A few planning questions...

[DisneyIsMagical]

So, I haven't been to DLR since 2009. We (Me, and two of my aunts in their 50's) will be staying at Embassy Suites-South, which we haven't stayed offsite in a long time. Dates Wed. June 22 to Fri. June 24, and leave mid morning Sat. June 25th. I have researched the answers to all of my questions, but there are a few concerns I have. So, here it goes:

#1 Will we be using ART to get to the park or do they have a hotel shuttle?

#2 We are planning on seeing WOC on Wednesday (figuring it will be the least busy day to see it?) Since we won't be at the parks until noon that day, should we make a PS for dinner at WCT, to be sure to get a fast pass?

#3 One of my aunts has a Deluxe AP, will we be able to use her discount for meals if we all order together, or does only she get a discount? Same with purchases in any of the stores??

#4 I was thinking of buying gift cards so I won't have to carry around cash, are there any stores or restaurants that don't accept them, the website isn't specific....

That's all I have for now that I can think of, there might be more later

Thanks to all that may reply, I think I might be confusing myself a little bit

 

[sonnyjane]

So, I haven't been to DLR since 2009. We (Me, and two of my aunts in their 50's) will be staying at Embassy Suites-South, which we haven't stayed offsite in a long time. Dates Wed. June 22 to Fri. June 24, and leave mid morning Sat. June 25th. I have researched the answers to all of my questions, but there are a few concerns I have. So, here it goes:

#1 Will we be using ART to get to the park or do they have a hotel shuttle?
Not sure about this one

#2 We are planning on seeing WOC on Wednesday (figuring it will be the least busy day to see it?) Since we won't be at the parks until noon that day, should we make a PS for dinner at WCT, to be sure to get a fast pass?
There isn't really any difference in which day you see it. In other words, there are only a set number of fastpasses for the show, so the same number of people can see it on Wednesday as can on Saturday. If you won't get there until noon, making a PS for one of the WOC preferred dinners is one way to go, but if you don't want to shell out all that money, you can reserve picnics for $15 each and be guaranteed a fastpass for the blue or yellow sections, the two better general viewing areas. If you want the preferred area specifically, then the dinner packages are the only way to get that.

#3 One of my aunts has a Deluxe AP, will we be able to use her discount for meals if we all order together, or does only she get a discount? Same with purchases in any of the stores??
You can all get the discount so long as she is the one paying.

#4 I was thinking of buying gift cards so I won't have to carry around cash, are there any stores or restaurants that don't accept them, the website isn't specific....
For the most part the only place in the parks that you can't use gift cards is at the smaller food carts that aren't capable of taking any cards, not just gift cards. There are also places in Downtown Disney that don't take gift cards but I don't know them off the top of my head.

That's all I have for now that I can think of, there might be more later

Thanks to all that may reply, I think I might be confusing myself a little bit

Answers above

 

[Sleepless Knight]

So, I haven't been to DLR since 2009. We (Me, and two of my aunts in their 50's) will be staying at Embassy Suites-South, which we haven't stayed offsite in a long time. Dates Wed. June 22 to Fri. June 24, and leave mid morning Sat. June 25th. I have researched the answers to all of my questions, but there are a few concerns I have. So, here it goes:

#2 We are planning on seeing WOC on Wednesday (figuring it will be the least busy day to see it?) Since we won't be at the parks until noon that day, should we make a PS for dinner at WCT, to be sure to get a fast pass?

#3 One of my aunts has a Deluxe AP, will we be able to use her discount for meals if we all order together, or does only she get a discount? Same with purchases in any of the stores??

#4 I was thinking of buying gift cards so I won't have to carry around cash, are there any stores or restaurants that don't accept them, the website isn't specific....

#2: In addition to the PS dinners, you could also try a WOC picnic lunch that comes with fastpasses for the show. The PS fastpasses offer better (and drier) viewing areas than the picnic fastpasses, but they also cost more. If you're going to go for PS showing, choose the night you like the best and make your reservation soon since you can make reservations at 60 days.

#3 As long as your aunt pays for the meal and/or purchases, the discount applies. I went once with my family and I was the only one with an AP, so I put all the meals on my card to get the discount.

#4 Most stores and even some of the vending carts accept cards, however I know that the Dole Whip cart right outside of the Tiki Room only accepts cash. Had to head to the ATM at the end of Main Street for cash.

 

[DisneyIsMagical]

So is WCT the only "sit down" dinner that would give a fast pass? My AP aunt has done the picnic which she said was good, which is a possible alternative. I'm really not an italian food fan, we've eaten @ WCT before and I have looked over the more recent menu, I'm just not impressed....

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I vote Ariel's Grotto for a WOC PS. Just make sure you specifically ask for the World of Color package since it's a character meal for breakfast and lunch. The santa maria tri-tip there makes me drool just thinking about it. Before it was a WOC dinner package option, it was a princess character meal all day long. Once a CM was teasing me if I wanted a crown for my solo meal so I laughed and responded that the tri-tip was that good. Which it is.

 

[99haunts]

When I stayed at Embassy Suites South two years ago they had shuttles from the hotel. I would think this would still be the case! Very convenient.

 

[HydroGuy]

So is WCT the only "sit down" dinner that would give a fast pass? My AP aunt has done the picnic which she said was good, which is a possible alternative. I'm really not an italian food fan, we've eaten @ WCT before and I have looked over the more recent menu, I'm just not impressed....

WCT or AG. For more info see:

"World of Color Superthread" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=37986447

 

[ksdisneyfan]

Yes, we stayed at Embassy Suites South last month. They do have the ART shuttle (#2), and they were very much on time. You can pay for passes and get a schedule at the hotel's front desk.

 

[DisneyIsMagical]

WOW, thanks everyone, I forgot all about AG, I'm calling right now for our PS's!!

 

[Shimmer]

#1: Just got back last night from 3 nights at Embassy Suites South. We used the ART and it worked well. We bought passes at the hotel and hopped on. The busses ran every 15-20 min and during busier times (early morning/late evening) more frequently.
#2: It will depend on how many showings there are on that date for WOC. We got FP for the 10:15 show at about 1:30 pm this week. There won't necessarily be a 'least busy' show because they give out a certain number of FP and then stop.
#3: As long as your aunt hands over her credit card & AP you'll get the discount.
#4: You can also use your debit or Visa/MC at most places in the park (with the exception of a few food cards). That saves you from needing cash (and let's you track your purchases to stay on budget!)

Have fun!

 

[Amysita]

#4: There are quite a few stores & restaraunts in DTD that do not accept Disney Gift cards...enough to make it significant. I would reccommend pre-paid credit cards that you can get at your bank before you leave. Then you're only down to having to carry cash for the few cart vendors you may use that only accept cash. Have fun!