Newbie from Ny who needs lots of help

[MOM OF 4]

I am thinking about taking the family of 7 to Disney. As you can imagine with 4 kids and 3 adults we are tring to keep everything at minimal cost. The last time we went we booked everything through a travel agent and I feel like I spent way to much money.

I would appriciate any and all advise as to how to start to plan my vacation, where to stay ( I was thinking one of the value resorts, pop or sports), how to book (on-line, everything seperate - air & hotel)???? I don't have a date picked out yest but I was thinking November 200 or February 2011.

Please help!!

 

[Muppet_Girl]

I would appriciate any and all advise as to how to start to plan my vacation, where to stay ( I was thinking one of the value resorts, pop or sports), how to book (on-line, everything seperate - air & hotel)???? I don't have a date picked out yest but I was thinking November 200 or February 2011.

Please help!!

WELCOME to the BOARDS!!!

You are definitely right- value resorts are a great way to save money. I would recommend POP over sports because POP has its own buses were sports shares it with the other All Star resorts. If you go in Feb, avoid President's weekend. If you go in Nov, go early and avoid Thanksgiving- you want to get the most out of your time there by avoiding crowds. You may want to consider earlier int he fall when free dining is offered. It was just announced that there will be free dining this coming fall in Sept.

If you book online through Disney, you can book your resort, park tickets, dining plan, and magical express (takes you from airport to resort). **When booking always ask about promotions that they may be running, such as the current Gift card promotion where you get a disney giftcard for staying on site (as long as you book that package)**

To book everything together, consider using a travel agent. MEI and Mousefan travel is a wonderful travel agency for Disney. They are very knowledgable and work to get you the best prices and deals.

Have a magical trip!!

 

[NHMom4]

I am off to work but have done 2 trips with 3 adults and 4 kids to disney world. I will check back later to see what help has come your way and then chime in.

 

[marcielm]

I am thinking about taking the family to Disney, we as a family have only been there once and that was when I had only 2 kids I now have four and I will also be bringing my mother. As you can imagine with 4 kids and 3 adults we are tring to keep everything at minimal cost. The last time we went we booked everything through a travel agent and I feel like I spent way to much money.

Two rooms at a value would be your cheapest option for your traveling party size.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience with a TA. Were they a Disney specialist? If not, think about looking into another one. Most will make sure you are getting the BEST deal for your family, plus help make dining reservations, itinerary planning, touring guides, you name it!

As for trip timing, mid-November is a great time to go, as the Christmas stuff is beginning to come out. Feb can be good, as most crowds are really light.

Some example pricing of rack rate for Nov of this year would be this:
Nov. 13-19, 2010
All Star Music, Standard room
7 day Base Ticket
Dining Plan
Room 1: 2 adults + 2 kids (a junior & a child): ~ $2,500
Room 2: 1 adult + 2 kids (a junior & a child): ~ $2000

Of course, you can always watch for a discount or promo, and get some taken off the cost of the room. Moving to the week of Thanksgiving will make it a little bit more (and more crowded at the parks), but the first of December will be lower pricing again.

Book your airfare seperately. It's the best way to get the best deal. Start looking about 3-4 mos before travel for the best airline deals. Think about flying Monday-Monday or Tuesday-Tuesday, as that is typically when flights are cheaper.

 

[Disn3y]

Welcome to the DIS!

 

[Metro West]

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I am thinking about taking the family to Disney, we as a family have only been there once and that was when I had only 2 kids I now have four and I will also be bringing my mother. As you can imagine with 4 kids and 3 adults we are tring to keep everything at minimal cost. The last time we went we booked everything through a travel agent and I feel like I spent way to much money.

I would appriciate any and all advise as to how to start to plan my vacation, where to stay ( I was thinking one of the value resorts, pop or sports), how to book (on-line, everything seperate - air & hotel)???? I don't have a date picked out yest but I was thinking November 200 or February 2011.

Please help!!

We are also a family of 6 and we usually get two connecting rooms at a value resort. It's the cheapest way to stay on-site. We took my mother-in-law last time we went and we still had plenty of room. Our favorite value resort is All-Star Movies. We have stayed a POP Century too, but our kids like All-Star Movies a lot more. There's always talk of the value resorts "sharing" buses, but in all the hundreds of times we have taken the bus from ASMo, we have shared a bus maybe three or four times and that was coming back from the parks late. So, that's never really a concern for us. Also, we have been to Disney many times and have never needed a travel agent. Just call Disney reservations directly and they will be able to help you. We have gone in November and February and we much prefer November.