Planning first family trip Disney in Orlando

[AJackson32]

Need help on where to start! What to avoid and good deals?

 

[Alesia]

Start by buying this book: https://www.amazon.com/************...&sr=8-1&keywords=easy+guide+walt+disney+world and reading it. You'll get more out of this site when you can ask more specific questions.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Need help on where to start! What to avoid and good deals?

Actually, we can probably help, but we need specifics. How many people are going? How many are kids/adults? When do you want to go? What do you want to see? Just Disney or all Orlando? Are you driving/flying? If flying, are you averse to driving or desirous of driving? Do you hate cooking/laundry on vacation? Do you want certain resort amenities or will you never be at your resort? Are you Dumbo or die dawn-to-dark theme park folks or are you slower paced? Etc, etc, etc...

 

[AJackson32]

It would be total of 4. 2 adults 2 kids age 3 and 11. Planned on September because of slower traffic. We are planned on driving. But will look into flying also. I love to cook on vacations but not all days. Would love to visit Disney and Universal Studios.

 

[AJackson32]

Start by buying this book: https://www.amazon.com/************...&sr=8-1&keywords=easy+guide+walt+disney+world and reading it. You'll get more out of this site when you can ask more specific questions.

OK Thanks!

 

[potterfanatic]

I would start with deciding your budget, that could potentially tell you whether you are looking at driving or flying, onsite versus offsite hotels, park hopers or non-park hoppers, etc.

 

[danielocha30]

avoid Hotels off site IF you are planning to use their park shuttles, avoid paying parking at your hotel specialty because parks will charge you for parking also ( staying on Disney properties parking is included on the nightly rate for both parks and hotel), buy your tickets online, Universal site do save you money on tickets , if possible, drive and put the money you save towards disney hotel it is worth it, bring your own water/snacks/ breakfast, do share entrees at restaurants and above all star walking with your kids Disney is huge and you will be walking at least 15 miles a day

 

[TwoMisfits]

It would be total of 4. 2 adults 2 kids age 3 and 11. Planned on September because of slower traffic. We are planned on driving. But will look into flying also. I love to cook on vacations but not all days. Would love to visit Disney and Universal Studios.

Okay, doing both sites is gonna be pricey for tickets...are you going to come back again in less than 1 year (that makes a Universal AP valuable)? Do you have to see all 4 Disney parks? Are you willing to wait to book to see if a big promo (like free dining at values) comes out? Do you want separate rooms for you and your kids or are you happy staying all in the same room?

 

[Marionnette]

Need help on where to start!

1. Establish a budget.
2. Pick your potential dates.
3. Check the disneyworld.disney.go.com website and do a mock trip (i.e. do not book it). Add or delete days, dining plans, ticket options. Switch resort levels.
4. Pick a vacation that meets your budget and satisfies your desires.
5. Begin saving if you haven't started. Look for ways to boost your savings plan.
   
6. Monitor the Codes Watch subforum on the Resorts Board for any new discounts.

What to avoid

• Never pay rack rate.
• Don't do a timeshare presentation for free tickets unless you want to lose a day of precious vacation time.
• Don't rule out staying in offsite accommodations.
• Be wary of TAs with unbelievable discounts or DVC rentals that are too good to be true. They probably are.

and good deals?

Lots of good deals out there. You might just as easily ask us to write a book on them for you. Just a few ideas:

• Disney often has package and room-only discounts.
• There are legitimate online ticket sellers who discount the tickets.
  
• People have found ways to get Disney Gift Cards for less than their face value.
• Travel hacking can bring you discounted or free air travel, car rentals or hotel rooms.

 

[kymom99]

I agree for your first trip, stay in a Disney hotel. Depending on your budget, the values are fine and themed really fun. The mods have better pools and slightly bigger rooms. Take a look at pictures and see which look the most fun to you. Watch the website for discounts. I always booked a la cart. Have never done a package. Use the room discounts and get tickets from undercover tourist. Subscribe to the mousesavers newsletter.

Check out the various forums on this site.

The recommended book is a good suggestion as well.

I haven't made it to universal yet so I can't give input on that part.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Since you enjoy cooking some nights, and are thinking of driving - I think you should look into renting an offsite condo. You'll be able to find really affordable deals on terrific condos/townhouses that are very close to the park!

 

[TwoMisfits]

Okay, here are my suggestions...

Rent an offsite condo - go to the Orlando Other Attractions board to find out the easiest and cheapest way to rent at Bonnet Creek, Vistana, or Windsor Hills (those are the 3 most popular offsite resorts areas that can be found cheaply). You should be able to find a week in a 2 bedroom at one of the 3 for $1K or less (probably less).

I'd break the trip up as follows...(assuming your trip is one week)...
I'd get 1 preferred annual pass and 3 seasonal passes for Universal. You would be able to plan a free return trip back under these tickets, you'd be able to park free, and you'd be able to take advantage of their Sept BOGO 1/2 off daily CS deal (they've run the past few years). I'd do 3-4 days at Universal parks (if you do water parks, I'd definitely fit in the extra day)

I'd plan on one-two special Magical Dining Month evenings - this event is ALWAYS in September. There are some very nice places included, some which handle kids (like Emeril's, Morimoto's, etc).

I'd get 1 day Disney passes and 1 day party passes for the Halloween party at Disney's Magic Kingdom. Not sure what parks are highest on your list, but I'd skip EPCOT and HS myself and do 1 day to see Animal Kingdom and the party to see Magic Kingdom (where you can be there 4pm-midnight).

Total ticket costs as planned will be about $1.9-2K (this is gonna be your highest cost), BUT you'd have a free trip for Universal already paid for next year AND parking handled at Universal and you'll get trick-or-treating and special events at MK!

So, if you went Sunday-Sunday, I'd do a sample schedule as follows (subject to change based on your check in day and eventual scheduling of Disney parties)...
Sunday - Arrive, Check In, Groceries and Resort Time (maybe Magical Dining Month dinner)
Monday - Universal Studios
Tuesday - Magic Kingdom Halloween Party (resort time in morning)
Wednesday - Universal Studios New Water Park
Thursday - Universal Islands of Adventure
Friday - Animal Kingdom
Saturday - Repeat of Favorite Universal Sites (maybe 2nd nice Magical Dining Month dinner)
Sunday - Drive Home

 

[Disney Khi]

If you want to stay at an on-site deluxe hotel, you can get a really good deal from a certain travel agency around Labor Day. I first found out about it years ago on the Beach Club thread on the resorts board. I've used one of their TA's many times for travel, and she has been great. You have to google Magical Labor Day Deal for the information, as we aren't allowed to post about travel agencies. (I'm assuming that this is okay to post, as that was what was in the post where I first learned about it.) If you are interested, I could send you a private message with the name of the TA I used. I really like her.