Planning 1st family trip...few questions...

[d4est]

I am starting to plan our 2006 trip, 1st time to Disney as a family. (We just got back from Orlando on Saturday and my DH thinks I am crazy to be planning already!) Anyhoo, I have a few starter questions.

1-If we stay off site, can we park at Downtown Disney and then use Disney transportation to get around?

2-If we stay on site, can I book room only ASAP and add a code later down the road?

3-What are meal vouchers? Where do you get them?

Just so you know, I get the mousesaver newsletter. If we stay on site I plan on using a TA since Dis planning is new to us. Our dates are tentative (2/17/06-2/24/06) as I am a teacher and am anxiously awaiting next year's school calendar!

In years past we have driven. This time we want to fly. I am looking at a budget of around $2,500. Is this just wishful thinking? TIA!

 

[d4est]

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I am starting to plan our 2006 trip, 1st time to Disney as a family. (We just got back from Orlando on Saturday and my DH thinks I am crazy to be planning already!) Anyhoo, I have a few starter questions.

1-If we stay off site, can we park at Downtown Disney and then use Disney transportation to get around?

Parking in DtD is for those people who are shopping and dining in the area. No one will tow your car but is it really worth the $8/day that you would save on parking to have to take Disney transportion from there to your real destination? The DtD buses have some of the most indirect bus routes that I've ever seen.

2-If we stay on site, can I book room only ASAP and add a code later down the road?

Yes, although they may not be able to give you an exact cost when you book because the 2006 rates are not out yet.

3-What are meal vouchers? Where do you get them?

The meal vouchers were "tickets" that you could purchase from a few websites. They were good for breakfasts or full course lunches or counterservice meals, depending on the type of voucher purchased. They were a good value but Disney has discontinued them. The only ones available are on eBay and (sometimes) the DISAuctions. They all expire on 5/31/05.

In years past we have driven. This time we want to fly. I am looking at a budget of around $2,500. Is this just wishful thinking? TIA!

That would depend on how many of you there are. $2500 could be a reasonable price if it's just two adults, staying in a value resort. That room alone would cost you around $860 before any discounts because you're going during peak season. 5-day MYW Hopper (expiry) would cost you another $460 if purchased from Ticketmania. Figure on food costing another $500 for two adults. Which leaves you $680 for transportation and incidentals.

If there are more than 2 in your group, then you would have to adjust the tickets costs and food budget accordingly. In that case, it could probably still be done but adjustments to the budget would have to be made. You might have to drive down to save on transportation or choose non-hopper tickets. You might choose to stay offsite in a less-expensive hotel.

 

[d4est]

Thanks for responding. There will be 3 of us, me, DH, and DS (will be 8). I would prefer to stay on site, but am looking at ways to cut costs. I would prefer a mod or better, but $ is a definite factor. That is why off site is not out yet, thinking that I can get resort level for around $80/night thru priceline (with the chance that I might get the Swan or Dolphin). We are looking at, most likely, 4 nights/5 days...maybe 5 nights/6 days. I am afraid of doing a package deal, not wanting to be locked into anything, but I like the idea of paying as I go. Is that option availabe for just room?

Have codes generally been available for Pres. week time frame? A good code would help! We do have AAA.

Thanks so much...I was beginning to think that I needed to start a new thread..."My DH just saw the bill..."

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Yes, there was a general room-only code that covered President's weekend in 2005. It was announced on 10/21/04 and had to be booked by 12/1/04. Room availability may be limited due to the huge demand. AAA will help if there are no other available codes. The discount would be 15% off the rack rate for value and moderate resorts, 10% off the deluxe rack rates.

If you book just a room and not a package, you can still make payment on the balance as you go along. You can do it over the phone or send a check in the mail. If you booked online, you can even pay online.

I think that you should be able to do this on a $2500 budget. But I don't think that anything better than a moderate resort onsite would be realistic, even with a code. The real challenge will be finding good airfare for that weekend. Lots of people travel on President's Weekend and if there are any good fares, they disappear quickly. Begin to price air travel now so that you have an idea of how it has been running. When you are firm on your dates and you find a good price, do not hesitate to book it.
Good luck!

 

[d4est]

Very nice! Thanks.

As soon as dates are firm, I will contact a TA (Disney specialist) and book a room only. Hopefully a code will come along. One last question on this: If I book, say a value (due to $$) and a good code comes out, making a Mod affordable, can I switch?

As far as airfare, I have a countdown on my desktop to remind me when we are 330 days out...that's the best time to grab something, yes? I can fly southwest out of Albany, but they don't release that far out. Other options (discount airlines) are Independence air and Transmeridian (would have to fly into Sanford). Ah, the waiting game...to purchase at the 330 day mark or cross fingers and wait for SW, that is the question...

Thanks again, you are so helpful! Very kind of you...

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

One last question on this: If I book, say a value (due to $$) and a good code comes out, making a Mod affordable, can I switch?

There's no problem doing that. Disney will just transfer your deposit from one to the other.

As far as airfare, I have a countdown on my desktop to remind me when we are 330 days out...that's the best time to grab something, yes?

Not necessarily. Soemtimes airfare drops later on. That's why it's a good idea to watch the current fares to get an idea of how they compare.

I can fly southwest out of Albany, but they don't release that far out. Other options (discount airlines) are Independence air and Transmeridian (would have to fly into Sanford).

My experience in Philly has been that when Southwest announces their prices, everyone else who flies out of PHL to MCO drops their prices to match SWA. If you can be patient, I would wait for those SWA fares to come out. But if during your wait you see a price that you can live with and it has the times and dates you want, grab it. Sometimes, it's better with the devil you know than with the one you don't know.

 

[d4est]

Have you received any awards lately? You are awesome!

Okay, I think I've got it. Firm dates, make room only ressies for a value & hope for codes and maybe upgrade to a mod! Begin watching airfare...as soon as I see something I can live with, grab it. After watching prices last year for Pres week (wow, they were high!), I know I am not going to find any bargain prices like $98 RT or even $49 OW. Anything around $200 RT/pp will make me happy.

Gotta say it again, you are awesome, thanks!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Very often the Swan and Dolphin will have special rates for teachers. There you would have deluxe, fuull-service hotels at right about $100 per night.

 

[d4est]

$100/night is very doable, thanks for the tip!

 

[canwegosoon]

Fellow Albany area NY'er here! Wanted to comment the best I have usually seen on D/S is $129 for teachers/ then you have to add the resort fee of $10. So you are looking at 139. But I have not used priceline...so good luck.
The moderates are great, and usually have enough availbility to get a code. We have stayed at POR, but everyone has their favorites.

Also besides some of the Albany airlines you mentioned (although I'm not sure Independence will make it to next Feb..keep your fingers crossed). I know there are people that will even go out to Hartford for SW tickets (since sometimes they have availbility or lower rates when we don't). We have gotten good rates on US Air and United too. If you have FF points, then I would book at 330, otherwise you can wait for a while. But I never have luck booking SW out of albany for $69-79 each way I always end up in the 2 highest brackets.

Wishing you good luck...Check the counter...we will be there with you!!

 

[crisrn2003]

I've read your postings and they have been helpful as I've had some of the same questions. Here's a question I'm having trouble answering....are the swan and dolphin actual disney properties? with transportation provided by them to the parks? does staying there allow you to participate in the dining program? I am a nurse and know that there are discounts available, but we are going in October and there is nothing listed right now. Does anyone know when those discounts may be listed? Thanks for everyones help and attention to my questions.

 

[poohj80]

Here's a question I'm having trouble answering....are the swan and dolphin actual disney properties? with transportation provided by them to the parks?

The Swan and Dolphin are ON Disney Property but they are NOT Disney Properties. One is a Sheraton and the other a Westin (I believe). They do still offer bus service, but they will not be themed like a Disney resort. However, the location is great between MGM and Epcot so if you can get a better rate there than a moderate, I'd go for it!

 

[canwegosoon]

I am a nurse and know that there are discounts available, but we are going in October and there is nothing listed right now. Does anyone know when those discounts may be listed? Thanks for everyones help and attention to my questions.

If you go over to the resorts board (which is sponsored by D/S) you can plug in Nurse for a discount, and it will give you rates for your dates. I have also heard of people getting great reates by calling directly.

 

[d4est]

Also besides some of the Albany airlines you mentioned (although I'm not sure Independence will make it to next Feb..keep your fingers crossed). I know there are people that will even go out to Hartford for SW tickets (since sometimes they have availbility or lower rates when we don't). We have gotten good rates on US Air and United too. If you have FF points, then I would book at 330, otherwise you can wait for a while. But I never have luck booking SW out of albany for $69-79 each way I always end up in the 2 highest brackets.

Wishing you good luck...Check the counter...we will be there with you!!

Thanks for the imput. As it is, we live 1 1/2 hr from Albany (we are near Oneonta/Cooperstown) so driving to Hartford would be out of the question. Unless we were getting a SUPPER deal, like $98/rt!

Edited to add: we can also fly out of Syracuse or Binghamton. Have even considered Wilkes-Barre, PA (2-3 hr drive).
I will be looking, watching, waiting...