Drowning in planning!

[jaimiemarshall]

Trying to plan our family trip to Disney at the end of August and I seriously underestimated how complicated this would be. Friends are telling me to make dinner reservations 120 days before I go, I can't decide which tickets are best or where to buy them, do we stay on the resort or off the resort, drive or fly... I've taken the kids on three cruises and those were really simple to plan!

Does anyone have a recommendation of a place where you could rent a condo or house but they had a pool or water park for the kids? We are planning on being down there for 10 days and of that we will be doing a max of 4 at Disney (mind you seeing all the park options I'm wondering if this is enough lol), but on the off days I would like it if the kids had something they could do if there is nothing planned.

Thanks in advance! Wading through this board has given me a lot of helpful info.

 

[minnie mum]

We always stay onsite for 10-12 days (and have rarely gone anywhere off site) so I can't help you with your accommodation requests. But I can say with certainty that 4 days isn't enough time to see everything in the parks.

And to add another wrinkle in your planning, your friends were wrong about making dining reservations. You can book restaurants 180 days out, not 120. So many of the most popular places will already be heavily booked for your dates.

Buy tickets for the minimum number of days that you will be going to the Disney parks. You can always add on extra days later (as long as you do this before your last ticket day is used up) up to a maximum of 10 days. If you are not sure that you will park hop, then don't get this option to start with. You can add this feature at any time. The price is always the same: it's a flat extra fee no matter how many days are left on your base ticket. As for where to buy them, you have several choices if you are not staying onsite. You could wait until you get there and buy them at the gate. You could buy them directly from Disney by phone or online. If you're a CAA member, you can buy them at your local office (sometimes for a small discount). Undercover Tourist is an authorized ticket seller that gives a decent discount on multiday tickets. They will mail them directly to your home- we used them on our last trip with no problems.

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

We have stayed offsite once at Windsor Hills Resort...very nice town houses..some have their own private screened in pool and the complex itself has a nice big pool. Mins away from Disney maybe 5-7. You should make restaurant rezzies as early as you can but I am sure you will still be able to get some good rezzies. Last week of August is when we go and pretty quiet..not extremely busy. Don't feel bad I haven't booked one rezzie yet myself. We have been numerous times and I don't feel it will be the end of the world if we don't get our favs..

 

[dsneygirl]

I would start pricing things out. If you rent a house you need a rental car as well. Disney tickets are designed that the more days you go the cheaper it gets. So 8 days are not double the cost of a 4 day pass.

If you are looking at other parks (Universal, Sea World etc) your ticket prices will add up fast (almost $100 day pp per park)

Traditionally Disney has offered great discounts for late Aug so a package with tickets may not be that much more expensive than an off site house. Plus you get transportation to and from the airport included (if you are flying).

Also keep in mind Aug in Florida is HOT so you cannot go at the same pace as you may be able to in cooler temps.

If you are thinking of flying you need to get on the airline websites now and start looking.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We love the Sheraton Vistana Resort. It has 7 pools (one with a slide, two with waterfalls, one with sprinklers/fountains, one that shows poolside movies, etc.), 6 outdoor hot tubs, onsite mini golf, basketball courts, volleyball courts, 3 fitness centres, and a whole host of daily activities from an onsite farmers market to tie-dye t-shirts to bingo to pool parties and karaoke (they give you a list at check-in that shows what's happening each day). Every section of the resort has been redone on the inside, so all the units are modern and feel new. The villas are spacious and have every amenity you can think of, from a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities to a jacuzzi tub, a screen in balcony and flat screen tv's.

The resort itself is 5 minutes from DTD, 15 minutes to SW, and 20 or so to Universal. Its very, very close to the Premium Outlets on Vineland and the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores.

 

[cmmc]

I've heard good things about Bonnet Creek. I think there is a thread about it on disboards. They have multiple pools, a lazy river and a pirate ship I think. We tried to get a 4 bedroom condo but had left it too late and there was no availability.

We ended up renting a house with a very nice pool in Formosa. Tripadvisor, allstarvacationhomes.com are good places to search.

Don't give up on getting reservations at popular restaurants even after the 180 days. People will book more than they need and then drop the extra reservations when they get closer to the 24 hour deadline. We managed to get Crystal Palace this way.

 

[jaimiemarshall]

Thanks guys. We are booking this week so its getting down to crunch time. We keep going back and forth on flying vs. driving. I don't really want to drive but right now package prices are pretty high. Hopefully there is a big seat sale by the end of the week lol.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Have you looked into flying out of Buffalo? For a short drive your flight costs will often be half of those flying out of Toronto! We fly to Orlando an average of 3 times each year and always fly out of Buffalo, normally flying with Southwest.

Hope this helps!

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Have you looked into flying out of Buffalo? For a short drive your flight costs will often be half of those flying out of Toronto! We fly to Orlando an average of 3 times each year and always fly out of Buffalo, normally flying with Southwest. Hope this helps!

The days of the cheap flights out of BUF have sadly ground to a screeching halt. I'm hoping it is just a temporary thing.. but it isn't looking like it.

I'm looking at non stop flights for the last week in August, they are pricing out the same as non stops out of YYZ - if you can even get them. SW is showing unavailable or sold out for most non stops on our dates. Jetblue is a stunning $1777US for non stop on our dates. For 3 people. Once you factor in the exchange rates (today at $112.72 for $1 US dollar) plus bank or CC charges - $2100CDN.

It makes my heart sad

Looks like we will be saving the 2.5 hour drive this time & flying from home..

***I was online March 3/14 when SW released their dates thru Oct 31. I thought I had it all sewn up at $123US each way times 3 people.. by the time I entered my info it had become $168US each way. I left for work thinking I'd just book on my lunch hour... by lunch time it was $234US each way and most non stop flights going down were unavailable - as was the late return flight.
$234US times 6 flights plus exchange & fees put it right at what I was finding out of Toronto for the times I'm looking for... without hotel, parking for a week & gas to & from.

 

[Cottager]

For those of us fortunate enough to live in Southern Ontario where we can reasonable drive across the U.S. border, I would encourage you to consider flying out of the Detroit airport as an alternative to Buffalo. If you live in the Greater Toronto Area, it's an extra 2 hour drive compared to Buffalo but the savings are still there.

Both Delta and Spirit have direct flights. Delta has free advanced seat selection and charges $25 per checked bag (50 lbs) along with free carry-ons per direction. Delta is also a Disney Resort Airline Check-In partner so you can check your luggage in at the hotel the morning of your return trip home rather than at the airport. Spirit is not a partner so you have to bring your bags on the Magical Express on your return trip back to the Orlando airport.

Spirit prices are lower but they have an advanced seat selection fee (or free at the 24 hour check-in) that varies and charge $21 per checked bag (40 lbs) and $26 for carry-ons (but you can still have a smaller personal bag under the seat for free) per direction.

When you're on Delta's site, click on the box for "My Dates Are Flexible" to find the cheapest date combination. Right now, the one-way non-stop price leaving August 19 or 20 is US$123 (includes taxes and fees). It's the same one-way price if you return on August 25 or 26. That's $246 return or $984 for a family of 4. Spirit will cost you US$226 return or $904 for 4 people. You'll have to factor in the seat or baggage fees based on your personal preferences.

Our family did this last year at the end of August and beginning of October and saved quite a bit of money compared to the strangely high prices out of Buffalo at the end of the summer.

 

[star72232]

The days of the cheap flights out of BUF have sadly ground to a screeching halt. I'm hoping it is just a temporary thing.. but it isn't looking like it. I'm looking at non stop flights for the last week in August, they are pricing out the same as non stops out of YYZ - if you can even get them. SW is showing unavailable or sold out for most non stops on our dates. Jetblue is a stunning $1777US for non stop on our dates. For 3 people. Once you factor in the exchange rates (today at $112.72 for $1 US dollar) plus bank or CC charges - $2100CDN. It makes my heart sad Looks like we will be saving the 2.5 hour drive this time & flying from home.. ***I was online March 3/14 when SW released their dates thru Oct 31. I thought I had it all sewn up at $123US each way times 3 people.. by the time I entered my info it had become $168US each way. I left for work thinking I'd just book on my lunch hour... by lunch time it was $234US each way and most non stop flights going down were unavailable - as was the late return flight. $234US times 6 flights plus exchange & fees put it right at what I was finding out of Toronto for the times I'm looking for... without hotel, parking for a week & gas to & from.

You can still get flights for May at $99 each way and for Oct at $112 each way. Compared to the close to $200 each way on Air Canada from TO, it's still a really good deal.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

You can still get flights for May at $99 each way and for Oct at $112 each way. Compared to the close to $200 each way on Air Canada from TO, it's still a really good deal.

Wish it were that way for my dates... August 23 down & August 30 back. I'm still looking at having to compromise, with my preferred flights unavailable/sold out & what's left being at or over $250US each way with having a full day of travel with lengthy stop overs with plane changes. That's on SW. JetBlue is the same except my preferred flights are available at a price, more then YYZ in fact.

 

[Disneylover99]

Wish it were that way for my dates... August 23 down & August 30 back. I'm still looking at having to compromise, with my preferred flights unavailable/sold out & what's left being at or over $250US each way with having a full day of travel with lengthy stop overs with plane changes. That's on SW. JetBlue is the same except my preferred flights are available at a price, more then YYZ in fact.

Let's cross our fingers that prices will come down. We also want to return on Aug. 30th. Right now our plan is to drive.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Let's cross our fingers that prices will come down. We also want to return on Aug. 30th. Right now our plan is to drive.

If I weren't the only driver in our travel group I'd be considering driving too.

I bit the bullet & bought our return flights (out of Pearson) this week at a "reasonable" price.. Since I bought they've gone up $40. each. **shaking my head** Keeping my eye out for a drop in our needed flights down or a good seat sale. Lol.

 

[Disneylover99]

If I weren't the only driver in our travel group I'd be considering driving too.

I bit the bullet & bought our return flights (out of Pearson) this week at a "reasonable" price.. Since I bought they've gone up $40. each. **shaking my head** Keeping my eye out for a drop in our needed flights down or a good seat sale. Lol.

Hope something opens up for you at a reasonable price. Good luck.

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Wish it were that way for my dates... August 23 down & August 30 back. I'm still looking at having to compromise, with my preferred flights unavailable/sold out & what's left being at or over $250US each way with having a full day of travel with lengthy stop overs with plane changes. That's on SW. JetBlue is the same except my preferred flights are available at a price, more then YYZ in fact.

I think the airlines have become wise to the fact that that week has become a very popular week for the northern states. One last blast of summer fun before school resumes.

We have travelled that week for the last two summers, and are planning a third late August trip this year as well. For our family of three, flights were $863 in 2012. $1000 in 2013. $1361 in 2014. All non-stops with Jetblue from Syracuse (in all cases, Buffalo was more expensive.....and we are closer to SYR than BUF).

Fortunately, we had $400 in TrueBlue points to put toward this year's flight costs, so our actual out of pocket was "only" $961. Otherwise, we would have flown from Toronto, as the savings was minimal (and would bo nothing now that the dollar has dropped so far against the US counterpart....thankfully, we bought our tickets in November when it wasn't quite as low).

I am looking forward to being freed from the elementary & secondary school calendar in 2015 !

 

[Fundytrail]

As suggested earlier you may want to try Bonnet Creek Time Share rental (not to be confused with the hotel in the same area), they have 1,2,3 & 4 bedroom units. You have to enter Disney property to access Bonnet Creek, so you are close to everything Disney. Bonnet Creek has five pools with different themes that includes a lazy river. During the day they have many activities for the family, a mini golf, a playground and etc.

You may start by obtaining quotes from the following trusted vendors;
http://vacationstrategy.com/

http://www.bonnetcreekvacationrentals.com/

http://www.vacationupgrades.com/

A link to some photos of the resort;
http://www.oyster.com/orlando/hotels/wyndhamvr-bonnet-creek-resort/photos/

 

[OnceUponATime15]

Hope something opens up for you at a reasonable price. Good luck.

My little heart skipped a beat this morning upon opening my email...

What should appear but a promo code and password for 20% off Westjet flights!! Thank you Westjet rewards membership!

My excitement was short lived though... travel before June 17... UGH. LOL

However, it does give me seat sale hope. 20% off would mean $204 a person all taxes in (one way down - which is what we need)

 

[jaimiemarshall]

We are going August 21 to August 31. The "plan" was to fly down stay for 10 days. But the plan was set before Christmas when prices were about $1500 cheaper than they are now. Gahhh. So we've been looking at driving with our diesel car to save gas but we have three kids ages 13, 11 and 10 so I suspect by the time we get to Disney I will be ready to go home. I'm shocked at how high prices are out of Buffalo. We are looking at Detroit and Pittsburgh as a last minute fingers crossed that a miracle will happen with prices!

 

[OnceUponATime15]

We are going August 21 to August 31. The "plan" was to fly down stay for 10 days. But the plan was set before Christmas when prices were about $1500 cheaper than they are now. Gahhh. So we've been looking at driving with our diesel car to save gas but we have three kids ages 13, 11 and 10 so I suspect by the time we get to Disney I will be ready to go home. I'm shocked at how high prices are out of Buffalo. We are looking at Detroit and Pittsburgh as a last minute fingers crossed that a miracle will happen with prices!

I'm in the same boat... We started planning while still on our December trip. Lol. Prices out of both YYZ & BUF have skyrocketed since then. Detroit has still got some very reasonable prices right now.

The one thing I keep reminding myself of, my last 3 trips I booked WDW pretty close to my travel dates & got some amazing flight deals. It's still quite early for August yet. Our Christmas/13 visit was booked 8 weeks out from our arrival date & at the 6 week mark both Air Canada & Westjet had seat sales saving me 30% off our flights. In 2012 we booked a September stay the second week in August... That time we fell into a never to be repeated one of a kind seat sale with Sunwing. $9.00 plus taxes & fees down - $19.00 plus taxes & fees back. There were 5 of us traveling that trip & it cost just $900 for all 5 of us - 4 adults & 1 child. YYZ/MCO return.

I'm fairly confident that sometime in late April or May - I'll be booking using excellent seat sale fares again Fingers crossed!