General Disney Trip Questions

[Lillian Gracey]

I hope this is the right board to do this. I didn't want to make different threads for different subjects.

Anyways, I will be going to Disney World with my DBF from April 30th to May 8th. We will be going to Disney World on our 20 month anniversary. I don't have plane tickets yet, but I plan on taking the earliest flight possible, which will probably be the 6:55am flight on American Airlines. We would arrive around 10:30am.

One thing I'm not sure about is whether or not we should have Disney take care of our luggage or not. Is it worth it? I don't want to have to wait for my luggage, but I don't want to have to worry about them not getting my luggage.

I was also wondering for those who have stayed at these resorts, should I stay at the Pop Century or should I stay at an All-Star Resort? I have a package booked for the All-Star Music Resort because the All-Star Movies doesn't have standard rooms available, only preferred (or the family suites which I obviously don't want), but I'm not sure if it will be convenient to stay at the ASMusic because of the buses. Would it be more convenient to take a taxi? I wouldn't mind taking a taxi if it saves me a lot of time.

I've heard mixed reviews on CRT. I really want to go for my birthday, but the mixed reviews are making me iffy on it. I hear the food is sub-par and I don't want to pay 50+ dollars for sub-par food. I just want to eat in Cinderella's Castle and be a princess. If it's not worth the money, what do you recommend for a romantic birthday dinner?

Does anyone have tips on saving money for food? We plan on bringing some stuff for breakfast like pop-tarts and granola bars. I usually skip breakfast, but I want something to hold me over. I don't want to spend a crazy amount on food, but I'm willing to spend a little extra on a few romantic dinners. I'm not too much of a picky eater and my boyfriend will eat basically everything. Even bricks.

In general, what are fun things to do as a couple? We are very adventurous and are willing to try things at least once. We don't want to spend a ton of money, but one or two semi-expensive things wouldn't hurt.

Any other tips for a young couple? I've only been to Disney World once (I was 9) and he's never been. Thanks for all your wonderful help~

 

[Fantasmic23]

QUOTE=Lillian Gracey;38309266]Does anyone have tips on saving money for food? We plan on bringing some stuff for breakfast like pop-tarts and granola bars. I usually skip breakfast, but I want something to hold me over. I don't want to spend a crazy amount on food, but I'm willing to spend a little extra on a few romantic dinners. I'm not too much of a picky eater and my boyfriend will eat basically everything. Even bricks.

In general, what are fun things to do as a couple? We are very adventurous and are willing to try things at least once. We don't want to spend a ton of money, but one or two semi-expensive things wouldn't hurt.

Any other tips for a young couple? I've only been to Disney World once (I was 9) and he's never been. Thanks for all your wonderful help~[/QUOTE]

Congratulations on your upcoming trip and on your 21st birthday!

Even though we will be on the Disney Dining Plan, we're not morning/get-up-early-to-make-a-breakfast-reservation people, so we're also planning on bringing breakfast/snack items like granola bars and such to hold us over until lunch. You can always grab a muffin or croissant in one of the shops at the parks. If you don't want a "traditional" type of lunch (be it counter service or a table service restaurant), there are plenty of carts where you can get items like hot dogs and other snacks. So, your boyfriend eats bricks, too? It must be a guy thing. Even when my husband says, "This is gross!", he still manages to wolf it all down.

In my opinion, the "fun" to be had is in the parks themselves. Try to do as much as you can in each park, but don't feel pressured or upset if can't get to everything. Sometimes just walking around, browsing in shops, people-watching and taking everything in is fun, if not more enjoyable than actually doing everything offered.

Outside of the parks, there are activities such as spas, boating, golf, parasailing ... An activity for every budget.

Don't forget about Downtown Disney. It's a nice "break" from the parks and there are some great shops and restaurants.

 

[lnk1229]

My DBF and I went to Disney in the Summer of '09 and we will be going again in the Winter of '11 .... It's a wonderful way to spend some timewith your loved one!!

My thoughts on the Cinderella's Castle Meal- we had planned a lunch there and I had the same thoughts to... "A wonderful way to feel like a princess!"
I ended up very disapointed... The princesses saw an adult, took one picture with me and then walked away- all five of them!! They would spend time with little girls but then spent 10 seconds with me. The meal tasted fine... but less than an hour after leaving my boyfriend and I were both sick and spent the rest of the evening and part of the next day in the bathroom!! (Talk about a bonding experience!)

My suggestion to you if you want romance- Tony's Town Square Pizza is a cheaper option and California Grill during fireworks time is a bit more expensive but we will be doing both again this trip!

Enjoy!!

 

[Lillian Gracey]

@Fantasmic23: Thank you! It's very exciting! Even though my boyfriend and mom are already sick of me talking about it.

I plan on getting something quick and simple. I was thinking about sharing meals with my boyfriend, but I think it would be easier if we got separate meals since we both eat a lot. I really think it is a guy thing. I dunno where he puts it either. He's a twig. lol

I made customized maps and they came in yesterday. I checked the mail when my boyfriend was getting into his work van to go back to work (he stopped by my house to eat lunch with me. <3) and I squealed. I told him the maps came in and I was waving them in the air and he told me he will look at them later.

I'm going to use those as a guide, along with the plans from touringplans.com. Best purchase I made since the Unofficial Guide 2011 edition. I'm not going at a terribly busy time, but I will go with what they recommend. Except for my birthday. I'm going to Magic Kingdom no matter what. My boyfriend doesn't want to ride some rides more than once or twice, but I plan doing the Haunted Mansion dozens of times. It's my favorite.

I'm a huge shopper. I will try not to buy a lot, but it probably won't work out too well. The one thing I absolutely need to buy is a portrait of the tight rope girl (Lillian Gracey) from the stretching room. If I buy just that, I will be satisfied. Though I still want to add to my Alice collection.

I definitely want to do mini golfing. I loved the Fantasia Mini Golf. I did it last time and we only did it because I wouldn't stop whining about going. I didn't want to go to the Winter/Summerland even though it was closer to our hotel (All Star Sports). The parasailing sounds amazing and so does a spa. I will definitely look into those!

I plan on going to Disney Quest and JellyRolls. I hear JellyRolls is AMAZING! It sounds like it's a lot of fun.


@lnk1229: I'm very sorry to hear that you were disappointed! I guess it's easier to feel like a princess when you are little.

I have heard great things about the California Grill. If Wishes is going on on my birthday, I will definitely book an ADR for California Grill. If not, I will book it anyways. I planned on Tony's too because I love The Lady and the Tramp. I was thinking about doing that for lunch on my birthday. I am definitely booking a Fantasmic package! No matter what day.

I will be in Detroit for Halloween weekend and that's when I will be able to book all my ADRs so I have to get everything all ready before then so I can have my boyfriend (or mom if my boyfriend goes with me) do it since I won't have any internet when I'm there. Thank you allears.net for the menus so I can plan what food I may want~

Thank you so much~

 

[ncpsm]

Not sure anyone commented on Disney's Magical Express from the airport. I have only used it twice, but I loved it. You may not have your luggage right away, but within a few hours. Just pack what you might want in a carry-on and you are good to go!

 

[Lillian Gracey]

I don't mind getting it a few hours later. I just want to make sure I get it and it doesn't get lost. Thanks!

 

[cagirl4life]

I've stayed at music before and didn't run into many problems with the buses. The buses to MK is really long so you might be waiting a while for that bus. The only problems I had where with timing. We would show up and as soon as we walking up to the line the bus would leave. But I don't think it is so bad that I would get a taxi. Since your there at an off time it might be a longer break than normal.

I would use disney to get your bags there. like the guy above me said it takes a while. The Orlando airport is kinda confusing to get around in so baggage is hard to find to pick up checked stuff. And we went with a group of like 50 and all our baggage got to our room within an hour of checking in and that was at like 7 pm.

Also your dates are usually when cheerleading worlds are at WDW. While the competition takes place at Wide World of Sports, there is a lot of them and they stay at all star. I'm not 100% sure when they are this year but usually its the last weekend in April just as an fyi. The thing with staying at the same resort is that the cafeteria will be crazy because whole teams are there at one time and you might hear people practicing outside your door early in the morning. Like I said I'm not sure when it is just letting you know it might be a possibility.

 

[Lillian Gracey]

Thanks! I'm an early riser so I don't mind getting up extra early to make sure I get to the parks before rope drop. Hopefully my boyfriend won't mind.

I'm glad that Disney picking up the luggage works out. They will know that our luggage needs to go to a hotel as long as we have those yellow tags on them right?

Thanks for letting me know about the cheerleaders! I looked at touringplans.com and it looks like they will be there the weekend before (which is probably spring break for most schools because of Easter). I'm hoping that's right. I pray that it's right.

 

[Dragontears]

Not sure anyone commented on Disney's Magical Express from the airport. I have only used it twice, but I loved it. You may not have your luggage right away, but within a few hours. Just pack what you might want in a carry-on and you are good to go!

We loved it. And you can check your bags in at the hotel before you get on the bus for the return trip to the airport.

 

[poplover777]

Use Magic Your Way!!! It is the only way to go when flying. As someone else mentioned, put your basics in your carryon. Just go to the resort, checkin, and off to the parks. You can return later to freshen up and your luggage will be there. My DW and I are, well over 59 and love staying at POP. We love the excitement there, its what Disney is all about. Hope this helps.