First time WDW planning! Help!

[Kayleigh1986]

Hi all,

We went to Paris last Christmas and are going next Christmas but I've found myself in a different financial position (for the better) and want to start thinking about WDW. If there were a few of us going, is it better to book a villa? I like this idea rather than a hotel. Where do I start? I would be looking at 2015 possibly 2016 so not immediately but just wanted some guidance. Can you buy tickets desperately without having to book a Disney hotel? I would be looking at hiring a car and driving whilst I'm there and staying for just over 2 weeks

 

[WiganTony]

Hi,

I would have a look at the various villas available now through letting agencies (e.g. Owners Abroad to name just one) and the various UK travel companies to get an idea of what is available, and which locations you may want to consider. However, bear in mind that villas can get sold and/or taken off the rental market, so keep a few options in mind.

You can certainly book Disney tickets without staying on-site from a number of retailers in the UK, including Disney themselves.

There are also a number of travel agents who will pull together a "tailor made" package for you covering flights, villa and car rental.

However, bear in mind that the parks will be extremely busy over the Christmas period and you may not get to do many rides/attractions but spend a considerable amount of time queuing.

Hopefully others will be along to post some further suggestions for you.

HTH.

 

[pickers1982]

Personally I d say if you can afford it staying on site is great for a number of reasons such as the below to name but a few

Less travelling time
No parking charges
Extra park hours
Sometimes get free food
Transportation offered

That said villas can be very good too!!!!

 

[juliebro]

I would suggest you buy the Brit's Guide to Orlando and Walt Disney world. It's a brilliant book with lots of hints and tips.

 

[queendisney]

I would also suggest that you maybe subscribe to something like Touring Plans. It only costs a few pounds and will give you tips on how to plan and tell you the busy days for each park, which one to avoid which one is best etc. Obviously go through the attractions in each park and decide what ones you really want to do because its so busy when you are planning on going you are unlikely to do all of them. Also they will have Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party at MK which is a separate ticket price and I would get that in your diary to book as soon as they release dates if you want to do it.

Hotel/Villa onsite/off site. Very personal choice that one...Personally I will only stay on resort for reasons that Pickers1982 said amongst others, especially because you are planning on going over Christmas and you will be able to take advantage of those extra magic hours. You could look into renting DVC points (there is a forum for that on here) and going for a Villa on site. Saratoga Springs and Old Key West are very popular with people on here.

 

[ukool]

We have stayed off site and on site, i prefer on site as its easier to get around the parks and disney buses are the best way to get around, however i would rent a car if your planing on visiting other parks / attractions outside of disney as its much easier then public transport and taxis.

 

[joolz1910]

We went to WDW in October 2012, after being to DLP twice. I needed someone to hold my hand through the whole booking process and I can't recommend Val Ramsay highly enough. She is a travel counsellor and booked EVERYTHING for me, including meal reservations! She advertises on The Dibb as Cinders Mum.

The Dis has also been an invaluable source of advice and tips. After a lot of advice on here, we booked to stay on-site and had the best holiday we could have hoped for. It was so good, we are hoping to book the exact same package for August 2015