first timeer questions

[WDW1st-timers]

Just wondering if anyone could share a few answers to my questions. Just to note this is my families first time going down and I want to make it the best vacation ever.
#1.We are thinking of checking in Jan 1st 2006 But can't get true hotel rates for (POP). Anyone know why it wont show be rates?

#2. We are thinking of staying 12 days at WDW with 2 children ages 6 and 8. Do you think that being there for a first time that this is too long of a trip for them and us?

#3. Would you happen to know how busy WDW/(POP) is during Jan,1st? Do you think it's still packed due to people there from the night before for New Years Eve? Or do you think that alot of people will check out on Jan 1st.

Thanks for all your help. Any insite for this ontarioian would be greatly appriciated.

~LANNAH~

 

[mbb]

Just wondering if anyone could share a few answers to my questions. Just to note this is my families first time going down and I want to make it the best vacation ever.
#1.We are thinking of checking in Jan 1st 2006 But can't get true hotel rates for (POP). Anyone know why it wont show be rates?

#2. We are thinking of staying 12 days at WDW with 2 children ages 6 and 8. Do you think that being there for a first time that this is too long of a trip for them and us?

#3. Would you happen to know how busy WDW/(POP) is during Jan,1st? Do you think it's still packed due to people there from the night before for New Years Eve? Or do you think that alot of people will check out on Jan 1st.

Thanks for all your help. Any insite for this ontarioian would be greatly appriciated.

~LANNAH~

1. You can book any time. What WDW does - they will charge a deposit if one night's accomodation on your cc. If the rates change between now and then, you can cancel and rebook. Not sure why the website won't give you a rate though..maybe because you're trying to book 12 days..is that with the MYW passes? On the website you can only get up to 10da MYW...

2. Our first trip with our 4 yr old twins was 17 days. Not long enough, IMO
You'll get varying opinions on this one. Are you planning on being "park commandos"? ie, at the parks from Sunrise-midnight...or will you do mornings, followed by pool time in the afternoon? Are you planning on doing US/IOA, or SeaWorld? Are you thinking of staying onsite all the time? Are you planning on a rental car?

3. Jan 1st will be busy.
http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=2006&country=1
I doubt crowds will decrease much until Tuesday...JMO

Based on "what we would do"...rent points from a DVCer..get larger accomodations, from Sunday to Friday, with a min of kitchenette, maybe a 1 bedroom, onsite, do ME from MCO, rent a car at the Swan/Dolphin on Friday, head for offsite for Friday and Saturday, do SeaWorld that weekend, back to WDW for the Sunday-Friday DVC again, this time a different resort, return rental car on Monday...fly home on the weekend.

HTH!!

 

[WDW1st-timers]

Just wanted to say thanks for the help. I didn't know that Jan.2nd was still a holiday there.
As for the 12 days at disney, I planned on staying at the POP for check in day and then start using my passes for days 2 through 11. Then check out day is day 12. So actually days 1 and 12 we will not use passes on these days.

Again thanks for your help.

Lannah

 

[GIOny]

Hi WDW 1st timer! Welcome to the Dis!! Disney may not have the rates out yet for 2006 but here is a list of the 2005 rates and if you go through the site you may be able to find ways to save some money: http://www.mousesavers.com/roomrates2005.html
As far as how long you should stay is totally a personal preferance. I'm assuming you have other things planned then just the parks. Don't get me wrong the parks are a blast but just like anything you can have to much of a good thing. If I were planning it, 12 days is fine, just break it up a little with other things, this way they look forward to going back to the parks. January can go either way (weatherwise) in central Florida so I wouoldn't count on the water parks.
It looks like January 1st is on a sunday in 2006 so most people will probally have off that monday the 2nd, so it's anybodys guess whether or not people will stay or go home. But some time during that week the crowds should lighten up.
The only thing you have to worry about now is, after your trip, changing your name to WDW2nd-timers, 3rdtimers, 4thtimers, 5thtimers, you get the picture!!

 

[Abba98]

Glad you've joined us,hope you'll find all the answers to your questions here!
Kirsten

 

[Canadave]

Welcome WDW1st-timers ... make sure you do your research about what what is available at WDW...enjoy the parks, that's for sure, but there is so much more to do, especially with 2 young children...remember the water parks, surrey bike around boardwalk, shopping at Downtown Disney, miniature golf, great themed restaurants, etc. etc. and especially don't forget to just hang around the pool at the resort (Pop Century has some great pools for kids)

And just a note about the hotel rates...keep an eye out for discounts even after you've booked ...GIOny is right, there are all kinds of discounts available...watch mousesavers, DIS, CAA etc

 

[hockey mom]

Welcome to our world

We have stayed at Pop at it was very cute, great choice for the kids. The other resort my kids loved was ASMovies.

Twelve days will be prefect. Enough time to see everything and not feel rushed.

It will still be busy until about the 4th then crowds will lighten up quite a bit.

Pack for any weather conditions. From shorts to light winter coats.

Value season starts on Jan. 1st and the rates now are $77/night so it might go up a few dollars for next year but that will be the ball park amount. As others have said keep your eye on the "resorts- codes and rates" section of this board and you might get a discount. Also if you belong to CAA you get 20% off that rate if you book early enough(they only alot a certain amount of rooms)

Book at least one character meal- whether it is brekky or dinner it is a great way to get those pictures and autographs.

Most importantly though take lots and lots of pictures to show your new friends on the DIS.

 

[WDW1st-timers]

Wow thanks everybody for the tips. I'm sure that they will help. Anyone planning on going around the same time and staying at the Pop? WOuld love to meet some fellow Canadians from the board.

 

[hockey mom]

We will be there a couple of weeks ahead of you.