Hello from Virginia everyone!

[JAHokie46]

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!

 

[large marge]

One of the can't miss things is Universal's Mardi Gras and I found an easy way to purchase an after 5 ticket, right in the Publix grocery stores...

 

[hiwaygal]

One piece of advice...check out the rates for government workers at the Swan/Dolphin. I'm pretty sure your wife qualifies and that could be a great option for you!

 

[Melissa_E]

Hello! We're in Virginia as well. Prince George. We took a flight out of Norfolk (yeah, I know Richmond is closer) using Southwest. It was around $160 p/p r/t.

 

[acejka]

Woo Hoo! Another Virginian. I'm in NOVA.

What about you??

 

[JAHokie46]

Thanks for the advice so far.

Are most parks only open until 5? Or is that when extended hours start where only people staying in a Disney hotel can go? If we need an after-5 ticket, we'll check out Publix

I didn't know they had government rates, although I'm not sure if she'd qualify. Would I check with WDW directly for that? Also, is Swan/Dolphin actually WDW resort? I thought I read they were Hylton or something and it was the only two Disney allowed to build on their land. Are the WDW or are they private?

We're from Williamsburg. We recently flew from Norfolk to Ft. Lauderdale through Atlanta. It was our first plane trip in a while and quite honestly, I think I'd rather drive. By the time you factor in all the extra booking fees, parking fees, time to drive to either Richmond/Norfolk, wait times at the airport, security, the smelly guy next to you on the plane, etc I think I'd rather drive. But that's just me

 

[hiwaygal]

So...I'm guessing from your screen-name you are a fellow Hokie??? Class of 1993 here! And you are close too!! (I'm in Hampton.)

For park hours, check this link: PARK HOURS It's too soon to get hours for April 09, but you can get an idea by using the April 08 hours.

The Swan/Dolphin are not Disney owned and operated, but they are on Disney property. They are near Disney's Boardwalk and Yacht Club resorts and also within walking distance of Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios. And I'm pretty sure that as a teacher (unless she teaches in a private school) that your wife does qualify for the government rate, but you can call them to see for sure. Take a look at the info for Swan/Dolphin HERE

As for air travel...you might want to keep an eye on Airtran out of Patrick Henry. They have a daily direct flight to MCO that isn't all that expensive and will save you at least 10 hours of driving time.

 

[lovetoscrap]

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.

Also I would really recommend you think about looking at your wifes schedule and trying to go immediately after the end of school and before summer school or the end of summer school/before school starts. Crowds and prices will generally be lower then instead of over spring break. But it will be hotter.

Is she teaching in York Co? I can give you a better idea of how bad the crowds are in a few months because I am actually biting the bullet and going over Spring Break for the first time. I have a feeling I may never do it again!

The Swan and Dolphin have a special deal with Disney to be a part of the perks of Disney's transportation and EMH. So for all purposes, although they are not owned by Disney, they are about the same as staying at an official Disney property. Disney park hours vary greatly. You can get an idea of what they are are like by visiting the official Disney.com site to see what the park hours are like for the time of year you are considering currently. Most of them are open much later than 5. The exception is Animal Kindgdom, and even it is open later during the busy times of year.

 

[JAHokie46]

hiwaygal-
Yes, I am a Hokie, class of 2006! I did check out the rates for this year (since 2009 aren't available yet) and for me Richmond/Norfolk/W-NN airports are all in the $180 range for April 2008. But I'll keep an eye out for rates and different travel sites. Yep, she teaches for public school, so I'll call and see what type of discount that might get us! I'll check those two out!

lovetoscrap-Thanks for the help! She's a teacher for WJCC schools. We both actually grew up and went to school here. She's teaching at her own elementary school. As I noted above, prices for April 2008 average around $180, though I did see one or two at $160. I'll keep my eye out for better rates for 2009 when they become available. Unfortunately rates for June 2008 were higher. I'll have to check and see how long in between the end of school and summer school is for her. I think she only had 1 week off last summer between them.

 

[hiwaygal]

Yes, I am a Hokie, class of 2006!

I feel old now...

 

[O2BNWDW]

I think everyone else covered the important stuff, but I did want to say Hi and welcome.

I am from the Hampton Roads area as well. We drive down. 12 hours from my door to the Mouse's door, and that includes several stops. We've even stopped for a sitdown lunch before and still made it in 12.

 

[kykatt2]

Hello From SW Virginia
You have hooked into a great spot for all the "in's and Outs" for doing WDW

When it's just two .. driving is tolerable. When kids come along somtimes flying is the ONLY option. Sometimes I can not drive across town in a Minivan
with out the them trying to kill each other.

You have better options for cheaper fares out there than we get over here.
We used to have to drive to Richmond or Greensboro for a direct flight and a cheaper one, Roanoke is a KILLER. "Allegiant Air" has made that a little better, you just have to fly in to an airport further out than Orlando International.

Get signed up for "Mousesavers" newsletters.
http://www.mousesavers.com/
That will allow you to get a better discount with "Undercover tourist" for tickets. They tend to be the cheapest broker for tickets.
Keep checking... they will run better specials from time to time.
My experience says booking a room and getting tickets seperate can be cheaper. figure out what you want to do.. price out your options on a excel spreadsheet.

If you do order tickets seperate (maybe stay offsite) allow shipping time for them to get to you. Also when doing the budget.. don't forget price for "parking in the parks" ( unless you stay onsite)


WELCOME !!!!

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Woo Hoo! Another Virginian. I'm in NOVA.

What about you??

I'm in Springfield, too!

 

[colonialtinker]

Hi 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.
You'll love the boards. Seems like it takes everyone about the same time 12 hours, strange. Must depend on how fast you drive. I'll take flying though, I like having the extra 10 hours at WDW.

 

[HonnyDipp]

Hey! I'm in Roanoke, Welcome to the boards!

 

[byoung]

Welcome to the DIS!!

 

[taekwondo mom]

Welcome to the Dis... I'm from Roanoke ..( looks like Roanoke has several Diser's maybe we meet to set up a Dis meet)

 

[kykatt2]

Welcome to the Dis... I'm from Roanoke ..( looks like Roanoke has several Diser's maybe we meet to set up a Dis meet)

Sounds like a Plan !!!!!
Count me in !!!

 

[JAHokie46]

Thanks for the welcome everyone.

I picked up the Unofficial Guide at Barnes & Noble on the way home from work last night and will begin reading it. In the meantime, I've read a few of the Trip Reviews. It seems like it's a good way to learn- read people's experiences, hear what it was like, and see pictures. I think we'll open up to various times throughout the year so we don't limit ourselves.

 

[HonnyDipp]

Welcome to the Dis... I'm from Roanoke ..( looks like Roanoke has several Diser's maybe we meet to set up a Dis meet)

sounds good!