Please help - I'm panicking

[Ellay]

Hi everyone,

I've booked my first trip to WDW for April / May next year for myself and DD (21), and have some questions if you good people can help out please.

We are staying in ASMo for the first week and Radisson at Universal entrance the second week. We will not have a car.

I've just read the threads about PS's - will I be able to get a meal in WDW if I don't pre-book?

If not, how easy will it be to get out of WDW, without a car, for an evening meal?

I guess the transport in WDW doesn't carry on all night; will we be able to get from our accommodation to Downtown Disney and back during the late evening?

You guys have already cost us an extra £800. I was reading your stories earlier this week about ill-mannered passengers on the airlines reclining their seats for the whole 9 hours, amongst other things. Being a touch claustrophobic, and an uneasy flyer, I rang the travel agent and upgraded to premium economy, (we're flying from Manchester with Virgin). Hope I did the right thing.

 

[Martin S]

Hi Lynn,

We've been at the beginnig of May before and didnt have any problems getting seated in Restaurants. You dont actually have to have PS its just you will have to wait sometimes when you turn up, and only for the most popular restaurants/times. We generally only PS a couple of places in advance as we tend to go with the flow when we're there.

Buses run fairly late from Downtown Disney back to the Disney Hotels so you'll be fine there as well.

Hope that helps.

Martin

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Hi Lynn

You don't have to have a PS to dine in any restuarant in WDW but some times it is advisable if you want to eat at a specific time. A PS won't mean that you eat at that time but will make sure that you get ahead of any walk-ins. Also don't panic you seem to be going just after Easter from the looks of your post and this is when it does get a little quieter. However once you start reading about all the restaurants you may wish to plan a few PS just to be safe but not everyone does this and you can make right up to an hour before you go to the restaurant if that's what you want to do.

The buses from DTD to All Stars I think run for about 30-60 minutes after Pleasure Island closes - I'm sure someone else knows this better than me - but needless to say it's no worry getting WDW transportation.

By the Way sorry we tempted you into Premium Econonmy - you won't regret it

 

[Fantasia Sam]

LOL Martin I'm obviously slower with my typing

 

[safcdl16]

You'll be fine, Lynn

First of all, PSs are only reservations for special restaurants (Character Meals and popular Parks and Resort venues). PSs aren't necessary at all restaurants, just advisable if you plan to be there anyway - and essential for the most popular.

Here's a link to the DIS Dining page It'll explain everything and give you a 'feel' for which restaurants you might care to try.

There are loads of eating opportunities in and around the parks that won't need PSs.

Downtown Disney has loads of places to eat - and there's more than a few experts on 'where to go for what' around here, so just post your preferences and I'm sure you'll get loads of advice and recommendations.

Your WDW Transport will give you free and easy access to and from ASMo and the rest of the World - including other resorts if you choose to go there.
Taxi's from ASMo or Downtown to Crossroads or Kissimee shouldn't be too expensive either.

One last thing, if you can drive DO consider getting a car. It's so easy it really isn't anything to worry over. We've all 'been there,done that' on the driving abroad dilema.

Hope this helps.

 

[Ellay]

Hey, this is wonderful. Thanks for your quick replies. This is like having your own private information source.

I am suitably impressed, and my mind is now at rest, for the time being ........ until I think I've encountered some more problems.

One quick question though - if we have the time, or get worn out in all the parks are we able to use the swimming pools at the other resort hotels, or can we just use the ones at ASMo?

Thanks again

Lynn

 

[Claire L]

Lynn,
You can only use the pool for the hotel which you are booked in at. A good alternative is TL or BB as they are huge and are alot of fun.
Also you wont regret upgrading due to the extras such as seperate check in, priority boarding after families with young children and Upper Class. You then get to leave the plane before Economy passenger so are at the front of the queue for immigration etc and luggage also comes off quicker so in all you get to your hotel quicker in theory, although I see you don't have a car so you may have to wait for everyone else to arrive before you can leave on the bus for your hotel but at least you can get a quick drink etc if needed.
Hope you have fun time planning your trip.
Claire

 

[#1MMFan]

You'll have a fantastic time. Feel free to ask more questions as they come to you. Once you go you'll be hooked, I guarantee!

I went in 1996 and have been fortunate to hopefully be going back early next year for the 10th time!

John

 

[Hilary]

Hi Lynn

As has already been said - you don't need to worry about about starving in WDW just because you don't have any PSs! They are great if you'll be visiting at peak times or if you know you want to be in a certain restaurant at a certain time on a certain day, but quite often you won't know exactly where you'll be when you get hungry two months down the line! During the quieter times you should be able to find something you like with a free table without too long a wait.

As for not having a car - staying on site at WDW is a breeze without a car . The transport system has always been great for us, and we enjoy the freedom of not having to worry about the car for a few days. Even when we have a car with us (we usually split our trips between Orlando and the coast) we leave it at the resort and choose to use the WDW transport. It's very easy to hop back to your resort during the day if you need a break.