Going in September 1st time, questions

[markscns]

My wife and I are taking our 2 boys (4) and (9) for the first time to Disney World this September!

We were originally going to drive, so we opted out of the free magical express transport.

I think we may fly now, so I am going to see if they can add that on yet.

If we fly, will we need to rent a car, taxi etc to get anywhere, or will the Disney busses take us everywhere that we need to go?

Also, is there a cost efficient grocery store close by CBR so we can get some cereal and snack items?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[markscns]

We are also on the Dining plan, the 1st night we want to go to the Concourse Steakhouse which is at Contemporary, we are staying at CBR, how would we get from one resort to the other?

Thanks

 

[Hopefully]

Welcome to the DIS!! Whether you need a car or not is an often debated subject here, and boils down to personal preference. We have done it both ways.
The Disney transportation system will take you anywhere you want to go. That said, it is geared towards the major theme parks (MK, MGM, EC, AK) and Downtown Disney. Traveling from resort to resort for meals is much more difficult and time consuming, but do-able. For example to go from CBR to Concourse you would take a bus from CBR to the Magic Kingdom and then the monorail or walking path to the CR, and do the reverse to head home. You can also always take a bus from your resort to Downtown Disney and another bus to a different resort.
Another option when you are car-less is to take a Taxi from resort to resort directly. They are not expensive and easy to get.
This is what we will do on our October trip. This trip we will be car less, use DME for transportation to WDW and back to the airport, and for the few nights we will need resort to resort transportation, we will take a taxi. It ended up cheaper than renting a car for the week for us, even taking the taxi. We actually like not having to drive on vacation, and there are options to the buses, if you wish.
I don't know about a nearby grocery store, but I have see many reviews on the DIS for a grocery delivery service called "Wegoshop.com". I haven't actually used them, but for a $15 delivery fee, they will deliver your list of groceries to your resort at the time of your choice, (within a 30 minute window, guaranteed)
Good luck and have a great trip.

 

[Letsbgoofy]

The easiest way to get to the CR from CBR would be to take a bus to the MK, and either walk (5-10 min.) to the CR or take the resort monorail.

You can add Magical Express up to 10 days before you go.

Busses will take you everywhere (I do always rent a car, I'm too type A to wait for a bus).

No grocery stores near CBR, but they have cereal and snacks at the resort. You could also pack a few.

 

[legalslave]

If you fly, you won't need a car. The Disney transportation system is excellent. You can also get cab service there if you feel the need. As far as breakfast and snack items, why don't you just pack an extra suitcase with those items and bring them with you? You can pick up milk and juice at the food court at CBR. Have a magical time.

 

[lmhall2000]

Welcome Mark!

Y'all will have a wonderful time!!!!

1. No problem adding magical express...just call and change it on your reservations.

2. Some will vary on car rental..but we really prefer not having a car to rent...Disney transportation takes you EVERYWHERE! And there's so much to keep you busy that you won't think of getting in a car and checking out Orlando.

3. I'm not sure at CBR...but check www.allearsnet.com or www.mousesavers.com for specific information on the sundries shops there...what we usually do is pack little individual size cereal and maybe a bag of apples in our suitcase then just buy the milk when we get there...no problem getting a fridge in your room...just ask if it's not already there.

4. Probably the easiest way to get to the Contemporary is to take a bus to Magic Kingdom then hop the monorail or the boat over to the Contemporary. The monorail will stop at GF, Poly then CR...so the boat may be quicker.

Have a wonderful time...also check out the Main Street Barber....on the left past the post office in Main Street at MK...the boys can get their hair cut and have glitter put in their hair...my son loved it!

Tara

 

[markscns]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I need to get busy making dinner reservations, but I am waiting for them to post the extra magic hours for September.

Sounds like not having a vehicle is no big deal at all, it may be flying after all then.

 

[kathy8779]

I'm Going In Sept As Well.....satying At Wilderness Lodge W/ Bf. My First Time As Well. I've Learned So Much On This Site And Its Helping Me Plan My Vacation. No Car Is Needed......everyone I Talk To Says Its Not Necessary. I Have A Question Though: I Booked My Trip 7/3 And I'm Told I Should've Had The Free Dining Plan But Nothing Of The Sort Came Up When I Booked It. Do You Think I Can Call Reservations And Ask About That?

 

[Mymatisse]

I always recommend renting a car just because there is really no "cost effective" store to purchase snacks and beverages. You can always get that type of stuff at the disney gift shops but it will cost you a lot of money to puchase on site.

If you choose to use only disney transportation and just want to travel to the disney parks you will not have a problem at all, especially in september. We will be there! It is ususally is dead and will definitely not be busy in comparison to the summer If you want to go any place other than the theme parks, you can take a taxi, we just like having a car we can hop into.

I don't know how long you'll be there.. we will get in on the 7th. If we don't see ya around hope you have a blast! lol!

 

[markscns]

Wow, I am soooo undecided right now, it is a 25 hour trip to drive there, but I like the idea of having our car close by. Plus the fact that we could load it up with groceries, snacks, etc, before we leave.

I just don't want to get to Disney and be too tired to do anything the first day.

We will be there from Sep 4th through Sep 9th.

I think I am most looking forward to Soarin right now!

 

[kathy8779]

I Drove To Disney 10 Years Ago From Philadelphia And Will Never Do It Again. Too Lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnng. And You Will Just Want To Lay In Bed When You Get There. Just Fly -- I'm Always Up For Paying For Convenience. I'll Be There 9/7 - 9/13

 

[Mymatisse]

Wow, I am soooo undecided right now, it is a 25 hour trip to drive there, but I like the idea of having our car close by. Plus the fact that we could load it up with groceries, snacks, etc, before we leave.

I just don't want to get to Disney and be too tired to do anything the first day.

We will be there from Sep 4th through Sep 9th.

I think I am most looking forward to Soarin right now!

Why don't you fly and rent a car? We got a great deal on a car rental through National.

 

[Mymatisse]

I Drove To Disney 10 Years Ago From Philadelphia And Will Never Do It Again. Too Lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnng. And You Will Just Want To Lay In Bed When You Get There. Just Fly -- I'm Always Up For Paying For Convenience. I'll Be There 9/7 - 9/13

Kathy we'll be there the 7th- the 13th as well ! We'll have our lime mickey heads on!!!

 

[kathy8779]

STAYING AT THE WILDERNESS LODGE THOSE DATES TOO?

WE'LL BE AT THE ESPN CAFE ON 9/12 FOR THE FIRST EAGLES GAME!!!!

 

[markscns]

I have another question for you experts

I paid our package in full right away back in May-June.

We have 6 Day MYW plus dining and 5 night stay.

Last month we got a confirmation letter and that is all.

We have not received tickets or dining certificates (this gets me worried as I like to see these things).

When I call the number, they tell me that stuff will be at the resort when I get there, is this true, or do they mail your tickets out to you?

 

[Mymatisse]

Just make sure you bring your confirmation letter. You can pick up your tickets at your resort, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[markscns]

Just make sure you bring your confirmation letter. You can pick up your tickets at your resort, you shouldn't have a problem.

Thanks for the confirmation of this, you guys rock!

 

[robinsfamily]

I may sound like a heretic, but I like to drive. We live in N.J. and have driven too many times to count! We will be down there in August making yet another car trip. Where are you coming from?
To car or not to car depends on the location of your hotel. The further you are from the thick of all things Disney, the longer it takes to get their, even using DW transportation.
I personally like the freedom of having my own vehicle whether it is rental or not. When I stayed at the CBR with my husband only, we had a rental car (we flew that trip). We drove to all the parks and never bothered with the transportation system at all. We found it convenient and efficient. When we stayed at OKW ,we used the buses and they seemed to not run as efficiently that year.
Now that our 3 kids are older we enjoy staying at the Epcot Hotels. (preferably the Yacht Club.) They are convenient to EPcot,and MGM.The money we save from not flying I can indulge in a more expensive hotel.

Good luck.
Everyone has a good time at Disney!


Poly 1973
Contemporary1978
CBR 1989
GF1989
Wyndym 1999
OKW2000
Yacht CLub2001
RP 2002
BC 2003
YC2005

 

[markscns]

If you take your own car or rent a car, do you have to pay parking into the attractions if you opt to take your own car instead of using disney transporation?

 

[markscns]

I will be coming from Michigan. 59 days and counting!