Some early questions for next year from a WDW-newbie...

[lisalonglash]

Although our family trip isn't until next year, I can't seem to stop myself from pre-planning and research LOL!

(1) I asked on the "Resorts" board and Pop Century seems to be what DISers are recommending, based on our group size (11 - 7 adults and 4 children 9yo and under), the bus situation and very close proximity to a designated smoking area. Do you agree or is a different Value Resort better for us?

(2) Should I get 1-4 of our disney passes (2 adult, 2 children) through Airmiles (I have enough Airmailes for 2 adult passes) or is it better to get a package deal (airfare, hotel, passes) and include them?

(3) Is there any way to guarantee room placement, as in making sure that our 3 rooms are beside/above/below each other?

(4) Does anyone know if WDW is offering free dining next year?

(5) We have the option of going next year in early to mid-September (mother-in-law's birthday - this trip is sort of her dream - the whole family on vacation together) or in late October (one of my nephew's birthday). Which month is better and why?

Thank you sooooooooo much for sharing your knowledge - much appreciated!

 

[ChisJo]

Although I can't answer all your questions, I wanted to ask if you've considered getting a house/condo rental off property? I know that you can get them with 4+ bedrooms, a private pool and a kitchen for less/night than the value resorts, especially for the amount of room that you require. If you've opted to stay onsite, instead, great.

The free dining is hit and miss...it's not a guarantee that it will be offered from year to year.

If you are staying on site, make sure when you make your reservation that you tell them you want the rooms right beside each other as this is a large party - they should accomodate you.

Can't answer the air miles question...sorry.

Either time to go is good. Watch the holidays though - if you go during thanksgiving, it may be busier. I went in late August, early September, and the parks were perfect. I have gone in October, and I don't know if it was just a fluke, but the parks were ridiculously busy! It could have been the celebration going on (The Millenium Celebration), so just watch what the parks are doing at that time, and be aware of the holidays.

Jo

 

[cab0899]

Just my two cents. I prefer All Stars to Pop Century. The food courts are not so crowded. The kids "get" the theming more and not such a long walk to the bus stops. The All-Sports is the best for the buses because they get picked up first and dropped off first.

Using airmiles for passes is a great deal. Just get the 5 day basic ones and if you want to add an extra day or the hopper then upgrade at the park. Not worth the extra 2,000 airmiles or whatever to get 7 days. (only cost $8 or something to upgrade from 5 to 7 days but lots of airmiles.

I personally felt we got better deals doing each item (tickets, flights, hotels) seperately than in a package. You can get tickets through airmiles or discounted brokers like ticketmania. We usually phone Disney directly and get a room only discount with our CAA card.

HTH

 

[Me2Me]

Although our family trip isn't until next year, I can't seem to stop myself from pre-planning and research LOL!

(1) I asked on the "Resorts" board and Pop Century seems to be what DISers are recommending, based on our group size (11 - 7 adults and 4 children 9yo and under), the bus situation and very close proximity to a designated smoking area. Do you agree or is a different Value Resort better for us?

I've never been with a group before but my family likes POP. I like having a designated bussing queue for each park when leaving the resort so that you know how many people are ahead of you in line. I don't know about the smoking area or the other values tho. We've been to Pop 2x and are going back.

(2) Should I get 1-4 of our disney passes (2 adult, 2 children) through Airmiles (I have enough Airmailes for 2 adult passes) or is it better to get a package deal (airfare, hotel, passes) and include them?

If those are your 2 alternatives then I would likely choose Airmiles. I don't think that there are any great deals out there for Canadians that package the airfare into the package. I found better uses for my airmiles than the park passes - I think I get a better $ for my airmiles with grocery coupons.

(3) Is there any way to guarantee room placement, as in making sure that our 3 rooms are beside/above/below each other?

I don't believe so but I'd agree with the previous poster. I've heard that Disney is more accomodating with placing family groups together. Disclaimer - that's not first hand experience.

(4) Does anyone know if WDW is offering free dining next year?
They are offering the Bounceback for next year but you'd have to been at a WDW resort right now to get it. I don't think anyone could guarantee this for you. It seems that they they've started a trend by offering it in the August/September months though.

(5) We have the option of going next year in early to mid-September (mother-in-law's birthday - this trip is sort of her dream - the whole family on vacation together) or in late October (one of my nephew's birthday). Which month is better and why?

I've been in early November before and enjoyed the low crowds but it actually had some very cool days. Still I think you'd enjoy great weather in late October - maybe you want to take in Mickey's Halloween party. On the other hand you might want to keep September open in case that free dining is available.


Thank you sooooooooo much for sharing your knowledge - much appreciated!

Hi - I added some answers in the quote above. I hope they show up.

 

[trivial]

As has been said, it's less expensive to buy components of your trip separately than as a package from Disney. As for which time of the year is best, early-mid September should be good as far as prices and crowds are concerned, and it's likely -- but not certain -- that Disney will be offering free dining in September, but the weather is likely to be hot and muggy. October's crowds shouldn't be too much bigger.

 

[disneyfan2]

some comments: I read that with airmiles it is best to buy the smaller pkg then upgrade to full park hoppers when in WDW, never done it and not sure all the options but using less AIR miles, and pay difference was suggested.
We stayed at ASMo and found no problems with bus service. We are trying for ASMu this time.
We were also told by Disney and TA that rooms requests are not gauranteed and only a request. good luck

 

[Melmac]

Although I cannot answer all of your questions, you could try booking your group through the Magical Gatherings department. I went with a group of 9 adults last year (4 rooms). My mom booked everyone's reservation through Magical Gatherings and all of our rooms were right next door to each other in a row (we were staying at POR), although they were not connecting. They were extremely helpful and would probably be able to answer your questions (they also helped me with our dining reservations).

 

[hockey mom]

I can tell you that we were offered a "come back offer" for free dining for next year. The dates for our offer were Aug. 30th to Sept. 29th which leads me to believe that free dining will be available next year.

We just stayed at ASM last week and as much as I love the theme there my DH and I were saying that if we stayed value again it would be POP because they do not share a bus with anyone.

 

[disneyfan2]

if we stayed value again it would be POP because they do not share a bus with anyone.

I thought so too, but so many people said that because Pop is sooo big in comparasion to the All stars, that more people wait for the buses and more people waiting in lines?

 

[Me2Me]

I thought so too, but so many people said that because Pop is sooo big in comparasion to the All stars, that more people wait for the buses and more people waiting in lines?

We haven't found the lines up long during March break & April - at least not when leaving from the resort. Staying at the parks until the end of the day - yes, it seems like a lot of people in line returning to the resort but it doesn't seem that the lines are longer than others. Magic Kingdom is the worst for Pop as the bus stop is the farthest away and that line does seem long. Just my 2 pennies.