Planning Trip & need tips

[ShawnaF]

Greetings all!

I'm planning a trip to DW for Jan. 2010 (yes, way advance - that's me, I'm a planner!) We are regulars at Disneyland but have never been to WDW. My little girl will be 5 for this trip. We want to do the off-season time, so likely 1st or 2nd week of January - 7 day trip. We also do lots of character meals (gives us ALL a chance to eat while our daughter can enjoy the characters and activities.) I read a bit about the tea party at the Floridian and that's another big draw for the hotel there.

So, I know next to nothing of WDW, your tips on the restaurants are really important to me. I'm thinking about the Grand Floridian as well since it appears to be closer to Magic Kingdom than some others. I thought about Animal Kingdom but am worried about the duration of travel to Magic Kingdom - daughter is NOT one little bit patient and we're used to moving fast and quickly through DL. Any ideas are welcome, any advice is much appreciated!

I was planning on the parkhopper passes, but don't think we have a need for the water parks - especially with the Disney pools.

I also know next to nothing on the dining plans but was looking at the Deluxe or above package since we will absolutely do 3 sit down meals every day.

Please help!!! Thanks!
Shawna

 

[dzneelvr]

First off--you will LOVE LOVE LOVE WDW but please don't even attempt to do "everything" in one trip. it's simply insane I do my planning in this order: 1) resort 2) air flight 3) Dining 90 days out 4) transportation to/from resort (we use Happy Limo) 5) one AP so I can buy a DDE dining plan--straight 20% off as the deluxe plan takes too much brainpower and would cause us to grossly overeat 6) remaining PHPs added to the room key at check in. I agree about the water parks. they were a waste for us the one year we tried because of all the hassle and wait times--the resort pools were so convenient. Dining is really up to you: get on allearsnet.com and look over the menus. I think you'd like Norway's princess meal and Mk's Crystal Palace Pooh and Friends. In DSH, Sci Fi is a true Disney "experience" and Toy Story Pizza Planet is a kids fave with all the arcade games and pizza! I think your DD will be a different traveler around the World than at DL because there is so much more to see and do. I'd suggest Hoop de Doo as a dinner/show at her age as well. And plan on many many more trips.

 

[ShawnaF]

You know - if I could reach through this screen and hug you - I would! The Dining Plan still has me pretty confused - especially Deluxe and Platinum, etc... I'm just not sure how much we'd actually do or how different Morgan will be a year from now (maybe would be able to sit longer for shows...???)

I was actually also looking at the AP prices myself and wondering whether to even bother with the parkhoppers - if we commit to taking a second trip within a year, the cost is already covered and half of the next trip would be free! (and maybe a reason to do the cruise/WDW combo trip...)

I hadn't realized that it would be 20% off though, so that's also a huge perk. Thanks for the character meal info also - I really love knowing what other families have enjoyed. I vaguely remember seeing something about a princess meal in Epcot as well - have you been to that?

Thank you ever so much for your thoughts and ideas! I can't even tell you how much I appreciate them!!!

Shawna

 

[ShawnaF]

Oh - and what's the 180 day out for dining reservations? Is that still happening?

We're travelling from Colorado - so I think we're just 2 hours off WDW time. Can anyone tell me how they've booked meals for their families with the time zone differences? I.e. - we usually eat dinner between 5pm and 6pm at home - that's 7pm to 8pm in WDW, should I plan for eating at 6pm WDW time and go in the middle???

What are hours at WDW typically like? I know they're typically later than DL, but not being familiar, I wasn't sure how different and whether it pertains to all parks or just certain ones. And, of course, the Magic Hours thing is totally confusing me!

Please help with any ideas, comments, thoughts, experiences, etc.!!! Thank you so much, my OCD planning and organizing compulsion is doing much better!