New and confused with ?'s

[andyjack]

Hi all, I've been lurking for the past few days and I feel like my head is going to explode. I didn't realize that there was so much planning involved. We are planning on going to Disney either in Aug. or Dec. for 7 days.

We could stay at SOG but I would rather have the dining plan. I was thinking of getting the room, 1 day ticket, and dining plan through Disney and then getting the rest of the tickets from SOG. However when I do the math, it comes out to be more expensive versus getting everything through Disney. For some reason I thought things would be cheaper.

Has anyone had any experience with getting everything from Disney except tickets? Was it cheaper or am I doing the math wrong?

Thanks,
Andrea

 

[wilde_oscar]

there are several ways to do the math, but in general the packages that Disney puts together are the best bang for the buck if you want to include the DDP.

if Free DDP is offered again in sept... there really is no deeper level of discount.

you did not mention if you are going during the December holiday season, or the begining of december... going in August it is hot, amazon hot.

another caveat of doing the math, is are you going to maximize the DDP?

So there are a lot of "what if" to factor in.

 

[Ashes8380]

If you want the dining plan, a disney package is the way to go. But if you are light eaters, and aren't super into table service restaurants, it may be best to do it all separately. When me and my best friend went, we were on a SUPER tight budget. We stayed at Pop with a discount code, used mears shuttle (before magical express), all counter service, packed snacks, etc... If that's your kind of situation, you may be best doing it on your own. It comes down to a food thing a lot of the time. I'd recommend figuring out what you really want to do while you're there, and then see which option is better for you.

And I agree, summer in WDW is unbearable. I love the wintertime. Low crowds, decent weather (nice and warm for those of us from upstate NY!), and christmas decorations! Unless you were planning to go at Christmas, I'd highly recommend December.

 

[stitchlover]

One of the reasons we decided to do DDP our first trip (and every trip since) was we have a daughter who wanted to do a lot of character meals. You don't mention if you are taking kids or not. That might be something to consider when deciding.
Don't let it overwhelm you. Keep in mind that if you book through Disney they will let you pay the vacation out over a period of time.

If you book room only you must pay the equivalent of one nights stay within 14 days of booking and the balance is due at check in.
If you book a package you must pay $200 within 14 days of booking and the balance is due 45 days before check in.
You can pay on this over the months at no interest. It makes Disney so much easier for families in my opinion. I don't believe in using credit cards and being able to call once a month and pay a chunk with my debit card makes it easy!

Your first step should be figuring out your dates and then comparing the different resort prices and package prices. Don't try to over plan every day. Tailor the vacation to fit your family. Our first family trip in '06 was great...but our second family trip in '07 was better. We learned so much more about how to "do Disney" after we went once and I discovered the disboards which helped!

Good luck and have fun planning!

 

[dunbarfamily]

Good advice stitchlover! I just wanted to second what stitch said about overplanning. Its good to have a plan, but not a huge plan. Its magical at WDW and plans have a way, of, well, magically changing! Go with the flow. When you get overwhelmed, remember that in the days before internet, people had great trips without all the info the 'net provides. So, take what you need from here, but don't feel like you need to read and do every little thing.

Oh yeah, and welcome to the DIS!!!!

 

[Lovin' Lorne]

I'll second, or is it third(?) the advice about overplanning. We've been 10 times in the last 14 years, have never planned anything until this year ( two reservations to eat) and we've gotten along just fine.

Of course we don't really have any must see's/must do's either. If you do, then obviously a fair amount of planning must be done. But again, don't over do it to the point where you're all stressed out before you even get there. That's no fun.

 

[andyjack]

To answer some questions, we will be going with 3 kids 2,6, and 8. I was thinking of Aug. 3-10 because it will be less expensive than Dec. However, it will be hot. If we go in Dec. it would be around the 13th but wow do the rooms jump in price.

As for overplanning, I can't help it. I just like to be well informed. Thanks for all the advice.


Andrea

 

[stitchlover]

We have a plan for every day i.e., which park we are going to be at in the morning and which park we are going to be at in the evening. And each day we have one ADR. And we know going into the park which ride mom (me!) is going to walk ahead to and get the first FP for and which ride mom is going to meet DH and DD at for the first ride after obtaining the FP. But that's about it. We don't plan like:

9:00 Dumbo
9:05 Pooh
9:10 IASW

That's what I mean by overplanning. I think that would be too much for us! But I could look at my March schedule right now and tell you where I will be Wednesday morning and Wednesday evening. I think that type planning is good!

You are right...August is miserable. BUT if the price is right you can put up with anything. You know it's going to be hot...take spray bottles, plenty of water, etc.

With kids those ages I would really recommend some character meals. Especially Crystal Palace at MK and Chef Mickey at the Contemporary. The interaction with your kids is priceless.

Also get a guidebook. For our first trip we used Birnbaum's and I liked it. But once I had a trip under my belt I wanted the nitty gritty and now I purchase the Passporter and the Unofficial Guidebook.

Planning is the fun part! Jump in and enjoy!

 

[dunbarfamily]

Also get a guidebook. For our first trip we used Birnbaum's and I liked it. But once I had a trip under my belt I wanted the nitty gritty and now I purchase the Passporter and the Unofficial Guidebook.

That is EXACTLY what we did too!!! First Birnbaums and then passporter and unofficial!! I recently bought a newer edition of the Birnbaum, not for the advice, but for the pictures! I love drooling over them!!!

 

[stitchlover]

We are going to DL for the first time in June and I purchased the Birnbaum's Guide. I just need to know the basic stuff! If I decide to go again I'll start researching further!

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

I wanted to comment on a tip re: the heat.

We were there in late July - and, yes - the heat was miserable. Even at 8:30 or 9:00 in the morning, it's HOT!!

We noticed that as long as we were moving (walking) the heat didn't seem to bother us so much - but as soon as we stopped to get in line (food/ride/character) - THAT was when the heat was miserable. You would be surprised as to how many rides/attractions are A/C. I remember not being so bothered by the heat at MK.

With that said, it was (believe it or not) the "Worlds" at Epcot where the heat bothered us the most. There aren't as many places to stop/ride/watch. It was our intentions to eat a CS in Mexico - which only had seating outside. We ended up walking in and paying OOP (even though we had DPP) for an unplanned TS (in Italy) just so we could sit in the air.

SO - the point is - when you are planning your meals - consider the time of day/location and whether or not you will be willing to sit outside.

TOO - as hard as it is to get up and get the little ones out, it is SO worth it to get out of bed for the EMH's during this time of the year. Then you can leave around 1:00 or 2:00 when the heat AND the crowds get out of hand. Then come back around 6:00.

Have a magical time!

PS - I admit - I'm an over - over planner!! I'm just so afraid of MISSING something!

 

[dunbarfamily]

Stitch--I couldn't figure out why your username seemed so familiar, then I remembered why. We emailed back and forth about DVC last year! Good to run into you again. Have a great DL trip! I can't wait to go there, even though I know I am a WDW girl at heart!

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.....

 

[stitchlover]

OMG Dunbarfamily, I kept thinking the same thing. Glad you remembered because i couldn't quite place the connection. Good to *see* you!