Going to DW in 2005

[karebear1]

I believe check in is 4pm.
A 4 dayPH can be purchased at the Disney Store, but it would be less expensive if you could buy it through AAA- $199.37 or hotwire or PI (both of these I think would be less expensive then AAA) The most expensive way to pay for your passes is to get them at the parks.
For plane tickets- I would wait and start watching rates about 6 months out. My experience has been that about 3 months before you want to go is the best time to book the best prices. By watching at the 6 month window, you will become familiar with average rates and good deals and then you'll know what to get. I'd say for you, if you can find something around 130.00 to go for it.
Go ahead and book your room now if you can. The CM will tell you that these rates are not guaranteed because they don't have rates for next year yet, but if they go up, it won't be all that much. Don't forget you need to put down the 1st night as a deposit. At the time of booking, make your requests in order of importance. If you need a non smoking room above all else- make that the number 1 request- if you need it for medical reasons (Allergies, asthma etc.) be sure to tell them that. then request what part of the resort you want to be in. There are no for sures, but WDW does do their best to give you what you want.

 

[mad4themouse]

The official hotel check-in time is 4pm but you can check in whenever you arrive and if your room is not ready, they will store your luggage for you.

Siince you noted that going to a water park is on your "to do" list, you will need a Park Hopper Plus (PHP) and not a regular Park Hopper (PH). The cheapest place for the PHPs that I have found is thru one of the buying clubs (Hotwire Savings Club, Connections or Simple Escapes). They are $208.96 per adult 4-day PHP with free shipping. Ticketmania sells the same passes for $227.00. The Disney Store does not sell a 4-day PHP and it is not available at the gate.

You cannot book airfare for Oct. 2005 yet. Most airlines will not book more than 320 days in advance. Some, like Southwest, do not announce their fares and schedules more than 6 months ahead of time. I like using a program called SideStep to compare airfare prices. You download it to your computer, put in your dates and destinations and it looks for the best fares among several airlines and vendors.

The best time to look for airfare is after midnight Eastern Time on a Wednesday morning. Many cancelled tickets are returned to their airline's computer systems at that time. If you check before 9am Eastern Time (when the TA's are back in their offices), you can sometimes catch a great deal on a flight.

For right now, you should book your room and make the initial deposit. Once I get that done, I know that I'm going to Disney World! Good Luck and check back here often!

 

[duchy]

Definitely don't go with the package unless some really great deal pops up (in which case you can cancel your seperate reservations without charge up until at least 45 days ahead usually less depending on which booking policy is in place at the time.
There are menus on-line for most of the resturants (both counter service and sit down)so you can work out your food budget ahead of time. You may want to choose which character meal you want to do in advance (different characters at different meals) and call to book before you arrive in the World.

Call and book your rooms at Pop Century as soon as reservations open for that date (may already be open but if they aren't Disney will be able to tell you when). You will only need to pay one night of your stay when you book. Once you've booked keep an eye on www.mousesavers.com for any discounted rates and if they appear call and ask to switch your reservation to the cheaper rate.
I'm going to Pop Century with my 13 year old in January. It's his 3rd visit and my 7th. I'm more hyped than he is !!

 

[WillAndFinn'sMom]

I definitely recommend Mickey's Not So Scarey Halloween Party. It really is worth the extra $60. When we went last year, we just walked onto the rides. There was absolutely no wait. The trick or treating wasn't worth it. THOSE lines were long and all you get is a piece of candy.

I think $60 a day for food is enough if you have breakfast in your room. Of course, you'd have to just get counter service, but there is some delicious counter service in Epcot, imo. The Mexican place is good. (Though next time we're springing for the nicer indoor Mexican restaurant. It's just so pretty).

We are planning another trip in October 05. Not sure of the dates, yet, but I LOVE going in October. It's warm during the day, sometimes hot, but gets cooler at night. Still warm enough to swim, but not sweltering. And the All Star pools are heated, so even if it gets cool, you can still swim in the evening.

 

[OLT2004]

Here is the way I attack the trip planning process -
* Sign up for mousesavers.com !!!!!!

*Airfare - Sidestep is good but I hear it is full of "spyware."
I would register with Travelocity.com for their free fare watcher.
You only have to give them your name, email address, etc. etc.
NO CC # is required. You will NOT get SPAM.
Set it up for your hometown and 4 other airports you can drive to.

*Trip Dates - Go to the the homepage of this site and find out what "Disney Rate Season" your trip will fall in. Remember, your entire Resort rate is determined by the date you check in. You will pay this rate for your entire stay.

*Resort Rates - Here our two rare toll free numbers for you
1-877-939-3732 or 1-800-828-0228
When calling use whatever codes you have - but also ask about the AAA rate. You do not need to give them your member # @ this point. It may be worth your while to join.

*Admission Media - You are 18 months away from your trip - use this site - disney.com - mousesavers.com - allears.net - etc. etc.
to research the choices. Zero in on what pass you want and compare prices from disney.com - disney store - AAA - and the online ticket brokers you will learn about!

*Transportation - Renting a car may be your least expensive form of transportation for your lenght of stay. Compare when you get closer to your trip dates!

* Travel Agents - Do not be afraid to call several for quotes. Their services are free to you and you are under no obligation! Pick their brians!

*Happy Mouse Hunting!
I am sure you will plan and organize a magical and economic trip!

 

[Disney Debbie]

Originally posted by Disney4me04
That is $40 difference. I can ship from work using our Airborne rates and there is now way it would cost me 40.00 to ship.

I would only do 12 pack of water an some snacks. Not that much!

If you are only sending a 12 pack of water and some snacks - then you are spending more to ship them then they would cost you at WDW! Each resort has a gift shop with an area in it with snacks, milk etc. Also the food courts sell bottled water, fruit etc. You can buy water and snacks there. Or for $40 you probably could get a cab to the grocery store at the Crossroads and save yourself the trouble of shipping it!

A really good site to help you pick when to buy your flight is www.travelally.com. Click on the "FareAware" button and it will show you the historic costs for the last 12 months and the lowest cost for your flight in the last 12 months.

 

[Disney4me04]

Okay! I will be shipping a few more things than just a 12 pack of water. Believe me when I say we get really good rates through Airborne. I am guessing I could ship a case of water, soda, snacks etc. and it would cost me 25.00 TOPS!

Thanks so much for all the great tips. I know I can plan this and take My son.

I refuse to disappoint him this time. I have been trying to get there and just have not been able to.


AAA - is not an option
Nor is renting a car

I do not have a DL - if I have one by then I do not think I would want to drive in a strange city.

If we do Mickey's Halloween party it would be for the rides. DS will not want to trick or treat.


Now to start saving those DD and change.

 

[duchy]

I saw a posting *somewhere* (I'm researching for a trip at the moment and checking lots of places so not sure exactly where) where someone suggested that Crossroads is walkable from the DTD hotels. I know the Goodings at Crossroads is dearer than say Publix etc but might be an option to hop on one of the Hotel Plaza buses and then walk.
Has anyone ever done this?

 

[karebear1]

I have not ever done that, but it is doable. Have you thought about ordering your groceries over the internet and having them delivered to your resort? I know you can do that with the DVC resorts- don't know why you couldn't with any other resort.

 

[duchy]

I wasn't really thinking of a shop big enough to justify a delivery charge. We're planning on using a towncar in from Stanford with a grocery stop so it'll only be for topping up the snack and soda supplies etc (We're staying for two weeks). Be nice to be able to access the Crossroads resturants too so may post this question as a seperate post on the boards