How do I start planning?

[abinormal]

We're pretty sure we want to go on our first WDW trip in one year. I've been doing the dream planning but I'm guessing soon I'll have to start laying groundwork for real.

What do I do first? Looking at the numbers, I'm not interested in a package unless we're eligible for a free dining plan, which of course I won't know until after I need to make room reservations.

So do I make a room-only reservation, and if free dining plans are offered, ask to change that reservation to a package? Can you do that?

 

[amym2]

Yes, you can make a reservation and then change it if a promotion becomes available. If there is somewhere you really want to stay, I'd go ahead and make a reservation now. Get the room and transportation arranged, and then at 180 days out you can make dining reservations.

I'd recommend getting The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World to start your planning!

 

[txcorey]

I'd also recommend getting the Unofficial Guide. It will walk you through the planning process and gives reviews on each resort, ride, and restaurant.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We're pretty sure we want to go on our first WDW trip in one year. I've been doing the dream planning but I'm guessing soon I'll have to start laying groundwork for real.

What do I do first? Looking at the numbers, I'm not interested in a package unless we're eligible for a free dining plan, which of course I won't know until after I need to make room reservations.

So do I make a room-only reservation, and if free dining plans are offered, ask to change that reservation to a package? Can you do that?

Hopefully, you are not planning your first WDW trip for Christmas. A few weeks before might be okay, but Christmas week is the busiest week of the year. Parks frequently close to guests and those that are still open are wall to wall people. Standby lines can be 200+ minutes long before you get on the attraction.

 

[abinormal]

No, I'm thinking more between Jersey Week and Thanksgiving. Possibly end of October.

 

[abinormal]

So, I guess what I'm wondering is, is it better strategy to book a room only in case free dining isn't offered during my stay, or to book a package in case it is?

 

[Deb & Bill]

So, I guess what I'm wondering is, is it better strategy to book a room only in case free dining isn't offered during my stay, or to book a package in case it is?

If free dining is offered during the time you go, you will have to cancel and rebook no matter what. It's a new reservation.

 

[abinormal]

Oh, I guess I misunderstood. This is very confusing.

I guess since the only way I'd do the DP is if it were free, the room only is the way to go.

 

[KapBoy77]

Google "your first visit. Net" that site is very good for first time planners to Disney.

 

[abinormal]

I have seen that site but didn't find exactly what I was looking for as I recall. I suppose I'll have to go over it again (and the Unofficial Guide) now that it's becoming reality.

 

[Jerzetta]

Once we knew when we wanted to go the next peat was where to stay.
Then determine what parks on what days. Main reason is for dining.
Then make sure you know what restaurants you want to eat at and book dining 180 days out.

I tried to be basic abt it but got overwhelmed. I had to write it all down but of course plans changed at last minute. Kept 70% of our original plan. Enjoy the planning. Thus forum helped me tremendously with ideas.

 

[Fob]

I would suggest finding a Disney certified travel agent. They do not make commision, so they won't "sell" you anything you don't want or need. They can help sort through which resorts, tickets, etc... best fit your budget.

They can also arrange for transportation, if you live far enough way to make flying a necessity. And, if you book room only, they can set up an automatic upgrade if free dinning becomes available.

One other word on free dinning, many times it is only offered at specific resorts. This is another way the travel agent can help by facilitating a move of reservation (if that's what you want).

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Happyjen27]

My first trip was last year, and I remember the intimidation of planning!

Step 1: Get a few books. Read myfirstvisit . net. I loved the unofficial guide. I also spent a good amount of time reading resort information at allears . net. Deciding where to stay can depend on so many things. Location, transportation, pools, restaurants, price. Best to surf around on the DISboards in the resorts section and read a bit.

Truthfully I spent HOURS on these DISboards and feel like I got a better education than with any other site or book. And I've read last years and this years Unofficial Guide, as well as the UG with children book.

Step 2: Research historical discounts on mousesavers . com That will help you sort out if Free Dining is even common during the weeks you're considering. Depending on where you stay, you might make out better with a Room Only discount anyway.

Step 3: Get over to Easywdw . com and research the best time of year to visit, the best weeks of each month, and the best days for which parks.

Step 4: Admit that no matter how high your budget is, you're going to want to spend more. It's a trap!!

 

[rt2dz]

I always tell newbies to start with The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Get the book. Read it. And then you'll have a good understanding for further steps. Do not go farther until you read that book. It is comprehensive, objective and easy to understand. It will help you figure out how to deal with all the other opinions. Get the 2014 edition. Keep up with all the updates with all the MM+ going on.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[rt2dz]

I would suggest finding a Disney certified travel agent. They do not make commision, so they won't "sell" you anything you don't want or need. They can help sort through which resorts, tickets, etc... best fit your budget. They can also arrange for transportation, if you live far enough way to make flying a necessity. And, if you book room only, they can set up an automatic upgrade if free dinning becomes available. One other word on free dinning, many times it is only offered at specific resorts. This is another way the travel agent can help by facilitating a move of reservation (if that's what you want). Just my 2 cents.

Just a quick correction. TAs DO make a commission. They just get paid from Disney and not the customer. Some are great, some are not--even Disney authorized travel planners. They may help you find the best ticket, but there is an incentive to have you buy from Disney and get you to purchase packages. It all depends on the person (not the company). TAs are not bad people, and using one for a newbie can be good, but understand everything first to make sure you do have a good one.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[abinormal]

I think I won't be going with a TA. I'm kind of controlling and would rather do everything myself, haha!

I appreciate the help. I'm going to borrow the Ultimate Guide again. What really helped was the post that laid it out in the most basic way: start with when, then where, then what parks, then ADRs. It helped to sort of break it all up into manageable chunks for me.

 

[Ladygoldenhair]

We're pretty sure we want to go on our first WDW trip in one year. I've been doing the dream planning but I'm guessing soon I'll have to start laying groundwork for real.

What do I do first? Looking at the numbers, I'm not interested in a package unless we're eligible for a free dining plan, which of course I won't know until after I need to make room reservations.

So do I make a room-only reservation, and if free dining plans are offered, ask to change that reservation to a package? Can you do that?

For a first trip I souls absolutely use a Disney travel specialist. I have been there a dozen times in the past but my specialist knows the promotion ins and outs, , applying codes, tips and tricks to a great trip.

 

[OceanAnnie]

We're pretty sure we want to go on our first WDW trip in one year. I've been doing the dream planning but I'm guessing soon I'll have to start laying groundwork for real.

What do I do first? Looking at the numbers, I'm not interested in a package unless we're eligible for a free dining plan, which of course I won't know until after I need to make room reservations.

So do I make a room-only reservation, and if free dining plans are offered, ask to change that reservation to a package? Can you do that?

You can change your reservation in all sorts of ways. You should read about the many ways people do it! Split stays (staying at 2 resorts in one vacation period), etc.. Not knocking it. Just takes a bit more planning. For the most part CMs will work with you however you want to make your vacation plans.

Yes, you can make a reservation and then change it if a promotion becomes available. If there is somewhere you really want to stay, I'd go ahead and make a reservation now. Get the room and transportation arranged, and then at 180 days out you can make dining reservations.

I'd recommend getting The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World to start your planning!

+ 3 (or is it 4?). I used the DIS mostly for information. I also found having The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney invaluable. Having my own copy to have all of my information (reservation confirmation numbers, dates, times, phone numbers), pockets for tickets and paper souvenirs, etc.. It was great. One place to keep it all. Plus having maps, restaurants and locations, phone numbers, ratings at my fingertips was nice too. So much to love about that book!

I recommend getting photo pass. If you do, pre-purchase it for a discount. We did the portrait package with it. I don't know how they handle that now, but it was well worth it for us. Those pictures are my favorite from our trips. The Portrait package is where you pick a destination to have your family pictures made with a photo pass photographer. It used to be the sites were only at the deluxe resorts. They may have changed that now. They did reserve 30 minutes per family. I don't know what has changed. But it is worth looking into, IMO. We will do it again on our next trip.

ETA: I looked up the resort photo pass opportunities and I don't see it. I looked at a few websites. Strange. It looks like they might have done away with it? Anyone had the photo pass family portrait done recently? If it's gone that would be a shame!

The only other thing I can think of is to go to the Disney website and request vacation planning information. There will be a page for you to input your estimated dates. Do it! That will get you in their system for discount codes or "Pin codes". It used to be WDW offered 40% off. I think it's 35% off now. I think the only way you can get in the running for that discount is to be in their system. It's okay if your dates change.

Hope this helps! Planning is exciting!