Considering a 2012 trip!

[DisneyStitch626]

Hi there! I would just like some tips if anyone has got any.

My fiance and I are considering our first trip to Disney World for the beginning of March, 2012. This will be for our honeymoon!

Here is what I have for trip plans so far:

Dates: March 3-10 (3rd and 10th are travel days from Alberta Canada)
Hotel: POP Century
Dining: Quick Service Dining Plan

Is this a good time to be going down there? Is there a thread or site I can go to, to see what's going on during that time or see if there is another time we should consider? We are thinking 5-6 days in the parks. Can't really afford much more than that. Should we be getting park hoppers, or are the Base Tickets good enough? I know park hopping isn't as simple here as it is in Disneyland due to distance, so do we want to be spending time doing that, or dedicating one park a day?

I am usually on the "other side" of the boards as we've been to Disneyland a couple times recently, but this is so much different!

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[SDS33]

March can be a pretty busy time due to spring break crowds. The rooms at Disney are also a little more expensive this time of year. If you have the option of traveling at different dates, you may want to look into going in January or February. This is considered value season, where room prices are cheaper and the crowd level is a little lower. Although, you can never predict how busy a park will be.

You may also want to consider buying your park tickets now before the prices go up. There is usually a price increase every year.

My family and I have traveled in May, June, July, and December. We liked the first week of December. The weather was nice and we went in between the Thanksgiving and Christmas crowds. Good luck in whatever you choose.

 

[Estella]

My first 2 trips to WDW we did park hopping and I was exhausted. My last trip, I tried no park hopping and loved it. I checked the extra magic hours and I planned my dining in the park or a WDW resort and it was more relaxing to focus on the one park. If you stay less than 4 full days, park hopping is helpful so you can see all the parks.

Congratulations and enjoy your trip however you plan it you will have fun!

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

Hi there! I would just like some tips if anyone has got any.

My fiance and I are considering our first trip to Disney World for the beginning of March, 2012. This will be for our honeymoon!

Here is what I have for trip plans so far:

Dates: March 3-10 (3rd and 10th are travel days from Alberta Canada)
Hotel: POP Century
Dining: Quick Service Dining Plan

Is this a good time to be going down there? Is there a thread or site I can go to, to see what's going on during that time or see if there is another time we should consider? We are thinking 5-6 days in the parks. Can't really afford much more than that. Should we be getting park hoppers, or are the Base Tickets good enough? I know park hopping isn't as simple here as it is in Disneyland due to distance, so do we want to be spending time doing that, or dedicating one park a day?

I am usually on the "other side" of the boards as we've been to Disneyland a couple times recently, but this is so much different!

Thanks in advance for any advice!

We'll also be there during the same time as you (Feb 29-Mar 9....with free dining Mar 3-8) and also staying @ POP (our favourite resort). If not already booked, have a look at the free dining promo on the Disney website (under special offers)....not 100% sure but it might only be available to Canadians

The free dining promo @ the Value resorts (POP Century included), has the QS meal plan for free - but you are able to upgrade to the TS meal plan for not much more $$. If it's you honeymoon then I would consider this option as you can have some nice relaxing sit down meals at upscale restaurants. But decide "very" soon because some of the popular TS restaurants may be difficult to get a reservation for the day/time you want.

Personally, I never buy the hopper upgrade...I think for your 1st visit there will be more than enough to see and do in 1 park each day to keep you busy...but that's our personal preference...others will have a different opinion. Keep in mind you can come and go in the same park multiple times in 1 day. So you can go back to the resort to relax and then head back to the same park later in the day.

Your dates (and ours too) are before the majority of the US Spring Break dates....I think the crowds will be very manageable. After March 10 the the crowds will increase for sure.


Just a last minute observation (Posts: 4,342)...but you've never been to WDW yet ??

 

[DisneyStitch626]

We'll also be there during the same time as you (Feb 29-Mar 9....with free dining Mar 3-8) and also staying @ POP (our favourite resort). If not already booked, have a look at the free dining promo on the Disney website (under special offers)....not 100% sure but it might only be available to Canadians

The free dining promo @ the Value resorts (POP Century included), has the QS meal plan for free - but you are able to upgrade to the TS meal plan for not much more $$. If it's you honeymoon then I would consider this option as you can have some nice relaxing sit down meals at upscale restaurants. But decide "very" soon because some of the popular TS restaurants may be difficult to get a reservation for the day/time you want.

Personally, I never buy the hopper upgrade...I think for your 1st visit there will be more than enough to see and do in 1 park each day to keep you busy...but that's our personal preference...others will have a different opinion. Keep in mind you can come and go in the same park multiple times in 1 day. So you can go back to the resort to relax and then head back to the same park later in the day.

Your dates (and ours too) are before the majority of the US Spring Break dates....I think the crowds will be very manageable. After March 10 the the crowds will increase for sure.


Just a last minute observation (Posts: 4,342)...but you've never been to WDW yet ??

Thank you for the tips! I hope to be booking real soon, so hopefully there are still some spots left at good places to eat! That free dining sounds great!

I hope the crowds will be a little manageable at least.

Haha, I am a regular on the DIS for sure, but I am usually on the Disneyland side on some of the chat threads. We chat a lot sometimes, lol. We've also done 2 trips to Disneyland with in a year, so now it's time to go the other way I think. I just have to convince the fiance. He loved Disneyland, but now he wants to go to back to Mexico, where as I want to go somewhere we've never been.

My first 2 trips to WDW we did park hopping and I was exhausted. My last trip, I tried no park hopping and loved it. I checked the extra magic hours and I planned my dining in the park or a WDW resort and it was more relaxing to focus on the one park. If you stay less than 4 full days, park hopping is helpful so you can see all the parks.

Congratulations and enjoy your trip however you plan it you will have fun!

Thanks for the tips! I think I like the idea of one park a day too. It just seems a little less chaotic.

 

[msminnieears]

I too agree the park hopper pass would not be needed in your case. We always get it and love it but I have kids that love to go, go, go. We usually go during our SB March 11-17, pretty busy but very managable. You should be fine and miss a lot of the crowds. I have never been to Disneyland but my sister has and she says WDW is SOOOOO much better. I think you'll both enjoy the experience. Hope you have a magical wedding and honeymoon.