NEW and don't know what to do!

[Dchef]

Hi Everyone. I have really enjoyed reading this forum for sometime now--And now that I have FINALLY gotten confirmed to post, I have SO MANY questions. I won't over burden you at this time. but here's the deal.
I am planning for a January End trip to DW and I am overwhelmed at how much STUFF there is to do, know and learn....I don't know where to begin--HELP.

We have never been as a family, but when I was little my family went 2 or 3 times and the first time was the first year it opened! WOW, I know I will be in for a shock. But needless to say, we want to do it RIGHT (doesn't everyone) But also want to be budget savvy. My biggest thing is getting a great deal on Lodging, we assume the best thing to do if you've never been is stay on site...so now what--How do I get a great price on lodging without paying rack rates--Jan. is a good time to go eh?

Thanks
Darlene
Who cannot ignore those spider stories of late, but is still going anyway--big/HUGE for this Arachnophobe

 

[DisOrBust]

Welcome to the DIS!! You will find all your answers here!! I have gone in late Jan three times and have always gotten a discount. Keep your eye peeled to this site and to Mousesavers for when they are released. How long are you staying? How many rooms? An AP may be the most cost effective.......What resort are you thinking about.

I would definitely stay onsite if you want to "do it right!" There are great deals for offsite but it just not the same IMHO.


Don't remind me of the Spider thread...I almost forgot about it ...


Sue

 

[Disney Fool]

May I be the first to welcome you to the DIS board!

In order to help you, can you give us more info on where you'd like to stay, and your budget range? Also how many in a room?

 

[GoofyJoofy]

First of all Welcome to the Boards Dchef!


Now take a deep breath...

There are several discounts that may or may not be available for the Resort of your choice at the time you are going. Here are some possibilities:

1) If you have AAA, there may be a AAA discount. These are announced for the full year.

2) Disney itself offers deals at different times of year. Right now there is a discount for late fall and the holidays. These get announced several months in advance. They are limited, but fairly available if you keep looking.

3) This probably won't apply to you, but if you have an Annual Pass (you only need 1 Adult annual pass) you can sometimes get a pretty good discount.

For the Disney offers, you can either call Disney CRO (Central Reservation Office) or check on-line at:
Disney World website

If you go to the Disney site, check out the picture with either Donald Duck or the Halloween Ghost. This is the current promotion (discount).

Once you book through Disney, you can keep checking back with them to see if new discounts are being offered. If they are, then you can see if they can apply them to your existing reservation.
The mantra is, keep calling, calling, calling.

You can also book your room through a Disney special Travel Agent (TA). The ones on the Internet promise to keep checking rates, and will apply a discount, when it comes out. No work or worries for you. And these TA don't cost anymore than doing it yourself (Disney pays them a commission). The TA that sponsors these boards is:
Dreams Unlimited

You will also have to decide what type of resort you want: Value, Moderate or Deluxe. Check out the different possibilities, then decide based on your budget and family. Only you can decide if something is "worth" the money.

And don't be afraid to ask specific questions here on the boards.
There is a lot of information, so read, read, read.

 

[dpic]

Welcome

Just keep your eyes on the resort board for discount info. Usually, a couple of days before codes are released the buzz starts. Then, get on the phone at 7:00 am the morning they are released for your best chance. If you have AAA, you can probably get a discount now. Although not the biggest discounts, it still beats rack.

Next, you can research where you would to stay. Check themeing, what you are comfortable spending, and location. There are FAQ threads for most of the resorts here.

Remember, part of the fun is planning, and this is the best site for help and info!

 

[MECH8T7]

Originally posted by Dchef
Hi Everyone. I have really enjoyed reading this forum for sometime now--And now that I have FINALLY gotten confirmed to post, I have SO MANY questions. I won't over burden you at this time. but here's the deal.
I am planning for a January End trip to DW and I am overwhelmed at how much STUFF there is to do, know and learn....I don't know where to begin--HELP.

If you haven't already done so, I would suggest that you spend time on the allearsnet.com site, mousesavers.com site and pick up a copy of one or both of the Unofficial Guide to WDW and the Passporter Guide to WDW. IMO, those sources will give you an overview of things you'll want to think about and good overview summaries that will cover some of your general questions. Once you are ready to actually start planning your trip (rather than information gather), the information on these boards will help you get answers to some of your very specific questions, as well as solicit lots of first hand accounts specific to the fact situation you have in mind.

Have fun planning and welcome to the DIS boards.

 

[G&J's Mom]

Welcome!! Our family just took our first trip in June. I was sooo overwhelmed with the planning and was so confused until I found this board. The valuable expertise of our fellow dissers and mousesavers.com have made it a much more pleasurable planning experience. With discount information and personal experiences, I have been able to plan trip 2 and 3. See below

Denise

 

[Winnie Pooh Fan]

Isn't planning that 1st special family trip so exciting and just a little scarry all at the same time!! I was in your shoes not so long ago and this board truely saved my family major dollars and time.

I have never been to WDW during the winter months (1st trip coming soon ), but January is value season for all resort categories so it is a great time to go to save $$.

To give you any real advice we really need:

How many total traveling with you?
(Some resorts only allow a certain # in the rooms)

How many days are you staying?
(Depends on the rate you can get)

 

[Dchef]

THANK YOU SO MUCH--wow, what a great welcome from all who responded.

Here are some answers to "your" questions so that I might get some answers later to all of mine.

We are a family of 4--I have b/g twins and they are 5 years old but will be 6 in March.

We are "of course" interested in a deluxe resort but can't go any higher than maybe Animal or our first choice Wilderness. The price of the Moderate Rack Rate @ 149.00 is good for us now so If I could get deluxe upgrade for that I would be happy!
But, I think at this point I have been reading that we might actually like POR. But we would want to try and get maybe a corner room with more windows or something like that. NO VALUE resort for us--not the first time we go!

We will be staying 7 days approx. Although, I worry that so much will be closed during Jan/Feb. That we will miss out on night time activities and such.

I am so excited --for me it seems more real since I am doing all the planning...I feel like a KID AGAIN in 1971.

I think that I have all of the necessary books and sites, but all the stuff to know is really overwhelming.
If I wait for the deals to come out for Jan. will I be shooting myself in the foot? Most of our planning revolves around what kind of lodging deal I can find.

Darlene

 

[Bugsmom73]

I would try for moderates, they seem to offer a good rate, good size and won't blow your budget to smithereens. I have stayed at CBR and we will be staying at POR in November. I have been in January and the hours are shorter but you can still see what you would like, you just have to plan a little bit more. Also consider getting a hopper pass vs hopper plus vs unlimited access be honest with how much time you will spend in the "extra parks" ie the water parks. If you are not going to go, then don't pay for the extra. we are getting just a park hopper this time. We will see how it works. Your kids are probably old enough to enjoy a park, mine aren't they are 3 and 1. If you stay at POR you can get a trundle bed for 15 more a day so the kids won't fight about sharing a bed, but then they might fight as to who has to sleep on it.

 

[finnie48]

Welcome -

Hi Darlene,
Let us add our welcome to these boards. We also like to get Birnbaum's "official" guide to WDW. We think it gives a nice and positive overview of the World - the other guides are great for more detailed info.

If I'm not mistaken, you can book now and apply any discounts that may come available later on. You also might want to check out the Swan/Dolphin in the Epcot resort area. They are wonderful deluxe hotels and have good discounts most of the time. We were there this past August at the teacher's rate of $159 plus tax, They also have AAA, gov't. and other dicscounts.

From what I have read here, POR sounds like a good place to be. If you stay there, don't miss Bob Jackson, if you have time(Wed.-Sat. evenings in the lounge).

Have fun planning and have a most magical trip. Just remember you will not be able to see and do it all - take it easy and smell the roses. There is always next time. Enjoy!!!

Peg and Bob

 

[leighe]

Hi and Welcome! Everybody is so nice here and you'll always get such great information.

I think your idea about a moderate is a good one (although if the chance presents itself AKL is WONDERFUL and I've always wanted to stay at WL). If it's your first trip there's a good chance that you'll spend lots of time in the parks and in January it may be too cold to swim so the pools won't be a big deal. DH and I stayed at CBR for our 1st anniversary and we loved it! It was DH's first trip so it was a really nice intro to Disney magic without breaking the bank. The room was huge and the grounds were beautiful. The food court was pretty good but we only ate there a few times. For a winter trip POR would probably be really nice. (I have this wierd thing about weather and theming matching - I don't think that I could stay at CBR in January! )

Anyway, have fun! Sometimes I think planning is the best part!

 

[suzifli]

Try www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com they arrange everything for you, for free. They also monitor for any new discounts and apply them to your reservation, without the need for you to monitor it.
They also sponsor the DISboards.