Questions...lots if of questions

[IamTink00]

January 21st. Thats when hubby and I are planning our visit. 5 Nights 4 Days.
Here is my GIANT list of questions. If anyone can help I will love you forever.
1) What is the BEST value or moderate resort? Im planning on showering and sleeping in my room and thats it.
2) Is the DDP worth the money?
3) Is Passporter still around? If so when does the 2018 edition come out? Or is there any other planning books out there?
4) Must Eat table service restaurants at each park?
5) How do we and when do we order our magic bands?
6) We don't plan on making airline reservations through Disney when we book our package, do we still get the transfer to the resorts or will we need to Uber? Is booking your flight when you book your package best? if we dont book through Disney and still get the transfer when and who do we need to talk to about setting that up and give our fight number?

I think thats all.
Probably not but thats all i can think of now.

 

[twentyco]

1. My favorite moderate is Port Orleans French Quarter. But if you are not planning to spend any time at the resort, I would go for a value and save your money for something else. For values, we like Pop Century, but there are lots of opinions out there.
2. It is not worth it for us, but this is a very individualized decision depending on your situation. There are a number of places we like to eat off Disney property, so for us the DDP does not make sense. For others, I think it does. The best way to figure it out is to look at the places you think you might like to eat and total it up.
3. Yes. I am not sure when the next version comes out. We also like the Unofficial Guide to WDW (and the Touring Plans website)
4. For us, there aren't too many "must eat" table service places. But here are the places we like in each park: Magic Kingdom, we like Crystal Palace and Be Our Guest; Epcot we like La Hacienda and Teppan Edo; at DHS I don't think we have ever done table service; and at Animal Kingdom we like Tusker House and Yak and Yeti.
5. When you book a resort, you then are given the option in the My Disney Experience app to customize your magic bands, and then they are shipped to you a couple of weeks before your trip. You can choose your color and put a name on each band.
6. Yes, you can use the Magical Express service if you stay in any Disney on-site hotel (other than Swan and Dolphin). I think that you set that up online, but honestly I am not positive because we normally rent a car.

Good luck! Have a wonderful time.

 

[Alice Sr.]

1) What is the BEST value or moderate resort? Im planning on showering and sleeping in my room and thats it.
Before I bought DVC we stayed at Caribbean Beach, I really liked it there.
2) Is the DDP worth the money?
I don't think it is, but check some of the menus on Allears to see what $ amount you are coming in at.
3) Is Passporter still around? If so when does the 2018 edition come out? Or is there any other planning books out there?
I don't know, I used to love getting the new book every year I would suggest paying for touringplans.com. I go to WDW a lot and I still find great value in it for 12.95 a year
4) Must Eat table service restaurants at each park?
MK - Crystal Palace (for the grandbabies) but for me Be Our Guest
AK - Tiffin but we have not been there yet
Epcot - current fav La Hacienda
Studios - 50's
Springs - Fontera Cocina
Boardwalk - Big River Grill for 1st day lunch outside - Flying Fish
5) How do we and when do we order our magic bands?
They will tell you to pick them out on MDE
6) We don't plan on making airline reservations through Disney when we book our package, do we still get the transfer to the resorts or will we need to Uber? You still get Magical Express
Is booking your flight when you book your package best? if we dont book through Disney and still get the transfer when and who do we need to talk to about setting that up and give our fight number?
You would call central reservations (I think)

 

[hiroMYhero]

Moving you to the Resorts Board for better responses regarding resorts and Disney Magical Express Transportation.

 

[cindyfan]

Prepare for a hundred different answers for questions 1,2 and 4!!!!!
In my opinion.....
1. value = All Star Music moderate = Port Orleans-Riverside
2. Not for me.... but many swear by it!
3. Hmmmmm ... not sure.
4. MK= none. AK = Tusker House. Epcot = Chef de France. DHS = definitely none! There are many table service places at resorts that are so much better!!
5. after making your resort reservation make sure you have a My Disney Experience account set up and then you can customize your bands and they ship within 30 days of your arrival.
6. You can use Magical Express no matter how you book your flight. My suggestion is to book yourself! Watch for lowest prices!

Keep reading these boards!!!! TONS of info here!!!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

January 21st. Thats when hubby and I are planning our visit. 5 Nights 4 Days.
Here is my GIANT list of questions. If anyone can help I will love you forever.
1) What is the BEST value or moderate resort? Im planning on showering and sleeping in my room and thats it.
2) Is the DDP worth the money?
3) Is Passporter still around? If so when does the 2018 edition come out? Or is there any other planning books out there?
4) Must Eat table service restaurants at each park?
5) How do we and when do we order our magic bands?
6) We don't plan on making airline reservations through Disney when we book our package, do we still get the transfer to the resorts or will we need to Uber? Is booking your flight when you book your package best? if we dont book through Disney and still get the transfer when and who do we need to talk to about setting that up and give our fight number?

I think thats all.
Probably not but thats all i can think of now.

1. We prefer POR or POFQ
2. DDP is only worth the money if you eat exactly how it is designed. We aren't fans as we prefer apps over dessert and could never eat enough to justify the DxDP to get apps
3. No idea. I google everything at this point!
4. I prefer resort TS to in-park TS. For in-park, our favorites are Spice Road Table, BOG, Hollywood Brown Derby and Tusker House (Yak & Yeti is ok too if you don't want characters)
5. Once you make your resort reservation, go into your MDE account and you will find the area to customize your magic bands.
6. Do not book air through Disney. You will have more flexibility, better pricing and better terms and conditions if you book directly through the airline. Anyone staying in a WDW resort get Magical Express. Once you have your flight info, simply call the WDW reservation line and ask them to add your flight info to your reservation to set up the transfer.

 

[alliecat523]

I've never stayed at Port Orleans but I would say it's the top mod resort around the boards. Would be my first pick.

You really have to do the math on DDP. It's not worth it for us but some people find value in it. Seems like way too much food.

Definitely book your own flights for best value and flexibility.

 

[rosiebean]

1) I love POR. But if you're just using the room to shower and sleep, go with any value. Seriously, who cares which one is 'best' if it's just a place to shower and sleep? They each have good reviews for QS and bus service from what I've read. And if you go value over moderate, you can use money saved on your room to Uber and eat elsewhere.
2) Unless you love character buffets and like to eat steak at each meal (i.e., you like the two most expensive dining options at WDW), the DDP likely won't be worth it from a budgetary/break even standpoint. Some people love the DDP for the convenience (they pay ahead, so don't worry about cost of the meal during their vacation, even if they're 'losing' money on the plan...just paying ahead gives them peace of mind, which makes their vacation more relaxed). My family loves appetizers, we split entrees and we're not dessert or snacking-between-meals people. So we'd lose so much on the DD that it's never been an option for us. You should look at your eating habits, check out menus, look at costs out of pocket vs. on the plan and go from there.
3) No idea, so I'd just google.
4) For us:
MK - We really like Crystal Palace. It's not 'must eat' every trip, but it's our favorite in MK so far.
Epcot - Via Napoli, San Angel Inn (if you're ok with more authentic food instead of Americanized Tex Mex), Chefs de France or Spice Road Table.
AK - Yak and Yeti
DHS - 50s Prime Time
5) We order our magic bands on our MDE accounts online.
6) You can call to add your flight info, and if you have an MDE account online, you should be able to add flight info on your reservation as well.

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

POR is our favorite moderate - great landscaping, large pool plus 5 quiet pools, decent food court/bar ...POP is our favorite value

We do not find the DDP works for us -

Check out Mousesavers online - free subscription with lots of info - you receive a newsletter on the 15th of each month with current discounts, news, etc (and you are not flooded with a bunch of ads on your email)
We also like Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World

Table Service at each park:

MK - none (tho you can take the boat or monorail to Poly and eat at Kona, Grand Floridian Cafe, The Wave, etc)
Epcot - always these restaurants: Japan, Via Napoli and Rose and Crown
Animal Kingdom - Tusker House for character breakfast, Yak and Yeti is usually good
HS - 50s Prime Time is fun

Set up your MDE account online and order your MB...bands need to be ordered about a month ahead of your visit if you want them sent to you

Yes, as long as you are staying on property you can take bus from airport (as noted, Swan and Dolphin don't participate in this service)

 

[bobbie68]

January 21st. Thats when hubby and I are planning our visit. 5 Nights 4 Days.
Here is my GIANT list of questions. If anyone can help I will love you forever.
1) What is the BEST value or moderate resort? Im planning on showering and sleeping in my room and thats it.
2) Is the DDP worth the money?
3) Is Passporter still around? If so when does the 2018 edition come out? Or is there any other planning books out there?
4) Must Eat table service restaurants at each park?
5) How do we and when do we order our magic bands?
6) We don't plan on making airline reservations through Disney when we book our package, do we still get the transfer to the resorts or will we need to Uber? Is booking your flight when you book your package best? if we dont book through Disney and still get the transfer when and who do we need to talk to about setting that up and give our fight number?

I think thats all.
Probably not but thats all i can think of now.

1. We love POR for moderate. We do spend time at the resort. The pool is amazing and the food court is one of the best on properties. I find POR grounds beautiful and relaxing. I haven't stayed in the values but from what I hear POP is the favorite one.
2. I use to think the DDP was worth the money and now I don't . Don't get me wrong it is great for some people. The full service dining plan takes way to much time out of our schedule. I felt like I was going from place to place then making all the ADR's, not worth it anymore. The quick service could work better if you really want to. There are people who like having it payed for in advance just not to worry about decisions on the fly.
3, Haven't used it
4. AK- Tusker House
Epcot- Chef's de France,
AKL lodge - Boma
5. On the MDE website
6. Yes you can set up your magic express transportation with Disney. I always call the reservation number and give them my flight information as soon as I have it.

 

[klacey1]

1) I personally have no desire to stay at a value but have heard amazing things about Pop and AoA about their transportation and food carts. I stay pretty much only at deluxes now, but I ADORE POR and really wish the deluxes had the expansive food courts that the moderates and values do. POR just always felt peaceful to me. Loved both the mansions and Alligator Bayou rooms. Definitely a resort where paying for a preferred room is worth it, IMHO!

2) I used to love the free dining promotion, but as someone who doesn't like sweets and often would prefer an app and an a la carte side over an entree and dessert, it's no longer worth it for me. This is a good website for figuring out if the DDP is a good value for you: https://www.distripplanner.com/

3) The Unofficial Guide is my favorite planning book, but with how often Disney changes, I find subscribing to a few quality Disney newsletters (Easy WDW, the Dis) is way more valuable than any book. Passporter still exists, however.

4) MK: Be Our Guest (only for lunch...if you do do the DDP, it's a fantastic QS value); Epcot: Biergarten, Chefs de France, Rose and Crown; DHS: None; AK: None. Lots of excellent restaurants at the resorts and Disney Springs!

5) In MDE. You can customize names/colors up until a few weeks before your trip.

6) You absolutely still can add Magical Express even if you don't book your flights through Disney. Fill out this form: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/airport-transportation-reservation/

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

1) What is the BEST value or moderate resort? Im planning on showering and sleeping in my room and thats it.
We stay DVC, but Pop Century and Art of Animation are popular in the Value category. I hear good things about Caribbean Beach, both of the Ports, and the Fort Wilderness Cabins.
2) Is the DDP worth the money?
So far for us it has been. We always go through the menus and run the numbers before purchasing, though.
3) Is Passporter still around? If so when does the 2018 edition come out? Or is there any other planning books out there?
Another fan of Unofficial Guide
4) Must Eat table service restaurants at each park?
These are our preferences, but not everyone agrees. You'll do well to google menus and reviews for restaurants you think you might like and then make your own decision. You can usually find written reviews online as well as video reviews on youtube. Sometimes you can find videos taken in the restaurants during a meal, too, so you can get a feel for the place's atmosphere and noise level.
MK - Be Our Guest; EPCOT - Chefs de France; AK - prefer to go to Boma at AKL instead; HS - Mama Melrose
5) How do we and when do we order our magic bands?
If you are staying on property, you'll automatically be eligible for free magic bands. Start a My Disney Experience account to customize your bands and choose to have them shipped to your home or picked up at the resort.
6) We don't plan on making airline reservations through Disney when we book our package, do we still get the transfer to the resorts or will we need to Uber? Is booking your flight when you book your package best? if we dont book through Disney and still get the transfer when and who do we need to talk to about setting that up and give our fight number?
We drive, so I have no experience with this.

 

[Kellykins1218]

I was actually just looking for Passporter and their website says they are only doing an e-book version of it this year because it's not cost-effective to do a print version. They "may" resume print editions in the future.

 

[danikoski]

For hotels, POFQ for moderate, not sure on values. I also really enjoyed staying at OKW, which is often similar in price to the moderates. Although, my favorite resort is WL, and sometimes, with a discount, you can get a standard room there for basically the same price as a moderate room.
We have never used the DDP, so can't really say. Didn't find it would be value added for how we travel.
I like blogs and newsletters over travel guide books. As a PP stated, a lot is changing at Disney quickly.
For food:
MK - BOG, although I've heard some good things about Skippers Canteen if you want something different.
Epcot - Spice Road Table, hands down. If you can swing, get a reservation about an hour before Illuminations and enjoy the show from their patio
HS - 50s Prime Time Cafe, and the food portions are large enough, they can be split
AK - Tusker House, although I've heard very good things about Tiffin's

As others have said, you pick your Magic Bands in My Disney Experience after booking your room, then they'll mail you them before your trip.

And a PP gave you the website to schedule Magical Experience. Just be aware, it only goes to Orlando airport (MCO), not Sanford. Some budget airlines fly into Sanford, even though they say Orlando when searching for flights.

 

[loves to dive]

1) What is the BEST value or moderate resort? Im planning on showering and sleeping in my room and thats it. This is very subjective so here is just my opinion. As far as value resorts, they are pretty much all the same, I'm not a fan but if that is where you want to go, I would just go with the cheapest one. As far as moderate resorts, I've stayed in all of them except POFQ and liked something about each. CSR and CBR are under construction right now so that might sway you but again, I just go with whichever one is cheapest.
2) Is the DDP worth the money? Again, subjective. It depends on your eating style and number of little ones in the party. For us, no. We tend to eat appetizers and some days we just snack around WS all day.
3) Is Passporter still around? If so when does the 2018 edition come out? Or is there any other planning books out there? Don't know about this.
4) Must Eat table service restaurants at each park? Again, subjective, most will say BOG at MK and we don't like the place at all. For us: At MK Skipper's Canteen, At AK Tiffins, At HS Hollywood Brown Derby, At Epcot we like them all in WS.
5) How do we and when do we order our magic bands? When you book a resort, you will get an email that it's time to customize your MB on MDE.
6) We don't plan on making airline reservations through Disney when we book our package, do we still get the transfer to the resorts or will we need to Uber? Is booking your flight when you book your package best? if we dont book through Disney and still get the transfer when and who do we need to talk to about setting that up and give our fight number? Drive don't fly so don't know about this one.

 

[JCSCBROWN]

Our favorite resort is a value, and it is All Star Sports. We are all adults and it works better for us because there are less little kids. More adults with kids 10 and up. It also seems smaller and less busy. Must eats at Magic Kingdom would be Be Our Guest (love the cupcakes and unique experience). Also Liberty Tree Tavern.