New to the board

[Beauties n the Beast]

Hello everyone....I have been browsing the board for a little bit now and decided to join you all in your fun!
I am planning to make a weeklong trip to Disney during August...and am searching for the best deal!! We visited Magic Kingdom last year for only one day and decided next time we'd plan it right, and stay near the park and hopefully be less tired! We will be traveling by plane with our 2 daughters, age 9 and the other will be 5 at the time...and needless to say our 9 year old is excited but nervous about flying! I decided I will keep it a surprise from my 4-year old and just have to capture her face when she figures out where we are going!
Anyway...I am looking forward to all of your tips and tricks of the trade on planning this vacation. I need to get the best bang for my buck!

 

[HappyLawyer]

welcome and congrats on your addiction

 

[fan of the TTA]

welcome!

hope you love it

 

[Disney Dee]

Welcome to the Dis, you will get lots of money saving tips and ideas here on the Dis

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Welcome. When your ready just start asking away. The people here are so helpful. Have fun planning.

 

[byoung]

Welcome to the DIS.

 

[eblack0409]

Welcome to the DIS!!!

 

[swtnikki]

Welcome to the DIS! You'll have lots of fun here.

 

[WDWfan36]

Welcome To the DIS boreds!

 

[kimisabella]

Welcome - we're thinking of going in august also!! You'll find great info here for you trip!

 

[lgp1]

Welcome to the Dis.

 

[Minniespal]

to the Dis

 

[spiceycat]

best resort (my opinion) for the least price is Pop Century.

since you will be staying on WDW - you don't need a rental car.

DME (disney's magical express) will take you back and forth to the airport for free!!!

if you can afford it get their packages - you will pay more for the tickets but you will save money on the dinning - if you get the dinning plan.

here is place to help you get the most for your money

www.mousesavers.com

 

[cinmell]

Welcome!

 

[Beauties n the Beast]

thanks for all the welcomes, and tips!!
Spiceycat - I am thinking of getting the room/ticket package then finding my own deal on flights. I am in Baltimore, so I hope to cash in on a Southwest deal - too bad they don't offer reservations past June...

 

[tinkerbell87512]

Just another person saying WELCOME to the boards!!!

 

[grumpy.uncle]

Living in CA and having traveled to both DL and WDW several times, we have discovered that the one area you can save money is with dining.We normally book a room with kitchen, but you could also book room w/ a kitchenette. My DS is extremely organized and plans out most of our meals during our stay. Food can get really pricey very quick. We also travel w/ 2 girls ages 4 and 9. The kids normally don't eat much if you go to a restaurant and you end up tossing most of an expensive meal. We stay at BWV in a room w/ kitchen. In January we bought all of our groceries for our 2 week stay for party of 5 for about $450. We do eat out for a few special occasions. We went to the Biergarten in Germany for dinner and it ran $165 for the 5 of us. So you can see how it can add up. If at all possible, please splurge for the breakfast or lunch at Cinderella's Castle. Your girls will love it. You actually sit in the castle in MK and dine w/ asst. princes and princesses. It is really special, esp. for little girls. Disney is also currently offering a dining plan when you book a room. The only catch is that you have to buy the dining plan for everyone in your room. It runs $37.98 per day for ages 10-adult and I'm not sure what the rate is for younger ages. This price includes tax and gratuity and gives you a ton of food for your money. You can dine almost anywhere, but some of the nicer venues count as 2 meals. If you are staying @ an economy lodging, this might be the meal ticket for you. We also always bring lots of snacks and bottled water with us each day to the parks. My sister brings alot of the girls favs on the plane with us in a soft side travel cooler and we also purchase some things locally. The Publix market in town is very nice to purchase groceries at. Good luck and have a wonderful time!!!

 

[Disneybabe84]

Welcome darling!

 

[nin8jc]

Welcome, I'm new too, sort of, I lurked these board for 2 years before joining. Believe me it's addicting!!

 

[disnygoof]

Welcome! I agree about the dining at Disney, it can add up SO fast! But, it is a part of an enjoyable Disney vacation, too so you have to find a good balance between eating out and getting things at a grocery store to eat for various meals and snacks throughout your visit there.

Also, another tip if you have little ones (or even big little ones, LOL) is to go to the Belz (I think they changed their name last time we were there in June '05, can't remember what it is right this second) and go to the Disney Factory Outlet store. They have some odd stuff but also some really great stuff at killer deals vs. the crazy high prices of souvenirs in the parks. This way they can pick out some things for themselves there and you won't have to file bankruptcy while in the parks buying everything under the sun they want.

Welcome again to the Dis, glad you're here!!