Need some help, planning a special trip

[Zoiebear]

Well here is the scenario, it's funny first and foremost I love reading the trip reports, especially the cruise reports since I have never been on a disney cruise, but I also like others enjoy the wdw trip reports, considering I cant make it down there as often as I like.

Well I am planning a trip in either the end of October or anytime in November for at least 7- 10days with my dad. Let me explain, my dad raised my sister and I all the way to adulthood, and now even though I am 32, and I am still single for the most part, I love traveling with my dad. We went to Disneyland Paris in summer 1999 I think, then we went to New York City, in Oct 2004 (and of course visited the WOD when it first opened, and saw Avenue Q on Broadway), just did a quick weekend on Columbus Day weekend, same time Christopher Reeve died, and left before we could see the parade. But these are only a few of the trips. We went to DL at the end of December 2005.

Well I am trying to plan a trip, the only thing Dad made me promise is that even if he didnt want to go on a ride I did, that I would go on it anyway and he would wait. I told him I could go anytime, since I try to go to wdw at least 2 times a year.

Ok, so now I need to figure the trip out, and any input would be great. I was thinking AKL but it is rather expensive, I definitely do not want to do ALL Stars if I can help it, but I was thinking POP? Anyone have an ideas, I dont have to do value, but I'd rather stay away from the expensive, like GF.

I am thinking of Boma's for dinner one night for sure. How does the dining plan work? Anything else anyone can think of that would be awesome? My problem is I have been there a couple of times, so nothing I can think of is super duper.................
Also he wants to do Sea World, and we havent discussed Universal, does anyone have any input on that? I was thinking of definitely getting a rental car, is it wise to stay on property near those parks or is Disney ok to stay at the whole stay?
How does everyone book? Thru a travel agent? AAA? the disney site? help any advise would be awesome........................................ I just would really like to make this super special for him and fun
Stacie

 

[mjmcca]

POP is a great place I have stayed there many times but it is a value and very much like the All Stars. Have you considered a moderate like Port Orleans or Coronado Springs? It is a step up from the values but not as expensive as the deluxes.


What about going to Cirque? It sounds from your description of your NY trip that your father would like something like that.


During the time you have picked it is the Food and Wine festival in Epcot that is a great time to go but Epcot does get crowded especially on the weekends. If you are there for or prior to Halloween consider getting tickets for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party ( AKA MNSSHP). I bet he would love that. The complimentary picture from the party would be a great souvenir.


I go to SW every almost every trip my kids love it. I haven't been to Universal in many years but thinking of going this time since i think the kids will get more out of it now even though they are still young.

 

[alite]

I would look into the moderates. I'm 35 and go with my father to the world once a year. We're not rich by any means and haven't been able to try the Deluxes yet, but the moderates were well worth the extra money. CSR is our favorite with POFQ a close second. If your not worried about the being immersed in Disney and are planning other parks, you'll probably save money staying off site, but we've never done it.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Hi there

First I would think how much time are you really planning on staying in your room - are you looking for just a place to shower and sleep or are you planning on hanging out at the resort alot.

Next, I would think what type of bedding do you want in your room, are double beds ok or will you need queen beds - the Value Resorts (All Star Movies, All Star Sports, All Star Music, and Pop Century) all have 2 double beds. All the Moderate Resorts also have 2 double beds (Port Orleans Riverside, Port Orleans French Quarter, Coronado Springs, and Caribbean Beach).

All the deluxe resorts have 2 queen beds

Next, are you looking for dining at your resort - does your resort have to have sit down places to dine at, or you are more a quick pick up meal - aka a food court type.

The values only have the food court - with a good variety of selections. The moderates all have 1 restaurant where you can sit down (except for Port Orleans French Quarter), plus a food court.

The deluxes have (usually) 2 sit down restaurants and a food court type also.

Next are you looking for just a room only reservation or are you thinking a package that would include your room and tickets and even a dining plan?

In regards to Universal, depending on your length of stay, if you were just wanting to take 1 day and check out Universal/Islands of Adventure, you can stay at the Disney Resort and either drive a rental car over to Universal, or a cab.

Or if you were thinking of a few days, you can look at spliting your stay part of the time stay at a Disney Resort, and then other 1/2 stay at the one of the Universal resorts. If you were thinking of more than a 1 at Universal, I would suggest spliting and while at the Universal do Sea World (as Sea World is closer to Universal then Disney is).

I would split your questions and ask on our different boards where you can get more answers.

I hope this helps and that you have a great time planning your trip with your dad

 

[Disney5Mom]

We travel with our adult children and we all enjoy the Coronado Springs Resort and many others like Port Orleans Riverside. The moderate resorts are quieter than the All Stars and not nearly as expensive as the Deluxes. We love eating at Boma and also recommend Ohana for a great dining experience. The Brown Derby at MGM is very nice and you can get reserved seats for Fantasmic. Hope that you and your Dad have a great vacation !

 

[OhMari]

We travel with our adult children and we all enjoy the Coronado Springs Resort and many others like Port Orleans Riverside. The moderate resorts are quieter than the All Stars and not nearly as expensive as the Deluxes. We love eating at Boma and also recommend Ohana for a great dining experience. The Brown Derby at MGM is very nice and you can get reserved seats for Fantasmic. Hope that you and your Dad have a great vacation !

I hope you get a lot of resonses, but the Resorts Board, Theme Park Strategies, have a lot of suggestions and great reading. Take a look over there too, and thanks for posting.