Disney First Timer-Hello

[kaismahma]

Hi All! I am so excited to have found this board. We are finally taking the plunge and going to Disney World. I booked my airfare last night with miles already. We are leaving the 31st of August and returning the 5th of Sepetember. We will have 5 full days there. My issue right now is trying to decide what hotel to stay at. We want to stay at the resort in a moderate. Can someone please give me some suggestions. We are hoping to get in on the free dining plan. (Is it worth it to upgrade to deluxe dining?) My other questions is what exactly is a park hopper and is it worth it? I look forward to gettting to know you all. Off to get lost in a bunch of posts.

 

[Metro West]

 

[taylor3297]

Park hopper allows you to go to more than one park in a day and to me is totally worth it. On our last trip we were only able to get a ressie for CRT on a wed morning, the same day we were to meet my sister at Animal Kingdom. So the park hopper allowed us to go to MK in the morning for breakfast at CRT, then we headed to AK to meet my sister and her family. It gives you so much flexiblity.

As to a moderate I would stay at would either be Caribbean Beach or Port Orleans.

 

[mdinme]

Welcome welcome... Congrats on the first trip. I'd purchase dvc points right on this site. Should be able to get them for $9 or $10 a point. Park hooper, yes, allows multiple parks in a day. No Hop means you can only go to one park a day. I is $50/person to add it. Since you're on dining it may be needed to hop so you eat what you want and where, but to me hopping from park to park just means you're not at the park on a ride, you're spending time "hopping." The time going from bus to monorail or whatever eats into park time.

We've done both and we've (2 kids 7, 10 and wife) come to realize that if you simply commit to one park a day and know your going to stick it out at that park all day... it works out fine (and you save a couple hundred).

Also, make sure you pick the "must" rides and use fast pass so you get everything done you want to...

 

[tpholland]

Welcome! I agree the hopper is totally worth it. As far as resorts, our favorite is CB & our 2nd choice is Port Orleans regardless, you'll have a great time

 

[jimmalru80]

Hello and welcome to the DIS!!

 

[3mickeys&me]

Welcome to the Dis boards Park hopper passes give you more flexibility. We always get them. Worth the $.

We have stayed at two Moderates CBR (Carribean Beach) and POR (Port Orleans Riverside). They were both really nice. Enjoyed both places very much. We like Carribean Beach a little more for some reason. Pool was better IMO and our kids enjoyed it more.
Have fun planning your trip. Hope you have a magical time

 

[earthur0915]

I think the Park Hopper option is totally worth it...if the crowds are too much then you can go to another park. I have stayed at POR (Port Orleans Riverside) and will be staying at CBR (Caribbean Beach Resort) in September. I like POR, but I am looking forward to CBR!

No matter where you stay, it's Disney and you will LOVE it!

 

[DisneyMissy]

Welcome!! I haven't stayed at a moderate, only values...so I can't give you any advice there. However, I loved the Pop Century last time I went, so I would say don't rule it out competely! I guess I'm the only one so far that thinks the hopper is a waste of money. If you plan right, you don't need it. Plus, in MYO the time spent getting from one park to another is time you could be spending on rides. See if you can get all the ADRs you want first, then decide on the park hopper. It's easy to add it on.

 

[kaismahma]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I spent a few hours reading over reviews and info about hotels (at work, shhh!)

I took the plunge last night and decided on CSR with park hopper options and we upgraded the Dining Plan. We have not been anywhere since 2005 when we went to China to get our little one. We decided to splurge a little and not have to worry about any extra food money, since we had the cash. I just need to figure out exactly when 100 days is to make ADR's. (It is 90 days +10 if you are staying at a Disney Resort correct?) I was a bit overwhelmed now I can relax for a few days and make a little bit of a game plan for food. Thanks again and if you all have any great resturant suggestions please pass them on.

One more quick question when I booked our reservation online there were a bunch of questions that came up and one was are you celebrating anything special. I forgot to mention DH's b-day on that sheet. Is it important to do that, should I try to go back and update in my profile or is it nothing special?-Thanks

 

[DisneyMissy]

That's awesome!! Definitely great to be able to splurge if you have the money! You should def. give them a call and let them know about DH's birthday...birthday's are a huge deal at Disney this year! Since you already bought your tickets for the parks, he can get a gift card worth the value of one day admission ($75 I think)!!

 

[MarkinNM]

to the DIS!!​