Hello All!

[guera]

Ive been lurking around for awhile trying to research our upcoming family trip to Disney(Oct). It will be our first time to DW. Everyone is so excited, but I must confess I am bit stressed about the whole thing.
We are a family of 6, with four kids 10 and under. My goal is to have the trip of a lifetime on a very strict budget.
So a few questions..
Im trying to hold out for free dining, is that smart?
Is it best to purchase room only or room & tickets? If I purchase separate, will I still be able to use the fastpass+ 60 days out? Is free dining only an option when you purchase a package?
Im really conflicted on staying on site or off. I know all the perks of staying on but since we have 6 people we will need to get 2 rooms at a value resort (that will still be less than a family suite), or staying at maybe westgate and saving money.
Thanks so much for any insight.

 

[DisneyHoover]

Last year the blacked out most of October for the free dining offer so you'd have to be flexible in your arrival date (which for some people is hard to plan for with time off requests). The free dining is only an option when you purchase a package. If you're planning on staying in a value resort note that last year Art of Animation Little Mermaid Rooms and All Star Movies were excluded from the promotion. In terms of staying on-site, if you're looking to have the trip of a lifetime, the theming of the resorts can be incredible and when I traveled with my 2,3, and 6 year old nephews/niece it was so nice to just hop on a bus from the theme park and ride back to the resort since they were all pooped instead of having to go back to our car, strap them into their carseats and then drive ourselves back to the hotel. How old are your children? Both the importance of the dining plan and the usefulness of staying onsite can be largely dependent on that.

 

[tcherjen]

We have stayed offsite before in the past. We now stay onsite every time we go. We love it. We like to stay at the cabins with our family of 6 and have also stayed at AOA in the LK suite. (loved that) I haven't ever done the dining plan. We eat a few meals at our room and some out. Our first week long stay about 3 years ago took me close to 3 months of strict planning. I wanted it to be perfect. You will have a great time. The Dis is the best place to help with advice. I know you have to have tickets linked for FP+. We have passes, but my oldest that is going with us, does not currently have one. I can't schedule her and her boyfriend's FP till I get their tickets. Have fun!!

 

[Jess4WDW]

Hi

Planning your first disney trip can be very overwhelming - but relax and keep reading! The more you research, the less anxiety you will have. Free dining is only available when you book a package so I wouldn't purchase tickets until you are sure where you are staying. The 60 day fastpass window is for guest staying on property, if you stay offsite you can make your fastpass selections 30 days out. Here is a link that should help with your planning. Good luck! http://**************.net/

 

[guera]

you guys rock! thanks for the fast responses
My kiddos are 11, 10, 6, and 3. The 6 and 3 year old will be turning 7 and 4 before the trip. The two oldest are boys and tend to eat a lot.
From what Ive seen from friends they get the bracelets mailed to them. Do they come with the park tickets or only if you buy a hotel/ticket package?
Part of me just wants to reserve a package through DW, it seems like they handle everything and I could make monthly payments, is that a much more pricey choice?

 

[Hootch]

Often Disney requires ticket minimums for the free dining. Free dining is not really free dining. To get "free dining" you have to pay rack room rates. Typically, Disney has room only discount rates. Last year the discounts ranged from 15% - 30%. "Free dining" at Value resorts has been the quick (counter) service plan. That can be upgraded to the regular DDP by paying the price differential. "Free dining" may or may not be a good deal. It depends on the family. Current Value Resort rates are around $122/night without a discount.

If you opt not to wait for "free dining", I find it cheaper to book the room separately if staying at WDW. There are several authorized sellers of Disney tickets that will save you money if you're buying four or more days. This site, I believe, works with Maple Leaf Tickets. We have always used Undercover Tourist. I think our most recent purchase saved us about 6% over Disney's list rates for five day park hoppers.

If you are staying onsite, you can book FP+ 60 days in advance. If you buy tickets ahead of time (oh, and there is a rumor Disney is going to raise prices this month) you can link them to the individual on the MDE website. That links them to the magic bands.

We always stay onsite, but we have only four. If you decide to stay offsite, factor in the drive time if you are driving. If you are relying on the hotel, make sure you understand their shuttle times. Mousesavers.com does a great job of helping on saving money. They have a section on offsite hotels. That includes a one bedroom suite that sleeps six and shows $135/night in October. I'm sure there are other deals in their list. You can always check reviews on TripAdvisor.

http://www.mousesavers.com/walt-dis.../disney-world-area-preferred-hotel-discounts/

Jess4WDW mentions the ************** site. I would add www.easywdw.com. Dave from ************** and Josh from easywdw collaborated on a book that walks you through the planning process. I follow Josh' site regularly.

Good luck.

 

[guera]

I am so glad I decided to get over my posting fear and ask question. You all are a wealth of info.
I feel like I am Disney absorbed

 

[guera]

After checking out WBC, i'm almost sold. Im just curious though, when I purchase park tickets, will we receive the wristbands or is that something that only comes with a resort stay?

 

[Hootch]

Disney provides free magic bands for guests staying onsite. People staying offsite can buy magic bands and link their park tickets. The standard bands are $12.95. The are special edition bands that come out periodically that are over $20.

 

[guera]

Anyone ever heard of purchasing used wristbands from eBay? Would they be linkable?