Planning a trip, but don't know where to start

[lobbity]

Hi! I'm open to any advice you may have. I've never been, and I have to admit, I'm a tad anxious about fast pass, ride max, lines, etc. Yikes! I see from browsing this forum that I need to really plan this trip well. So far it's all very confusing.

A few intitial questions are:
1. When is the best time of year to go? Is there a specific month that attendance really drops off? I think my main concern would be less crowds.

2. Does it make sense to get a Disney Visa card? If I get enough reward points, can I really use them to buy tickets?

I'm sure I'll have more questions, but that's a start.

Thank you!

 

[mariezp]

First, welcome to the board! Bring on the questions. This is one of the places where we have garnered our information so we should certainly be glad to pass it along!


One of the very best places to start is HydroGuy Tips Compilation. There's a "sticky" thread on the top of the main DL thread page. His info covers a great assortment of questions. Of course, If you don't find exactly what you are looking for you still always ask on the forum.


Personally, out favorite time to go is in the fall, off season, off course. This will be our 8th trip in November. Each year it seems to be getting progressively more crowded but I just figure that is because more people keep discovering our favorite vacation destination. Even so, we still get our share of enjoyment!

I've got a Disney Visa card. I have yet to earn enough to purchase our annual passes but I have accumulated enough to cover our souvineer expense. I am sure if I worked harder I could increase my rewards but I admit that I do forget to make purchases with the card that I could in order to earn more dollars. I would say it is worth looking into. Especially if you already use credit cards often. Not to mention that you get a really cute card too!

 

[DLR29]

1. When is the best time of year to go? Is there a specific month that attendance really drops off? I think my main concern would be less crowds.

Welcome!

First off. The best time of the year IMO is not the least crowded. Low crowds means short park hours and shortened entertainment schedule, plus rides down for refurbishment.

I like going in summer when the hours are from 8AM (earlier the better for touring) to midnight (so fun to be at DL in the dark). Also fireworks are shown nightly as is Fantasmic (an amazing light show) and all parades.

Also consider going the week before Christmas. We went once and it was great! Got there early and had very short lines the entire two days we were there (also using FP). As an added bonus the parks were decked out in holiday decorations and Haunted Mansion and It's A Small World were running in holiday mode. There is also a number of special holiday entertainment.