Another Newbie... VERY Confused!

[northwestmom]

We are in the process of planning our first family vacation to DW. Hubby and I were there for honeymoon/1st anniversary 10 years ago, so this is a first with kids. I bought an unofficial guide, but I am more confused now than ever. I've gotten a few prices, but the prices I find on the Disney website seem to beat them all so far (including the AAA rate I was quoted). Can anyone offer advice/suggestions? I would sure appreciate it!

While we are traveling on a budget, I don't necessarily want cheap/poor quality. Our dates are 5/9-16. I was thinking about upgrading from a "value" property to stay at POFQ. Kids are 8 & 5. We are thinking to have the dining included. Any thoughts so far? Good resort? I don't like noisy hotels and sleep pretty light, so need someplace relatively quiet. Also, the book I bought seems to bounce back and forth... don't get a car, yes get a car, don't get a car..... ? It also says to get the most out of the dining plan, a car is recommended... but at the nearly $200 price tag I'm finding, is it really that worth it?

What about character meals... any recommendations? We're probably too late to get in to the Cinderalla thing, plus I'm reading some real poor reviews of it any way. Are the shows worth it... like the Hoop-de-Doo Revue? Again, will transportation be an issue?

I sincerely appreciate any and all help I can get on this subject. I've been trying to read posts so as not to ask the same questions others have posed, but admittedly, my brain is on severe overload after 3 days of reading, planning and scouring the Internet.
Thanks!
Kitsel

 

[mamaminnie]

A car is useful if you are going to eat/visit different resorts around WDW. If you are going to be going from your hotel to the parks the bus system is great. I love POFQ, it seems quieter than other moderates, and the boat to DTD is great.

As for restaurants, look on www.allearsnet.com and pick out the menus that appeal to your family.

 

[tcolbert]

If you're staying on property, you don't need a car. Every vacation we leave ours parked and use the Disney Transportation lines. It may take a little longer, but it beats having to drive around. Our favorite Character Dining places are the O'Hana at the Polynesian (breakfast) and the Garden Grille at Epcot in The Land (lunch & dinner). We haven't done Hoop-Dee-Doo but had an excellent time at Mickey's Backyard BBQ. There is plenty of interaction with the characters, both while you're eating and they also can dance with them, the food is great and they have good musical entertainment.

 

[northwestmom]

I know I'm probably making this a LOT harder than it needs to be. It probably isn't a trip we'll be able to make again for a long time. Thankfully, we were able to get a dynamite air fare from Seattle, but typically the air cost makes it overwhemingly expensive. Thanks for the suggestions... keep 'em coming!
Kitsel

 

[katied]

Another place I would look at is WDW Swan or Dolphin. I know they're not "Real" disney hotels, so you can't do the dining or the transporation. However, last time I went with my niece and nephew (age 7 and 9) it worked out well. You can walk to Epcot or MGM (both parks were a lot of fun for kids in that age range). Also, I was able to get a really low rate - about $150/night. If you can get that kind of rate, I think it makes up for the dining and transporation. The pool is still nice, and you can easily walk to the Boardwalk area in the evening - there was a magician, face painting, shared bike type vehicles, etc. We only had to take the bus to MK and AK.

 

[Marmus]

We did CBR in Oct '05 and it was fine. Not awesome, but clean, and not loud. The only issue there was the layout. Very, very big. We had a car, so we were sitting pretty, but the walk to the food court may have been a downer. I went nuts trying to decide too, checking out tripadvisor for the pics others had submitted. In the end, I was happy with the choice. But I was in a panic until the moment we got in the room.

We did the Crystal breakfast with Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, etc.. Food was good, buffet style. But you are not going for the chow, rather the show. Pooh and the gang came around to each table for a lighting fast photo op, and then a little parade with all of them at the end. Our DD was over the moon, the highlight of her trip. Lots of young, preschool age kids and then some die hard Pooh fans. Perhaps your babies may be a little too old for it unless they are really into that cast.

We had the disney dining plan, did not pay for it, as it was a special for booking with Small World Travel, or Vacations, or something like that. Not sure how much it is to buy it, but with two kids it was the way to go for us. Do your homework if you do go that route. I thought no one was serious when they said book your table meals the day you buy the plan. We did not and never got a table meal and had a surplus of them left. We did trade them for the Pooh breakfast. And I was not aware you had to tell them you were on the dining plan when paying. We thought it was automatic, but really, they were billing our room because we did not tell them. I guess that is what we get for not doing our homework. Do book your meals way in advance. I am going to book ours for Dec very soon. This time we will rent a house so we can gring our two mutts. Boarding them for seven days was unreal! If not for them, I would stay at CBR again, with a car.

 

[4lilpoohs]

With the ages of your kids the dining plan would probably be worth it. If you wanted to really save money you could bring food with you to the parks. You could also share meals. My husband really wanted to get the dining plan for our upcoming December trip. But I don't think it would be a good idea for my family since we would have to pay for 4 adults and 2 kids. You mentioned that the prices on the Disney site were cheaper. Are you talking about tickets or room rates? Disney gives you the price for tickets without tax. If you do the dining plan you will have to purchase atleast a one day ticket to be able to get the package. We stayed at POFQ and LOVED it! I wish we could stay there in December but we can't since we have 6 people in our family. So we are getting two rooms at Pop Century. I wouldn't bother getting a car. The bus service is great. The character meal I would recommend is Crystal Palace. Good luck figuring everything out

 

[staci]

Character Meal: We had the best time at Chef Mickeys for dinner. We just felt that the atmosphere was great, we had good service and good character interaction. Also loved riding the monorail to get there. We also did Cinderellas Royal Table and Crystal Palace, had good experiences with all three but CM was the favorite for us.

Dining Plan. Great. Worth it if nothing else than for not having to worry about carrying around cash, thinking about prices, etc. It was nice to have everything prepaid when we went so that we could just enjoy vacation. Make sure to line up your ADR's soon for your trip if you have not already (ESPECIALLY Character meals! I would get those ASAP). You can always cancel if you change your mind.

Rental Car: Skip it. Take Magical Express, we had a great experience with it. As someone else said, if you are dining at other resorts you may want a car, but there are so many places to eat in the parks and on the monorail line that I wouldnt worry about it. Esp being your first family trip, you will likely want to spend you time in the parks, not walking around other hotels.

As far as the hotel, its your call depending on what you can budget. We had a 3rd floor room at POP, and while we didnt hear people, you could hear the toilet flush next door. I think this is because they have SILIENT air conditioners, so there is no background noise. If at a value resort I would probably request 2nd or 3rd floor, so that not as many people are walking by your room. We loved POR and POFQ (stayed at Riverside on our honeymoon), very relaxing. I also loved CBR as a kid. The only rule I have for myself is that I MUST stay on property. It is just so much more magical for us.

HTH

 

[budbeerlady]

We stayed at POFQ for our first trip. We love the resort, it is compact and I would say quiet. They are first on the bus as a bus is shared with POR. We were in building 5 with a courtyard view on the 2nd floor. The other side of building 5 has the pool next to it.

We took a stroller with us for our dd who was 5. Dh moaned and groaned at first but it is so much walking and I wont dish out that much money for a stroller. An umbrella stroller was not a problem to take on the plane.

We came back to the room every afternoon for a break and nap. Usually around 3 and then we had 6pm Adrs for dining. We could clean up, put clean clothes on DD and relax a bit.

We didnt get a car. We used Magical express since it was free with no problems or complaints. I think we were at POFQ within 40 min of landing at orlando. The bus service was very good and reliable for us. It does require a little thought if you want to eat at another resort. So to eat dinner at 1900Park Fare w/ Dindy (Very good buffet!) WE took the bus to MK, then the monorail to GF and then around on the way back to MK and the bus to POFQ. Boatwrights at POR is another good meal, and just a short walk up the path.

WE used the dining plan and it worked out great for us. (Others will flame me for this but it is what I did and will do unless Disney closes the loop hole) DD and I shared the King creole Breakfast at the pofq food court. It is potatoes, bacon, eggs, bisquit. MOre than enough food for her and I and she drank her milk while I used the refillable mug for breakfast. (Gotta have my wake up Coke) So that was only 1 cs. Then she and I would share lunch again, most cs have large sandwichs that we split (Tusker house in AK and Seasons in the Land at Epcot) and then shared a poweraid or lemonaid to drink. We got breakfast and lunch for each persons daily cs and then used our ts for dinner. Also when we were there a scoop of icecream was considered a snack, so dd got ice cream everynight.

Our favorite meals were 1900 Park Fare dinner (cindy, prince charming, mice) and Le cellier. We did LTT but werent impressed at all with it. This coming trip we are trying the norway princess meal at epcot. I refuse to waste 2 ts for cindy in the castle. Also DD stayed at the neverland club which she loved ($10 an hour) while Dh and I ate out for a night.

I would deceide your meals and get those ressies made soon as you are going in May. The board is very helpful and it can really make your head spin!

WE have a great AAA rate, I think it is about 15-20% off depending on the season. The disney site doesnt include taxs, it took me a while to realize that last year when I booked before finding the dis boards.

 

[Willow25]

It is so easy to become overwhelmed because there is so much information.

Accommodation: We always rent points from a DVC member this allows you to stay in deluxe accommodation at moderate costs. You can also sign up for the dining plan which makes sticking to a budget much easier and you get to try all the great Disney restaurants.

We always get a car because we feel that you have to walk and wait in line enough at the parks. It is so nice to get in your car at the end of the day and relax. Also a car allows you to access services outside the world.

 

[northwestmom]

I am so thankful I found these message boards. You are all right, what a helpful bunch of information I am gleaning! I think we are 99% sure that we are going to go with POFQ, 6-day base ticket (hubby doesn't see the need to park hop, but opinions here are accepted ), Magical Express transportation from the airport and the dining plan. I was going to see if we could do that upgrade to the free park hopper tickets, but the reservationist told me in that case that all mods were s/o and we would have to book a deluxe resort at $3889! I definitely cannot afford that. Anyway, thanks again everyone, so very much!
Kitsel

 

[eeyore45]

We stayed at POR - wanted POFQ - but it was booked, so I'd call and get quotes from Disney, have a pen and paper handy and just ask about moderates and prices -

Definately go with the dining plan - its so much fun to have it all paid up front, then get the check and know its paid for!! I have to agree with this poster

Our favorite meals were 1900 Park Fare dinner (cindy, prince charming, mice) and Le cellier. We did LTT but werent impressed at all with it. This coming trip we are trying the norway princess meal at epcot. I refuse to waste 2 ts for cindy in the castle. Also DD stayed at the neverland club which she loved ($10 an hour) while Dh and I ate out for a night.

Loved PSB for princesses, loved 1900 Park Fair for Dinner Buffet .

At MGM loved Backlot Express for CS Meal (CS = counter service think 'fast food') MGM for a TS (Table service, think buffet or sit down cloth tablecloths...) we did Hollywood and Vine for the Fantasmic Dinner Pkg!! For Magic Kingdom we'd eat lunch there in either Frontierland or Tomorrowland, then hop on the monorail and do a TS meal at a resort -either Grand Floridian for 1900 Park Fair, or Polynesian for Kona (Ohana has changed we didnt care for the new menu - others love it - that is why you need to look at the menus at www.allearsnet.com and see what your family likes...)

For me I took a paper divided it into the days we'd be there, then I hopped over to www.touringplans.com and checked their website (Unofficial Guide) for Best Day blog scroll down, and it gives a column for parks to avoid, best park for each day... Then I'd plan our restaurants based on which park we'd be at...

For Epcot, eat around the world, best places, best choices imho!!

Transportation, 95% its great - keep a look to the watch, most of the time you will wait no more than 15- 20 min and it will feel like 45 min!! You're going during a busy time - so you must take advantage of getting to the park at opening... some say go to emh (early entry parks - if you have park hopping this can be a good bet - then leave when it gets crowded go to your resort to swim afternoon go back to a park to eat!!)

Its difficult going from resort to resort - you usually have to go to Downtown Disney to pick up the resort bus you need - it works tho and it does save that $200!! (so if you wanted to go to Contemporary for Chef Mickey's for dinner you would go to the TTC or MK you can walk from MK to Contemporary or TTC take the resort monorail...)

Good Luck, when you get confused, or overwhelmed, just post!!

 

[staci]

I am so thankful I found these message boards. You are all right, what a helpful bunch of information I am gleaning! I think we are 99% sure that we are going to go with POFQ, 6-day base ticket (hubby doesn't see the need to park hop, but opinions here are accepted ), Magical Express transportation from the airport and the dining plan. I was going to see if we could do that upgrade to the free park hopper tickets, but the reservationist told me in that case that all mods were s/o and we would have to book a deluxe resort at $3889! I definitely cannot afford that. Anyway, thanks again everyone, so very much!
Kitsel

This last trip was our first one without hoppers. The only thing that was hard was scheduling; we made our ADR's before the EMH schedules were out, and of course the days didnt line up, so we couldnt take advantage of EMH since we had to be at ADR's in different parks that day.

However, since you are not planning as far out as we did, they may have EMH schedules out in time for you.

We will still probably not get hoppers next time we go; worth it for the money savings for us. Esp if you stay at POFQ, you are so close to DTD if you are still awake and ready to do something after the parks close.
HTH.

 

[northwestmom]

The trip is booked, complete with ADR's. I am SOOOO excited and feel I can finally relax. I will post our travel plans shortly (hubby wants his 'puter time now). I just sent a PM to a lady going the end of April to ask about Fairy Godmother postcard mailings, so I'm hoping that will work out. Talk about being a magical trip for us all. Thank you SO MUCH for all your awesome advice and suggestions!
Kitsel

 

[staci]

Glad you have it all booked! Have fun planning!

 

[sandyam76]

We have been to the world on 2 occasions....1st trip at the Value resort....All Star Sports.....clean, great resort for the price. $79 a night....the room was spacious....and we did get a lot of those towel animals each night! Which my daughter at the time loved!! The second time we stayed at Old Key West, WOW....what a difference, we had a two bedroom for that trip and boy!! It was like an apartment!!

We have tried the Luau at the Polynesian....the show was great and the food good as well....The Hoop De Doo....again...the show was great and the food good there too! We have tried a lot of the character meals.....again...as someone else mentioned...these are not usually for the food but for the atmosphere or show. Chef Mickeys, Crystal Palace, Restaurantasaurus all were a good opportunity to fill up in the morning and get some photos and autographs without having to stand in line!! (Great time saver) Plus if you book it early enough....you can get into the park even before it opens!!

WDW in 26 more days!! YEAH!! This time staying at Saratoga Springs!!

 

[northwestmom]

Thanks... have fun at Saratoga Springs!
Kitsel

 

[northwestmom]

Just thought I would share what ADR's we got since everyone has been so helpful with suggestions. The way the dining plan works, you pay based on the # of nights you stay. Since we are there 7 nights, we get 7 sit-downs. Due to our flight schedules for the West Coast, we essentially have one extra of everything.

That being said *G*, we decided to suck-it-up and do Cinderella's Castle after all, even though so many have said it isn't great. We don't get in until late on a Tuesday night. Wed we have planned for AK, then leave in enough time to go to Cinderella's Castle for dinner. Thursday is Epcot with lunch at the Garden Grill and dinner at Le Cellier. Fri is MK with breakfast at Crystal Palace. Sat is MGM with the Fantasmic Dinner Package at Mama Melrose's. Sun (Mother's Day) we don't have a park plan, just going to wing-it. We will have a late breakfast at Chef Mickey's. Mon is MK with no sit-downs scheduled. I am considering taking one of the sit-downs away from Thurs since we've got 2 planned, and maybe moving one to Mon.

We were able to get a std room booked at POFQ and I did talk DH into the park hopper passes. Decided against a car, will just use Magical Express. He's so scared they are going to lose our luggage, though, for some reason. If it is going to get lost, I'd say chances are the airlines would lose it somewhere between Seattle and Orlando.

Great tips, everyone. Again, thanks so much for taking the time to post and give us recommendations and suggestions!
Kitsel

 

[kings4]

Hi guys
My family and I are newbie's too! We're going for 8 nites at the beginning of July. We've booked 7 eve's of TS meals and are booked for the Spirit of Aloha show at POLY...any input on that? haven't read anything about that anywhere...
We're staying at CBR with kids 11 and 4 and MIL. I've read that CBR is HUGE! Don't know which 'theme' we'll be staying at; not sure how I'm feeling about staying there.
Also, we have character breakfast booked at the BC at Cape May Cafe. Any input on this one?
I thought I was really organized and planning ahead, but our ressies are kinda spread out all over the place. We're having dinner for 7 nites in this order: Yacht Club Galley, Sci-Fi Dine, GF Cafe, Rose & Crown Pub, Boma, Spirit of Aloha.
I'm looking for some opinions on how we might fare from this schedule. We have plenty of time there and won't be rushing anything, we just want to have fun.
Thanks guys, I couldn't resist, everyone is so friendly and helpful! I love the DISboards!
Have a great Mickey day
kingsmama

 

[northwestmom]

Hi, kingsmama...
Sorry, I can't offer any advice as I'm (obviously) new, too. I'd be interested to hear how your trip goes. When is it that you're traveling? I think the CBR looks like a fun resort! If I weren't such a light sleeper, I would've considered it. Maybe I just need to invest in some good ear plugs. LOL
Kitsel