newbie here with a disney sized headache! help!

[dolphinlove]

Now I am looking at either end of Oct (aprox oct.19-25) or begin of Nov (sometime in first week which includes my youngest bday!). Waiting for new codes, magic hrs for oct/nov and airline prices to decide definate on which it will be. Glad to hear that it seems this time of year may be slower than my orig April time frame. I can deal with the kids missing school at this point!!

Big question...was wondering, if I were to book my trip by March (to get that 300 $ gift card promo) and another, even better promo comes out (like the dining plan~which I really hope happens!!) will Disney automatically adjust my pkg or would I have to call and do that should I see something else come up??

Think the hoppers will work for us only because having my 5 yr old I am expecting meltdowns at points...so, I'm hoping that having this option to leave and go back will help us keep everybody calm and that way we can always revisit and keep the tears to a minimum so this can be fun!!

As far as checking out the moderate priced hotels....I briefly glanced at them but possibly if they do the free dining plan option than maybe we can "room" UP and try it that way?? Guess we'll see. Anyone know when these new promos/codes come out for trips planning at end of yr times???? Just would like to know when to be best on the look out for them! Esp since I am trying to decide if I should try to catch this gift card promo or just hold out for something better!

While I can't say all the planning has been "fun" (LOL) it is beginning to get exciting that this will actually happen. We've wanted to be able to do this trip for awhile now and I just decided last yr that I'd rather spend the tax return on a fun time rather than pay a few bills earlier for a few months! My friend Traci has been helping me plan this.....she sent me to the site and I thank her and all of you out there!

More questions to come......

 

[dolphinlove]

Oops..forgot to ask....what is this Pass Porter thing someone mentioned??? I figured since I was still here I'd just ask since I've not seen this anywhere! Thanks!

 

[disney*mom*82]

Now I am looking at either end of Oct (aprox oct.19-25) or begin of Nov (sometime in first week which includes my youngest bday!). Waiting for new codes, magic hrs for oct/nov and airline prices to decide definate on which it will be. Glad to hear that it seems this time of year may be slower than my orig April time frame. I can deal with the kids missing school at this point!!

These are also great times to go to Disney! May be a little cooler than it was for us in Sept. It as a very hot time when we went this past Sept. We always have to take our kids out of school for WDW, it shouldnt be a big deal. (DH and I are teachers in a different district)

Big question...was wondering, if I were to book my trip by March (to get that 300 $ gift card promo) and another, even better promo comes out (like the dining plan~which I really hope happens!!) will Disney automatically adjust my pkg or would I have to call and do that should I see something else come up??

NO, Disney will not just change your package and give you the best deal. But, if you find a better deal, you can call Disney and they will gladly change it. You will have to mention any specials that you are wanting or if it is a Pin code, you will have to have that.

Think the hoppers will work for us only because having my 5 yr old I am expecting meltdowns at points...so, I'm hoping that having this option to leave and go back will help us keep everybody calm and that way we can always revisit and keep the tears to a minimum so this can be fun!!

Just so you know, you can come and go from the same park all day as much as you need without the park hopper, you just need the hopper if you plan to visit different parks in the same day. EX Magic Kingdom in the morning, say back to resort in afternoon and then Epcot at night, they hopper is needed. But if you just want to return to MK for the evening, you dont need it.

As far as checking out the moderate priced hotels....I briefly glanced at them but possibly if they do the free dining plan option than maybe we can "room" UP and try it that way?? Guess we'll see. Anyone know when these new promos/codes come out for trips planning at end of yr times???? Just would like to know when to be best on the look out for them! Esp since I am trying to decide if I should try to catch this gift card promo or just hold out for something better!

Just keep checking on here and disney website. Also, www.mousesavers.com, these are great resources as to when disney will release new promos and what they are. Its another fun adventure in itself! I think the promo code for free dining came out last June for Sept/Oct. I could be worng with the month, but I think that was when.

While I can't say all the planning has been "fun" (LOL) it is beginning to get exciting that this will actually happen. We've wanted to be able to do this trip for awhile now and I just decided last yr that I'd rather spend the tax return on a fun time rather than pay a few bills earlier for a few months! My friend Traci has been helping me plan this.....she sent me to the site and I thank her and all of you out there!

More questions to come......

Im glad that you have been able to find help. You are doing a great job researching all of this. You should be one informed mama by the time you get to WDW!
Oh, one more, kinda neat thing, if you go on Disneys website and click on My Disney Vacation, then click on the link to the far left, says Customized Maps. These are maps of each park that you can pick which or all attractions to be added on these and they will print them and send them to you. They are very large and very cool! The kids love them and they give you a good idea where things are in the park. When we surprised the kids at Christmas that we were going to WDW, they got these maps wrapped up and they just freaked! We have a set that we have frammed and put up in our office, they are neat!

 

[dolphinlove]

Well, just checked on the pkgs with our new dates and luckily the prices were the same for both times. Pending any new promos to come of course! Here's my thing right now, I'm trying to find any reasonable priced alternatives to getting a little bit more room in the sleeping area dept! Mainly due to the fact that trying to sleep with my youngest in the same bed is a terrible feat....know from experience. So, while I know that trying to get connecting rooms could be feasible I was trying to price out other ideas. Seems that the moderate hotels are too steep for us right now. I was wondering......the two places I'm looking at currently are: Pop Century (not ideally enough in the sleeping area dept) and the All Star Music family suite...which seems plenty big enough but at an almost 1,000 $ cost difference!! So, if anyone has stayed at these places (better yet at both) and can give me some opinion/advice/etc. I'd appreciate it!

Although with the potential free dining thing coming again (fingers crossed ) I don't know that we'd still be able to upgrade to the moderate to get it.......wish I knew how much is cost so I could subtract it and get an idea.

Anyhow.....that's where I'm at.... keep contemplating the stupid park hoppers....that's another days issues! G'night all!

 

[Mrs D]

Big question...was wondering, if I were to book my trip by March (to get that 300 $ gift card promo) and another, even better promo comes out (like the dining plan~which I really hope happens!!) will Disney automatically adjust my pkg or would I have to call and do that should I see something else come up??

A PP said Disney will not change your package for you, you must call yourself (or your TA would call). If an when a new deal comes out you should do the math to see which is better for you.

Think the hoppers will work for us only because having my 5 yr old I am expecting meltdowns at points...so, I'm hoping that having this option to leave and go back will help us keep everybody calm and that way we can always revisit and keep the tears to a minimum so this can be fun!!

AGain as PP pointed out you are allowed unlimited entry to a single park on a base ticket (w/o park hopper). This is how we do it too. Go to park in the AM, leave after lunch for naps/rest/pool, return to same park to finish out the day. You do no need PH for that. If you want to go to MK in the morning, leave for rest time then go to Epcot in the afternoon that's when you need parkhoppers.

As far as checking out the moderate priced hotels....I briefly glanced at them but possibly if they do the free dining plan option than maybe we can "room" UP and try it that way?? Guess we'll see. Anyone know when these new promos/codes come out for trips planning at end of yr times???? Just would like to know when to be best on the look out for them! Esp since I am trying to decide if I should try to catch this gift card promo or just hold out for something better!

Here's my favorite site for looking at what types of discounts were offered and when they were released. http://www.mousesavers.com/historicalwdwdiscounts.html

Well, just checked on the pkgs with our new dates and luckily the prices were the same for both times. Pending any new promos to come of course! Here's my thing right now, I'm trying to find any reasonable priced alternatives to getting a little bit more room in the sleeping area dept! Mainly due to the fact that trying to sleep with my youngest in the same bed is a terrible feat....know from experience. So, while I know that trying to get connecting rooms could be feasible I was trying to price out other ideas. Seems that the moderate hotels are too steep for us right now. I was wondering......the two places I'm looking at currently are: Pop Century (not ideally enough in the sleeping area dept) and the All Star Music family suite...which seems plenty big enough but at an almost 1,000 $ cost difference!! So, if anyone has stayed at these places (better yet at both) and can give me some opinion/advice/etc. I'd appreciate it!

The thing about this is the bigger your budget the bigger accommodations you can get. At Pop, you get 2 double beds. At Port Orleans Riverside you get 2 dbls and a trundle. That would definitely work for your youngest. In the family suite at ASMu you get a queen, a dbl sleeper, and 2 sleeper chairs (plus 2 bathrooms and the mini kitchen). If the Mods are too much, the suite is even more (so would 2 rooms at Pop).
My suggestion is that you could probably squeeze in a kids readybed for your youngest if you though that might help. I'm thinking it's just a bit longer than a pack & play so you could move the table & chairs to the other side of the TV cabinet.

Although with the potential free dining thing coming again (fingers crossed ) I don't know that we'd still be able to upgrade to the moderate to get it.......wish I knew how much is cost so I could subtract it and get an idea.

In 2008 & 2009 free dining was offered in August & Sept (ending early Oct) but was then extended thru Dec due to low attendance/room occupancy. But in 2006 & 2007 FD ended in Sept. Just wanted you to know not to expect FD for Oct/Nov/Dec.

Most importantly, book what you can afford to pay or hang tight to see what discounts are offered.

Anyhow.....that's where I'm at.... keep contemplating the stupid park hoppers....that's another days issues! G'night all!

The great news is you can add those PHers on anytime before or during your trip. I decide on PHers after I decided what parks we're going to on what days and what dining reservations I get.

HTH!

 

[dolphinlove]

Turns out the moderate hotels were still SO much more than the suites at the All Star Music. I have thought about just doing the 2 rooms at Pop but since I'm checking prices out online....I haven't found a feature that will add two rooms...just has a msg that pops up saying you have to make 2 sep reserv and I wasn't sure I wanted to get involved with all that. Btw, what is a "kids ready bed"?????? I know the pack and play thing for babies...but I've never heard of that and do they have them at disney or would this be a purchase on our part? Do tell...interesting.

Now that I've thought a little more about it....I think I'm gonna redo my saved pkgs and take off the hopper option. But wait, that also means that should we want to eat at a different park we wouldn't be able to then without it, correct? Whatever. I have to wait until they make avail the magic hrs for my dates since they aren't up as of yet and then see which park for which day and then decide on the ADR's as well. Luckily my friend who has been helping me with this has given me a bunch of dining choices that they went to and liked so I have a head start having never been to any!

I'm trying not to spend a fortune obviously and my goal is trying to get this entire trip to be in the neighborhood of 4K (or less) at the most since I'm leaving an approx 1K for airfaire. So while I can prob do a little more than that....I'm trying to keep it as low as I can. This is why I'm trying to determine if the about 1K difference btwn staying at Pop vs. staying in the suite at All Star Music is really worth it......for me to have the space, sure! Just wish the price difference were less than almost a thousand bucks!! LOL

And now so long as they get the magic hrs up for oct/nov I can prob book it for the gift card promo and then just wait and see if anything comes up. The dining free would be lovely, but if it's strict on where you're staying and etc then who knows...plus now you're saying it might not even be for our timeframe. Guess we'll see!

What's funny is that originally my oldest (age 11, geesh, 12 in July) knew that I was planning this for April and he was so excited. So, since my dates have changed I tried to play it off with him so I could hopefully throw him off and try to make it a surprise that it's still happening he just won't know when! Thanks...

 

[Rylee]

Turns out the moderate hotels were still SO much more than the suites at the All Star Music. I have thought about just doing the 2 rooms at Pop but since I'm checking prices out online....I haven't found a feature that will add two rooms...just has a msg that pops up saying you have to make 2 sep reserv and I wasn't sure I wanted to get involved with all that. Btw, what is a "kids ready bed"?????? I know the pack and play thing for babies...but I've never heard of that and do they have them at disney or would this be a purchase on our part? Do tell...interesting.

Now that I've thought a little more about it....I think I'm gonna redo my saved pkgs and take off the hopper option. But wait, that also means that should we want to eat at a different park we wouldn't be able to then without it, correct? Whatever. I have to wait until they make avail the magic hrs for my dates since they aren't up as of yet and then see which park for which day and then decide on the ADR's as well. Luckily my friend who has been helping me with this has given me a bunch of dining choices that they went to and liked so I have a head start having never been to any!

I'm trying not to spend a fortune obviously and my goal is trying to get this entire trip to be in the neighborhood of 4K (or less) at the most since I'm leaving an approx 1K for airfaire. So while I can prob do a little more than that....I'm trying to keep it as low as I can. This is why I'm trying to determine if the about 1K difference btwn staying at Pop vs. staying in the suite at All Star Music is really worth it......for me to have the space, sure! Just wish the price difference were less than almost a thousand bucks!! LOL

And now so long as they get the magic hrs up for oct/nov I can prob book it for the gift card promo and then just wait and see if anything comes up. The dining free would be lovely, but if it's strict on where you're staying and etc then who knows...plus now you're saying it might not even be for our timeframe. Guess we'll see!

What's funny is that originally my oldest (age 11, geesh, 12 in July) knew that I was planning this for April and he was so excited. So, since my dates have changed I tried to play it off with him so I could hopefully throw him off and try to make it a surprise that it's still happening he just won't know when! Thanks...

One (1) room at Port Orleans Riverside (2 double beds, plus a trundle bed) is definitely CHEAPER than 1 suite at All Star Music. (Unless you have visited a site that contains an error, which I understand Disney has honored in the past.)

Cheapest options that offer separate beds for the kids, going up in cost -

Port Orleans Riverside - AB section,
2 rooms at a Value Resort (not guaranteed to be connecting)
1 All-Star Music Suite
Fort Wilderness Cabin
Deluxe Resort with Daybed, or bunk beds.

*** If you really want/need separate sleeping arrangements for the kids, some people have brought an air mattress or requested a roll-away bed. (Not sure roll-aways are available at all resorts.)

 

[jdtopgun71]

Welcome to the DIS!

 

[sstanaford]

I noticed you kept mentioning the gift card ($300), you only get that if you stay during a certain time period and where you are planning on sometime in Oct/Nov you are beyond that time period. Just wanted to point that out.

 

[Mrs D]

In 2008 & 2009 free dining was offered in August & Sept (ending early Oct) but was then extended thru Dec due to low attendance/room occupancy. But in 2006 & 2007 FD ended in Sept. Just wanted you to know not to expect FD for Oct/Nov/Dec.

Let me re-phrase that. There is no guarantee that FD will be offered. Odds are good it will be offered in 2010. What the exact dates would be is anybody's guess. Odds are good it will be for Aug & Sept. I would love to see them extend the offer into Oct/Nov/Dec again! Based on the deals they are offering into 2010 I think there is a likelihood they may extend it into the fall. But it's not a sure thing.

Ok, does that make more sense?

 

[dolphinlove]

Well I know that with the gift card promo you have to book the trip by end of March...which I may end up doing anyways and then go from there depending on new promos.

HUGE QUESTION: Getting mixed up now....can anyone tell me this...do I need the park hopper option should I want to eat at a different park then the one we are visiting on any given day???

Need this info since I redid my two hotel options with out the hopper and saved about 200 bucks. Of course, when I added the water park option it went back to the hopper price plus about 3 cents!!

Anyone ever do the swim with the sharks thing at the one water park??? My oldest is interested in that....still not sure if we're gonna do it this trip or not but was curious. Thanks everyone. Getting the help on this board has been so great!!

 

[Mrs D]

If you want to enter more than 1 park in a day you will need the PH. If you enter one park in the AM then have a reservation for a restaurant in another park that day you will need the PH. I try to plan my restaurants to be in the park I will be at. There are many restaurants at resorts that you do not need to use a ticket or PH for.

 

[Muppet_Girl]

If you want to avoid PH, try doing restaurants that are at the resorts or in Downtown Disney, which don't require a ticket.

 

[dolphinlove]

thanks ladies for clearing that ph thing up for me! Think I need to take a break from planning!

So think PH are out but how does anyone feel about the water parks...specifically Typhoon Lagoon and the swim with sharks thing?? Debating this.

Is there anyone out there who can recmd the resort they prefer??

Looking at Pop Century, All Star Music for the fam suite and Port Orleans Riverside (although the decor isn't geared towards kids like I'd like)!!

Seeking more sleeping space and trying to decide!

Also, anyone know what a Pass Porter is?? A kids ready bed?? These are two items that were posted but no clue what they are!

Bummed since the gift card promo isn't good for my trip....looking forward to what they put out.....just lacking the patience to wait!!

Thanks everyone! Tara in CT

 

[Mrs D]

My answers are in red.

thanks ladies for clearing that ph thing up for me! Think I need to take a break from planning!

So think PH are out but how does anyone feel about the water parks...specifically Typhoon Lagoon and the swim with sharks thing?? Debating this.I dont know anything about this. Sorry!

Is there anyone out there who can recmd the resort they prefer??

Looking at Pop Century, All Star Music for the fam suite and Port Orleans Riverside (although the decor isn't geared towards kids like I'd like)!!
I stayed at Pop and loved it, especially for the price. If you want just one more bed go with POR.

Seeking more sleeping space and trying to decide!

Also, anyone know what a Pass Porter is?? Passporter is an awesome guide book. It will really help you research your trip. I like it for the color fold out maps, the pockets which I keep everything trip related in, and it's easy to carry with without getting destroyed. You can buy it at most large book stores, on amazon or directly from their website passporter.com

A kids ready bed?? a kids ready bed is a twin air mattress but a little shorter. It also has an attached sleeping bag. It easy to blow up by mouth (we chucked the foot pump that came with it). DS4 likes using it and is comfortable enough in it. It rolls up fairly small for an air bed. You can buy them at Walmart & Target.

 

[dolphinlove]

Help with hotels......pop vs ASM fam suite vs POR??



Help with water park.......typhoon lagoon...is it worth it to add the water park option to ticket? Anyone ever do the swim with the shark thing????




Thanks!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Help with hotels......pop vs ASM fam suite vs POR??



Help with water park.......typhoon lagoon...is it worth it to add the water park option to ticket? Anyone ever do the swim with the shark thing????




Thanks!

Two connecting rooms at Pop.

The water parks ticket option is only cheaper if you are doing both parks. If you are only doing one water park it is cheaper to pay out-of-pocket.

We prefer Blizzard Beach.

We have never done the shark thing.

 

[vfd265]

Swimming with the sharks is pretty neat. They have two options there. You can snorkel across an area maybe 50 feet long, lasts about 5 minute if you go real slow.....that is all free. Or you can rent some "surface scuba" equipment for a 30 minute foray. We did the freebie but the other looked very cool.

Not sure if you need PH to enter a park for dining reservations. My guess is you would. But as myself and many before have mentioned, they can be added any time and they are still the same price. I would hold off on them. Something could come up and prevent you from making your dining "reservation", and you wouldnt need the PH.

We stayed at Pop Century and loved it. Best part of Pop is the dedicated bus. Runs from the parks to the resort. We stayed at ASMovies and, while the ASM resorts do have a dedicated bus, it stops at all three resorts. Not a huge thing, but small things add up.

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

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[DisneyTravelers2008]

Regardig the dining plan, I would get the one that has 1 quick service, 1 table service and 1 snack per day. That way you can have one meal per day to sit down and relax. Disney has lots of great restaurnats to choose from. At age 10-12 my son enjoyed the character dining, so you might want to consider that for a few meals. It ireally is fun! Either way, be sure to make a few advance dining reservations (ADRs).By getting this dining plan, basically your quick service meal and snack for each day are free b/c you pay about $39 per day and that is about how mcuh it costs epr person at a sit down restaurant at Disney.

Regarding the hotel, for our first trip we stayed at the cabins at Fort Wilderness. It had a bedroom for the kids and a VERY comfy murphy bed in the Living Room for me and my hubby. Plus you get a small kitchen and a large deck. Overall we did not spend a lot of time in the hotel ( or cabin in this case) b/c since it was our first trip we were in the parks ALOT! We thought the cabin was a great deal for the money bc you got a lot of space.

We do also like Animal Kingdom lodge a lot. It has the animals you can see from your room if you book a room w/ a Savannah view. Or there are place throughout the lodge / resort wher you can view them. It is super cool and beautifully decorated.And it has great restaurnts a nd pools, kids activites at the resort, etc....but for a first trip you may wnat to focus less on the resort and more on the parks. ???? We stayed here on our 4the trip (in 3 years) so we did not spend as mcuh time in the parks and we actually enjoyed the resort a lot.

I used the Disney World web site to research the hotels and parks. And, I read through a Disney planning book...very helpful to get an idea off the many options.

Also, look over the park map to get an idea of where everything is located. Planning can be half the fun and it helps yor trip go more smoothly. You will have a great time and this board should help lots.

Good luck and have fun!