Hello from another NEW member ;0)

[SandraBL]

Hello all! DH and I are in the very very very early stages of planning a trip to Disney. Like, we just talked about it for the first time last night early. We're hoping to make it to DW in June 2012 which is about 4 years ahead of our original schedule. Now for the overwhelming part of planning....

 

[jesswindsor]

Welcome!! You will find that planning for a Disney Trip is actually really fun!!

 

[zaaaaaa0]

cheers!

 

[Metro West]

 

[Aliceacc]

Hi and welcome!

Some basics you'll want to decide:
- on site or off. Many of us hear heartily endorse staying onsite. There are 3 basic levels of resorts: Value, Moderate and Deluxe. Take a look at all 3, then decide. The fact sheets at www.allears.net may help you.

When you go can make a difference in how much you pay. Take a look at the different "seasons" at WDW-- phrases like "Value Season" will mean a savings.

- assuming you're onsite, take a look at the dining plans and decide whether or not they make sense for you. They're a particular value if you have a couple of children under 10; it costs something like $11 per day for kids in that age range.

If you give us the ages and genders of your kids, it may help us in terms of giving you the info you want.

 

[magicaldisney]

 

[SandraBL]

My son will be 6 and my daughter will be 3 when we plan to be in FL. We want to stay onsite and plan to hit up one park each day with one day also for the Harry Potter theme park. I've heard good and bad things about the dining plans. Is there a particular spot to look/compare the meal prices?

Other than that, I have no idea where to begin...is it best to look at what each park has to offer and pick a few rides/things you want to do? Or wing it completely?

I told my DH last night that this will be comparable to planning our wedding. I've already got printouts for my binder.

 

[ChestnutRice]

I'm a newbie like you too!

 

[Aliceacc]

My son will be 6 and my daughter will be 3 when we plan to be in FL. We want to stay onsite and plan to hit up one park each day with one day also for the Harry Potter theme park. I've heard good and bad things about the dining plans. Is there a particular spot to look/compare the meal prices?

Other than that, I have no idea where to begin...is it best to look at what each park has to offer and pick a few rides/things you want to do? Or wing it completely?

I told my DH last night that this will be comparable to planning our wedding. I've already got printouts for my binder.

I wouldn't plan to wing it completely. But your level of preparation is up to you.

You'll want to decide where to stay. Each resort on site is differently themed. Decide on a budget; that will determine whether you want Value, Moderate or Deluxe. Since you're a family of 4, you can choose any of those-- our family of 5 is a lot more limited.

Six months ahead of your trip, you can make Advance Dining Reservations. With 2 kids as young as yours, I think the meal plan is a great deal, since it will cost very little to feed the kds each day. And you can book character meals-- take a look at Chef Mickey's, at Aukerhaus (we do breakfast there, since my kids aren't terribly adventurous when it comes to food). We also enjoy Yak and Yetti at Animal Kingdom and the Coral Reef in Epcot.

Consider getting the kids the Kid's Guide to Disney World (by Birnbaum I think) for Christmas or Chanuka. Before our first trip my kids went through it page by page and decided which rides they wanted to try. It built excitement and gave us an idea of our "must sees."

 

[bb7877]

Welcome!

 

[It'sOffToDisneyWeGo]

Hello and Welcome!