Hi, I'm planning my first trip to DW

[jackiedy]

Wow, my vacation is over 2 months away and I can't even count the hours I've spent on the internet already. Taking my 5 yr. old daughter from 8/25 to 8/31 and would appreciated any advice or reccomendations from all you "experts". We're getting the free dining plan and staying at Pop Century. We're vegetarians and I've looked at the menus for every participating restaurant and chosen our table meals for each day. Actually made reservations tonight. This is my planned agenda, how does it sound?
Sat. 8/26- Epcot, dinner "Princess storybook" 6:25 pm
Sun.8/27- Magic Kingdom (pm magic hours), breakfast Crystal Palace 9:25 am
Mon 8/28- MGM(pm magic hours), dinner Mama Melrose 5:30 pm
Tues 8/29- Magic Kingdom, dinner "Tony's town square" 6:15 pm
Wed 8/30- Animal Kingdom (pm magic hours), breakfast "Donald's breakfastosaurus" 9:30 am
A few questions if you please: Arriving the first day, not going to a park, Pop Century doesn't have sit down eatery, any recommendation for other resort restaurants for dinner? (on dining plan, not just meat). Does Pop Century bus go to the other resorts?

How do you get to downtown disney? Buses go there? Disney sent me info. and shows a Planet Hollywood meal voucher (1?)as well as meals on plan.

By the way, just to mention for anyone planning a trip, the price they offered including airfare would've been about $555.00 for 2 round trips. I've been waiting to buy plane tickets. Travelocity e-mailed me today, airfare down to $324.00 total for 2 round trip nonstop tickets (from NY). (100.00 less than a week ago for flight I've been watching) I would definitely check around for separate airfare instead of adding to package.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for any responses!

 

[Donald is #1]

First of all, to get to Downtown Disney (DD), you just have to take a DD bus from your hotel. Also, if you are at one of the parks, I believe that you can also pick up a bus for Downtown Disney at the parks. I definitely would recommend Downtown Disney for your first day. There are a few different restaurants and you can walk around and look at the shops.

On your busing question, no, there are not buses between Pop Century and the other hotels. From each hotel, the buses only go to the parks, water parks and Downtown Disney. If you want to go to another resort, you need to take a bus to either one of the parks or Downtown Disney and then take another bus to the resort that you want to go to. I have read that if you want to go to another resort, it may be easier (but not cheaper) to take a taxi. That being said, I have found the bus system as easy to use once you know the rules. All of the buses are well marked as to which park they are going to. When you check in at the Pop Century, they will give you a transportation pamphlet that will tell you which bus to take where. When you want to return to your hotel from the park, find the queue for the Pop Century and then wait for the bus.

If your daughter likes fireworks, try to see if you can keep her awake long enough to watch the fireworks at either Magic Kingdom or EPCOT at least one night. Hopefully she won't be too tired after a day of touring the parks.

Have fun!

 

[Minniespal]

Welcome to the Dis

 

[pixie dust 112]

By the way, just to mention for anyone planning a trip, the price they offered including airfare would've been about $555.00 for 2 round trips. I've been waiting to buy plane tickets. Travelocity e-mailed me today, airfare down to $324.00 total for 2 round trip nonstop tickets (from NY). (100.00 less than a week ago for flight I've been watching) I would definitely check around for separate airfare instead of adding to package.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for any responses!

Jackiedy,

Southwest has a special through tomorrow. $69.00 flights each way from Albany to Orlando. I checked and your dates are still available. Lots of flights open!! If you usually fly out of the city, you'll probably like Albany. I think it is much more convenient! Have a great time.

And we always spend sometime in the park on day one. BUt we have annual passes so it's not like we're using up a day's ticket! If you have passes for your entire stay, it's fun to get into the magic.

We always take the 7:30 am Southwest flight down. We're usually at the hotel by 12 or `12:30. If your rooms not ready they will store your luggage.

Have a fantastic time!!!

Go to southwest.com and book! I can't imagine getting anything cheaper than that right now.

 

[MiknMinMouse]

Try to relax and enjoy. Don't overschedule or overplan. Sure some planning is needed but don't plan so much that you take any spontenaity and fun out of the trip You'll have a blast!