Lots of questions (staying on site, which hotel etc.)

[onesadduck]

I know I just decided I would take the trip, and it's not for over ten months, but I have a lot of questions and I wanted to ask them before I forgot them, got to WDW and realized I was missing info. Also, I can't sleep.

1) Is it possible to stay off-site without having to drive or take a cab every day? At the time of the trip I will only be 21, therefore renting a car is out of the question. Aside from the bus and EMH, what advantages are there to staying on-site?

2) I'm probably going to stay on-site. I have high-functioning Asperger's Disorder (according to the most recent diagnosis), and have a lot of trouble dealing with A) noise and B) people. After a long day at the parks dealing with both, I'd like a quieter hotel. So how much louder/more crowded is ASMo than ASMu? ASMo is so much prettier, but I hear ASMu is generally more calm. I was gonna stay at Pop, but it sounds to crazy for me. Also, if there is a value resort with generally less smoking- that'd be great. My asthmareally acts up in smoky areas. (I know, since these are guest-related questions, they are subject to change)

3) If I book tickets and the room seperately (it seems cheaper this way) Can I add DDP? Is that added to the room, the tickets, or purchased seperately? (sorry if this goes in the dining section)

4) Has anyone used a travel agent with any success? This whole thing is confusing. I've never booked a vacation before, and there seem to be extra complications to a Disney vacation that might not be encountered other places.

5) How long is the average wait to get on the bus to and from parks? I'm not gonna go back to the room mid-day, so I mean in the morning and at night (after the park closes). Do you usually get in line, watch a bus come, fill up and go? If so, how many times before you get on a bus? I don't mind how long it takes once I'm on the bus- just to get on it.

I have about a million other questions, but these are all the resort-related ones I can think about right now. If you've gotten this far, you get a gold star!
Thanks for your time,
Alisa

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

First question it sounds like you need to stay onsite that is the only way to get from hotel to parks without taking a cab or driving. Plus all the perks of staying onsite like you mentioned.

I am not an expert by any means but I think you have to book at least ones days ticket with the room to qualify for the dining plan. I dont know if it is actually cheaper to book them seperately.

Wait time for buses seems to change with the times of year and business of the resorts so that can vary. Usually I have never had a wait longer than 30 minutes for a bus and this was in July. In November 10 min max.

I always book directly with Disney because if you use an agent you loose control to change things yourself.

Good luck and have fun!!!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

You have to book a package to get the dining plan. That usually includes the room at rack rate, tickets for all guests staying in the room and the dining plan for the entire length of the stay for all guests.

At the start of the day and at the end of the night, there might be lots of people doing what you are doing. So you could have long lines at the bus stops. From there it just depends.

 

[Aliceacc]

Hi Alisa, and welcome!

I'm pretty new to all things WDW myself... my last trip was 17 years ago. So take it for what it's worth, OK??

1) Is it possible to stay off-site without having to drive or take a cab every day? Aside from the bus and EMH, what advantages are there to staying on-site?
--- Possible, probably. But your life will be so much easier if everything is all set up for you. You go from plane to bus to hotel, hotel to bus to park, and so on. You don't have to worry about schedules, directions or anything else. Stay on site!!

2) I'm probably going to stay on-site. I have high-functioning Asperger's Disorder (according to the most recent diagnosis), and have a lot of trouble dealing with A) noise and B) people. After a long day at the parks dealing with both, I'd like a quieter hotel.
--- Forgive me if this seems totally out of line. But if you have problems with noise and people, know that this may be a rough trip for you. Ten months from now is summer-- the place will be mobbed. (In fact, we're going in mid August.)
That said, I'm guessing all the hotels will be busy. Whichever hotel you decide upon, explain your background to someone when you make reservations. Let them know you don't mind a walk to the bus stop or dining hall, but you want to be as far from it all as possible.

3) If I book tickets and the room seperately (it seems cheaper this way) Can I add DDP? Is that added to the room, the tickets, or purchased seperately? (sorry if this goes in the dining section)
-- As others have stated, you need a package to get the dining plan.

4) Has anyone used a travel agent with any success? This whole thing is confusing. I've never booked a vacation before, and there seem to be extra complications to a Disney vacation that might not be encountered other places.
---For starters, think about joining AAA. We got a 15% discount off our rooms for the price of a $60 fee. It was well worth it. Then think about booking through AAA. They'll do all the homework. We booked through an AAA agent.

5) How long is the average wait to get on the bus to and from parks? I'm not gonna go back to the room mid-day, so I mean in the morning and at night (after the park closes). Do you usually get in line, watch a bus come, fill up and go? If so, how many times before you get on a bus? I don't mind how long it takes once I'm on the bus- just to get on it.
--- I'll let others field this one.

Take a look at the resort options. You may find that with the AAA discount (or some other discount), it's possible to upgrade to a quieter moderate or luxury resort. Possibly you'll decide that it's worth the extra money to be closer to one of the resorts or on the monorail line.

We're taking our 3 kids (age 10, 8 and 5) next August. Even though we're both teachers (translation: pretty broke) we're springing for the Contemporary-- in the cheapest room they can find us. Just being able to WALK back to the room from the Magic Kingdom when my youngest has had enough is what sold it for me. Sure, it's going to be more money... so we cut down from 7 nights to 6. But I kept having visions of having a crying 5 year old wait 20 minutes for a 20 minute bus ride, and I booked the Contemporary. While your situation is by no means the same, I think you may want to look into a variety of resorts, and evaluate your options. A good travel agent can help you there as well.

Best wishes!!!

edited to add: I just found this post. Scroll down a bit; Linda has listed the driving times from some of the hotels to the parks and stuff: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1392857

 

[bab31]

I dont know what your finances are...

defintely look at AAA- I saved a couple of hundred$$$ taking out a membership. Call and ask them for a quote, you can then take out their plan if you want it. It was well worth the money as I used them for another hotel stay and I needed a jump when my battery died in the cold winter of Wisconsin.

If you can afford it- consider CSR. We stayed in the casitas and coming back from the parks it was so relaxing to walk thru the resort to our room. the hype was not there and I really liked that- check out Buzz's website and find the pictures at night and you will see what I mean.

http://coronado_springs.tripod.com/

There are a number of hotels near Grounds that have shuttles that go back and forth to WDW - generally free- BUT generally are limited so you want to be sure to catch the early ones there and be sure to catch the return- a travel agency could help you with this option very easily. You probably will need to book a shuttle or car or taxi from the airport for this. Also find out the cost difference if you have AAA

have a wonderful vacation - and it you can afford it -stay on grounds it is trully so much better and wonderful.

 

[Pakey]

There are local hotels close to WDW that offer free shuttle service for their guests to and from the parks. Our grown children have done this on some of their trips. While they 100% prefer to stay onsite (when we are picking up the tab) the cost difference is huge to stay offsite. The downside is of course missing out on EMH and the shuttle does not come every 20 minutes like the Disney buses do. But if you are planning to stay in the park from opening until closing, you might want to check local hotels in that area and use their free shuttle service. I know they also got complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.

 

[Aliceacc]

Alisa,

Take a look at the fact sheets here:http://www.allears.net/acc/faq_hot.htm

I found them to be a HUGE help!!!

 

[onesadduck]

Thank you all so much. You all make this process so much easier! I'm so glad I have a place to ask questions that doesn't have the ulterior motive of wanting my money.

--bab31
I may book through my dad's AAA membership. The problem is that he has to be there (I'm guessing) and will know how much it's costing me for my selfish little solo trip. I don't think I can get a AAA membership, as not only do I not have a car, but I only have a learner's permit (no driver's liscense yet!).

I'll look into CSR or a deluxe place. The proble is I'm taking money out of a finite source, money I inherited after my paternal grandparents died. I'm sure my dad does not want to see me "waste" the money his parents left me. It won't be huge chunk of the mone, but I still would like to keep costs down to a minimum.

My real dream since I started coming here has been Fort Wilderness! That place looks so awesome.

--Aliceacc
I don't mind crowds during the day too much as long as I know I can go "home" to my sanctuary and get away from it all. I go to a college with 25,000 or so students on a tiny campus. I can deal with crowds and noise as long as I know that my room is quiet, and crowd-free (wearing earplugs on campus/at the park doesn't hurt). I'll definitely consider not staying at a value resort, though, if it can help ensure me my piece and quite (I know, things like crying babies and terrible twos are not predictable- but if it's not a lot of people I don't mind too much).

See AAA response above.

I'm considering staying at a non-value resort, but it seems like a waste to spend so much when I'm not going to spend much time in the room. Also, it's just me. This is my self-ccentered, narcissitic ego-trip. It would be one thing if the happiness and comfort of another human being were being taken into account- but it's just me.

And to all- I've decided I'm definitely staying on-site. So much easier. Especially when driving is simply not an option. Plus I think I'm getting the DDP. Otherwise, I would never go to a TS restaurant because of the money, but there are so many that I want to go to. I'll only go if I think I'm getting a good deal. People like me are why they invented the DDP, huh? I'd never spend $40/day on food without it.

Once again, thanks you all so much. I'm so glad I have the DIS.

 

[verticalchaos]

I stayed at CSR on a solo trip and LOVED it! Well worth the extra money over the Value Resorts. Even if I didn't spend a lot of time in the room ~ I spent more than I anticipated (it takes less time to do things in the parks when it's just you and you can do what you want when...and do single rider lines!) and was glad I'd spent the extra $$.

 

[ashef]

I agree about CSR. It is a truly serene place and I always appreciated getting back there from the high energy parks. We stayed in Cabana 8a and I highly recommend it. Also, CSR has awesome bus service--we were there in July and never waited more than 5 minutes for a bus and no bus was ever more than half full.

 

[disneydance]

I know I just decided I would take the trip, and it's not for over ten months, but I have a lot of questions and I wanted to ask them before I forgot them, got to WDW and realized I was missing info. Also, I can't sleep.

1) Is it possible to stay off-site without having to drive or take a cab every day? At the time of the trip I will only be 21, therefore renting a car is out of the question. Aside from the bus and EMH, what advantages are there to staying on-site?

For us the main advantages were for one staying inside the magic and 2 ddp but it seemed like you got lot of little perks that you would have never gotten staying off site aka Wake up call by the charector mickey soap in the room and being around CM 24-7!!!!!!!! these were some of the deal breakers for us...

2) I'm probably going to stay on-site. I have high-functioning Asperger's Disorder (according to the most recent diagnosis), and have a lot of trouble dealing with A) noise and B) people. After a long day at the parks dealing with both, I'd like a quieter hotel. So how much louder/more crowded is ASMo than ASMu? ASMo is so much prettier, but I hear ASMu is generally more calm. I was gonna stay at Pop, but it sounds to crazy for me. Also, if there is a value resort with generally less smoking- that'd be great. My asthmareally acts up in smoky areas. (I know, since these are guest-related questions, they are subject to change)

From what i know ASMu is alot quiter than AmMo may I ask you a question have you thought about paying the extra dollar and staying a a mod. since i know that POFQ is alot smaller and has some feature that a value does not and w/ your condition it may make ur trip alot quiter and alot nicer

3) If I book tickets and the room seperately (it seems cheaper this way) Can I add DDP? Is that added to the room, the tickets, or purchased seperately? (sorry if this goes in the dining section)

Sadly... Disney does not work this way to get the ddp you must pay for everything together

4) Has anyone used a travel agent with any success? This whole thing is confusing. I've never booked a vacation before, and there seem to be extra complications to a Disney vacation that might not be encountered other places.

On our recent trip we used a TA and had great sucess it was so helpful to have someone there to help us out and plan are disney vacation

5) How long is the average wait to get on the bus to and from parks? I'm not gonna go back to the room mid-day, so I mean in the morning and at night (after the park closes). Do you usually get in line, watch a bus come, fill up and go? If so, how many times before you get on a bus? I don't mind how long it takes once I'm on the bus- just to get on it.

sually buses come about every 10 minute and only once which was at BB did 2 buses come for Epcot and both were competely packed before we could get on a bus and it was a hot day which would explain alot so it really depends but if you are going back to your resort or to a park in the morning you should not have a promlem

I have about a million other questions, but these are all the resort-related ones I can think about right now. If you've gotten this far, you get a gold star!
Thanks for your time,
Alisa

I put my answer in red home this helps

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm considering staying at a non-value resort, but it seems like a waste to spend so much when I'm not going to spend much time in the room. Also, it's just me. This is my self-ccentered, narcissitic ego-trip. It would be one thing if the happiness and comfort of another human being were being taken into account- but it's just me.

Hey, you haven't proclaimed yourself the American Princess; you're taking a vacation!! Give yourself a break

 

[CarolA]

OK I am going to chime in. IMHO I found CSR to be noisy and confusing!!! Convention folks were everywhere and they were not quite LOL! (And that front desk is NOT accomodating. I have stayed there three times. I am three for three on clueless and rude CMs at the front desk topped by the CM who asked me "can't you just stay in the room tonight?" when I pointed out that my room had NO POWER!!! Would YOU stay in the room in the summer in Florida with no lights or AC? According to the DIS my "failure" to agree to stay makes me a PROBLEM GUEST LOL!!)

IMHO the "quietest" moderate was CBR followed by POFQ. CBR is fairly spread out which seems to make it quiet to me. (Plus your standard view will probably not be FULL parking lot as at the other mods, it was built before Disney got as quite. Plus I think that MAYBE when you are there the "feature" pool will be closed which would make it even quiter as the families FLEE to other mods LOL!)

Personally I would NEVER use an AAA TA. I would recommend using a Disney specialist. I have used Dreams Unlimited with good results. Small World vacations also seems to get good reviews.

 

[disneyjunebug]

If you can't stay on property, consider one of the Downtown Disney Hotels, like the Hilton. I know the Hilton used to be the only one to get the EMH that was not a Disney Resort. You can walk to DTD and take those buses, or take the bus from the Hilton. It is a very good option I think.

 

[onesadduck]

Staying at the Hilton during my dates, it seems is about the same as stayin on-site at a Mod- so I'm going with on-site. Still seems easier. Now the decisions I have to make are A) Which Mod? and B) Is it worth it to book hotel and tickets seperately and pay all my dining OOP? I know I can save $8 on tickets right off the bat, which isn't much, but neither is how much I figured I'd save daily with DDP. So I really just have to figure out how much I'll be able to save on room-only rates.

As far as which mod, I'm leaning toward POFQ for ambiance. But CBR also looks really good.

--Aliceacc
"Hey, you haven't proclaimed yourself the American Princess; you're taking a vacation!! Give yourself a break"

I was laughing when I typed that. My mood definitely did not communicate through text. I wasn't being so hard on myself as much as laughing at myself. Which is fun.

Thanks again, guys. You really do make this whole process easier.
-Alisa