January 2017

[RuthieT]

Where to even start planning at?? We know we will be staying off property, having a rental car.

 

[Hootch]

Here are a couple of good sites to start with:

http://**************.net/

http://www.easywdw.com/easy/

Dave blogs at your first visit and Josh Humphrey has easywdw.com

They wrote a guide book that is laid out to guide you through planning your first visit from making ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations) to picking a resort (not for you it appears) and describing touring plans and attractions. You can glean much of the information in the book from their sites but it takes time. If you have an Prime subscription, I believe you can access the content for free right now.

The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World is pretty comprehensive look at WDW and Universal Orlando. It has a lot of information on offsite accommodations and car rental agencies. Also www.mousesavers.com has savings on some of the hotels near WDW. You might be able to find multiple room offerings at a reasonable price - especially in January.

It's not too early to start planning. ADRs for January can be made in a couple of months.

Good luck

 

[AshleeH]

I agree - get the Unofficial Guide - it helped me so much when planning our first family trip! I bought the updated WDW edition twice and the DLR and DCL editions when we were planning those trips. It's a great resource!

 

[RuthieT]

But is it possible to get any deals this far about for hotels, etc?

 

[Tuptup]

Take a look at Mouse Savers to see when historical discount rates have been posted. You probably won't get on-site hotel deals this far out, but closer to the fall you probably will! As far as off-property though, you may just want to call that hotel and see what they typically offer, or when they typically offer discounts.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

We will be there again for the races. Plan for any/all weather. Great time to go.