Little bit excited!!

[Rachandco]

Hi everyone

We're off to Orlando in a week and are so excited to be going again

However, I'm kind of feeling like we're missing out a little bit by not staying onsite, but we like our space and as there are six of us going, a villa is the best option for this holiday.

Yesterday, I was reading the thread about doing Disney on a budget and so decided to price up for next August staying at OKW with DDP. And it came out so much cheaper than I was expecting Spoke to DH about it last night and we've decided to go ahead and book it today

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on the DDP. Is it worth upgrading to the delux plan? Our initial thought was to do this, but then it looks like we'll be paying over £1000 for 5 of us to add the breakfast option and another snack per day. I'm not sure we'll want to go for 3 sit down meals a day.

So then I thought, that if we saved that extra money I could possibly put it towards a cruise at the end of the holiday. I've been wanting to do one for so long. Although have not yet broached this subject with DH I know the weather in August in Florida can be quite wet, but wasn't sure what it would be like in the Bahamas. Has anyone done this at that time of year? Also, there are 5 of us going and I have priced up a family room with verandah and two separate inside rooms. There's only a couple of hundred pounds difference. Has anybody stayed in the family room? Is there plenty of room for 5 people? I do quite like the idea of having a verandah....

Sorry for the long thread, just wanted to get some ideas before I book later today

Rach

 

[cooks]

For us dining plan was to much food. So I think you'll be fine I used my snack credits to get treats for my little cousins

 

[wayneg]

Done the DDP twice so far totalling 38 nights, another 16 nights this August. I enjoy my food and eat more than the average person. I have never been hungry on DDP or felt the need to upgrade to Deluxe. Both times we found the credits spot on, just enough each trip to do include a signature meal & a dinner show, last year we had about 25 snack credits to use up on the last day(probably still have some candy in the cupboard)
So for us regular DDP is perfect but we don't eat more than 1 or 2 breakfasts/trip.
If you want a lot of breakfasts, more signatures, more dinner shows, 2 or 3 table service a day then do the figures, menus are there to add it all up.

Cruised a few times in August, if you are at all interested in trying a cruise do it, I wasn't sure and now prefer it to the parks. You can't really know about weather, some cruises we have not had a drop of rain, another (RCCL) we went out in a hurricaine, the captains just change the route to find the best weather, there is usually good weather to be found.
I priced up the new Fantasy yesterday, cheaper for outside(porthole) than inside, the virtual porthole and less inside cabins are making them expensive.
Only problem with August cruising is the cost, later in the month is usually cheaper. You really need to get in early for a good price, you could have missed best prices by now for next year.
We had a verandah on our first cruise, got free upgrade, glad we didn't pay for it as we only used it 10 mins the whole cruise, complete waste for us but others won't cruise without one.

 

[disneychic2]

No advise, just wishing you a magical holiday!

 

[wayneg]

Just checked prices for a 4 night cruise next August to compare with what we paid on release for this August.
Based on 2x ad & 1x 17 year old, cat 10A

August 21st 2011 $1,698.51

August 19th 2012 $2,753.51
August 29th 2012 $2,349.51

Not sure if prices were lower when released but a massive increase on what we have paid for this year.

 

[dixonsontour]

Aswell as the cost of the upgrade to DXDDP you'd have to factor in tips - it would add a lot over a 2 week holiday.

We've done DDP twice and it is a lot of food. QS doesn't have to be burger and fries places like Wolfgang puck express are a great use of a qs credit.

For breakfast we tended to have something in the room at OKW (you have fridge/microwave/toaster etc)

i'd use the money for a cruise or your next trip!

 

[Rachandco]

Thanks for your advice regarding DDP. We're going to stick with the regular dining plan as I know that we'll be spending days away from Disney, so will have extra credits to use that can go towards breakfasts. I'm going to book later - so excited

I think we will be booking the cruise, just not sure of the best place to book through. Was also thinking of leaving it until we get back from our Easter trip as I'm hoping we will have money left on our Fair FX card and could use that for the deposit. Just a bit worried that the price will go up. Wayne, who did you book through? I've been looking at Disney cruise line site. Is this the best place?

Thanks again

 

[wayneg]

I would use either Disney or Dreamsunlimitedtravel.com going thru an agent like DU usually gets you a little onboard credit to spend ontop of any Disney are offering. Prices should be same wherever you book. Always a chance prices will go up, book as soon as you can afford, if they come down you get the lower price.

 

[Rachandco]

Thanks Wayne. I've booked a 2 bed villa at OKW for 15-29 Aug 2012 with free DDP. I'm going to compare prices for the 4 night Bahamian cruise and hopefully get it booked soon.

Really pleased that we'll have something to look forward to when we get back from our Easter trip