Bad News... Good news for me

[alebisi]

So here's the deal I was supposed to go to Disney on Nov 2009 with my Boyfriend, but he broke up with me two months ago, so I was thinking I wouldn't go to Disney in a long time . BUT my Dbestfriend happens to love Disney movies and the other night I was talking to her about WDW and she was soooooooooo exicted. So we decided to go on Nov 2010 (her and I would be 21 by that time and in two years we can save money to go there). Here's the question: should I start planning or is it too soon? any tips from my dear expert diser friends?... I was thinking November because we can manage to see the Halloween and the Christmas decorations. We are maybe renting a car so we can also hit Orlando Downtown. We are definetly staying at Disney's property (Caribbean beach, she loves the "caribbean theming"). I wanted to make this trip special to her... it's her first time at Disney. Any tips? It's my first time planning a trip by myself! I don't know where to start! HELPPPPPPP. Do you think maybe May is a better time to hit WDW? or any other date that is cheap but has something special?

 

[safetymom]

You will have a great time at Caribbean Beach. I suggest following the link in my signature for information on the resort. You will find lots of help on that thread and on the resorts board.

I hope you have a great vacation.

 

[luna99]

well, what sort of things are you and your friend into?

dancing? food? shopping? swimming/beaches? relaxing? doing a commando style vacation and seeing everything in the parks?

if you give me some idea of what you both like maybe I can come up with some suggestions. I am thinking about the time I went with my girlfriends (3 of us, we were all 18) and we had a blast... we did a lot of dancing at Pleasure Island though!

 

[alebisi]

well, what sort of things are you and your friend into?

dancing? food? shopping? swimming/beaches? relaxing? doing a commando style vacation and seeing everything in the parks?

if you give me some idea of what you both like maybe I can come up with some suggestions. I am thinking about the time I went with my girlfriends (3 of us, we were all 18) and we had a blast... we did a lot of dancing at Pleasure Island though!

Well I was thinking too about Pleasure Island but... I know it will be closed by then , I was planning a long vacation 10 or 15 days so we can see everything with calm and also enjoy the resort. Swimming and beaches also BUT.. we are not swimming on the lakes after I heard what Pete talk about. Maybe we can do a day on the Spa at grand Floridian, don't know??. I love to have ideas from everyone

 

[Jubilee]

The pools are heated but I agree that you should decide if you want to go during the Flowers festival or the Food & Wine Festival - May or November. I'm not 100% sure on the season pricing for May, but I know November is regular season so I'm actually thinking if you choose the right week, they're the same pricing and possibly the same kind of crowds. If you do the week before Thanksgiving you would probably have the lowest crowds. Do I think it's too early to start planning? Well, it depends what you want to plan, but it's never too early to have a Disney vacation in mind.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Since you will be saving over the next 2 years, here are some tips on budgeting. Identify your needs/wants. When you plan a trip, you need to identify your basic costs and then figure out what time frame you need to have the money by for each thing. These would be (obviously) transportation, lodging, transfers to WDW if flying, food, tickets, and play.

1) You will need tickets to get into the parks. You might want to decide on how many days you want to spend in the parks and then invest in your tickets first. With the price increases this year, you know they will increase next year, so buy them at a lower price level. Otherwise, you can decide on tickets when you book your hotel and then the price will be added into the bill for your room.

2) Air and hotel reservations are subject to the dates that those companies begin the bookings for your dates. (For instance, my friend is trying to book Disneyland to come see us next year and they haven't started taking reservations for the dates she wants yet.) When the room rates become available, you have to do a downpayment ($200 or so) to make immediately and then pay off the balance within X days of leaving on your trip. Airfare has to be paid immediately upon booking. You will ususally book your airfare before you make your final payments to Disney.

3) If you choose a dining plan early, then you may have to pay that off with your hotel payment. They will bundle it together. You can always wait to decide those things until later, when you check in. Then you would have to pay it when you decide. Weigh all the pros and cons before deciding.

4) Any tours or experiences you want to do - like a Segway tour or Keys to the Kingdom - require payment when you book the tour. You pay for the spa after your treatments.

Hope this helps in your planning.
Nancy

 

[tinkbutt]

its never too early to start planning! but maybe just have more of a open ended plan!

you guys will have a great trip!!