Our first ever trip plan - comments welcome!

[disneynutsss]

if i were you i would stay at AoA... nice new clean hotel... more space as you had indicated... and i think the atmosphere/decorations will be appreciated by your kids

 

[DisneyFive]

The day off or waterpark day (depending on weather and temperment of children) was scheduled for Saturday, Oct 6th, which is the saturday of the Columbus Day long weekend. I estimated that this would perhaps be the busiest park day, which is why we made it a "day off", but is this logic sound, or will the Sunday or Monday be busier? If we had to choose a day to break, which should it be? The kids won't mind taking off time, especially since we plan to hit DTD for a shopping trip and then just veg at the pool.

Regarding hotel choice, here's where I get confused. I assume a PIN is for some kind of discount? (sorry - showing my ignorance here....)Is anyone eligible to use these? Are they limited to use with packages?

Originally, we liked the AoA for the space - all of us crammed into a 2 queen bed room for 10 days will have a gladiator-like fight ensuing with probably only one male and one female survivor, and chances are it won't be me and dh!! We liked the separate room aspect - I am pretty high maintenance that way. We also intend to order groceries and thus provide most of our breakfasts and snacks ourselves - save $$ and time in parks. I honestly never even looked at Port Orleans, since I didn't know they slept 5.

Thanks everyone for all the advice - makes me feel lots better that I have expert brains to pick!!

I'm not sure how much the water park option adds to your ticket price, but it might be a pretty stiff premium for 1 "possible" usage. Just something to consider.

Based on what you look for in a hotel room, I would stick with AoA then. Port Orleans might be too cramped for you. Understandable.

Dan

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

Regarding PIN's - if I didn't get an e-mail, how can I use a PIN?

Regarding waterparks - can I just pay for a day admission if we decide to go, or do I have to add the "waterpark fun and more" option??? Kids really want to do a waterpark, but not worth the money for WPFAM for one day!

We aren't using a TA for this trip, so is my best bet just to call Disney and have a CM look into options for us???

 

[JerseyJanice]

You can't use a PIN unless it is issued to you. If you got a number from someone else and the PIN doesn't match the nam and address attached to it, you won't be allowed to use it.

When and if Free Dining for your check-in date becomes available to the General Public, you'll be able to book it without a PIN.

Meanwhile, it wouldn't be a bad idea to create an account on the Disney website and ask for a planning video. Doing that may put you on their radar so you'll get PIN offers.

About the water parks, I'm pretty sure that it costs $55 plus tax to upgrade your park pass to water parks and more, no matter how many days you buy. You'll have 14 days from first use to use that many admissions to the water parks and Disney Quest. A one-day ticket to either one of the water parks costs $53 (or close to that amount).

The good way to figure it out is to play on the Disney website. You can plug in your dates and price it with and without the various ticket options to see exactly what they will cost you. Save your offers in your account, and Disney will know what you're interested in and maybe send you a good PIN.

 

[Nancyg56]

But the important thing here is that because snack credits don't differentiate between kid and adult, those F&W high quality snacks make for a great deal on a kid's price DDP. You'd have to research prices compared to how your family eats to see if it's worth it, but generally if your family eats in the style that fits with the DDP, it's most worth it at the kids price on the older end of the range.

I would call and ask if you have a pin in your name. My DSIL had one emailed to him and I tried to use it to book for all of us. No good but the CM found the same one for me Free dining is a great deal if you want to take advantage of some of the TS meals. You do get your counter service meals but if you don't like too many TS meals you could pick a few nice signature meals and take the family to them. Whatever you do, if you want any TS meals you need to make your ADR's now.

 

[amzking]

I agree about the DP. With your eldest being 9 it will be the last time it will be a really great deal for your family. Even CS meals can get quite pricy! If you wanted to do the regular plan that includes TS meals, you can do the TS meals at lunchtime during your park breaks - maybe do the less-crowded and easier to reserve great TS restaurants in the resorts, there is one at each of the mods and deluxes, except POFQ, plus all the restaurants at DTD. You would need to take the bus from the park to whatever resort you are dining at, then take a cab home (or the bus from DTD). Or do your TS meal before leaving the park for your break, or as soon as you return. It is a great way to rest and refresh.

 

[mommyof2boys1girl]

1) Can I add parkhopping to our last 2 days once we are there, instead of paying for the parkhopping upgrade for the whole 7 days? If so, where exactly can I do that, and can I do it the day of our desired parkhopping dates (Oct 8th and 9th), or does it need to be done a day ahead to take effect?

2)If we choose to do a waterpark (the kids really really want to) we will probably just pay gate admission prices for the day - that way, if we don't end up going (bad weather, too tired, etc....) we won't lose out on any prepaid ticket costs.

3) Should I wait to book hotels until the fall free dining dates are released? Or call to see if I happen to have a PIN attached to my address? (not sure exactly how this happens, but it might be worth a shot...) Am I correct in assuming that if I book the hotel as a room only, I am not able to change my reservation to a package later, if I find out that the free dining PIN may be available to the general public later? Is it safest just to hold off reserving a room or package until I know more?

Thanks again, everyone!

 

[GuardMusic]

1) Can I add parkhopping to our last 2 days once we are there, instead of paying for the parkhopping upgrade for the whole 7 days? If so, where exactly can I do that, and can I do it the day of our desired parkhopping dates (Oct 8th and 9th), or does it need to be done a day ahead to take effect?


2)If we choose to do a waterpark (the kids really really want to) we will probably just pay gate admission prices for the day - that way, if we don't end up going (bad weather, too tired, etc....) we won't lose out on any prepaid ticket costs.


3) Should I wait to book hotels until the fall free dining dates are released? Or call to see if I happen to have a PIN attached to my address? (not sure exactly how this happens, but it might be worth a shot...) Am I correct in assuming that if I book the hotel as a room only, I am not able to change my reservation to a package later, if I find out that the free dining PIN may be available to the general public later? Is it safest just to hold off reserving a room or package until I know more?


Thanks again, everyone!

You can do the parkhopper in the midst of your trip, just before you use the ticket for THAT day.

I NEVER EVER suggest people to wait to make a reservation, just watch your cancel dates (if you need to rebook with a better deal later). They do consider it a full cancel and rebook, just not a modification. How would you feel if you waited, no deal ever came out, and the resort you want is sold out?!

 

[gator girl]

1) Sorry, you have to pay the same for the upgrade no matter how many times you use it. The parkhopper option is a fixed price for the length of the ticket, whether you need to use it on 1 day or on all of the days. Yes, you can add it during your trip at any Guest Services location, and it takes effect immediately.

2) Good idea.

3) I always reserve immediately, to ensure that I get a room at my preferred resort in case they book up fully. You can make changes to your reservation later. If you have a room only, you will only pay a one-night deposit with the balance due during your stay. If you have a package, there will be a ($200? I can't remember) deposit due immediately, with the full balance to be paid off prior to your trip.

 

[Missyrose]

1) Can I add parkhopping to our last 2 days once we are there, instead of paying for the parkhopping upgrade for the whole 7 days? If so, where exactly can I do that, and can I do it the day of our desired parkhopping dates (Oct 8th and 9th), or does it need to be done a day ahead to take effect?

It's the same price whether you add it for one day or all your days. The advantage to waiting to buy the option until you're ready to use it is you might get to the end of your trip and not feel like hopping, so you will have saved the money in that scenario.

2)If we choose to do a waterpark (the kids really really want to) we will probably just pay gate admission prices for the day - that way, if we don't end up going (bad weather, too tired, etc....) we won't lose out on any prepaid ticket costs.

Good plan.

3) Should I wait to book hotels until the fall free dining dates are released? Or call to see if I happen to have a PIN attached to my address? (not sure exactly how this happens, but it might be worth a shot...) Am I correct in assuming that if I book the hotel as a room only, I am not able to change my reservation to a package later, if I find out that the free dining PIN may be available to the general public later? Is it safest just to hold off reserving a room or package until I know more?

You can call today and ask if there is a pin attached to your name. If there's not, then you can wait to book under FD when it is released to the public. Just remember that Disney can release discounts to fill whatever resorts they need help to fill, so if AoA is doing well on its own (because it's shiny and new), it may not be included in FD.

Thanks again, everyone!

My comments are in red above.

 

[funcinderella]

Another thing to consider is renting a car. You will be paying for transportation three ways anyway, and leaving the parks in the middle of the day and then going back takes time on a bus. Personally, we always rent a car, and the one time we didn't we regretted it. I;ve gotten great deals on SUVs, so its worth looking inot unless you are dead set against driving while on vacation. (And, although parking aty the disney resorts is free, it is not free at US, I think $17 per day.)

 

[Missyrose]

Another thing to consider is renting a car. You will be paying for transportation three ways anyway, and leaving the parks in the middle of the day and then going back takes time on a bus. Personally, we always rent a car, and the one time we didn't we regretted it. I;ve gotten great deals on SUVs, so its worth looking inot unless you are dead set against driving while on vacation. (And, although parking aty the disney resorts is free, it is not free at US, I think $17 per day.)

There's no cost to use Disney transportation, though PP is right about the buses taking time. If you're worried about wasting time on buses, then rent a car. If you can live with Disney transportation, then don't worry about it.

 

[DisneyFive]

If you don't have an account setup with Disney, you will not have a possibility of a PIN. You can create an account at www.disneyworld.com. However, there is no guarantee of a PIN offer.

Personally, I would book a full package now directly with Disney reservations and check for discounts later that you can apply. There is only a $200 deposit for the entire trip package, and there is no charge if a discount comes out and you want to apply the discount to your package. (we've done this multiple times). That way you have the room booked and don't need to worry about not have a room available.

Sounds as though it might be better to wait and purchase a waterpark ticket if needed the day you plan to be at a waterpark, provided you only will go to a waterpark one day, at most.

Dan

 

[mill4023]

My first thought was that you need more time at MK.
It is the park with the most attractions, especially for kids those ages.
Having two mornings at MK makes for much easier park touring because you can break it up, doing Fantasyland first thing one morning and the other big rides on the other morning.

If you want to keep the hoppers, I would make one of those Epcot days an MK morning/Epcot evening. If not, I would probably make one of those Epcot days a full MK day instead, then leave the last day open.

Afternoon breaks worked great for us in the summer. But it may be tougher in October because the park hours won't be as long.

 

[DisneyFive]

My first thought was that you need more time at MK.
It is the park with the most attractions, especially for kids those ages.
Having two mornings at MK makes for much easier park touring because you can break it up, doing Fantasyland first thing one morning and the other big rides on the other morning.

If you want to keep the hoppers, I would make one of those Epcot days an MK morning/Epcot evening. If not, I would probably make one of those Epcot days a full MK day instead, then leave the last day open.

Afternoon breaks worked great for us in the summer. But it may be tougher in October because the park hours won't be as long.

Totally agree with this. MK is THE park for your kids ages, and I would also recomment switching one of the two Epcot days for another MK day.

Dan