First Trip with my son.....and my first post!

[vernon]

That's probably not a bad price for the hotel, anything less than $200 is pretty decent but it's worth checking round more to see if there's better available. It's still a pretty sizable chunk of change, particularly when you consider that for most of the trip you'll only be sleeping in your room. You pay a premium for staying in Disney hotels and in a 2 week stay it's likely that you'll spend at least 4 or 5 days visiting off site attractions. Is it worth spending an extra $100+ a night to stay at the AKL when you'll be spending all day visiting other sights? If you don't mind a little inconvenience I would suggest splitting the vacation in some way. Maybe start with a stretch staying on I-drive and concentrate on the non Disney parks (although you're bound to do a couple of Disney days in this stretch), then move onto the AKL for a finishing "special" spell staying on site at Disney. If you're going to spend the money on AKL you may as well make the most of the facilities at the hotel and use the excellent pool for a couple of the days. By splitting your stay and staying 8 days on an I-Drive hotel and 6 it would probably save you $1000-1200. Personally I'd rather split the hotel and put the money towards something like a night at Cirque Du Soleil or day at Discovery Cove ( if he can swim and likes dolphins) http://www.discoverycove.com but I understand some people don't like to swap hotels midstay.

There is a lot to do in central Florida, IMHO the art is to fit in as many "special features" as you can for the available money. It's just a question of priorities and compromise.

 

[Pootle]

The Disney Special offer for September shows Animal Kingdom Lodge at $119 per night. I put in dates of 4th-11th September and it came up with a total of $928.90 including taxes - which at £1 = £1.8 works out at around £516 for the week (2 adults and a child), which I think sounds pretty good.

Here's the link http://wdw.reservations.disney.go.c...berResortOfferRO?wosid=caJLWitwodAsyoWpU1jqbw

Of course the main difficulty is that this rate is not available until August, although you can always book at the full rack rate in advance, and then change it once the special offers become available - it's easy enough to do this.

 

[freddykrueger]

Originally posted by Pootle
The Disney Special offer for September shows Animal Kingdom Lodge at $119 per night. I put in dates of 4th-11th September and it came up with a total of $928.90 including taxes - which at £1 = £1.8 works out at around £516 for the week (2 adults and a child), which I think sounds pretty good.

Here's the link http://wdw.reservations.disney.go.c...berResortOfferRO?wosid=caJLWitwodAsyoWpU1jqbw

Of course the main difficulty is that this rate is not available until August, although you can always book at the full rack rate in advance, and then change it once the special offers become available - it's easy enough to do this.

I can't go until around the 24th September so tried availability around then and doesn't appear to be any unless I am doing something wrong

 

[Pootle]

I suspect it's to do with it being a September special offer.

I entered arrive 24th, depart 1st Oct and it gave me no availability, but when I changed it to arrive 24th, depart 30th it came up with a fully inclusive figure of $883.08 for the 6 nights.

It could be that October dates may be available with an Annual Pass rate (which are usually out at the end of this month). You could consider making a firm booking for 24th-30th at the special rate, and a separate booking for the rest of the time at the full rate. Then, if you get the Annual Pass rate (you can buy the AP when you are there) cancel the second booking you made at the full price. It would be simple to get the Front Desk to link your 2 reservations together (I have been told ).

You could also have a back-up reservation for the time of the more expensive booking off-site just in case the cheaper rate didn't come through.

I hope this is clear - if not - just ask again

 

[Pootle]

It *must* be the September offer (rather than laack of availability), because when I tried the 'regular' route (not the Special Offer route) entering arrive AKL 1st October for 8 nights it came up with a figure of $2132.00 - quite a difference in daily rate!

Good luck with it - I must confess that at first I thought you were planning for September next year; I obviously didn't read your post thoroughly

 

[Feralpeg]

freddykrueger,

Hello! I live in Orlando. I've only lived here for two months, but I think it is a very easy city to navigate. I-4 can be a bit daunting, but you really don't need to take I-4 to get from MCO to Disney property. If you are really uncomfortable with the idea of driving, you might consider a shuttle or towncar service from the airport to your hotel. If you stay at a Disney hotel, you really don't need a car once you are there. The buses take you anywhere you need to go. You can arrange for transportation from Disney to Universal as well.

Buying a Disney annual pass may seem strange, but the savings you can get on a Disney hotel make it worthwhile. If you watch the DIS Resort Board, they are always talking about the best AP deals.

If it would make you feel better, you can PM me and I will give you my phone number. If you get lost, you can always call me and I'll try to find you!

I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[freddykrueger]

I have to say thanks again for all the helpful replies - it looks as if I might split my holiday into 2 or 3 different hotels as it seems to work out cheaper that way.

To be honest I don't really understand the whole Disney annual pass scheme - does Universal have a similar scheme running? Where can I get them?

I did warn you that I would keep coming up with questions!

 

[florida sun]

freddykrueger

This is only my opinon but we always stay on site usually at the All Stars and I can honestly say we have always had a good time. Yes the rooms are a little smaller but with just the 3 of you it should be fine.Dont forget if you are booking the Animal Kingdom Lodge for the view of the Animals you may have to book a savanagh room which does cost more $$. Although you can see the animals from various viewing balconys in the hotel and it does have a good resturant. If your son is really into the Disney Films then you wont go wrong with the All Star Movies as it has enormous models of a lot of the characters from 101 dalmations and Toy Story etc. I too am not keen driving in the US so we always use the Disney Transportation which can work out getting into and out of the parks much easier and quicker. I like the fact that I can get around Dsney without the hassle of driving which I do all year at home. To get to the shopping malls and universal we normally booked mears travel from guest services at the front of the hotel $13 round trip for an adult.

I dont know about the annual pass scheme neither so I am afriad I can not help you with that.

As I say this is only my view and what we like to do. Hope you have a great time whatever you decide.

 

[freddykrueger]

Originally posted by florida sun
freddykrueger

This is only my opinon but we always stay on site usually at the All Stars and I can honestly say we have always had a good time. Yes the rooms are a little smaller but with just the 3 of you it should be fine.Dont forget if you are booking the Animal Kingdom Lodge for the view of the Animals you may have to book a savanagh room which does cost more $$. Although you can see the animals from various viewing balconys in the hotel and it does have a good resturant. If your son is really into the Disney Films then you wont go wrong with the All Star Movies as it has enormous models of a lot of the characters from 101 dalmations and Toy Story etc. I too am not keen driving in the US so we always use the Disney Transportation which can work out getting into and out of the parks much easier and quicker. I like the fact that I can get around Dsney without the hassle of driving which I do all year at home. To get to the shopping malls and universal we normally booked mears travel from guest services at the front of the hotel $13 round trip for an adult.

I dont know about the annual pass scheme neither so I am afriad I can not help you with that.

As I say this is only my view and what we like to do. Hope you have a great time whatever you decide.

Really good advice and yes I was looking at the Movies resort - does it have all facilities like TV etc as it didn't mention that Also if I want to go to Universal, Busch Gardens etc without a car can I still book at guest services?

 

[florida sun]

freddykrueger

Yes it does have a tv in the room with all the usual Disney channels and many more, It has 2 double beds a small table and chairs, storage space, a bathroom and a vanity unit outside the bathroom. When we went the first time my daughter was 7 and she absoultley loved it. We stayed in the Mighty Ducks block and there was a swimming pool right outside our block. We were the furthest block away from the main food courts and bus stops but it took no longer than 5 mins to walk to them. I think the closest block to the mian reception is Toy Story and 101 Dalmations so you could always request those. At the main reception area there is also a Disney shop for soviners and everyday essentails including drinks, newspapers etc. Also in reception area there is a large screen playing Disney Movies and Cartoons so the children can watch them while you are checking in, or using guest services.

You can book at Guest Services for transport tickets to Universal and Seaworld through Mears Travel. You phone mears the night before and they ask you what time you would like to be picked up from your hotel the following morning and then you phone them at the park about 2 hours before you want to return and they will give you your reservation numbers for your return journey. With Busch Gardens I think you have to take the bus to Seaworld then pick up the free shuttle to Busch Gardens.
Staying on site I have never felt the need to hire a car.

My daughter is 14 now and very much into Sports so we are going this year to the All Star Sports. The Disney Bus Transportaion at these resorts I have always found to be great as they have 3 Hotels to cover in the ALL Star Group so there always seems to be plenty of them.

Hope this helps if you need any infromation about the All Stars please let me know, if you want to email me or send a PM that is fine. This year will be our 4th visit to the All Stars.

 

[Feralpeg]

I'll try to explain the annual pass scheme. If you buy an annual pass, it is good for all the parks for a year. You can visit as many times as you want during that year. If you only plan on visiting once and you stay more than 10 days (I believe that's the breakeven point), an annual pass is actually cheaper than length of stay passes.

Very often, Disney will have special hotel rates for guests with annual passes. I stayed at the AKL (savannah view) at the end of May for $139 a night. That is a great deal. I got the rate because I have an annual pass. Often you can stay at the All Stars resort for $59 a night with an annual pass rate. Only one person in your party needs to have an annual pass to get the rate.

The rates are not available all the time and they only have so many rooms available for each promotion at each resort. If you look at www.mousesavers.com, it always lists any promotions underway. The also discuss all of the special deals on the DIS resort board.

Good luck and I hope you have a great vacation!

 

[florida sun]

Feralpeg
Thanks for that I also wanted to know how it works.

 

[freddykrueger]

Thanks a million guys Now I just need to know where to get the best flight deals preferably from Glasgow but maybe Manchester

 

[freddykrueger]

I seem to be having trouble registering on the Disney website - it keeps bringing me back to my registration details but hasn't flagged up any problems.....any suggestions?