Help! Having Buyer's Remorse.

[Renwoman]

We are already receiving the free dining plan with our package. At the time we could have gotten 40% of the room only or pay full price for rooms and receive free dining. If we wanted the dining package the second way was the least expensive though not by much.

I checked with WDW yesterday.
Unfortunately, at this point with a $50 change fee it doesn't make much sense to drop park hopper. We would save $50 now, but if we wanted to add it while at the park it would be $100 which means we would pay $150 total for park hopper. Downgrading to a standard room isn't an option either since there are no standard rooms left. We could only change our room to a King room which is at the same price point as the "waterview".

 

[Marionnette]

We are already receiving the free dining plan with our package. At the time we could have gotten 40% of the room only or pay full price for rooms and receive free dining. If we wanted the dining package the second way was the least expensive though not by much.

I checked with WDW yesterday.
Unfortunately, at this point with a $50 change fee it doesn't make much sense to drop park hopper. We would save $50 now, but if we wanted to add it while at the park it would be $100 which means we would pay $150 total for park hopper. Downgrading to a standard room isn't an option either since there are no standard rooms left. We could only change our room to a King room which is at the same price point as the "waterview".

Did you check for rooms at a value resort instead of the moderate resort? You might be able to book a value resort, drop hopping, drop the rental car and only do free quick service dining. (BTW, no free mugs with the regular dining plan.) I just checked online and there are standard rooms available at the allstar music for free dining with your dates. The quick service plan would run you $1478. If you upgrade to the regular dining plan it would be $1618. Even with the $50 change fee and your airfare it would run a total of $2368 out of pocket for the regular dining plan. Something to think about.

BTW, a "water view" in disney speak is not the same as most resorts. You might see a lake or a swimming pool from your resort room. But coronado springs rooms have no balconies and your "water view" will be across the common walkway from your room.

 

[jcb]

We are already receiving the free dining plan with our package. At the time we could have gotten 40% of the room only or pay full price for rooms and receive free dining. If we wanted the dining package the second way was the least expensive though not by much.

I checked with WDW yesterday.
Unfortunately, at this point with a $50 change fee it doesn't make much sense to drop park hopper. We would save $50 now, but if we wanted to add it while at the park it would be $100 which means we would pay $150 total for park hopper. Downgrading to a standard room isn't an option either since there are no standard rooms left. We could only change our room to a King room which is at the same price point as the "waterview".

I won't repeat what others said; you have done a lot of planning which puts you well ahead of most folks. As to changing the room, be aware that WDW defines "waterview" as any water ("View of the pool or lake"). You also seem to assume it will get you a more convenient room. Perhaps, but it won't always be convenient. My preference would be the king bed but regardless I didn't want you to be disappointed in the "waterview" room.

I agree about the rental car. I'm an introvert and if you plan your days right, the buses work well. There is also something exciting about the first time you ride magical express buses.

Get to the theme parks early (as in when they open) - particularly as it gets later in your stay. And even if it rains, grab your gear and go have fun.

 

[Elliesmommy]

I would forget about the rental car. There is so much to do on the Disney property, especially your first time, that it is unlikely that you would get bored.

From my personal experience, I love Disney's transportation system. I don't have to worry about directions, parking, and having a few cocktails with dinner and then driving back to the resort.

I also have met some great people on the busses by chatting all the way to the parks or back to the resorts. It has been a few times where I met people on the bus and then made plans to do something with them at the park or the resort. It is an adventure!

 

[*Meagan*]

but I love everything about the buses; the ride, the music when you enter MK, and even standing on the crowded buses after fireworks. IMO, that is part of the experience, or at least it is for us.

Me too!

Just something about them.. hard to explain. You know you are in Disney!

 

[zurekgirl]

I too thought I'd hate the busses. I live in a major city with great transportation so it isn't as novel for me as it may be for others. But I found it to be quite different!!

Disney does details. I loved how the music changed to match your destination. Heading to AK, cue AK music. Going to MK, cue MK music. Heading back to your resort...yup you guessed it resort soundtrack. Its not loud or probably even noticeable to most riders but for me the magic started as soon as I entered the bus. That's the kind of details that for me make all the difference.

I've heard WDW can be confusing with poorly marked streets. When we had a resort we wanted to go to and shorten our time, we rented a cab. It was far cheaper than a car rental. We briefly discussed going off property but frankly didn't want to venture into the "real" world.

You've paid for this vacation. Now go and be excited for what it is and the memories you both will make there. If you spend your time thinking about "how much the mouse got" you won't see all the details, magic and pixie dust!

Enjoy

 

[DisneyPups]

I also wanted to mention that if you drop the rental car (which I think you should), you can rent a car for the day. At the Walt Disney World Car Care Center (407) 824-3470 you can rent with Alamo. If you decide you just have to get out for a day at the beach. I guarantee one day will be less than $200, and they'll pick you up from your Disney resort.

 

[glammadiva]

Good idea about the Alamo
rental!! Remember, this is your honeymoon and you won't have another!!! Enjoy you trip and I hope you and hubby fall in love with the happiest place on earth!!!! It truly is a special, magical place!!

 

[high meadows]

On two of our trip the bus drivers back to OKW late at night started us all singing old camp songs! It was truly nostalgic and cheering. Those drivers should get raises! Where else besides camp and high school trips did we get to sing?
The buses are a treat!

 

[Laurin612]

Re changing your reservation from a water view and the standard rooms being fully booked, can you change to one of the other moderates? You might like POR, and there you could get a King size bed. I think that would be a more "romantic" place for a honeymoon.

I would keep the Parkhopper. We used it a lot on our last trip and would not book without it now.

2nding what others said about getting a subscription to Tourguide Mike, RideMax or touringplans.com. (You'd get a discount on touringplans.com subscription since you have the Unofficial Guide--it's by the same folks) I have a subscription to touringplans.com and RideMax.

We're renting a car, but we had a bad experience on the buses (leaving after Wishes fireworks ). I think Disney transportation is generally wonderful, as long as you don't think you can make a quick exit right when the parks close (or right after Wishes, Fantasmic or Illuminations, even on EMH nights). Since you are two adults without cranky, tired children in tow you should be fine.

 

[rie'smom]

I'd drop CSR and go with the Swan or Dolphin. I don't know about your dates but there are Christmas rates of $129/night for a super deluxe resort w/in walking distance to the Boardwalk, Epcot and DHS.

You would not be able to get the dining plan but you'd be saving a ton on your room-$903 for 7 nights(plus tax and a $10/night resort fee but it includes internet service).

You could not use Magical Express but if you're renting a car that's no problem. If you aren't you can get a shuttle through Mears both to and from the airport for $60.

You can use Disney Transportation-the buses and boats.

You can can take advantage of the Extra Magic Hours.

Many have said they don't feel the Disney Magic because there are no Disney wallpapers but you look out of your window or step right out of the hotel and BAM you're in Disney.

You would not have to cancel your dining reservations either. Just be sure if you do cancel that you tell them not to cancel your dining ADRs.

We're DVC members and stay at least once a year at either the Swan or Dolphin because we love feeling pampered.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

If they stayed at Swan or Dolphin they would lose their free dining discount and have to pay out-of-pocket for all of those meals. The room amounts being about the same amount, they would end up spending more money by staying at Swan/Dophin.

 

[rie'smom]

If they stayed at Swan or Dolphin they would lose their free dining discount and have to pay out-of-pocket for all of those meals. The room amounts being about the same amount, they would end up spending more money by staying at Swan/Dophin.

The free dining is not free because in order to get "free" dining, they have to pay rack rate for their room. They would save enough money to pay OOP for their meals and still save money. The DDP (when paid for) only saves money IF you buy the most expensive items on the menu anyway. We pay far less for our food when paying OOP than we do with any dining plan.

 

[PurpleTurtle]

We are flying in instead of driving 18 hours one way. More $$$

Hi there - I know you've received many great responses already. Just wanted to encourage you on the cost of flying. Obviously I don't know what you actually paid, but I find that flying is not all that much more than driving when you consider all the costs: gas, hotel both ways, eating on the road, wear and tear on the car. We fly and take advantage of Magical Express and the Disney busses. No rental car helps to decrease our costs, too.

I hope that you have the time of your lives!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

The free dining is not free because in order to get "free" dining, they have to pay rack rate for their room. They would save enough money to pay OOP for their meals and still save money. The DDP (when paid for) only saves money IF you buy the most expensive items on the menu anyway. We pay far less for our food when paying OOP than we do with any dining plan.

Huh? Rack rate for the room is only about $159.00 per night, which is close to the same amount of the discounted rooms at Swan and Dolphin. So the free dining is most definitely saving them money - they have to eat. And free dining doesn't just save you money if you are buying the most expensive meal on the menu - I don't know where that info came from.

We have done free dining every year since 2005, and it has, literally, saved us thousands of dollars. $1,500.00 on our upcoming December trip alone. If you are staying at a value or moderate resort and planning on doing at least one sit-down/table service meal per day (which the OP is), the free DDP saves you a bundle. Plus they lose Magical Express and would have to pay airport transportaion fees and/or car rental, which would also cost more money. That's just simple math.

 

[rie'smom]

Huh? Rack rate for the room is only about $159.00 per night, which is close to the same amount of the discounted rooms at Swan and Dolphin. So the free dining is most definitely saving them money - they have to eat. And free dining doesn't just save you money if you are buying the most expensive meal on the menu - I don't know where that info came from.

We have done free dining every year since 2005, and it has, literally, saved us thousands of dollars. $1,500.00 on our upcoming December trip alone. If you are staying at a value or moderate resort and planning on doing at least one sit-down/table service meal per day (which the OP is), the free DDP saves you a bundle. Plus they lose Magical Express and would have to pay airport transportaion fees and/or car rental, which would also cost more money. That's just simple math.

I'm not going to debate this but I have added up the food we want as opposed to what is included on the DDP. We do not buy a dessert nor do we buy snacks. Many times what we want even at a TS restaurant is $15.00 plus our counter service is about the same. That comes to $30. The DDP is 41.99/day. We've purchased the plan in the past and have always left with extra credits so it's not worth it to us. My daughter is a teenager and I'm not a big eater.
If it works for you, great, it does not save us money, it costs us money.

As for the transportation fees, you couldn't pay me to use ME. We do not like the buses and take taxis to the parks or we rent a car.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I'm not going to debate this but I have added up the food we want as opposed to what is included on the DDP. We do not buy a dessert nor do we buy snacks. Many times what we want even at a TS restaurant is $15.00 plus our counter service is about the same. That comes to $30. The DDP is 41.99/day.

The OP is getting the dining plan for FREE, so they aren't out $41.99 per day, that's all I'm trying to say.

 

[Renwoman]

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions! At this point we have decided to stay with our Disney plans and accommodations. I'm going to keep the rental car reservation for now (just in case), but we are likely going to drop it and try to use Disney transportation.

If we love Disney World and decide to go back (which I have a feeling we will at some point), then we are very likely going to go for the best "value" vacation we can, including booking during a time we can get a better deal, maybe driving with a car packed with groceries and the like, staying at decent but much cheaper non-Disney accommodations, and eating at Disney less. I'm hoping this vacation will be a wonderful base line for us. We aren't going to have to wonder in the future what it is like to stay at a Disney moderate resort, use the Dining plan, and what Disney transportation is from the airport and to attractions. At the end we will know what is worth it for us and what isn't. Who knows, perhaps we will think it was worth every penny!


It is more money than I've ever paid on a vacation, but it is our honeymoon. We have both been working hard with school and work with great success. I even recently got a promotion. We have a lot to celebrate! It is going to be nice to pamper ourselves with a magical week. It is time for me to stop thinking about the cost, and focus on how to make the very most of the vacation we've already paid for.

 

[FoundNemoLostDori]

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding, and first ever trip to Disney World!! First of all, I think your resort choice was a good pick. Beautiful resort area! Take into consideration that it is more sprawled out than most, and there is a little more walking involved. I personally love Disney transportation, and can't imagine renting a car and missing out. My husband and I agree that it is such a plus to not have to worry about directions, and we have always been completely happy on their transportation. I think the water-view was unnecessary, but it's too late to back out of that now. Hopefully, you'll get the view you want! Might I just add a personal tip for thought? When eating counter service in Magic Kingdom, the best place is Columbia Harbor House. Awesome food, (wonderful tuna sandwich, fried fish platters, soup, etc.), and the wonderful thing that most people don't know is that you can take your food upstairs. I have no idea why, but hardly anyone knows to go upstairs, and that makes for a relaxing meal. There are also great views of looking out over the river/street, and people-watching. Take your time, wear comfortable shoes, buy a backpack or cross-sling purse, and have fun taking all kinds of crazy pictures. Your in Disney World, let the smiles abound!!!

 

[FoundNemoLostDori]

By the way........You can't put a price tag on making memories.