Newbie needs Help!

[Robynbyrd]

Hi Everyone,
We are planning a WDW trip this December for approximated dates of Dec 18-23of this year. Neither my husband or I have been there and are a bit overwhelmed when we get on the website to plan our trip at all of the choices. We are on a budget and want to make the most out of a great vacation without coming home in the poor house. We have 2 boys that will be 8 and 6 in Dec. Does anyone know of any codes that might be helpful for dining plans or to save on hotel or anything else? We plan to stay at a Value or Moderate resort. I've been reading through posts on here looking for discounts but this is my first time on this site and there's SO much to read through! Any help from a Disney Pro would be appreciated!!
Thanks!!!

 

[mommyof3princess27]

Hi Everyone,
We are planning a WDW trip this December for approximated dates of Dec 18-23of this year. Neither my husband or I have been there and are a bit overwhelmed when we get on the website to plan our trip at all of the choices. We are on a budget and want to make the most out of a great vacation without coming home in the poor house. We have 2 boys that will be 8 and 6 in Dec. Does anyone know of any codes that might be helpful for dining plans or to save on hotel or anything else? We plan to stay at a Value or Moderate resort. I've been reading through posts on here looking for discounts but this is my first time on this site and there's SO much to read through! Any help from a Disney Pro would be appreciated!!
Thanks!!!

Is there any way you could change your trip dates to arriving on Friday the 16th? If so, you can get FD its free QS at the values(u can upgrade to TSDP) or Free Regular dining plan at the Moderates.....

If you cant change your plans, there is no room only discount codes out right now.

 

[su_A_ve]

actually you need to arrive by Sat. Dec 17th, and you'll be able to get Free Dining during your entire stay.

Consider the differences between a Value and a Mod. Under FD, the Mod gives you one sit down dinner and one counter service, which would be huge for the kids if you want to do character dining. The mods also give you a mini-fridge in your room, great if you want to purchase milk and bread for the mornings for example. And depending on which mod you stay, you get queen size beds instead of double.

For us, for example, a mod under FD is a much better deal than a value.

 

[Tltorrez]

In short, its not that simple. There are discounts available and will likely be others this week. The hard part is figuring out what will work best for your family. I know it can be overwhelming.

This won't help with discounts per se but I highly recommend the book Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. It will help you understand all your options for resorts and dining, as well as giving you good advice on touring the parks and minimizing line time.

With that info under your belt, you'll be better able to understand what the rest of us are talking about. Well, most of us anyway.

 

[mommyof3princess27]

actually you need to arrive by Sat. Dec 17th, and you'll be able to get Free Dining during your entire stay.

Consider the differences between a Value and a Mod. Under FD, the Mod gives you one sit down dinner and one counter service, which would be huge for the kids if you want to do character dining. The mods also give you a mini-fridge in your room, great if you want to purchase milk and bread for the mornings for example. And depending on which mod you stay, you get queen size beds instead of double.

For us, for example, a mod under FD is a much better deal than a value.

You're right I forgot they changed it! Funny thing though I put the 17th then changed it cuz it didnt sound right but I knew I read it somewhere!

 

[gonnago]

I was going to tell you the same thing if you can change your dates to arrive on the 17th then you can have free quick service dining at the values but can upgrade to the regular plan for 11 per adult per day(don;t know how much it costs to upgrade the children though sorry)honestly I think that it would be worth it to upgrade the meal plan.
But you really need to decide if moving your dates are gonna work for you and if it is possible you really need to book asap because with those dates I am sure the availibility will soon run out for the free dining.
Good luck and hope you and your family have a magical vacation

 

[su_A_ve]

My recommendations regarding planning. Have a budget as to how much you can spend on your vacation, including food/tickets/tips/gifts

Then work around it. If offers come out then take advantage of them, and they will make your stay even more special.

Since you mention your dates are approx 18-23, you must start on the 17th and take advantage of Free dining. But in doing your budget, note that sit down meals under basic dining plan (which in general include entre/drink/dessert) they DO NOT include tips. A dinner for 2A, 2C, can easily go in the $75 range, which makes a tip in the $8-$14 range. One of those ever night adds up.

 

[SarahD]

Several posts mention upgrading, so here's some perspective from someone who LOVES quick service dining! It's free when you stay value (and we love Pop Century). It has two snacks - regular plan has only one in 2011. We use the second snack credit for breakfast sometimes (croissants, muffins, rice krispie Mickeys - it's cereal, right? - etc.) Food is not important to us, aside from eating somewhere that has something for everyone. We don't want to use an hour (or more) twice a day to eat. Also, a lot of times we eat dinner when we get back to the hotel (Pop has a phenomenal food court) and the Value resorts don't have sit down restaurants. We also don't like to plan months ahead of time where we want to eat and when. It also makes it tough to change your plans if you have dining reservations in MK but decide to go to Epcot instead because it's raining. I do a quick "cheat sheet" on Word and shrink it down, throw it in my backpack. I list the places in each park that has something we all like to eat and a few things on their menu. So when we're hungry, I can pull it out and see that Casey's in MK has hotdogs, fries, brownies and pop & milk and that there's no kid's menu. (When there's no kids menu, kids can order off main menu. If there is a kid's menu, kids must order from that.) Our friends laughed at my organization, but we were all huddled around it last visit to pick a restaurant! allears.net is a great resource - has current menus that will help you decide which plan will work best with your kids. Also has tons of pictures of every resort.

 

[su_A_ve]

Kids portions are SMALL. Adult portions are huge...

You could order an adult QS entry, and split it...

Also - ask for a water bottle instead of a dessert - sometimes you will share a dessert instead of throwing out half of it. YMMV on getting one though...