DLR Vet - Planning 2011 WDW Trip

[Escape2Disney]

Hi!

I'm a West Coaster who's been to DLR many, many times. I'm finally planning my very first WDW trip with my daughter in 2011!

My big problem is I don't know where to begin! I'm a bit overwhelmed to be honest. Here are my challenges at the moment:

• I want to plan to go when the free dining is offered. Is this offered the same time every year? If so, when? We're not terribly worried about when we go as long as it's before March 2012.
• This will absolutely be a budget trip, but I want to be sure to make the best of it. I don't know if we'll ever have a chance to go again.
• Are Park Hoppers necessary? The parks seem to be much further apart so I'm not sure how that'd work logistically.
• I have some significant health issues and will need to rest during the day. How reliable/fast are the busses for getting back to the hotels?
• We're a healthy-eating duo. What restaurants would you recommend?

I'm sure I'll come up with more questions.

TIA!

 

[lmshaggard]

As a Southern CA girl myself, I can't tell you how overwhelmed I was by my first trip to WDW Free dining is usually offered end of August thru September. I would go as late as possible due to weather. FL is hot and humid! The past 2 years free dining was a bit different. If you stayed in Value resorts, it was free quick service dining. Moderate and better were free regular dining plan. Busses are fairly reliable, but it does take time to travel to and fro. If possible in the budget, I would try to stay at an Epcot or MK resort. Epcot resorts are mostly a quick walk to Epcot, boat to HS, and bus or monorail to MK and bus to AK. MK resorts are monorail to MK, monorail to Epcot, and buses to the HS and AK. For us, we have annual passes, but I would definitely by park hoppers if not. We like to eat dinner mostly in Epcot in the countries. We just got back from a trip and actually spent 1 day in 3 parks AK typically closes earlier sometime between 5-8 depending on time of year. Good luck with your planning - you will have a great trip!!!

 

[Escape2Disney]

As a Southern CA girl myself, I can't tell you how overwhelmed I was by my first trip to WDW Free dining is usually offered end of August thru September. I would go as late as possible due to weather. FL is hot and humid! The past 2 years free dining was a bit different. If you stayed in Value resorts, it was free quick service dining. Moderate and better were free regular dining plan. Busses are fairly reliable, but it does take time to travel to and fro. If possible in the budget, I would try to stay at an Epcot or MK resort. Epcot resorts are mostly a quick walk to Epcot, boat to HS, and bus or monorail to MK and bus to AK. MK resorts are monorail to MK, monorail to Epcot, and buses to the HS and AK. For us, we have annual passes, but I would definitely by park hoppers if not. We like to eat dinner mostly in Epcot in the countries. We just got back from a trip and actually spent 1 day in 3 parks AK typically closes earlier sometime between 5-8 depending on time of year. Good luck with your planning - you will have a great trip!!!

Thanks for the quick response! I was thinking the same thing - October weather seems to be slightly cooler. That's a big deal for those of us fromt he Pacific Northwest! So I'm thinking of booking it for the end of the free dining plan.

I think I'm understanding what you were saying about transportion. Is it true that the monorail connects 3 of the parks and a couple of hotels? if that's the case, it seems most logical to stay in a hotel on the monorail route unless it's rediculously expensive. Would this give me the most direct (i.e. quickest) route to the hotel if I start to get sick?

My daughter was thinking like you do that the best food will be in Epcot. If so, I think we'll have to have Park Hoppers. Do they let you buy the standard tickets and upgrade single days to Park Hoppers?

Wow, I feel like I'm barely scratching the surface! What are your favorite restaurants?

 

[JoShan1719]

Hi!

Is it true that the monorail connects 3 of the parks and a couple of hotels? if that's the case, it seems most logical to stay in a hotel on the monorail route unless it's rediculously expensive. Would this give me the most direct (i.e. quickest) route to the hotel if I start to get sick? The monorail only connects to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and only connects to three hotels. All three hotels are at the higher end of the spectrum, unfortunately, but they would be the quickest hotels to get to. Epcot is a short walk from three hotels, as well.

Do they let you buy the standard tickets and upgrade single days to Park Hoppers? As far as I know you must upgrade all the tickets to park hoppers.

ETA: Next year I'll be making my first trip to Disneyland, I may be asking for your advice soon lol

 

[Escape2Disney]

The monorail only connects to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, and only connects to three hotels. All three hotels are at the higher end of the spectrum, unfortunately, but they would be the quickest hotels to get to. Epcot is a short walk from three hotels, as well.
Thanks! Which hotels are within a close walk of Epcot? That might be a good alternative.

Next year I'll be making my first trip to Disneyland, I may be asking for your advice soon lol I'd be happy to help! We've been going for YEARS, so we can probably even tell you where the cleanest bathrooms will be!

 

[lmshaggard]

Thanks for the quick response! I was thinking the same thing - October weather seems to be slightly cooler. That's a big deal for those of us fromt he Pacific Northwest! So I'm thinking of booking it for the end of the free dining plan.

I think I'm understanding what you were saying about transportion. Is it true that the monorail connects 3 of the parks and a couple of hotels? if that's the case, it seems most logical to stay in a hotel on the monorail route unless it's rediculously expensive. Would this give me the most direct (i.e. quickest) route to the hotel if I start to get sick?

My daughter was thinking like you do that the best food will be in Epcot. If so, I think we'll have to have Park Hoppers. Do they let you buy the standard tickets and upgrade single days to Park Hoppers?

Wow, I feel like I'm barely scratching the surface! What are your favorite restaurants?

There are 3 hotels on the MK monorail and the Ticket and Transportation center which is where you transfer to the Epcot monorail. The hotels by Epcot (walking distance) are Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club. There is also the Swan and Dolphin, but they aren't truly Disney hotels - more like good neighbor hotels and I am not sure they participate in the free dining. Park Hoppers are an extra $52 (this year's pricing) per ticket - no matter how many days are on the ticket. You'll see as you look at ticket pricing that after 4 days or so the tickets go up minimally per day (like $3-$7 per day). Not sure about your health, but have you thought about renting a scooter? There are LOTS of outside companies that bring them to the hotels. DW is HUGE compared to DL and a lot of walking even for those in the best shape. I know I am getting scooters for my mom and uncle who are coming with us in December. I rather them save their energy for doing rather than walking As far as restaurants, you do need to try to make reservations 180 days out. Our favorites at Epcot include Le Cellier (steakhouse in Canada), Le Chef de France (France), Teppan Edo (Japan), and the Biergarten (German buffet) You can check out most of the menus online to get an idea of what they have. Please feel free to PM me if I can help you in any way with any of your planning or booking. PS - How long are you looking at going for?

 

[Escape2Disney]

There are 3 hotels on the MK monorail and the Ticket and Transportation center which is where you transfer to the Epcot monorail. The hotels by Epcot (walking distance) are Boardwalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club. There is also the Swan and Dolphin, but they aren't truly Disney hotels - more like good neighbor hotels and I am not sure they participate in the free dining. Park Hoppers are an extra $52 (this year's pricing) per ticket - no matter how many days are on the ticket. You'll see as you look at ticket pricing that after 4 days or so the tickets go up minimally per day (like $3-$7 per day). Not sure about your health, but have you thought about renting a scooter? There are LOTS of outside companies that bring them to the hotels. DW is HUGE compared to DL and a lot of walking even for those in the best shape. I know I am getting scooters for my mom and uncle who are coming with us in December. I rather them save their energy for doing rather than walking As far as restaurants, you do need to try to make reservations 180 days out. Our favorites at Epcot include Le Cellier (steakhouse in Canada), Le Chef de France (France), Teppan Edo (Japan), and the Biergarten (German buffet) You can check out most of the menus online to get an idea of what they have. Please feel free to PM me if I can help you in any way with any of your planning or booking. PS - How long are you looking at going for?

Thanks for the hotel info! That gives me a few more options.

I own my own scooter, so that's covered. I'm just hoping there are places to plug in at the parks.

We're looking at staying a week. I'll look at the menus for those restaurants, THANKS!

I'm sure I'll have more questions, so I'll be sure to send you a message.

 

[lmshaggard]

Thanks for the hotel info! That gives me a few more options.

I own my own scooter, so that's covered. I'm just hoping there are places to plug in at the parks.

We're looking at staying a week. I'll look at the menus for those restaurants, THANKS!

I'm sure I'll have more questions, so I'll be sure to send you a message.

I am sure you can find a place to plug in. There are a lot of scooters!!, so I am sure they have a way to handle that. On that subject, we are going to be renting 2 for our Dec trip for my mom and uncle. How is the battery life on them? This will be our first experience with them that is more than a couple of hours, but both of them will need them in order to be able to enjoy the trip and I was wondering how that all works

 

[Escape2Disney]

I am sure you can find a place to plug in. There are a lot of scooters!!, so I am sure they have a way to handle that. On that subject, we are going to be renting 2 for our Dec trip for my mom and uncle. How is the battery life on them? This will be our first experience with them that is more than a couple of hours, but both of them will need them in order to be able to enjoy the trip and I was wondering how that all works

The battery life really depends on the brand/model of the scooter. The ones owned by the park seem to have a LONG battery life. Companies like Scootaround also have scooters that seem to last all day. Mine is a travel scooter which requires a recharge more often. For us, that's not necessarily a bad thing. I require at least one (if not 2) naps a day, so it forces me to follow doctor's orders.

If you rent a scooter from the park, they will swap it out for a different one (if it's available) if the battery dies.

 

[Disn3y]

Welcome to the DIS! Enjoy your trip to DW!

 

[Escape2Disney]

Welcome to the DIS! Enjoy your trip to DW!

Thanks!!

 

[TinkerKell-ey]

Welcome! You'll find lots of info here. Having been to DL, I can tell you that WDW will be "a whole new world". They are both fabulous, but very different experiences. The biggest difference will absolutely be the park locations (DL wins this hands down!! Walking back and forth between DL, CA and DTD within minutes is awesome! Not to mention DIRECT entrance into CA from our hotel-GC!!!). Get ready for buses...not all bad, but very different. Park hopping at WDW takes lots of time. If you are looking to buy a package with free dining, it will most likely include park hoppers, so your decision is made. Should you end up going "ala carte", I recommend saving your money and buying base tickets. We never buy hoppers, usually stay a week and plan our park days ahead of time (with a little flexibility) and always have a great time (we do 2 days each at MK, Epcot, DHS and 1 at AK). If you try to plan it all at once, you'll likely go crazy...decide on accomodations first, move on to dining plan or not (if you don't do free dining), then tickets (again, if not packaged w/accomodations). Then move on to dining reservations... Fun fact re: accomodations, Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge have the same "footprint" for their main buildings as the Grand Californian...

 

[lmshaggard]

The battery life really depends on the brand/model of the scooter. The ones owned by the park seem to have a LONG battery life. Companies like Scootaround also have scooters that seem to last all day. Mine is a travel scooter which requires a recharge more often. For us, that's not necessarily a bad thing. I require at least one (if not 2) naps a day, so it forces me to follow doctor's orders.

If you rent a scooter from the park, they will swap it out for a different one (if it's available) if the battery dies.

We are looking at outside scooter rental companies as there are several who deliver to DW for free and are significantly cheaper plus they will have the scooter at the resort as well which they will need. I will make sure I ask about battery life! Thanks for the info

 

[Escape2Disney]

Welcome! You'll find lots of info here. Having been to DL, I can tell you that WDW will be "a whole new world". They are both fabulous, but very different experiences. The biggest difference will absolutely be the park locations (DL wins this hands down!! Walking back and forth between DL, CA and DTD within minutes is awesome! Not to mention DIRECT entrance into CA from our hotel-GC!!!). Get ready for buses...not all bad, but very different. Park hopping at WDW takes lots of time. If you are looking to buy a package with free dining, it will most likely include park hoppers, so your decision is made. Should you end up going "ala carte", I recommend saving your money and buying base tickets. We never buy hoppers, usually stay a week and plan our park days ahead of time (with a little flexibility) and always have a great time (we do 2 days each at MK, Epcot, DHS and 1 at AK). If you try to plan it all at once, you'll likely go crazy...decide on accomodations first, move on to dining plan or not (if you don't do free dining), then tickets (again, if not packaged w/accomodations). Then move on to dining reservations... Fun fact re: accomodations, Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge have the same "footprint" for their main buildings as the Grand Californian...

What GREAT information, thanks!

The busses are what make me the most nervous. I'm trying to wrap my head around not being able to take a nap at a moment's notice LOL.

I wish we could afford to stay at Wilderness, but alas, we're going to have to find something in the $150/night range. I've been lucky enough to stay at GCH and LOVE IT.

My daughter wants to go to DW to see Epcot and Animal Kingdom. I'm sure we'll be at Epcot at least 2 days and AK one. I like the plan you use and just may use it as a tenative guide for ours!

Thanks again

 

[TinkerKell-ey]

You're welcome!

Don't worry too much about the buses, sure they can be a hassle sometimes, but on the positive side: no parking fees, they have A/C, and you don't have to deal with parking lots at resorts (some of which are quite inconvenient). Just relax, take a short rest (ie. wait for the bus), and enjoy the ride!

I can't help with value resorts, but have heard the themeing is lots of fun and have great food-court areas. Moderates: I have stayed at Caribbean Beach Resort and Port Orleans-Riverside (it was called Dixie Landings then). Both were lots of fun and theming was awesome. The moderate resorts in general are made up of several buildings and can be very spread out (CBR is HUGE). Walking around the resort grounds is really nice, and because they have multiple bus stops, you can learn the "system" and get on and off at various stops around the resort instead of walking. They also have good food-courts (aka counter service or quick service). We visited Port Orleans in Feb. (my kids went on a pirate cruise from the resort) and my DH and I enjoyed the grounds, food court and store...very nice and probably within your price range. I know people really like Coronado Springs too. That moderate resort has a lot of convention business and has queen beds!! (unlike the other mod's). Have fun with your planning!!

 

[pbrim]

Hi!

I want to plan to go when the free dining is offered. Is this offered the same time every year? If so, when? We're not terribly worried about when we go as long as it's before March 2012.

I would recommend pricing it out with both the free dining and with the special hotel rates and adding for dining. I have found that with 1 or 2 people you often are actually money ahead taking the discount room and paying for your own dining package. It varies, of course, depending on the hotel, whether your daughter pays child or adult, etc, etc.

You can go to the online reservation site and try pricing it out both ways. You may be suprised. Also register on the web-site and you may get sent a PIN, an email or letter with a special discount code that gets sent out to select people according to the whims of Disney. This may include free dining outside the usual period or a deeper room discount. They are tied to your name and can only be used by you.

 

[Escape2Disney]

I would recommend pricing it out with both the free dining and with the special hotel rates and adding for dining. I have found that with 1 or 2 people you often are actually money ahead taking the discount room and paying for your own dining package. It varies, of course, depending on the hotel, whether your daughter pays child or adult, etc, etc.

You can go to the online reservation site and try pricing it out both ways. You may be suprised. Also register on the web-site and you may get sent a PIN, an email or letter with a special discount code that gets sent out to select people according to the whims of Disney. This may include free dining outside the usual period or a deeper room discount. They are tied to your name and can only be used by you.

I hadn't even thought of that - thanks for the suggestion!

 

[lmshaggard]

I hadn't even thought of that - thanks for the suggestion!

If you go to DW's website and look to the right under booking and packages (I believe) - there are always special offers. Right now, there is a dining package and a room package. That is an easy way to check out comparisons. If you think your daughter might want a hopper, she can always add it on to her key once you arrive. Don't worry about the busses! They run fairly frequently. Also, there are usually bigger discounts on the more expensive hotels which frequently puts them not much more than the next level down. We always take the cheapest room view as we aren't in the room much but to sleep and shower Sometimes you can find really good discounts on the Swan and Dolphin which are walking distance or boat from Epcot, but aren't actually true Disney hotels - more like a hilton - I know I have seen Entertainment book discounts for them in the past. AAA also has some discounts especially on tickets. Also, sign up for www.mousesavers.com - they have a monthly newsletter with everything going on including discounts. She also has lots of ideas for planning and saving money on her website. It is a great resource!! Early December is also a great time to visit DW - all the decorations are out - it is cooler (typically) - and there are usually discounts as it is one of the slowest times of the year - it is actually my favorite time to visit!!