Newbie Planning for April 2012

[lncbodsmom]

After quite a bit of research I think we're staying at a 1 room Beach Club Villa. I have 3 small kids and really would like kitchen and washer/dryer. Any advice for veteran visitors and where are the newbies planning to stay?

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

We're going down end Feb/first of March 2012.

Our dates are somewhat flexible from Feb 28-March 10. Right now the hardest part is finding reasonable airfare - that is the #1 priority for me right now - once I know my flights then I can book room only (until I can book a package). We already know we'll be staying @ POP.

If you find cheap flights now - book them !! I waited 2-3 hours to consult with the rest of my family and the price went up $700 total

 

[PrincessTiffany]

After quite a bit of research I think we're staying at a 1 room Beach Club Villa. I have 3 small kids and really would like kitchen and washer/dryer. Any advice for veteran visitors and where are the newbies planning to stay?

We have 4 kids and have been going yearly since they were 2, 3, 4 and 7 and we always get 2 connecting rooms at a value resort, usually All-Star Movies. I like having the extra space and the second bathroom. We don't need the kitchen or washer/dryer because I don't cook or do laundry on vacation and we always do the Disney Dining Plan. In fact, we now revolve all of your yearly WDW vacations around the free dining promo.

 

[lncbodsmom]

We have 3 kids- 4 year old twins and a 3 year old. I'm a little torn between a villa or 2 rooms connected. Looks like we will be doing the dining plan, but I'm afraid it might not be enough and we'll need snacks and a kitchen. I also thought it would be helpful to have laundry in our room. My hubby wants Beach Club because of its pool area. How do you plan your trips around free dining plan... how do you know when they will have it? That would be wonderful but I doubt they have free dining in April, right?

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We have 3 kids- 4 year old twins and a 3 year old. I'm a little torn between a villa or 2 rooms connected. Looks like we will be doing the dining plan, but I'm afraid it might not be enough and we'll need snacks and a kitchen. I also thought it would be helpful to have laundry in our room. My hubby wants Beach Club because of its pool area. How do you plan your trips around free dining plan... how do you know when they will have it? That would be wonderful but I doubt they have free dining in April, right?

We do the Basic DDP every year - 1 Table Service, 1 Counter Service and 1 Snack per person, per day - and we really don't pay out-of-pocket for anything. We do bring some quick breakfast food like cereal/granola bars, donuts, bagels, etc. to eat in the room or on the way to the bus, but that's it. We usually eat an early counter service lunch around 11 or 11:30 a.m., snack mid-day and eat a table service/character meal around 6 or 6:30 p.m. each night. We don't spend much time at the resort, but our kids really like the Fantasia pool at All-Star Movies.

Free Dining has been offered every year since 2005. Originally, it was just offered mid-August through September/first of August, but the last few years they have started offering it the entire last part of the year - select dates from mid-August - late December. This year they also offered a lot of free dining weeks for other slow times of the year too, but April really isn't offered as that's the height of Spring Break/ high crowds / Easter. The current free dining offer is good for the dates of August 28 - September 24 and if you check in by September 24 you can apply the free dining discount to your entire stay up to 14 nights. I would say they will release more free dining dates for October - December this summer, probably July. Free Dining dates are usually leaked on the Code & Rates sub-section of the Disboard Resorts Board a couple of days before they go public.

 

[lncbodsmom]

Princesstiffany- who do you use to book your vacations or do you do it yourself? Thanks!

 

[vacation_junkie]

Hi All
Planning our first trip to WDW from Perth for the end of March 2012, we were lucky enough to go to DL last year when my SIL won a trip and took our kids.

Hoping to gain lots of info from all the seasoned Disney travellers here. We can't do too much about booking til June due to airfares, but hopefully there will be some good specials about, might even manage a return trip to DL for a few days as we have to fly into LAX anyway... at lest thats what I've told the husband.. hehehe

best wishes

D

We usually go to Disney in April..We find that is the best time of year to go !!! We love WDW!!!

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Princesstiffany- who do you use to book your vacations or do you do it yourself? Thanks!

I've always booked our trips directly through Disney Reservations. In fact, about a year ago I started my own Disney trip planning/consulting service. I have a Facebook page that I advertise through and help other families.

 

[tina.tina]

We went in April this year for our first family trip. The weather was awesome. We can't wait to go back in April next year. I saw so many bad reviews online for the Value resorts. Don't let that scare you. We LOVE Pop and plan to return there on our next visit. I really like the convenience of a washer & dryer, too, but the laundry area near the pool was clean, convenient, and not crowded. 2 rooms at a value are cheaper than a villa- especially if you're interested in free dining rather than a room discount.

 

[JAMminInDisney032012]

Welcome! We are planning our first trip in March 2012. I am overwhelmed with everything that seems to go into planning a trip to WDW. There is just so much to do and see! Good luck with your planning!

 

[lncbodsmom]

I need advice!! Just got price for 1 week stay at Polynesian next April the week of Easter. Do any of you know if it would be better price and less crowded if we went towards end of April or beginning of May? We have some flexibility and didn't realize the week we had planned was Easter... thinking it might be busy and no discounts. I would appreciate any advice- thanks!

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

I need advice!! Just got price for 1 week stay at Polynesian next April the week of Easter. Do any of you know if it would be better price and less crowded if we went towards end of April or beginning of May? We have some flexibility and didn't realize the week we had planned was Easter... thinking it might be busy and no discounts. I would appreciate any advice- thanks!

The week of Easter will be VERY busy.

The 2012 package prices have been released. Just plug in your dates to compare pricing

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I need advice!! Just got price for 1 week stay at Polynesian next April the week of Easter. Do any of you know if it would be better price and less crowded if we went towards end of April or beginning of May? We have some flexibility and didn't realize the week we had planned was Easter... thinking it might be busy and no discounts. I would appreciate any advice- thanks!

Easter week is one of the most busy and most expensive weeks of the entire year, probably only second to Christmas week.

The first of May is a good bit less expensive and the crowds are about half of what Easter week is.

 

[lncbodsmom]

Thanks for getting back to me guys! I tried comparing the prices on Disney site but it won't work right now. I guess we're going to Disney in May!!!

 

[venom75]

Hello, we are planning our trip from April 27, 2012 to May 6, 2012 and have not seen any discounts yet. Does anyone know when they would post the discounts for this time frame?

 

[lncbodsmom]

We are going the EXACT same dates as you!! I don't think discounts will come out for some time seeing as its April (busy time), but my travel agent said there very well could be a discount. Just have to wait and keep fingers crossed Where are you staying?

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Hello, we are planning our trip from April 27, 2012 to May 6, 2012 and have not seen any discounts yet. Does anyone know when they would post the discounts for this time frame?

There will probably be some room discounts announced after the first of the year for that time frame. Free Dining has never been offered during that time frame, but there should be some room discounts.

 

[JoJoFromNY]

Hello, we are planning our trip from April 27, 2012 to May 6, 2012 and have not seen any discounts yet. Does anyone know when they would post the discounts for this time frame?

Back 2 years ago, we had plans to go to Disney 2 weeks after Easter. I had my package all booked several months ahead of time but soon after the first of the year Disney discounted the timeframe we were going and we were able to save with a 35% discount at a mod. It ended up saving us a few hundred dollars off our orignal plan. I think you may see something after the first of the year. I'm not thrilled because this year our trip falls right during EASTER week and there most likely won't be any discounts offered for that week. Oh well, at least we will be at Disney.