Questions before I make my reservations...

[GemnCapi]

This will be my family's first trip to DW. My three children are 9 yrs. old. We are planning on going in October 2007 & we are extremely excited!!! However, I have some questions that I need to ask the pros:

1. With my family being a party of 5...only value resort that we can stay in will be the ASMusic, but my quote shows ASM cost more than POR. Am I doing something wrong? POR sounds really nice...I don't mind if we stay here...just trying to find the best value for us!
2. What is the difference between booking reservation via WDW vs. Dream Travels?
3. As for discount codes that may appear before my trip...should I just check on a daily/weekly basis?
4. We are planning on staying 7 nights/8 days...we would like to go to Universal for 2 of those days. For cost reasons, does anyone recommend us staying off Disney property the two days that we are going to Universal? I definitely want to be on property during my Disney stay!

Thanks so much for any help/opinions you all can give me! We are tight on money; but, determined to make this trip in the Fall.

 

[Sparkie]

October is a great time to go. Still warm enough to swim. Crowds not too bad. With children that young unless you want the kitchenette feature of the ASM suites I would opt for POR - Riverside with the trundle bed. I always book with Disney- just neurotic I guess but I dont want my reservation to be lost. All in all- I have gotten quotes from other travel agencies and the price is about the same. As far as moving off property for your universal activities, Universal isnt that far of a drive- about 20 min. We stayed off property for our entire stay in 2004, and drove to Universal for one day. I guess it would really depend on if you are planning Universal in the middle of your vacation or on either end. I just dont like to unpack more than once. The condo that we stayed at in October 2004 is in animal kingdom's back door and we could quickly drive to the parks (we would be in AK parking lot in less than 5 min) of course we had to pay for parking but we were using a friend's timeshare and paid for an additional night. About the same price per night as a Disney Moderate but room for 8 people. I would make a reservation, watch for discounts and then rebook if necessary. Just be careful- sometimes you will pay a penalty depending on who you book through. If you are planning on using the dining plan you will have to book a package with a Disney resort stay, tickets and such. If you have a room with a kitchen, you could fix some of your own meals. Meals at the Mouse are $$. But there is a McD's close by.

 

[momof3littlelilos]

I would stay at POR - I've been to POFQ and the All Star Resorts and I just prefer Port Orleans - The theming is great, the pool is very nice and we like having the hot tub at the end of the day. Also - I really like the beignets! Especially if it runs cheaper I'd go with POR.
I would not stay off site for part of a stay because moving would cost us time, and IMHO the $ difference wouldn't justify it.
I hope you have a fantastic trip!

 

[ransom]

As far as staying at Universal, you might want to check into the pricing at their three official resorts. If you stay at one of them, you get unlimited front-of-the-line privileges at both Universal parks for the duration of your stay. Saving all that time standing in line might well be worth packing and unpacking one more time, if it's financially doable for you folks. Certainly, staying on-site at WDW then on-site at Universal, or vice versa, is advantageous.

 

[Indy's Girl]

This will be my family's first trip to DW. My three children are 9 yrs. old. We are planning on going in October 2007 & we are extremely excited!!! However, I have some questions that I need to ask the pros:

1. With my family being a party of 5...only value resort that we can stay in will be the ASMusic, but my quote shows ASM cost more than POR. Am I doing something wrong? POR sounds really nice...I don't mind if we stay here...just trying to find the best value for us!
2. What is the difference between booking reservation via WDW vs. Dream Travels?
3. As for discount codes that may appear before my trip...should I just check on a daily/weekly basis?
4. We are planning on staying 7 nights/8 days...we would like to go to Universal for 2 of those days. For cost reasons, does anyone recommend us staying off Disney property the two days that we are going to Universal? I definitely want to be on property during my Disney stay!

Thanks so much for any help/opinions you all can give me! We are tight on money; but, determined to make this trip in the Fall.

1) The rate you are getting for ASMusic is for a family suite, regular value rooms do not hold 5 people. If you want a kitchen and seperate bedroom go with the ASMusic suite, if you want the cheapest room for 5 people go with POR.
4) As a PP said, if you stay at a Universal resort you get FOTL access to most rides all day. However, the cheapest onsite hotel for Universal is RPR which will still run at about $200 a night if not more. While universal does not have a free fastpass system, non-resort guests can buy an express pass (for I believe about $50 per person) that allows you to go through the express line once per ride that has express. For a family of 5 it would be cheaper to spend the money for the room at an onsite resort for than to buy everyone an express pass each day. Plus, you get the FOTL access for the day you check in through midnight of check out day so you could stay one night and get the FOTL for both days. You can check in as early as you want (won't get a room necessarily right away but will get your room keys for FOTL) to maximize this. If you do book a room at a universal resort, even for one night, you should sign up for a Loew's card at the Loews website (this is FREE) which will entitle you to free perks at the hotel, including things like milk and cookies in your room, free room upgrade if available etc.

Have a great vacation!

 

[byoung]

You will be happy at POR.

 

[Sparkie]

When we went to universal (islands of adventure) in oct. 2004 we did not need any express pass. we went the second week in october during our school's fall break. The most we waited in line was 30 min for dueling dragons. Most of the other rides we just walked on or waited 10 or 15 min. We left at about 3 or 4 in the afternoon as we had done all the rides. But the crowds were starting to build for the Halloween event that was to take place that night. So after 5pm I could imagine it to be very busy. My daughter was 9 when we went also and there was a fair number of rides that she was not big enough to ride which left her disappointed.

 

[Disney Crazy Debbie]

As to your preferance for POR or ASMu, which would have been a suite, I'd stay at POR. The transportation for POR is so much closer than the value the resorts and if you like DTD you can take the boat instead of the bus.

One advantage I know of that making ressies through a Dream Makers, etc., is that your travel agent will usually watch for coded discounts that can be applied to you and take care of that for you. I have ordered directly from WDW and also through Small World and I ended up getting a refund from Small World after I returned. I usually would watch for specials and codes and then I would e-mail the travel agent who would check it out.

 

[GemnCapi]

Thank you all for your responses! I think I am going to wait on the visit to Universal parks. With my kids still being too little to ride some of the rides & with this being our first trip to Disney...I think we will have plenty of things to do just staying with Disney this trip. Maybe next year, we can try out Universal. We are going to definitely stay @ POR...I am going to book it via WDW...I will just need to keep check of codes that are being offered. Is this something that I can just check daily on disboards?

Thanks again for the replies!

 

[themudd4]

Thank you all for your responses! I think I am going to wait on the visit to Universal parks. With my kids still being too little to ride some of the rides & with this being our first trip to Disney...I think we will have plenty of things to do just staying with Disney this trip. Maybe next year, we can try out Universal. We are going to definitely stay @ POR...I am going to book it via WDW...I will just need to keep check of codes that are being offered. Is this something that I can just check daily on disboards?

Thanks again for the replies!

Glad you made your decisions...
Another thing you may want to check on would be booking through AAA. Even if you are not a AAA member it may be worth it to go ahead and get it. I saved roughly $200 or so each trip I have booked with them.
And one more thing...you may want to have a "back up plan" just in case...maybe that would be your ASMusic suite. Anyway, the reason I say that...a few of the DIS board members have stated that the trundle beds are for small children ages 8 and under. Don't know if that is hotel policy or not but thought I would bring that to your attention. We stayed at POR in June and really enjoyed it. I am sure you will too! HAVE A GREAT TRIP.

 

[MagicMe]

If you going in October - don't forget to do the MNSSHP. The party at Disney is great for younger children. The party at Universal is geared more to the scary side of Halloween.

 

[GemnCapi]

I finally did it! I was really excited. We opted for the water park package as well as park hopper & dining. I believe it was a little pricey...but, I am hoping for a discount to come my way! [crosses fingers]

If the free dining code or other code with significant discount comes along...I am willing to change my dates. Although, my kids will be in school...I would take my chances with taking them out for a week!

Anyone know if there is strong speculations that free dining code will come along? If so, will it be for all resorts or just value resorts?