HELP! My First Time Planning our Disney Trip..

[MommyTaraLee]

Hello, everyone! MY DH and I have decided to take our DD (3) on her 1st trip to Disney World next October (2010). I have been several times (1986, 1990, 2001 and our Honeymoon in 2002), but this is my first time actually planning the trip and I'm not really sure where to start!

We have decided to stay at the All Star Movies because DD LOVES all of the Disney movies, esp, 101 Dalmations and Toy Story, so it seems like a perfect fit.

I've already looked at Mousesavers and it says if you are hoping to use discounts later, just book the room now and upgrade to a package later... Have you found that to be the best course of action?

Also, I would appreciate any other tips you might have as I plan this trip! I look forward to spending MUCH more time on this AWESOME board!

 

[Wendy5055]

Welcome! I know that many people do book their vacations with a deposit and then change it when the codes/rates/specials come out. Personally, I have never had an issue to get the resort of my choice and prefer to wait until the codes/specials are released to book my trip.

I think it works both ways and is a matter of what you are most comfortable with.

 

[smcdaniel4688]

No doubt that you will find an endless amount of good advice on the DISboards covering every aspect of your trip....I will throw in my 2 cents too! I LOVE Disney trip planning. I relish in it. We get home from one trip and I am scarcely unpacked before I am planning our next trip! My suggestion to you is to pick your dates, book now with your deposit ($200) and then sit around with the rest of us and wait on the deals to be announced:I am always afraid to wait to book because it would be my luck that I wouldnt be able to get the dates I want at the hotel I want.....once I get my package booked, I pick what days we will spend in each park and start my dining reservation list so that I have all my "ducks in a row" when I am able to call and make my restraunt ressies.....then when the package deals are announced, I get on the phone and get them applied to my existing reservation. Then the real fun begins: PACKING! (someone please tell me that they get this excited about packing too. If not, I will feel like a totoal nerd) Happy plannign to ya! hope you have a blast!!!

 

[SarahD]

Despite reports that All Star Movies is in need of refurbishment, I do think it tends to book up first b/c of it's fun theme. If thats your choice, I wouldn't wait.

 

[MDKLHunter]

Hello, and happy planning! I started our Disney family obsession with my own Dh and then 3yr old in 2005 after not having been myself since a teenager. Boy had things changed! I started at the library, checking out several Disney travel books, the more recent publications you can find the better! I also purchased Birnbaum's for myself and tossed it in the suitcase for the trip in case we wanted dining recommendations at the last minute. Once you understand the basic set up, the remaining details are so much fun! Disboards is great, and I also really like allearsnet.com too. I find it best to take an umbrella stroller with me, it's easier to get on and off the busses, then you have it for the walks to and from the bus stops and around your resort, the airport as well. I also carry a back pack, mostly thrown over the stroller handles, with sunscreen, water, jacket, souvenirs, etc. Since it's a backpack, I can throw it on and be hands free when we need to park the stroller and enter an attraction. Oh, and when we only had Dd3, we would hit the parks in the morning, come back for a swim or nap, and schedule dinners later, like 7:30 or 8. By resting and going back out, I thought it seemed like we got to do so much more. Good Luck!

 

[1971DBday]

No doubt that you will find an endless amount of good advice on the DISboards covering every aspect of your trip....I will throw in my 2 cents too! I LOVE Disney trip planning. I relish in it. We get home from one trip and I am scarcely unpacked before I am planning our next trip! My suggestion to you is to pick your dates, book now with your deposit ($200) and then sit around with the rest of us and wait on the deals to be announced:I am always afraid to wait to book because it would be my luck that I wouldnt be able to get the dates I want at the hotel I want.....once I get my package booked, I pick what days we will spend in each park and start my dining reservation list so that I have all my "ducks in a row" when I am able to call and make my restraunt ressies.....then when the package deals are announced, I get on the phone and get them applied to my existing reservation. Then the real fun begins: PACKING! (someone please tell me that they get this excited about packing too. If not, I will feel like a totoal nerd) Happy plannign to ya! hope you have a blast!!!

I'm with smcdaniel4688 as well (including the packing - not because I need to - it just gets me excited for our up coming trip!). I have always booked my trip when I want to (the whole package) and then when the deals come out I just adjust my current reservation; don't let them cancel the origninal just modify. It has been no problem for the last three trips.

 

[MommyTaraLee]

Thanks, everyone, for your great advice! I talked to my DH last night about this, and I think I will be calling over the weekend to book our package! (I've always wanted to use that banana man!)

As for the packing... can't say I actually LOVE that part... but I DO love making the packing lists!