First Timer and I need lotsa help!

[GBR73]

I had no idea Disney World would be so confusing! We only decided last week that we are giving our four children a week in Disney for Christmas this year. We are going to actually go the week of January 8th. I have been overwhelmed by all the options. When I try to book it online it keeps putting me in the Wilderness Cabins, because our party size is 6. It's an affordable option, BUT I'm not sure it's the experience we want. We live in the country, so I can see how it would be a novel experience for lots of folks, but for us it would be more of the same old, BUT I'm not sure if it is worth the extra money to stay elsewhere. How much time are we going to spend at the room anyway? I wish I could call and someone could give me different options. I think I'd like to spend a couple of days in our dream rooms, Animal Kingdom, with a Savannah View and a couple of days in other resorts. Is it worth the trouble and extra money to do that? When I called today the guy I spoke with was not excited about talking any options with me. He just looked up 7 days in the Savannah View room and told me the price. It was $2000 more. I don't mind paying that if it is TRULY worth it, but that is alot of money that could be spent on other activities while we are there.

I am also thinking of upgrading to the Deluxe meal plan. It doesn't seem to add that much more, with the standard plan being free. I think we could use the extra points, I doubt we'll eat breakfast and lunch each day, towards special meals and shows. I want to get this all settled so that I can start making some of those dinner reservations. I am taking a 2 year old with us. The dining plan is not available for her. They said she could eat from our plates, but would they give her a place setting? She likes having her own plate and fork.

I'm sure I'll have lots more questions, but I appreciate any input I can get!

Just wanted to add that we will be driving our own car and we have a disabled daughter that will be with us. She uses a chair and walker to get around.

 

[Sue M]

Don't know the ages of who is traveling, but you say a family of 6- if one is under 3 they don't count in room occupancy. So that would make it a family of 5 + child under 3.
Some options are:
Port Orleans Riverside in the AB section, they have 2 double beds (or queens in the newly renovated rooms) plus a trundle or in new rooms a murphy bed. Then you can request a pack & play for the baby. It will be cramped, but it's probably the most economical option.

All Star Family Suites

2 connecting rooms at a value resort

a room in one of the deluxe resorts except WL or AKL. They will have 2 queens + day bed.

You already know about the Cabins!

I wouldn't do a split stay for 7 days with 6 people. You'd just be checking in & out without enough time to relax and enjoy the resort your in.

The dining plan is a personal pref. For us the Deluxe plan is too much food. We like the Basic plan with 1 counter service, 1 table service & a snack.

Unfortunately not all the reservation people are helpful. If you get someone that isn't helpful, hang up and try again. You'll prob get someone better the second try. Most of them are pretty good.

You might try using a Disney Authorized travel agency- one who specializes in just WDW booking. There is the one that hosts this web site- Dreams Unlimited, and others. I've used Ears To You agency with good results. I think it might make your life easier being new to Disney & booking.
They can give you lots of info, and make suggestions, and make sure you're getting the best deal for you. They can also help with your dining reservations, and help you plan your park touring.

Another suggestion is to get a good WDW guide book. I like WDW-The Unofficial Guide, and Passporter.

Happy planning!

 

[PoohsFan1]

First off want to say to the DIS....you came to the right place to get answers to all of your Disney related questions. Also, what a great gift to give your kids for Christmas .

Since you are talking about going a little over a month from now, you have to act ASAP on your planning. I would start by checking out all of the different options that are currently available for your stay. You may even want to think about going to a Villa (there are 1 and 2 bedroom villas that may accommodate your family better), and with that you may also want to consider renting points from a DVC owner (have never done it ourselves since we own DVC, but have read many great reviews from people that have). Another thing you should probably do is get a guide book and start reading about everything about WDW. As for your disabled DD, there is a forum on here that is specific to that, and great people to talk to too. Good luck with your planning and have a great trip.

P.S....start looking at different restaurants (especially if you plan on doing the DxDP) since you will be sitting down a lot, mind you, you may not be able to get the more popular and demanding restaurants, but you will get something.

 

[Callymum]

I won't repeat what the others have said but just add a little bit, as the post above said you could rent points from a Dvc owner which is a good idea, but be aware that you will not be able to get the free DDP with points.
So you would have to weigh the benefits of a villa with points with the savings of free DDP.

I dont think you will be in the rooms you choose too much, it is slightly colder now so maybe a bit less time outside than in previous months. Bed times and in and out of the room during the day depending on how long you expect to be in parks.
The free DDP is a great saving only if you are going to use it and enjoy doing so.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

Maybe ask about PO/Riverside. They have rooms that sleep 5 and maybe they wouldn't count the 2 year old if they slept with you or on a cot/child bed. Would probably be more crowded than the cabin though. Less $$ I would think.
I have also stayed at AKL and you would be more crowded IMO if you all tried to stay in ONE room there. The furniture is huge and takes up ALOT of room.

I also would check what dining is still available before I upgraded if I were you. Looks like there are alot of openings that week for 1900 (princesses), Akershus (Epcot princesses) and Crystal P. (MK characters). All of these are still 1 credit I think. It will probably be hard to get into CRT or Ohana that late I am afraid.

Good Luck and Merry Christmas

 

[tzolkin]

I am taking a 2 year old with us. The dining plan is not available for her. They said she could eat from our plates, but would they give her a place setting? She likes having her own plate and fork.

I'm sure I'll have lots more questions, but I appreciate any input I can get!

Just wanted to add that we will be driving our own car and we have a disabled daughter that will be with us. She uses a chair and walker to get around.

Dining plan with 2yo:
They say they can "eat from your plate" for free, but they will definitely give you another table setting. At the buffets the child eats just like everyone else. At TS restaurants you will either have the option of paying for a separate child's meal for her or letting her share. Some of the restaurants will even offer a little something (like buttered noodles, etc) for free for the little one.


Since your youngest is under 3 you technically can stay in any room that holds 5 (the "baby" doesn't count toward the room occupancy). However with 6 people and especially with your other daughter's chair and walker you may need more than one room/bathroom for all of you to be comfortable.

I would suggest a family suite at a value (although I have never stayed in one so I can't give any details on the space) or two rooms (perhaps at a moderate resort-- We love Coronado Springs and have also stayed at Caribbean Beach. The theming of both resorts appeals to both adults and children).

Also, keep in mind that some of the resorts do not have elevators so you will need to emphasize that you must have a first floor room. (The CMs on the phone are usually very friendly but they often give you inaccurate information. I had one guy argue with me for a long time that "every" resort has elevators and he didn't want to put in a request for a first floor room.)

 

[jdrais]

You might try using a Disney Authorized travel agency- one who specializes in just WDW booking. There is the one that hosts this web site- Dreams Unlimited, and others. I've used Ears To You agency with good results. I think it might make your life easier being new to Disney & booking.

Being new you might consider using one the Disney Authorized agents. They are experienced with WDW and can help you find what works for you. Plus they don't cost any more than if you do all the booking yourself. I've done both, I found out I don't save a whole lot doing it my self and the agents usually find the better deals.

 

[marilyn23]

We stayed off in 2009 and quite liked it. Last yr we stayed on. We were 6 going, but our kids were all older and teens so we ended up getting two adjoining rooms at POR. We really liked having two bathrooms and lots of room to unwind at an affordable price after a long day at Disney. Just to let you know though we are five going for this Christmas(it's our new family tradition) and staying at the YC. it costs exactly the same price for 5 of us at the deluxe YC as it would for 6 at two adjoining rooms in a moderate. We originally had POFQ booked for two adjoining rooms this yr, but the oldest decided not to go.

I recommend you phone the 407-WDW-DISNEY number and tell the CM what kind of budget you have and what you are looking for. We would be $6500 for six at Pofq this yr with free dining and 10 days of non-parkhopper tickets. We have changed our plans as I said earlier and are 5 staying at the YC with parkhopper, free dining for the same price. For your dining we had the regular dining(1 snack, 1 qs, 1 table) and found it plenty of food. Disney is really generous in their portions.

 

[marilyn23]

We stayed off in 2009 and quite liked it. Last yr we stayed on. We were 6 going, but our kids were all older and teens so we ended up getting two adjoining rooms at POR. We really liked having two bathrooms and lots of room to unwind at an affordable price after a long day at Disney. Just to let you know though we are five going for this Christmas(it's our new family tradition) and staying at the YC. it costs exactly the same price for 5 of us at the deluxe YC as it would for 6 at two adjoining rooms in a moderate. We originally had POFQ booked for two adjoining rooms this yr, but the oldest decided not to go.

I recommend you phone the 407-WDW-DISNEY number and tell the CM what kind of budget you have and what you are looking for. We would be $6500 for six at Pofq this yr with free dining and 10 days of non-parkhopper tickets. We have changed our plans as I said earlier and are 5 staying at the YC with parkhopper, free dining for the same price. For your dining we had the regular dining(1 snack, 1 qs, 1 table) and found it plenty of food. Disney is really generous in their portions.

 

[GrammyJudy]

The cabins are quite remote and the transportation is not the greatest. We stayed there a couple of times when my kids were small. But I really like the resorts better. I would suggest adjoining rooms at a value or mod. The kids seem to like the theming of those best and they have great food courts. Check out allears.net for menus and pictures of the resorts and reviews.

Whatever you decide you will have a great time!

 

[AJA]

Hi and welcome!

Does the two year old with you make it a family of 7 or are there just 6. As others have said if you are a family of 5 + a 2 year old you have a lot more options.

Have you checked to make sure you can get dining ressie's? I wouldn't upgrade the dining until you check and see if you can get the meals you want.
To have a great time at Disney you don't have to plan 6+ months in advance, but, a LOT of people do. You might not be able to get as many of the dining reservations at the times you really want them so check that out first! For what it's worth the regular dining plan is enough for us.

If you can stay at Port Orleans Riverside IMO it would be a great first resort. Of course Deluxe is AWESOME but the price is a whole lot more to stay in a 2 Bedroom (or get 2 rooms) at a deluxe as compared to the AB section at Riverside.

Do not split your stay between two Disney hotels with free dining (meaning booking a few nights at a moderate hotel then switching to a few nights at a deluxe hotel) to qualify for free dining you must by a package -meaning park tickets. Purchasing one package with 8 day park tickets is a lot cheaper than purchasing 4 days at a moderate hotel with 4 day tickets and then upgrading hotels and having to buy another 4 day park ticket at the deluxe hotel.

 

[Bunnyfeather]

I traveled last year just 2 weeks before my son turned 3. At buffets, he got his own plate and drink just as if we were paying for him. At Akershus, the CM brought him a kid's pizza for no charge. At Sci-Fi, the CM brought him a kid's cheeseburger meal at no charge. At CRT, he got his own plate of food. At Ohana, he got his own chicken tender plate for no charge. At Whispering Canyon, they made him share off our plate (as we expected to happen at every TS). But then they allowed him to share his sister's bottomless milkshake.

So we were prepared to buy TS kid meals, but it never happened. I don't think you can count on that, but it is how it worked for us. We were on the deluxe dining plan, and we ended up buying 4 CS meals at every CS because we had more credits than we could possibly use, anyway.

 

[mwmom]

I don't know if you are set on staying on property, but our extended family of 8 stayed in a 6 bedroom house in Windsor Hills the first time we went to Disney. The last 2 times I have been it has just been a few of us going so we stayed at WL, but I can tell you that if everyone goes again, we will most likely go back to WH. The house was FABULOUS! It had 6 bedrooms, a garage that was turned into a game room and plenty of room for everyone to spread out and have some privacy/quiet when needed. The prices can't compare to staying deluxe on property or for paying for a family of more than 4.

Check out this web site and see what you think: http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/usa/florida/central-disney-orlando/kissimmee/west#a2568
Or, just go to vrbo.com--Florida--Kissimmee--Windsor Hills (it is an all rental community as most are in this area and they have everything from 2 BDRM condos to 6 bedroom houses)

Be sure and factor in meals and rental vehicle.

A couple of tips I have learned: Rental car prices vary from time to time. Every trip I have saved hundreds of dollars by checking back periodically. I just changed our reservation and canceled what I had reserved if I found a better deal. I literally saved several hundred each trip by doing this! I usually go with Dollar rental.

As far as dining plan, if you do stay on property and go this route, I would not consider upgrading to the Deluxe. Both times we have gotten the regular dining plan we have had counter service meals left over. We used the snack credits to grab something for breakfast (muffin, croissant, etc.) so we could get to the parks early. I just can't believe you would the Deluxe plan unless you plan on eating at signature restaurants.

If you stay off property, go to the menus of restaurants you'd like to try and add up what you might spend on a couple of meals. There were times that I would have just gotten a bowl of soup for dinner rather than a full meal if I wasn't on the dining plan. It could be that you could save money by just paying OOP.

Keep asking questions! This is the best place to get tips!

 

[focusondisney]

Hi & Welcome to the Dis!!! What a wonderful Christmas present for your kids! My tips:

- start with basic information about resorts & the parks. Birnbaum's guide is pretty simply laid out. Or go to allears.net the best laid out website with complete, up to date info. Very easy to find info about everything WDW. See which resort your family would enjoy & that is within your budget.

- after deciding on your resort, see if the free dining or the resort discount promo saves you more money. Sometimes the resort discount will save you more, especially at the deluxe resorts. This does depend a lot on how many people are in a room & the children's ages : are they over 9? Then they pay adult prices. So the free dining might save more. If they are under 9, a room discount might actually be better, depending on the resort you choose. A Disney specialist travel agent should be able to help with this if you use one.

-allears.net, the Dis & the Disney website all have menus for the restaurants. Check them out & try to see what your family might actually order. Then check availibility on the Disney website. I would assume you are thinking about Hoop de Doo, the Luau & the Castle for some of your 2 credit meals? See if you can actually get them before you buy that dining plan.

- We are 2 adults & go every year & we have used the deluxe dining plan several times. We tour the parks in the AM, break for a sit down lunch, swim or nap. Then have a relaxing dinner in a 2 credit place. Even with Disney transportation, we spend a lot of time getting to dining reservations. Might be easier with your own car tho.

For a first time visit with little kids, you might want to spend more time doing rides, parades & fireworks. Will your kids tolerate that much time sitting, looking at menus & waiting for meals? Or will they want to be out doing the next ride? A quick service meal might be all they can take with all the excitement.

- Will you need a handicapped accessible room for your DD? Might affect your resort selection. And do you need a Guest Assistance pass for her? I don't know much about that, but there is a DISabilities board here that you can get great info from.

- Spend as much time as you can getting info & planning. Come back & ask questions anytime. Time planning & organization really pay off in a great vacation!

 

[mkoerner]

I second the AS Music family suites. Definitely have the Disney magic feel and family friendly. The cabins are a good option, too though with lots of space, plus a full kitchen and 2 sleeping areas with 2 televisions, which may or may not be important to you. You will have a car, so transportation shouldn't be a problem. Good luck with your planning! You're going at a reasonable time as far as crowds go.

 

[harleys mom]

Congratulations on your trip.. I would book it as soon as possible as it it Marathon Weekend and lots of things are starting to book up. We will be there during the same week. We are styaing one night at the Pop Century and then trnasfering to the Polynesian. We are booked with the Dining plan and are condisering the Deluxe. We used it when we went in June and it was a lot of food. We like to eat at the Deluxe resturants and used all of our points. We used snack credits for breakfast some days.

Have fun planning. This is a great website for information!