Folks, this is my first post to disboards, but hopefully I will be able to help someone else have a terrific Walt Disney World (WDW) vacation, just as you have all helped me.
My husband and I have just returned a few days ago from our week long Walt Disney World vacation. A vacation to WDW has become our annual event to celebrate our wedding anniversary (22 years). I will try to recap briefly all aspects of our trip to hopefully provide tips, insight and money saving items to those going to WDW in the near future. Here goes:
Hubby and I left on Sept. 15th and drove our small SUV to Florida from Ohio down I-77, 26 and 95 onto I-4 staying overnight in Columbia, SC. Tip: we find it better to stay at hotels near Cracker Barrel restaurants. Hotels are at least a two star (Hampton, Courtyard) and you are within walking distance to a great meal. If you call the Cracker Barrel near the city you will need overnight lodging, they are happy to tell you the name of the hotels near their restaurant. If you are not a AAA member, I strongly suggest you join before your trip to Disney. The savings you will experience will be worth the $50 yearly AAA fee--trust me! Trip from southern Ohio by SUV took 16 hours total (approx. $90 in gasoline). State police tough in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida (unmarked cars). Watch construction going through downtown Jacksonville especially during NFL football season.
Arrive at WDW on Sept. 16th at 2:30pm with our resort ready for our check-in. We had accommodations at the WDW Dolphin Resort. Dolphin Tips: sign up for the Starwood Preferred Guest program. The perks you receive as a Starwood Preferred member are enormous and it is free to join. Since the reservationist noted that it was our anniversary trip, we received a double upgrade from a standard room which we had already received at a great rate. Our room was a corner room with a double balcony, king bed and full size sofa sleeper (water view). Spectacular! In addition, the Dolphin also brought to our room a complimentary plate of assorted cookies, brownies, chocolates and an anniversary card. Very important Dolphin Tip: thanks to disboards for the AAA card tip; definitely use your AAA card when purchasing food at Picabu and receive 20% off (we saved at least $50 for the week by doing so). Dolphin more adult atmosphere if you are going without children but watch for hidden fees, i.e. parking, telephone, bottled water, refreshment center. Huge Barnes & Nobles managers convention during our first few days at the Dolphin. Towards the end, a video game convention held towards the end of our vacation (Halo) with thousands of young adults; my video game playing husband was in heaven!
Crowds at the big four Disney parks all week were very light. Longest line may have been 30 minutes. Park and Ticket Tips: purchase your passes in advance at your nearest AAA if you are a member. We saved $27 per pass (4-day hopper) because AAA has not increased their Disney pass rates. I received the tip off of disboards to stop by the Town Hall to pick up a special occasion badge if you are celebrating a birthday, anniversary, first visit, etc. We did receive special attention the entire week from not only cast members and Disney characters, but Disney executives who were walking the parks along with other Disney vacation goers. Arrive at the parks at opening for special opening shows and picture opportunities. Magic Kingdom goers note that Haunted Mansion is now open and worth every bit of any line that you may have to endure to see it! Parents with small children, please skip Stitches Great Escape; I'm in my 40s and I was challenged! We saw many children traumatized after the ride because of the darkness and special affects. Epcot was unfortunately not the same with Spaceship Earth closed for refurbishment but experiencing extra magic hours in the evening at Epcot made up for the closure. Interesting note, during the Illuminations show, the Earth globe seem to malfunction and did not ignite fireworks from it's center during the show. AKingdom was great in the morning hours; watch out for talking trees. Lion King show worth seeing; Expedition Everest tough to handle right after breakfast. MGM crowds were light. Surprisingly cool for September with lots of rain--not comfortable swimming weather so we did not go to a water park.
Note to all vacationers with an automobile. There is a new Walmart Supercenter on Route 535 south (less than 10 minutes from Downtown Disney area). Route 535 is the street nearest Hotel Plaza Boulevard where Doubletree Suites, the Hilton and Travelodge are located. It is the same street that Red Lobster, Perkins, BW3s, Goodings and TGI Fridays is located. You will save tons of money in beverages and snacks by taking a few minutes to stop at Walmart Supercenter and purchasing them; we saved at least $20 a day in soda and water alone.
Travelling back to Ohio was a great and romantic end to our trip. We took the Amtrak Autotrain from Sanford (just north of Orlando) into Washington, DC and then drove a few hours home to southern Ohio through Interstate 68 and 77. Amtrak Autotrain is wonderful! Left Sanford on Saturday the 22nd at 4pm and arrived in Washington, DC at 7:30am. Paid a little extra for a sleeping room. The views were spectacular and it was a great way to relax after walking the WDW parks for an entire week. Traffic from Washington, DC to Ohio was very light and it was an easy drive.
Folks, I have many more tips and things to share from our yearly trips to WDW. If you are interested, just post and ask. I'll do my best to answer. My husband and I have gone from going to Disney with our son (beginning at age 5) to now going it alone as empty nesters (our son is in college now). Thanks to all of those who post their Disney tips and trip reports. They are more helpful than you'll ever know.
Your first post!!!!
