Looking for Someone Special to help plan...

[idinagirl]

Hi there,

I'm relatively new to the Dis. I can't remember if I've ever posted... hmm I guess the number will tell me under my username... annnyways...

But I've been reading for a while, and you all know so much.

I have been to the World 6 times (? I think), half when I was a toddler though! I am now in my twenties and planning a very special "surprise" trip for my best friend- a guy who has never even been on a plane, let alone to Walt Disney World.

We will be going early June, and I was hoping to correspond one-on-one via email with someone who has the patience to answer all my stupid questions and give me first-hand advice. Or if they just want to ramble on about every little Disney thing they know and love, I would be more than extremely overjoyed to listen!!

Any takers?

Your kindness is already much appreciated. I truly love these boards!

-Dani

 

[mommystieg]

You have found the perfect place to get your questions answered!! Everyone here loves to ramble on and on about Disney and their experiences. Instead of corresponding one-on-one via e-mail you may want to consider just posting questions on any of the planning forums. It's kinda fun to see what everyone else has to say on a particular subject.
We will be in the World during early June--the 2nd-11th to be exact!! Maybe we'll see you there

 

[Shell76]

If you want to PM me with your email address, I would be more than happy to help you out. Also, like mommystieg said, there are lots of friendly people who would be willing to help out if you post a question on the boards.

 

[Maridw]

Everyone here would love to help you plan your trip. And I think everyone would agree with me when I say we all kind of ramble when it comes to WDW or anything Disney for that matter.

But if you want to pm me. I would love to try and answer any questions you have. As you can see by my signature, I have gone quite a few times. If I don't have an answer right away, I should be able to find it or tell who where to find it.

 

[wicket2005]

I am happy to help you to, just pm me. However, you will get a lot wider audience for your questions if you just post a question, there will always be someone to answer a question and plus you will get various opinions which will enable you to make choices suitable for yourself.

 

[idinagirl]

Wow, thanks everyone. So fast with responses!

I've received a few PM and offers to help here (so merci merci to all)-- I was afraid that I would be annoying with my novice questions... but I'm convinced now that there *are* no annoying questions if they involve Disney World!

I guess my first question would be:

What do you all start with when you begin planning? Obviously many visits here, but any strategies for tackling the FUN yet large task ahead of me?

thanks again
<3 dani

 

[princssdisnygina]

I am also willing to help out! If you would like to email me at princssdisnygina@aol.com I will help you out! I love to discuss anything and everything about Disney! Disney has been my home away from home since I was born so I know all the ins and outs there is to know!

Gina

 

[mommystieg]

On our very first trip I started with when to go but since you have already done that I guess the next step is how long and where to stay. We own DVC now so my trip planning starts with what parks what days and then we move on to where do we want to eat.
So do you know where you are staying yet?

 

[PratersloveDW]

I took my DH for his first time a year ago and he loved it! I know that you and your best friend will have a wonderful time. The DIS boards are the best place to find the answers to your Disney questions. As others have suggested, posting your questions on the boards will give you many opinions and answers, thus more options. However, if you would like another person who loves to talk DISNEY one-on-one, I would love to talk!

Good luck and have a magical time!

 

[PratersloveDW]

I guess my first question would be:

What do you all start with when you begin planning? Obviously many visits here, but any strategies for tackling the FUN yet large task ahead of me?

thanks again
<3 dani

I would start with a budget. Figure out how much you are wanting to spend on the ENTIRE trip - this includes air, hotel, food, tickets, gifts, misc. Then, decide how long you will want to stay and what hotel would suit you and your friend (take into consideration the amount of money you have to spend).

And something I have learned, always allow for money to be left over at the end of your trip - cause more times than not, in Disney World, you will use that extra money before the trips over!

 

[eeyore45]

Welcome, and good for you!! How kind to ask for email, but I really think you may be helping others in your same situation, if you are brave enough to post your questions!! Just keep asking in this thread!! There are so many here that are willing to just help, if asked!! (the best example was on the Budget Board a thread that said something like I was just shown the bill, it was posted by the Sorrentino's I believe... that post just kept growing as they asked a question, several would weigh in on the answers!!))

Always remember when you ask a question, you will get a variety of opinions, everyone has different experiences, and you get to decide what fits you best!



To start with, I take a highlighter and the Unofficial Guide and try and decide where to stay!! when to go!!

I also visit lots of websites, and read up on other's experiences! For when to go, sometimes that depends, but Len, has a new schedule for the Busy Days at the parks...

http://www.touringplans.com/BestDays.htm

The home page has some info on the new magic your way plans!

 

[wicket2005]

Picking the best time for you to go would be the first thing to do. Have a look at touringplans.com which lists crowds levels and then if possible pick a time when the crowd levels are low, you will get so much more from your visit if you can go at a quieter time.

 

[stemikger]

All you have to do is post any and all questions on this board. I have learned a great deal from here and there are a lot of nice people who will help you out.

 

[salbythec]

I have found that the passporter is one of the best books you can buy to help you plan your trip. Your local book store has it and you can also go on line. www.passporter.com
Its a travel guide and organizer and a journal and I have found it to work out great for us!

 

[idinagirl]

The Touring Plan schedules was almost like staring at ancient Greek for a few minutes, but I think I'm wrapping my head around it.

We know we will be going the end of May, or the first week of June- as this is when we can both get away from our jobs, and will be staying most nights at the Pop or one of the All Stars, and treating ourselves to two nights at a deluxe. My travel agent is a gem and has got lots of options for us, I will let you all know by the end of the week!

Question 2: I'm trying to figure out the exact way you go about getting those extended magic hour bracelets? Do you get them the night before... could some one walk me through this process?

and appreciation!

 

[wicket2005]

From what I understand just before the evening starts you show your room key to customer services and they give you a band to wear. This enables you to go on the rides. Off site people are still in the park but cannot go on the rides I think.

 

[Maridw]

We did the EMH at MGM in the evening that we were there. We got there in the early afternoon and they had just started giving out the wristbands for that night, so we went and got ours right away.

There are usually several places around the park that is offering the evening EMH to get the wristbands. There were also reports that you could get them earlier in the day. Once the park closes to off-site guests they will check for your wristband to be able to get on rides. (If the park's official closing time is 9pm then you will be able to stay until midnight and enjoy the rides that are open during that time) Here is a link to Deb's page to explain the EMH:Extra Magic Hours Information

You will like the Pop. We stayed there for the first time this last trip. We have previously stayed at AS Sports and really liked it there. We decided after this last trip that any further trips would be to Pop. One big benefit is that Pop has it's own bus. At times the All Stars share a bus. If you are going to stay at All Stars, Sports is great because when they do share a bus, it is the first stop in the morning and first to get off in the evening.

If you decide to stay at Pop, see if you can fax your desired area ahead of time. We were in 50's building A and it was right next to the Classic's Hall where the food court and bus stops are.

 

[idinagirl]

Hey everyone, and thanks again for all the terrific pointers.

We have successfully booked our flights (on points! yeehaw!) from chilly Nova Scotia to Orlando going: May 17th - 24th.

I wanted to go before the crowd level prediction skyrocketed into the 8s and 9s. Before Memorial Day, phew... which we don't even have up here in Canada... so at first I freaked thinking we were going to be there over that weekend!

We will be staying at POP, but I am looking into a night or two at POFQ. Either way, I love the Pop. We stayed in 80s last year, and had a magnificent time.

Time to start PSs.

<-- me right now