Help for a newcommer

[Loppy]

Hello I'm loppy. I'm a 23 year old girl from Belgium. I work in ICT and one of my hobby's is themeparks. English isn't my first language and language isn't my strongest point so I would like to say sorry for any mistakes you will find!

I have been to Disneyland paris 3 times now, which definitly doesn't make me a big visitor if I hear and read about some people who have visited it more then 100 times! My biggest problem with going to disney is finding people!
Unfortiantly most of my friends and famaly isn't intrested in themeparks or Disney!

I'd like to go to Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort very much.
Which of both whould be the best for a first timer? I'm still at doub but at the moment my own preference goes to Walt Disney World but since i'm no expert any idea is welcome.

I'm not sure if this will happen because i'm not sure if this will intress anybody I know that could go with me but I surely hope so.

I have been thinking about the following things:

1. When to go! This is an important one for me as I do not like busy. The second time I went to disneyland resort paris our last day there was a saterday. Everyday had been nice and calm with low waiting lines. The last days 60 minutes was the smallest queue and at pirates the whole streets where completly full with people. I really did not enjoy that day at all and for the first time ever was glad to leave the park! I'd like to avoid that!

What I mean with busy is bumping into somebody everythime you move and stuff like that!

2. The stay. Well I've been thinking about this allready for Walt Disney World and looked up the information about the POP and tickets. No idea for Disneyland resort tough!

3. Planning after the stay is booked. Well basicly gathering information about the resort. Perhaps somebody has good day by day plans for a beginner or good suggestions? Last time I went to Disneyland I had a book with info on all the restaurants I made based on a website. Stuff like this whould be handy.

4. Any other stuff what I haven't concidered because i'm not really familiar with international travel and the Disneys abroad!

And thanks in advance for any help you can give me

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Hi, Loppy!

I stumbled across your question in looking up info for my own question, but I wanted to say hi and welcome!

The DIS has a special section pertaining specifically to Disneyland (California), so I recommend you wander over there and read through some posts. I'd start out reading the sticky threads at the top of the Disneyland section, they have lots of great basic information on hotels, transportation, and tips on everything from how to save money to maximizing the use of the Fastpass.

And if you don't find answers to all your questions in your reading, post the question; you'll likely get lots of friendly responses.

Now back on my own quest...

 

[Metro West]

 

[Grandbuddy]

You might want to start your decision-making regarding your trip by looking at airfare costs to various gateways in America. Your flights to Disney World, in Florida, could turn out to be considerably cheaper than flying across the continent to California, once you arrive in the states - especially if you are able to book a flight directly into Miami or Atlanta.
Disney World is a much, much larger park, with more themed "lands" than Disneyland, but Disneyland will always be "the original," with a great deal of history. Because it is so much larger, Disney World draws larger crowds, but there is also more room to handle those crowds. There are lots of Disney themed resorts on Disney World property, including "Pop Century," which you already know about. I stayed there last month with my wife and a grandson, and we had a wonderful time. The rates are very reasonable (especially when traveling with Euros, rather than dollars.)
You would not want to visit either park right at Christmas or Easter. Crowds are normally smaller during the school year, excluding holiday and "spring break" weeks (and various states and school systems break during different weeks of spring).
Happy planning.

 

[colonialtinker]

Loppy - If you don't mind doing detective work you can find all the answers on the diffrent threads. My first question for you would be what type of weather do you like? January into middle February is a good time to go but the weather can be chilly. September, October (not around Halloween) and November (not around Thanksgiving) are also good times and the weather is a little warmer. Don't come at Christmas, it is wall to wall people
Second questions - what type of resort are you looking for, low budget, moderate or Deluxe. On travel web sites, Orbitz, travelocity, expedia you can get an idea on flights and room prices. If you book through Disney and fly into Orlando you can ride ME to the resort and not bother renting a car.

I think you will find most of the people here will help Opinions on which theme park is the best will vary. Make sure you check out the Disneyland thread as you will get the answers about that park there. Good Luck and happy planning. BTY
Pam

 

[Aliceacc]

Hi Loppy, and welcome!

First, let me compliment you on your English!!

Now, down to details. I'm not at all a Disney expert, this will be our first trip in 19 years. But I have been doing lots of homework on it; I'm a teacher and the homework comes naturally.

I started this thread for other newbies; you may find some of the information you want there:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1715551

On basics: Disney World in Florida will probably be a lot cheaper for you, just based on the airfare. California is 2000 miles further, an entire continent away. Plus, Florida has Pleasure Island-- a group of nightclubs and other things that would probably appeal to a 23 year old. Here's the info: http://www.wdwinfo.com/downtown/pi/index.htm

As to time of year, I'm under the impression that the "slow" times are early December, and mid January to mid February. But keep in mind that "slow" is a relative term in Disney.

If you do decide to go to Disney World in Florida, there are 3 different resort classes on site: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. Each includes transportation; you won't need to rent a car. Each also includes EMH privleges-- hours when a particular park opens either early or stays open late for guests at the Disney resorts. You'll also want to look into the meal plan; you can pre-pay for one snack, one counter-service and one restaurant meal per day. It might make sense for you, since it would mean less dealing with American currency... one less thing to deal with.

So... I say get one of your girlfriends to join you, and make reservations. The American dollar is doing so badly right now that it's a great time for people from other nations to visit-- your money will buy you so much more with a weak dollar. And you'll LOVE Disney World!

Happy planning!!! Feel free to ask any questions as they come up!

 

[magicaldisney]

 

[Loppy]

Thanks everybody for the warm welcomes!

Sorry for wasting your time with my questions!
The reason why i'm replying now is that my laptop died on me and I had to order a new one! I'm currently using an old laptop that's very slow and even annoying!

Unfortionatly this means that going to Disney this year had become very unlikly. I will most likly wait at least a full year and hope everything gets planned and happens then!

Thanks for those who helped me

 

[HonnyDipp]

to the boards!!! I have a big brother called Loppy too!!