New here! Planning 2013 trip!

[LuLu14]

Hi everyone!

I'm in the process of planning a June 2013 trip to Disney. Its my first time planning a trip (I went when I was younger with my parents, and last month went to the parks for just a day and stayed off property-what a tease!)

I'm anxious to get my trip booked-the earlier the better, right?

So far my we (My husband and I) have decided on staying at POR in one of the Royal Guest rooms. We have a daughter who will be 4 at the time of our trip.

I've been lurking and reading all your posts and am so thankful for this site!

I contacted Small World Vacations but honestly, the communication has been really slow-so I might just go ahead and book myself.

I look forward to chatting with all of you and learning all about Disney. I have a feeling this is the start of a new obsession for me and my family

Thanks for reading!

 

[serene56]

I contacted Small World Vacations but honestly, the communication has been really slow-so I might just go ahead and book myself.!

May I ask what you mean by communication is really slow.


are you working with the agency or with a direct person?

PS- welcome to the boards--- we are booking for Dec 2013 but its not available for us yet as its over 499 days

 

[LuLu14]

I filled out a form on their site and an agent emailed me with a quote. Since then I've been e-mailing back and forth, but it takes a while to get a response. Yesterday I called and left a messaged because I wanted to book but I still have not heard back. Perhaps I am expecting too much?

 

[ctl]

If you know where you want to stay and the time period then I'd go ahead and book it myself. Sometimes package deals with flights work out more expensive. I have been doing my own WDW trips every year with my DS and DD since 1996 and I think it's relatively easy. Good Luck and welcome.

 

[serene56]

I allow at least 24 hours.. But when I am ready to book I like to speak to a person.

I was in contact with an agency and I only wanted a quote for rooms and felt she was (??__ dont know a word for it)

But she kept insisting I give her names and birthdates--

I only want a price of a room-- thank you I will give my business elsewhere.

I like going through an agency and let them work my booking - soemtimes I dont have time to check for discount etc that are coming through.

Example for my upcoming trip we were booked at Coronada but she found me a discount of 35% off room rate so I was able to upgrade to Contemporty

 

[Disney's Fab 4]

I always book directly through Disney. I go on their site to check everything I want out of the trip and know the price, but when I book I call them directly and book it through a real person.

I have never had a problem.

Good Luck!!!

ps... so much has changed! wait till you get there, you will love it!

 

[LuLu14]

Yes, I'm mostly doing it for the help with discounts!

Plus this is my first time planning a Disney Vacation. My DD is obsessed with Mickey and all things Disney. I almost feel 'pressure' to make it absolutely perfect for her! So having someone who really knows Disney would help.
But thankfully I found this board !

 

[LuLu14]

Got a call from the TA just now...she was so friendly and offered lots of advice.

So we are now booked for June 2013! Ahhh so excited!

 

[serene56]

The best advice I got some one from here is follow my 5 year old.
Do not get so caught up in your plans once there that you forget magic could be happening
we did and it was great.

When we first entered magic kingdom--- (at rope drop of course) there was snow white. the look on my GD face when she saw her and then she whispered "she IS real"
and all only that area of town square was Daisy, Pluto, Pinachio to name a few.
By the time we started walking up main street it was close to 11am.. and here comes the parade. We spent the next few whiles dancing in the street with those characters

Its 11:20 and we never even made it off Main Street nor have we waited on any rides.

For a complusive planner--this just would not do as Dumbo line is getting longer.. and the crowds are coming in etc. etc.

We would have missed all that magic happening if we heeded that plan.

Now I plan the rides/ Activities in order instead of a time on it.

 

[guppy1013]

Everything will be perfect for your daughter- not to sound dumb, but she doesn't know any better. We are taking my almost 3 yr old in december, along with my 1 yr old. Sitting down for dinner isn't really an option with the baby(she is a buster!!!) so we aren't doing a character breakfast. My SIL couldn't believe it but the 3 yo will never know the difference. If we don't get to a ride or attraction...she won't know. She is going to love every single minute, as will yours. If you are relaxed and happy, she will be too!!! Much luck planning and these boards have been awesome!

 

[Alexsandra]

I went twice last year. In Feb with a 7month old and a 4 year old and then again in Sept. We loved both our trips and the kids had the time of their lives. My advise is to go at their pace and to plan mealtimes around their usual schedule. Don't try to do too much and you will have a great time. If you want more advice or if you want to see pics of my trip u can visit my blog http://disneyplaning101.blogspot.ca/
I stayed at POFQ but also loved POR. I posted pictures of both resorts.
Have a great trip filled with pixie dust!

 

[LuLu14]

Everything will be perfect for your daughter- not to sound dumb, but she doesn't know any better. We are taking my almost 3 yr old in december, along with my 1 yr old. Sitting down for dinner isn't really an option with the baby(she is a buster!!!) so we aren't doing a character breakfast. My SIL couldn't believe it but the 3 yo will never know the difference. If we don't get to a ride or attraction...she won't know. She is going to love every single minute, as will yours. If you are relaxed and happy, she will be too!!! Much luck planning and these boards have been awesome!

Yeah, I know what you mean though. My parents rented a house in Orlando last month and we took her to MK for a day. ONE DAY! I felt like we did NOTHING! But to her it was the best thing ever because she got to meet Mickey and Minnie.
So this time around I want her to get the full Disney experience. I know it will just happen and that she will love it no matter what. I guess I better relax or it's going to be a long year of planning!

 

[serene56]

I guess I better relax or it's going to be a long year of planning!

pfftt- I have been planning our Dec 2013 trip since Sept 2010
Finally -- I still have to wait a week but then hoooorayyyy I can book it

 

[Metro West]

Welcome!

 

[PeanutButterMom]

The best advice I got some one from here is follow my 5 year old.
Do not get so caught up in your plans once there that you forget magic could be happening
we did and it was great.

When we first entered magic kingdom--- (at rope drop of course) there was snow white. the look on my GD face when she saw her and then she whispered "she IS real"
and all only that area of town square was Daisy, Pluto, Pinachio to name a few.
By the time we started walking up main street it was close to 11am.. and here comes the parade. We spent the next few whiles dancing in the street with those characters

Its 11:20 and we never even made it off Main Street nor have we waited on any rides.

For a complusive planner--this just would not do as Dumbo line is getting longer.. and the crowds are coming in etc. etc.

We would have missed all that magic happening if we heeded that plan.

Now I plan the rides/ Activities in order instead of a time on it.

This brought tears to my eyes (but I'm a serious sap - there's no way I'm wearing mascara at any time while we're at Disney, lol). We're not going until NEXT October but I'm already so excited! I've made myself a saving spreadsheet (I don't want to dip into any of our "real" household budget for the trip - I want to make it up all on my own by saving money, a la Couponing to Disney)

 

[disneyfan123]

 

[bellaally]

Hey welcome I booked through Disney. I looked online saw there prices then compared.