Complete Newbie here!

[SimplySherri]

Hey everyone! I've been lurking for a bit but decided I'd better just jump in.

I am a total newbie, not only to Disboards but also to Disney in general. My husband and I want to take our two kids to WDW next year. We aren't even sure WHEN we want to go. That's how little we know! We'll have to wait on tax money to book the trip so I suppose it will depend on whether we have to book 6-8 months in advance or whether we would be able to go within a reasonable time frame after getting the money. I'd kind of like to go sooner rather than later only because our kids are getting older by the minute! LOL! If we go in the spring/summer we'll have a 6 year old and a 3 year old. If we go in the fall/winter we'll have a 7 year old and a 4 year old.

So... since I'm so green, I was hoping someone here can take pity on me and be my Disney mentor while I try to figure this all out! I've never taken a vacation where I have to learn a whole new language before going and Disney definitely seems to be that sort of vacation! My SIL has taken her family twice and I'm sure she'll answer some of my questions but we have different interests (and different budgets) so I'll need some help from the experts!


--- Sherri

 

[Aliceacc]

Hi Sherri, and welcome!!!

I was basically in the same position last August when I started making plans for this August. It's been 19 years since we went to WDW, so a LOT has changed.

A while ago, I started a thread for beginners. Here it is-- it should get you started: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715551

Let us know if we can be of any further help. You're right; this is a whole new language! But it's lots of fun

 

[mickeystoontown]

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Walt Disney World Vacation Planning! It's pretty overwhelming but it doesn't have to be. We were so ignorant on our first trip but we still had such a good time.

Our first trip was taken 10 years ago and our children were just one and eleven. We now have a dozen trips under our belt and have learned soooo much. That being said, Disney is constantly changing and we are constantly picking up new tibits of information.

First of all, did you know that you can book your vacation really far in advance? You can book a room only reservation and you are only required to put down a deposit equal to your first night's stay. I would suggest that, if you have your heart set on a certani resort, you go ahead and book a room only reservation. This way, you are assured you at least get a room there.

I can not remember exactly how far in advance you can book room only but I think it is about a year. I am sure somebody will chime in with the correct info on that. (See I am still learning too!)

Once the package prices come out, which is usually mid-August, you can cancel the room only reservation, book the package and put down a $200.00 deposit. You will have fourteen days from the day you book your package to make the $200.00 deposit. Your room only reservation deposit will be refunded back to you. I received mine in about a week.

After paying your initial package deposit, you can make payments on your package. There are just a few requirements. Your payment must be at least $20.00 and your package must be paid in full 45 days prior to your arrival. I've made over 30 payments on our vacation since I booked it! It's like having a vacation on layaway.

I guess I should have started with the resort choices before I told you about the reservations. Disney has many many resorts to choose from. There are values resorts, moderate resorts, deluxe resorts, a campground and you can even buy Disney Vacation Club points.

If you are on a tight or semi-tight budget, I would suggest a stay at a value or a moderate resort. At a value resort, your room will be approximately 260 square feet, have a vanity area with one sink and no refrigerator. If you want to rent a refrigerator, there is a daily charge which I believe just went up to $11.00 per night. There are no full service restaurants at value resorts.

If you stay in a moderate, your room will be either 314 square feet or 340 square feet. Depending on which moderate you stay in, you will have one or two sinks. A refrigerator is provided in all moderates at no additional charge. There are full service restaurants at all moderate resorts. the moderate resorts also have other amenities such as marinas, bicycle/surrey bike rentals, fishing, etc.

The deluxe resorts have varying sizes of room and offer, of course, more amenities than both the value and the moderates. Unfortunately, you pay a much steeper price for the deluxe resorts. The Wilderness Lodge and the Animal Kingdom Lodge have lower rates than the other deluxe resorts.

There are links here on the boards that will take you to descriptions of each of the Disney resorts. I would also suggest you head over to www.allearsnet.com. Click on Accommodations. There you will find Fact Sheets and Photos for each and every Disney resort.

Disney now has special offers which encourage guests to visit Walt Disney World at all times of the year; therefore, there are really no "down times" at Walt Disney World any more. There are, however, times that are not quite as busy as others. We always go the last week of May through the first full week of June. The crowds are managable and, because we have kids in school, this is the best time for us to go. We have been to WDW during Labor Day and Thanksgiving too. The crowds were okay but lines were fairly long because of the holiday travelers.

Now that all that has been said, hit me with any questions you may have and I'll try to help answer them.

Lisa

 

[georgemoe]

Welcome Sherri. I'm new to the boards here as well and DW and I are returning to WDW after a 12 year hiatus. A lot has changed and back then it was trusting our travel agent and using a Birnbaum guide to educate ourselves. Now you have everyone here.

We are returning in May and staying onsite for the first time ever. The acronyms http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1660743 can be daunting but if you take it in small bytes you'll be POR, SSR, CSR, CRT, TTC'ing, with the best of them.

Good luck in your planning!

 

[Jchance]

Welcome to the wonderful world of Disney...lol...You'll find all kinds of great info on this board, and believe me, you will always have new questions to ask. Once again...Welcome.

 

[bigmoonmullen]

Hi Sherri:

This is a great place to ask questions... Feel free to ask anything you might want to know... no question is too stupid.

Another really good resource is the 2008 Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. I found this book to be loaded with great unbiased information.

Have fun planning and researching what I'm sure will be a memorable trip.

Ages really doesn't matter when going to WDW, you feel like a kid again. My sister, wife & I are planning another trip this coming December and we are in our 50's... but I feel like I'm a teenager when I'm there.

Take care and have fun,

Mark

 

[Mrs. Chilly Twist]

I recommend reading a guide book too....cover to cover. The Unofficial Guide will help you know what you need to know! It is super fun to plan special things (meals, gifts, attractions,etc) for kids too. Welcome to the Dis Boards!

 

[mel]

Those are great ages to be taking your children. My children were that age on one of our trips and there is just NOTHING like seeing DISNEY through the eyes of a child. Try to at least have a character dinner or breakfast. We always eat breakfast @ Cindy's. (The top of the castle) and all of the princesses come in and greet all the children and then you hear......."GASP.....mommy! Is that the REAL CINDERELLA?????" and then everything is alll worth it!!