Planning & Booking trip...Where to start?

[dezimber]

I have been looking, researching, and saving forever. I am sorta ready to book my trip. I know what I want but I don't know what to do with what I know. I am having first trip/ vacaction nerves about commiting to something this big. I am on a thight budget with very little room for error. Such as booking and paying for pre-paid meals and for some reason having to pay out of pocket for our food which would be above and beyond what I am budgeting. KWIM. If I had that kind of money I would stay at a deluxe so my nephew can ride the monorail from the resort to MK but I am on a values standard room budget. I just got my teacher permit so I will be getting a raise. I am not sure if it will go into effect this payday or next so I don't know what the difference will be until I see the money.
So, do I go thru AAA, a travel agent, online service, other? I've read that you can save money be doing all the leg work yourself but finding the time to spend hours on the phone is not an easy task.

 

[Aliceacc]

HI and welcome!!!

First, take a deep breath. This is a vacation you're planning, not the launch of the space shuttle. It's actually a lot easier than you think.

For starters, it sounds as though you could use the help of a good travel agent. If you're already an AAA member, go through them. If not, then consider using another agent. Either way, aside from the cost of joining AAA, you do not pay for the services of a travel agent.

If you are AAA members, you can get a 10-20% discount off your rooms by letting them book for you.

OK: Decide which value is your first choice. From what I understand, they differ only in theme. But take a look at the fact sheets at www.allears.net and get an idea of your preferences.

As to the meal plan: Personally, I think it's a great thing. Not only are your expenses all up-front, but it encourages you to have that time each day together as a family. You still have lots of time to decide where to eat, but allears also has the menus listed. Depending on the ages of the kids, you'll probably want some character meals; all but Cinderella's Castle are included in the meal plan. Some favorites of my kids are Mickey and the crew at Chef Mickey's and dinner with Cinderella and the Stepsisters (hysterical!) at 1900 Park Fare. Last year, the only "food" we paid for was the occasional glass of wine with dinner, and the bottles of water we had sent to the resort (we went in August.) We had a number of snack credits left over, and stocked up on snacks for the flight home. You will want to set aside money for tips in the restaurant, but the basic meal plan will have the food itself covered.

As to the monorail: your nephew can indeed ride it, regardless of where you stay. In fact, if you opt for either of the 2 character meals I mentioned, you'll be taking the monorail from the Magic Kingdom or TTC to the resorts where they're located. (As an aside, wait for a quiet time, and ask if you can ride in the front car with the driver. Your nephew will love it!)

Once you get the trip booked, you can decide which park to do on what day.

 

[dezimber]

HI and welcome!!!

First, take a deep breath. This is a vacation you're planning, not the launch of the space shuttle. It's actually a lot easier than you think.

For starters, it sounds as though you could use the help of a good travel agent. If you're already an AAA member, go through them. If not, then consider using another agent. Either way, aside from the cost of joining AAA, you do not pay for the services of a travel agent.

If you are AAA members, you can get a 10-20% discount off your rooms by letting them book for you.

OK: Decide which value is your first choice. From what I understand, they differ only in theme. But take a look at the fact sheets at www.allears.net and get an idea of your preferences.

As to the meal plan: Personally, I think it's a great thing. Not only are your expenses all up-front, but it encourages you to have that time each day together as a family. You still have lots of time to decide where to eat, but allears also has the menus listed. Depending on the ages of the kids, you'll probably want some character meals; all but Cinderella's Castle are included in the meal plan. Some favorites of my kids are Mickey and the crew at Chef Mickey's and dinner with Cinderella and the Stepsisters (hysterical!) at 1900 Park Fare. Last year, the only "food" we paid for was the occasional glass of wine with dinner, and the bottles of water we had sent to the resort (we went in August.) We had a number of snack credits left over, and stocked up on snacks for the flight home. You will want to set aside money for tips in the restaurant, but the basic meal plan will have the food itself covered.

As to the monorail: your nephew can indeed ride it, regardless of where you stay. In fact, if you opt for either of the 2 character meals I mentioned, you'll be taking the monorail from the Magic Kingdom or TTC to the resorts where they're located. (As an aside, wait for a quiet time, and ask if you can ride in the front car with the driver. Your nephew will love it!)

Once you get the trip booked, you can decide which park to do on what day.

Thank you for your input. I do have AAA. I tried to get a quote from them but they said I had to wait until August when Disney puts out the 2010 rates. I would like to begain making payments as soon as possible and have it paid earlier so a I am not stressing at the last minute. I am the family luggage packer, I have started my suitcase already and will be done way early, but will be helping get everyone else done at the last minute because that is how my family rolls.

I was planning on the quick serve dining because 1.) the little is 5 and a hit or miss eater and unpredictable. Sometimes eats like a bird one moment then a bottomless pit. 2.) my sister and I could easily split a and be good for the day. But she grazes all day long. I eat only 2 small meals a day. 3.) The older boy is a big eater so he can eat our leftovers if need be. 4.) I don't want very many table meals because I don't want to use up park time at a bunch of meals or be tied to a schedule. I want to eat whne I am hungery not when thats the reserved months ahead of time.

The boys will be 16 and 5(almost 6) when we go. Chef Mickey's is on the to do list. I would also like to go to Crystal Palace, 50's Prime Time and Whispering Canyon but I am not sure if I will get all of them in. I was going to pay out of pocket for these unless I can used some dining credits providing I have enough to do so.

I am sure we will at some point ride the Monorail. I was dreaming about the magic it would for him to have the Monorail as the first ride of the day rather then the bus. It would really cool if he got to ride in the front. He loves anything that looks like a train and would be on

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

I was planning on the quick serve dining because 1.) the little is 5 and a hit or miss eater and unpredictable. Sometimes eats like a bird one moment then a bottomless pit. 2.) my sister and I could easily split a and be good for the day. But she grazes all day long. I eat only 2 small meals a day. 3.) The older boy is a big eater so he can eat our leftovers if need be. 4.) I don't want very many table meals because I don't want to use up park time at a bunch of meals or be tied to a schedule. I want to eat whne I am hungery not when thats the reserved months ahead of time.

The boys will be 16 and 5(almost 6) when we go. Chef Mickey's is on the to do list. I would also like to go to Crystal Palace, 50's Prime Time and Whispering Canyon but I am not sure if I will get all of them in. I was going to pay out of pocket for these unless I can used some dining credits providing I have enough to do so.

For most of the places you have listed that are table service meals, it is easier to get an ADR time and eat to keep your wait to a minimum. If you only do the quick service dining plan then you will have to pay out-of-pocket for TS. However, don't cheat yourself of some down time for a TS meal because it is hot and getting out of the heat and sitting down and relaxing a little after the hustle and bustle of the park makes your meal so enjoyable.

You can always consider about taking some groceries, like snacks or breakfast items, mailing them to yourself at your resort or ordering for delivery on line. Just a thought.