Boy do I need help!

[weba]

Hi! We've just recently decided to make our first trip to WDW in April 2009. I know it's a long time away but I would love to hear any advice you pros have to offer with regard to hotels, packages etc. etc. or even a referral to another thread that might cover this, lol.

We are coming from the Caribbean so will probably fly into Miami and then fly/drive to Orlando.

Thanks so much. Looking forward to hearing from you!

It's Mom, Dad, DD12, DD8, DS4

 

[GoofItUp]

Welcome to the boards!

My #1 piece of advice is to read, read, read these boards. They are a WEALTH of information. I'm leaving in 2 days for my 7th trip to WDW and I still learn stuff all the time from these boards.

Do you know yet if you want to stay on- or off-site? We are doing our first off-site trip this time in 20 years since DH has a conference (and his company won't pay for the YC! ), but I really like to stay on-site. I like to let someone else drive me around and I like the Disney feel of the whole vacation. Go ahead and start thinking about what your budget is for the trip to decide which will work better for your family. Since there's 5 of you, an off-site could save a lot of $$ and many people rave about the accomodations near Disney.

After you decide where you want to stay, you can start thinking about things like what park you want to visit on what day and what restaurants you really want to do. If/when a code comes out, this is usually one of the very best places to find out about it. Check the Resorts board as there are usually threads about people waiting on codes for specific dates and you can join in there.

I now this is pretty generic, but hopefully it will get you started. Half the fun of a Disney vacation is the planning!

 

[Elmo888]

If you can get hold of it, read the book The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. It is a great place to start and helps clarify options.

Also, check out allears.net and mousesavers.com. There is a lot of great info there, including help on figuring out if a package is best for you (http://www.mousesavers.com/packages.html#packages).

As far as resorts, decide first on how much you want to spend. Then check out descriptions and pics of the resorts (allears.net and wdwinfo.com have great pics) to see which one appeals to you.

Happy planning and have a great trip!

 

[weba]

We have not decided where to stay yet. I think staying on-site would be great if we can afford it as we don't know if/when we will ever be able to do this again.

Oooo.. so many decisions to make, lol! I have a pretty chaotic life already so I'm hoping this will be as wonderful as every one says.

Thanks again!

 

[weba]

Sorry to be such a pain.

I guess my first question is... what would the lines be like in late April? Easter is April 12 2009 so maybe from April 14 onwards?

From what I've heard one of the main reasons to stay on-site is early entry to the parks. Is this necessary in April??

Also, how warm will it be in April?

Thanks in advance,
Wendy

 

[Rylee]

Hi! We've just recently decided to make our first trip to WDW in April 2009. I know it's a long time away but I would love to hear any advice you pros have to offer with regard to hotels, packages etc. etc. or even a referral to another thread that might cover this, lol.

We are coming from the Caribbean so will probably fly into Miami and then fly/drive to Orlando.

Thanks so much. Looking forward to hearing from you!

It's Mom, Dad, DD12, DD8, DS4

Hi


I always recommend staying on-site in a Disney Resort. Lots of perks...

• Free transportation to and from the airport.
• Free transportation around the World... no traffic or direction hassles.
• Free parking, if you have a car.
• Extra Magic Hours (EMH)... early entry or extra evening hours.
• The option to buy the Disney Dining Plan.
• The option to return to the resort, with ease, for afternoon breaks, for a swim or nap.
• Escape the real world and be surrounded in Disney magic.

Resorts -

Since you are a family of 5, you are slightly limited with Disney accommodations. For 5 guest, your options are, lowest, going up in cost...

• Port Orleans Riverside - 1 room
• Value Resorts - 2 rooms
• All Star Music - Family Suites - small kitchette & 2 baths (these book fast)
• Fort Wilderness Cabins
• Deluxe Resort - any deluxe resort which have rooms for 5
• Villas

Disney has "seasons." The weeks between President's day (mid-Feb.) and Easter are usually considered peak season and resort rates are higher. "Spring Breaks" usually run through the second or third week in April, making the parks more crowded. The weather is usually beautiful.

Tickets -

• Magic Your Way (MYW) base tickets allow you to enter one (1) park per day.
• The "Hopper" option (a one time fee of, currently about $45 per/person) allows you to visit more than 1 park per day.
• The "Water Park & More" option (about $50 per/person) gives you admissions to the water parks, Disney Quest, and Pleasure Island.

Do not buy any extra options you aren't sure you will use... you can always upgrade later.

Dining -

Disney offers Dining Plans (DP) - currently, about $38 for adults and $10 for children (ages 3-9) for the basic plan X (times) the number of NIGHTS you are staying.

The basic plan includes...

• 1 snack,
• 1 Counter Service meal (CS)
• 1 Table Service meal

...for each night of your stay.

My family and I love the DP, but it may not be the best value for every family. Read menus and prices at the allears site.

Regardless if you purchase the DP or not... If you want to experience/dine at any of the TS restaurants, you need to make Advance Dining Reservations, (ADR's) or you may not get in.

Happy planning!

 

[rt2dz]

Some of this will most likely be repeats, but that is only because it is good advice.

1) Go to Mouse Savers and sign up for the newsletter
2) Go to All Ears and sign up for the newsletter
3) Buy The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World—read it!!
4) Check out the websites (and the DIS) above extensively

The above are your primers. They will let you know what you need to look at and ask questions about. Until you have a basic understanding you don’t really know what you are reading sometimes, imo.

You’ll have decisions to make
1) Onsite or offsite
2) Room only or reservation, if onsite
3) What type of ticket if room only or offsite
4) Which hotel, onsite or offsite
5) What/where to eat
6) If a package if you want the DDP or DxDP
7) Special experience
8) Touring plans (April is crowded & you might want to book sooner rather than later. You can book next year at this years highest rate or next years rates should be out in August.): You can check out Tour Guide Mike (a discount banner is at the top of the strategies board) or UG website to help with that. Or just ask around on the DIS.

 

[coolbeans]

The only thing I have to say is that April is less than a year away!! That means you need to start planning, My year mark is up in August (we started planning last August) and it's almost here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[weba]

Gosh, thank you so much. Just getting a chance to check back.

I will get cracking on some of this info right away!

Thanks again!