Help for a newbie - lots of ?s

[UMTerp]

I booked my airfare and now I'm lost! Haven't been to WDW in 7 years and never stayed on-site. We are a family of 4. Arriving early Nov 4th and leaving early evening on Nov 8th. I am thinking that staying on-site is the way to go. I was thinking about Pop Century? We have been on a cruise so we are used to dealing with tight quarters. We will need tickets too. What's the best way to go? Some type of package? We are members of AAA, Costco, etc. I think I would prefer to buy some type of non-expiring tickets for more days.

I'm sorry if this has been covered in another thread. I looked but couldn't see anything.

Thank you in advance for any help!

UMTerp

 

[legalslave]

Call your AAA agent and book a Magic Your Way package if you want the dining plan ($35 per adult, $10 per child) and ask for non-expiring tickets - best value would be 10 day tickets - and for park hopping if you wish. If you want to book room only you can do it through CRO - 407-W-DISNEY (don't have a phone in front of me to convert to numbers) and ask for AAA discount. On mousesavers.com they have sites where you can buy discounted tickets.

Have a blast planning and while you are three.

 

[UMTerp]

Thanks for the info! Are most people going with the Dining Plan? Do you still have to make reservations? Am I too late at this point to make dining reservations for early Nov?

I'll check mousesavers too!

Thanks!

UMTerp

 

[maxiesmom]

I'm not sure what your budget is, but have you considered staying at the poly or the contemporary? Being on the monorail will cut down on your travel time to and from the parks. Four days is not alot of time, and I would look to spend as little time commuting as I could!

 

[UMTerp]

Thanks maxiesmom - I didn't know about staying on the monorail. I'll look into how much more that would be.

Thanks!

UMTerp

 

[bigmac5]

Personally(I don't know your finacial situatation) but I would do Values + dining (this also depends on what your kids like to eat) over the more expensive resorts without dining. If your kids only like counter service then the dining plan would not be worth it.

 

[UMTerp]

Thanks everyone who has replyed so far!
I've done a little more reading and it seems like the bus transportation from the value resorts is pretty bad (i.e., takes a long time). This is making me think that at least a moderate would be the way to go since we only have four days. Anyone know if November would make a difference in the bus?
It looks like the dining might be a good way to go.

Thanks!

UMTerp

 

[Deb & Bill]

Thanks for the info! Are most people going with the Dining Plan? Do you still have to make reservations? Am I too late at this point to make dining reservations for early Nov?

I'll check mousesavers too!

Thanks!

UMTerp

It could be difficult to get Table Service restaurants now for early Nov. Lots of people made their's 90 days out.

You really need to get a hotel first as soon as you can.

 

[UMTerp]

Thanks - I'll jump on a ressie tomorrow!

UMTerp

 

[imfortune8]

If you have little kids, I would really vote for staying at one of the monorail resorts, as the bus transportation to the Magic Kingdom is rather long from the value resorts. Plus, I think the value resorts bus stops are the furthest away from the enterances of the parks. For four days, if you plan on doing the MK at least two of them, it would be easily worth the extra $$ (IMHO) to stay at the monorail resorts, or Wilderness Lodge. Last October we were able to stay in a hotel room for $149.00 a night. Then trips back to the room for naps, "down time" or at the end of a long day are just easier. In Nov. you ought to be able to find some deals. Are you doing two rooms, or a villa? You could rent points from a DVC member (www.tug2.net) and stay at Wilderness Lodge in a 2 bedroom. You might be surprised by how affordable it can be. Just a suggestion, but you wanted opinions, right?

Good Luck!

 

[bigmac5]

Thanks everyone who has replyed so far!
I've done a little more reading and it seems like the bus transportation from the value resorts is pretty bad (i.e., takes a long time). This is making me think that at least a moderate would be the way to go since we only have four days. Anyone know if November would make a difference in the bus?
It looks like the dining might be a good way to go.

Thanks!

UMTerp

We stayed at ASSp end of Sept/first part of Sept. The longest bus ride was from MK-about 15 min. I usually enjoyed chatting to someone or just closing my eyes for a few. We are fans of the bus system

 

[EthansMom]

I booked my airfare and now I'm lost! Haven't been to WDW in 7 years and never stayed on-site. We are a family of 4. Arriving early Nov 4th and leaving early evening on Nov 8th. I am thinking that staying on-site is the way to go. I was thinking about Pop Century? We have been on a cruise so we are used to dealing with tight quarters. We will need tickets too. What's the best way to go? Some type of package? We are members of AAA, Costco, etc. I think I would prefer to buy some type of non-expiring tickets for more days.

Call WDW's CRO at 407-W-DISNEY for reservations. Ask for availability of rooms with a AAA discount. Pop doesn't share busses with another resort, so if you're on a tight budget, it's a great choice. You may want to look into the Moderates if you've got a few extra dollars -- we love Port Orleans French Quarter.

Buy tickets from http://www.ticketmania.com. They are a reputable discounter of tickets with great service. If you think you'll make another trip soonish, then go for the 10 day non-expiring ticket.

Book your Advanced Dining Reservations at 407-WDW-DINE now! I highly recommend a character meal at Crystal Palace and/or Chef Mickey's as great fun for kids of all ages.

I hope this helps!

 

[minnie61650]

Thanks everyone who has replyed so far!
I've done a little more reading and it seems like the bus transportation from the value resorts is pretty bad (i.e., takes a long time). This is making me think that at least a moderate would be the way to go since we only have four days. Anyone know if November would make a difference in the bus?
It looks like the dining might be a good way to go.

Thanks!

UMTerp

Concider staying at the All Stars

The buese from the All Stars are wonderful.

Bus rides are quite short from the ALL Stars according to PassPorter.com

All Star Buses-CBR buses---POP buses--PO buses--- Contemporary
MK 20 min---- 20 min-----25min------10 min---20 min(mono)
Epcot 10 min-- 15 min-----20 min------10 min---15 min
MGM 10 min----12 min-----15 min------15 min---20min
AK 10 min------20min-------15 min----15 min---20 min
DTD 15 min----20 min------325min-----15 min---35 min

It only takes 10 minutes to get to Epcot,MGM and AK from All Stars.
MK is 20 min away. That's the same amount of time it takes on the monorail from the Contemporary.

Also All Star is closer to the main road to get to parks and thats why bus rides are shorter from there than from POP.

if you have any more questions about the All Stars please PM me or ask on this thread and I will be happy to answer them.

I am 55 years old and travel several times a year. I often stay at 4 star hotels.
So the deluxe resorts do not have anything special for me.
All Star is like being in the heart of the Magic and that is where I want to be.

I have visited WDW more than a dozen times with the 1st time in Oct. 1971. It was brand new. I've stayed at FW, Disney Inn, a few the of Hotels on hotel Blvd., CBR and the towers at the Contemporary. I got to see the MK from my balcony at the Contemporary and I'm happy I got to experience it once. I just prefer the All Star Resorts.
The theaming is pure Disney.
My last 4 visits have been at The All Stars and this fall when we take dd,dsil, and our grandson age 3 we are staying at the All Stars Music. I thought about AKL and even though we can well afford AKL I just wanted Alex to experience the Disney Magic at the All Stars on his first visit.
Where else can one find Donald Duck or Mickey Mouse at the pool?
Have a great time at Disney!
Linda

 

[deek05]

We just returned from WDW and stayed at the Pop. No regrets. The bus ride was about 15-20 min to the Magic Kingdom. I recommend the Pop to anyone.

 

[UMTerp]

Thanks so much everyone! You have given me lots to think about!

UMTerp

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

Also, you can use the 800# instead of paying the long distance charges! The # is 1-800-828-0228 and you can use it for reservations and dining. We've stayed at all levels of the resorts and had a great time every time. Just depends on how much you want to spend on accomodations. Our favorite resort is the WL, we're headed there for the 3rd time in 12 months in Dec.!