you can problably do with a simple (cheap) snack for dinner!

 

[MacDalton]

for our first trip, I was on this web site everyday for 3 months. I knew what to do and where to do it. but when i arrived at the Magic Kingdom and saw that castle-all my planning went out the window. I was so overwhelmed that i just stood there looking at the castle and cried for five minutes. then we just wandered around for awhile untill i got my bearrings back. the park actually looks alot different than the map i had been studing for 3 months. It was a great trip and i finally recovered from my "Disney Shock" and used most of the tips i learned here. My advice is "plan like crazy, but be flexible". hope you have a great time!

 

[Deb & Bill]

We've stayed at the Comfort Inn-LBV a few years ago for one night before we checked into OKW. It wasn't bad, not great and not up to the normal Comfort Inn quality as far as I was concerned. No free breakfast of any kind. It's on Palm Parkway, so you have to drive through the traffic on Hotel Blvd. to get to the parks. I second staying on site. Even the DTD hotels might be more convenient, though they don't have the atmosphere that you get on site.

busy mom, are there even things such as character lunches? I've been to character breakfasts and dinners, but never any lunches. One good place to see characters is inside the Town Square Exposition Hall - right next to Tony's. They often have characters inside the building, plus you can get some neat photos taken in there.

One really cheap souvenier that you can get lots of is the pressed penny. They even have folders to keep your collection in. These usually cost 51 cents. The folder costs about $3.50. Every park and hotel has their own pressed penny machines that change from time to time. Make a game of it and try to get all the princesses. Or all the parks. Or as many different Mickeys that you can find.

 

[ksumn1]

Thanks so much to everyone for their help. I've booked, and started paying on our rooms. ($150 down, 200 more to go) I have followed the advice given, since this IS my 1st trip, and everyone else has been.....how many times? I booked, early, using my DC Card, am planning on eating breakfast in the room, buy only autograph book, and "cheap" souvuniers in the park, eat late lunches....This is all so very helpful to me. I am a planner by nature, so this trip is already soooo much fun for me. I have a little tip for everyone myself. I accidentally stumbled across a good source for Disney "stuff." My local Big Lots had literally an entire aisle of disney books, coloring books, plastic character figurines, and even tapes!!! I bought 2 HUGE bags fo $35!!! How much better can it get? I have a question, though. I have heard alot about the pressed penny machines. I know they are everywhere in the park, and most characters are represented. Is there a listing (even partial) somewhere on the boards of where they are, and which characters are in them? I haven't really looked too much for it, but I must admit that it's a great idea. Thanks again!

 

[bobcat]

There are character lunches, our favorite is Crystal Palace with Pooh and gang.

Here is a list of pressed penny sites all over WDW. http://www.liss.olm.net/ec/wdw/ Our pressed penny book cost around $6 and the kids love it, but if you don't want to spend the money on it ( we didn't until our third trip) you can keep the pennys in a small ziplock or an empty film canister. They are great souveneirs.

When you check into your hotel (if you are staying on site) you can ask for a list of hidden mickeys to find all over the parks. The CM may have to look for it but they are able to print out a list fro you.

I too buy disney themed stuff (got to love Odd Lots) and make disney treat bags for the kids. Last trip I used birthday treat bags (found mickey on clearance) and added candy and small items. They are always a big hit and the kids haven't caught on that they are from me!

 

[busy mom]

Deb & Bill: The Crystal Palace has a character lunch. It is a buffet, and we thought that the food selection/quality was excellent. Plenty of choices, and Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore & Piglet visit each table! But make PS reservations, it was very crowded. Luckily we had PS, and got a table almost immediately! It was one of the favorite parts of our trip, we had a window table, and enjoyed the mid-day rest from the excitement!

 

[sha_lyn]

unless it has changed you get a discount at the big disney store at DD with the DC card. Almost everything that can be found in the parks can be found there too. I like to do most of my shoppign there not only because we did save money (DC club really doesn't save money for us since we stay at and buy passes at SoG) but because you get everythign at once and see what you have bought instead of going over board because you have lost track of how much you have spent.

 

[singitalto]

Glad you are happy with your All Star reservation. We just loved it there last year.

Just a quick side note. You should check out the Orlando Hotel and attractions board next time. There is alot of information to help you with off site hotels. I have a great rate of $54 for The Country Inns and Suites for a kidsuite with free breakfast for September throught www.valuetrips.com. Also another great website with really good rates is www.hotelkingdom.com.

Its good to know what your inexpensive offsite hotel options are! Have for at the All Stars!

Di you say you got rates at the All Stars for $58 night in August??? Is that with the DC code?