First Time Planning A Vacation

[juanse]

First Time Planning A Vacation

This Would Be Our First Time Planning This Kind Of Vacation. We Have 3 Children. Hoping To Go To Disney In Jan Or Feb. 08 We Would Like To Know What Would Be The Perfect Vacation Package For About A 2 Week Stay. Not Too Expensive. What Would Be The Best Places And The Best Deals. I Guess I Would Need All The Info That I Can Get. We Are Canadians Probably Leaving From Toronto.

Thanks

 

[Indianadisneyfan]

I would get the free Disney video from there web site and check it out if you haven't already. Also you might check out "The unofficial guide to WDW" you can find it at almost all book stores. Last but not least keep coming here and reading and asking questions.

 

[juanse]

Thanks

 

[juanse]

I would get the free Disney video from there web site and check it out if you haven't already. Also you might check out "The unofficial guide to WDW" you can find it at almost all book stores. Last but not least keep coming here and reading and asking questions.

THANKS A LOT THIS IS MY FFIRST TIME ON THIS SITE AND I APPRICIATE THE RESPONSE. I DID GET THE VIDEO BUT I PROBABLY WILL GET THE BOOK. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT FORM THIS SITE AD I AM GLAD I DECIDE TO TRY.

THANKS A BUNCH

 

[jenseib]

2 weeks at Disney will be pricey no matter where you stay. What kind of budget do you have in mind? Teh value resorts are the cheapest on property but still will run you at least 80 bucks a night in the down seasons. They do have specials sometimes though.
do you want to stay onsite. Or just in the area? Do you plan to do Universal or Sea world also? Food in the parks can be quite a bit too, so keep that in mind. I am not saying don't stay onsite, but just keep in mind all the expenses of a 2 week stay. There can be some cheaper places off site, but getting to and from Disney can be a pain too.

 

[juanse]

We Were Thinking On Staying On Site Since It Is Our First Time And Don't Want To Get Lost But We Would Like To Do Universal Studios. Where So You Suggest We Stay Off-site???

Thank A Lot

 

[DizneyNutz]

The best experience is staying onsite when possible. You get totally absorbed in the experience. Now if you are going to have a rental car there are plenty of dining options nearby, if you want some less expensive dining options. Definately try some of the onsite dining options though.. I have a PDF file type map that shows how everything is laid out on Disney property if interested, but I will have to e-mail it to you if interested, send us a PM. I will be happy to tell you where to go within a couple of miles for several different dining options. You first need to decide what kind of accommodations you will want ie: Deluxe, Moderate, Value. Then decide your ticket options. After that plan your dining. When are you planning your trip? You have a lot of planning, but definately a GREAT TRIP ahead!

 

[LegoMom3]

How old are your kiddos? That will be a major factor in where you can stay on-site, esp. if all are older than 3 yrs.

 

[pepe of ohio]

My only suggestion for some good over all view is Birnbaums, in the past it has proven very informative, Disney sanctioned alittle biased, but free at your local library. Hits everything, costs good insite on what to expect and then gleam everything you can from this web site. Make notes, compare views and go and have a good time.

 

[jenseib]

I like Birnbaums too. I just bought the 2007 edition. (Not available at our library) and it has nice pictures and good descriptions. But I think it low balls alot of the prices. Some are right on, but some are not. I have been reading Frommers guide from 2006 and it is informative too. There are lots of different books, so you just have to find one you like. I love Birnbaums because it has great pictures, and that is the book I have bought for each trip, so I'm comfortable with it.

 

[byoung]

Welcome to the DIS!!! You should be good with a package at POR.

 

[juanse]

HI DISNEYNUTZ

SORYY IT TOOK ME SO LONG TO RESPOND BUT I AM JUST FIGURING OUT HOW THIS SITE WORKS. I WOULD APPRICIATE ANY HELP YOU CN GIVE ME. YOU CAN E-MAIL IT TO ME BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHAT A PM IS.. SORRY NEW AT THIS
E-MAIL IS SHUSHACK@TLB.SYMPATICO.CA
THANKS

 

[juanse]

My Children Are 13, 9, And 5

 

[zdad]

We Were Thinking On Staying On Site Since It Is Our First Time And Don't Want To Get Lost But We Would Like To Do Universal Studios. Where So You Suggest We Stay Off-site???

Thank A Lot

We did a 14 day Orlando stay in 2005. We did 9 days @ Wilderness Lodge, 2 days @ Pop Century and 3 Days at the Hard Rock Hotel at Universal. A couple of key reccomendations from that trip.

Stay on site.....We are big on site advocates anyway, and nothing beats being totally immersed in Disney Magic. It also makes the trip more relaxing as you know you are a casual boat, monorail or bus ride from your hotel.

Split your stay....It was a great thing to stay on site at Universal. Their front of the line privildges for on site guests can't be beat. In fact it speeds up your ability to see the whole place that 2 nights is plenty there. Either the Hard Rock, Portifino Bay, or the Polynesian themed hotel there are nice. Also consider splitting your stay inide Disney. We really wanted to stay at a Deluxe, but threw in Pop Century for a few nights to make it fit budget wise. Both places were great. Nothing can compae with WL, but even the Value hotel was well done.

Don't rent a car...When I'm on vacation, I like to relax, and driving isn't relaxing. On Disney property you have nothing to worry about. You'll be there for a long enough period of time that you don't need to rush anywhere, and I'm a believer in the long run that driving to the parks from the resorts is more constraining than it is liberating. For the move between Disney properties, the bellmen will move your bags. For the WDW-Universal more, Hire a van.

Take advantage of the Disney Dining Plan. You'll be there long enough that you won't want to have to worry about food. DDP is great for relieving that worry. Do be sure though to have a few cases of water shipped to meet you when you arrive, along with a few boxes of granola bars and the like. You'll find reading the Dis that there are several ways to do that for cheap. Buying water at WDW @ $2.50 a bottle can be a bank breaker.

Don't overschedule....the best part of our trip were the blocks of free time we set a side. Swim in the pool and relax, just sitting in one of the parks watching people walk by, going to DTD for a fun evening. I read here about too many people that overprogrammed and then were upset their trip didn't go exactly as planned. The only firm plan should be to relax.

Enjoy your obsessing over the next months about the trip. It's kinda what makes it fun for us on the DIS. And as you are finding out....we like to chat and help each other !!

WELCOME