Completely clueless..... please help!!

sarahb74

Mouseketeer
Joined
Mar 22, 2010
Messages
325
Hi,
I'm a regular on the DLP board and now we're thinking about WDW for 2012 - DH and I are both terrified of flying, but as my eldest ds is there now with his dad, we are starting to think we need to do a trip so our little one doesnt miss out :goodvibes
I've got brochures, looked at trip reports, done lots of web research but I'm going round in circles, so I'd be really grateful if you guys could give me some first timer advice. I guess the first questions are:
1. Book a package through Virgin/First Choice etc, or DIY, and if DIY who do you book the different bits with
2. What is the best way to get tickets? For best I mainly mean cheapest (;)) but also I gather some places issue "real" tickets and some vouchers that need exchanging, so as we'll be going in school holidays I'm guessing that best may also mean easiest.
3. DDP or not? I guess if it gets thrown in free then its a no brainer, but what about paying for it?
4. Anything you wish someone had told you before your first trip?
Thanks in advance, I guess over the next 18 months or so I'll be posting a load more questions, the less stress we have over the plans the better so we can just worry about the flying!
Sarah
 
Hi,
I'm a regular on the DLP board and now we're thinking about WDW for 2012 - DH and I are both terrified of flying, but as my eldest ds is there now with his dad, we are starting to think we need to do a trip so our little one doesnt miss out :goodvibes
I've got brochures, looked at trip reports, done lots of web research but I'm going round in circles, so I'd be really grateful if you guys could give me some first timer advice. I guess the first questions are:
1. Book a package through Virgin/First Choice etc, or DIY, and if DIY who do you book the different bits with

We always DIY, it has always been a lot cheaper for us. Look at booking flights first, that way you wont have to swap the dates of your hotel around if you can't find the flights. You may want to wait until 11 months before you plan to travel to book the flights, this is when the are released (and normally cheaper).

Fly direct if you want to get there quicker and with less hassle, indirect flights will normally mean stopping of somewhere else in the USA and the taking a connecting flight to Orlando.

For flights check sites such as Skyscanner and Travelsupermarket.


2. What is the best way to get tickets? For best I mainly mean cheapest (;)) but also I gather some places issue "real" tickets and some vouchers that need exchanging, so as we'll be going in school holidays I'm guessing that best may also mean easiest.

If you want to stay on-site then book your Disney tickets when you book your hotel. You will be sent vouchers but when you check in they will give you a card called the Key to the World, this is your hotel room key and serves as your ticket to get in all the Disney parks.

3. DDP or not? I guess if it gets thrown in free then its a no brainer, but what about paying for it?

When are you travelling? If its August through to November then there is normally a free DDP offer. If you can get it take it, it should save you loads of money. I personally wouldn't pay for it as it's normally cheaper to eat outside the Disney resort.

4. Anything you wish someone had told you before your first trip?

Don't try and do everything, you will get very tired, especially the kids!!! If you are staying on-site then think about going back to the resort for a couple of hours in the middle of the day to get some lunch and relax by the pool!

Thanks in advance, I guess over the next 18 months or so I'll be posting a load more questions, the less stress we have over the plans the better so we can just worry about the flying!
Sarah

Hope you have a great time planning your trip! If you have any more questions, please don't be afraid to ask! :goodvibes
 
how exciting its so much fun planning i have only just really joined and am already addicted !
we could have saved money doing it diy but my mum is a travel agent so got us a fantastic deal with virgin
it depends some people want peace of mind after the ash cloud that all their holiday is protected but tbh from what i can gather most companies were pretty good about rearranging accomodation etc
we got the ddp and thats one of the reasons we decided to stay onsite if not we would definately have stayed offsite as there are so many places to eat that are a lot cheaper
hope you have fun planning
i have a huge fear of flying as well - i had to be sedated whenn we went to mexico but i know being on here and reading trip reports not one person has said that they would never go again because of the flight so every day im getting a bit more positive !!
enjoy !!!:goodvibes:goodvibes
 

oooh have just had a look at that thread myself and its amazing the more you think you know the more you realise that there is still even more to know !!
 
oooh have just had a look at that thread myself and its amazing the more you think you know the more you realise that there is still even more to know !!

Disney planning and research is like housework - it's never done! ;)
 
Disney planning and research is like housework - it's never done! ;)

But this is way more fun than housework.......... in fact its what I do instead of housework! :lmao:

Thanks for the replies everyone, I'll look through that thread tomorrow when my brain is more alert. I'm sure I'll have the whole thing figured out by Christmas, even though DH hasnt actually said he will get on a plane yet!
 
Hi welcome to our bit of the Dis:)

We always book DIY.

If you are wanting disney or mainly disney i'd look at staying onsite.

You can then get the disney bus (magical express) from the airport, use disney transportation during your stay and use dining plan.

We've booked direct with both disney uk and disney us websites and would recommend either.

Flights are the main problem - pricey and even more so if you are tied to school holidays.

Scheduled flights are released 11 months out. before that you could book a fly drive with a holiday company.
 
Have you looked into those fear of flying courses they offer at the airport - maybe it could be your xmas present to him?

Never done one as i'm an ok flyer but I've heard some people rate them.
 
If we were to stay onsite and use the Magical Express rather than get a car, what would be the best way (for 4 of us) to get to Univeral for a couple of days?
 
there is a bus that goes from downtown disney or the ticket and transportation center to i-drive as we have looked into using it for seaworld if i can find the link to it i will post it up still trying to get the hang of all this lol
 
there is a bus that goes from downtown disney or the ticket and transportation center to i-drive as we have looked into using it for seaworld if i can find the link to it i will post it up still trying to get the hang of all this lol

Lynx bus. I don't recall the number, but there are a few threads on it. I'll do a search for you when I get a minute.
 
1 It depends what you are after the way you book, if you want to rent a house then DIY is the best way, hotel wise it can depend on what you are after, (and what deals you can find)

2 best way is to shop around and keep an eye out, prices can fluctuate from shop to shop.

3 If you have a car, i would say no as you can go offsite and eat at other places offsite that are pretty good. Plus if you are going to universal / sea world there are places to eat there too!

4 I wish i was told how good margeritaville was (and how much fun!) the first time round, how pretty Animal kingdom was, and to take it easy and take it all in, you wont do everything (not even close.) and planning every second of your holiday with regimented precision will only ruin it when it goes wrong.

enjoy!
 
If you are not adverse the driving, you can easily get a car for a couple of days from the onsite car care centre - alamo/national.
 
If we were to stay onsite and use the Magical Express rather than get a car, what would be the best way (for 4 of us) to get to Univeral for a couple of days?
If you are only going to Universal for a day then you an get a great deal where a bus picks you up from your WDW resort, and takes you to WDW, ticket and transfer included for $99.

We did it last time and it worked great. :)
 















Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE













DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top