Disneyland veteran needs WDW help!

[doodlebug]

We have decided to maybe go to WDW this year instead of Disneyland because of the crowds for the 50th Birthday and such but I have no idea on how/where and what deals are out there... We are thinking of going either 2/19-2/27 or 4/9-4/17.

Which would be better for us as far as crowds?
Where do I get the best deals on a WDW hotel?
Where should I get tickets?

Any other information that will help me would be appreciated!!!!

 

[fam4jc]

You'll love WDW! I would suggest going to mousesavers.com and reading every word she has about WDW discounts, rooms, etc. My advice is to come in Feb for fewer crowds, but April will be warmer, a little more crowded but still managable b/c Easter is in March this year. Feb is also value season and I think that time in April is peak season. Makes huge difference in room pricing.

I would definately stay on-site. This is a huge resort and staying onsite makes a big difference. What ages are your kids? There are probably still AP rates available for the feb dates. You might also want to consider renting DVC points.

As far as tix goes; depends on what types of room or package you get. The new dining option seems to be a great deal, but so is the ap discount for the DDE card. Lot's of choices.

Again, try reading mousesavers.com about WDW discounts,then come back here with your questions.

Glad you are coming our way WE may be going your way in December!
Shellie

 

[doodlebug]

My kids are 4 & 7!

I checked on Mousesaver but didn't really see any discount codes for the times we want to come (really weren't any big codes at all like I have seen before). So AP means annual pass right? Guess I better go back over there and do some more reading... Planning a trip to WDW is so much more complex than Disneyland but well worth it I know!!

 

[Disneyfun1]

Definately check out mousesavers.com, the disboards here-the sections i read mainly are theme parks, resorts, dining, and transportation boards, and check out www.allearsnet.com Deb's site there is great! The table of contents page is at http://allearsnet.com/contents.htm I am checking out rates myself and i am waiting for annual pass rates myself for may. YOu cant really beat the new magic your way ticket prices of about 300 max for 10 days with parkhopping priveliges. email directly if you need more info. disneyfun1@cox.net

Good luck!!

 

[fam4jc]

BEX ap code for 2/17 through 4/16. This is the code that I used. I got AKL savannah view for 199 /night plus tax and the Pop for 89/night. AP is annual pass. You can go online and order it for will call to your resort only from Disney site. Don't buy it until you have your ap code room reserved. Yes, planning WDW is very complex! But so much fun! I would start at the wdw web site and put in your dates room only, then add tix , then add meals for different resorts to get an idea of costs. Then when you call for ap rates you can determine what is best for your family! My girls are 5 & 8. We just love WDW. As you can see from my counter we are taking a mommie & me trip in April. keep posting those questions, or you can pm me.
Shellie

 

[doodlebug]

So by getting an AP pass for one of us I might be able to save a nice amount of money on a room right???

 

[fam4jc]

Absolutely! The catch is that they don't always release the rates for your dates and the rooms are limited. So what you should do is call them and ask for the code for your dates, have a list ready of which resorts you would like to stay at. ie: I'm looking for code BEX on XX dates for XX resort. Once they check that resort, your first choice, either book it or go on to your second resort choice etc. You will have to pay one night's deposit and they have a 5 day cancellation policy. Then you can go online before your trip and order your ap to either be delivered to your home or to your hotel. I would get it at home so you will hve your letter and voucher upon checkin. Officially they require an activated pass, but usually they will let you check in with the voucher and bring the pass back after you've been to the parks your first day. If you get the AP; then you can call for the Disney Dinning Experience card at a 25$ discount (50 bucks) saves you 20% on almost all food at WDW. If you like sit down meals, character meals, shows, etc. this is a great deal.
Give them a call and see what happens for your dates. Remember to ask for ROOM ONLY reservation.
let us know >)

 

[doodlebug]

Then after I do this I can get tickets for my hubby and two kids somewhere online too right?

 

[doodlebug]

Also if you were going to stay at one of the Mod price resorts with 2 kids which would be the most fun for them in your opinion???

 

[fam4jc]

sure. You can get tickets from ticketmania.com; aaa; discountorlandotickets.com; or even the Disney site itself. The budget board has reviews of ticket brokers with discounted disney tickets. Are you wanting to do some of the other, (shhhhh don't tell anyone, but there are other parks besides Disney) stuff in Orlando? Any way, you will see all the different ticket offerings on the web sites. Don't be shocked when you see how much more WDW tix are than DL! Have you chosen a resort yet? I love helping you! It's so fun to share what we love!!

 

[fam4jc]

Oh, we must have been typing at the same time. With the ages of your kids, I would recommend either the Port Orleans French Quarter its small and quiet with great grounds and pool plus other activities onsite or for a value resort, the Pop Century. Your best bets for Delux that aren't horribly expensive and terrific for kids are WL and the AKL. Your resort will be important with having young children. You may want a resort that offers a little more to do. Our first time to AKL is in April and I hear there is enough to keep you occupied there all day long! Are you planning on napping during the day? It's a great idea to tour the parks in the morning take an afternoon break at your resort then resume later. Do you have a budget in mind? That would help us help you select. You might want to call first and see what is available for your dates. There may not be much of a choice! One time I called real late for AP rates and all that was available was suits! But that was during value season so the rates were very cheap and were gobbled up fast. I just got AKL last thurs on AP rate... your chances are pretty good.

 

[doodlebug]

We will just be doing the WDW thing for this trip since it is what we all love. No real interest in doing other parks outside WDW.... Actually I totally understand the prices of WDW being more expensive because you are getting so many more parks to go to and it really isn't too much more expensive park ticket wise in my opinion

 

[doodlebug]

At Disneyland we always went back to the room mid day for a rest but I wasn't sure how easy that would be at WDW. Guess I need to look at a Big Park Map to help me decide on where to position myself resort wise... I am thinking that the April time might be best for us as it will give me a little more planning time

 

[fam4jc]

If you think you will spend lots of time at the Magic Kindgdom, they only have delux resorts close by there: Grand Floridian, Contemporay, Poly, and Wilderness Lodge. The wilderness lodge is the cheapest of those and is an awesom place!

The bus service is pretty good at all the resorts.

If you like MGM & EPCOT, you can walk or take a boat from the Boardwalk, Beach & Yaht clubs, Swan or Dolphin. These are wonderful resorts in a very convinient place but pricey.

At the mods and values you are pretty much limited to bus transportation. But, we've never had a big problem with the bus waits except at park closing time.

Again, look at your budget then select within that range. Really ANY of them are wonderful.

Other discounts available: AAA about 10 to 15 % off rack; at the Swan or Dolphin Gov't employees and teachers can get a pretty good rate. Of course the best rates are AP rates for all the resorts.

 

[doodlebug]

Thanks for all this information so far!!!! Going to try to give the ressie line a call and see what the best deal is for the April time and go from there

 

[iwannbindisnee]

Hey fam4jc-perhaps you know this--I am planning a trip & new to these boards-just a few months-have you ever run into this situation-calle dup & got AP disc room for 2/21-2/25 but could not get it for 2/20. I already had a ressie thru AAA for the entire period (2/20-2/25) but the AP discount is much better. The CM at WDW said to call back everday & see if an AP disc had opened up for that 2/20/05 day. SO, in the meantime I should cancel the AAA ressie for all days but 2/20/05. Have you ever had this happen? Do you know what the cahcnes are of teh AP discount coming available at this late date? Just wondering!! Thanks, Deb

 

[iwannbindisnee]

Hey doodlebug-good luck w/ this-as you can see from my following post, you may run into a little snag, but at the DIS boards there seems to be a lot of pixie dust & luck around & hopefully all will work out for you!!

 

[doodlebug]

Okay just got off the phone w/ a wonderful Disney rep and I can get AKL for $199.00 for the Feb time and POFQ $104.00, Pop Century $74.00 and AKL $199.00 for the April time... Dang those are some great rates!! Now to find some airfare that is reasonable from Seattle to Orlando!!

 

[doodlebug]

Any other reccomendations for what I should be doing next for an April trip??

 

[fam4jc]

Hi doodlebug! You got the same rate I did for AKL. That is Savannah view right? I would jump on those rates. As for air. Are you signed up for the email notifications when the fares go down? Like on travelocity, expedia, etc? Also, go to all the major airline sites and search your dates. You never know what will show up! You might be able to get a great companion fare. Let me know what happens.