A couple of questions from a noob.

[aandabooks]

Hello All,

I've been searching the site for quite a few days and have been gleening alot of very useful information. This is a great site. We've decided to stay a FW during July and will be bringing our PUP from Illinois. We've been camping as a family for several years and the campsite looks spectacular. Here's the questions:

I've been looking at reservations and I notice that is cheaper to book just the campground and buy tickets seperately. Why is this? Once I select a package there is trip insurance. Would this be necessary?

I found Undercover Tourist a while ago but when comparing their rates to Disney, Disney is actually cheaper by a couple bucks. Is their something I'm missing?

I found the golf cart thread that gives the independents info for having a golf cart delivered. I'll be contacting him for a cart. I would be correct in thinking that a cart would be essential in July?

Also, my oldest is 10. It seems absurd to me that she is considered an adult at Disney. How do they know what age my kids are beyond what I tell them? She would pass for 8 with no problem. Paying for adult meals and what not,would be a huge waste of money.

We are really looking forward to this trip. The last time I was at DW was in 86 when I was 11. My DW grew up in Charleston SC and never went. She is really looking forward to it.

 

[clkelley]

Hello All,

I've been searching the site for quite a few days and have been gleening alot of very useful information. This is a great site. We've decided to stay a FW during July and will be bringing our PUP from Illinois. We've been camping as a family for several years and the campsite looks spectacular. Here's the questions:

I've been looking at reservations and I notice that is cheaper to book just the campground and buy tickets seperately. Why is this? Once I select a package there is trip insurance. Would this be necessary?

Trip insurance is really not necessary as long as your willing to lose your deposit. Packages also have a 45 day cancellation policy, whereas campsite only has a 5 day cancellation policy

I found Undercover Tourist a while ago but when comparing their rates to Disney, Disney is actually cheaper by a couple bucks. Is their something I'm missing?

Disney doesn't add the tax until you actually go to the checkout screen, UT prices listed include tax

I found the golf cart thread that gives the independents info for having a golf cart delivered. I'll be contacting him for a cart. I would be correct in thinking that a cart would be essential in July?

Also, my oldest is 10. It seems absurd to me that she is considered an adult at Disney. How do they know what age my kids are beyond what I tell them? She would pass for 8 with no problem. Paying for adult meals and what not,would be a huge waste of money.

That is totally a personal decision on what message you want to give to your children

We are really looking forward to this trip. The last time I was at DW was in 86 when I was 11. My DW grew up in Charleston SC and never went. She is really looking forward to it.

Hope you have a GREAT trip!!!

 

[BigDaddyRog]

The golf carts are never "essential"....but are definately very convenient...and a BUTT LOAD of fun!!!! I doubt you'll even notice NOT having one...untill you see how much fun it looks to see others on them. Honestly...if you are planning to spend most of your time in the parks...it is an expense you can definately get by without.

I didnt start paying the "adult price" for my kids till 12/13.....if they look the part and it doesnt bother you moraly (didnt bother ME a bit, but I have no morals!!!) then why not???? Disney aint exactly hurtin for cash, but I am stretchin every buck till it slaps me for buck abuse. I know people who cram 5 yr olds into strollers, a pacifier in their mouths and dare them to speak till they get past the gates, if anyone asks, they say the kid is 2...and they get away with it!! Im sure its easier to pass a 10 year old off as an 8 year old than it is to pass a 5 year old off as a 2 year old!!

If I had morals..they would tell me to get everything I can out of Disney...because God knows they are getting everything they can out of me!

 

[2goofycampers]

Check this out for discounted ticket prices.

http://www.mousesavers.com/wdwtixdiscounts.html#online

 

[aandabooks]

Just one more, What time is check-in?

I've looked at several different overviews of FW and not a single one has had the check-in/check-out times listed. I'm figuring around 2 pm but want to make sure.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

I believe check in is 3pm, check out is 11am

 

[clkelley]

The actual campsites, checkin is at 1pm, checkout at 11am

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Welcome to the boards !!

Glean away and feel free to to join in. We are a fun bunch and Rog has no morals.
So,,, welcome.

 

[chevyrules05]

If you can afford a golf cart you won't regret it they are a life saver, check in is at 1pm but you can check in any time but your site might not be ready, and my mom passed me off as nine until is was 13ish so that is up to you

 

[fldisneyfamily]

Go for the cart!! It's a blast when you go "looping" and in July the Florida thunderstorms can pop up fast and it saves walking in the rain, but I don't mind getting wet at Disney, because it's Disney!!!!!!!!! I hope you have a safe and fun trip!!

 

[aandabooks]

Well I made reservations. July 21-28 Pop-up site. They didn't have the loop # in the confirmation. I guess that comes later. I'll buy the tickets in the future. Probably when I get the mousesavers newsletter on the 15th of next month. I think I'll be getting a golf cart. Seems like a splurge but since this is a one time only vacation, why not?

The kids are definately excited. Now comes the rest of the planning and getting the camper all ready.

Thanks for all of the replies.

 

[Shan-man]

Yeah, you get your loop and site assignment when you check-in... there is no way to know beforehand. And a cart is a wonderful splurge... you may have a hard time dragging the kids to the parks they'll be having such fun at the Fort (seriously!).

 

[BradyBz12]

Yeah, you get your loop and site assignment when you check-in... there is no way to know beforehand.

I thought it was really strange this year that they couldn't/wouldn't tell us our loop/site at check-in, because the site wasn't ready yet.

We didn't mind having to wait, but DH asked why she couldn't tell us which site we were getting, and the CM just smiled and said she wasn't "allowed" to.

DH asked if she could give us a hint - she chuckled and quietly said (as if someone "in charge" was listening), well it starts with a 3 and ends with a 3. (btw, we'd requested 333 as our top pick!)

Not sure if this is typical or not. But then again we've always lucked out and been able to go right to our site from check-in before.

 

[We4mickey]

Well I made reservations. July 21-28 Pop-up site. They didn't have the loop # in the confirmation. I guess that comes later. I'll buy the tickets in the future. Probably when I get the mousesavers newsletter on the 15th of next month. I think I'll be getting a golf cart. Seems like a splurge but since this is a one time only vacation, why not?

The kids are definately excited. Now comes the rest of the planning and getting the camper all ready.

Thanks for all of the replies.

Trust me, this will not be a one time only vacation. I guarantee by the second day you will be saying... the next time were here were going to....

 

[BradyBz12]

...by the second day you will be saying... the next time were here were going to....

So true! We were planning to space out trips to WDW out at least every other year, if not more - mostly because DH didn't see the sense in going back every year.

Then we bought the TT, loaded up the pups and spent 2 weeks at FW. Before we left we'd already planned to come back the following year (with DH pushing all the way).

After THAT trip, before we were even a week in, DH was figuring ways we could finagle 3 weeks the following year. November will be our 2nd 3 week trip in a row. If it were up to DH we'd never even go to the parks. And if we could afford the time off, we'd stay for a month.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

but since this is a one time only vacation

Oh, so you think........