First stay on property!

[graysmommy]

So we are planning our very first ALL Disney trip!

I have been to Disney World several times growing up, and a couple times since getting married but have never stayed on property. This year is my in-laws' 40th wedding anniversary and we wanted to take them on a great vacation. We were thinking of a cruise at first since we have done a couple of cruises with them before (about the only real travelling they have done) and they had a good time.
But after spending a day at Magic Kingdom last October I knew we HAD to go back and do Disney properly! I finally got DH on board with the idea - we're having a baby in July and he really wants to bring the baby!

So here is what I've got so far:

4 adults, 1 five yr old boy, and one 3 month old

Thinking of 2 rooms at Pop Century - think my in-laws will love the theming, and why pay more?

7 nights, not sure how many days of park tickets to get - thinking from 5 to 7.
Also unsure of the waterpark feature - I know that I would love the waterparks, but I'm not going to be too free to do slides and rides with an infant. DH doesn't care, and in-laws for sure don't care!

Thinking we'll pass on the park-hopper option as well, as this will be our first time and I don't think we'll be able to handle it!

I'm pretty set on getting the Dining Plan (not quick service, the next one) but am REALLY hoping for a Free dining plan promo for this fall!

If you've read this far, thanks! I think I just wanted to get everything down in one spot and have some feedback from the pros!

Thanks in advance for any and all tips or suggestions!

 

[Goofy4]

If it can fit in the budget, do Hoop-Dee-Doo. It's a lot of fun for families.

A length-of-stay park ticket is required if getting a package (required for the dining plan); and those extra days would only cost a few dollars a day if you purchased them separately.

You can add the park hopper later (at the parks) if you need it. I generally avoid it, but if you need to catch a show one evening at another park they can be useful.

 

[minnie mum]

Congrats on the upcoming baby and to your inlaws on their Anniversary. How sweet are you guys for doing this!! Pop sounds like a good, practical resort for your family. And I think you'll enjoy the convenience of ME and the Disney buses. Just make sure DH has got the whole folding of the stroller down pat!

It looks like your plans are coming along really well, and are well thought out. As long as you've figured out that the DDP will work for you $$wise, then go for it!! And have fun planning out your ADRs: to me the planning: ADRs, which resort, which park which day- is almost half the fun! And keep those fingers crossed that they offer the free dining again (it was late Aug through late Sep last year)

As for your park tickets: I'd just keep it simple. Get 5 or 6 day base tickets. Then you can add on an extra day, or the park hopper option later, after you're there, if you find you need it. Why pay for what you won't use? As for the water park option: DON'T do it. If you won't get much out of it and DH doesn't care, then it would be wasted money. If the whole gang decides to do one day at a water park (don't forget than you're only there for a week) then it would be cheaper just to buy a one day pass than to get the water park and more option.

 

[redrosesix]

Sounds good so far. If nobody cares that much about the waterparks, then I'd pass on them for this trip. It will be different in a few years when you have 2 little ones needing to burn energy while you laze in the sun.

As for park days, since it doesn't cost any extra to add park days when you're there, go for less. With a 4 year old and a 3 month old, even 5 park days in 7 nights might feel like too much -- you might want more down time than that.

Pop sounds good if you all like the theming, but don't forget the new animation resort will also be open by then too.

 

[graysmommy]

Sounds good so far. If nobody cares that much about the waterparks, then I'd pass on them for this trip. It will be different in a few years when you have 2 little ones needing to burn energy while you laze in the sun.

As for park days, since it doesn't cost any extra to add park days when you're there, go for less. With a 4 year old and a 3 month old, even 5 park days in 7 nights might feel like too much -- you might want more down time than that.

Pop sounds good if you all like the theming, but don't forget the new animation resort will also be open by then too.

We priced the AOA and it was wayyyyy more, since the rooms are suites. Even if we all stayed in one suite, it would be more than 2 rooms at Pop. DS would love the cars room, but I think he'll be fine at Pop!

 

[hannahdrewmom]

If free dining does come out, it might be worth pricing the moderate resorts. Most of those have queen size beds which would be a perk for the inlaws, and the pools have slides (so no water park needed based on kids age). But you'd still get your slide! Normally the moderate comes with the regular dining plan and the value comes with quick service. Depending on cost it might be almost the same price by the time you upgrade.

For us it was like $100 for the entire week.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

I like the idea of Pop. You each will have your own room, but you could request adjoining rooms. If free dining comes out, Disney should allow you to purchase up into the regular dining plan. I am a huge fan of the dining plan, I love having everything paid for well ahead of the trip.

Enjoy your planning, and don't forget to make ADR's!

Use Magical Express at the airport, and you won't even need to rent a car.

If you purchase items at the parks or DTD, they will send the purchases to your resort gift shop for you to pick up the next day. To me, that is a huge benefit, not having to carry purchases around.

Enjoy!!

 

[catra121]

I think you have a great plan already. Pop is very nice...so much fun being on property and I think their bus service was the best I experienced of the resorts I have stayed at.

I would say 5-6 day base tickets to start and you can always add the hopper on later if you decide you want it. DONT do the waterpark option. If you decide to do a waterpark one day then you can just buy a one day admission for it at the gate and that is cheaper than getting the waterparks and more option.

Dining plan is excellent. When I stayed at Pop with my mom we got free dining and actually upgraded to Deluxe dining plan since we were saving so much by staying at a value resort. We had SO much fun trying out different restaurants. Allowed us to try out some signature restaurants and have some really special meals. Also got to eat in the castle...this was AWESOME!! With the little ones maybe you could look into some of the character meals...it's a great way for the little ones to meet characters without having to wait in long lines at the parks...so if you can do this early in the trip it might be a really fun way to start things off.

I am so excited just THINKING about your trip...sounds like you will have a fabulous time! I loved my stay at Pop and would definitely stay there again. Since AOA will be open and if your son really would like the cars maybe you guys can walk over there one day and check out the cars area and themeing outside. Don't need to stay there to walk around the property and it would be just across the bridge.

 

[minnie mum]

If it can fit in the budget, do Hoop-Dee-Doo. It's a lot of fun for families.

A length-of-stay park ticket is required if getting a package (required for the dining plan); and those extra days would only cost a few dollars a day if you purchased them separately.
.

Just wanted to add a quick note: You do NOT have to buy a length of stay MYW ticket for the dining plan. If you are purchasing the dining plan then you must purchase a package with at least a one day ticket (unless you have an AP). If it is free dining, then you have to purchase a package with a minimum of 2day ticket. The dining plan is only valid for the length of stay at the resort. But it looks like you're thinking of around 5 day tickets anyway. Just wanted to clarify.

 

[Goofy4]

Just wanted to clarify.

Thank you for catching that! I knew better...

Do take a look at the pricing. Typically it doesn't cost much to add those extra days.

 

[graysmommy]

Just wanted to add a quick note: You do NOT have to buy a length of stay MYW ticket for the dining plan. If you are purchasing the dining plan then you must purchase a package with at least a one day ticket (unless you have an AP). If it is free dining, then you have to purchase a package with a minimum of 2day ticket. The dining plan is only valid for the length of stay at the resort. But it looks like you're thinking of around 5 day tickets anyway. Just wanted to clarify.

Thanks! That's good to know!
And what is Hoop-De-Hoo?

 

[minnie mum]

Thanks! That's good to know!
And what is Hoop-De-Hoo?

You're welcome. And it is THE BEST stinkin' dinner show in all of WDW! I'll see if I can find a link to it. It is held several times nightly at Pioneer Hall at Ft. Wilderness. Supper served family style. Then a country/wester song, dance and comedy show on stage (did you ever see the OLD Golden Horseshoe review in Frontierland- it's sorta kinda like that). You pay a set price per person or 2 TS credits. DH and I have gone so often that I've lost count. EVERYBODY and their Grandma should see this show at least once. It's absolutely iconic. And did I mention the all you care to drink beer and sangria?? Um, can you tell I really like this show?

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?Restaurant.ID=36

The only error on that site is that it says it is only held twice weekly. That is incorrect.

 

[Goofy4]

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hoop-de-doo-musical-revue/ or YouTube (careful not to spoil it).

A good discussion here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2465138&page=3

See my post #38 there if you want to know more about the different seating categories.

Also: http://land.allears.net/blogs/jackspence/2010/10/hoopdeedoo_musical_revue.html

 

[graysmommy]

Thanks I'll have to check it out!

 

[mlittig]

OP, I am sure you will love your first stay on property Happy planning