Starting to plan again!

[JealousTinkerbell]

How do you begin planning???

This is what I want to know:

We want to go in Jan06
It will be me and dbf
We want to get 10 day MYW pass with hopper and pluses
We want to stay on-site
We will most likely have to stay value (most likely ASMovies, want non-smoking, preferred room in the Fantasia building [with the hat and brooms, not the jack in the box/ballerinas])
We will be budgeting $2000 spending money (includes food)
No rental car-so all dis transportation.
We want to spend at least one full day at each park.
We want to get an early-mid afternoon flight in and out.

Where should I start? How do I go about getting quotes for that far in advance? and also how do I get the cheapest cost to us for it all? Should i go package or purchase each thing separately?

What do I need to take into consideration?

Though this isn't my first time going to WDW last time I only planned the time we were there. My DBFs mom did everything else (booking it all)...

PLEASE HELP ME!!!! I need to give a rough quote to DBF so he knows how to budget his money since he is taking me.

Thanks in advance everyone, I know you will be able to help!

 

[jmcross]

I book the components of any trip seperately. I always start with flight because you can't plan anything else if you can't get there. I use Travelocity first and then go to the seperate airlines to see if the rate is the same or cheaper.

Next, I would call CRO and schedule the room. You should do that as soon as possible as I know they are booking for 2006. Also inquire about transfers from the airport as they are included now with any on-site room.

Finally, I use Ticketmania for the tickets. I order them online and they arrive within a week. I have found their prices to be the best.

Good Luck and Happy Planning!

Joanne

 

[kandmwedding]

I always book the rooms first (mostly because I always fly SW and flights are never a problem). I suggest booking through a travel agent instead of directly through CRO. A travel agent will be able to help you with a bit of the planning and will also check back regularly to try and get you a better, more discounted rate. I personally use the board sponsors, dreamsunlimitedtravel.com . Having purchased 4 trips through them, I'd definitely recommend them! I get my tickets through ticketmania.com, which is cheaper than any other place I've seen and very reliable. Your expense budget seems a little high to me, but it's suppose it's always best to budget more than you need. Dh and I usually budget $50 per person per day for food and souveneirs, which would amount to $1000 for a ten day trip. We don't eat lavishly or buy lots of souveneirs though, so I suppose you could really up that to about $75 per person per day, amounting to $1500 for the ten day trip.

 

[JealousTinkerbell]

DBF and I used over 600$ on food and souveirs on a 5 day trip. that is why I am budgeting so much for 10 days.....DBF needs to eat ever couple of hours....and I am a souvenier hound...plus pressed pennies and quarters and books to hold them in add up quickly. I am quickly becoming discouraged at the amount this trip is going to cost and I am already wondering how dbf is going to manage it....I don't know its probably just me (I always stress when money is involved)....Any more input is welcome and appreciated.

 

[Merriwind]

Hi! I have heard (and read) good things about the new dining plan. It sounds perfect for a big eater--one sit-down meal, one counter service meal and one snack per day for $35 per day per adult. You can use your credits as you like. $700 would get you lots of food for your trip. Just a thought...

 

[RoyalCanadian]

You really aren't planning all that far ahead of the time you need to be. Southwest flights will be released in about 2 month's time -- but am I right in remembering you're limited to flights out of Toronto? You should be able to get a fairly accurate forecast of what it's going to cost you. The Ticketmania ticket prices are there to see -- that's the easiest part.