Disney newbie questions

[doglover22]

I am in the early planing stages of our first Disney trip. We are planning on going in November with our 9 year old and almost two year old. We are going to be staying in a value resort (probably All-Star Movies), geting five days worth of non-parkhopper tickets, probably going on the dining plan, and will be flying from Dallas to WDW. I have a couple of questions to ask of all you veteran Disney people!

1. Is it woth paying to join AAA just to get the travel discounts? I looked it up and basic membership would cost me about $70. Will any AAA discount offset the price of membership? How much of the trip can you book through AAA (airfare, hotels, tickets, etc?)? Can you use additional discounts along with AAA (like a PIN code that I got through an e-mail)?

2. If I book room only hotel through Disney's site, can I still do the dining plan or do you have to buy the tickets from them as well?

3. Are there places at Downtown DIsney that accept dining credits?

4. Is there a list somewhere of all the Disney World places to eat that participate in the dining plan?

5. When does Disney start announcing specials for that time of year? I've got quotes from two different travel agents and they both say that Disney has not released specials for that time of year yet. I can certianly wait to book my trip if I knew that there were going to be some specials to take advantage of.

6. When does Disney list the park/Extra Magic hours for the time of year?

7. It is my understanding that as long as a ride does not have a hight requirement, we can take our youngest child on it. Is this correct? He will be 22 months at time of travel.

8. What about renting a car? I have head conflicting advice on this. Some say that it is worth it if you are staying at a value resort since there are the fewest buses and most stops. About how long would it take to get to/from the parks?

I think that is it for now! I really appriciate your help!!

 

[imadisneynut]

I am in the early planing stages of our first Disney trip. We are planning on going in November with our 9 year old and almost two year old. We are going to be staying in a value resort (probably All-Star Movies), getting five days worth of non-parkhopper tickets, probably going on the dining plan, and will be flying from Dallas to WDW. I have a couple of questions to ask of all you veteran Disney people!

1. Is it worth paying to join AAA just to get the travel discounts? I looked it up and basic membership would cost me about $70. Will any AAA discount offset the price of membership? How much of the trip can you book through AAA (airfare, hotels, tickets, etc?)? Can you use additional discounts along with AAA (like a PIN code that I got through an e-mail)?

2. If I book room only hotel through Disney's site, can I still do the dining plan or do you have to buy the tickets from them as well?

3. Are there places at Downtown Disney that accept dining credits?

4. Is there a list somewhere of all the Disney World places to eat that participate in the dining plan?

5. When does Disney start announcing specials for that time of year? I've got quotes from two different travel agents and they both say that Disney has not released specials for that time of year yet. I can certainly wait to book my trip if I knew that there were going to be some specials to take advantage of.

6. When does Disney list the park/Extra Magic hours for the time of year?

7. It is my understanding that as long as a ride does not have a height requirement, we can take our youngest child on it. Is this correct? He will be 22 months at time of travel.

8. What about renting a car? I have head conflicting advice on this. Some say that it is worth it if you are staying at a value resort since there are the fewest buses and most stops. About how long would it take to get to/from the parks?

I think that is it for now! I really appreciate your help!!

1. well I already have AAA so I don't know about that but if you are renting a car with AAA they will give you preferred parking which is right up front which I love

2. you can but you have to buy at least a one day park pass for each member of your family

3. yes there are for counter service and for regular dining here is the list of restaurants
Downtown Disney
Counter Service

Earl of Sandwich
FoodQuest (Disney Quest)
Wolfgang Puck Express

Table Service Locations

Cap’n Jack’s Restaurant
Planet Hollywood
Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant
Wolfgang Puck Cafe

4. yes here is the link

http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan.htm

5. i am not sure but what you can do is book your trip and if a special comes up you can make changes to the reservations

6. I am not sure but here is a link to your question in the future

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/earlyentry.htm

7. not sure sorry

8. we always rent a car we have 2 children one is 5 and the other is 2 . it just seems easier with the stroller and not have to wait for the bus all the time . the way I see it is time is money so I don't want to wait a hour for a bus to get back to my hotel and then have to rush to dinner and if the kids are crabby you can just leave. our last trip we had a family that went with us and they didn't rent a car. it was bad they said next time they are renting. 2 times I pick them up at there hotel and brought them to the restaurant so they wouldn't be late. so I would suggest it here is a link to a rental car code page www.rentalcodes.com just remember you can use a corporate code and a coupon. also with rental cars prices will be high right now but check everyday when you see a good price book it you don't have to put a deposit down. it in 2 week the price goes down just cancel and rebook . I already have mine booked for September but will probably rebook 4 times before I go . any other question just let me know. If I don't know someone on here will

also one more thing


check out the dis unplugged pod cast for more good info here is the link
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-podcast/

you can listen to it on your computer or download it to a mp3 player

 

[Bob P]

Welcome to the DIS!

In answer to #7, November hours will be posted on the WDW website on or around May 1. EMH are usually posted about a week after that .

But keep in mind that park hours can--and often will--change in between the day they are posted and the day you arrive at WDW.

 

[karmalicousss]

What they said !

 

[wilde_oscar]

1. Is it worth paying to join AAA just to get the travel discounts? I looked it up and basic membership would cost me about $70. Will any AAA discount offset the price of membership? How much of the trip can you book through AAA (airfare, hotels, tickets, etc?)? Can you use additional discounts along with AAA (like a PIN code that I got through an e-mail)?

Probably, AAA only provides a discount on the rack rate of the room. Which is not much at the value resorts.

2. If I book room only hotel through Disney's site, can I still do the dining plan or do you have to buy the tickets from them as well?

must book a package though Disney in order to do the Dining Plan (DDP)

3. Are there places at Downtown DIsney that accept dining credits?

Yes, Earl of Sandwich springs to mind http://www.wdwinfo.com/disney-dining-plan.htm#rest Check here for complete list.

4. Is there a list somewhere of all the Disney World places to eat that participate in the dining plan?

See above... that is the complete list.

5. When does Disney start announcing specials for that time of year? I've got quotes from two different travel agents and they both say that Disney has not released specials for that time of year yet. I can certainly wait to book my trip if I knew that there were going to be some specials to take advantage of.

there are not a lot of discounts for November.

6. When does Disney list the park/Extra Magic hours for the time of year?

usually the hours come out 6 months in advance, EMH hours a couple days after.

7. It is my understanding that as long as a ride does not have a height requirement, we can take our youngest child on it. Is this correct? He will be 22 months at time of travel.

no height requirement means exactly that, but some of the rides might be scary to a small child, some of them scare the pants off of me even.

8. What about renting a car? I have head conflicting advice on this. Some say that it is worth it if you are staying at a value resort since there are the fewest buses and most stops. About how long would it take to get to/from the parks?

Disney Transportation is the most advanced logistics system in the world... on any given night they move 50,000 people every 20 min. When the parks are closing your wait could be upto 40 or so min. for the bus. Compare this to sitting in traffic, and the bus will seem like a better option, and is cheaper.

 

[Mgoblue44]

Your ?'s have been Thoroughly answered, but I would like to add. Don't add the Dining package just yet. You can add it any time up til 72 hours of check in. Wait to see if a deal involving the dining plan becomes available. Last year I booked in Feb., but held off on dining plan, in May a deal came out that if you booked, the dining plan was FREE !! Huge $$$ saver !

 

[melissa.irwin]

Your ?'s have been Thoroughly answered, but I would like to add. Don't add the Dining package just yet. You can add it any time up til 72 hours of check in. Wait to see if a deal involving the dining plan becomes available. Last year I booked in Feb., but held off on dining plan, in May a deal came out that if you booked, the dining plan was FREE !! Huge $$$ saver !

Great tip!

 

[wilde_oscar]

ditto with trip insurance... depending on the package... you can cancel with no penalty 6 days in advance, but once trip insurance is put on the package it is not refundable.