I'm a tad bit overwhelmed....PLEASE HELP!

[thenicevoice]

What a wonderful message board! Very, very informative...but a little overwhelming.


I'm planning a trip to WDW, I've been lurking the msg boards for over 3 hours and I still don't know where to start.

A few facts:


* This will be a trip to celebrate my 1 year wedding anniversary.

* We won't need airline tickets.

* We want to stay 5-6 nights.

* We want to leave on or around September 12.

* We didn't want to rent a car...so we'll need to stay at a property that offer shuttle service

* We love rides more than shows than shows, and other attractions.

* Our budget is around $2000.

* We would LOVE to take advantage of a massage!

* THINK ROMANCE!

Would someone be so kind to make a few recommendations regarding packages, or some sort of advice in regards to getting a plan underway??

Thanks in advance!

 

[Amirah95]

Whoa...this Sept 12, huh? I'm not going to touch this one because if it were me I'd be freaking out! Welcome to the DIS!!!! You can count on getting the best advice here from your fellow Disers. Enjoy your stay!

 

[thenicevoice]

Thanks for the warm welcome.

Originally posted by Amirah95
Whoa...this Sept 12, huh? I'm not going to touch this one because if it were me I'd be freaking out!!

Please touch this one. I'm not sure if I know what you mean. Please explain!

 

[Amirah95]

Your trip is right around the corner and I'm just not too sure if I can give the best advice right now (not a pro yet). What DH and I are doing is renewing our vows next year and we chose to stay at the Poly (GF didn't have the room we wanted at the time of booking) because of the "islandy atomospher" (we love the islands and we think it's very romantic). I don't know what the room rates are for the Deluxe rooms now, not saying that Deluxe means Romance. For 2K I think you can do well with a moderate (Disney Resorts have free transportation) and two 4 PH or two 4 PHP tickets and the rest for food. I don't know about souveniers...any Disers out here that can help me out????

I have a few questions:
1. Do you have a Disney resort in mind that intests you?
2. Which parks will you both want to go to and how many days?
3. Any restaurants you got in mind?

Visit: http://www.allearsnet.com or http://www.wdwinfo.com to get familiar with all that WDW has to offer while you still have time. Did I do OK??

 

[poohkinandpiglet]

Go to the bookstore and buy The Passporter for WDW. It has everything you need to know right at your fingertips. I love the fold out maps. I tore mine out and had them laminated. They are the perfect size to carry around the parks and have touring plans printed on the back.

 

[Disney Girl #1]

Hi,

Congratulations on your Anniverary! I've been to Disneyworld 5 times since 1997 and planning my 6th trip for November. Since you said you don't need plane tickets that will give you a little more to spend on rooms.

I highly recommend staying at a Disney Resort, you may spend a few more dollars but it's truly worth it. It gives you the ultimate "Disney Experience", and the transportation is superior to other offsite resorts. You can find out just about everything you want to know about Disney Resorts at http://www.wdwinfo.com under Disney Hotels. You can also find a fact sheet and room rates of the Resorts at http://www.allearsnet.com . Select Accomodations once you get there. If at all possible stay at one of the Delux Resorts, they really give you the red carpet treatment. There are many Disney Packages to choose from but I usually find it cheaper to book a room at one of the resorts and buy my park hoppers separately. You can find good deals on park hoppers at AAA (requires membership) and also at http://www.hotwiresavingsclub.com (requires membership). You can try a free 30 day membership with hotwire.

My favorite resort is the Animal Kingdom Lodge and I will be returning there in November. The Animal Kingdom Lodge has it's very own African Animal Safari and is a very beautiful resort. It's also very quiet and peaceful and has a wonderful spa/massage parlor. I think it would be a great choice for your Anniversary. I could talk for hours about how much I love this resort, most of all I just love watching the animals. The Animal Kingdom Lodge is also one of the cheapest Delux resorts. The standard room rate starts out at $200 per night in value season and September is value season. You may find an even better deal with an AP code. These are special three letter discount codes Disney releases from time to time through e-mails and post cards. Occasionally you can even find them at http://www.disneyworld.com. Keep an eye out in the DIS Chat Forum for AP Codes. Alot of times people will kindly share the current codes available that they've used. I know you want to go in September, however, I'm using an AP code of BAT thats valid for October - December stays. November - December is the cheapest because it is also Value Season, October is not. I saved $50 per night off the rack room rate. If you decide to use this code just mention it the the Disney Reservationist when booking. Even if you don't decide to stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, I think it would be worth while to visit it while your here, it's open to the public and you can get to it by hopping on a bus to Downtown Disney and then catching another bus at Dowtown Disney to the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

As for dining at Disney World, if you plan to eat and any sit down resturants you should definately make some priority seating reservations. Many of the resturants book out quickly. The phone number to call is 407=WDW-DINE. You can type up an itinerary with the reservations numbers on it and make a copy for those going with you, this helps me alot when I go to keep organized and provides a restuant meeting place if anyone should get separated from the group. If you want to see what resturants Disney has and how much they cost you can find menus at http://www.wdwinfo.com then select dining at the top and then to the left of the screen Menus. You might want to bring your own bottled water it is $2.50 at Disney World. Well, these are just some ideas for you. Keep reading the chat room posts for more great ideas, there's a wealth of information on them. Have a great time!

 

[tiggerrifficheidi]

I agree that the Polynesian is VERY romantic. DH and I are staying there in just a few days! If you pay Value Season rack rate, it's $299 a night, so that may eat up your budget, but there are some September discount codes floating around on other sites (that others have mentioned), which brings it down to something like $180 with tax (or so...I forget exactly). That puts it in your league. The Polynesian is also great because of location (you can take monorail to GF, MK, or Contemporary). If that hotel is not what you want, I suggest the Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge, although you have to rely more on busses from the AKL than the WL. From WL, you can take a motor launch to MK or to the Contemporary, where you can get on the Monorail to MK or to Epcot, via the TTC (and of course the Polynesian and GF)

If you stay at the Polynesian, you can take the monorail (or walk) to the GF for a massage (get the Passporter, like someone mentioned...I'm sure they have reservation numbers in there).

Also, eat at the California Grill (atop the Contemporary) during the Wishes fireworks at the MK. Other highly recommended restuaurants for romance: Victoria and Albert's (a splurge, but a wonderful experience, especially when celebrating something...they personalize your menu and give you a chocolate anniversary card), the Afternoon Tea at the Garden View Lounge at the GF, and Le Cellier in Canada at Epcot. I've also heard wonderful things about Citrico's and Narcoosees at GF, although I haven't been yet.

Okay, you can also go with room service breakfast in bed one day (I know the Polynesian has their famous Tonga Toast on the room service menu). Also go to www.disneyflorist.com to have something special and "disneyfied" delivered to your room. Also www.giftsofalifetime.com if you really want to do it up right.

Also, don't rush yourself. DH and I took time to poke in every shop, to laugh at each other in funny hats, and to buy things for each other just because it was Disney and we love each other. That was actually VERY romantic!

Happy Anniversary!

Heidi

 

[kar313]

Another smalll suggestion be sure to mention when making reservations and dinner seatings that it is your anniversary. Many have been surprised with little extras that make your stay even more special.

 

[Amirah95]

See, I told you that you'd get some great advice! I was waiting for someone to break it down by your budget of 2k. Is it possible to step that up a notch or is your budget set in stone? If you make ressies at Vic & Als, get your park tickets, a Spa appointment and stay at the Poly or AKL for 5 or 6 nights (without getting any discounts) and eat all of your meals out I can safely conclude that you will come up short somewhere in your budget. Get some quotes and here are some places you can start:
- A local travel agent,
- http://www.mousesavers.com/ (for codes) or
- http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/ to see who has the best deal.

Oh yeah, and getting the Passporter is a good idea too. There is a 20% off coupon you can use at Borders Books until tomorrow. Print it out here and save a little: http://f.chtah.com/i/9/276579820/BordersPromo0826.html .

 

[Shani]

Originally posted by poohkinandpiglet
Go to the bookstore and buy The Passporter for WDW. It has everything you need to know right at your fingertips. I love the fold out maps. I tore mine out and had them laminated. They are the perfect size to carry around the parks and have touring plans printed on the back.

 

[Jasminesmommy]

Passporter is wonderful.

 

[Jen D]

www.mousesavers.com.

There are some wonderful September codes-- but I'm afraid they might have just expired! Check it out. And maybe even if they have expired, ask for any deals or specials from the reservationist.

 

[disneycrazzzy]

I think romance can take care of itself, most importantly you need to get to WDW. Without doing a lot of research, this is what I would recommend:

Stay on-site at Pop Century or any value resort for $600 for the 6 nights. This rate is available at www.disney.com and I know you can do better if you call with mousesavers discounts. Since you like to ride rides, staying on-site gets you into the parks 1 hour early where you can really maximize your time. If you don't want to get up early for that, staying off-site can save some $$. Although a good shuttle is a must. You can get a 3 star hotel for $50-$60 per night...I briefly checked expedia.

Get 5 day park hoppers (allow 5 days of park access plus two visits to a water park) for $520 or 6 day ultimate park hopper tickets (allows 6 days of unlimited access to parks, water parks, and disney quest) for $600. The ultimate park hopper are only offerred if you stay on-site.

Budget $100 a day for food. You can spend more easily.

$600 + $600 + $600 = $1800
leaves $200 for souveniers. Any savings you can get on a hotel will add to your souvenier spending money and maybe a massage. Good Luck planning your vacation.

 

[Patsfan7]

To view the spa services at the GF go to www.relaxedyet.com
There is a romantic evening couples massage offered. I think it was $250.00.
Have a wonderful anniversary, my seventh was yesterday, but we are celebrating with a trip to WDW 9/19-26...

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I belive you need to have an AP to get AP rates.

However, there are special codes that are available to everyone on www.mousesavers.com