Silly first-timer questions...

[AussieAngel]

I'm not sure if these are silly questions or not... But I've just started planning my first ever trip to Disney, and there's a few things that are a bit unclear. I hope this is the right place to ask!!

My bf and I are arriving on Sep 5th, and staying til Sep 12th, at Pop. We purchased a 6 day Magic Your Way park-hopper pass... We arrive at 11pm on the 5th, and will therefore visit our first park on the 6th.

My question is... do the tickets have dates on them? Because we never specified that we won't be going to the parks on Sep 5th. Do the tickets get activated the first time you use them, and then last until 6 days after that?

Because we thought we might take a day off from Disney and do a day in Orlando instead, seeing the sights. But if that means we use up a Disney day that we've paid for, we won't do that!

It's all a bit bamboozling...

And my other question is... Do you really have to book months in advance for dining? Lots of people I've spoken to have said reservations have to be in 4 months in advance, but I just find it hard to believe! Do you have to pay to make a reservation at restaurants?

I've got more silly questions, but I'll save them, because I fear I might scare people off!! Sorry! And thankyou in advance!! I'm very excited about my first ever Disney adventure really!

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm not sure if these are silly questions or not... But I've just started planning my first ever trip to Disney, and there's a few things that are a bit unclear. I hope this is the right place to ask!!

My bf and I are arriving on Sep 5th, and staying til Sep 12th, at Pop. We purchased a 6 day Magic Your Way park-hopper pass... We arrive at 11pm on the 5th, and will therefore visit our first park on the 6th.

My question is... do the tickets have dates on them? Because we never specified that we won't be going to the parks on Sep 5th. Do the tickets get activated the first time you use them, and then last until 6 days after that?

Because we thought we might take a day off from Disney and do a day in Orlando instead, seeing the sights. But if that means we use up a Disney day that we've paid for, we won't do that!

It's all a bit bamboozling...

And my other question is... Do you really have to book months in advance for dining? Lots of people I've spoken to have said reservations have to be in 4 months in advance, but I just find it hard to believe! Do you have to pay to make a reservation at restaurants?

I've got more silly questions, but I'll save them, because I fear I might scare people off!! Sorry! And thankyou in advance!! I'm very excited about my first ever Disney adventure really!

The tickets will start from when you use them.

You might want to make some reservations because of when you are going; during the free dining promotion. It does tend to fill up the restaurants.

Just ask away. No question is silly!

 

[MichelleChell]

The park tickets are per enterence. SO if you go say on a Monday that will use up one of you days. Then you don't go on Tuesday it's okay. Then you go to a park on Wed that uses up a second day. Are you with me?

I would make ADR's. You may get stuck not getting in a resturant because it is full if you don't.

 

[Belle1111]

No silly questions here, so don't worry. I just wish I had found this board before our first trip!

With the dining I would go ahead and make any adr's you know you want- from my past history you don't have to give payment information at all adr's (has that changed?) - just certain ones (like Cinderella's Royal Table). I've never been able to go during the Free Dining so all of that may be different- someone will come along with the answer I bet!

Good luck with planning- I know it's a little overwhelming at first, but it's worth it.

 

[AussieAngel]

Wow, thanks for the quick responses, everybody! Champs!

Am I going in the free dining time?! Because while we were booking (last night), it didn't say anything about that....

 

[Boncho]

Like the previous post said, the tickets start when you first use them.
I would make my reservations as soon as I new what I wanted. We're going to be at WDW for Mothers Day this year and made our reservations in February. The earlier you make your reservations, the easier it is to get what you want.

Ask all the questions you want - that's the only way to learn and when you go to Disney, there are so many things that can make your trip easier just by finding things out beforehand - that's what makes the planning of the trip so much fun !!!!! It's not like a trip where you go to a resort and lay by the pool or on the beach all week; there are alot of things like fastpass that it's nice to know before you go ---- soooooo, ask away!!!

 

[5fordisney]

Hi! You will love Disney! I'm not a Disney expert (this will only be our 3rd trip as a family) but I've read a lot! I believe that your tickets activate the first time you use them and are good for 14 days from first use. So you would have 14 days to use the 6 days you purchased, or something close to that. As for dining, DEFINATELY make reservations if you want to dine at a popular spot. I think it all depends on where you want to eat but I'd recommend making them. I did mine 180 days in advance for all sit down meals. You only have to leave a credit card number for a few places. Cinderella's royal table (the castle) and Norway were 2 of them. I think the Fantasmic package was another. If you don't cancel within the time frame (24-48 hrs. notice) or don't show up, your card will be charged. I bought the Unofficial Guide to Disney book (2006 edition) and joined TourGuide Mike's site and have learned a lot from both. You may want to do one or the other for your first time to Disney. They'll help you get prepared! Have a great trip! You'll love it!

 

[wallyb]

It's all a bit bamboozling...

And my other question is... Do you really have to book months in advance for dining? Lots of people I've spoken to have said reservations have to be in 4 months in advance, but I just find it hard to believe! Do you have to pay to make a reservation at restaurants?

You can start making reservation 180 days out from your arrival date.
And trust me the popular places get booked!
I for one will be calling on that first day I can.
As for "paying" - I don't think so.
I have been asked to leave a credit card number to hold a reservation at a few places - I think because some people were making ARs and not showing.

 

[beattyfamily]

Wow, thanks for the quick responses, everybody! Champs!

Am I going in the free dining time?! Because while we were booking (last night), it didn't say anything about that....

Yes, you are going during free dining so if you booked your resort and tickets through Disney then you qualify. It must be a 'package' meaning resort and tickets.

Maybe you should call back!

 

[#1_Donald_Duck_Fan]

I'm not sure if these are silly questions or not... But I've just started planning my first ever trip to Disney, and there's a few things that are a bit unclear. I hope this is the right place to ask!!

My bf and I are arriving on Sep 5th, and staying til Sep 12th, at Pop. We purchased a 6 day Magic Your Way park-hopper pass... We arrive at 11pm on the 5th, and will therefore visit our first park on the 6th.

My question is... do the tickets have dates on them? Because we never specified that we won't be going to the parks on Sep 5th. Do the tickets get activated the first time you use them, and then last until 6 days after that?

Because we thought we might take a day off from Disney and do a day in Orlando instead, seeing the sights. But if that means we use up a Disney day that we've paid for, we won't do that!

It's all a bit bamboozling...

And my other question is... Do you really have to book months in advance for dining? Lots of people I've spoken to have said reservations have to be in 4 months in advance, but I just find it hard to believe! Do you have to pay to make a reservation at restaurants?

I've got more silly questions, but I'll save them, because I fear I might scare people off!! Sorry! And thankyou in advance!! I'm very excited about my first ever Disney adventure really!

I'm not sure if they changed but it use to be (unless your on a magic your way package) that if you have days left over on your parkhoppers you can use them the next time your down there. We've done this in the past because we couldn't get to the parks a day or so.

Also I would do the ADR as soon as possible. If you wait til you get down there , there is a large wait at most places and you may not even get in to some. Cinderella's Royal Table is a prime example of this they tend to fill up fast, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is another that fills up fast and is very hard to get a reservation at. And just remember if you change your mind you can always change your ADR later.

Hope you have a great trip
Mike

 

[wallyb]

The other strange dining thing I’ve had happen is -
Sometimes you may not initially get a ADR at place but
upon calling back Shazam!
there's available reservation times.

So try again if you have a special place in mind
and don’t get in on the first try.

 

[philaround]

Just to make the ticket issue a little clearer, if you buy expiring tickets they are good for 14 days after first use. You do not need to use them 6 days in a row, just need to use them before the end of the 14 day window from first use. Of course if you are buying non-expiring tickets the days will be good forever, so if you wind up using only 5 days on your 6 day tickets you can save the last day for your next trip.

 

[katgarbars]

Yes, you are going during free dining so if you booked your resort and tickets through Disney then you qualify. It must be a 'package' meaning resort and tickets.

Maybe you should call back!

I just did a trial booking through Disney, and if you don't request the free dining package they charge you for the dining plan. I'd recommend calling Disney and seeing if they can rebook you under the free dining plan. It is a separate package with limited availability.

 

[AussieAngel]

Does the free dining plan have limitations, though? On the Disney site, it says it's applicable if you're staying for 5 nights and 6 days... And we're staying for longer than that, as part of a 2 month holiday around the USA. It's all a bit complicated, so I feel inclined to just leave it as is, without free dining!

 

[beattyfamily]

Does the free dining plan have limitations, though? On the Disney site, it says it's applicable if you're staying for 5 nights and 6 days... And we're staying for longer than that, as part of a 2 month holiday around the USA. It's all a bit complicated, so I feel inclined to just leave it as is, without free dining!

No, the only limit I know of it that you book your reosrt and park tickets through Disney and as long as your going between Aug 13 - Sept 30 then you should qualify.

You really should call and see if you can add it. It can't hurt.

 

[AussieAngel]

Okay, thanks!! I'll give them a call and see!

 

[WEDWDW]

Hello and WELCOME! I am glad you decided to call back and request the Free Dining offer.This is one of the greatest offers in WDW history.Each of you will receive 7 FREE full-service meals,7 FREE counter-service meals and 7 FREE snacks! PLEASE ask any questions-no questions are silly here.We were all in your position at one time.My first WDW trip was absolutely INCREDIBLE!I will give you some basic tips I have found very useful.Whenever possible,arrive at a park at opening-that way you will beat the mid-morning to early-afternoon crowds.As hard as it may be to leave the parks,take a few hours in the afternoon and return to POP for a swim,nap,shower,etc.This will really help to keep your stamina up as the week goes by.You can then return to the parks refreshed and ready for more fun and the nightly shows and parades.Also,use FASTPASS and EMH(especially Morning EMH) as much as possible.The main thing is to try not to get overwhelmed with all there is to do and just ENJOY WDW!

 

[Gary M]

Welcome to the DIS. Below is a link to the menus of the restaurants at WDW. Have a great 2 month visit to America. This should be a good time of year for a trip in the USA.

If you have any other questions about your trip to the USA feel free to ask.


http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dining.htm

 

[SnwflkCts]

Welcome to the DIS!!! I learned so much here! As you see no question is silly! Definately get the free dining -- we did the Disney Dining Plan (DDP) just for the convenience of it (and it wasn't a free perk when we went in Feb). No worrying about gratuities, etc... spend the extra $$ on drinks or gifts or refillable mugs.

You are going to have such a great time at WDW!!! I am excited for you!

(Others answered your questions so I won't add anything regarding them but feel free to ask more!)

 

[AussieAngel]

Thanks so much, everybody, for your nice and speedy replies!

Another question, about the Magical Express...

We arrive in Orlando at 11pm. I would be more than happy to pick up my luggage, hop on a bus, and go to Disney. In fact, I would prefer that, to having my luggage delivered 3 hours later, or the next morning, as the case may be.

As I said, we're travelling around the US for 2 months, and we'll be carting our luggage everywhere, so we'll be used to it!

Do you have to check your luggage through, if you catch the Magical Express? Can you just take it on yourself?

Or if not... is there another way of getting to Disney at midnight, apart from the Magical Express?

Thanks again for any answers or suggestions!!