First trip to Disney!!!! Lots of questions

[NeverBeen2Dsny]

Hello. After saving for 3 years, my husband and I are finally taking our 6-year-old daughter to Disney. We are driving from TN to Fl. We rented an SUV, and we are leaving Sept 12. We plan to arrive the 13th and meet some family members for a day at Downtown Disney. We'll be doing the parks on the other days.

So, here are the questions.

We received cards in the mail that are sort or credit card sized with a clear plastic strap-type thing. What is that? Is that the room key or our ticket or both?

We are on the dining plan. When we go to eat, at what point do we tell them we have the plan? Do we have to give them our credit card type card from question 1 above? If so, does he need one from each of us?

When can we check in? Is there a time that is too late? We will be at Downtown Disney all day, so we won't need our actual hotel room until much later in the evening.

I tried to look up table service restaurants that take the dining plan, but it said something about 20% off. Do we get the meal free or only 20% off? Is that just for Downtown Disney?

Thanks,
I know it's a lot. I', just feeling overwhelmed as a first-timer.

 

[02AggieGirl]

hello. After saving for 3 years, my husband and i are finally taking our 6-year-old daughter to disney. We are driving from tn to fl. We rented an suv, and we are leaving sept 12. We plan to arrive the 13th and meet some family members for a day at downtown disney. We'll be doing the parks on the other days.

So, here are the questions.

We received cards in the mail that are sort or credit card sized with a clear plastic strap-type thing. What is that? Is that the room key or our ticket or both?
i would assume that this is your "key to the world card" (we normally get ours at the resort, but i know they will mail them to you) those cards are your tickets/room key/dining plan payment. Each one should have a name of one of your party members on it. Don't forget these at home!!!!!
we are on the dining plan. When we go to eat, at what point do we tell them we have the plan? Do we have to give them our credit card type card from question 1 above? If so, does he need one from each of us?
your server will ask you at the beginning of your meal if you are one the dp. You will only need of them to pay for your dinner.
when can we check in? Is there a time that is too late? We will be at downtown disney all day, so we won't need our actual hotel room until much later in the evening.
late check ins are fine but i believe check-in time is at 3.
i tried to look up table service restaurants that take the dining plan, but it said something about 20% off. Do we get the meal free or only 20% off? Is that just for downtown disney?
since you are going during free dining promo, you are receiving dining for free, however, gratuity is not included. The 20% off you saw is if you purchase the dining plan--you could then be saving about 20%. Since you are going during free dining, i highly, highly recommend making some table service reservations for your trip now. You can do that by calling the disney dining reservation line or you can make them online yourself.
thanks,
i know it's a lot. I', just feeling overwhelmed as a first-timer.

hth!

 

[02AggieGirl]

Here is the dining # 407-WDW-DINE

or here is the link to the online site

http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/

Hope you have a wonderful, wonderful trip!

 

[Metro West]

 

[PrincessTiffany]

So, here are the questions.

1. We received cards in the mail that are sort or credit card sized with a clear plastic strap-type thing. What is that? Is that the room key or our ticket or both?

2. We are on the dining plan. When we go to eat, at what point do we tell them we have the plan? Do we have to give them our credit card type card from question 1 above? If so, does he need one from each of us?

3. When can we check in? Is there a time that is too late? We will be at Downtown Disney all day, so we won't need our actual hotel room until much later in the evening.

4. I tried to look up table service restaurants that take the dining plan, but it said something about 20% off. Do we get the meal free or only 20% off? Is that just for Downtown Disney?

1. Those are NOT room keys, those are complimentary luggage tags. You will receive your cards when you check in. The Key To The World card (KTTW) will open your room, have your park tickets on it and your dining plan credits.

2. When you sit down at a meal the server will ask you if you are on the Disney Dining Plan (DDP) and then at the end of the meal you will pay with one card from your room.

3. Check-in time is usually about 3:00 p.m. and you can check in at any point that evening. We have driven in and gotten there at midnight and checked in.

4. The 20% quote on the Dining Plan page is just an advertisment to let people know how much you can save when you PURCHASE the dining plan. I assume since you are arriving on September 12, you received the free dining discount. On the Free Dining plan you receive 1 Table Service/sit down meal credit, 1 Counter Service/fast food credit and 1 snack per person per night of your stay.

Have you made any Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) for your trip? If not, you need to do that NOW. During free dining they will not be taking walk-up diners at most restaurant locations. If you have not already done so, you need to pick which parks you will be in on which days and then you need to pick a restaurant that is in that park or at a nearby resort and make your Table Service dining reservations.

I like to touringplans.com to pick my park days http://www.touringplans.com/tp2/UG2_index.php?PageID=14

You can make the dining reservations on-line or you can call Disney.

Good luck!

 

[disney*mom*82]

There is a page that will show all the places that take the dining plan, you can find that list here..

http://adisneyworld.disney.go.com/m...09 Disney Dining Plan - Walt Disney World.pdf

There is a key on there that will explain what the symbols next to the places means, some take two credits, but not many. As long as you stick with the 1 table service, 1 quick service and 1 snack per person per day, you will not need to pay anything out of pocket, except your tip. Now, make sure you call and book your reservations as early as you can, they allow you to do this up to 90 days in advance now and up to 180 days in advance starting Oct 28th (I think)

 

[MarkinNM]

 

[DisCopper]

3. Check-in time is usually about 3:00 p.m. and you can check in at any point that evening. We have driven in and gotten there at midnight and checked in.

Just to clarify on this part....

Even though check in is usually about 3:00pm, you CAN arrive at the resort earlier that day. If they have a room available, you may be able to get checked in (we've checked in as early as 9:00am). Even if you room is not ready, they will give you your Park Tickets, which you can begin using immediately (if you choose not to go to Downtown Disney). You can also use the pools, etc.. at the resort. The Bell desk can check and hold all your bags for you.

I think all of your questions have been answered on here, but please ask away.... a first trip can be overwhelming when you're new to it.

 

[Tigger-Lover]

I'm a newbie to Disney too.

My one piece of advice:

Advance dining reservations!!!!! NOW.

 

[let'sgo]

Before you do any free dining you will need to check in to get your KEY TO THE WORLD card because your meal credits and snack credits are on this card. Your room may or may not be ready when you check in, but this doesn't matter. I would check in upon arriving at Disney and then head to DTD.

Have a great time!

 

[cjlvsccm]

Hello. After saving for 3 years, my husband and I are finally taking our 6-year-old daughter to Disney. We are driving from TN to Fl. We rented an SUV, and we are leaving Sept 12. We plan to arrive the 13th and meet some family members for a day at Downtown Disney. We'll be doing the parks on the other days.

So, here are the questions.

We received cards in the mail that are sort or credit card sized with a clear plastic strap-type thing. What is that? Is that the room key or our ticket or both?

We are on the dining plan. When we go to eat, at what point do we tell them we have the plan? Do we have to give them our credit card type card from question 1 above? If so, does he need one from each of us?

When can we check in? Is there a time that is too late? We will be at Downtown Disney all day, so we won't need our actual hotel room until much later in the evening.

I tried to look up table service restaurants that take the dining plan, but it said something about 20% off. Do we get the meal free or only 20% off? Is that just for Downtown Disney?

Thanks,
I know it's a lot. I', just feeling overwhelmed as a first-timer.

Hi neighbor!

I think your questions have been covered, but I wanted to add a welcome!!

You didn't say where in TN you're coming from, but are you taking I-75 or I-65? Unless you have other vacation stops in AL, we have found that I-75 is much easier to deal with than I-65. Even though we are minutes from 65, we trek over to Chattanooga to pick up 75, and enjoy the trip much better. It's an easy drive.

And part of our choice is for better access to restroom stops... getting from 65 through the smaller towns, to I-10 to 75 is tough sometimes. The only big thing about 75 is the trip through Atlanta. We try to plan to get through before or after rush hours.

But however you get there, have a fabulous time!!!

 

[cuches]

I'm a new DISer too! I'll be at DW the same time (9/13-9/19). This is my 5th trip but I am far from an expert because after reading these posts I can see that I did a lot of "wrong" things (although we always had fun) but the one thing I made sure we did this time was get a few dining ressies done. Especially now with the free meal plan it was a must. Last year we couldn't make any ressie due to our daughter being so unpredictable (she has autism) so we would decide which park we would go to and call to see if any restaurants had cancellations. We got lucky and got into Sci Fi which is usually booked. I don't recommend this but it is an option that there might be cancellations. It helps to be flexable when doing this but i don't recommend it.

Have fun
Tina

 

[goopysolelady]

First trip! You will have soooooooooo much fun. I'm so excited for you! Where are you staying? I'll be arriving 9/15 and will be at WLV as a guest of DD. Her DMIL and I will share a room and DG's don't know I'm coming! Planning on surprising them that day at HS.
As for meals ... get reservations ASAP. I know it's hard to decide where you want to go since this is your first trip but spend time looking over various menus (www.wdwinfo.com) and make some quick decisions. You may have to go the "route" of previous poster and check each day for cancellations. Whatever you decide, have a super trip! Hope it's the first of many!

 

[NeverBeen2Dsny]

Hi neighbor!


You didn't say where in TN you're coming from, but are you taking I-75 or I-65? Unless you have other vacation stops in AL, we have found that I-75 is much easier to deal with than I-65. Even though we are minutes from 65, we trek over to Chattanooga to pick up 75, and enjoy the trip much better. It's an easy drive.


We're coming from the Nashville area. We're actually leaving from Ashland City, which is where we are dropping our dogs off at the kennel. I was going to use Map Quest for directions. I have purchased an atlas, but I have not opened it yet. I am most worried about driving through Atlanta. Everyone says it's horrible depending on the time of day. I think we may stop after 8 hours of driving and check into a hotel for the night in either GA or FL depending on how far we make it. I think driving straight through with a 6-year-old may be too much.

 

[NeverBeen2Dsny]

First trip! You will have soooooooooo much fun. I'm so excited for you! Where are you staying? I'll be arriving 9/15 and will be at WLV as a guest of DD. Her DMIL and I will share a room and DG's don't know I'm coming! Planning on surprising them that day at HS.
As for meals ... get reservations ASAP. I know it's hard to decide where you want to go since this is your first trip but spend time looking over various menus (www.wdwinfo.com) and make some quick decisions. You may have to go the "route" of previous poster and check each day for cancellations. Whatever you decide, have a super trip! Hope it's the first of many!

Hey guys. I did take the advice and make dining reservations for 5 of the days. I still have one day undecided. I bought a book that ranks all the restaurants and also tried to go with buffets. My daughter is picky, and my husband is one of those skinny guys who eats as much as 3 people. So, the buffet seemed like a good idea? Should I plan to tip for a buffet, and how much?

We're doing 1900 Park Fare, Boma, Whispering Canyon (not a buffet), Chef Mickey, and some Norway place that I can't remember the name of so far.

I have no plan of action as to what to see where and when. I am planning Mickey's Philharmagic, Soarin at Epcot, the Safari at Animal Kingdom, and the Kim Possible thing at Epcot. I think I'll try to work in the monorail, and everyone has told us to ride the train in the Magic Kingdom. So, that's all I have so far. We do not like roller coasters, so tame rides are best for us.

I am SUPER excited. This trip was 3 years in the making, so I am thrilled I hope to go back again in another year or so at Christmas time. I hear it is gorgeous.

Does anyone know what the weather is like in FL in Sept??

 

[wickywinn]

Welcome!

I think everything has pretty much been covered here.

But...when you say you're not roller-coaster people, you may find you like the ones at Magic Kingdom. In my book, they really are not roller-coasters if you're thinking big drops, loops, zero gravity, etc. They are VERY tame. My 5 yo will ride them and he doesn't do coasters at any other park.

Now Rock-N-Roller Coaster at Disney Studios and Expedition Everest? Yeah, you might want to steer clear of them.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Hey guys. I did take the advice and make dining reservations for 5 of the days. I still have one day undecided. I bought a book that ranks all the restaurants and also tried to go with buffets. My daughter is picky, and my husband is one of those skinny guys who eats as much as 3 people. So, the buffet seemed like a good idea? Should I plan to tip for a buffet, and how much?

We're doing 1900 Park Fare, Boma, Whispering Canyon (not a buffet), Chef Mickey, and some Norway place that I can't remember the name of so far.

I have no plan of action as to what to see where and when. I am planning Mickey's Philharmagic, Soarin at Epcot, the Safari at Animal Kingdom, and the Kim Possible thing at Epcot. I think I'll try to work in the monorail, and everyone has told us to ride the train in the Magic Kingdom. So, that's all I have so far. We do not like roller coasters, so tame rides are best for us.

I am SUPER excited. This trip was 3 years in the making, so I am thrilled I hope to go back again in another year or so at Christmas time. I hear it is gorgeous.

Does anyone know what the weather is like in FL in Sept??

1. The tip is no longer included in the Dining Plan, so you will need to plan to tip at all table service meals, including buffets. Usually, that's between 15 and 20%.

2. Well, since you have not planned your ADRs around your park days, you will need to plan your park days around your ADRs. Going by your posts, I would assume you have 6 park days. I would break that down into 2 days MK, 2 days Epcot, 1 day AK and 1 day DHS. I would definitely do AK on your Boma Day, Epcot on your Akershus Princess Storybook Dining and Chef Mickey Days, maybe MK on Whispering Canyon and 1900 Park Fare Days, and maybe try for your last ADRs on your DHS day. There are only four actual roller coaster in WDW, so you probably need to look up the attractions for each park and make a specific list of everything you want to try to see.

3. The weather will be extremely hot and humid. I husband compared it to vacationing on the surface of the sun. It is hot. Try to bring some of those little mister fans with you, they really help and plan on drinking a lot of water.

 

[sueandkent]

We are new to these boards and new to Disneyworld. In regards to booking advanced dining reservations, we did not take this offer DDP (have booked the land and sea package and it's not offered on that) however I am now concerned we will have difficulty getting in to eat anywhere. Is there limitations to the number of DDP guests allowed at one time so there is room for other paying guests? There is just my husband and I going and part of what we enjoy about a vacation is not being locked in to when we eat.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We are new to these boards and new to Disneyworld. In regards to booking advanced dining reservations, we did not take this offer DDP (have booked the land and sea package and it's not offered on that) however I am now concerned we will have difficulty getting in to eat anywhere. Is there limitations to the number of DDP guests allowed at one time so there is room for other paying guests? There is just my husband and I going and part of what we enjoy about a vacation is not being locked in to when we eat.

Not everyone who is on the DDP is getting it for free, many of them are paying for it too. It's hard to get into the popular restaurants even when there's not a free dining promo going on. There is no limit on how many DDP reservations there are. Anyone can make dining reservations whether you are on the dining plan or not. If you have certain places you want to eat then you need to make an advance dining reservation, if not you will not be guaranteed a seat. Most places will not be taking walk-up reservations.

 

[sueandkent]

Thanks for the help.