PLEASE, please help w/disney resorts, ddp and transportation

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

As of now we are staying at a 3 bed. condo off site and driving our own car from Illinois to Florida. Once again though we are thinking of completely changing our vacation. It started because we wanted to check on flights(have never flown before) and if we did that it would probably be easier/about the same cost to just stay on site at disney. If we did that then I would consider the dining plan. Since we have never stayed on site or done the dining plan I was wondering if you could give some insight. Is the dp too confusing to use, good with 3 children, it says for 3 and up does that mean my 2 year old could still get his own but it would be free, are character breakfasts an extra charge or just use one of you ts meals, is the transportation between parks too hectic?????? I know I have too many questions but all of this is new to me. I need some help from my dis friendsThanks

 

[DT83097]

I can help with a couple things - the DP is not confusing in my opinion and if it works out financially for you it's a great thing! We have the 4/3 deal booked for our August trip and it ended up being cheaper than the Free DP for us this time - you just have to run the numbers. But you get so many meal / snack credits per person on the plan and after each meal you will get a receipt showing your balance of credits. Character meals do not cost extra* - which is one of the upsides to the DP as some of the character meals - depending on location can be quite pricey for a family. You just use your TS credits. *There are however a few locations (CRT for one) that will "cost" you 2 TS credits for the meal. I will say I'm not sure how you would handle a 2 year old with the DP. When we took our kids we weren't on the DP so I'm not sure how under 3's are charged. I'm sure someone else will be along soon to answer!
As far as transportation - we've never had a problem. You will find differences (and different opinions) depending on which resort you will be at. Some resorts have multiple stops within the resort (CBR for example) which may add a little time to your commute, and sometimes at park closing it can get a little crazy with the amount of people trying to leave, - but overall I think Disney transportation is a great way to go - I'm not a big fan of driving in unfamiliar places and dealing with parking so we love staying onsite and using the buses, boats, monorails.
Congratulations on your upcoming trip - it will be great regardless of how you get there and where you stay!

 

[jgazda]

I did the dining plan with my two year old in November and will again in May. Since they don't have a park ticket and are not on the plan, anything you order special for them you pay out of pocket for. At the buffets there was no charge for her. We found it to be very easy to do and not confusing at all. We stayed at Saratoga and Old Key West and the multiple stops did get on my nerves sometimes (specifically when my son had the flu and we were the last stop) but the transportation was always great. I can't imagine staying offsite again, I think you might think the same if you try onsite. Good luck with your planning!

 

[Goofy4]

There's more on the dining plan at http://www.mousesavers.com/mywplusdining2009.html

"The Disney Dining Plan is unavailable for guests under the age of 3, but they may share from an adult plate at no charge or a meal may be purchased from the menu. The price of the meal will be added to your bill. Guests ages 3-9 must order from a children’s menu where available."

If you have kids age 3-9 the price is something like $10 (not sure, but it is very reasonable).

 

[zarvgirl]

....we have a similar family make up as you, and I too had a ton of questions while planning our trip!!

We booked with Disney, flew Airtran from Boston direct, used DME and Disney transportation the whole week, stayed at Pop Century, and had the DDP.

Here's our take on it.

Flight-a no frills airline but pleasant flight.

Liked the DDP-DD2 would either eat off our plates or we would order her a meal. We felt like we ate really well and had better meals then if we were OOP. Liked TS for lunch, as that gave lots of freedom with planning days. Either could tour morning or sleep in. We packed snacks for eating on the run in park and mornings. Ended up with lots of snack credits at the end of trip, I used them to get some preztels and peanuts, etc.

Disney Transportation and DME-no problems, we never waited more then 20 minutes for a bus, and at busier times often two buses would show up. We had stroller from a stroller swap and had no problems taking it on the buses. DME, was direct and useful. We liked not having to worry about driving and could enjoy eachother's company. We checked our bags at our resort and got our boarding passes at resort so only had to go through security at Orlando.
DH and DS did go off Disney property one evening for a NBA game, had great fun, after costing out the options and the easiness of getting a rental we decided to just pay the cab fare, get picked up right at POP, no parking issues, or direction concerns. Were happy with this.

Pop Century-again no frills but definitely a Disney feeling resort. I was worried about the room size and all of us. I followed some suggestions from the POP resort thread on disboards and it worked out great. We took a twin air mattress and some sheets and one child slept on it comfortably, actually DH, did one night I choose this resort because it wasn't large, so not alot of walking, and the bus service had good reviews as it is has just the one stop.
Also, with a two year old you have more freedom in resorts as they aren't considered in the head count for a room. It was probably our only chance to stay at this resort unless we book connecting rooms next time. We really didn't spend enough time in the room for the size to matter, all of us were asleep before our heads hit the pillow each night. I was amazed at this!!!

Perhaps this info can help you. Good luck planning, have a magical trip!!

 

[Dylan_&_Blake's_mom]

Thank you to everyone who has responded so far. I would still love more tips as I am new to these things. I just found out that we would qaulify for the free dining plan they are offering. Didn't think we would since we are a family of 5 not 4 but since youngest ds will only be 2 he wouldn't count on ddp or in the room and we could bring twin air mattress for one of the boys. This makes it the same price to stay onsite and have ddp so as long as I can switch our cruise dates (in order to get free dining have to book sooner) and get back the deposit I had down on another resort (shouldn't be a problem) then we will do it.

 

[Alesia]

Thank you to everyone who has responded so far. I would still love more tips as I am new to these things. I just found out that we would qaulify for the free dining plan they are offering. Didn't think we would since we are a family of 5 not 4 but since youngest ds will only be 2 he wouldn't count on ddp or in the room and we could bring twin air mattress for one of the boys. This makes it the same price to stay onsite and have ddp so as long as I can switch our cruise dates (in order to get free dining have to book sooner) and get back the deposit I had down on another resort (shouldn't be a problem) then we will do it.

If you can get free dining, go for it!

 

[bgohre]

As of now we are staying at a 3 bed. condo off site and driving our own car from Illinois to Florida. Once again though we are thinking of completely changing our vacation. It started because we wanted to check on flights(have never flown before) and if we did that it would probably be easier/about the same cost to just stay on site at disney. If we did that then I would consider the dining plan. Since we have never stayed on site or done the dining plan I was wondering if you could give some insight. Is the dp too confusing to use, good with 3 children, it says for 3 and up does that mean my 2 year old could still get his own but it would be free, are character breakfasts an extra charge or just use one of you ts meals, is the transportation between parks too hectic?????? I know I have too many questions but all of this is new to me. I need some help from my dis friendsThanks

You have a lot to consider. First, you have to determine if you want to fly or drive. Assuming you live somewhere around Bloomington, IL an your car gets 20 miles to the gallon, your looking at $150 in fuel cost. Add $100 to that for a hotel and another $100 on food and snacks and you're looking at $350 drive. Now compare the cost of 5 plane tickets at say $220 each. Thats $1100. Now figure parking and you'll still need money for snack so maybe tack another $100 onto that. Now the time saving may be worth it to you but I think that is your first big decision. Also, if you stay at the condo, you will have to pay for parking each day.

We have flown and also driven to WDW numberous times. One of things I like about driving is that you can drive to the parks and park for free if you are staying on Disney property. Not a big deal for the MK but can be a big time saver for Epcot, MGM (sorry, I'm old school) and AK. Also, it allows you to store extra clothes, snack and the like in the car if you need it. It can be a little confusing getting around there at first, but it doens't take long to figure that out. Again, to get free parking you have to be staying on property (highly recommended).

I have never used the DP but will now that our daughter is turning 3. It's a great deal for them at about $10. From my understanding, after you use on of the dining options, it will print the remaining food credits at the bottom of the receipt.

The transpertion between parks isn't too hectic but sometime the old saying, "you can't get there from here" will be true. Again, another good reason to have a car. But even without the car, you might have to jump between a couple bus and really, your feet will probably thank you for the extra rest.

Nothing is too confusing. You can always ask a cast member for help if you need to. Don't let anything intimidate you at WDW, they try to make things as easy as possible for people.

 

[Aliceacc]

I vote for on site!!!

Transportation is a breeze. Disney's Magical Express picks you up at the airport and gets you to your resort. From there, it's a bus or monorail to everyplace on Disney property until DME brings you back to the airport at the end of your trip.

DDP is wonderful!! Character meals are included (with the exception of Cinderella's Castle; that counts as 2 table service meals.) But Chef Mickey's, the Princess Breakfast at Norway in Epcot, and some nice-for-adult meals (Coral Reef, Le Cellier to name just 2) are also included.

And it's not possible to overemphasize that by flying, you won't have to drive HOME with 3 tired cranky kids who have nothing exciting to look forward to. The rides home from vacations are always the longest!

 

[Alesia]

I vote for on site!!!

Transportation is a breeze. Disney's Magical Express picks you up at the airport and gets you to your resort. From there, it's a bus or monorail to everyplace on Disney property until DME brings you back to the airport at the end of your trip.

DDP is wonderful!! Character meals are included (with the exception of Cinderella's Castle; that counts as 2 table service meals.) But Chef Mickey's, the Princess Breakfast at Norway in Epcot, and some nice-for-adult meals (Coral Reef, Le Cellier to name just 2) are also included.

And it's not possible to overemphasize that by flying, you won't have to drive HOME with 3 tired cranky kids who have nothing exciting to look forward to. The rides home from vacations are always the longest!

Agreed.

 

[Goofy4]

Get DING from Southwest http://www.southwest.com/specialoffers/signup.html?ref=cns_ding_hp and watch for the occasional $60-$80 fares. They start coming in more more frequently 2-3 months out. You'll need to check every day and be prepared to buy. Flights out of Midway are typically at least $30 more (last I paid attention to it).

Or just look up the regular rates for AirTran and Southwest out of Indy. Since they both have a lot of seats to fill, sometimes you can get rates very close to the best DING rates. I think both airlines have the "flexible" view where you can see what days of the week have the best fares.