Help needed for booking first trip

[MainStFan]

I'm planning a trip to WDW for next June. I've been reading a lot of the web sites and discussion forums for some time, but to be honest I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the information. I could use some feedback from others before I do something stupid.

This is my first family trip to WDW (I've visited briefly by myself, staying offsite). My current plan:
-- Visit WDW from June 10 - 20, staying at All-Star Music
-- Traveling with wife and two sons … although my kids are age 10 and 18, so they will be considered adults by Disney.
-- Choosing 10-day Magic Your Way ticket with Park Hopper but NO water park option (costs $150+ more and I don't see that as justified; cheaper to just pay for the water parks if I want them).
-- I'm skipping the Dining option; when you consider that I'm paying for 10 days but really will only use at most 9 (other will be travel), works out to around $42/day per person. While that might save money for my wife and me, there's no way that my kids would be eating $42 worth of food. While I would love to just pay up front and be done, it seems much cheaper to just pay as you go…. With the added benefit of flexibility.

When I look at the package quote from the official WDW site, that works out to around $2,500 for the trip (not counting airfare and food). I've thought about an Annual Pass, but since I'm traveling in June it seems like I shouldn't expect any particularly great discounts on the room, and the other discounts aren't large enough to clearly justify the extra cost for an AP.

Do most people book their trips direct with Disney or through a travel agent? Any particular reasons I should choose one over the other? Are the Disney site prices reasonable, or is this only for those who are clueless about how to save money?

Since I'm traveling in the summer I'm not expecting any great bargains to be lurking out there. Have there been any other summer deals offered by Disney in the past?

My older son is 17 now but will be 18 by next June. The WDW site would consider him to be a 3rd adult, and when priced out this way it costs $100+ more for the same package. Would it be unethical to purchase the package for his current age even though he will be 18 by the time he uses it? I don’t want to cheat anyone but on the other hand I don't want to throw away $100+ dollars either. Most places will use the age when the item is purchased, not used.

Finally, to further complicate things, I'm not absolutely sure the trip will happen; it's possible that I may need to cancel our plans by next spring. How does Disney handle cancellations? Is there a non-refundable deposit, or trip insurance available? Seems like I remember that the package prices include insurance that allow you to cancel a trip if needed…. But I'm not sure.

I'm probably making things way more complicated than they need to be... but I'd appreciate any suggestions before I make that final step and book the trip. I apologize if this has already been exhaustively discussed.

 

[Elmo888]

Check out some resources...

mousesavers.com - great planning info

allears.net - up to date info, menus, etc.

book - The Unofficial Guide to WDW 2008

I can't answer your questions, but you might find some answers there.

One thing that I thought of after reading your plan - there may be some benefit to having APs because of the number of days that you are staying. I don't know exactly where I read it (maybe mousesavers.com), but I have seen an analysis of AP (in which situations buying an AP makes sense, etc.)

Room only reservations can be canceled up to 5 days before with no penalty. After that, I think that you lose your deposit (one night's fee).

For a package, if you cancel before 45 days, you don't lose any money. After that, I think that you lose your deposit ($200).

Honestly, I would go with room only if you aren't doing the dining plan. If you aren't sure, you can make a room only reservation and then change it later if you desire. If a package discount becomes available (mousesavers.com lists them the day that they are available and has a list of historic data of when and what was available). If you decide on the package, you can ask them to exclude the insurance and save $120.

Whether you use a travel agent depends on you. If you enjoy the planning, I would just do it yourself. If it gives you anxiety, use a good WDW specialist TA (not just any TA). I believe that mousesavers.com give some recs.

Also, even if you don't use the dining plan, I would make ADRs (advanced dining reservations) if there are table service restaurants that you would like to try.

Is that a good place to start?

 

[kimis]

Check out some resources...

mousesavers.com - great planning info

allears.net - up to date info, menus, etc.

book - The Unofficial Guide to WDW 2008

I can't answer your questions, but you might find some answers there.

One thing that I thought of after reading your plan - there may be some benefit to having APs because of the number of days that you are staying. I don't know exactly where I read it (maybe mousesavers.com), but I have seen an analysis of AP (in which situations buying an AP makes sense, etc.)

Room only reservations can be canceled up to 5 days before with no penalty. After that, I think that you lose your deposit (one night's fee).

For a package, if you cancel before 45 days, you don't lose any money. After that, I think that you lose your deposit ($200).

Honestly, I would go with room only if you aren't doing the dining plan. If you aren't sure, you can make a room only reservation and then change it later if you desire. If a package discount becomes available (mousesavers.com lists them the day that they are available and has a list of historic data of when and what was available). If you decide on the package, you can ask them to exclude the insurance and save $120.

Whether you use a travel agent depends on you. If you enjoy the planning, I would just do it yourself. If it gives you anxiety, use a good WDW specialist TA (not just any TA). I believe that mousesavers.com give some recs.

Also, even if you don't use the dining plan, I would make ADRs (advanced dining reservations) if there are table service restaurants that you would like to try.

Is that a good place to start?

I will give you a hint: we use AAA. You get a discount plus almost all AAA offices have people who really know disney. Call around to the offices in your area and see if there is a disney specialist in your area. They are a great help. Plus check out the web site the others told you about. Plan and relax. enjoy

 

[KKB]

And you seem to have done some good homework.

We are doing our first trip next month, and I only booked direct as we got in on a 40% room discount. Otherwise I would have booked w/ AAA.

Now the Dining plan is changing for next year...I also thought no biggie, we can easily feed a family of 5 for less than $140/day...but my mother noted that while we COULD, it would require considerable effort! You might check out menus at allears.net.
Buffets run a good $25pp. Counter meals will run a good $10pp w/ a beverage. You are already at $35pp. And a good table service meal will definitely run more than $25pp w/ dessert. If you are planning on mostly counter service meals, then the dining plan makes no sense.
Now as I said, with the dining changes for 2008, I cannot honestly say we would do it if we were traveling next year.
I liked the convenience, as well as the freedom to order any entree from a menu, not just one of the cheapest ones to save money....

Keep hanging around here...I am SOOOOOOO much more wise about WDW than when I began! (THANKS DISers!)

 

[mytwinklestar]

First, you are ahead of the planning game by just being here. This is a magnificent resource for Disney planning. Yes, Disney offers trip insurance with limited liability for cancellations. If there is a question about the trip actually happening, I would purchase the insurance. As I understand the new dining plan, it is still a bargain. I felt as you do, that I could budget our meal expenses and save. Having tried both ways... we use the DDP with every visit now. I encourage you to do as the above poster said and check out the menus and expense of the different venues before you dismiss the DDP as an option. As for the age of your son... this is a tender subject for us, too. My son will be 10 when we arrive in December. He is now an adult by Disney standards. His now "adult" meal plan expense is triple what it was in June! Ouch! It is still, IMO, worth it. We do have TS meals that we would not have without the DDP. It would be too expensive. You have obviously begun your research... keep up the great planning. The planning is a lot of fun. Keep your eyes and ears open. You just never know when a code may be offered. We book directly through Disney. I have friends that swear by AAA, though. It cannot hurt to look at other options. I hope you all have a wonderful family vacation... and no matter how you get there, if its Disney, I have no doubt that you will!