Planning 1st Disney trip

[kimmy70_99]

Hello all. I am in the process of planning first Disney trip for October 2011. I just have a couple of questions:

1) If I book my vacation package on the Disney website now and put down my down payment, can I go ahead and make reservations at the restaurants for the dining plan even though I have not fully paid for my vacation.

2) If I go ahead and book now and Disney offers free dining for October during the dates I want to go, will they apply that to my existing reservation?

3) Also considering staying offsite as well. Any excellent hotels that are not too pricey? If staying offsite, is it easy to walk-up to restaurants to eat without reservations?

I have been holding out on booking to see if the free dining might apply for October, but have not seen anything yet. Any advice on that?

I know it's a lot of questions, but booking DW is VERY overwhelming to me.
Thanks for any info/advice/tips.

Kimberly

 

[mama03]

Well I have been going to disney during that time the last couple of years because of the food and wine festival. I dont believe they will have free dining during that time because so many people come for this event. You can make dining reservations online at 180 days out. You can make dining reservations even if you are not staying at disney hotel. Depending on what time of day and what restaurant, it can be very hard to just be a walk-in for dining. You can always get counter service. Restaurants always seem to be booked for dinner. I am a DVC owner so I am sorry cant help with reservation questions. Search these boards, there is so much fantastic info from members. Here's wishing you a great first trip

 

[jegsnakkernorsk]

Congratulations on planning your first trip! That's exciting! Don't get overwhelmed!!!

A few years ago I stayed at the Hilton Disney across from Downtown Disney - we could walk across the street to Downtown Disney and then catch a bus anywhere. Also the hotel offered a bus to Disney's parks, though not as often as the Disney Resort hotel buses. And that Hilton also was part of the Extra Magic Hours - so we, along with Disney Resort guests, could stay in the particular park later or go earlier depending on the schedule for that day. We had Hilton Honors points so it was pretty much free to stay there but if you travel a lot and use a hotel loyality program you might start with one of them first. Honestly, though, if it weren't for the Hilton points I wouldn't stay there and would prefer to stay at a Disney Resort hotel over off-site. The Resorts - especially their pool areas - are part of the vacation! Something to think about.

As for restaraunts: if you are staying off Disney property you may find the restaurants around Orlando easier to get into than some of the Disney restaurants. If you don't plan to make Advanced Dining Reservations.

Enjoy your time planning!

 

[Rylee]

Hi!

Hello all. I am in the process of planning first Disney trip for October 2011. I just have a couple of questions:

1) If I book my vacation package on the Disney website now and put down my down payment, can I go ahead and make reservations at the restaurants for the dining plan even though I have not fully paid for my vacation.

Yes, you can make advance dining reservations (ADR's) 180 days in advance.

2) If I go ahead and book now and Disney offers free dining for October during the dates I want to go, will they apply that to my existing reservation?


If any discounts become available for your travel dates, you will need to call and have the discount code applied to your reservation... it will not automatically be applied. The same is true if you are booking a "special offer" online... you must book through the special offer link or you won't get the discount.

Keep in mind - Disney allows a set number of rooms at each resort to receive the discounts, so even if you have an existing reservation or a resort shows availability, you may not get your first choice of resorts.

*Watch this site, the Disney site, (click on Special Offers) and Mousesavers, to watch for discounts to come out.

3) Also considering staying offsite as well. Any excellent hotels that are not too pricey? If staying offsite, is it easy to walk-up to restaurants to eat without reservations?

I recommend staying on-site.

Anyone can make ADR's 180 days in advance, regardless of where you are staying.

If there are some restaurants you really want to experience, make some ADR's. I've seen many people turned away because they didn't have a reservation.

*To help with scheduling...
Check out the Park Hours for your dates of travel and try to decide which park you'll visit each day.
Make reservations in or near(don't forget the resort restaurants) the park you'll be visiting. This cuts down on traveling time.
If you purchase Hopper Passes, you'll have more freedom for dining choices, however... Hoppers are an added expense and NOT necessary, IMO. Also, "hopping" from park to park takes time... time away from touring the parks and attractions.

I have been holding out on booking to see if the free dining might apply for October, but have not seen anything yet. Any advice on that?



I know it's a lot of questions, but booking DW is VERY overwhelming to me.
Thanks for any info/advice/tips.

Any more questions... just ask! Everyone here loves planning a Disney vacation.

Kimberly

 

[BBG-BLT]

1) If I book my vacation package on the Disney website now and put down my down payment, can I go ahead and make reservations at the restaurants for the dining plan even though I have not fully paid for my vacation.

Yes - and I would pick out the few you really want to do and get ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations) for them and then fill out the rest of your table services (TS) with other things that look fun. IMO I would do at least 1 character meal.

2) If I go ahead and book now and Disney offers free dining for October during the dates I want to go, will they apply that to my existing reservation?
Sorry - I don't know I'm a DVC member and we never get free dining

3) Also considering staying offsite as well. Any excellent hotels that are not too pricey? If staying offsite, is it easy to walk-up to restaurants to eat without reservations?
I've stayed on-site and off-site. If you go for off-site look to rent a timeshare from someone (there's tons) at the Sheraton Vistana or one of the Westgates - they're nice and close to WDW. The advantage of off-site is you can get cheaper meals, actually get to a Walmart if you need something, etc. The disadvantages are - it takes longer to get into and out of the parks and sometimes when you're really tired at the end of the day that can make for a not nice ending

The other thing is staying on-site means your totally immersed in Disney. It's like the real world doesn't exist... I LOVE that about staying on-site.

If you give us a bit about who's going (ages etc.) the folks here can be helpful. Good luck and welcome

 

[Metro West]

 

[MomiTo2SwtGuys]

Hello all. I am in the process of planning first Disney trip for October 2011. I just have a couple of questions:

1) If I book my vacation package on the Disney website now and put down my down payment, can I go ahead and make reservations at the restaurants for the dining plan even though I have not fully paid for my vacation.

If you are 180 days out you can start making dining reservations. And I would highly recommend it because the closer you get, the harder they are to come by.

2) If I go ahead and book now and Disney offers free dining for October during the dates I want to go, will they apply that to my existing reservation?

You can call Disney anytime you find a better offer and they will adjust your reservation for you.

3) Also considering staying offsite as well. Any excellent hotels that are not too pricey? If staying offsite, is it easy to walk-up to restaurants to eat without reservations?

I have never stayed offsite before but I am sure there are great hotels. Not sure about walking up for reservations. But, I will tell you, there is nothing like staying on site. It is amazing and all the extra perks you get are great. (extra magic hours and transportation)

I have been holding out on booking to see if the free dining might apply for October, but have not seen anything yet. Any advice on that?

Have fun!

I know it's a lot of questions, but booking DW is VERY overwhelming to me.
Thanks for any info/advice/tips.

Kimberly