Never been to Disney

[team_honda]

hi! I have never been to Disney, This is my husband and My 1st trip! Actually it's our honeymoon (a little late, we were married last July). Neither one of us have ever been on a plane either! We are staying at the Caribbean Resort From 2-20-08 to 2-27. Can anyone out there give me some tips on what I am getting out into? I already requested a room with a fridge plus a king size bed. Anymore pointers I should try? We didn't rent a car when we were planning the honeymoon but has anyone ever just rented when they got there? Now mind you we are from Wisconsin, we drive funny and talk funny lol ok not all of us but some! Hmm I'm trying to think of other questions to ask but Right now nothing is standing out. I already have two different Disney books that I read about the parks. Oh Yah I was wondering about food. I read that there is a online grocery store that you can order the food and they will delivery to your hotel room. Has anyone tried this? I'm thinking about it, but I won't have a computer at the hotel so if I can I'll order it before we fly out of Wisconsin. Oh yeah What is the temp like during Feb? it's sorta cold here lol

 

[Vivianne]

For starters, try:

www.allearsnet.com

and

www.mousesavers.com - good info on car rentals, you can even save some money on your rental by planning in advance.

 

[dixipixi]

Hi! Congratulations on your marriage and your trip!!!

We stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort in '98, so I don't have any up-to-date info for you.

We enjoyed the resort. It is really big, so be prepared for A LOT of walking. There is also an internal resort bus that can take you around the hotel itself.

I know that you can order groceries online, but we have never done that. We just go shopping at the WinnDixie in Lake Buena Vista. It's convenient to the CBR. If you would like to know how to get there, I can give you directions. There is also a Gooding's supermarket at the Crossroads which is very nice.

It can get cold in February, but being from Louisiana, I'm sure our ideas of cold are 2 totally different things!! It will probably seem downright tropical to you!!!

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

I would recommend not getting a car...you won't need it.

We were there for 10 days - stayed at POR. We used the bus and the monorail system. Unless you're REALLY good at reading maps and orienting yourself to new surroundings, there's really no need to get a car, unless you plan on leaving "the world".

One thing I think that I didn't realize as a first time visitor was how BIG it all is when you combine all of the resorts, parks and DTD, etc - it's HUGE --

We got a bunch of food from the grocers that delivered --- we ended up wasting a lot of it because we were hardly ever in our room.....morning to night we were gone.

If you are on the DDP and plan on being out and about a lot, then probably don't get too much food - maybe just those late night type snacks and breakfast bars.....

 

[AJKMOM]

I know the DIS'ers recommend www.gardengrocer.com and
www.wegoshop.com .

You think you talk funny, but at WDW, you won't. There will be people everywhere talking in so many languages, you will think you're at the United Nations.

 

[hmillerbarilla]

I've been to the CBR many times and it is very beautiful! I think you'll love it!

You might not need groceries.. the main Food Court has shops that have essentials if you need something in a pinch. Having never been to WDW you will probably just sleep in your room! Have a great time! and... congrats!

 

[stemikger]

Disney World is a great honeymoon. I spent mine there 16 years ago. CBR is a great resort. The grounds are very pretty and the walks around the lake are nice and romantic.

I definitely would not rent a car. Disney's transportation is great. Much less stressful.

I would not even bother ordering food at the online grocer. EPCOT has awesome resturants and the food court in CBR is great.

Live it up and enjoy your honeymoon.

Good Luck

 

[Aliceacc]

Welcome and congratulations!!!!

For starters, you don't talk funny. (This is from someone from "Lawn Guyland, Noo Yawk.) People from all over the world are at Disney... no two groups have the same accent.

As far as meals go, why not get the meal plan? (Hey, it's your honeymoon!!!) That way, you'll be able to budget for some really nice meals-- people will be happy to offer suggestions. I'm sure that Disney will be happy to upgrade your reservations to a package so you can get the plan. If not, then plan on some nice dinners anyway.

You can also have personalized menus (as a surprise for your new husband.) I'm not sure exactly how to arrange it (I'm not up to that yet in my planning), but I know it can be done.

Browse the threads here (especially the Tips forum)-- there's so much I didn't already know, and I've been to WDW a few times.

Best wishes!

 

[septbaby]

We stayed at CBR in September and really liked it. The on site food court is wonderful. If you have not added the dining plan please add it ASAP. It will make a huge difference in the quality of your vacation. If you can afford the Deluxe plan that would be a wonderful treat, but even the basic plan would be really nice. Once you've done that post a question on the restaurant or Dining Plan board and you can get all kinds of suggestions for meal locations.

All rooms have a fridge so no worries there. You'll be able to use Disney transporation, so don't get a rental car just use Magical Express getting to and from the airport and Disney Transportation around Disney World. If you plan to golf on a Disney course Disney will pay for a taxi to and from the resort.

At the moment the main pool is under construction (that means you'll have to come back to enjoy that next trip ). However, there are smaller quiet pools near the rooms so you will still have a nice pool to use. Take time to enjoy the hammocks on the beach and stroll the resort. We were entertaining a 5yo so no time for that. At the resort we were either sleeping, eating, swimming or getting on the bus.

If you need to any laundry the laundry rooms are located by the pools. I found it a bit expensive ($2 wash, $2 dry) but did a load and brought my own powder in a zip lock bag.

There is a nice gift shop at the resort just off the dining area and the game room is also in the area. The bar was located just outside the food court near the pool area. They had a really nice Plasma TV screen.

 

[eliza61]

Congratulations! Let's see my advice.

Try not to go commando style (running from attraction to attraction at top speed). This is kinda hard for first timers but try to enjoy the beauty of your resort and the parks..

weather may still be chilly (definitely warmer than Wisconsin ) but still jacket weather imo. check out accuweather.com a few days before you go.

Bring comfortable shoes, as another poster said you're going to be doing a lot of walking.

Take lots of pictures or think about doing the photopass. You only get 1 first trip & honeymoon. there are never enough pictures. (p.s. then you can share them with us. )

Enjoy

 

[BuzzandAriel'smom]

You've already got some great advice about WDW so I'll just add one more thing.

Head over to the transportation board and address your fears about flying. There is a website that was given to me there a couple of years ago. I think it was fearofflying.com and it was really helpful. It talks about everything you will be hearing in the plane and what sounds mean and it gives statistics that are good for putting your mind at ease. Are you flying into MCO? If so then you can sign up for Magic Express and you won't need to bother with a car.

 

[tinkandonaldfans]

ah the first time- there is nothing like it! whatever ideas you have of what its like will be completely changed once you get there! dont bother with a car because for the first time there is so much to see and the disney transport is really good! you have to go and see the fireworks and all the parades even the night one- they are fantastic! try and go see things you arnt sure about because 9 times out of ten you will love it! my partner was not a big fan of musicals or shows but the nemo show at the animal kingdom he was just amazed by- and he got disappointed when we couldnt watch it again cos it got cancelled due to technical difficulties. i wouldnt bother with groceries as with all the food you will be eating it will go to waste. be sure to get refillable mugs they are definitely worth it

 

[chrisw127]

You're going to have a wonderful time! Congrats on your marriage. I didn't honeymoon at Disney, but from what I understand, there are some perks as far as free stuff goes. You might want to ask other recent honeymooners about that.

You got lots of great advice here so I won't add any except to say this: Get the Underground Guide. It's fantastic. I wouldn't worry about touring plans since you're going in February, but it has tons of stuff in there you will find useful.

Good luck.

 

[Hopefully]

First of all Welcome to the DIS You will find lots of wonderful advice here.
I agree, you do not need a car. Use Magical Express (ME) from the airport to CBR and back - it is free. Disney transportation is also really reliable.
We are ones that always get a grocery delivery - even though we have been on the DDP. We ordered from wegoshop.com and Marge is great. They will arrange a delivery time at your request and deliver directly to your room. We always order jucie, soda, water, beer, wine, breakfast stuff, cheese and crackers and snacks. We do not order tons, and we don't feel we wasted a lot. The cost is the cost of the items ordered plus a $17 delivery fee. I believe we saved that over shopping in the resort shop - where a bottle of water is $2.50!
February can be a very busy time, depending on the weeks you go. Many schools are on winter break around President's Day and it seems everyone heads to WDW I would recommend the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. You can then access their web site and see the recommended best days for each Park.
If you haven't done it yet decide where you want to eat ASAP and make ADR's (Advanced Dining Reservations) for any sit down meals you want, whether you have the Dining Plan or not. As said, February can be busy and popular TS restaurants book fully months in advance. Be flexible with your times and you MAY still be able to get an ADR. They can be booked 180 days in advance, so folks have been making ADR's for 5 months now for February.
Again, Congratulations and Have a Good Trip.

 

[slug]

hi! I have never been to Disney, This is my husband and My 1st trip! Actually it's our honeymoon (a little late, we were married last July). Neither one of us have ever been on a plane either! We are staying at the Caribbean Resort From 2-20-08 to 2-27. Can anyone out there give me some tips on what I am getting out into? I already requested a room with a fridge plus a king size bed. Anymore pointers I should try? We didn't rent a car when we were planning the honeymoon but has anyone ever just rented when they got there? Now mind you we are from Wisconsin, we drive funny and talk funny lol ok not all of us but some! Hmm I'm trying to think of other questions to ask but Right now nothing is standing out. I already have two different Disney books that I read about the parks. Oh Yah I was wondering about food. I read that there is a online grocery store that you can order the food and they will delivery to your hotel room. Has anyone tried this? I'm thinking about it, but I won't have a computer at the hotel so if I can I'll order it before we fly out of Wisconsin. Oh yeah What is the temp like during Feb? it's sorta cold here lol

You'll get varying opinions about the need for a rental car, but I always find one useful. Particularly if you're going to be getting food offsite to put in your fridge. Also, as convienient as WDW busses are, they are not always the most efficient and using them can sometimes cost you a lot of time. And I like having the car to go to dinners outside of the theme parks - like Downtown Disney or any of the resorts - using the busses to go between resorts is just not quick at all. Last time we rented the smallest, cheapest rental we could find and it was very affordable and did the job just fine.

 

[team_honda]

I hope it's warmer then it is here ( -13 with the wind chill! and getting colder) I'm sure it will be! lol Thanks for all the advice! I need to call the travel agent I'm almost 99% sure that we added in the food plan, but not sure how it works, will have to talk to him. I'm still undecided about renting the car, I'm pretty good with a map, but I don't know how well my husband would be able to drive around there without pulling out his hair lol . I'm glad to finally hear some good things about the CBR, I have read in a few books that it isn't the fastest check in and a few other things. But hey if I can survive working in retail, I can survive waiting in line and dealing with the small stuff(hopefully). With flying we spent a little more, so we fly out of a local airport here and then Minneapolis and lastly down to Orlando, So hopefully we did not end up lost, confused, missing luggage( hopefully not taking the wrong ones, and finding a cat in there, mine wouldn't like that lol). I'm sure we will be ok after a few arguments! Thanks everyone again for your input!
Lisa

 

[skipperkim]

The main pool at CBR is closed right now, but the quiet ones are open. I'm not sure adding DDP at this point would be worth it. I'd get on allears decide where you want to eat and call to see if you can get ADR's for those days and then add it. I've rented a car twice, but we were staying off property for part of our stay. If you only plan to be on property it's not worth it. You could ship ahead some things you might want to eat to CBR and pick up perishables at the CBR gift shop.

 

[team_honda]

I'm pretty sure we have the food plan thing, maybe tomorrow I'll check out some plces to eat if I can't get in I save money

 

[Aliceacc]

I'm pretty sure we have the food plan thing, maybe tomorrow I'll check out some plces to eat if I can't get in I save money

Here are the menus: http://www.allears.net/menu/menus.htm

 

[auntie]

Check mousesavers for some discounts for a car rental. If you are planning to eat in any of the resorts..a car will make it easier to reach them. If you're dining plans are to eat at your own resort or in the parks then you will have less of a need for one. If it's basically for transportation from and to the airport you may want to consider a car service. My son rented one ..(possibly the transportation board can recommend a company..I will ask him when I get the chance) to take him and his then girlfriend to and from the airport. They too were staying at the Caribbean Beach and did fine without the car, but enjoyed the privacy and little bit of luxury the Town car provided. It was about $55.00 at the time(about 4 years ago). A nice option I think.