NEWBIE 1st TIMER NEED HELP BOOKING WITH FD

[photolover]

Hi,

I am 1st timer (family of 4: 2 Adults + 2 Children). Had been to Disneyland several times but never to WDW. Haven't got much time to research about WDW but I just heard about the Free Dining promotion hence I would like to book one week anytime after Sep 16th (of course before Sep 20th) because I am gonna cashing out my Airmiles for low-season flights.

Since I know nothing about WDW, I hope that I could get some help from Disney experts in this forum in putting together a quick plan for my family so that I can call to reseve the Advanced Dining Plan on Thursday morning!!! (Am I crazy or dreaming here??? only 1 day left for the whole planning phase???)

Here is my list of questions that I would be very appreciate if someone kindly give me the answers rather than asking me to sift through tons of information from the famous websites and links which I have been faithfully reading non-stop since last night:

1. FREE DINING RESERVATION
What number to call for Advanced Dining Reservation on Thursday at 7 AM EST? (I am from Canada)

2. BOOKING
Would it be better* to book the package
a) with a travel agent tomorrow Wednesday then wait for him to book ADR for me on Thursday morning?
or
b) book with Disney directly Wednesday then call on Thursday morning to make ADR changes?
or
c) wait until Thursday morning to book with Disney everything?

I hope to know the pros and cons of each options in terms of pricing, availability, ease of cancellation/change, etc. Is it easier to make changes/cancellation later if I book directly with Disney vs book with a Travel Agent? Any penalty/restrictions?

3. What's about travel insurance? If I book directly with Disney, do I need to buy Travel Insurance throught them or I can still buy from a third party later after booking?

4. RESORTS
I am thinking of AS Movies or POP resort (value). Just wondering if there is any chance of getting Free Dining with those resorts for the period Sep 17-26?

5. EVENTS/CHARACTER SHOWS/DINING
I have 2 little girls and of course they love Princesses. Could someone please help me listing any shows/events/activities/character dining locations I should reserve/sign up for in advance?

6. TICKETS
Do you think I need to buy Park Hopper vs buying 8-day base tickets? Say, if I have a dinner reservation at MK but I went to Epcot on that day with non-hopper tickets, am I allowed to get to MK restaurant for my dinner reservation?

7. TRANSPORTATION
I am gonna flight in and planning to stay couple days off-site to enjoy beaches or other areas then spend a week on-site. Should I do it before or after Disney week? My daughters will both need strollers and I just read the stroller price increased, I am thinking of bringing/buying 2 small umbrella strollers. I am just wondering how the bus/Disney transportation from/to AS Music/POP resort to Magic Kingdom and Epcot? Is it frequent and not too crowded? Is it manageable to carry 2 umbrella strollers on/off bus/or boat/etc? Would it be easier to just rent a car or can I get away with no car to save some $$? After all I thought the advantage of staying on-site so that I don't need to pay car rental. However, it doesn't seem trivial as how the Disney transportation works. Please advice.

8. WEATHER
Provided that we are from the freezing country Canada, how hot and humid it would be on Sep 17-26 period? I heard that it's hurricane season in Florida, what does it mean? Am I prepared to get my flight cancelled anytime? Does it mean parks could be closed due to rains/hurricane? Sorry for stupid questions. It's really bother me because I have read about hot and humid but I still can't imagine how much hot and whether my daughters would be able tolerate the heat and humid .... especially when they surely want to dress up in princess dresses!!!!

Any help/recommendation is very much appreciated.

SORRY for the long list of questions. I don't know who to ask and hope to find the answers from this forum.

"stress-out-first-timer-mom"

 

[Luv2Roam]

You are sure to get lots of varying opinions.
I assume Canada calls the same number anyone else does. For dining I call 407 WDW DINE
But I would probably just make ADRs once I booked a dining package.
Going through a TA depends on how much control you wish over your res and if you have a TA you feel comfortable using.
You cannot make package changes if you go through a TA. They have to make any changes for you. You can change ADRs without going through a TA. But at that point I would just have them do that too if you use one.
If you do not want travel insurance, make sure you are not charged for it at the time of booking. Insurance really is up to the travelers. But do keep in mind FD is during hurricane season. We might not have iffy weather. But you don't know if inbound or outbound flights will or not. Just depends on how you want to gamble and spend. Guests can buy travel insurance from other partys.
Also, IF you buy travel insurance, and then later change your dates, you no longer have travel insurance without rebuying it. If you would go to file a claim the company would have your original travel dates covered. Not the dates your changed to.
No park hoppers means no park hopping. If you are in Epcot and want dinner in MK, then you have to do that another day.
Do beaches after your WDW vacation. You will be plenty tired and want the rest.
Weather -- hot, humid, and probably afternoon showers (pouring rain) coming through late afternoon.

At Epcot the other day I noticed they also sell umbrella strollers. But I have no idea how much they cost.
Transportation is generally pretty reliable. But you could hit a sbag at some point.

 

[bas71873]

I am 1st timer (family of 4: 2 Adults + 2 Children). Had been to Disneyland several times but never to WDW. Haven't got much time to research about WDW but I just heard about the Free Dining promotion hence I would like to book one week anytime after Sep 16th (of course before Sep 20th) because I am gonna cashing out my Airmiles for low-season flights.

Since I know nothing about WDW, I hope that I could get some help from Disney experts in this forum in putting together a quick plan for my family so that I can call to reseve the Advanced Dining Plan on Thursday morning!!! (Am I crazy or dreaming here??? only 1 day left for the whole planning phase???)

Here is my list of questions that I would be very appreciate if someone kindly give me the answers rather than asking me to sift through tons of information from the famous websites and links which I have been faithfully reading non-stop since last night:

1. FREE DINING RESERVATION
What number to call for Advanced Dining Reservation on Thursday at 7 AM EST? (I am from Canada) You will need to have your Magic Your Way (MYW) package, with the free dining, booked before your make your ADRS (at least that is how I had to do it in the past). So, on Thursday AM, call the Disney ressie line (look on their site, don't know it off top of head) and book your room, MYW package and free dining. After that, you'll know how many ADRS you'll need to book (1-407-WDW-DINE) depending on how many nights you are staying at Disney.

2. BOOKING
Would it be better* to book the package
a) with a travel agent tomorrow Wednesday then wait for him to book ADR for me on Thursday morning?
or
b) book with Disney directly Wednesday then call on Thursday morning to make ADR changes?
or
c) wait until Thursday morning to book with Disney everything?

Personally, as a first time a few months ago, I did everything through my TA...she booked my package, then made the changes to take advantage of discounts & offers and made my ADRS (with my list of to do's). This way, I didn't stress....too much anyway. Now that I've done Disney once, I can do it all on my own.

I hope to know the pros and cons of each options in terms of pricing, availability, ease of cancellation/change, etc. Is it easier to make changes/cancellation later if I book directly with Disney vs book with a Travel Agent? Any penalty/restrictions?

3. What's about travel insurance? If I book directly with Disney, do I need to buy Travel Insurance throught them or I can still buy from a third party later after booking? I personally don't do Travel Ins because you can cancel within a certain time frame. Wonder if I need ins.? I've never really thought about it???

4. RESORTS
I am thinking of AS Movies or POP resort (value). Just wondering if there is any chance of getting Free Dining with those resorts for the period Sep 17-26? We love Pop, going back in Oct. I like that they do NOT share their buses to/from parks, so it's a little quicker, but, I've never stayed anywhere else, so I really can't comment on any other resort. But, I have a 4, soon to be 5, daugther and she LOVED Pop.

5. EVENTS/CHARACTER SHOWS/DINING
I have 2 little girls and of course they love Princesses. Could someone please help me listing any shows/events/activities/character dining locations I should reserve/sign up for in advance?

Check out Bibbity Bobbity Boutique at the castle. DD's can get made up like princesses. Eating at Cinderella's castle is wonderful for little girls too. The Princess breakfast at Ecpot in Norway was great for princesses as well. I think there is a dinner at Epcot too, might be lunch, but there is something other than breakfast. If you check out www.allears.net there is LOADS of great touring info on that site. Between allears and these boards, you'll learn TONS.

6. TICKETS
Do you think I need to buy Park Hopper vs buying 8-day base tickets? Say, if I have a dinner reservation at MK but I went to Epcot on that day with non-hopper tickets, am I allowed to get to MK restaurant for my dinner reservation? You have to have a ticket into the park to go to your ADR. We used a hopper in Feb because the upgrade to that was free, but, we only hopped once or twice. So, it really all depends on where you want to spend your days. Our vaca looked like this

Sat - arrived; did Downtown Disney for dinner (no ticket needed)
Sun - magic kingdom (BBB & Breakfast at Castle)
Mon - hollywood studios (Fantasmic dinner)
Tues- back to MK for P &PP party (dinner at Liberty Tree)
Wed - hollywood studios again (breakfast ressie)
Thurs - Epcot (dinner at Coral Reef)
Friday - Princess breakfast at Epcot; hopped over to MK for last day
Sat - departure

7. TRANSPORTATION
I am gonna flight in and planning to stay couple days off-site to enjoy beaches or other areas then spend a week on-site. Should I do it before or after Disney week? Personally, I would do beach AFTER disney for the relaxation. My daughters will both need strollers and I just read the stroller price increased, I am thinking of bringing/buying 2 small umbrella strollers. I am just wondering how the bus/Disney transportation from/to AS Music/POP resort to Magic Kingdom and Epcot? Is it frequent and not too crowded? Frequent, always full, but NOT unbearable. We had no problems with buses from Pop. Longest park, MK I think, maybe 15 minutes. Is it manageable to carry 2 umbrella strollers on/off bus/or boat/etc? Yes, I'm assuming it's 2 adults and 2 kids?? Would it be easier to just rent a car or can I get away with no car to save some $$? I personally would NOT rent a car. So nice having something else tote you all around, especially at night after a long day in the park with a sleepy child. After all I thought the advantage of staying on-site so that I don't need to pay car rental. However, it doesn't seem trivial as how the Disney transportation works. Please advice.

8. WEATHER
Provided that we are from the freezing country Canada, how hot and humid it would be on Sep 17-26 period? I heard that it's hurricane season in Florida, what does it mean? Am I prepared to get my flight cancelled anytime? Does it mean parks could be closed due to rains/hurricane? Sorry for stupid questions. It's really bother me because I have read about hot and humid but I still can't imagine how much hot and whether my daughters would be able tolerate the heat and humid .... especially when they surely want to dress up in princess dresses!!!! It will still be quite hot & humid in FL this time of year. Bring your sunscreen and bug spray ('squitoes) and drink lots of water. Yes, it's hurricane season and there is not much predicting those (I live in the New Orleans area and was chased all over the damn US from Katrina, but you just deal with that when you choose to live here. You being in Canada, I don't know how you handle snow. I hate the cold You will have to be prepared to have your flight cancelled if a hurricane comes that way during your trip, but the odds of that are slim.....hopefully. And, it's totally out of your control anyway. Parks won't close during rain and it would take a MAJOR hurricane to close Disney.

Any help/recommendation is very much appreciated. Just read up on the boards & other sites and plan a nice vaca for your family and you'll have a blast!!! Hope you have a GREAT trip. I was hooked after our first trip in Feb. My husband thinks I'm NUTS
SORRY for the long list of questions. I don't know who to ask and hope to find the answers from this forum.

"stress-out-first-timer-mom" [/QUOTE]

 

[crgfsu1]

1. FREE DINING RESERVATION
What number to call for Advanced Dining Reservation on Thursday at 7 AM EST? (I am from Canada)

the number for disney dining is the US is 407-WDW-DINE; not sure about Canada - maybe the same? You cant make reservations for dining until 90 days prior to your vacation, with the exception of Cinderella's Royal Table - that is 180 in advance. When you book your vacation & get free dining, you can research where you want to eat, and make those reservations later.

2. BOOKING
Would it be better* to book the package
a) with a travel agent tomorrow Wednesday then wait for him to book ADR for me on Thursday morning?
or
b) book with Disney directly Wednesday then call on Thursday morning to make ADR changes?
or
c) wait until Thursday morning to book with Disney everything?

I personally, would wait until the 10th and do it all at once. We used AAA to book our room/tickets/dining (though I didnt got at free dining time). I called later and made my own dining reservations. I like the idea of someone handling the booking of everything in one place rather than al-a-carte - it was just easier for me.

I hope to know the pros and cons of each options in terms of pricing, availability, ease of cancellation/change, etc. Is it easier to make changes/cancellation later if I book directly with Disney vs book with a Travel Agent? Any penalty/restrictions?

I didnt make any changes to my room or tickets, so I really cant say which wouldbe easier.

3. What's about travel insurance? If I book directly with Disney, do I need to buy Travel Insurance throught them or I can still buy from a third party later after booking?

As I said, we went through AAA and just got the DIsney offered insurance. We booked in February and didnt travel until October so we all felt the need 0 just in case. It was only something like $60.00 per person.

4. RESORTS
I am thinking of AS Movies or POP resort (value). Just wondering if there is any chance of getting Free Dining with those resorts for the period Sep 17-26?

I am not sure which resorts are offering the free dining promotion, I know some value resorts are, but not sure which ones.

5. EVENTS/CHARACTER SHOWS/DINING
I have 2 little girls and of course they love Princesses. Could someone please help me listing any shows/events/activities/character dining locations I should reserve/sign up for in advance?

Cinderella's Royal Table - it's hard to get (dining)reservations there, but worth it. You dine inside the CASTLE! It will however, take away two table service credits. When we were there, Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, Jasmine & Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) were all there. I have heard that sometime Alice (in Wonderland) and the Fairy Godmother come.

Princess Story Book - dining at Akershus (Norway in Epcot); I have never been there, but the character line up is simular to CRT.

Cinderella's Gala Feast - dining at the Grand Floridian; character line up is Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia, Drisella; pretty good food - very fun entertainment.

My favorite show is 'Beauty & the Beast' at Hollywood Studios - no reservations, it's just an attraction.

6. TICKETS
Do you think I need to buy Park Hopper vs buying 8-day base tickets? Say, if I have a dinner reservation at MK but I went to Epcot on that day with non-hopper tickets, am I allowed to get to MK restaurant for my dinner reservation?

We purchased park hopper tickets, but never used them. But...given your scenario, you will need them. You cannot hop to another park, even just to eat, without the park hopper option.

7. TRANSPORTATION
I am gonna flight in and planning to stay couple days off-site to enjoy beaches or other areas then spend a week on-site. Should I do it before or after Disney week? My daughters will both need strollers and I just read the stroller price increased, I am thinking of bringing/buying 2 small umbrella strollers. I am just wondering how the bus/Disney transportation from/to AS Music/POP resort to Magic Kingdom and Epcot? Is it frequent and not too crowded? Is it manageable to carry 2 umbrella strollers on/off bus/or boat/etc? Would it be easier to just rent a car or can I get away with no car to save some $$? After all I thought the advantage of staying on-site so that I don't need to pay car rental. However, it doesn't seem trivial as how the Disney transportation works. Please advice.

Do the beach after WDW in my opinion, it will give you time to rest before going home

Strollers...I took mine, but I drove to WDW, so it was easy. My DD is 3 and BARLEY used it. Next time, I am considering not taking it. (though I went with 8 adults and just one child, so we could have taken turns carrying her). I have not stayed as ASM ot POP, so I cant comment on their bus service. If you travel by car, you will still have to travel by monorail or boat to the MK from the TTC. I think you's be fine carrying the 2 umbrella strollers. Chek around the DIS boards for info on "stroller swaps" - maybe that could help you too.

8. WEATHER
Provided that we are from the freezing country Canada, how hot and humid it would be on Sep 17-26 period? I heard that it's hurricane season in Florida, what does it mean? Am I prepared to get my flight cancelled anytime? Does it mean parks could be closed due to rains/hurricane? Sorry for stupid questions. It's really bother me because I have read about hot and humid but I still can't imagine how much hot and whether my daughters would be able tolerate the heat and humid .... especially when they surely want to dress up in princess dresses!!!!

Well...Florida weather is unpredictable. We went in early October and it was about 85 degrees with about one millions percent humidity! (maybe not that bad, but 80% anyway). I grew up in FL, but north FL, so I am not too informative about hurricaines - just that they are very unpredictable. Orlando it not the main target or hurricaines, they are not that close to the coast. You should be fine dealing with the humidity - jsut drink LOTS of water. Flight cancelling...I dont know. Park closing...I dont know.


Hope I helped some
Cathy

 

[canwegosoon]

RE:#6- You will need a park Hopper if you plan on being in 2 parks on 1 day at any point in your vacation. You can not just use another day for the 2nd park entry.
RE:#1- I personally like control of my reservation...so I make it with WDW travel directly. With a package(which free dining is) you must make cancellations and changes prior to 45 days of arrival. You can make changes after 45days prior to arrival...but there are penalties.

You can be making your ADR's now...without a reservation.

 

[christa112]

1. FREE DINING RESERVATION
What number to call for Advanced Dining Reservation on Thursday at 7 AM EST? (I am from Canada) I think it is the 407 #

2. BOOKING

Book with Disney directly Wednesday then call on Thursday morning to make ADR changes. You shouldn't have to call and change your ADR's if you book them on Wed nothing will change. Also if you book yourself, you are in control not a travel agent, you make your own decisions.

3. What's about travel insurance? If I book directly with Disney, do I need to buy Travel Insurance throught them or I can still buy from a third party later after booking?

I also pay the extra for the insurance thru Disney. I honestly don't have the time or patience to look around for other place to purchase it from.


4. RESORTS
I am thinking of AS Movies or POP resort (value). Just wondering if there is any chance of getting Free Dining with those resorts for the period Sep 17-26?

Those may not be available, they seem to be the most popular of all the Value, but I think any of the Value Resorts your kids will enjoy. I have stayed at the ASMo and staying at POP this time around (our 1st time)

5. EVENTS/CHARACTER SHOWS/DINING
I have 2 little girls and of course they love Princesses. Could someone please help me listing any shows/events/activities/character dining locations I should reserve/sign up for in advance?

I honestly think Cinderella's Table is overrated for dining and not worth 2 credits, I think you get a great princess interaction at Akershus in Epcot and you are not using 2 credits. Also, 1900 Parke Fare has Cinderella and her Step sisters (I have never been there) There is also a tea with Alice at the Grand Floridian, if you check out their page you can find the info. When you enter each park you will be handed a sheet with all the times for the shows and parades.

6. TICKETS
Do you think I need to buy Park Hopper vs buying 8-day base tickets? Say, if I have a dinner reservation at MK but I went to Epcot on that day with non-hopper tickets, am I allowed to get to MK restaurant for my dinner reservation?

I would set your ADRs to what park you are at that day, I don't buy the Park Hopper and keep it to the basic park ticket, because I have 3 childred and honestly, I am not jumping from park to park. I plan my days and then add my restaurants from there. Also, keep in mind there are tons of restaraunts at the resorts with characters like Chef Mickey, Ohana, 1900 Park Fare and you dont need tickets to get into the resorts. If I go to MK I will usually hit Chef Mickey's for dinner because it is right next to MK.

7. TRANSPORTATION
I am gonna flight in and planning to stay couple days off-site to enjoy beaches or other areas then spend a week on-site. Should I do it before or after Disney week? My daughters will both need strollers and I just read the stroller price increased, I am thinking of bringing/buying 2 small umbrella strollers. I am just wondering how the bus/Disney transportation from/to AS Music/POP resort to Magic Kingdom and Epcot? Is it frequent and not too crowded? Is it manageable to carry 2 umbrella strollers on/off bus/or boat/etc? Would it be easier to just rent a car or can I get away with no car to save some $$? After all I thought the advantage of staying on-site so that I don't need to pay car rental. However, it doesn't seem trivial as how the Disney transportation works. Please advice.

Bring your own strollers, people will have to make room for you on the bus, or just run over their feet LOL. The only time I rented a car was to go to Sea World, we only use WDW transportion. The busses can get very full when the parks close, so you may have to stand the entire way back to the resort, but is a few more minutes on your feet after walking the parks the entire day.

8. WEATHER
Provided that we are from the freezing country Canada, how hot and humid it would be on Sep 17-26 period? I heard that it's hurricane season in Florida, what does it mean? Am I prepared to get my flight cancelled anytime? Does it mean parks could be closed due to rains/hurricane? Sorry for stupid questions. It's really bother me because I have read about hot and humid but I still can't imagine how much hot and whether my daughters would be able tolerate the heat and humid .... especially when they surely want to dress up in princess dresses!!!!

It is HOT in September!!! As for flights being cancelled, my family has traveled twice in Sept two differents weeks and never saw rain at all. I am beginning to think that is just a myth LOL I would bring nothing but shorts and t-shirts, princess dresses maybe even too hot

I hope the info helps. Happy Planning!!!!

 

[photolover]

THank you very much for all the advice! I am glad that I found this forum. 5 more hours then I will know whether I got in FD or not. Can't believe it that I am jumping the FD wagon because I normally don't want to book my vacations 5 months ahead.