Help! Disney noob here: where to stay & park strategy?

[scorcoran89]

Hey everyone! Long post alert, but I'm really struggling to fit all these pieces together and want to make sure this is the best trip ever!!!

My best friend and I are planning our first trip to Disney & Universal next year. I've provided some details below and then my flurry of questions and thoughts

About us: 31 & 29, gay, one big eater while the other eats like a pigeon, both enjoy adult bevs
Dates: Sat, Sept 10 - Sun, Sept 18, 2022 (Sept 10 & 18 are travel days only) 8 nights total
Budget: $6,000 for flights, hotel, transportation, and park tix - about $2,500 for hotel

Parks: we'd like to hit all 4 Disney parks and both Universal parks
Resort: hoping for some decent food options, nice pool, not super cramped, on-site bar

Here's where I need help:

• Since we have 7 full days and 6 parks to visit (not park hopping), we'd like a rest day by the pool mid-week. What would be your strategy on which park to visit on which day? Would you recommend our rest day on Wed, smack dab in the middle of the week? Can we feasibly get through each park in only a day?
• Would it be better to stay on Disney property the entire time or split our trip at Universal property too? We're likely going to get the Express Pass to cut down our wait time, so would it make sense to stay at one of the premier resorts to get those passes included? Which resorts at Disney & Universal you would recommend over the others?
• We didn't factor food & drink into our budget, since we figured we can save for that on the side. How much would you recommend we set aside assuming roughly 3 meals a day and maybe a couple drinks and snack per day? I've read the free dining plan may come back and that it's usually offered in Sept, should we consider doing that?

I SUPER appreciate any advice, guidance or suggestions you all have! I feel like my head is spinning with so much information and trying to plan everything.

Thank you!
S & D

 

[Brett Wyman]

You’ll get tons of great advice I’m sure, but please know there’s an extreme room shortage at WDW right now. Assuming you mean September 2021, there are only three resorts with rooms for that date range(2 really as the third are high priced suites at Coronado). Luckily there’s a discount available then. There’s a great price for AKL. Perhaps if you do split your stay between universal you can find more options. But you should book hotel and park passes ASAP!

 

[scorcoran89]

You’ll get tons of great advice I’m sure, but please know there’s an extreme room shortage at WDW right now. Assuming you mean September 2021, there are only three resorts with rooms for that date range(2 really as the third are high priced suites at Coronado). Luckily there’s a discount available then. There’s a great price for AKL. Perhaps if you do split your stay between universal you can find more options. But you should book hotel and park passes ASAP!

Hey Brett! Nope, we mean Sept 2022 (15 months from now)! I'm just trying to get a head start on planning so when they start taking bookings, we have our plan in place and can lock things down early.

 

[CarolynFH]

I would definitely consider booking one of UOR’s deluxe resorts to get the free EPs and early entry benefits. Check the UOR website for prices of hotels and EPs for your dates and do the math - it has worked out in favor of the hotel for us twice, once with five adults and once with three, especially when we factored in parking (we were actually sleeping elsewhere).

 

[Brett Wyman]

Hey Brett! Nope, we mean Sept 2022 (15 months from now)! I'm just trying to get a head start on planning so when they start taking bookings, we have our plan in place and can lock things down early.

Good news!

 

[CarolynFH]

PS did you know there’s an entire UOR board on the DISboards? A forum just for the hotels and another for the parks. Just keep scrolling down on the main Forums page.

 

[NicoleLarson]

So you've done some good stuff already. You know how long and what you want to spend and you are starting very early in planning. So if you work backwards, $2500 for 8 nights is ~$300/night. If you and your best friend are okay sleeping in the same bed, I would highly recommend to rent DVC points for a studio. Sept. Is a low point time but you need to have an owner lined up right at the 11 month mark, so by Oct. 2021. Beach club is a great option and a studio would be under $300/night, if renting points under $20/point. Boardwalk studios would be similar in price. This area is great because you can walk to EP and HS.

I do believe staying at a premiere hotel is totally worth it at UO. Express passes are great and know that even if you stay 1 night you'll get them for 2 days, check in and check out day. However, if you go during the week in Sept, most likely the EPs will not be necessary. I would also highly recommend to get the park to park ticket at UO, its the only way to ride the Hogwarts Express.

For food, when you say 3 meals per day do you mean sit down or counter service? Your average sit down ordering an entree and drink will run you ~$50 with tax and tip. Counter service ~$20 for entree and alcoholic drink. I know you said one of you is a big eater, know the portions are huge at most restaurants so 3 sit down meals would be way too much food. Plus you are using up a ton of valuable park time.

I hope that's a start for you. Have fun planning, sounds like it will be a great trip.

 

[scorcoran89]

PS did you know there’s an entire UOR board on the DISboards? A forum just for the hotels and another for the parks. Just keep scrolling down on the main Forums page.

Thank you! I wanted to try to keep everything in the same post since what I'm trying to figure out is if I should split my stay or keep it consistent throughout. But I'll be sure to do some digging and post on that thread! Appreciate it!!

 

[scorcoran89]

So you've done some good stuff already. You know how long and what you want to spend and you are starting very early in planning. So if you work backwards, $2500 for 8 nights is ~$300/night. If you and your best friend are okay sleeping in the same bed, I would highly recommend to rent DVC points for a studio. Sept. Is a low point time but you need to have an owner lined up right at the 11 month mark, so by Oct. 2021. Beach club is a great option and a studio would be under $300/night, if renting points under $20/point. Boardwalk studios would be similar in price. This area is great because you can walk to EP and HS.

I do believe staying at a premiere hotel is totally worth it at UO. Express passes are great and know that even if you stay 1 night you'll get them for 2 days, check in and check out day. However, if you go during the week in Sept, most likely the EPs will not be necessary. I would also highly recommend to get the park to park ticket at UO, its the only way to ride the Hogwarts Express.

For food, when you say 3 meals per day do you mean sit down or counter service? Your average sit down ordering an entree and drink will run you ~$50 with tax and tip. Counter service ~$20 for entree and alcoholic drink. I know you said one of you is a big eater, know the portions are huge at most restaurants so 3 sit down meals would be way too much food. Plus you are using up a ton of valuable park time.

I hope that's a start for you. Have fun planning, sounds like it will be a great trip.

Thanks, Nicole! I keep hearing around renting DVC points, which I assume is me renting the timeshare off another owner. But by doing that, do we get all the 'benefits' of staying on-site like the extra early park hours, transportation, etc.?

Great question on food, hadn't thought that far! I'd say we will probably grab 2-3 counter service meals per day and sprinkle in a few sit down restaurants, especially if we finish at the park early and head back to the resort for dinner. My big eater bestie is a 6' 250lb competitive body builder/power lifter so I can almost guarantee 3 huge meals may still not be enough for him still LOL!!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would do one of the premiere resorts at universal. I would do one night with two day tickets but since travel day is a non park day you would do two nights. I would also start my trip there. Once you check out there head over to Disney and stay at one of the moderates. POFQ is my favorite but the others are great choices too! You could also rent DVC points but please read the fine print before hand. It’s non refundable and comes with certain restrictions. Including only one bed and one sofa bed.

I would definitely do my rest day smack dab in the middle. It’s great to get off our feet. And if you stay at POR or POFQ you could boat to Disney springs on your off day.

You will never get it all done no matter how long you are there but one day at each park is pretty solid. With rope drop and a good plan you can get a lot done. Get a subscription on www.touringplans.com and check out their touring plans. You don’t have to follow them 100% but it’ll give you an idea of the parks.

As for food I think $100 a day per person is good. But that’s just food. Add in extra for your alcohol. You can use www.disneytripplanner.com to get an idea on food budget.

Have fun planning. You already have a good start. I think you’ll have a great trip!

 

[CarolynFH]

Thank you! I wanted to try to keep everything in the same post since what I'm trying to figure out is if I should split my stay or keep it consistent throughout. But I'll be sure to do some digging and post on that thread! Appreciate it!!

Yes, I can understand that! In my limited experience, you can do both UOR parks in two days with 2-park passes and EPs. Both times we reserved the UOR deluxe hotels, we were staying at offsite timeshares and didn’t actually sleep at the UOR resorts, just parked there. As I said, we did the math, and it really saved us money. Many people do sleep at WDW the entire time and just commute to UOR with or without the throwaway room. As far as WDW hotel, we’re DVC owners so not very familiar with current hotel costs. I can tell you, though, that in the DVC section of DISboards is a Rent/Trade board where you can connect with DVC owners who have points to rent - actually, as you’ve figured out, that means they make a reservation for you using their points, and you pay them on a per-point basis. There are also DVC rental brokers, including one of the Board sponsors, who act as a middleman to connect prospective renters with owners. FYI if someone contacts you saying they’re an owner and offering to rent to you, it may be a scam. Report them to the moderators here and don’t respond to them!

 

[CarolynFH]

Let me add that if you rent DVC points, you get all the same privileges and benefits as any other WDW resort guest. And some of the DVC studios now have a queen size Murphy bed with a real mattress that folds out of the wall, instead of the sofa bed, if that’s a consideration. Those are found in SSR and the Riviera.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

Our family liked the resorts at US better, pools, amenities etc., especially the premier resorts. Our last trip that we did both parks, we just stayed at US and drove to WDW parks. Just another option.

 

[MARCIAKAZ]

If you rent DVC, you will have a kitchenette (studio) or full kitchen (1 bdrm and up). With that convenience, doing breakfast in your room most days is easy and saves a good bit of money AND park time. Even in a regular hotel room, you'll have mini fridge and a coffee maker, so you can have quick and easy breakfast if you stock up on the right stuff. Depending who is on the trip, we usually have yogurt, cheese sticks, meal replacement/protein shakes, granola bars, fruit, milk and cereal - you get the idea. If you plan only one table service meal per day, and one quick service meal and an occasional snack, you can safely budget about $100 per person, per day, not including adult beverages. The eat-like-a-bird person can order from the starter/appetizer menus (most table service places have a fair range of choices), and can order from the kid's menu at quick-serve places. That would bring the cost down for them. Adult beverages are expensive ($12-$16 per cocktail), but usually good quality and not skimpy on alcohol. Free dining, if it were available at all, may save you a few dollars total, but also may be much more food than necessary since one of you is not an eater. Keep in mind that such an offer would not apply to DVC, but be combined with a full-price hotel package. Paying for the dining plan (assuming it comes back/currently not available at all) would be an optional add-on to a DVC rental. Again, maybe not the best value when one is a very light eater...but could be good if you want to strictly budget and prepay to take the "worry" out of the food budget.

 

[Marthasor]

Hey everyone! Long post alert, but I'm really struggling to fit all these pieces together and want to make sure this is the best trip ever!!!

My best friend and I are planning our first trip to Disney & Universal next year. I've provided some details below and then my flurry of questions and thoughts

About us: 31 & 29, gay, one big eater while the other eats like a pigeon, both enjoy adult bevs
Dates: Sat, Sept 10 - Sun, Sept 18, 2022 (Sept 10 & 18 are travel days only) 8 nights total
Budget: $6,000 for flights, hotel, transportation, and park tix - about $2,500 for hotel

Parks: we'd like to hit all 4 Disney parks and both Universal parks
Resort: hoping for some decent food options, nice pool, not super cramped, on-site bar

Here's where I need help:

• Since we have 7 full days and 6 parks to visit (not park hopping), we'd like a rest day by the pool mid-week. What would be your strategy on which park to visit on which day? Would you recommend our rest day on Wed, smack dab in the middle of the week? Can we feasibly get through each park in only a day?
• Would it be better to stay on Disney property the entire time or split our trip at Universal property too? We're likely going to get the Express Pass to cut down our wait time, so would it make sense to stay at one of the premier resorts to get those passes included? Which resorts at Disney & Universal you would recommend over the others?
• We didn't factor food & drink into our budget, since we figured we can save for that on the side. How much would you recommend we set aside assuming roughly 3 meals a day and maybe a couple drinks and snack per day? I've read the free dining plan may come back and that it's usually offered in Sept, should we consider doing that?

I SUPER appreciate any advice, guidance or suggestions you all have! I feel like my head is spinning with so much information and trying to plan everything.

Thank you!
S & D

I think the rest day really depends on how you choose to split the trip and where you decide to stay. I would definitely split the trip. I, personally, would not want to travel from Disney to Uni for two separate days. Plus, the hotels at Uni are really nice. I would highly recommend the Hard Rock Hotel at Uni if you can swing it. Great hotel and amenities and a super short walk to the parks. It also prices out, typically, along the lines of a Disney moderate, but feels more like a Disney deluxe - I would definitely invest a little more to experience that hotel and then price out the mods and values at Disney (I would look at CBR and Pop in those categories - the Skyliner is very convenient, or the CSR GDT if you don't mind taking buses to the parks). I would also highly recommend pricing out the Swan, Swan Reserve and Dolphin resorts at WDW as you will, typically, get mod pricing for a more deluxe experience - they are all within walking/boating/Skyliner distance of EP and DHS plus a ton of great places to eat - definitely better located than the Disney mods and values. With 4 parks at Disney and 2 at Uni, I would probably do a 5 night Disney/3 night Uni split. Perhaps do 5 nights WDW and then make your transition day to Uni as your rest day? You can always use the pool facilities while you are waiting for your room to be ready.

I would consider:

5 nights - Swan, Dolphin or Swan Reserve (if these are not within your budget, look at CBR, CSR GDT and Pop)
3 nights - Hard Rock Hotel (definitely worth it for express pass and proximity to parks. make check-in day your rest day)

Also, you may want to consider park hopper at Uni as that is the only way to ride Hogwart's Express (if that matters to you at all)

I, personally, don't like the dining plan. Especially if one of you eats like a bird - I don't think it will be worth it. It's too restrictive, IMHO.

 

[Cheburashka]

Hey everyone! Long post alert, but I'm really struggling to fit all these pieces together and want to make sure this is the best trip ever!!!

My best friend and I are planning our first trip to Disney & Universal next year. I've provided some details below and then my flurry of questions and thoughts

About us: 31 & 29, gay, one big eater while the other eats like a pigeon, both enjoy adult bevs
Dates: Sat, Sept 10 - Sun, Sept 18, 2022 (Sept 10 & 18 are travel days only) 8 nights total
Budget: $6,000 for flights, hotel, transportation, and park tix - about $2,500 for hotel

Parks: we'd like to hit all 4 Disney parks and both Universal parks
Resort: hoping for some decent food options, nice pool, not super cramped, on-site bar

Here's where I need help:

• Since we have 7 full days and 6 parks to visit (not park hopping), we'd like a rest day by the pool mid-week. What would be your strategy on which park to visit on which day? Would you recommend our rest day on Wed, smack dab in the middle of the week? Can we feasibly get through each park in only a day?
• Would it be better to stay on Disney property the entire time or split our trip at Universal property too? We're likely going to get the Express Pass to cut down our wait time, so would it make sense to stay at one of the premier resorts to get those passes included? Which resorts at Disney & Universal you would recommend over the others?
• We didn't factor food & drink into our budget, since we figured we can save for that on the side. How much would you recommend we set aside assuming roughly 3 meals a day and maybe a couple drinks and snack per day? I've read the free dining plan may come back and that it's usually offered in Sept, should we consider doing that?

I SUPER appreciate any advice, guidance or suggestions you all have! I feel like my head is spinning with so much information and trying to plan everything.

Thank you!
S & D

If visiting Universal I would definitely stay at one of their hotels that comes with perks, and not commute from Disney.

A $2,500 hotel budget for 8 nights is going to be limiting in terms of an onsite hotel at Disney World (not sure how many nights you'll be at Universal but they'll definitely be cheaper than Disney). Your best bet is probably a moderate resort if you want to stay onsite at Disney World. Coronado Springs has a nice pool. Renting DVC points to get a deluxe studio is possible, but that's nonrefundable & unchangeable, so know for sure what you want if you try to go that route (and buy travel insurance just in case someone gets sick & you have to cancel). As a newbie, I would also recommend that you only rent through a reputable agency, not directly from an individual.

Offsite might be the way to go, since you don't have kids so theming might be less important. There are a lot of good hotels within the Disney gates that are not owned by Disney- I recommend checking out the Orlando Hotels & Attractions thread to learn more about them. The offsite hotels often have bigger rooms & better service than Disney resorts, so that can be a plus, as well. Bonnet Creek Hilton, for example, is within the Disney gates, tends to have reasonable rates and access to two good pools: one at Hilton, and another at the adjacent Waldorf Astoria. Offsite resorts often charge nightly resort fees, though, so be sure to add that on when figuring out the total price for your stay. Look out for parking fees, too, if you have a car. Disney resorts now charge parking fees, but they don't charge resort fees.

 

[monica9]

Thanks, Nicole! I keep hearing around renting DVC points, which I assume is me renting the timeshare off another owner. But by doing that, do we get all the 'benefits' of staying on-site like the extra early park hours, transportation, etc.?

Great question on food, hadn't thought that far! I'd say we will probably grab 2-3 counter service meals per day and sprinkle in a few sit down restaurants, especially if we finish at the park early and head back to the resort for dinner. My big eater bestie is a 6' 250lb competitive body builder/power lifter so I can almost guarantee 3 huge meals may still not be enough for him still LOL!!

If you have Amazon prime you can order from the and get groceries within 2 hours of ordering. He can stick up on protein bars and shakes, cold cuts to keep in the fridge, nuts, etc that way he can stack in between meals at a way cheaper price.
if only doing UO for two nights I’d 100% agree with staying at one of the Loews or hard rock hotels which will cut your time in lines at the park. Renting points for a dvc is good option and since you aren’t going with kids and might end up at HS or EP most nights, staying at beach club or boardwalk are good options. Might also benefit looking into swan or dolphin because rooms are cheaper.

 

[NicoleLarson]

Thanks, Nicole! I keep hearing around renting DVC points, which I assume is me renting the timeshare off another owner. But by doing that, do we get all the 'benefits' of staying on-site like the extra early park hours, transportation, etc.?

Great question on food, hadn't thought that far! I'd say we will probably grab 2-3 counter service meals per day and sprinkle in a few sit down restaurants, especially if we finish at the park early and head back to the resort for dinner. My big eater bestie is a 6' 250lb competitive body builder/power lifter so I can almost guarantee 3 huge meals may still not be enough for him still LOL!!

I think someone else answered your question but yes you get all the same perks as staying in a WDW resort if staying at a DVC. Every deluxe hotel has a DVC except YC just FYI. Most studios at that time will cost you 14-20 points per night. GF, poly and riveria are on the higher end of the scale. Currently, rental rates are going for ~$18/point. Also if you have a car DVC does not have to pay to park.

Swan and dolphin have been mentioned a lot, you can find some good rates but know they have a hefty resort fee, plus parking if you have a car. So add ~$100 onto whatever rate you see.

As far as food is concerned, definitely make a reservation at Whispering canyon Cafe. They have an all you can eat meat skillet for your friend but also some lighter dishes for you that are not all you can eat. The quinoa cakes are great here.

 

[SwanVT2]

FYI with Swan you have the bus only goes to the ticket and transportation center for Magic Kingdom, then you take the monorail. You can, however, walk to Epcot and Hollywood studios from Swan/Dophin, and the Boardwalk and Swan/Dolphin have more dining options. We like to rent points at SSR and walk to Disney Springs for fun dining. Renting points at SSR studio gives you pull down Murphy bed and costs around the same as a moderate but you have nicer accommodations.

 

[StaceyHSD]

If you look at Swan/Dolphin, you can get discounts through AAA and Costco has packages. I haven’t stayed there so I can’t vouch for the discounts or packages but I have seen people talk about them on the dedicated Swan & Dolphin resort thread and it seems like there are some good deals to be had there at times.

Also, Food & Wine will be going on at EPCOT when you’re there so that will provide an opportunity to try all different kinds of snacks and food and drink.

You might also want to consider getting parkhopper tickets since some of the parks stay open later than others. So you could always hop to, say, EPCOT in the evening after you’re done with Animal Kingdom.