FIRST-TIMERS with questions!

[marcar12]

Hello Disney-lovers!

My husband and I are planning a trip to Disney World for this spring! We are going to be there late-April/early-May. I have been to Disney World one time in my life, and it was when I was a teenager. However, my husband and two daughters (ages 5.5 and almost 3 at the time of our trip) have NEVER been to Disney World before! I am so excited for us to take this trip! We are going as a way of celebrating a huge event...my husband's graduation from medical school!!

Seeing as how he is currently a student, I'm a stay-at-home-mom, and we have hundreds of thousands of dollars in student debt, we are on a TIGHT BUDGET. I have been doing tons of research over the last couple of weeks, and now I have some questions for all of you!

I have read on here about undercovertourist.com. That looks like a highly-recommended place to purchase park tickets. I'm wondering if any of you have heard of this website: greatorlandodiscounts.com
Their prices are lower than Undercover Tourist, but I don't know if they are as legit! Please help!

Along the same lines as that, I'm wondering what the consensus is on buying package deals at off-site hotels. The hotel we are going to be staying in offers Disney World tickets at a discounted price when you stay with them. Doing this would save us about $80 on tickets (as compared to buying them through Undercover Tourist.)

Also, we were planning to only go to the parks for 4 days, but it seems that everywhere I look there are ticket offers for a FREE 5th day when you buy a 4-day pass! I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of doing the 5th day! The tickets would be free but we'd have to pay for another night at the hotel, another day with the rental car, and food for another day. What to do, what to do???

And LASTLY (although I will probably come up with more questions later)... is it typical for little girls to bring princess dresses from home and dress up when they are at the Magic Kingdom? This is allowed?

So many things to plan! I love it (cuz I'm a huge "planner"!! )

Thanks for your help!

 

[Harters2WDW]

Hello Disney-lovers!


And LASTLY (although I will probably come up with more questions later)... is it typical for little girls to bring princess dresses from home and dress up when they are at the Magic Kingdom? This is allowed?

We always bring costumes from home! And, they are usually a "Tink gift" or "Princess gift" that arrives while they are sleeping (along with a few other fun things that I buy throughout the year that reward good behavior and help keep gift shop spending under control).

Have fun! We went with DD5 and DD1 last year and had a blast -- so much so we're going again in August! Enjoy!

 

[marcar12]

We always bring costumes from home! And, they are usually a "Tink gift" or "Princess gift" that arrives while they are sleeping (along with a few other fun things that I buy throughout the year that reward good behavior and help keep gift shop spending under control).

Have fun! We went with DD5 and DD1 last year and had a blast -- so much so we're going again in August! Enjoy!

Thank you! Sounds great. We will definitely have to do that!

Anyone have any thoughts on the ticket-buying options I mentioned?

 

[Marionnette]

I have read on here about undercovertourist.com. That looks like a highly-recommended place to purchase park tickets. I'm wondering if any of you have heard of this website: greatorlandodiscounts.com
Their prices are lower than Undercover Tourist, but I don't know if they are as legit! Please help!
Undercovertourist prices include tax and shipping. Greatorlandodiscounts includes neither. Chances are good that if you sign up for the Mousesavers.com newsletter, you will find that the link to UT has better prices than you can get anywhere else.

Along the same lines as that, I'm wondering what the consensus is on buying package deals at off-site hotels. The hotel we are going to be staying in offers Disney World tickets at a discounted price when you stay with them. Doing this would save us about $80 on tickets (as compared to buying them through Undercover Tourist.)
Make sure that the hotel package with tickets does not also include a timeshare presentation requirement. You don't want to waste a day of vacation telling a salesperson no, No, NO!

Also, we were planning to only go to the parks for 4 days, but it seems that everywhere I look there are ticket offers for a FREE 5th day when you buy a 4-day pass! I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of doing the 5th day! The tickets would be free but we'd have to pay for another night at the hotel, another day with the rental car, and food for another day. What to do, what to do???
Suddenly "free" doesn't sound like such a good idea, does it?
I don't think that an additional day with the rental car would be an issue. Once you get to 5 days, you get charged the weekly rate. Weekly rates can be lower than paying the daily rate for 4 days. Plus there are often coupons that are only good for weekly rates.

If you're flying, you might find that it costs less to leave the next day. It might even be a big enough savings that you come out close to even on your total costs.

It's not hard to stretch a 4 day food budget to cover 5 days if you really want to stay the extra day. I wouldn't let dining costs be an influence over my decision to stay an extra day.

My answers in bold.

Another thing to remember is that if your child is under the age of 3, they dine for free off of their parents' plates at the table service restaurants. And they get into the parks without a ticket.

 

[pezheadmeg]

What hotels were you looking at off-site? Are you going to be taking their shuttle or driving yourself to the parks? Parking at Disney adds up quickly. Are you driving to Orlando?

I've never heard of greater Orlando tickets, but I always book through Disney directly. I'm sure someone will chime in with an opinion.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

When you are comparing hotel prices, remember to add on the cost of renting a car and paying for parking if you stay off-site. Some hotels have free shuttles, but check the timing, as they may not work with your plans or schedule. Staying onsite at a Value resort may work out to be cheaper.

Teresa

 

[marcar12]

My answers in bold.

Another thing to remember is that if your child is under the age of 3, they dine for free off of their parents' plates at the table service restaurants. And they get into the parks without a ticket.

In your bolded answers, you mentioned that I might find the lowest price by using the mousesavers link in their newsletter. I signed up for their newsletter, but I have to wait until the 15th of next month to receive it Is there anyway I can get a copy of this month's newsletter from someone? Is that allowed?

 

[laurafergie]

Depending on where you are coming in from and if you have camped before - Camping is a great, low cost way to be in Disney World. We always find our biggest expense is food and camping allows you to experience the Magic of the Mouse and still save money. There is a board here about camping at Ft Wilderness.

If that isn't your thing, I highly recommend a condo at Windsor Hills or Bonnet Creek. There are big discussions about those subdivisions in the Orlando board. (Remember to add the cost of parking daily into your budget)

Also, Priceline is your friend when it comes to the rental car. There is only 4 of you guys. I would think you could get a car in the $20 (or less, last time I was in Orlando I got an economy for $12) a day range.

Your little girl absolutely can dress up in her own princess dress. My DD8 was dressed as Snow White and the first person she saw after coming into the Magic Kingdom under the train station was SNOW WHITE! They ran through the crowd together, hand in hand, to Snow White's area and the pictures I have are priceless.

Undercover Tourist is the place to buy your ticket if you do not buy a package. Make sure you price out both ways - package vs separately purchased. Once in awhile, staying onsite and the package is cheaper.

A big savings is not to purchase the park hoppers.

If you do buy a package - the quick service plan is plenty of food, especially since you have small children.

The minimum time to spend in the parks are 4 days, but if possible, try to stretch to 5 days or even 6 days. That lets you slow down and relax, enjoy the pool and rest.

You'll have a blast!!

 

[mom2cookies]

And LASTLY (although I will probably come up with more questions later)... is it typical for little girls to bring princess dresses from home and dress up when they are at the Magic Kingdom? This is allowed?



You will see little girls dressed up in all the parks.. if she wants to wear it to the other parks, it will be ok!

 

[ilovemk76]

Hello Disney-lovers!

My husband and I are planning a trip to Disney World for this spring! We are going to be there late-April/early-May. I have been to Disney World one time in my life, and it was when I was a teenager. However, my husband and two daughters (ages 5.5 and almost 3 at the time of our trip) have NEVER been to Disney World before! I am so excited for us to take this trip! We are going as a way of celebrating a huge event...my husband's graduation from medical school!!

Seeing as how he is currently a student, I'm a stay-at-home-mom, and we have hundreds of thousands of dollars in student debt, we are on a TIGHT BUDGET. I have been doing tons of research over the last couple of weeks, and now I have some questions for all of you!

I have read on here about undercovertourist.com. That looks like a highly-recommended place to purchase park tickets. I'm wondering if any of you have heard of this website: greatorlandodiscounts.com
Their prices are lower than Undercover Tourist, but I don't know if they are as legit! Please help!

Along the same lines as that, I'm wondering what the consensus is on buying package deals at off-site hotels. The hotel we are going to be staying in offers Disney World tickets at a discounted price when you stay with them. Doing this would save us about $80 on tickets (as compared to buying them through Undercover Tourist.)

Also, we were planning to only go to the parks for 4 days, but it seems that everywhere I look there are ticket offers for a FREE 5th day when you buy a 4-day pass! I am trying to weigh the pros and cons of doing the 5th day! The tickets would be free but we'd have to pay for another night at the hotel, another day with the rental car, and food for another day. What to do, what to do???

And LASTLY (although I will probably come up with more questions later)... is it typical for little girls to bring princess dresses from home and dress up when they are at the Magic Kingdom? This is allowed?

So many things to plan! I love it (cuz I'm a huge "planner"!! )

Thanks for your help!

I have used undercovertourist and had not problems with the tickets. Sorry I cannot help with the other company.

Add the 5th day. If you stay onsite you can use Disney's Magical Express from the airport to the resort and back. This will eliminate the need for a rental car.

Some little girls do wear princess dresses to the parks. Most girls do not. Many wear them for a meal and then change. Many of the dresses look like they would get itchy in the heat.

 

[mrsklamc]

Look at the thread- should be here on the first page- about YES tickets. See if there is a program that will work for DD 5.5. Of course, if you are only going for four days, you might not want to spend any of your park time in the 3 hour educational program she would need to take to qualify for the ticket discount.

Don't worry if no one has sent you the mousesavers newsletter...The tickets will come very fast once you order them so if you just signed up the February edition will allow plenty of time to order tickets if YES won't work out for you.

Park tickets are structured so that additional days are very inexpensive; once they have you there they want to keep you there and spending.

Normally I am a die hard off site person - especially since by far the best way for the group I travel with to save money is to make simple, cheap meals at the rental house, order Giordano's pizza, etc. We LOVE having a nice home to spread out in for a week w/ its own private pool.

But for just 4 days with 2 little ones, I might be tempted to stay onsite. Probably wouldn't do a dining plan but that's just me....& I echo what a prior poster said...dresses are common but would be uncomfortable for touring.

 

[Sagginit]

i have never gone with children (well unless you count when i was a young teen myself) but i would recommend this. take some time to seriously plan your trip and decide if you need things like staying onsite, park hoppers, rental cars etc. you might even decide to go for just four days and skip some of the parks. with two little girls they might enjoy 2-3 days in MK and might not care for epcot or HS. i know as an adult i don't car for AK as most of the rides/shows seem young child orientated. also as stated i would price out on property w/o the things you don't need like park hoppers and then minus a rental car vs staying offsite with the car/parking/gas.

yes they can wear dresses but as stated it gets hotttt..... i did MNSSHP and boy was i glad i did not wear a full costume. as an alternative they have these tiaras you can buy in the MK giftshops. this goes right on a bun and with some glitter spray will give them the princess feel without the itchy polyester in the swamp.

 

[Be1021]

Yes, you will see lots of little girls dressed up in princess dresses from home. That will save slot of money from buying it there.
Also, check out the DVC rent/ trade board. It Is a very cost effective way to stay on property. It is something you may want to think about if this is going to be a once in a long while trip.

 

[Teresa Pitman]

We bought my granddaughter some princess and fairy outfits from the local thrift store before our trip - also a good source for other Disney T-shirts if you would like your kids to have some.

Teresa

 

[Arabelle]

You have time to get the tickets next month from mousesavers. Or you can check into the YES program. Those are fun classes.

I wouldn't trust the shuttles from the offsite hotels. They aren't usually scheduled often.

I would hotwire a room. We always do for the first or last night of our trip. 4 stars for under $40 a month has been standard. Or priceline is even cheaper.

Eat breakfast in your room, and the counter service meals are shareable if you aren't big eaters.

Congratulations on graduation!