Advice for 1st time!

[princessbelle1981]

Helloe everyone,
my husband and I are planning a trip (Our first one!) to disneyworld in July. We're flying out of Toronto. And advice including where to stay and what to see would be greatly appreciated. Also, how much should he and I expect to be spending for one week?

Thank-you!

 

[NikP]

I would recommend not flying out of Toronto. Try Buffalo or Detriot. The US airports have more options and lower fares for us in Southern Ontario. See the sticky thread at the top of the boards regarding flying from Buffalo and Detroit.

 

[princessbelle1981]

Hi NikP,
unfortunetely we have to fly out of Toronto. But if you have any other suggestions I'd love to hear! Thanks again

 

[disneynovic]

You could probably do it pretty cheap if you wanted too. To give you a reference, I have budgeted $3100 for one week for a family of five. Here's my breakdown:
Renting a 4 bedroom vacation house $740
WDW tickets 3 days/4 adult, 1 kid $983
Universal Studios 1 day FREE from Airmiles
Parking at parks $44
Hotels for drive 2 nights FREE due to loyalty programs
Gas for drive $600
Food $700
If I go over budget, I won't be too concerned, it is a holiday after all, and I didn't figure in shopping at the Outlets, or that my parents are coming and will pitch in some cash for gas and rent.

Ofcourse I'm sure you could spend an outlandish amount of money as well, and do everything first class.

 

[Saratoga Souris]

30 years of Disney with over 100 visits...

If I can give you 1 invaluable piece of advice..... stay onsite. You don't really save money staying offsite unless you have a big family!
Since it is your first trip, you'll have MORE than enough things to do at Disney so trying to cram in other places is not necessary. Save the Universal, etc for another trip!

I just priced (on the Disney site) a July 6 night stay and here is what I found....

6 nights at a value hotel with a 7-day park hopper with water park and more option is $1502 for both of you!! In the "Value Resorts", I would choose "Pop Century" but I recommend you see what all those folks at Trip Advisor have to say

If you choose to upgrade to a "Moderate Resort" the cost is $1890. The one I priced was Coronado Springs.

For a Value Resort.... it is less than $100 per night. Disney's Magical Express is FREE . They will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel (and of course back again at the end of the trip). You don't need to rent a car which saves a lot of $$ (rental fee, gas, parking and turnpike tolls). Once you are on the Disney proprty, they have great internal transportation. You can go anywhere "in the World". Again.... it is all included.

As well, staying at a WDW resort gives you access to Extra Magic Hours. These are times (early morning or end of day) when only WDW resort guests can get into the parks. These times are generally significantly less crowded than other times.

STAY ONSITE!

These boards (DIS) are loaded with great info.... keep asking questions

 

[bababear_50]

Welcome
I agree --stay onsite,,
go to Disney's web site and plug in your info--quote magically appears.

try mousesaver.com
try allears.com
try ****************

Try Kayak.com for flights and also Sunwing.ca
Try undercovertourist.com -park tickets

Have fun planning

Hugs Mel

 

[princessbelle1981]

oh you all are fabulous! Such great advice! I feel a little mor confidant now. Keep the advice coming everyone. Its very much appreciated!

 

[princessbelle1981]

Saratoga, on the disney site, is the quote 1502 per person? And does it include 2 park tickets or 1?

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

What I have learned over the years is definately stay on site!!!!! We are addicted to POLY so we stay there all the time....LOL But Disney has some great resorts and there is something for everyone!
Make sure you book kall your dining reservations at 180 days out, b/c some of teh popular restaurants get booked complete on day one (like CRT, Le Celler).
Spend time on the disboard and ask alot of questions, lots of experts here who are so willing to help.
Check the park schedules, take advantage of extra magic times, special parades, etc.
Okay that's all I can think of right now

 

[drakes]

my tips for a first timer:

1. stay onsite - decide what type of room you can afford in your budget. Based on my research for Values - POP and AS Movies or Music.
Moderates _ Port Orleans Riverside.

2. purchase the Base tickets with park hopper option.

3. Get on the dining plan and book your reservations 180 days before your trip.

4. review each theme park and decide on your must do attractions, we could not fit in every attraction but were happy getting in our must do's!

5. See the parades, including Spectromagic in MK, Wishes (MK), Fantasmic (DHS) and Illuminations (Epcot). These are so worth it!

6. take in the atmosphere. Most of our best times were not on rides or attractions but just soaking in the things around us and having the unexpected happen. Our meal times were the best times, we did alot of character dining.

7. do photopass to collect your memories. The CD was so worth it, any chance we got we had our picture taken !

 

[yxe dad]

That price sounds like it should be for both of you, plus your flights and food.


I agree with staying on-site. We just had a great 11 day trip and stayed at AKV and SSR, but the last two nights we stayed at Gaylord Palms due to a Priceline mistake. The magic was just lacking, even though the resort was great.

I've never stayed at Pop but have stayed at the All-Stars a couple of times and really enjoyed them. If money is a concern, then the values will be great because you enjoy all benifits of staying on-site with close to the price of staying off-site. On our first trip I only remember sleeping and having breakfast at the resort, I don't think I saw the pool until my 3rd visit. I would plan for all the days to be at WDW unless you really enjoy thrill rides (US/IOA) or you need to see Seaworld.

For a week trip I would also get Park Hoppers for your tickets. This will allow you to go to a different park after one closes or if your not feeling that park that day. It also opens up alot of different dining options.

Invest the $25 and subscribe to Tour Guide Mike, the best days to visit each park is worth 10 times the price. I will never go to WDW without TGM's advice again.

Think about renting a car. Keep checking your dates and if the price gets to within your budget, book it and cancel your ME reservations. You can also book,cancel, and rebook if a better rate comes out. I like the car because it allows me to run to the grocery store to pick up cases of water ($2.50/bottle at the parks), snacks, and adult beverages for alot less than the resort stores or the parks. Once again, it also opens some more dining options.

If your looking at a Moderate or a Deluxe think about purchasing an Annual Pass and watch the boards closely for when the AP rate comes out for your dates. The AP rate can sometimes be good, $40 off a Mod and $75 off a Deluxe. Which over 7 nights = $280, or $535 off for a deluxe. The savings will pay for your most of your Annual Pass. If you get an AP you can also purchase the DDE card which gives you 20% off most TS restaurants in WDW.
There will also be a discount at the Values but it's usually in the $20 range.

Oh, one more thing, have fun planning and ask lots of questions.

Shayne

 

[lisalonglash]

Welcome to the DIS!

I agree with staying on-site. Our honkin' big Grand Gathering family group is all staying at ASmovies - can't beat living the Disney magic, right?

I can soooooo commiserate with how overwhelming all the information available is - I nearly lost my mind trying to figure things out Then I got some quotes from Disney specialist travel agents, picked the best one and, voila, all the stress of planning is now gone and I get to just have fun planning

I hope your vacation is magical!

 

[princessbelle1981]

Welcome to the DIS!

I agree with staying on-site. Our honkin' big Grand Gathering family group is all staying at ASmovies - can't beat living the Disney magic, right?

I can soooooo commiserate with how overwhelming all the information available is - I nearly lost my mind trying to figure things out Then I got some quotes from Disney specialist travel agents, picked the best one and, voila, all the stress of planning is now gone and I get to just have fun planning

I hope your vacation is magical!

How do I go about finding a Disney specialist travel agent?

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

How do I go about finding a Disney specialist travel agent?

We've used Mousesavers for the past 2 trips........KAREN NUNN is who we dealt with.........very nice and accomodating, but I'm sure any of the reps are

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

my tips for a first timer:

1. stay onsite - decide what type of room you can afford in your budget. Based on my research for Values - POP and AS Movies or Music.
Moderates _ Port Orleans Riverside.

2. purchase the Base tickets with park hopper option.

3. Get on the dining plan and book your reservations 180 days before your trip.

4. review each theme park and decide on your must do attractions, we could not fit in every attraction but were happy getting in our must do's!

5. See the parades, including Spectromagic in MK, Wishes (MK), Fantasmic (DHS) and Illuminations (Epcot). These are so worth it!

6. take in the atmosphere. Most of our best times were not on rides or attractions but just soaking in the things around us and having the unexpected happen. Our meal times were the best times, we did alot of character dining.

7. do photopass to collect your memories. The CD was so worth it, any chance we got we had our picture taken !

I would agree with most of what was said, with the exception of the park hopper. On our past 2 visits, we did not have any time to jump from park to park. perhaps the only time it would be useful for our family is if we had a dinner reservation in the evening at another park.....but we basically made an effort to stay in 1 park each day.........there is soo much to see and do i doubt you'll want to leave to go to another park.

Depending on the time of year you go, and whether or not you're going with kids, I'd opt for the awter park option instead of the hopper........but that's just my opinion.

 

[lisalonglash]

How do I go about finding a Disney specialist travel agent?

I sent you a PM I hope you're having a wonderful day!

 

[joech]

30 years of Disney with over 100 visits...

If I can give you 1 invaluable piece of advice..... stay onsite. You don't really save money staying offsite unless you have a big family!
Since it is your first trip, you'll have MORE than enough things to do at Disney so trying to cram in other places is not necessary. Save the Universal, etc for another trip!

I just priced (on the Disney site) a July 6 night stay and here is what I found....

6 nights at a value hotel with a 7-day park hopper with water park and more option is $1502 for both of you!! In the "Value Resorts", I would choose "Pop Century" but I recommend you see what all those folks at Trip Advisor have to say

If you choose to upgrade to a "Moderate Resort" the cost is $1890. The one I priced was Coronado Springs.

For a Value Resort.... it is less than $100 per night. Disney's Magical Express is FREE . They will pick you up at the airport and take you to your hotel (and of course back again at the end of the trip). You don't need to rent a car which saves a lot of $$ (rental fee, gas, parking and turnpike tolls). Once you are on the Disney proprty, they have great internal transportation. You can go anywhere "in the World". Again.... it is all included.

As well, staying at a WDW resort gives you access to Extra Magic Hours. These are times (early morning or end of day) when only WDW resort guests can get into the parks. These times are generally significantly less crowded than other times.

STAY ONSITE!

These boards (DIS) are loaded with great info.... keep asking questions

Mostly agree except save on parking. As long as you stay in Disney resorts, you don't pay any parking within Disney properties. We always rent a car/van and will continue to do so.

 

[mommylo]

Our first trip was last July. All I can tell you is it's very overwhelming as first timers. I did look into vacation homes offsite but since we don't know the Orlando area, we decided to stay onsite. What struck me was the fact that Disney is reaaaalllly big!! To go from one theme park to the other takes time. My DH is notorious for getting lost so staying offsite is not really an option LOL. I think the Disney veterans will recommend staying offsite but for first-timer, staying onsite is more practical. We are paying $1100 for a family of 5 from Buffalo (had to book quite early to get that). Friend of mine used a Disney Specialist for her upcoming trip this month and she is REALLY happy with them. I don't where you are in Canada, but PM me if you want the name. Good Luck in your decision.

 

[drakes]

I would agree with most of what was said, with the exception of the park hopper. On our past 2 visits, we did not have any time to jump from park to park. perhaps the only time it would be useful for our family is if we had a dinner reservation in the evening at another park.....but we basically made an effort to stay in 1 park each day.........there is soo much to see and do i doubt you'll want to leave to go to another park.

Depending on the time of year you go, and whether or not you're going with kids, I'd opt for the awter park option instead of the hopper........but that's just my opinion.

I see that point of view, I only suggest the park hopper because for the small amount extra it was worth it for us. Depending on when you go of course- good point you mention that. When we were there in Jan - AK closed at 5 pm! we had the rest of the day to see Wishes or Fantasmic, it was nice to have the option. Water Park was too cold for su to go and one was closed in refurb - so not worth it at the time.

SO have we completely overwhelemd the situation

 

[princessbelle1981]

I sent you a PM I hope you're having a wonderful day!

Thank-you very much!