Planning first trip to Disney - finally!

[skiingwife]

Hi, I'm new here and I'm really glad I found this site. I finally convinced my husband to go to Disney World. I have 3 sons - 6, 10 and 12. We were waiting for the youngest to be 5 or 6. We are going the week before Christmas 05. My questions:
How soon should I make hotel reservations (I think we're staying at the Swan).
How soon do I need to make character meal reservations? How soon to make a Hoop-de-doo reservation? And how do I go about doing this?
Finally, to help me with my planning, has it already been decided which days will be early magic hour and late 3 magic hours and at which parks in December?
I'm sure I'll have more questions, but this will get me started. I'm so excited. Thanks!!!

 

[micmacmissy]

The first thing you should do is go out and buy the "Unofficial Guide to Disney 2005" by Bob Sehlinger. It has all the info you need on reservations for hotel, restaurants, etc, plus a ton of info to help you plan your trip.

It is a must have!

I would book the hotel ASAP. You have some time for dinner reservations--and when you call for a dinner or show reservation depends on each individual restaurant. The book will also help you with that, and give you all the phone numbers you need.

 

[john2u]

First of all welcome to the Disboard

I agree with micmacmissy. Go out and buy the Unofficial Guide to WDW 2005. It has the answers to all your questions. You can purchase the book from Barnes and Noble for around $20.00.

We went to WDW this past Dec. for the MVMCP and had a blast
Make sure you do the MVMCP.

Again welcome and have fun planning!!

 

[wasabi girl]

Hi welcome! The Unofficial Guide is great! You might be able to find a
cheap(er) copy at amazon.com ...I know that somewhere on these boards is a Priority Seating calculator to figure dinner and show reservations. Make your room reservations soon, the sooner the better! (I booked my dec 2005 trip this past August!, But that's just me, it's my first trip too and I'm impatient...I'm ready for December 2005 to be here!) Good Luck and Happy Planning!

 

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

As far as dining reservations, you should go ahead and make your Hoop-Dee-Doo reservations as soon as you can to get the best table. Reservtions for HDD can be made 2 years in advance. All other reservations can be made 90 days in advance, so you have quite a bit of time to plan for those.

 

[AJKMOM]

I, too, would book ASAP. When you do that, ask the reservations assistant the dates when you can call back to book dinner requests. Then, mark your calendar and call. I get a new Birnbaums Guide with every trip.

 

[Nolcrest]

Yes - book your hotel now. Maybe you can get an AAA discount on the room or teacher or government discount if it applies to you. Call Central Reservations at Disney to book your vacation (407) 934-7639.

After that - book Hoop-De-Doo. Do Not wait. The Cast Member at reservations can book it for you. As the previous poster stated you can book that dinner show 2 years in advance - and it IS a popular one.

Have fun planning your vacation. You've come to the right place for help.