Hello New here and a few questions

[feistygalkmc]

Hello everyone I'm around here, I discovered the website while searching for Disney planning tips. DBF and I plan to go to WDW Sep 09, so so far away I almost can't take it but I am so very excited. I have been lurking for about a week and I have a few questions that I hope fellow DIS'ers can help me with.

1-I have read that prices for next year should come out around Aug, however, I was wondering if you have to pay all at once or you can make installments? I can't seem to find the answer to that on the Disney vacation site.

2-DBF and I love to take pictures. We both own a DLSR camera (DBF a Nikon, me a Canon Rebel XT) and he can sometimes spend most of his time taking pictures when we go somewhere for fun and I end up sitting around waiting on him since I"m a quick picture taker. For any other photographers out there did you take one day and just go to the parks taking pics or did you just tote your camera around each day? I plan on getting a point & shoot (I want to upgrade my current one) before next year so I will have that as well, I am just worried that if we both take our 'big' cameras we will spend more time taking pics than having fun.

A guess I will include a little background on us, DBF is from Canada and I from Oklahoma. We are going to start the process of applying for the K1 visa within the next couple of months. Just need to save up the money. We met through a friend we were both visiting at the time and we became friends and officially started dating about 3-4 years ago. I don't really remember the exact time. I was recently promoted at work and we have decided that it is a good time to start the moving process for him. I was going to move to Canada but since I was promoted we decided DBF moving here would be a better choice, way lower cost of living and he has less stuff to move than me. That is pretty much about it for now.

Any tips you can give on the planning process will be most appreciated. I have already made my first spreadsheet for planning that includes each park and a sub-list for any restaurants, attracting or shops that we want to visit in that park. I was looking at the resorts and I am loving the PORS and I also am checking into CS. We are looking to go to Disney for 7nights/8days or 8nights/9days not sure yet. This will be my first time but DBF has been before. He said he doesn't mind me planning the trip as long as he gets to add in a few things he wants to do like Animal Kingdom(there is some cool stuff there but AK isn't my favorite so far), some muppets thing they have and a few other rides and attractions that I have written down. I am looking at booking our package on the Disney website, hotel, dining package(not sure if we want to splurge for the DDP yet or not), park tickets and ground transport. Flights will be booked later b/c of the visa issue. I want to make sure he will be flying from here first especially since there is a difference of around $600 in the ticket right now.

I have also LOVED reading trip reports, so far I have read Eeyores Tailfinder TR and 2 of Punkins TR's, both of which are excellent I might add. I am trying to find TR's that are just 2 people since we don't have any kids and around our age me(26) and DBF (31). If there are any other TR's that are similar, please direct me to them and I will start reading. Ok must go for now so I can go make lasagna but I will be back, I am addicted to this place!

 

[dizzi]

Yes it is easy to becoem addicted......
GOOD LUCK
and
HAPPY PLANNING!

 

[stopher1]

WELCOME!!

The ability to make packages ressies for 2009 "should" be opening up in August. New rates, ticket prices, etc could happen then too. It did last year in August.

As far as making installment payments for packages, yes you can do that. When you make a ressie, you have to pay a $200 deposit up front, and then the rest is due 45 days prior to check-in. (Room only ressies have a 1 night deposit, with the rest due AT check-in). If you book online you must pay your deposit via cc - if you phone, you can ask them for 14 days, and then send them a check, or pay by cc. You can make as many installment payments as you want up til the due date.

Happy planning!

 

[Metro West]

 

[feistygalkmc]

Thanks stopher1. I hope to have a pretty good deposit rather than just the $200 and I plan to pay monthly on it until I get it paid. I am so excited! It is a shame we couldn't go this year.

 

[Aliceacc]

Hi and welcome!!!

We planned our trip last summer, just over a year ahead of time, so I can feel for you!!

Here's where I suggest you start: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715551

 

[Maxie86]

I am not a serious photographer so you may feel differently, but I would not want to carry around a lot of equipment or a large camera. We have a small point and shoot that is very thin and fits in a pocket or a small case attached to a belt. You don't want to miss all the magic taking pictures. I would suggest that if you want to take great pictures that you do it on another visit, not your first. Most things are not going to change, they will look the same next year or the year after. KWIM Take advantage of the photopass photographers and get a lot of pics of the 2 of you, not just scenery. I know a lot of people love the DP, but I am not a fan of it, especially for a first visit. In order for it to pay for itself you will have to eat at a ts resturant every night. I just don't want to spend that much time eating. That is a lot of time planning your days around meals. It may sound like a great deal, but if Disney was losing money on the DP they would not offer it. It is a lot of food and time and effort to keep track of your credits. Too much thinking on vacation for me. That said, if you are the type to want a nice sit down meal every night, then it may be a good deal for you. Have fun planning your trip, and welcome to the DIS.

 

[Aliceacc]

My husband works part time with a photographer's studio when he's not teaching... his camera equipment is probably the most expensive stuff in our house.

But it's NOT lightweight, and we have 3 kids.

He's looking to buy a waterproof digital camera for this trip. (It will be a Canon, but I have no idea of the details) He knows there will be a difference in quality from his normal camera and selection of lenses. But he also won't have to worry about getting it wet (say, on the Kali River Ride) or about lugging it around WDW in 100+ degree heat.

 

[ToddyLu]

2-DBF and I love to take pictures. We both own a DLSR camera (DBF a Nikon, me a Canon Rebel XT) and he can sometimes spend most of his time taking pictures when we go somewhere for fun and I end up sitting around waiting on him since I"m a quick picture taker. For any other photographers out there did you take one day and just go to the parks taking pics or did you just tote your camera around each day? I plan on getting a point & shoot (I want to upgrade my current one) before next year so I will have that as well, I am just worried that if we both take our 'big' cameras we will spend more time taking pics than having fun.

My DH owns a Canon DS 20 and Canon DS 40 with lots of lenses and stuff. We have been to WDW 7 times in seven years with 8th trip this Dec. He wants to have days were he can go off and photograph, which at this point in our Disney life is cool with me, becuase we have seen and done alot. I would not make photography a big priority your first trip. Get and Photopass CM to take lots of pics for you. Prepay for the CD on PP wedsite for $99 instead of $125 when you get back. Honestly, if you just grab and shoot this trip you will get a lot. My DH plans to take tri pod this year I think for FW and other shots.
You can check out his pics at www.pbase.com/tgerman--check out his Yeti, which was difficult for him to get on a Roller Coaster.

We will do DP this year--it was a good deal and 40% off when we booked.
We always eat at Ca Grill and Fulton's--easily $200 meals. I am 39 and DH is 43, we do not have children. Meals are fun for us. This year we are trying Tusker House, Whispering Canyon Cafe and Tony's(hoping this one will be good). So if you are a foodie then this plan may work for you. If that is not important then go a la carte and split meals since the portions are good size.
Last year for instance, he and I ate $1000 dollars worth of meals. Now mind you we ate at Fulton's twice, CA Grill, Brown Derby, etc. We were there for 9 nights and 10 days--get as many days in WDW as you can afford.

If you can do the MNSSHP, do it, it is great fun for adults.

Have a great trip--the planning is half the fun. With a good plan you will see and do a lot. Take care

 

[jadedbeauty14304]

Hiya!! And welcome!! Congrats on being in the early planning stages of your first trip! You must both be so excited! You should also check out the "Disney for Adults and Solo Travelers" forum. A lot of people who go without children can give you great opinions there!
I would take a point and shoot camera, and a lot of PhotoPass pictures, unless you plan on a certain day to split up and go take pictures where ever you want. There is just too much that catches your eye, and you want to shoot it from every angle imaginable. And I love the Dining Plan, only because I enjoy a good sit down meal every day. If I am paying out of pocket I will never go and spend the money for a nice Filet Mignon at LeCellier. I just won't. LOL But with the dining plan, I can eat filet every day! LOL

 

[feistygalkmc]

ToddyLu your husbands pictures are great! I do like the idea of splitting up for say half a day and taking pics. We will see if he likes that though. Thanks a lot for all the tips. I'm off to plan more