First Timers needing a starting point for planning

[drag n' fly]

We are a family of five from Calgary. We have a trip planned to DL in April. Considering changing that to a trip to WDW in Jan or Feb, as I am going down to Anaheim in November anyways to do DL with out the kids. Never been to WDW. Would appreciate any info on where to stay (prefer a disney hotel), any packages from Calgary that are good, length of stay for a first timer, weather to expect, what is a waste of time and what is a must see. Could not find a sticky conatining this info...if their one is sorry I missed it any help is really appreciated!

 

[tchan03]

Depends on how long you'll stay in WDW

If you will have more than 1 week of vacation, i would suggest by the time you finish visiting all the theme parks and still have time left, you can take free monorail or Disney bus to tour some of the Disney resorts . For example, Polynesian, Grand Floridian resort (little beach there)and Boardwalk resort all look beautiful. Great photo opportunities !

 

[drag n' fly]

We have up to ten days. Two of the kids are in school so I don't want them missing to much, dates are flexible preferably Jan or Feb. Looking at 2 rooms at a value or one room that sleeps five onsite.

 

[trivial]

For help saving money, try MouseSavers.com.

For help planning (where to stay, what to do, etc.), I recommend "PassPorter Walt Disney World Resort", a great book with lots of helpful information. The 2007 edition will be available November 28, but I'm sure the 2006 edition will be just fine if you don't want to wait that long.

For just about anything, try browsing and searching these forums.

And finally, a tip: look into renting a Disney Vacation Club villa. Rather than booking through Disney, you can rent inexpensively through DVC members. Check out the FAQ here, and also the "DVC-Rent/Trade" forum.

 

[donkthemagicllama]

Check to see if WestJet is running direct flights for your times. They don't always run them, but it's much nicer than having to stop in Toronto (or Denver, or Dallas, or Atlanta... I've done all 4!) on the way down. As far as I know, no one else offers direct flights from Calgary.

If you are really pressed for time, you can probably skip a few attractions that are similar to their counterparts in Anaheim. Can go in to details if you'd like, but if you do go for 10 days in Jan/Feb you shouldn't have to miss much.

Having never been to WDW before, don't make the mistake of thinking they are similar! The size of WDW is so much bigger than Disneyland Resort, there's really no comparison. I'd take 10 days and spend them all at Disney World, you won't run out of things to do or see. If you don't mind taking and waiting for busses, you don't even need to rent a car.

Staying on-site is definately the way to go, good to hear you're planning to do that. It's been my experience that you are better off booking things yourself than trying to book a package in Calgary. I've always been able to get significant on-site hotel savings by doing some research on mousesavers.com and these boards. Often it involves buying an annual pass, but the savings are usually well over $500, and that's just for me and my wife! If you want to avoid most of the hassle and research you can book with an online Disney vacation specialist (if I remember correctly, madonna31 on this board is one), or a company like Dreams Unlimited travel that will find you discounts and make reservations at no cost to you (Disney pays them a comission).

 

[nflder]

Instead of getting two rooms at one of the value resorts, All Star Music now has Family Suites. I'm not sure but I think it will sleep six and it has an effiency unit. That could be an option for you. Since you are planning to go in the off season and by the sound of it you'll be there for 10 days, you should be able to see alot in the parks. There are a lot of must sees but not alot of "waste of time!" attractions!

HTH

 

[donkthemagicllama]

Also, just ran across this, depending on the ages and inclination of your kids, it might be a consideration.
On of the most intense rides at Disney World is the Rock'n'Rollercoaster at Disney Studios (similar to California Screamin' at California Adventure, but inside in the dark)... it's going to be closed from January 7th to February 10th 2007 (according to www.screamscape.com).

 

[drag n' fly]

Check to see if WestJet is running direct flights for your times. They don't always run them, but it's much nicer than having to stop in Toronto (or Denver, or Dallas, or Atlanta... I've done all 4!) on the way down. As far as I know, no one else offers direct flights from Calgary.

If you are really pressed for time, you can probably skip a few attractions that are similar to their counterparts in Anaheim. Can go in to details if you'd like, but if you do go for 10 days in Jan/Feb you shouldn't have to miss much.

Having never been to WDW before, don't make the mistake of thinking they are similar! The size of WDW is so much bigger than Disneyland Resort, there's really no comparison. I'd take 10 days and spend them all at Disney World, you won't run out of things to do or see. If you don't mind taking and waiting for busses, you don't even need to rent a car.

Staying on-site is definately the way to go, good to hear you're planning to do that. It's been my experience that you are better off booking things yourself than trying to book a package in Calgary. I've always been able to get significant on-site hotel savings by doing some research on mousesavers.com and these boards. Often it involves buying an annual pass, but the savings are usually well over $500, and that's just for me and my wife! If you want to avoid most of the hassle and research you can book with an online Disney vacation specialist (if I remember correctly, madonna31 on this board is one), or a company like Dreams Unlimited travel that will find you discounts and make reservations at no cost to you (Disney pays them a comission).

Ironically that was the very first thing that got us thinking. We found out Westjet offers direct flights to Orlando now. I have been a mousesavers member for a few years now and use changenotes to keep updated. That site has allowed me to plan good Disney vacations in the past. If we go I plan on using ridemax for this trip. What would be really useful for me is I am having trouble finding a map that shows the location of all onsite hotels.

 

[drag n' fly]

spoke too soon...found it.......

 

[drag n' fly]

Ok I have narrowed it down to Port Orleans Riverside...any opinions?

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

We have always booked flights on a US carrier (Northwest, Continental) as we found their schedules are more accommodating than either Air Canada or Westjet. Prices are also comparable but you need to keep your eyes open for a seat sale.

If you are a CAA member, you can also see if you are able to book the AAA discount at Disney Resorts. May save you some money.

 

[donkthemagicllama]

I've heard good things about it, and the grounds definately are very nice. The buildings are really cool looking. My sister and her husband stayed there and were really impressed by the evening entertainment (some sort of piano player who can do a lot while playing piano). We're actually staying there on our upcoming trip, so I'll be able to tell you more after Oct. 4.

We walked around both Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter when we stayed at French Quarter for part of our honeymoon. The boat to Downtown Disney is a real treat, nicer than taking a bus in my opinion.

 

[madonna31]

Love, love, LOVE the Port Orleans Riverside (PoR) it's my personal favourite moderate level resort.

It has a main pool with a slide in the centre of the resort, plus lots of 'quiet' pools around the resort. A GREAT sit-down restaurant, boat rentals and it offers boat transportation to Downtown Disney.

Here's an interactive map that might help give you a good 'visual' of the PoR:

PoR Roll Over Map

(be patient, pictures take a second to load on roll over)

 

[Mortlives]

Another fan of POR here. We stayed in Alligator Bayou, and loved the theming and the landscaping. The quiet pools are beautiful, and the boat to DTD is fab. It's definitely on our list of resorts to go back to.

 

[drag n' fly]

I phoned AMA to get a quote. She told me Air Canada also offers direct flights to Orlando now. She is going to give me a quote by tomorrow afternoon. The travel agent has nice things to say about this place also and said we made a good choice. I just had a good feeling about this place and then went to trip advisor to get an idea. Mind you everything on trip advisor has to be taken with a grain of salt but it helped mostly with getting good pics of the place. We are looking at 10 days, w/park hopper and meal plan added. The rollover map is a great idea...thanks very much. I appreciate all your feedback it really helps when you are a newbie to WDW.

 

[DutchsMommy]

Love POR too! We stayed in AB Building 14 - great location close to food court, pool etc. Try and get a building location or two in on your ressie. Some of the buildings are very far from the main resort area. Busses are good from POR - just note you have to also stop at POFQ on your way out most times and drop off there before POR on the way back. Not a big deal. We have been to WDW mid-Feb the past 2 years. One thing to watch is not to travel during Presidents Week in the States. Not sure when it is in 2007, but it really makes the Parks busy - and the prices go up for resorts etc. Did you check whether POR can take 5 in a room? Another thumbs up for Passporter - it is GREAT and can offer insight to 'better' locations in each resort, average prices etc etc.

 

[drag n' fly]

Apparently Alligator Bayou has a trundle bed that sleeps five. I read on all ears that building 14 is the building to request. I dont know if their is a specific room to request or not? I forgot to request non smoking, is it all non-smoking? Also is it worth getting the 11.99 refillable mug if we are on a meal plan? Do you take this mug with you everywhere? Is there any place you cannot re-fill it?

 

[DutchsMommy]

I am not sure if there are still smoking rooms - I don't think so. We were on the second floor, just because I was worried about people walking overhead. We didn't hear a thing. Just note you have to walk up the stairs - no elevator. NOt a big deal for us, but if any kiddos are in strollers or you have a mobility issue this might be a problem. Also, there are no 'interior' corridors like a hotel - your room opens up to the outdoors. There is a covered walkway/porch thingy all around so it is not a big deal. We really enjoyed the theming at POR. Also the pool is awesome - huge freeform.

We did not get the mug as we are not huge 'drinkers'. The mug is ONLY good at the resort it is purchased at. I can't be bothered to walk to the food court just for a drink/coffee. What we did though is got a towncar from the airport and requested a grocery stop. You have about 20 mins to pick up some things. I packed a travel kettle and mugs and bought teabags, milk etc which was great in the morning. We also bought some of those cereal in a small box thingys which was great for DS in the morning. And defiantely cheaper than buying brekkie! We also bought a loaf of bread and some bologna and snacks which we brought to the park. This was great and again saved us $$. Not that we are particularly cheap or anything, it's just that DS would rather have bologna and cheese with an apple over any $15 kiddy lunch of a hotdog and fries and we really didn't need big meals in the Park. It also let me splurge a bit at Epcot in the evening for dinner (the best place to eat IMHO) at Le Cellier (excellent) 9 dragons (we liked it but it has gotten some iffy reviews) and Rose and Crown (fun but expensive pub grub).

Anyway, I think you will love it. DH was hooked after our first trip and he was definately ready to hate it before he went. We have been back a number of times since and he is actually willing to come to a DVC presentation with me when we are on the Magic in Nov (woohoo!!)

Oops - just edited to add I just read about the meal plan - sorry about that!! I would say NO the mug is definately not worth it - it is actaully hard to spend your snack credits! And the plan RULES!!!! It is so great to go to restaurants you normally wouldn't because of the $$. And you order great apps, entrees and desserts just because you can LOL. We went for the 'free' dining last Sept and it was awesome!! DEFINATELY do Le Cellier. We also did California Grill and were NOT impressed - but many have loved it. I personally would not spend the 2 credits it takes (well I would not spend one but I think we just had a bad experience).

 

[trivial]

I've heard widely conflicting reports regarding California Grill also, but I eventually decided to take a risk and try it out. For 2 dining credits, it had better be a fantastic experience.

 

[donkthemagicllama]

My DW ate there on our honeymoon... we were seated right by the window overlooking MK for the fireworks. Our food was incredible (steak and salmon were the 2 entrees). We booked through Dreams Unlimited, and they knew it was our honeymoon, and we seemed to get the royal treatment.

I'd go back!