our first homecoming with friends.. questions..

[dairyou]

Hi!

In a few weeks I'll be booking our reservations for the first time!

We have friends that our coming with us and it is their first trip to WDW on our first trip coming home. My question is I see alot of "Lock offs" and ect and wondering exactly what this is. Is it a 2 bedroom with studio option to be seperate?

I also need your opinions. We have know our friends for a couple of years, but have never went away anywhere with them. This is our frist vacation together. I wondering how to handle our "togetherness" and being able to have some seperation too. I think both families will want this also. Anybody experience something like this and how did you handle it?

Also we have been to WDW 3 or 4 times and wondering how we should buy our tickets and make ticket suggestions for them. We enjoy the waterparks, but now sure if it will be warm enough in December. We also want to go to DQ for sure.

We want this time to be special for everyone. Especially since we are all coming from California. We would hate for them not to enjoy themselves. Of course most here on the west coast think WDW is like Disneyland and we want to show them different.

Thanks!
Deb

 

[pumpkinboy]

In answer to some of your Questions:

A Lockoff is exactly what you thought, a 2BR made up of a studio portion and a 1BR portion, with a real door (with a lock if you like) between them. The lockable door between the two parts of the unit should be sufficient to give them their own space.
Points-wise, the 2 BR lockoff is much more economical than a 1BR and a studio seperately, but more than 2 studios; plus you get the togetherness option and are guaranteed to have rooms near each other.

As for tickets, I figure we are already treating them to lodging, so they can get their own passes and we can split food, etc. (unless it's my brother and wife; he is a HS Art teacher and she is advocate for the disabled, so they don't have lots of disposable $$$; and the two of them are so good to our kids, and nice ppl to boot so I might treat them). I think suggesting ticketing options is a good plan, and they can make up their own minds, ont the other hand, it might be cheaper for everyone if you used your 10% discount on the UPH passes and just charged them for their portion.
Of course, this should all be worked out clearly and in advance so their are no hard feelings, expectations that go unmet... basically so you all can remain friends, and have a great and memorable time.

Good luck.

 

[dianeschlicht]

WHich resort are you staying at and how many people in each famiy? If it is just couples, I don't think the lock off is necessary. If you are at BWV, BCV, or VWL, then most 2 bedroom units are lock offs. At OKW, if you specify a lock off, that is what you will get, but a 2 bedroom ressie made at 11 months will be dedicated unless lock off was requested at ressie time.

We prefer the dedicated 2 bedrooms. There is still a locking door between the second bedroom and the living room, so it is really no issue.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by dairyou
Also we have been to WDW 3 or 4 times and wondering how we should buy our tickets and make ticket suggestions for them. We enjoy the waterparks, but now sure if it will be warm enough in December. We also want to go to DQ for sure.

If they are the type of people that won't analyze the purchase down to the last penny, then I would personally steer them toward the Ultimate Park Hoppers. Let them take advantage of your 10% discount, and they will have free reign of the parks for the duration.

I agree that you may not know until you arrive if you want to visit the water parks. And, if there is a chance that they will never return, you hate to see them get stuck with unused features on a PHP.

If money IS a factor, go with the Park Hoppers and save the waterparks for next time.

Note that with regard to your comment on DisneyQuest, the only admission options there are UPH, Premium Annual Pass or single day tickets. Plus options on the PHP are NOT valid for admission to DQ. So make sure that you buy your own tickets carefully.

 

[kcashner]

I would think that the 2 bedroon (with or without lock off) would give you plenty of privacy. Essentially, you each have a bedroom and bathroom, and you have the living room/full kitchen on your side. They'll have the mini-fridge/microwave so that they can easily have their coffee in the morning or something to snack on at night without disturbing you at all.

As to passes...think carefully about what you want to do. UPH are nice, but if you're not using many of the features, they can be one of the pricier options. My logic on park hoppers is that I will always be coming back, so unused days don't bother me. On the other hand, if this is a one and only time for them, this may not be their best option.

 

[mikesmom]

We went this last November with friends we had never traveled with. I think the ticket may depend on how long you will be there. We only had 3 nites, so it was important to our friends that they be able to go into the parks for the 4 hours our first evening in. So they got UPH and dropped the last day as we were flying out at 9 AM. If we had been going for a full week, I might have recommended a 5 day Park hopper pass.

If your friends have never been to WDW, it's likely they won't have time to do any special features (water parks, DQ, etc). They won't be able to see everything anyway.

We spent some time together, and they toured separately for part of the trip. We almost always had the evnings together.

Everything worked out so well they will be going with us this year!

 

[dianeschlicht]

As to tickets...I too would suggest UPH for your guests with your discount, but if you will be returning in less than 365 days, I would reccomend an AP for you.

 

[CarolMN]

If you decide not to go with a ticket option that includes DQ, keep in mind that your DVC membership qualifies you for a discount on DQ admission. IIRC, it is $3 or $4 off on adult admission. Not sure about amount for children.

Enjoy the trip!

 

[DVCTiff]

We decided to play it safe for our first trip with friends - got them a one-bedroom (they're bringing two kids) and the two of us took a studio. I think the kids make a big difference, and then they can do the parenting thing in private. They were a little shocked when they saw what tickets were going to cost, but my feeling is that we're close enough for them to bow out if they don't feel it's feasible (plus they have 11 months to save up). I figure if they end up cancelling, we'll have time to take the one bedroom for ourselves and bank the point from the studio. We're also flying in a day before them so we can have a day alone, but we'll still have to work out whether we'll spend every day together. This trip we just might try it unless it becomes a problem. Good luck! I'm sure you'll have a great stay!