Never been to DL and have some questions :)

[chelleb1974]

Hi there! I usually go to WDW, but have the opportunity to go to DL in Aug 2010. I'm going to a Convention in San Diego mid-August and was thinking this would be a great opportunity to visit DL beforehand.

My main question is, I see there are 3 Disney owned hotels, but see so many people talking about other hotels that sound just as close to the two parks. Are there advantages to staying in a Disney hotel (shuttles to the parks, etc...)? They all look like they are withing walking distance of the hotels and each other, is that really how it is, or are the maps misleading?

Also, was reading about the dining plans and am totally confused. It mentioned one called 'Dine in the Magic', but couldn't find a price for it. All I see are the dining plans named after the Characters. Could someone explain it who is familiar with it?

I think that's all for now, but I'm sure I will think of more as I plan the trip.

Thank you all!!!!
~Chelle

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

Staying at a Disney Property hotel gives you access to all magic morning (early entry at WDW), otherwise all 3 day or more parkhoppers come with one MM.
Staying on site, for some you get more of the immersion of Disney.

There is no transportation to and from the parks needed if staying on site or at a hotel along Harbour, they are all easily walkable.

I do not know much about the dinning plan. HOwever I do know from what I have read that it is nothing like WDW dining plan.

 

[chelleb1974]

Thank you so much!! I suspected as much, that they were all within walking distance, but sometimes maps are misleading, lol.


Regarding Dining - that's probably why I was/am so confused reading about the DL ones. I am very much used to WDW ones and understand those, lol.

Thank you again!!

If anyone has more insight into the Dining Plans at DL I will be more than happy to read them

~Chelle

 

[Eeee-va]

I think Disney may be changing things, but as it stands the Disney Dining program is basically buying prepaid credits (at face value, I think?) and then you spend them at your meal, with no change returned. I don't know the exact numbers but let's say you get $15 for a dinner and then go somewhere where you spend $12 on dinner. You don't get any refund for those $3. (But if you paid $20 for your dinner, you WOULD have to pay the extra $5.) So as I last heard it, it really didn't make much sense--you could buy Disney gift cards if you wanted to budget.

I think someone posted that they're thinking about changing things, though, in which case it may be a better idea then.