Jumping Back into the Planning Stages - help a girl out.

[moopdog]

We only go to Disney about every 3-5 years, so this is will be our 4th Trip we are about to plan. Each time we go, there has been a million major changes - this time around it's Fastpass reservations, and Magic Bands (they were testing Magic Bands when we were there in Jan 2013, I now realize). And I'm clueless.

My main question is this: do they still offer the free dining as they have been in the past, and if so when can I expect the announcements and the time frame to run? We are basically limited to going in late Feb-late March, at this point it will have to be 2017 Free Dining has always really worked out for us, as my fast growing kids love to eat!!

Also - this time we want to visit Universal for the first time ever. My kids will be 14 and 16 at the time and I realize it will likely be our last trip together before they are off to college so I want to make it a very special one.

Which thread and what "sticky" should I be looking for to get back up to speed on all changes in the past couple years. Thanks!!

 

[amylevan]

Feb-March discounts for 2017 will be out around October of 2016. Do not expect Free Dining though - the past few years have been Stay, Play, Dine which is just a discount of packages or a room only discount.

For FP+ help, this is the most comprehensive thread: http://www.disboards.com/threads/fa...ed-priorities-and-strategies-part-ii.3326057/

 

[LovesTimone]

I agree with previous poster, that Play, Stay and Dine has been the "deal package" the last couple of years during your time frame.

ADR's are a must if you want to enjoy table service meals which is for me the best part of the day, listening to your kids talk about the day, and sometimes they talk about other stuff which is good. With the ages of your kiddos, were you thinking of just the regular DDP, 1 QS, TS and 1 snack per person per day and paying out of pocket for other meals? or where you thinking of jumping up to DDXDP, 3 meal TS or QS( appetizer, entrée and desert), 2 snacks and a refillable cup for the resort? I suggest this as when my 2 DD's where that age they could eat you out of grocery's in no time flat.
A lot of people think its just to much food, and for some it is. But with hungry teenagers this might be a better option, so that Dad and Mom don't have to worry about what they order. Also if you think this might be your last trip before college, character meals and grown up sit down might be enjoyed more ... and wonderful memories.

When you book your trip once its paid for they will send you, the magic bands.

Fast passes - Lots of info in them on here - For us we love them- but it does take some extra planning, which park on which day, and then adding in ADR's, but very doable.

Universal Studio's - BE prepared for stickers shock, it's Park to park admission for 1 day is 147.00 today which they will have a price hike by the time you are coming, plus they offer a front of the line (extra cost). In which may or may not be a value to you, if you are trying to see the major rides and stuff you might want to think about this, Food there run's along the same price point as Disney. ( Side note, make sure to plan for this when planning your trip with ADR's and dinning credits).

I suggest a cab ride over, some friends tried the bus thing and ended up spending almost 2 hours trying to get there, they had some issue's with kids, bathrooms and not looking at the schedule correctly. One the way back to resort they cabbed it and it was much fast about 20 mins.

 

[hsmamato2]

I think Universal can provide excellent value....keep watching for deals and discounts on their thread on these boards.... I can usually find tickets for much less than disney prices.... their hotels are wonderful,and cheaper than Disney overall for what you get. I would recommend staying at Universal for a couple of nights at beginning of your trip,and get the (fantastic) perks included with that,tour the parks with a 2-3 day hopper pass (At Disney a 3 day pass is much more $$$) and then move to Disney onsite somewhere.
Undercover tourist usually has good ticket prices if you don't buy a package for any theme park you visit
keep watching for deals