Disney virgin asking too many questions HELP LOL

[Frannypooh]

OK I've been reading the boards forever and have a few questions

It will be me, my Dh and our 4 children (ages 11, 10, 4, and 2)
We have our room. Dec 8th to the 15th at All star movies. We requested the toy story building. I booked in March does this make my odds better for actually getting it or is there a chance we get down there and they say sorry, your in some other all-star? We should have 2 connecting room.
any one ever have a request and not get it??? My youngest two LOVE toy story and I can't wait to check in!!

Dh has been there twice. He says we should do two days at MK, one mgm, one epcot and he wants to do Universal. So can I get the 4 day hopper. I know U is seperate. I want at least one "down" day to just spend at the pool (pray for warm wheather!)

I joined connections about a week ago, still haven't gotten anything in the mail and I'm a member of the Disney Club. Is connections worth it? looks like the hoppers there have the plus added and I don't need them though we will one day go back! When you order food do they add the tip to the bill or is that up to you? Dh is a big tipper so I'm afraid if I buy the vouchers he will "have" to tip anyway. But if the tip is added in he may change his mind.

Dec 9th is our anniversary. should we tell anyone?

should I get plane tickets now or hope we can get a deal closer to the date?

thanks so much!!
Dh sees my face at the Disney Store and keeps saying wait till you Disney World!!

 

[CDoobee]

Hi and welcome to the DIS!!!

I can't answer all of your questions, but I can try to answer some!

I've always gotten the buildings I requested at All Stars. The Fantasia buildings at All Star Movies are considered "preferred view", or something like that (not sure what they call it). But, the Toy Story buildings and all the others are standard view. You can also fax a request to the room controller about 4 days before your arrival. That's what I've always done. Ask sweetly, and explain about your kids' love for Toy Story! Couldn't hurt!
You should also mention your request again at check-in.

I think your plan for the 4 day hoppers is good. You will definitely enjoy a "down day" in the middle of the week with kids that young. Animal Kingdom is a great park too, though, so you might want to get 5 day hoppers. The older 2 kids especially might enjoy it. My 11 year old does! Or, since it only takes about 1/2 day, you could "hop" to another park after doing AK. Then, you wouldn't need another hopper day. With the ages of your kids, they might enjoy Universal's Islands of Adventure more than Universal Studios. It has the big roller coaster rides if the older 2 are into that. But, Dr. Seuss Landing would be great for the younger 2. Of course, even adults and older kids can have fun there, too!

I joined Connections online a while back, and I don't remember how long it took me to get my info in the mail. However, I do know that I was able to order from them online almost immediately! I haven't bought hoppers from them though, only meal Vouchers, which I LOVE!!! And, YES, they do include tax and the tip! I especially like the Q&C ones! And your children (and maybe you and your DH), you could do a lot of sharing meals. For me, just having some of the meals PREPAID would be worth it even if I wasn't saving any money!! LOL

Yes, you should definitely mention your anniversary! We were there on my birthday 2 years ago. My DH mentioned it at the 2 restaurants we ate at for breakfast and dinner. At Cinderella's Royal Table they gave me a card for all the characters to sign when they came to our table, as well as a free dessert! And, at Tony's they had everyone twirl their napkins and sing to me, and gave me a free dessert!! Maybe one of your older children could mention it to the server.

For airfare, I'd say just keep checking everyday!! And when you see something good, grab it!! I was able to get $125 roundtrip non-stop for my DH and I for our trip the first week of December!!

Hope I helped and didn't confuse you more!!!


Have fun!!

Debbie

 

[eller]

Welcome to the DIS!

We requested connecting rooms, Toy Story for our trip in January. We ended up in Dalmations. We liked the themeing as well; however, Toy Story is closer to the bus stops. The resort seemed very full, so I assume that's why we didn't get our request. Could have something to do with adjoining rooms, I don't know.

I'll be joining Connections to purchase park media and meal vouchers. Worth it? Maybe, maybe not. I've heard good things. Will I keep it at $80 a year, no. Maybe for less if they offer it when I call to cancel.

I agree with CDooBee, tell them about your aniversary!!! Tell everyone you see. Just kidding. But you get the idea!

Airlines--We always travel SouthWest. They just had awsome prises for just about everywhere. If you book with SouthWest you can always change to a cheaper ticket. You would then have one year to use your credit. (No refund.) You are not quite into peak air travel time, you might be okay to wait.

Have a great trip! It looks like we will just miss you; we arrive at WDW on the 18th. And don't forget about MVMCP. That's a must!

Lori

6/1997 Off site, 2/2000 Off site, 2/2001 Poly, 10/2001 POFQ, AKL & Magic, 1/2002 ASMo & AKL, 12/2002 ASMu & Poly

 

[patsal]

Hi!
Wow you sure have a lot on your mind!!!! First ENjoy your trip. Be sure to share that it is a special day. Connections, if you have not heard form them yet you can log onto the website, and send an email. They have always responded quickly to me. If not you can call them at the 800 #. Connections vouchers include a 15% tip as well as the tax. It is nice to pre-pay, sometimes save money and to just have to sign the voucher at the end of the meal. I use them more for the pre-pay, but have been lucky enough to eat at a few places that I wouldn't have if I had not had the vouchers. If you getg the 5 day hoppers with the plus feature they don't expire, so you could always use them on another visit (not sure of the price difference so this may not be your best bet). My kids loved both US and IOA DS was 8 and DD was 5. We kid swapped on Jurassic Park, but they both rode everything else (we skipped terminator). There is plenty to do there as well. Check for deals on tickets from AAA and directlly through Universal's website.
The airfare-- what I do is figure what I think is a fair price to pay for a roundtrip. I check the airlines daily and when I get the price I feel comfy with I purchase. SOmetimes they go down, but at least I know I have a seat and have not gone for broke!
Have a great vacation.

 

[Kimkimba]

For the room request, I've read that requests are honored first by how far in advance they were requested. Don't know if it's true, but it makes sense.

I think it was about a week after I signed up for Connections before I got the packet. I ordered the same time I signed up and got that order fine. I ordered more a few days later, and they messed up, customer service was not nice (it was a Saturday near the end of their shift), and after speaking to the supervisor I told him I needed to cancel my account and he hung up on me. Oh well, at least my account was canceled and though I received (and was charged) more than I ordered, I've been selling the extra vouchers on Ebay at a premium. I think pretty much everything they sell is a good value, but if a mistake is made it's not easily fixed. Since they wouldn't send me the Disney tickets I ordered them from Florida Orlando tickets (5 day park hopper and 4 plus options) and received them right away with no problems. Another thing with Connections is for everything ordered from one vendor over $50, you have to sign for the package when it comes. Not convenient if you work during the day.

For airfare, I booked ours in February for our September trip. I wanted to leave first thing in the morning (think 6:00) and leave Disney around dinner time to come home. If available I always do non-stops, and definitely from Philly to Orlando. I booked directly through USAirways online and got $164.50/person for the exact times I wanted. The same tickets are much more now. I also got to choose our seats at that time online where I wanted them. This is the first airplane ride for my ds (4), so I wanted to make sure. Have flown USAirways for years both for personal trips and business and have always had good experiences. Even though they have declared Bankruptcy (I knew it was coming), it shouldn't affect my flight.

P.S.: We're about 15 minutes from Philly airport :~)

Planning for Disney is so exciting! Have fun.

 

[BELLA1]

Budget board Thread for FREE STUFF!

 

[DisOrBust]

Is that during PoP Warner then the all stars will be crowded and could efect you room request and availablity. Have you considered staying on site at US/IOA iit is worth it for Front of the Line acess. Plus discounts at the universasal hotel are much easier then at wdw/ Check out the Universal board and don't forget the codes for your WDW stay!

 

[DisOrBust]

Sorry I just check and PoP Warner is dec8th-14th. How about doing your down day around the pool at Universal . The Hard Rock has an AWESOME pool all your kids would love, better then ASM IMHO, and you could get FOTL. for 2 days with a one night stay..just a thought...
I have never been at WDW during Pop Warner let alone at the ASM during this time. I have heard that the All Stars are very crowded and loud during this time. Siorry to say that...I still think you can have fun At ASM but maybe you might want to "talk" to some of the Disers that have been there during this time

 

[UltimateWDWFan]

To get a specific room, I've always contact the resort a few days prior to my arrival and confirmed what area or section I want, and I've never been disappointed. This time (we're going the first week in December), I think I'll request it with the original ressie and then contact them a few days out. (I've always called rather than faxing, but it might be worthwhile to fax and then follow that up with a phone call the next day, "just to be sure they got it."

 

[jjsmom]

I'm sure you and your family are very excited about your first trip!!!
I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents...
Your itinerary sounds great although, being the huge EPCOT fan that I am, I would suggest 2 days at that particular park. I realize with time constaints (sp) that may not be possible.

A year ago, we stayed at ASsports. It was very crowded with school groups and cheerleaders. But, our room was very quiet and we never felt overwhelmed. The pool was busy, but we always found chairs and had "breathing room". The food court was busy, but manageable and the food was good and fresh. Unless we hit the lottery, we would not hesitate to stay at All stars again.

I don't belong to Connections (I'm considering joining), but I do subscibe to "My Points" online. I've already accumulated enough points for a $25 gift card to Macaroni Grill, and I'm very close to enough points for a $25 Rainforest Cafe card. Both of these will help greatly towards our food budget on our next trip (Jan. 25-31). I just joined in Mar 02 so I would bet you have enough time between now and Dec to get at least 1 restaurant card.

I am not a travel or airline expert, but it does seem that with the close of the summer travel season, airfares are getting cheaper. I agree, check every day, especially during the next few weeks. I feeling though, is that as you get later in the fall months more people start booking for holiday travel, and this may drive up fares.

Happy anniversary!

 

[Frannypooh]

THIS BOARD IS GREAT!!!!!!!

Dh does want to do Epcot. Will wait to see how airfare goes.
I am VERY excited about seeing Disney! Dh makes it worse or is it better LOL I do want some down time though.

Thanks again!

Oh and I do want to see the Mickey Christmas thing lol
I LOVE Christmas time!!!!!!

Fran