Hello from Virginia everyone!

[kykatt2]

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.

JAHokie..
I sent you a PM .

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

Another Virginian here, Prince William County (Woodbridge). The Swan and Dolphin are not Disney hotels but they are included with property. They have discounts for government workers, teachers, firefighters, etc. When you are trying to schedule around school days you seem to miss out on the best discounts at WDW; however, spring break is notorious for high prices and huge crowds. If you wife is teaching summer school that means you should be able to travel the beginning the first of August and that's when prices start descending a little. Since teachers have to report a week or two before the students I would guess that the end of August would not be dueable but if that would be possible, WDW usually does a promotional with free dining starting around mid-August and going until the end of September. The value hotels all-star music,movie and sports, and Pop are really a good price considering the on-property commodities like bus service to the parks, etc. The only resorts on property that have kitchens are the villas, but you can rent a refrigerator for, I think it's $10 a day extra.

So, just relax, get acquinated with the DISboard members and you will get lots of good, sound advice. Plus, with the book you purchased it should go well.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

Welcome to the boards!!! I am in Rustburg (just outside Lynchburg). We drive everytime we go. Typically leave Friday when everyone's off work and drive somewhere between Jacksonville, Fl and Columbia, SC depending upon what time we leave, and how tired everyone is. Either way we arrive on Saturday, and head to the parks on Sunday. Mom got a new van before we went this year, and it has a gps on it. I'll have to see if I can pull up the trip. It showed us shortcuts that mapquest didn't that cut the trip down to 10 hours. It was very nice!!! Be sure to check out every inch of this board, and also disney.com. You will find plenty of info... I have a binder full of tips and tricks that I took in March and it helped so much. I didn't know about these boards until right before our trip. Also, my understanding is disney is shoulder to shoulder at spring break. What would be the chances of going between end of school, and beginning for summer school. I know our schools have a 2 or 3 week break. Not sure about your's though. Anywhoo... have a wonderful time planning!!!

 

[kmvand1]

Hi there! I am also a Virginian, not close to anyone so far though, I am in Front Royal (Shenandoah Valley). If anyone is close enough to Dulles, we have flown Southwest the past couple of trips for around $50-$60 each way and we are a family of four. We were not really a big fan of flying, but the prices sure changed our minds!

 

[kykatt2]

. Mom got a new van before we went this year, and it has a gps on it. I'll have to see if I can pull up the trip. It showed us shortcuts that mapquest didn't that cut the trip down to 10 hours. It was very nice!!!

When you find those 10 hour directions... send me a PM I would LOVE to see the 2-3 house that seems to shave off the time.

 

[Aliceacc]

Welcome!!

I started this thread a while back; it may answer some of your questions: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715551

We're both teachers too, teaching an SAT prep course over the summer. We booked for that tiny sliver of time between SAT and the start of classes.

 

[Cee]

Welcome, JAHokie! Don't miss the Dole Whips in Adventureland in the MK. It's
to DIE FOR. If you need a fridge and microwave, consider renting DVC points
and get a studio at one of the DVC resorts. OKW requires the least amount of
points for a studio per night. Go on the DVC Rent/Trade board and there is a
thread that explains the renting process. It's great.

Hey, Crazy Debbie! I'm in Occoquan. Howdy, neighbor!

 

[Tink's Pixieduster]

Welcome, JAHokie! Don't miss the Dole Whips in Adventureland in the MK. It's
to DIE FOR. If you need a fridge and microwave, consider renting DVC points
and get a studio at one of the DVC resorts. OKW requires the least amount of
points for a studio per night. Go on the DVC Rent/Trade board and there is a
thread that explains the renting process. It's great.

Hey, Crazy Debbie! I'm in Occoquan. Howdy, neighbor!

And hey Cee! I said earlier I'm in Springfield, but its so far south in that area I may as well be in Lorton/Laurel Hill. I love Occoquan and make it a point to hit the Ireland store there every year around St. Pat's.

 

[stepdisney]

Summer is not too bad though I know you said that your wife teaches summer school. If there is a week or two between the start of school and the end of summer school, take it!!! The crowds are so much less at the end of August and for a first timer, you would want the crowds to be low. Also, there are a lot of good deals!!! We used to live in Reston/Herndon area. Would love to move back some day. Swan/Dolphin are great alternatives but so is pop Century for that matter!! I would say stay on site the first time to experience the whole Disney magic Best wishes, you've come to the right place for info.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

When you find those 10 hour directions... send me a PM I would LOVE to see the 2-3 house that seems to shave off the time.

I'm trying to figure out how to pull old trips. It will let me choose the destintation, but I haven't figured out how to view trip.

Any takers on this stuff???

Anywhoo...It's a very nice trip. It takes you through neighborhoods where you feel like you're just going in a circle, or square at times, but it cuts off 30-45 of interstate at a time. It was great!!!

 

[JAHokie46]

Hi all.

I've diligently been reading the Unofficial Guide and I'm through most of the book, about 500 pages in.

I'm trying to get a gauge on how big the different parks are. Can any of the VA residents (or anyone else) that has been to Busch Gardens Europe in Williamsburg compare the size of BG to the different Disney World parks? I'm just trying to get the size and number of rides/attractions of BG compared to MK, Epcot, MGM, AK since I've been to BG many many times. TIA!!

 

[kykatt2]

OH BABY !!!
Till you have experienced WDW it is hard to imagine just HOW BIG IT IS.

Covering 47 square miles, Walt Disney World Resort is about the size of San Francisco or two Manhattan islands. Of the more than 30,000 acres, less than one-fourth has been developed.

Well.. all of WDW's parks are HUGE. Walking 4 miles a day is NOTHING in WDW.
AK is the Largest. You can fit 5 or 6 MK's in AK alone

IN BG you have a pretty good walk between countries... then you have a rides fairly close.. At MK the lands run into each other better.. but rides can be rather spread out. You might have 30 steps between rides... Fantasy land has a couple of sections with rides closer.. but from one section of Fantasy Land to the end of the other would be a quick 10 min walk. MK is around 100 acres.

MGM/Hollywood Studios is a little bigger than MK a total of 231 acres with 77 of that parking. It is also more spread out than MK . It is pretty close to the size of BG

Epcot the rides are in general far from each other( no where near as many rides as MK) and the "World Showcase section".. that is 1 maybe 2 miles( I forget which) from the first country to the last around the lake.. and it is out by itself. Epcot is the Second largest Park (300+ acres)

Animal Kingdom is very spread out AND LARGE. SOMEWHERE AROUND 500 ACRES.
Attractions( except in Dino Land) are Very spread out . Usually I feel like I ACTUALLY WALKED FROM ASIA TO AFRICA FOR REAL !!!


I hope my mindless rambling gives you SOME idea of the sizes between Busch Gardens and The Parks that make up WDW. Short of writing a Small info sheet... what I have said.. skims the surface.

From time to time Travel and Discovery Channels, have shows that discuss the parks, their sizes, and are great for trip planning. If I see them coming up, I'll send you a PM

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

kykatt2 gave a very good description of the area. When I saw your question I was thinking and all I could think about was the up and down hills between countries at Busch Gardens.

I hope kykatt2 gave you a clear answer!

 

[kykatt2]

When I saw your question I was thinking and all I could think about was the up and down hills between countries at Busch Gardens.

I hope kykatt2 gave you a clear answer!

At first that was what I thought of. NOT MUCH OF THAT( UP AND DOWN HILLS) IN WDW.

 

[Promomx2]

Just thinking about Busch Gardens makes my legs hurt. Haven't seen anyone here from Chesterfield, (hometown of Nascar's Denny Hamlin) so I quess I'm the first. We usually drive down to Jacksonville and spend the night there. DH likes to visit the Budweiser Brewery there and get his free beer. I figure, he's driven the whole way, he deserves a treat.

 

[DisneyFun08]

From time to time Travel and Discovery Channels, have shows that discuss the parks, their sizes, and are great for trip planning. If I see them coming up, I'll send you a PM [/QUOTE]

I'm new here, too. From Gloucester......if you read the Daily Press, you have heard of Gloucester recently!LOL
I would love to have a PM about upcoming shows for trip planning. I can't send PM's because I'm still earning my ears (thanks for the welcome kykatt2)

 

[misha]

Hi from Charlottesville! Not a UVA grad so no flames from all of you Hokies!

We've done the 12 hour drive twice both time with kids and would LOVE to see those elusive 10 hr directions!

The plan is to drive in November with just me and the kids DH is sadly not a Disney lover but luckily very supportive of my habit!

 

[HonnyDipp]

kykatt2 summed it up for me too!

 

[kykatt2]

Welcome to all our New people and our Not so new people that chimed in to our Newbies .

See you all on the Boards !!!: jumping1:

 

[knfries]

We're a Suffolk family. Welcome.
Have season passes to BG every year, and have the calf muscles to show for it! Although WDW is so much bigger than BG, the walking is easier because there aren't many hills. (Except the hill to the monorail outside MK can be a killer at the end of a long day).
I've learned so many tips from these boards - I check in at least a couple of times a week.
There are so many musts at WDW - the classics like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean in MK, and the newer Dinosaurs and Himalayan rides in AK.
Go early as you can get into the parks in the morning, and fast pass the rides you want right away because the fast passes can go really fast.
Don't miss the MK fireworks at night.
There are so many great restaurants - read the dining threads to see what appeals to you. And definitely make advance reservations 180 days before your arrival - the reservations fill up, and it is hard to just walk in and get seated at the better places.
My personal favorite is Boma at the AKL, for both breakfast and dinner.
And for your first trip, stay onsite if at all possible. It adds to the magic.