New here & overwhelmed!

[NYEmomma]

Wow, there is SO much information on this site that I really don't even know where to start!

We're planning DD's first Disney trip in Oct. 11 -- she'll be 2.5 at the time. It'll be me (more than likely in the first weeks of pregnancy), DH, DD, my parents, my brother & his girlfriend.

I've been to Disney many times, most recently for our honeymoon in '02 but this is the first time that I'll be doing the planning & booking.

I'm a SAHM and in order to make ends meet, I put a LOT of time into budgeting and searching out coupons & the best deals. So I'm diving headfirst into the research to find the best Disney deals.

Guess I don't really know where to start here. Book a package with Disney or piece it out as I can find good prices? Do the Dining Plan or pay OOP? What to do with my 2.5 who eats like a horse but can't get the dining plan? There's just sooo much to do, I don't know where to start, lol!

 

[WDWKOOK]

Wow, there is SO much information on this site that I really don't even know where to start!

We're planning DD's first Disney trip in Oct. 11 -- she'll be 2.5 at the time. It'll be me (more than likely in the first weeks of pregnancy), DH, DD, my parents, my brother & his girlfriend.

I've been to Disney many times, most recently for our honeymoon in '02 but this is the first time that I'll be doing the planning & booking.

I'm a SAHM and in order to make ends meet, I put a LOT of time into budgeting and searching out coupons & the best deals. So I'm diving headfirst into the research to find the best Disney deals.

Guess I don't really know where to start here. Book a package with Disney or piece it out as I can find good prices? Do the Dining Plan or pay OOP? What to do with my 2.5 who eats like a horse but can't get the dining plan? There's just sooo much to do, I don't know where to start, lol!

to the DIS from one SAHM to another (and former Hoosier)

There are many wonderful resources for WDW savings. Here are some links that will get you started in your search for your best deal:

Here on the DIS, there is the Disney Discount Codes and Rates forum: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=93
Deals on tickets, rooms and dining are posted and discussed here.

And the Disney Discounts section of wdwinfo: http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts.html

MouseSavers is a wonderful resource and they have a newsletter you can sign-up for: http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html#discountmenu

The official WDW site also has a special offers page here: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/ where you can often book online using their savings link. If you are a passholder, go to that section for the special passholder room deals.

If you are military, let me know and I can also post links to military-only deals.

Regarding the DP, here are some links to help you decide:

DP reviews: http://land.allears.net/reviewpost/showcat.php?cat=126

Great package/dining info: http://www.mousesavers.com/packages.html#packages

The DIS DP forum: http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=116




If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Metro West]

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Another hearty Welcome!

 

[pkondz]

Welcome to the DIS. Don't worry about feeling overwhelmed. You've got lots of time to look around between now and October. Start slowly and soon you'll be diving in feet first! Good luck!

 

[ShawnaLucy]

Welcome to you!!

 

[Happy Mom2]

We just got back from our first Disney trip. The planning was overwhelming at first. I read everything I could get my hands on.. books, websites, etc. The more you know, the better prepared you are.

For us, the dining plan was well worth it. We got free dining and upgraded to deluxe. We saved $700 compared to what we would have spent out of pocket. I have a 2 year old who eats like a horse also, but I found there was plenty of food to go around. One tip - quick service meals count the same if you order a kid's meal or an adult meal, it counts as the same thing. A kind castmember told me this the first day, and we just ordered my DD an adult meal and she shared with DS. It worked perfectly!

 

[prattpak]

Wow, there is SO much information on this site that I really don't even know where to start!

We're planning DD's first Disney trip in Oct. 11 -- she'll be 2.5 at the time. It'll be me (more than likely in the first weeks of pregnancy), DH, DD, my parents, my brother & his girlfriend.

I've been to Disney many times, most recently for our honeymoon in '02 but this is the first time that I'll be doing the planning & booking.

I'm a SAHM and in order to make ends meet, I put a LOT of time into budgeting and searching out coupons & the best deals. So I'm diving headfirst into the research to find the best Disney deals.

Guess I don't really know where to start here. Book a package with Disney or piece it out as I can find good prices? Do the Dining Plan or pay OOP? What to do with my 2.5 who eats like a horse but can't get the dining plan? There's just sooo much to do, I don't know where to start, lol!

Momma! WELCOME!!!!
Ok now take a deep breathe and exhale sloooowwwlllyyyyy. Better? Ok then lets get busy!!! You do have plenty of time to do this and it IS doable. If the family wants YOU to do all the planning then there needs to be ground rules, 1st and foremost IF YOU ARE DOING ALL THE WORK THEN NOBODY GETS TO GRIPE ABOUT THE PLANS!!! Unless they want to have planning meetings then, as my sons teacher says, "you get what you get and you dont throw a fit!"
They may not know what a big undertaking this is to plan a trip for several people. I do, and soon you will too. But you can have fun at it, especially here on the DIS!
Under the Family blogs join the Disney Moms (DisMom's) group. They will befriend you and give you a TON of support.
Dont try to tackle it all at once. Call Disney and get a Grand Gathering person to help you out, they are PHENOM!!!! over there.
Pick a subject, whether it be planing the dining, resort research,etc and become a SME (subject Matter Expert) in that subject. Pick one a week, month whatever and get to know the ins and outs.
Sorry for the ramble I hope this helps! Need any help please PM me Im here for you guys!

 

[sarahrip]

"If you are military, let me know and I can also post links to military-only deals"

I would love to know any info on military deals please and thank you = )

 

[WDWKOOK]

"If you are military, let me know and I can also post links to military-only deals"

I would love to know any info on military deals please and thank you = )

Here you go - enjoy!

http://disneymilitarysales.com/

http://www.wdwinfo.com/discounts/discounts-resorts.htm#military

http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyresorts.html#military

http://www.militarydisneytips.com/

 

[sarahrip]

Thank you Santa!

 

[ZoZo]

I'd recommend getting a good guidebook and reading it cover to cover. My favorite is the Unofficial Guide to WDW - it has tons of information. A great foundation for any trip.

Once you have a good grasp of "the basics", I'd start trolling these boards for more information. As you've already experienced, these boards have a huge amount of information, too (just like books do!) but it can be harder to find the stuff you want, due to the somewhat "scattered" nature of a chat board. I find the DIS most helpful for answering specific questions (i.e. "What's your favorite table-service restaurant in Disney's Hollywood Studios?") rather than broader, more general questions.

Try not to get too freaked out and overwhelmed. Good luck to you!

 

[jaylensmom]

Thanks for starting this thread...I'm trying to research too and it is so overwhelming...

 

[WDWKOOK]

Thank you Santa!

You're welcome. Actually, I'm more like Mrs. Claus

I'm still at WDW if you guys have any questions

BTW, whatever happened to our post and run OP