I'm so confused ...

[michigal23]

Ok, last time we went to WDW was about 3 years ago. We stayed at a WDW resort, had the Disney dining plan, enjoyed a whole bunch of character meals, and didn't have to worry about fast passes at all.

Now, trying to plan our trip (last week of april) for my family (2 adults, 2 kids ages 4 and 5.5), with special guests of my mom, dad, and 16 year old sister, I'm losing my mind. My dad gets travel points from work, was able to book us all a free hotel stay at the Swan. (awesome! but planning wise my brain is thinking - so there goes our free transportation from the airport, magic bands [maybe? I don't know?], and dining plans). So far I have booked us the one character meal we want to do (Tusker House breakfast/lunch), but I don't know about setting up anything else. I'm hearing horror stories about this new fast pass plus stuff (and how does that work since we don't get magic bands from staying at the Swan) ... I have no idea what to do about dining reservations because we don't want anymore character meals, but do we need reservations for other places? And they all want to throw in a trip to Sea World for a day (is there a shuttle for that?) ...

Can someone help? Please? Any little bit would be awesome. Thanks!

(Also, I'm sure these all have been answered million times, and I'm sorry for repeating questions, but I also run a home daycare and have 5 little munchkins running around me right now, so I figured I would just throw these all out at once).

 

[mesaboy2]

FastPass+ info can be found in the green link in my signature.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

With that many people you should consider car rental, taxi or car service to Sea World.

If you want magic bands you will need to purchase them, but as far as booking window, being at the Swan will get you what WDW resort guests get.

 

[chartle]

With that many people you should consider car rental, taxi or car service to Sea World.

If you want magic bands you will need to purchase them, but as far as booking window, being at the Swan will get you what WDW resort guests get.

Yes something with a small van. I believe there maybe a Mears Shuttle but a car service is probably cheaper for 7 and much more flexible. A one day minivan rental would probably be even cheaper.

Oh and just like 3 years ago you should be looking into getting ADRs for all your sitdown meals. Nothing has really changed in this regard.

 

[Indio]

You don't have to have Magic Bands - you can still use your tickets for FP+ and park entry. The MB won't work on the Swan doors and you can't charge back to your room on MB's at the Swan so you don't really need them unless you just want to buy them - they're $12 each. You will need ADR's if you want to do any other sit down restaurants. Also, as far as the dining plan is concerned, we've done the math and have never been able to justify the cost for our family. I would get a few suggestions and go ahead and make the ADR's and you can always cancel if you decide you don't want them.

 

[subtchr]

a free hotel stay at the Swan. (awesome! but planning wise my brain is thinking - so there goes our free transportation from the airport, magic bands [maybe? I don't know?], and dining plans).

True about the free transport from the airport, but there are some good paid options. Check out the transportation board HERE. That board will also help when finding transport to Sea World (no free shuttle).

As for Magic Bands, you can purchase them if you'd like, but you can access the same park admission and FP+ as magic band holders using an RFID card, which you will get as your park tickets.

I know for our family, dining plans are not a good deal, for how we eat.

So far I have booked us the one character meal we want to do (Tusker House breakfast/lunch), but I don't know about setting up anything else. I'm hearing horror stories about this new fast pass plus stuff (and how does that work since we don't get magic bands from staying at the Swan)

See Mesaboy's amazing thread about FP+ linked in his response. It's far from a perfect system, but it does have its positives. See my note above about not needing MB for FP+.

I have no idea what to do about dining reservations because we don't want anymore character meals, but do we need reservations for other places?

You do almost always need reservations if you want table service meals, and since you are less than two months from the trip, you may have to be flexible with your times and locations, since many will be booked in advance. We eat very few table service meals, as we have our favorite counter service locations. The price is much more affordable, and we can be flexible and take less time out of our days for meals.

Hopefully you are purchasing your park passes in advance, so that you can book FP+ 30 days before the trip. Come back and ask more questions after you read through Mesaboy's post. I hope you have a wonderful trip!

 

[hedberg1661]

I would either rent a vehicle or use a transport service to get to and from the S&D. As far as magic bands they are not required since your ticket media (plastic card) is RFID ready however, you can purchase a MB for around $14 if you would like. You get all of the other perks of staying on property such as early entry (Extra Magic Hours), and Disney on property transportation to the parks and DTD. FP+ information was posted right below your first post so I won't go there other than to say I find it to be a great system so don't believe all the horror stories you hear.

 

[michigal23]

Thanks guys. Bummer there's not a shuttle that would go to Sea World, but I guess we'll figure that out.

Any suggestions on other places to eat? Thinking Boardwalk area and such ... maybe? I don't know, I've never been to the boardwalk area ...

 

[Planogirl]

Wow, you are in an area with a lot of good restaurants. You have the Swan and Dolphin and Boardwalk and Beach and Yacht Clubs. Plus you are close to both Epcot and DHS. Where to eat depends on your party's tastes.

We really like the Boardwalk area. It's convenient and very nice.