Orlando Trip October/November Questions...

[Ghost]

YES… flights are booked. We will be at Orlando in October/November. WDW, Mickey’s, not so scary Halloween party, Halloween Horror Nights and more… But to start planning the rest of the trip, here some questions…

14 days in Florida, WDW on site. Would it be a better option to get an AP and then book a room? What would be the WDW AP discount?

If I book room only at WDW, will I still get the privilege to enter the park early?

Where can you get the best deal when booking a WDW resort Hotel (if no AP bought)?

My son will be 6 years old. Is swimming with the Dolphins at Discovery Cove a good Idea?

How far in advance do you have to book into the Kennedy Space center to see a launch. There will be one on 28/10? Is it worth the extra trip? What do we need to know and what do we need to do…

More questions soon… But thanX for everybody for helping me out here.

 

[nativetxn]

Welcome to the DIS. I'm very glad that you found us and I hope you can visit often.

I can answer a couple of your questions.

Are you in the UK? Just curious.

If you are planning two weeks at WDW then an AP is your best option.

If you have a room only reservation at a WDW resort you have the perk of entering the park early and staying late on the EMH nights.

I don't know if there is a travel agency that offers prices lower than WDW. You could try expedia. Dreams Unlimited Travel will book your room and watch for future discounts. If one becomes available they will do their best to secure it for you.

I have a friendly acquaintance who took her 6 year old to Discovery Cove and the child really enjoyed it.

I can't answer your question about the Space Center. I would certainly love to watch a "launch"

Katholyn

 

[Ghost]

Welcome to the DIS. I'm very glad that you found us and I hope you can visit often.

I can answer a couple of your questions.

Are you in the UK? Just curious.

No! I am from Belgium...

If you are planning two weeks at WDW then an AP is your best option.

14 days in a WDW hotel but only 10 days in the WDW parks (although I guess using "only" in front of 10 days would be a wrong thing to do)

If you have a room only reservation at a WDW resort you have the perk of entering the park early and staying late on the EMH nights.

I don't know if there is a travel agency that offers prices lower than WDW. You could try expedia. Dreams Unlimited Travel will book your room and watch for future discounts. If one becomes available they will do their best to secure it for you.

The problem is insurance. In case we could not fly (sickness or any other bad thing that could "but let's not think about it" happen before we go) If I book online will I have such insurance? Our travel agent has a good insurance deal, however I would pay a little more for the room..

I have a friendly acquaintance who took her 6 year old to Discovery Cove and the child really enjoyed it.

We are going for it... can't wait

I can't answer your question about the Space Center. I would certainly love to watch a "launch"

I guess when a launch is there, we should try to see it... I think it will be impressive and with my son loving rockets....

Thanks for all the info and answers...
Any other tips welcome...

 

[keishashadow]

Sounds like you're planning a wonderful trip.

As for Kennedy Space Center, don't hold your breath for shuttles/satellites, etc. to launch on their "posted" dates. Due to circumstances beyond their control they do miss announced dates; but must they launch in a "window" of time. We scheduled our February trip around an anticipated satellite launch that never occured. That said, we had a wonderful time. There's plenty to see and do to occupy at least one day. I recommend the behind the scenes tours they offer. You're able to get much closer to the launch pads, etc. NASA has a web site where they describe the facility, their tours, and sell advance tickets.

 

[Ghost]

Hi all...

I have some more questions to get to the next stage of booking...

Could any of you let me know when you book with Disney Direct when the payment is due? Is it done during booking? 1 month in advance?

I also noticed that Expedia.com is cheaper then direct WDW booking? I seen a difference of about 20%. How come Expedia is cheaper? how do they do this?

And in case I would order via Expedia, I have the same question as above? When is payment due?

Needing a room for 23th october (14 nights). When should I book the room? Is it save to wait a couple of weeks, even months, or should I book as soon as possible. Still over 6 months but I would not want to miss out having a room onside.

ThanX for all your help everybody.

 

[eeyore45]

Ap Rates have not come out yet, and if you book thru expedia, than you cannot ask to have an AP rate applied. If you are not using a travel agency, you should give Dreams Unlimited an email and ask them to give you a quote. If you decide to book thru them, then they will work to get your
AP rate applied, as well as making PS for you too! I'm not sure about tickets to Discovery Cove, but you could ask in your email!!

I believe when you book room only you have to put one nights cost down for a deposit, and the rest isnt due until you arrive. I'm staying at Port Orleans, right now its $134, so I put a deposit down of $150, (I actually paid my 7nights off at $134, and when the Florida resident rate comes out, I'll ask for that rate, and the extra $$ will be on my room ressie to pay for our dining that week!)

Have you heard of the Disney Dining Experience Card, DDE? Its available for $50 to AP holders, and it gives you 20% off of meals at Disney resteraunts.

We are also going in October, to go to the Halloween Party, its a seperate ticket, last year I read it was $30 for adults, and the tickets went on sale last year the first of May. So I watch the posters here and when I see that tickets will be on sale for MNSSHP, I'll hop on it!!

I agree about the NASA Space Launch, they do tend to miss the posted dates, but a tour of the area is awesome!

 

[SB in KY]

Actually you cannot tour any of the space center on launch days for security reasons....so while it is quite a spectacular event, I think the chances of there being 1 on your exact day are very slim....however 6 is a terrific age to tour the space center and it will be quite a memorable day for your son I am sure (even without a launch)

You might check with your travel agent and at www.mousesavers.com.... in the past there were tickets sold for Eurpoean guests that were good for 30 days from first use and included Disney parks as well as Kennedy space center and a couple of other FL attractions...they would be perfect for this trip and they were a little less expensive than an annual pass (and included the space center and a couple of other things as well)....be sure to look for details at mousesavers

I am not positive they are still available but you should check.

If you go to the Kennedy Space Center's website it has a list of projected launch dates and information on how to get passes for launch days.

Have a great time planning your trip....it will be WONDERFUL!!

 

[Ghost]

)

You might check with your travel agent and at www.mousesavers.com.... in the past there were tickets sold for Eurpoean guests that were good for 30 days from first use and included Disney parks as well as Kennedy space center and a couple of other FL attractions...they would be perfect for this trip and they were a little less expensive than an annual pass (and included the space center and a couple of other things as well)....be sure to look for details at mousesavers

The "Fun in the Sun" Tickets are no longer being sold for the time we will be there. I used them on my 2003 trip and they where great.

I am looking into getting the AP pass with the Restaurant option at the moment. Still it is a big difference with a 10 day hopper pass. I still have some time to make up my mind..

Hotel is booked. Caribbean Beach resort! Looking forwards to that one.

Also booked are the "Mickey's not so scarry Halloween" tickets for the 31st October...

Can't wait to go... ;-)