New (again...) to Disney World. Some questions for the veterans.

[seasonality]

Hi there! Late this summer, my family and nieces will be travelling to Disney. Since this is my third trip, you would think I would have this stuff down to a science but I don't.

Our first trip was several years ago and the last trip was 5 years ago. Although we had a fantastic time on both trips, we wanted to do other things for vacation and haven't been back to Disney since. So, that means that I've spent days/hours on Dis trying to catch up on all the info we've missed in the past 5 years and relearning the tips/tricks gathered from our last trip. Since the Dis veterans were invaluable to us in planning our last trip, I'm hoping you could please lend some insight for this trip.

Since my questions span several topics, I decided to post them here but please tell me if I should instead separate them into forum-specific questions and resubmit. Here goes!

1. Photopass: The last time we vacationed at Disney, we participated in a photoshare (several families sharing the cost of one Photopass account) but I can't seem to find info on this anywhere, so I'm assuming Disney realized they were losing money and put a stop to it. Is there still a way to spread the cost amongst 2 or 3 families and then sort out the photos afterwards?
   
   
2. I know this is a stupid question, but just realized yesterday that if we stay for 10 days and only get 6 day park-hoppers (we like a couple down days of pool time) we won't be able to eat in the park for dinner, we'd have to eat at a table service restaurant at one of the resorts, right?
   
   
3. Do people order groceries to their room when staying in a standard room? We are looking at Pop to save some money. Last time we were in a family suite and had room for groceries. I'm wondering if a standard will allow enough room for groceries? We normally do breakfast in the room.
   
   
4. We are hoping to get lucky and be able to use the free dining promotion, should it coincide with our dates (8/27-9/5). Assuming the dates line up (I know we can't arrive prior to the first day of free dining), can I get a room at Pop with upgraded standard dining now so that I can make my ADR's at 180 days and then have the upgraded standard dining removed from my reservation and replaced with the free dining promotion (should it be announced) without losing my ADR table service reservations?
   
   
5. Last question. If I use a travel agent, can I still make my own ADR's or is the travel agent required to make them for me? I've heard that reservations can be made online now instead of calling into Disney, is that correct?

Thanks for any help you can provide, I really appreciate it!

 

[pooh4evr]

Wish I had more info to offer-
1) I haven't done that before so I am unsure.- Now with the MDE account, and linking everything through that I am not sure multiple families could share without their accounts being linked.
2) Right, to eat at a pork restaurant you must have a valid ticket for that day. But there are MANY restaurants in the resorts that are wonderful. Try Chef Mickey, Ohana, 1900 Park Fair, Cape May, lots of choices at Boardwalk or Disney Springs.
3) Yes people do, the refrigerator is small. Keep in mind no coffee pot in the room either.

 

[monorailsilver]

Hi there! Late this summer, my family and nieces will be travelling to Disney. Since this is my third trip, you would think I would have this stuff down to a science but I don't.

Our first trip was several years ago and the last trip was 5 years ago. Although we had a fantastic time on both trips, we wanted to do other things for vacation and haven't been back to Disney since. So, that means that I've spent days/hours on Dis trying to catch up on all the info we've missed in the past 5 years and relearning the tips/tricks gathered from our last trip. Since the Dis veterans were invaluable to us in planning our last trip, I'm hoping you could please lend some insight for this trip.

Since my questions span several topics, I decided to post them here but please tell me if I should instead separate them into forum-specific questions and resubmit. Here goes!

1. Photopass: The last time we vacationed at Disney, we participated in a photoshare (several families sharing the cost of one Photopass account) but I can't seem to find info on this anywhere, so I'm assuming Disney realized they were losing money and put a stop to it. Is there still a way to spread the cost amongst 2 or 3 families and then sort out the photos afterwards?
   
   
2. I know this is a stupid question, but just realized yesterday that if we stay for 10 days and only get 6 day park-hoppers (we like a couple down days of pool time) we won't be able to eat in the park for dinner, we'd have to eat at a table service restaurant at one of the resorts, right?
   
   
3. Do people order groceries to their room when staying in a standard room? We are looking at Pop to save some money. Last time we were in a family suite and had room for groceries. I'm wondering if a standard will allow enough room for groceries? We normally do breakfast in the room.
   
   
4. We are hoping to get lucky and be able to use the free dining promotion, should it coincide with our dates (8/27-9/5). Assuming the dates line up (I know we can't arrive prior to the first day of free dining), can I get a room at Pop with upgraded standard dining now so that I can make my ADR's at 180 days and then have the upgraded standard dining removed from my reservation and replaced with the free dining promotion (should it be announced) without losing my ADR table service reservations?
   
   
5. Last question. If I use a travel agent, can I still make my own ADR's or is the travel agent required to make them for me? I've heard that reservations can be made online now instead of calling into Disney, is that correct?

Thanks for any help you can provide, I really appreciate it!

1. I did the photopass share as well. Found it on these boards and one mom lives about 20 min from me and I met her a few years later and her and her family happened to be on the same flight home as us. Otherwise I have not done a photopass or whatever it is called these days since then.

2. that would be correct. But there are plenty of options at the hotels. We love Chef Mickeys and The Whispering Canyon Café but those are the only 2 TS places we eat, all the rest is CS. We don't do the dining plan since it is not cost effective for us, even free.

3. We shipped groceries down since my dh was able to ship for dirt cheap but now he won't be able to so I will probably order and still save money. We stay in a regular garden view room at the Poly and have no issues with all our food and water. But we also have the mini fridge. I haven't stayed at the Pop but I would think would be places to store food, get creative.

4. Have no idea as the cost of dining for my family is more expensive then paying OOP

5. I used a TA when I went in 2013 but I made my 2 ADRs.

 

[NJlauren]

1. You can still do a photopass share but all accounts will need to be linked

2. Correct but I agree some nice TS spots outside of the parks at Disney springs and the resorts.

3. The pop has a fridge but not a lot of other space for stuff we ordered when we stayed there and it was fine.

4. You won't lose your reservations. I would analyze the room only discount (if one is available) against a free dining and paying out of pocket to make sure your getting the best deal.

5. I think so but I'm not positive

 

[seasonality]

Thank you everyone for your responses! Appreciate you!

 

[Tara1988]

1) never done a photo pass share.
2) you can only eat at a park restaurant if you use a park ticket for that day. But there are plenty of options outside of the parks that are great and on the dining plan
3) it depends on what you want for breakfast. Really, cereal is the only option. There's no microwave or anything. Just a small dorm size fridge.
4) dining reservations won't be affected by free dining promotions. Just let them know when you check in that you're on the dining plan. And call to change payment information for the places you have to prepay for. If you're going to start with a paid plan and just adjust your price if a promotion comes out, you won't have to do anything with your adrs.
5) you can make your own reservations, just make sure your travel agent knows so nothing is conflicting.