Just back from our first EVER trip to WDW!

[jrasmom]

We stayed in ASMo, 101 Dalmations building #4, room 4913.

We ate at:

Sci-Fi Drive In, Peso Bill's, 1900 Park Fare for dinner, Tusker House for breakfast, Chef Mickey's for breakfast, The Electric Umbrella, Columbia Harbor House, Seasons, food court at ASMo.

and yes, we DID trade in some of our TS credits on free dining for counter service, it worked out better for us that way.

This was our first trip so I'm not totally experienced like some of you others but if you have questions about anything I'd be glad to answer....and maybe help you out.

 

[I Love Pluto]

Congratulations on your trip. It sounds as if you had a great time. I'm sure you'll be looking forward to your next trip just like the rest of us.

 

[byoung]

Sounds like you will return.

 

[jrasmom]

Funny you guys say that.

I wasn't going to say a word about returning, when in fact I knew before we went that I wanted to return (especially once the 2 yr. old is older and can REALLY enjoy more).

We're about an hour away after leaving on Friday evening and my hubby says "If we come back I'd like to do it in February or early March when it's cooler."

He doesn't care for upper 80's and 90's in temperature, while I on the other hand didn't mind the sun and warmth as much...after the first day or so I seemed to tolerate it much better

 

[westbrush]

Glad you had a awesome time! I am with your husband on going when it's cooler...I just returned from POP last week and it was so hot and humid...Best time to go for real reasonable rates are November and early December and January till about mid February weather is just right! If you go back in March and April will be peak season and rates are quite high.

 

[jjk]

Sounds like you had a fantastic time.

 

[ladyandthetramp]

We're going in December and I can hardly wait! Glad you had a great time!!


arlene

 

[jrasmom]

Glad you had a awesome time! I am with your husband on going when it's cooler...I just returned from POP last week and it was so hot and humid...Best time to go for real reasonable rates are November and early December and January till about mid February weather is just right! If you go back in March and April will be peak season and rates are quite high.

Yes, we're thinking mid-late February to early March.

Of course, we'd check out prices and such first.

Oh.....and I think we'll watch for other Free dining offers as that was THE way to go for us!! Saved us money..........we're cheap, can't you tell?

 

[TinksMagic54]

Take advantage of going off-season until your child is school-age - it will save you a ton of money. Once your kids are school-age you will find going during the summer or during school breaks are quite expensive.

Friends of mine go every year after Thanksgiving and find the rates are low, the crowds are low, the decorations are up for the holidays and the weather is great.

 

[disneymoss]

We stayed in ASMo, 101 Dalmations building #4, room 4913.

We ate at:

Sci-Fi Drive In, Peso Bill's, 1900 Park Fare for dinner, Tusker House for breakfast, Chef Mickey's for breakfast, The Electric Umbrella, Columbia Harbor House, Seasons, food court at ASMo.

and yes, we DID trade in some of our TS credits on free dining for counter service, it worked out better for us that way.

This was our first trip so I'm not totally experienced like some of you others but if you have questions about anything I'd be glad to answer....and maybe help you out.

jrasmom,

DS9 is most looking forward to Sci-Fi Drive In. In your opinion was it worth it? I've been hearing pros and cons. It really looks like it would be really cool. My family and I are first time dissers, we will be there 11/18-11/25 and cannot wait. I've also heard that The Electric Umbrella was wonderful, any advice is welcomed.

 

[jrasmom]

jrasmom,

DS9 is most looking forward to Sci-Fi Drive In. In your opinion was it worth it? I've been hearing pros and cons. It really looks like it would be really cool. My family and I are first time dissers, we will be there 11/18-11/25 and cannot wait. I've also heard that The Electric Umbrella was wonderful, any advice is welcomed.

We enjoyed Sci-Fi. We had lunch there and an excellent server, her name was Jenny. The kids thought it was neat to sit in the car, etc. And the film is *neat*

Worth it? As in price? Well...we were on the free dining plan but when we got the check it was like $65 I don't think any cheeseburger is worth $65! LOL! Of course, if we weren't on the dining plan then we would NOT have ordered appetizers, entree's and dessert. As it was only 2 of us had dessert because of the amount of food we had already eaten.


Now...as for The Electric Umbrella, I didn't enjoy it. My burger (again at a late lunch time) was dried out, like it was overcooked. DH liked his chicken strip basket. I'm not sure I'd eat there again.

Now Tusker House and Chef Mickey's I'd PAY for those meals they were so good!

 

[jrasmom]

Take advantage of going off-season until your child is school-age - it will save you a ton of money. Once your kids are school-age you will find going during the summer or during school breaks are quite expensive.

Friends of mine go every year after Thanksgiving and find the rates are low, the crowds are low, the decorations are up for the holidays and the weather is great.

Our youngest is not in school BUT our older two are (4th grade & 1st grade) we took them out for this trip and would consider doing it again. They attend a small private, christian school were my dh is the Athletic Director and he & I both volunteer a lot of time. We gave 4 weeks notice (since they'd only been in school since Sept. 5th) and took all their work with us that needed to be done. The teachers, administrator, principal were all understanding AND excited for our kids too.

 

[DisneyFairy19]

Sounds like you all had a fantastic time....

 

[Smileybug]

I"m so glad you enjoyed your 1st ever trip!!! And remember, its never to early to start planning the next one!! I think the planning is almost half of the fun!!

 

[learnhome]

Well, I just (this morning) paid and booked OUR FIRST family trip to disney too!
We are staying at ALL STARS MOVIES in the Toy Story Building from January 13 - 20th, 2007....we have booked two adjoining rooms (I have three children and my Mom is coming...so, 6 in all)

We have tickets for 6 days and we are using the disney magical express. I have not decided whether to purchase the meal tickets.....we are not big eaters, and I cannot imagine spending so much on dinner, when I can hardly get my two youngest to finish a tiny hamburger by themselves???

How was the hotel??? How was it navigating yourself around....was it a huge headache, or did you find it fairly easy, even though this was your first time???

How did you find the food prices and quality at the food court at the hotel??

Well, I can think of a bazzillion more questions, but - this is it for now

thanks!!

Chris

 

[pumba]

we love All Star Movies too.......we have been in moderates, deluxe and always come back to Movies.....
Hope you come to the Trip Report Board and do a report for us......we would love to hear it all.
Thanks
Pumba

 

[jrasmom]

We have tickets for 6 days and we are using the disney magical express. I have not decided whether to purchase the meal tickets.....we are not big eaters, and I cannot imagine spending so much on dinner, when I can hardly get my two youngest to finish a tiny hamburger by themselves???

How was the hotel??? How was it navigating yourself around....was it a huge headache, or did you find it fairly easy, even though this was your first time???

How did you find the food prices and quality at the food court at the hotel??

My youngest two can be finicky eaters at times too then other times they eat tons. We had the FREE dining plan which worked out awesome for us. We had plenty of food for all for the week. As far as prices of food in the food court I honestly can't tell you I didn't really pay attention. I do know most drinks are at least $2. One evening we went and got 3 drinks and 2 snacks and it was almost $13, of course then they took it off of our credits so we didn't have to pay. But their prices didn't seem to be any less/more then everywhere else around the parks and such. At least $6 for a burger & fries, more at some sit down places. And kids meals were like $2.99-$4.99

As far as getting around the hotel it was simple. Everything is so big and wide open to see all the statues and stuff and there are signs pointing to each building so it was pretty easy.

 

[jrasmom]

we love All Star Movies too.......we have been in moderates, deluxe and always come back to Movies.....
Hope you come to the Trip Report Board and do a report for us......we would love to hear it all.
Thanks
Pumba

I am working on writing the trip report now and will begin posting it later


Once our youngest turns 3 I don't think we can stay at Movies again unless we get 2 rooms I guess. We'll have to research places that allow 5 in a room vs. the price of 2 rooms at Movies or Music or Sports.

We did notice that our bus lines always seemed to have WAY MORE people in line then the other two did.

We even hopped the bus back to music several times and walked to our building (101 Dalmations #4) since it was closer and quicker.

 

[jrasmom]

we love All Star Movies too.......we have been in moderates, deluxe and always come back to Movies.....
Hope you come to the Trip Report Board and do a report for us......we would love to hear it all.Thanks
Pumba

Here you go!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=14829365#post14829365

Thank you for encouraging me write it all out!

 

[nevertez]

Don't you love off peak trips to Disney. Almost as good as Tropical Storm Ernesto Scare... Was the park ever sooo empty! Cheers Glad you had a good time!