another newbie seeking wisdom from the veterans.

[Gee Wally]

First and foremost thank you all for such wonderful information !

Lots and lots to read here.

My family and I are heading to the cabins the first week of October. My kids aged 11, 7 & 7 have never been to WDW and since there are 5 of us it seemed that the cabins would be a great value with some space. Once they offered the free meals , we decided to take the trip.

I'm planning on getting a golf cart. Although we haven't been able to get through even with help from the FW front desk. Will it fit 2 ave. size adults and the 3 kids ?
Also what "loop" would be best for the shortest walk to a pool ? We tried asking for 2500 but they said to call back 5 days before our trip.
I've seen some maps on line but none are scaled so it's hard to judge distance.
We are not planning on renting a car as of yet.
Is the bus service from park to park okay ? Is it better that we will be there in October ?
We don't think we will have any reason to leave WDW grounds since it is all so new to my kids.
Has anybody used the WDW shuttle service from the airport where they take your bags directly to and from the cabins ? Any issues with it ? We're flying Jet Blue from Boston.
I see that the stores on site are expensive but I'm more concerned with what they have in them.
Fresh fruit, veggies, burgers,hot dogs, Mac and Cheese ?
That kind of stuff.
It has been a loooong time since the Bride and i were at WDW..1992 in fact. Just before or 11 year old was born.
We waited until our now 7 year old twins were a little self sufficient. They have us outnumbered. We now think at 11,7,and 7 it should be a prime time for them.

We are REALLY looking forward to the trip. The cabins sound like the best of both worlds for us. My wife and her family growing up were campers..Me ? I was a city kid so it wasn't my thing. We both want the kids at least exposed to a campground kind of atmosphere but with bells and whistles for the old man. This should be a good compromise. I hope.

Thanks again...and if anybody can think of anything at all as something comes up please let me know here.

oh...anybody generally know what the hours of operation are in Oct. or when they would be announnced ?

We already booked the Woop Dee Doo for our first night and a few nights later we booked the Mickey Mouse Halloween thing at MK.

How crowded does the pool near the cabins get ?

Any tips for our fall trip will be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks a million!

Wally

 

[campingcorgi]

Oh, you are going to have such a good time! I can remember the anxiety I had when we booked our first trip to FW (in the older cabins) and there wasn't much internet then to help me out!

October is a great time--still hot enough to enjoy but not tooooo hot. Yes, your family will fit easily on a golf cart and you will all enjoy it--it's a great convenience and a fun ride. And with a golf cart you don't need to worry about being close to the pool--you can zip right over and there is parking for golf carts right near both pools. The cabin pool is not usually too crowded but if you don't like that one you can try the one by the Meadow's area.

I've not tried the bus service from the airport (I kept trying to check that class c motorhome but no go) but on my last trip I saw lots of people using it and they were smiling.

Boat and bus service to the parks is great in my book. We never drive anywhere unless it is to Typhoon Lagoon ( I hate riding a bus wet). I'm not a park commando type of person--I love people watching so a wait for a bus is not a problem for me.

The Meadow's Trading Post has a fairly good selection of foods--lots of breads and crackers and cakes. Some frozen foods--meals and steaks--and some cheese and lunch meats. They have Mickey Macaroni and cheese and probably Kraft, too. Condiments, canned foods, cokes, etc. Baking potatoes and I think some fresh fruits. Some people use the wegoshop website, and some people ship a box of foods to themselves at the resorts.

I agree, the cabins will be a safe intro to the world of camping. Let me just warn you--the FW bug is a bad one! We first caught it over 10 years ago and have since moved from the cabins to a class c motorhome, and now we've moved from Tennessee to Orlando to be even closer!! Got to have my FW fix on a regular basis now!!!

Ask if you have any more questions! We'll be there in October, too, but a week later than you.

 

[Gee Wally]

Thank you very much campingcorgi !
The Meadow looks like it'll have what we need. We're planning on using the free meal plan to it's fullest ...but wanted some stuff in the cabin too.

We are (especially the kids) getting very excited about this trip.
We also don't plan on being commandos. We're just going to take it one day at a time. Let the kids soak it all in. The cabins appealed to us not only for size but also sounds like a much more laid back way to go.
The wife and I , years ago stayed at CB and then the YC ..both VERY nice but figured the hustle and bustle would be too much for what we want ..a fun but also relaxing vacation.

Thanks again for some solid advice .

wally

 

[Gillian]

That sounds like the right attitude for FW!!

I've heard mixed reviews about the disney bus service. The most important thing seems to be to not make any really important plans close to your arrival time, and to pack a separate bag with a change of clothes/bathing suits if you think you'll want to swim or go to the parks right away. This is because it could take a long time to get your luggage.

Hope you have a great trip!

 

[Gee Wally]

Thanks Gillian !

We fly down and arrive around noon saturday 10/2. Figured we can't get into the cabin for a few hours. So each of us will have a carryon/backpack. We plan on putting bathing suits and snacks inside. Either me or the Bride can pick up the golf cart and do a little food shopping while the rest go exploring and/or swimming.

Then it's 5 o'clock for HDDR.


Figured allthe traveling and first time flyers (kids) would need an easy first day.
The only other planned thing is Thursday night , the Halloween thing at MK.
In between...wherever the weather and transportation takes us.

The only other "must do" for me is water sprite. I've been to WDW many times since 1976. I have always wanted to rent one and go out on the lake. Never had the time. But I will this time.


I don't know who's more excited . Me or my kids !

 

[Hopefully]

I understand your desire to "Go where the weather and transportation take you", but you also said you plan to heavily use the Meal Plan. I've been visiting the Restaurant board and many recent returnees are stating that if you do not have an ADR (Advanced Dining Reservation) for a TS (Table Service) restaurant you are being turned away, the restaurants are fully booked each day.
ADR's can be made 90 days in advance, so you may want to consider mapping out your meals and securing some ADR's.
Just a thought.

 

[Gee Wally]

Thanks Hopefully !

Great tip...We didn't really correlate the smaller crowds in Oct. to the Free meal plan until we read your post.

I guess even though there will be less people...many will be utilizing the meal plan deal.

Time to get on the phone.

 

[welovedis]

Because of the success of the Meal Plan being offered for free, there are many people who will be using it (according to many here on the DIS) making it pretty likely that you'll need to make PS(sorry, ADR) or at least be really flexible on how early or late you'd be eating your meals. Because October crowds can be lower it can seem ok till you get to your restaurant and find that they can't take you for a few hours.

With a little bit of advanced planning, you'll be assured a seat close to the time you pick. Since it is just 1 table service restaurant per day (plus the counter service, etc..) it wouldn't hurt to check out the least busiest parks for the days you'll be there and check out some menus for those parks:
http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menus.htm

Considering you have the meal plan you probably won't need to buy too much additional food, but wegoshop and netgrocer both offer delivery to FW.

GL with your planning!

 

[house_of_princesses]

Wally, we'll be there same dates as you. Going to MNSSHP on the 6th, too! Sounds like you have given this all a lot of thoughtful consideration. Your golf cart will get you around no problem. I wouldn't concern myself w/ proximity to the pool since you have that. I've never seen the pools at FW crowded. The HDDR is a great choice for your first night. October is a great month to go. It often rains in the afternoon, though. Might consider carrying ponchos for the afternoon showers. The MNSSHP is a blast! I'd have the kiddos decide whether they'd like to bring a comfortable, safe costume. One they could wear on the rides. Even if it's a tiara or Mickey Ears, it gets them into the spirit of things.

Now it's my turn to ask a question....what's all this talk about free meals?!?

 

[Rhonda]

Now it's my turn to ask a question....what's all this talk about free meals?!?

Disney offered a package for late August through early October guests that included Free Dining. But, it had to be booked by July 3rd.

We're hoping they'll offer it again!

 

[DisneyMom5]

I would call again and ask a different CM for 2500 loop, near the pool and bus stop. We had this noted right on our reservations, and we did not call 5 days before. Sometimes you just need to get the right phone CM.
We loved FW and the buses. We are laid back though, even though we took 5 kids under 9. So we just used the buses and didn't expect too much and were surprised and pleased at their efficiency. The pool is plain and just fine for swimming. It was sort of chilly when we went, so not crowded. Nice have the laundry right there.
Have a great time!

 

[clkelley]

Our very first trip in October 1997, we found that even though the parks were not crowded, the restaurants (especially the resort sit-down restaurants) were very full. This was without the Dining Plan

They have major golf tournaments in October, so even though these guests aren't in the parks much, they do visit the nicer restaurants!!

Make those ADRs now!!

Carol

 

[Gee Wally]

Thanks again everybody..and yes the ADRs are filling up FAST.
My wife has been on the phone the last 2 days making plans and backup plans .
I hope the Trailside is good 'cause it looks like we'll be eating there at least 3 various nights.