First Timer - Questions about Hotel/Kissimme Deal

[Mum2Gabe]

I was really hoping someone could give me some insight and advice because my head is swimming with all this Disney stuff!! This will be my first trip to Disney with my husband and 3 year old son (who will be 4.5 by the time we choose to take the trip – Oct 2012). I did go when I was a teenager but I didn’t have to plan it. I’m soooo completely overwhelmed that I have to say it’s dampened my excitement somewhat!

The recent deal on the web from eversave is one dh and I are very seriously thinking about. A Five-night stay at the Country Inn and Suites Kissimmee for $290 + tax. Comes to $400 and incl free breakfast and a few other things. It won't let me post a link...

We have until May 31, 2012 to decide dates and Nov 2012 to make the trip. We hope to make the trip in October 2012 as the weather is cooler and crowds are (apparently) smaller?? MK for 2 days, SW for 1 day and 2 days spent enjoying the hotel.

I’ve read this board and searched the web but I still have a few questions:

We plan to get the 7 day free car rental (the hotel shuttle only has 3 trips out in the AM, and only delivers to epcot).

Breakfast at the hotel will be free. We plan to eat a lot for breakfast, take snacks and food into Disney and just grab a bite to eat there for lunch. We don’t want to do the food dining thing. Our daily plan since our little-one still naps is to get to MK right after breakfast and as close to opening as we can so we can get to all of the best little rides. Go home for 1 - 2PM, rest up and return to MK in the evening for dinner/lights etc. Is this doable without buying the meal plan? Can you return to the same park later that day with the same ticket?? Or do they stamp your hand?

Money is definitely an issue. Dh is having a stroke already at how much the Disney tickets are so we’re trying to be careful.

On one of the days we plan to do the Winnie the Pooh character breakfast but I read it can last 90 minutes and that seems so long. Is it really worth doing for a 4 year old boy? Do the kids love it? With only 2 days at MK plus we’re leaving for part of the day I wonder if the breakfast is worth it.

Does my plan seem ok? If anyone has any advice or insight I would love to hear from you.

Thanks so much! Disney here we come

 

[Straitlover]

Since you will have a car, try to get a reservation for the character breakfast before the park opens. That way, you don't spend much park time sitting in a restaurant.

Is the CI&S you mentioned the one at Calypso Cay? If you're spending $400 for 5 nights, I would look into booking a timeshare/condo instead, especially if you are not going to the parks every day. Try SkyAuction.com or Endless Vacations (http://www.endless-vacation-rentals.com/).

For Sea World, join Rapid Rewards on the Southwest Airlines website. You can show your card at the gate and get 20% off your ticket. Plus they have the next day free deal if you want to go back.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I just went on Country Inn and Suite site and was able to book five days in Nov 2012 for a total of $458 so if you are unsure you can book the stay directly with the hotel.
There is also a Country Inn and Suite must closer to DIsney and their rate is $556 for 5 nights. It also offers free shuttle to the parks which would save you the parking free at the parks of $14 a day. It also offers free breakfast and it is 5 minutes from Disney.

It the one located in Lake Buena Vista, FL and is right around the corner from DTD. Plus this location is next door to a Winne Dixie grocery store and several cheaper places to eat such as Taco Bell, Subway, Qdoba, Perkins.

Have you priced tickets on Undercover Tourist.com They have a ticket offer right now that if you buy 3 days you will get one day free. Prices are $240 per adult and $215 for a child

OH one other thing Oct is not the cooler month. I have been there twice in the month of Oct and it was very hot and humid.

** I just looked at room rates for Disney and I see you can stay at a value resort for $553 for 5 nights based on this years rates. You would not have to pay the parking fee to park at the parks. You could take Disney transporation and not need a car. They will even take you to/from the airport for free and deliver your luggage to your room for you. If you are a triple AAA member the price is $465.

 

[Mum2Gabe]

Is the CI&S you mentioned the one at Calypso Cay?

Yes it’s at Calypso Cay, Maingate. Tripadvisor gives it great reviews – some are bad but apparently there has been some confusion as to which one they are related to. I saw a post that said the bad reviews were for somewhere else.

The rental car is free so I’m not sure that the extra cost of a moderate resort would go over well with dh since all we would need to pay is parking for 3 days plus gas.

Argh, I wasn’t expecting more choices!! This is so hard. Is everyone’s first trip as stressful thinking about all the choices?

Thank you so much for the tip on AAA

I did price rtickets at undercover tourist and for the 3 of us at 2 days at MK and 1 day at SW it was about $740.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Also keep in mind if you want a caracter breakfast to book it at the 90 day mark. Meaning 90 days from the date that you want to have breakfast you need to book it otherwise you will not be able too. These fill up FAST!

Yes it’s at Calypso Cay, Maingate. Tripadvisor gives it great reviews – some are bad but apparently there has been some confusion as to which one they are related to. I saw a post that said the bad reviews were for somewhere else.

The rental car is free so I’m not sure that the extra cost of a moderate resort would go over well with dh since all we would need to pay is parking for 3 days plus gas.

Argh, I wasn’t expecting more choices!! This is so hard. Is everyone’s first trip as stressful thinking about all the choices?

Thank you so much for the tip on AAA

 

[diznygirl]

You can do a Meet and Greet with Pooh at the UK pavilion at Epcot. I would do that rather than the character breakfast since 1) your breakfasts at the hotel are free and 2) you will probably get better interaction and photos.

 

[jms920]

I did read that ticket prices are going up as of Sunday.

 

[Straitlover]

Also keep in mind if you want a caracter breakfast to book it at the 90 day mark. Meaning 90 days from the date that you want to have breakfast you need to book it otherwise you will not be able too. These fill up FAST!

Actually, I'd book at the 180 day mark, not 90 day.