Another newbie to DL!

[WDWAtLast]

We are headed to WDW in October and purchased SW tickets when they released in March. Because of the SW anniversary sale last week, we now have an $800 credit with SW that must be used before mid March. And while I would have preferred a cash refund, sice that isn't an option, I saw it as the pefect opportunity to plan our first DL vacation!

I am starting my research here and have already bookmarked several threads and HydroGuy's threads. It looks like we will be at DL the first weekend of Spring Break (I know I am already not following Hydroguy's advice - but we have to travel and return before March 13)

I am not planning to stay onsite at DL - I am considering Park Vue Inn - love the bunkbed option and free breakfast! But it is not listed as a Good Neighbor hotel. Is there an advantage to booking a Good Neighbor hotel over PVI?

We are AAA members, but I saw on Mousesavers that ARES also has great deals on park hopper tickets. Depending on what time our flight arrives, we will have either 3 or 4 day Parkhoppers. Is it worth it to enter the park mid/late afternoon?

We are a rope drop family - I saw that ARES tickets includes one early morning entrance - is this different from WDW where you need to be onsite to use EMH?

Thanks and sorry if the above questions were answered and I overlooked it!

 

[sonnyjane]

I am not planning to stay onsite at DL - I am considering Park Vue Inn - love the bunkbed option and free breakfast! But it is not listed as a Good Neighbor hotel. Is there an advantage to booking a Good Neighbor hotel over PVI?

Only if you book a package, which I don't recommend, as it is more expensive than buying a hotel and tickets separately. The perks you get from booking a package are marginal to me.

We are AAA members, but I saw on Mousesavers that ARES also has great deals on park hopper tickets. Depending on what time our flight arrives, we will have either 3 or 4 day Parkhoppers. Is it worth it to enter the park mid/late afternoon?

It is absolutely worth entering in the afternoon, especially if you're going during spring break when it will be more crowded than normal.

We are a rope drop family - I saw that ARES tickets includes one early morning entrance - is this different from WDW where you need to be onsite to use EMH?

With the exception of some discount tickets (like military tickets for example), ALL hopper tickets of 3 days or more include one Magic Morning, no matter where you buy them from or where you're staying. If you stay on site, you get to use Magic Morning EVERY day it is offered during your stay (typically Tues, Thurs, Sat, and Sun).

Thanks and sorry if the above questions were answered and I overlooked it!

 

[WDWAtLast]

Thanks for the quick answers! I am correct that we won't be swimming in March? I don't think we will have much time to swim, but I am guessing it will be too cold. The thought of needing a jacket while at Disney has me really excited!! Our last WDW was in August and even here in Houston, we rarely need a jacket!!

 

[Dizneydaz]

I bought our tix to WDW during that SW! It was a great deal! RT was $240 from Cal. to Fl. Even though I'm not 100% sure we will go in late Sept/Oct. I bit the bullet and bought the tix. With SW credit policy I'm not worried.

You never know about the weather here in So. Cal. It may be warm enough to swim in March. Bring your suits, just in case. So far, this summer, we have been unseasonably cool. We just started getting hot with temps near the 100 mark predicted for this Sun/Mon/ Tues.

Definitely worth going in the late afternoon. Since we live close by and have AP we frequently go in the afternoon. You can still do plenty. Get your FP for later in the night and use Single Rider lines.

Have a great time!

 

[SaraMar1]

nice pix

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks for the quick answers! I am correct that we won't be swimming in March? I don't think we will have much time to swim, but I am guessing it will be too cold. The thought of needing a jacket while at Disney has me really excited!! Our last WDW was in August and even here in Houston, we rarely need a jacket!!

I grew up in SoCal and would not dream of swimming in March unless it was an indoors pool.

 

[skiingfast]

Thanks for the quick answers! I am correct that we won't be swimming in March? I don't think we will have much time to swim, but I am guessing it will be too cold. The thought of needing a jacket while at Disney has me really excited!! Our last WDW was in August and even here in Houston, we rarely need a jacket!!

I think that is a great time to go, much better than a week later into Spring break and far better than the week after that.

You may not want to swim but probably use a hot tub. Except for the weekend the hours will be short so that would be nice to do at night when the parks are closed.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I grew up in SoCal and would not dream of swimming in March unless it was an indoors pool.

While I would agree with that my DD11 is like me when I was younger-it's never to cold to swim!