First trip in 15 years! So many questions

[Echleon]

Hello!

So we are planning our first trip to WDW as a family. I haven't visited in close to 15 years and have never stayed on site, whilst my wife and kids have never been!

The value resorts are looking like the only ones in our price range, so I had a few questions if anyone could be kind enough to help!

1. Art of Animation looks perfect, but it seems that only the large family suites are available - even though we are booking for October 2018 which seems far away, can all the Little Mermaid rooms really be booked up?
2. If Art of Animation isn't possible, which is the next best value resort to go for? I may be wrong, but it seems like the others don't really have much in the way of Disney theming around the resort or in the rooms, which is a big reason for staying onsite.
3. Upgrading from the free breakfast to the quick service meal plan - does this mean you lose the free breakfast and only have 2 quick service meals + snack? I presume this means you have to pay for breakfast?
4. Only Virgin Holidays appear to offers flights for October 2018 so far when booking as a package - is there a better way to book? Is it worth waiting until November when WDW site will have flights available? We would only be willing to do direct flight to Orlando.

This is all that springs to mind right now - but if anyone can suggest any general tips that would be great!

Many thanks!

 

[disneyholic family]

i can only answer a few of your questions...
i doubt art of animation mermaid rooms are booked....either all the rooms that were available for this package are booked...
or perhaps they didn't offer any mermaid rooms for this package...
not all resorts and all rooms are offered in the packages (or there are limited offerings)...

if you want to stay with a value, i recommend Pop Century - it has very good bus service....much better than the All Star resorts (also value resorts).

So if you want a value, and you can't get AoA, go with Pop Century.....it does have disney theming and we like it a lot..
we've stayed there many times....

but...before you pick a value resort, you should compare the numbers...

compare the price of pop century - upgrading it to quick service.
to the price of one of the moderates that already include quick service..

so for example, compare the price of pop century - upgraded to quick service
vs. the price of caribbean beach or Port Orleans...- which already includes quick service.

you have to crunch the numbers to see which is better and by how much..

yes, if you upgrade from free breakfast to quick service, you'll then get the two quick service meals and the two snacks instead of the free breakfast...

.

 

[Jon84]

AoA will most likely have restrictions on the free dining rooms available now, most resorts are filling up their UK Free Dining Quota now.

Agree with @disneyholic family the upgrade cost could be comparable to the QS upgrade cost.

My preference is to book direct to lock in the hotel and free dining, then buy the flight from the cheapest place when available.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Hello!

So we are planning our first trip to WDW as a family. I haven't visited in close to 15 years and have never stayed on site, whilst my wife and kids have never been!

The value resorts are looking like the only ones in our price range, so I had a few questions if anyone could be kind enough to help!

1. Art of Animation looks perfect, but it seems that only the large family suites are available - even though we are booking for October 2018 which seems far away, can all the Little Mermaid rooms really be booked up?
2. If Art of Animation isn't possible, which is the next best value resort to go for? I may be wrong, but it seems like the others don't really have much in the way of Disney theming around the resort or in the rooms, which is a big reason for staying onsite.
3. Upgrading from the free breakfast to the quick service meal plan - does this mean you lose the free breakfast and only have 2 quick service meals + snack? I presume this means you have to pay for breakfast?
4. Only Virgin Holidays appear to offers flights for October 2018 so far when booking as a package - is there a better way to book? Is it worth waiting until November when WDW site will have flights available? We would only be willing to do direct flight to Orlando.

This is all that springs to mind right now - but if anyone can suggest any general tips that would be great!

Many thanks!

I would say the value resort with best Disney theming is All Stars Movies - there's 101 dalmations, mighty ducks, etc... all the areas are based around different Disney films!

 

[disneyholic family]

I would say the value resort with best Disney theming is All Stars Movies - there's 101 dalmations, mighty ducks, etc... all the areas are based around different Disney films!

but pop century has much better bus service.....if you're planning on taking buses, i would go with pop century over any of the all star resorts..

.

 

[Katlaf35]

Usually the Little Mermaid rooms at AoA are not included in promotional offers, (only the suites are included) which is probably why they are showing up as unavailable. Pop Century is our favorite value resort. It's not quite as Disney themed as All Star Movies, but there are still plenty of Disney themes throughout. I also agree the bus system is much better (you aren't sharing a bus with any other hotel). Pop Century is currently undergoing room renovations. Rooms in the 90's building are complete and offer a few upgraded amenities that are not offered in any other value resort (queen bed and coffee maker in room). I don't think you would be disappointed staying at Pop Century

 

[CAL2]

Hi, the value resorts are very large complexes and involve a lot of walking from your room to bus stops swimming pools and food courts. AOA is about if not more expensive than a moderate resort so I would say go for a moderate that includes your meals drinks and snacks.You could always take cereal with you and buy milk from the shop to have for breakfast. If there are four of you I would personally recommend Port Orleans French Quarter, it is the smallest of the resorts and is within a 2-5 minute walk to the food court bus stop and swimming pool ( plus a boat ride to Disney Springs). The only draw back you may find is its not Disney themed as such. The theme is New Orleans inspired, but it is a lovely resort. there is just the one pool with a lovely dragon slide, and if you wanted to you can also go the Port Orleans Riverside and use their pools.

Have you looked on the Disney website for your holiday. you can do it as a package or without flights. We book our holiday with them (Disney UK) and add our flights later, as if you book your flights before 11 months out from your return day you will be paying a premium to book early. This year we paid our deposit and will be looking on Kyak for our flights (as recommended by Pete) you can phone Disney when you have booked your flights and they will add them onto your booking so you get Disney's magical express from and to the airport. another bonus of booking with Disney is you also get all your photos including ride photos and videos on some (you may get this when booking with other agents )