New to the boards and a little overwhelmed.

[Disquark]

Hi, my name is Steve.

My girlfriend and I are planning our first trip to Disney World, I have been once before but she has never been. I don't even know where to begin to plan this trip. We both realize we are going to have to save to be able to go, and that we will have to go in off peak season to save money (or at least that is the impression I am under). So my basic question is. HELP!!.

We are thinking maybe end of January? It will be just the two of us going. We would like to go for a week. And I am sure we want to use the meal plan thing, (sorry not sure what it is really called) and we would like to stay on property, ( I hear Pop Century is not too pricey). We would also like to be able to change parks ( Park Hopper Pass? ) Not too worried about the Water Parks, but maybe Disney Quest and Pleasure Island?

Thanks in advance for any hints or ideas.

 

[janjandis]

Hello Steve and welcome! Could you possibly go in September? If you could, you can get free dining which is worth about 1000.00 in free food. Also, sadly, all the bars on Pleasure Island closed last Sept so now there is only some shops and a couple restaurants. A week at a value resort would cost less than 1000.00 and then your tickets would be about 250.00 each.

 

[Disquark]

September might be pushing it a bit. We both work in the restaurant business so if tips and the bar crowd treat us well, we might be able to pull it off. I am correct in that there is a park hopper pass, and some sort of meal plan thing that you can pay for right... sort of like points that you pay for your meals with or something?

 

[JoePa4Ever]

WELCOME!

Disney has certain times of year whereby rates are cheaper called "Value Seasons" - if you choose the end of January, it does fall in a Value Season. Here's a link w/2009 seasonal rates that may give you some help: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdwi/en_CA/genericPopup?id=SeasonalityChartPage2009

Staying on WDW property is well worth it IMO, you get the magic of Disney 24/7, convenience of the bus service, & magical express (transportation to & from airport). There are value resorts (these will be the cheapest resorts): Pop Century, All-Star Music, All-Star Movies, All-Star Sports. We really like Pop, but you can check out the resorts forum on the DIS to get more info about all of them.

We also like the Disney dining plan - there are 3 kinds: quick service, basic dining plan & deluxe dining plan. Quick service plan gives you 2 quick service meals & 2 snacks per person per each night you stay @ WDW. Basic dining gives 1 table service, 1 quick service & 1 snack per person per each night of your stay. Deluxe dining gives you 2 snack credits & 3 meal credits (can be used for either table service or quick service) per person per each night of your stay. We like the basic dining plan - you can learn alot more about dining plans on the restaurants forum under the dining plan section.

Hope this helps a little bit.

 

[DisCopper]

Hey DisQuark... welcome.

One suggestion that I usually give people is to poke around on these boards and other places on the internet. Then make a phone call to Disney and see what they have to offer. They can easily explain about Park Hoppers, meal plans, etc. Although you aren't going to learn everything, it will help you to focus your thoughts. Don't book anything yet. Take what you've learned and come back to the boards and start asking questions (and searching older threads).

I also suggest buying one of the Disney vacation books. I really like the Birnbaum official Disney book (you can find it on Amazon here: www.amazon.com/Birnbaums-Walt-Disney-World-2009/dp/1423110463 or in nearly every bookstore). Many people don't care for the official book because it views everything through rose-colored glasses, and doesn't really give you any advice about saving money, etc.... It does give thorough descriptions of everything. You can read about the Pop Century resort, and if it doesn't seem to appeal to you, you can move on and read about another. The same goes for almost everything at Disney.

Many, many people here get a huge kick out of the whole planning process. Although it can be overwhelming, it can really get you excited about going.

Good luck!

 

[Metro West]

 

[sassysasha]

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Going off season is definately doable. The weather can be cool in January, but nothing a sweater or jacket can't fix! The crowds are down and the waterparks are closed, but there is so much to do, you'd never notice.

I really wish we would have paid for the dining plan this past spring. There are several options so you should be able to find something to fit your budget (even if it may waiver - I worked food service for 10 years - I feel your pain!).

Have you checked any packages on the Disney website? You may be surprised at what you may find.

There are 3 tiers of price levels at Disney hotels: Deluxe, Moderate, and Value. I am a HUGE fan of the deluxe, but know they aren't in our budget. We stayed at a mod in the spring and I fell in love. My parents just booked free dining at All star movies in the fall.

Like a PP mentioned, I would grab a guidebook and start there. You'll be able to start to see what is out there for the two of you to do. Keep a list in your book of things that you want clarification on and then bring it to the DIS.

As for park hopper... I personally have never been without it - it gives you a lot of freedom. However, I know paying for it may be another story. You will have to decide how many days you want to go and then decide if you want to hop or not. If you can go for several days (more than 5) I say no to the hopper. If you are compacting your vacation, I say pay the extra. You are adults without kids in tow so you'll be able to move quickly. But again, I say the decision should be based on how many days you'll be there.

Best of luck in your planning and I hope everything works out for you.

 

[magicaldisney]

 

[sarcasticfiesta]

Welcome. Hope you find everything you need to know here, as I'm sure you will. I've learned everything by just browsing around and asking the occasional question, but more often than not, someone else asks it for me. Happy Planning.

 

[HardShell]

... One suggestion that I usually give people is to poke around on these boards and other places on the internet...

I couldn't agree more. I just "joined" but I read as much as I could here and elsewhere (but mostly here, at least online) before making the first of our two trips to WDW as a family last year.

As far as "print" goes, I tried several of the books and found the "Unofficial Guide..." worth its weight in gold. But it's quite comprehensive and I'm a voracious reader, so that that rec. appropriately for you.

Best of luck!!!

 

[ToddyLu]

Hi! I am very excited for you. You will learn so much here. I am 40 and DH is 45, no children. We do adult only trips yearly. We prefer Pop Century over the All Stars. THere is nothing wrong with All Atars, Pop is just newer. THere are also "Pop" only buses....at Allstars sometimes you have to stop at all three. You do not have to buy Park Hoppers, just get a regular ticket and then add it once you are there if it seems like a good idea, it is $50 per person to add to your ticket...you add it only once for the whole week there.

PassPorter is another great tool. We just purchased our 2009 version. It is very comprehensive and organized. It is very easy to read. Hubby and I like it best.

Have a fabulous trip....you will want to go again and again and again

 

[MarkinNM]