Need the Help of Fellow DIS'ers

[MNDisneyFan]

Hi everyone,

A friend of mine just asked me to help him with their FIRST TRIP to Disney World. I think they are going into this a bit unsure if they will have a good time, and I really want to show them how great it can be. I can help them with crowd control, using FP's and perhaps using a touring plan of some sort, but I do have some other questions.

Here is what they want:
1) They want to bundle EVERYTHING together so they don't have to worry about it (even booking flights through the Disney site). They know it probably isn't the cheapest way to do it, and actually don't have a ton of money, but want to do it this way.
2) They want the Disney Dining plan, water parks, Magical Express, etc.

They would like to go sometime the week of Easter (which is pretty darn busy, I'm assuming).

Would they be better getting two rooms adjoining, or going with the 5 occupancy of somewhere like Port Orleans or a family room at POP? They have a 17 year old, and two 11 year old twin boys.

When I bundle everything - it runs about $7k or a little better and give some aweful times for their flights from MPX (Minneapolis/St. Paul).

So, I guess my main question is - should they wait to book until the price of the flights comes down a little? I'm assuming there will be no other discounts offered during this time frame, as it's probably one of their busier spring weeks? They don't have AAA. Also, would they be able to get some better flight times by calling the 407 line?

Thanks so much to everyone for your help. I want to show them that Disney CAN be an affordable family vacation, and want them to get the most out of their FIRST Disney World vacation.

Dean

 

[MNdisneymom]

...I don't know if you can do this, but can you choose the airline when you book through disney? If you can, you might want to try Sun Country--they're usually cheaper than the others. The added bonus, it's at the smaller terminal, so less of a hassle there, *and* they serve a hot sandwich on every flight. (Yes, I love SCountry--I'll never fly NWA again!)

About the cheaper do it yourself style vs. booking it all together...what about making a little chart out...side a, here are the prices for disney doing it for you, side b, here is the cost of doing it yourself. Doing that would realllyyy satisfy my inner disney geek . (I love disney trips, even if they're not mine!)

 

[mnasmom3]

Having stayed at POR and a a value resort w/2 connecting rooms, I'd choose the connecting rooms over one room w/trundle and day.

 

[MNDisneyFan]

Thanks so much for the great suggestions. I don't remember seeing Sun Country through the Disney site, but maybe I'll recommend to them that they book that separately, and then once they get there everything else is handled for them.

Awesome idea about making a chart for them! Maybe they'll see that it wouldn't be too confusing after all.

Thanks to you both, and if anyone else has any suggestions, would still love to hear 'em. Just really want them to get hooked like I am

 

[dzneelvr]

I used the disboards advice many years ago to AVOID having to buy a "one size fits all" package. and if the family is a little "unsure" about their overall experience, spending a ton of money on extras that they won't use will only add stress to the experience imo. Suggest they Use the latest edition of Birnbaums' Disney guidebook to pour over and ask the family what things they want to see. They need to sign in and read the disboards voraciously. It a mistake to think you can "do everything; see everything" on one trip. Flights can be arranged once the schedules and prices are posted on the website. (after the first couple of trips, we switched to the smaller regional airports and fly into Sanford-- that directs us to the airlines we can use and they offer $79 seats for the first couple weeks it's posted)--call the airline and ask when the months' schedule will be out; resorts--I'd go with connecting rooms rather than risk potential discomfort with the pull-outs as you never know how comfy those are. Tickets can be purchased at the time of check in and added to your room key. that eliminates an extra ticket that you have to keep track of. all in all, the non-package can work wonderfully if you check off the key points: room, dining, flights, tickets(those are easy). Finally, your heart is certainly in the right place, but I'd never want to be as responsible for "getting them hooked on Disney" as you seem to indicate. Let's face it, some folks just don't get the Disney experience--I work with a wonderful lady who loves Universal and wouldn't touch Disney with a 10-foot pole. Try as I might, I could never convince her that WDw would be a good thing. Just be careful that you aren't trying to talk them into something they won't appreciate. They need to start picking up the ball at some point and exploring the options.....

 

[GEM]

This may not be popular advice, but, if you really want to help them have an amazing first time . . . try to talk them into going at another time of year!

According to everything I've read, Easter Week is second only to Christmas week as far as crowds go. Wall to wall people and absolutley ridiculous wait times for rides do NOT make for a magical first trip. Literally fighting your way down Main Street shoulder to shoulder with the throngs and masses tends could give them a less than magical first impression! Almost everyone I know who swears they will never go back to Disney World went during either summer vacation, Christmas week, or at Easter.

If there's nothing they can do to change dates, then at least impress upon them the absolute importance of having a real plan, prep for them for the crushing crowds, and beg them to join Tour Guide Mike ASAP! That's the biggest favor you could do for them.