please help me...I am new...

[cheerbop]

Hi..

being new I am so lost with planning my trip. I went years ago but didn't really know anything!
We are looking for Dec8-15 this year. Our dilema is 1-to join AAA for thier rates, 2-buy an AP for one of us to get a discounted rate that way..
For all of you h=who frequently travel to WDW, which would be the best?
AND...
FOOD! I see they have the DDE for passholders, correct? IS this worth it? also, the new dining plan...do we go for this? I hear that you MUST book a package to do this? You can't use it with AAA or AP rates? AND, are any of these discounts good for the fantasmic dining, any character meals, the PS before the Christmas parade and the Candlelight PRoc????

HELP! I am so confused!

There are 4 in family...me, DH, DS7, DS1
Looking at GF, Poly, Contemp...

Thanks in advance

 

[goofy4tink]

Welcome to the Dis Boards!!! I buy an AP, but not just for the room discounts. In the past year the discounts haven't been as large as previous years. Same with AAA. I tend to travel to WDW several times a year, getting about 15 days on my AP. Then any room discount is just a bonus. But, I am getting the DDE card for my trips this year. Spending $50 for it. WHen I have spent $250 for meals, it will then be a break even point and anything after that is 'gravy'. At 20% off most of our meals, it is a great thing for us. The DDE is good for character meals. Also most likely good for PS before MVMCP, but not for CP pkgs. (at least that is what I have heard).

As far as resorts go...we have stayed at the Polynesian and the Contemporary but not GF. We actually liked the Contemporary better than the Polynesian...I know, I know...heresy!!! But, we loved being able to walk to MK. At the Polynesian it is terrific riding on the little launches over to MK or taking the monorail. And there is that nice path over to the TTC so you can take the Epcot monorail. The GF holds no interest to anyone in our family. We enjoy visiting there or eating there but stay there? Nope, not our thing.

Have fun planning!!

 

[WDWLinda]

First -planning is supposed to be fun...don't get stressed out by it!

Here are 2 other sites that may help (or just confuse you more!):
http://www.allearsnet.com/index.html
http://www.mousesavers.com/wdw.html

Check and see if AAA has any discounts for the date and resort you want. I think they only have a limited # of packages. As for the food plan, you can book it thru AAA. They actually call WDW and book you a package with a discounted AAA rate (if they're avail.), so you can add on the dining plan thru AAA. I'm not sure if its worth it - depends how much you eat in a day and there are also only certain restaurants that you can eat in. You can do character meals under the plan, and you can also do some of the fancier restaurant if you use 2 credits for that one meal. Check out this link for more info.:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/tickets/packageDetail?id=PackageDetailMYWDiningPkg05Page

The Christmas parade only runs on certain nights at the Magic Kingdom - during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP). You have to pay extra to attend this, but they close the park to the regular guests and only let in those with MVMCP tkts. Check out the link on the "Theme Park Strategies..." forum on this site. I think the Christmas parade only runs on MVMCP nights and during the day during the week of Christmas. I'd suggest doing it on a week night - it gets crowded on Fri - Sun nights.

Good luck and happy planning. Use the other forums on this site - they're really helpful.

~Linda

 

[soccer mom]

I would suggest you book your room now asking if there is a AAA discount available (AAA rates for 2005 were released last summer 2004). Since you're not firm on a particular resort, you may find a discount at one and not the other.

Then just sit tight and see if they release AP discounts for your dates and how much they are discounting the rooms (I think it was in August last year and about 45% off deluxe resorts).

When you call for AP rates you may want to consider changing resorts to get a good deal, so be prepared for that if a resort is more important to you than a discount (they may not offer AP discounts at all resorts).

Keep in mind that you do not have to have your AP to make the reservation. If you get what you want, you can then purchase your AP for check-in.

Hope this helps with part of your question and above all else HAVE FUN PLANNING!

 

[cheerbop]

so, I don't need to buy an AP until I get there right before check in? I am guessing there is no code I have to give over the phone to verify that I have an AP?
and, is the only way to book AAA THROUGH AAA or can I do it myself to get thier rate?
regarding the dining plan (not DDE)..you said I can get it with AAA also, but do I need to do it with them only or do I do it with Disney, me telling them I have AAA?
UGH! I am trying to have fun planning, I just want the most value for my $, like everyone else.
Does anyone else have other help between resorts of Contemp, Poly and GF? What about if we split our trip in 2 places? Does it make the trip feel shorter or more chaotic? We slightly considered like 3 nights at AKL and 4 at one of the other 3..
Input would greatly be appreciated!!!
Thanks so very much!

 

[Bugsmom73]

If you are going for room only with AAA you can book directly through Disney. If you plan on doing the dining package, then I you would lose your AAA discount unless you booked with AAA and an agent who knows what they are doing and can get you a discount with the meal package. I would recommend figuring out what kind of dining you would like to do. I like the CR and the playground they have for kids. If you are planning to save money staying at the CR you will be in the wings, not the main tower.

As for a split stay, the most cost effective way to do that is to book everything separately. If you stay at AKL, you will bus everywhere. With your little guy, I would recommend staying close to MK, WL is another option too.

As for the DDE, if I understand it correctly it is only for AP holders.

 

[cheerbop]

ok...now you explained that about AAA...I think we need to decide about the food plan...I kind of like the options it gives you...not sure yet though!

Never seen the CR playground...how close of a walk is it to MK? I have read that people walk there alot instead of monorail.
One thing we considered is doing is the concierge at one of the places. Some people have told methis actually may end up saving $ on food, esp with the convenience, verses spending it in the parks??? Anyone ever tried this?

You mentioned that booking separately if we split our stay between 2 resorts? Would we not be able to have the meal plan with this be a good option or? Why would it be cheaper to book everything separately?

THANKS MUCH

 

[7thdwarf/dopey]

Hi..

being new I am so lost with planning my trip. I went years ago but didn't really know anything!
We are looking for Dec8-15 this year. Our dilema is 1-to join AAA for thier rates, 2-buy an AP for one of us to get a discounted rate that way..
For all of you h=who frequently travel to WDW, which would be the best?
AND...
FOOD! I see they have the DDE for passholders, correct? IS this worth it? also, the new dining plan...do we go for this? I hear that you MUST book a package to do this? You can't use it with AAA or AP rates? AND, are any of these discounts good for the fantasmic dining, any character meals, the PS before the Christmas parade and the Candlelight PRoc????

HELP! I am so confused!



There are 4 in family...me, DH, DS7, DS1
Looking at GF, Poly, Contemp...

Thanks in advance

ALOHA!( can ya tell my vote is for the Polynesian) And welcome to the DIS

We are going to be at WDW the exact same dates, wear your lime green DIS shirts or buttons.
We are AAA, and have found it to be an enorMOUSE-e benefit where ever we go, especially Disney. The AAA TA (travel agent) are very helpful, if you get a good one it can feel like a concierge service to take care of your every need. You get the free parking (Diamond Card) also food discounts at a few DTD restaurants as well the restaurants at the Swan and Dolphin(new). They have a MK lounge only for AAA customers that have their vacation booked thru AAA. There's probably a few more that I'm forgetting.

AP has many perks also, which a previous poster has mentioned .I like to have both AAA and AP. Since we always drive , AAA always comes in handy.


Hopes this helps ya.........Have you heard about Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party?? Have you picked your day/days yet? We'll be there on the 11th and 13th. I always have something DIS on everyday, either a shirt or button on my hat/shirt. Hope to see ya.........