new here and trying to plan a trip - help!

[martini03]

Hello everyone...

I just found these boards. My husband and I are going to be in Florida for Christmas and thought we'd like to go to DisneyWorld for New Year's. We would get there on the 28th or 29th and leave on January 1st. We have no kids (yet) and are wanting to do this without spending an arm and a leg!

It's been over 8 years since I've been to Disney, but I absolutely love it! I was there another time at New Year's and it was pretty busy, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we can do it.

We'd like to stay at a Disney hotel - we're fine with the small, least-expensive and we'll want to go to a couple of parks. We know we can't do them all, but we'll probably want to go to Epcot and Magic Kingdom. Of course, I want to go to all of them! Our third choice would probably be Animal Kingdom.

Can you offer suggestions? How do I go about planning this? Do I do it at Disney's site? ANY info you can give me would be a huge help!! I've never planned a Disney vacation!

 

[LuvSnowWhite]

Well you've started off right by posting on the board. Do a search for all things disneyworld and you will find many resources. There are special offers and packages going on now. Look thru other disney boards and of course this one in the different sections to help you map out your trip. You can order a FREE dvd right from the disney site also.
Try "Allears.net" and
search for "Mousesavers". This is another good site.

Also there is a site called "Tour Guide Mike" with planning tools on the site.
A couple good planning books are "The unofficial guide to Walt Disney World" and of course "Passporters Walt Disney World"

Hope this helps.
I can't give you any tips on where to stay tho, because I am in that dilemma myself right now.
Good Luck!

 

[nurse.darcy]

My you have picked a busy time of year. Let me suggest that you go to Disneyworld.com and see if there are any value resorts available for the dates you are looking at. That would be the BEST way to start. . .the Values are the All Star Resorts - Sports, Music and Movies; or Pop Century. They would be the lowest price of all Disney resorts and probably cost just under 100 a night. Everything else would be higher. After that you could plan your trip. . .that's the fun part.

 

[Kristineamb]

I don't want to discourage you but as the previous poster mentioned you will be there during the busiest time of year! Parks have been know to reach capacity and they won't let anyone else in until the numbers diminish. Be prepared not to do everything...take in the atomspere, see shows and parades, visit the other resorts (their holiday decorations are beautiful!) but don't expect to get on all the big rides.
Having said that...GO...we were there last year 12/17-12/29 and had a wonderful time!
Pop is our favorite value resort! Here is a thread that will tell you everything you need to know:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1629396
Make your ADRs ASAP!

 

[brekin67]

If you or your husband are currently or have been in the military, Disney's mililtary resort is based on your rank. It does not fill up as quick as the other mainstream resorts. I have never been during Christmas/New Years. I wonder if Pleasure Island will have a big party since the clubs are closing.
Have a great time.