JAHokie46
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Feb 14, 2008
- Messages
- 42
Hello all, new member here. 
I've read a handful of threads, and feel like I'm getting a feel for WDW, but FAR from an knowing as much as I feel like I need to.
I'm planning on buying the 2008 Unofficial Guide to WDW by Sehlinger, which I've heard is very very good and very comprehensive.
This is basically what I know:
-The trip will be the the wife and I, we don't have kids yet. We're both in our mid-20's.
-I'm gonna try and aim for April 2009- Spending Christmas week there would be cool, but it's got its highest rates then. Wife is a teacher and teaches summer school and is not allowed to miss any days, plus I'd imagine it would be busier during the summer. Schools have spring break in April, so that's a first choice for us.
-We don't have an extremely large budget. We have AAA, though I don't know how much of a discount that gives. I signed up for the promoDVD, some have said they got codes or PINS with it. I imagine they are the same, just a code that gives you a discount. I assume the only way to get a code/PIN is for DW to actually send you one in the mail, email. I'd consider the Disney credit card, but we don't charge much. I don't think we'd get the dining plan as we're more likely to find a grocery store, buy food/drink, but at the very least we'd have to have fridge/microwave. We'd like to stay on-grounds.
-We'd be driving down from Virginia, I think guesses from mapquest are 12 hours.
Any suggestions on how to get codes/PINS? I think we'd prefer a hotel at the $149 price point, I think mid-level hotels, but if we got a discount or pin, maybe more. Any hotel recommendations? Like one with a kitchen? If not, one with a fridge? We can eat mostly sandwiches with occasional meals/snacks in the park. One with a view of the Disney parks would be cool. If not, a scenic view. I think we'd travel around, so we'd get the Hopper.
How many days to do all the parks? We definitely want to do all the land parks, not sure if we wanna do Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. I saw on travel channel they can teach you surfing, that would be kinda cool. But, for 2 adults spending most of the day/evening there, how many days to basically do everything?
And last but not least, what are the "can't miss!" things? What snack is a "must eat"? Or what meal is known to be fantastic? Or what breakfast is known to be great? What are the "can't miss" foods, shows, and rides?
Thanks for all your advice!
I've read a handful of threads, and feel like I'm getting a feel for WDW, but FAR from an knowing as much as I feel like I need to.
I'm planning on buying the 2008 Unofficial Guide to WDW by Sehlinger, which I've heard is very very good and very comprehensive.
This is basically what I know:
-The trip will be the the wife and I, we don't have kids yet. We're both in our mid-20's.
-I'm gonna try and aim for April 2009- Spending Christmas week there would be cool, but it's got its highest rates then. Wife is a teacher and teaches summer school and is not allowed to miss any days, plus I'd imagine it would be busier during the summer. Schools have spring break in April, so that's a first choice for us.
-We don't have an extremely large budget. We have AAA, though I don't know how much of a discount that gives. I signed up for the promoDVD, some have said they got codes or PINS with it. I imagine they are the same, just a code that gives you a discount. I assume the only way to get a code/PIN is for DW to actually send you one in the mail, email. I'd consider the Disney credit card, but we don't charge much. I don't think we'd get the dining plan as we're more likely to find a grocery store, buy food/drink, but at the very least we'd have to have fridge/microwave. We'd like to stay on-grounds.
-We'd be driving down from Virginia, I think guesses from mapquest are 12 hours.
Any suggestions on how to get codes/PINS? I think we'd prefer a hotel at the $149 price point, I think mid-level hotels, but if we got a discount or pin, maybe more. Any hotel recommendations? Like one with a kitchen? If not, one with a fridge? We can eat mostly sandwiches with occasional meals/snacks in the park. One with a view of the Disney parks would be cool. If not, a scenic view. I think we'd travel around, so we'd get the Hopper.
How many days to do all the parks? We definitely want to do all the land parks, not sure if we wanna do Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. I saw on travel channel they can teach you surfing, that would be kinda cool. But, for 2 adults spending most of the day/evening there, how many days to basically do everything?
And last but not least, what are the "can't miss!" things? What snack is a "must eat"? Or what meal is known to be fantastic? Or what breakfast is known to be great? What are the "can't miss" foods, shows, and rides?
Thanks for all your advice!
Class of 1993 here! 
And you are close too!! (I'm in Hampton.)
neighbor! hiwaygal and I are very near you. You might want to look at the Air Tran rates out of Newport News if you can get over the smelly guy next you on the plane factor! They often have rates of $59 per person each way, which is really not bad. I have done both the flying and driving. 
and welcome.
Looks like we have the major areas of Virginia cover. DH's sis & her DH went to Tech, his other sis went to W & M.
