Finally going to do it.

[Gitts2008]

I have planned and replanned and scrapped and then planned a disney vacation....You get the idea.

I am going to AAA next week to talk to the agent and book the trip. YIPPY!!!!

I just need some feedback about my plan. Any suggestions would be great.

November 30- December 5
-5 nights

-5 day park hopper tickets: We are there for 6 days but I think 5 days would be fine and we can also visit Downtown Disney and enjoy the resort

-POP Century hotel

-Possible going with the dining plan. I am so torn. We are not big eaters but we plan on doing 2 character meals so....5 Table service meals , 5 Quick service and 5 Snacks per person should be good for most of the meals. Plus, If I pay in advance (meaning the Dining Plan is in the cost of the trip) I do not have to worry about "meal money" as much. At least in my thinking

Do I need to book the "vacation" before I can book the meal reservations?

-I did not get the "free POP" fridge in time. So I will be renting one I think that we need one, right???

-We are not renting a car, even though my daughter wants to go to Sea World..It seems expensive for 1 day $57.95 (on-line) for one day. But, is it worth it? My girl LOVES animals. We can always either do 1 day at Sea World and not do MK two times. I will play it by ear. BUT, is Sea World worth it??

I know..How can I be booking a vacation with so many questions Any help would be great. And, I do hope to "meet" someone from the board while away. My daughter is an only child and feels cheated because she has no siblings to play with at the resort or parks.

Thanks in advance.

 

[teacup317]

I have planned and replanned and scrapped and then planned a disney vacation....You get the idea.

I am going to AAA next week to talk to the agent and book the trip. YIPPY!!!!

We did and are really glad. The agent help us alot.

I just need some feedback about my plan. Any suggestions would be great.

November 30- December 5
-5 nights

-5 day park hopper tickets: We are there for 6 days but I think 5 days would be fine and we can also visit Downtown Disney and enjoy the resort

-POP Century hotel

-Possible going with the dining plan. I am so torn. We are not big eaters but we plan on doing 2 character meals so....5 Table service meals , 5 Quick service and 5 Snacks per person should be good for most of the meals. Plus, If I pay in advance (meaning the Dining Plan is in the cost of the trip) I do not have to worry about "meal money" as much. At least in my thinking

Do I need to book the "vacation" before I can book the meal reservations?

If I were you I'd book the DDP - where else can you eat for that little money?

-I did not get the "free POP" fridge in time. So I will be renting one I think that we need one, right???

My DH and I use our refrig. (we stay at a mod.) but from the look of all the answers on the board, a refrig is a must.

-We are not renting a car, even though my daughter wants to go to Sea World..It seems expensive for 1 day $57.95 (on-line) for one day. But, is it worth it? My girl LOVES animals. We can always either do 1 day at Sea World and not do MK two times. I will play it by ear. BUT, is Sea World worth it??

Maybe do SeaWorld another time it does seem a little expensive and you are going to WDW after all. LOL


I know..How can I be booking a vacation with so many questions Any help would be great. And, I do hope to "meet" someone from the board while away. My daughter is an only child and feels cheated because she has no siblings to play with at the resort or parks.

Get yourself some of the Lime Green Mickey Heads from the paint department at Home Depot. The official color of the DIS boards is "Alien Green" and Home Depot carries paint chips that are shaped like Mickey heads. Do a search here on the boards for LGMH's and you'll see what I'm talking about. Those identify you and other DISboard members.

Thanks in advance.

Have a wonderful trip and if you find you have additional questions, don't be afraid to ask!

 

[guelde96]

The dining plan is nice. You are right it is like having an all inclusive vacation. Have a great trip.

 

[Chellymouse]

It sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned.
Yes, do the DDP. Even with the changes, it is probably still worth it. It's alot of food and not only did the DDP pay for itself after 3 days, we ate MUCH better than previous trips. You DO need to make ADRs though at the more popular restaurants, especially character meals and as long as you are in your 180 window, you usually don't have to have your ressie number. I didn't have my ressie number yet for my August 08 trip and made all of my ressies at 180 days out, no problem.
As for Sea World....I would skip it or maybe do it another time. There is SO much to see and do at WDW and personally, especially if this is your first trip, I think you may regret going to Sea World. Don't forget, there is AK and there are plenty of animals there.
We've had a fridge our last few trips and honestly, I don't how we managed before. The fridge is a blessing!

 

[Jill in Chicago]

Please do not worry about your daughter having someone to play with. You will be there and believe me you will have a blast playing together at Disney. She will not need other children! You can be the "child."

You can book restaurants prior to booking your room.

To figure out if the dining plan will work for you go to allears.net. They have actual menus. Takes time, but do the math.

If all you need in your room are some cool drinks bring a soft sided cooler and store some bottled water in there.

I would get tickets for every day you are there. They get so much cheaper after 3 days (I think that is when they start to go down drastically.) That way you wouldn't feel guilty at all for spending the day at the hotel, or DTD and the evening at one of the resorts.

Don't know how old your daughter is but DTD is about shopping. My 14 year old and DH loved DisneyQuest, but I'm not sure how your daughter would feel about it. Remember too there is plenty of shopping at all of the parks. No need to haul it to DTD just to shop.

Also depending on her age she may be quite content with the pool at the resort versus going to a water park.

I would skip any type of non-Disney activity like Sea World. Monetarily it doesn't make sense. It makes much more sense to buy a Sea World/Universal /Busch Gardens package. I know it is tempting to try and do it all in one trip, but it really doesn't make sense. As someone else said, AK is wonderful!

Time wise it's nice to give each park a whole day. If your daughter is younger you will probably want two days at the Magic Kingdom.

 

[Gitts2008]

WOW!!

Thank you all Your tips and suggestions have put me at ease.

My daughter will be 7 and I guess that I am soooo rushed to EVERYTHING is that my husband lost his job 2 years in arow. (knock on wood, nothing else happens) I have been promising this trip since she was 4 and want it to be great. I do fret about the only child syndrome since all of her friends have been to WDW with siblings and she wants a brother -not gonna happen



Thanks so much

 

[karibritt01]

she wants a brother -not gonna happen

Then be VERY CAREFUL which souveniers you bring home with you!

I agree - ditch Sea World for this trip. There is way too much to see and do on WDW property for 5 days, even if this wasn't a first trip. We stayed 7 days our first trip, and came home with a list of things we didn't have time to do. Went back a week last summer, and still have quite a list!

Don't worry about your DD being an only child in WDW. She'll get involved in everything going on around her, and won't have time to think about that!

 

[mickeynut1]

We love the DDP....I would definitely suggest getting it I, too, like the idea of having our meals paid for ahead of time And I agree with the other posters.....I wouldn't worry about doing anything other than Disney parks....soooo much to do and see right there Have fun planning and enjoy your trip

 

[stopher1]

Good for you! YAY! Have a wonderful trip! I would do the DDP if I were you, it's really a cool program...lot's of food, but it really kind of "forces you" to try out new stuff due to all of the ts credits. Have fun!!

 

[dvczerfs]

Congrats!!!! Our Dd Is 15 And Has Benn Going Since She Was 9mo. Never Had A Problem Keeping Her Entertained. Have Fun!!!!