remember me? the quickie lady? I want to pick your brain

[clutter]

My answers are in blue





My best advice about flights, is just to start with the airline websites that you have available and play around with the dates. I don't know which Airport is the best for you to fly from but MCO is the code for Orlando International where the DME picks up and delivers you. Alot of those sites have an option for choosing to look at additional dates at the same time--ie, the day before/the day after, etc. Also realize that an airport a little further, may have better/cheaper flights--if you're in the Norfolk area, I am thinking Richmond possibly, but haven't driven it in a long time so I don't know if it's feasible. If Allegiant is at your airport, check where they are flying into. I know it has changed for our airport but I don't know if they changed all of their flights into Orlando. They were flying into Orlando-Sanford which is on the north side of Orlando and it's $$$ to get from there to WDW.

There are whole threads on the Dining plans and the restaurants. Also check out Allears website or the Disney site. They have tons of info on the dining plan and the restaurants along with their menus including prices. Quick explanation:

DDP: 1 QS, 1 TS, 1 snack per night, per person....(it may be 2 snacks, I can't remember)
QSDP: 2 QS, 2 snacks per person per night.

The dining plans HAVE to be part of a package unless you are staying on DVC points. I don't remember your DD's age, but if she is 9 or under, then she is a child (on child's prices) and must choose from the child's menu. Over 10, she is an adult and will select from the adult menus. If you want to do several character meals, you probably would be better off using the DDP. But remember those all take alot time away from seeing the rest of disney but they are a nice break to your day too. Also you will still have to pay the gratuity on your TS meals in addition to the original cost of the DDP. We have stopped getting the DDP since they changed it and stopped including the gratuities.

Also the PP's advice about bringing breakfast foods is a great one. We always take a box of cereal and just buy milk the night before. That way our DS can eat without waiting until we get to a park which can take 45 min to an hour between waiting on a bus, walking from the bus to the entrance, getting through the gates and then getting to a QS restaurant.

One last thing--I mentioned it up above--ADRs are an absolute must for the DDP--otherwise you are liable to waste money because alot of the TS restaurants will NOT have any walk-up availability.

Happy planning!

Just a small correction (well, two). 1) You can do a package without any dining plan. 2) if your child is a big eater, you can ask that she get the adult package if you do get a dining plan. It will cost more, as you will have to pay for an adult park ticket, but it should easily be within your guidelines.

I second that you run, don't walk to Allearsnet. Go through the menus to decide whether you want the DDP or only quick service. If this is your first visit, and since you're only going for a short time, I'd recommend sticking with quick service if you think there is sufficient variety. If your dd is 9 and a big eater, I'd pay for the adult QSDP for her. If she's younger, I'd probably skip any dining plan at all. While there are reports that you can get an adult meal with a child QS credit, I wouldn't count on it. Then you can pay out of pocket for a fun character meal, but I wouldn't waste valuble play time on sit-down meals unless you were there longer.

Next, I'd change the week you're thinking about going. That's memorial day weekend and it will be crowded. Plus, flights will cost more. A lot more. Go the weekend before.

Last, HAVE FUN!!!!!!!! Contrary to what you see here, there is no perfect answer. No matter what you do, you're going to have fun!!!!

ps - We're DVC members and love deluxe. But we both LOVE the all-stars!!!

 

[itsdisneytime]

you guys panic is setting in, thank you to the one who said there is no "right answer" all the time, but I will say, I take every answer as a golden nugget that is one step closer in the right direction.

The funny thing is, here I am planning a trip for what I think is a year and a half away and my husband decideds to fork over a little cash to give me a quick get away aka "my quickie" lol ....

I have decided to heed the advise of those of you who say to go the week before which makes it even crazier for me now because I am like WHHHHAT ... plan a disney trip in like one month.... what the?

To the lovely person who asked if I have a Disney Specialist Here, I have looked since your suggestion recently and I dont think so ... besides AAA and they are not really that helpful (so much for southern hospitality).

Someone suggested I look at the DVC points/trading and renting board and Im gonna do that as soon as I stop freaking out about being worried about making the wrong choice on where to stay now ha ha. You know how it feels when you have butterflies in your stomach or your on your favorite roller coaster and about to do the drop? Well, my stomach feels like that right now ha ha..

Okay, Im off to plan or something .. actually i have to plug in the ol lap top first, im thinking this is gonna be a feverish next day or two for me.

To answer a few questions that keep repeating -- my daugher is 8, this is not our first trip but it is our first onsite at any Disney Resort, um, i can fly out of RIC if its much much cheaper ... and im definately needing to leave here thursday and come back here on tuesday (the thursday before the one right before Memorial Day) ... guess it would help if I had my dates straight eh?

Thanks again pals! Im so happy to be able to share my nervousness with your excitement for me and make it so enjoyable to vent in a world where folks know what the heck im talking about

 

[MomtoGKC]

This is fun!! OK - so now we know your DD is considered a child and we know your dates. Still not sure if you want dining plan - so I'll do these with quick service dining plan for now. All of these are with base tickets (no hoppers), quick service dining plan and round trip flights from Richmond May 20th - 25th.

You can definitely stay in a moderate hotel and still have a little spending money left over. Or you could eliminate the dining plan and just eat where and when you want. I think I'd pick a moderate with no dining plan - even with your flights (and you may get a better deal looking on Kayak or somewhere else, I just went through Disney site to make it quick) you'd only spend $1,788 - you'd have $600 left over in your budget for eating and souveneirs!



VALUE
All Star Music
$1,729/ $1,509 no dining plan


MODERATE
Port Orleans Riverside (we loved it here, the food court has a lot of selections)
$1,997/ $1,788 no dining plan


DELUXE
Animal Kingdom
$2,740

Saratoga Springs
$2536

 

[clutter]

I have decided to heed the advise of those of you who say to go the week before which makes it even crazier for me now because I am like WHHHHAT ... plan a disney trip in like one month.... what the?

Someone suggested I look at the DVC points/trading and renting board and Im gonna do that as soon as I stop freaking out about being worried about making the wrong choice on where to stay now ha ha. You know how it feels when you have butterflies in your stomach or your on your favorite roller coaster and about to do the drop? Well, my stomach feels like that right now ha ha..

Okay, Im off to plan or something .. actually i have to plug in the ol lap top first, im thinking this is gonna be a feverish next day or two for me.

To answer a few questions that keep repeating -- my daugher is 8, this is not our first trip but it is our first onsite at any Disney Resort, um, i can fly out of RIC if its much much cheaper ... and im definately needing to leave here thursday and come back here on tuesday (the thursday before the one right before Memorial Day) ... guess it would help if I had my dates straight eh?

Thanks again pals! Im so happy to be able to share my nervousness with your excitement for me and make it so enjoyable to vent in a world where folks know what the heck im talking about

Don't panic! Really, the thing I LOVE most about Disney is that it takes so little planning.

On the DVC option - I'm a member, and I would skip that. The values and mods easily fit in your budget and are a blast, especially for a 5 day trip like that. Remember that this is not the trip to end all trips. This is more of a reconnaisance trip for next year. You don't have to do it all, plan it all this trip. Focus on having fun with your dd more than 'getting Disney done!'

Next, go to allearsnet and look at the menus for counter service. The food courts at mods and values are pretty much the same, so you really only need to look at one. (Remember that with a 5 day trip, you may only eat breakfast at the hotel because you'll be having too much fun at the parks!) If you think you all can live with either 1A 1C or 2A counterservice for most of the trip, I'd consider adding that on. (Well worth the upgrade for a child with a decent appetite I think.) Or not. Either way, you'll still be within budget. At this point, I wouldn't do DDP, because then your days will be planned around sit-down meals, not fun for a short trip (as I learned the hard way ). But you might want to try for a character meal for one day.

Once you figure out the package you want, you check the airlines online and call Disney to book. TaDa! That's really all you HAVE to do.

Once you're done with that part, you can check park hours when you're there. Know your park hours, where any emh's are, and whether you want to do them or not (figure that park will be more crowded that day, but you do get the extra hours, so it's a toss-up if you don't have hoppers). Figure out what things you don't want to miss and make a couple of notes for each park. (Epcot - get FP for Soarin' and go ride Test Track, DHS - get FP for Toy Story Mania early, AK - get FP for Everest, go ride the Safari, MK - get FPs for any mountain as you can.) Then let the rest fall into place. We've had the best times in the strangest places at Disney, not necessarily at the big attractions.

The best part about this trip is that if you concentrate only on having fun and you miss something, you're going back!!!

 

[MinnieForMe]

Do you have a Disney Visa...if your dd is under 10 she could get in free...

...check to see if you have the Quick Service Dining Pin associated with your name. Just call in and ask Disney. SOme reps are helpful with this.

last resort, try the summer resort room only at POP. add your tickets and dining to it. I think you can do this for right about $1650 for 6 nights at pop, 7 day base tickets and plus dining at the end of May. This leaves you $750 for extras and flights. Bring snacks and breakfast foods.

Renting a car is an unnecessary expense. Use the bus service and Magical Express.

I have a Disney Visa. What's the deal? Found it on Mousesavers. Thank you.

 

[Ericandjenng]

Just a small correction (well, two). 1) You can do a package without any dining plan. 2) if your child is a big eater, you can ask that she get the adult package if you do get a dining plan. It will cost more, as you will have to pay for an adult park ticket, but it should easily be within your guidelines.

But you CANNOT have a dining plan without a package which is what I said.

 

[clutter]

But you CANNOT have a dining plan without a package which is what I said.

Ah, now I see. I totally read it the other way, that you had to include it in a package.

 

[MomtoGKC]

I don't know if you've figured out your plans, but I just saw they are doing a new kids play free promotion for May & June. Your daughter would get free tickets - that would save a ton of money towards food & souvies!

 

[CTrumble]

Airtran has direct flights to MCO out of Newport News (PHF) also.....

 

[CTrumble]

Summer Kids Stay and Play Offer Plus Dining Total: $1,998.79

Travel DatesCheck In May 27, 2010
Check Out June 1, 2010

Travel Party1 Adult
1 Child (Age 8)

Resort ChoiceDisney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Dining and Entertainment ChoiceMagic Your Way Package Plus Dining

Park Ticket Choice6 Day Magic Your Way Ticket
Park Hopper® Option

Airtran Airways
Newport News, VA (PHF) to Orlando, FL (MCO)
Arrive 5/27/2010 9:51 AM to 11:46 AM

Orlando, FL (MCO) to Newport News, VA (PHF)
Depart 6/1/2010 3:23 PM to 5:17 PM

Total: $1,998.79