Staying at WDW - 1st Time - Many Q's

[Maddysdaddy]

Hi all.

Just booked flights for our first DVC trip to WDW (we're DL people - but our home resort is AKV - bought on a cruise last year). Have a bunch of questions, since things seem to be so much different on the east coast.

1. We're going for the two weeks right before Easter. We can either stay at SSR the whole time, or do a split stay with the first half at AKV (both in a studio). Leaning towards the latter, just so we can experience different resorts, but concerned that the hassle isn't worth it. Thoughts?

2. If we do the split stay, is there a difference between Jambo and Kidani? Is one preferred? We aren't the types who care about view very much, but is it worth a few extra points a day for a savanna view?

3(a). I know I need to get with the program and order our PAP's by Monday, so I understand that parking in the parks is included with the passes. That being said, is it worth renting a car from the airport for the two weeks so we don't have to deal with riding on buses?

3(b). Is there a car rental agency at EDW (like there is at DL), where I could just rent a car for a few days here and there (want to go to a few spring training games while the fam is at the parks).

4. Went onto the WDW website and thought I read that the dining plan can only be purchased with a MYW package. Can this be purchased separately by DVC members?

5. We're used to eating at DL, where other than the rare occasion, you can just walk right up to any restaurant and get a table. Is it really that crazy at WDW that we need to plan our days by what restaurants we can get reservations at?

6. We're Canadian, so mid/end March, we're still dealing with snow on the ground. Is it normally warm enough in FL at this time that we should plan to spend a few days at the water parks? When I say warm, a normal summer's day for us is around 75.

7. I know it's too late to ask now (since I just booked flights), but any thoughts on how bad the parks are going to be in the two weeks before Easter? FYI, we almost always go to DL off-season, so anything more than a 20 minute wait for rides is too long (just about went bonkers when we went to DCA in Oct and had to wait an hour to get on Radiator Springs Racers).

Any and all advice is very much appreciated.

 

[ITGirl50]

How long is your stay? It depends on how long your trip is if a split stay is worth it.

I love AKV Jambo and Kidani. For a studio, I would recommend Jambo because quick service dining is at Jambo. If staying in a 1-bedroom, I would recommend Kidani for the extra bathroom. I always recommend a savannah view. We just got back from AKV and didn't have the savannah view and I kept thinking I was missing out. I love being able to go out on my balcony to see the animals. If you are staying at Animal Kingdom, you should get the view.

The weather can be cold or nice in March. The last two years we went in March (second week), it was really cold, wet and windy a couple of days and the other days it warmed up. You never know, but there will not be snow. I wouldn't go to a waterpark in March, but I'm from Texas. I don't like water parks unless it's 90 degrees outside.

You need to plan your meals ahead of time to get into the best restaurants. Many times the good ones don't take walk-ins or the wait will be really long if you do try to walk-in without a reservation.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Hi all.

Just booked flights for our first DVC trip to WDW (we're DL people - but our home resort is AKV - bought on a cruise last year). Have a bunch of questions, since things seem to be so much different on the east coast.

1. We're going for the two weeks right before Easter. We can either stay at SSR the whole time, or do a split stay with the first half at AKV (both in a studio). Leaning towards the latter, just so we can experience different resorts, but concerned that the hassle isn't worth it. Thoughts?
A split stay isn't bad when you are going to be there 2 full weeks. I'd probably do that. I hope you are staying in a savanna view at least in your AKV part of the trip.

2. If we do the split stay, is there a difference between Jambo and Kidani? Is one preferred? We aren't the types who care about view very much, but is it worth a few extra points a day for a savanna view?
Yes, there is a difference, but it depends on which view category. I would NOT do Jambo if you have a savanna view, because you will be high up, and the animals will be blocked by trees in many cases. I have a strong preference to Kidani over Jambo, but if you think you want to be near a counter service food place, then Jambo is where you want to be. AKV isn't so much about the view perse as it is about viewing animals. Also,I think the resort things to do are much better at Kidani than they are at Jambo. We have grown to much prefer Kidani over Jambo.

3(a). I know I need to get with the program and order our PAP's by Monday, so I understand that parking in the parks is included with the passes. That being said, is it worth renting a car from the airport for the two weeks so we don't have to deal with riding on buses? Actually, parking is included in your resort stay, so no need to pay for parking either way. I do, however thing the buses are the best way to get around WDW from either of those resorts with the exception of AKV to DTD. I would rent the car for getting around the non-Disney parts of the area, but not for getting to the parks. You will almost always be time ahead taking the buses over parking and taking the tram in. That is especially true at MK where parking is across the lagoon from the park, and the buses drop you off right at the park entrance.

3(b). Is there a car rental agency at EDW (like there is at DL), where I could just rent a car for a few days here and there (want to go to a few spring training games while the fam is at the parks).Yes there is at the Swan/Dolphin I believe. (not sure since we always get the rental at the airport). If you are doing spring training games for the Braves, you wont need a car for that, since you can take the buses there just like any other WDW attraction.

4. Went onto the WDW website and thought I read that the dining plan can only be purchased with a MYW package. Can this be purchased separately by DVC members?That's true unless you are a DVC member, and then you purchase the dining plan separately. IF you purchase it, that is. We find it's more expensive and somewhat difficult to manage.

5. We're used to eating at DL, where other than the rare occasion, you can just walk right up to any restaurant and get a table. Is it really that crazy at WDW that we need to plan our days by what restaurants we can get reservations at?Yes, unless you know how to "work" it. We no longer make those early reservations, but we know to go to the restaurants either at the very beginning of a serving time, or plan on very late.

6. We're Canadian, so mid/end March, we're still dealing with snow on the ground. Is it normally warm enough in FL at this time that we should plan to spend a few days at the water parks? When I say warm, a normal summer's day for us is around 75. Yes, it will be warm enough to swim, but might not always be. We have often had very windy weather in March when we have gone down, and if you happen to get a windy day, it can be quite chilly for swimming.

7. I know it's too late to ask now (since I just booked flights), but any thoughts on how bad the parks are going to be in the two weeks before Easter? FYI, we almost always go to DL off-season, so anything more than a 20 minute wait for rides is too long (just about went bonkers when we went to DCA in Oct and had to wait an hour to get on Radiator Springs Racers).

Any and all advice is very much appreciated.It will be busy, but if you get a good guide (like passporter), you should be able to manage well by utilizing fastpasses. We always go to the parks at rope drop so we can do those "special" things that get crowded while others are still waiting.

I have answered in the body of your post with different colored text.

 

[Geomom]

1 & 2. We haven't done a split stay--but the longest we've stayed is 7 nights. For a 2 week trip I'd do a split stay. I found AKV much more interesting than SSR. We thought it was worth the extra points for a Savannah view and enjoyed sitting out on the balcony at night and watching the animals while the kids slept. AKV has lots of cultural activities for all ages--a cultural representative did a talk about her country, there's African drumming lessons, tours of the resort to showcase the African decor, viewing the animals with night vision goggles, etc. Jambo is the main building--it has counter service restaurants as well as quick service and has the large gift shop. Kidani has a much smaller gift shop, the community hall for kids, a splash play area for kids. Both have pools/pool bars. We stayed at Kidani and enjoyed it. We did have dinner at Jambo and found the walk between the 2 doable. Buses pick up at Kidani first, then Jambo. Hallways are long at Kidani (but SSR is very spread out with outside walking). If you make a request have it be near the lobby and that should put you more central. Also ask for Sunset Savannah as that has zebras/giraffes, etc.

3. We always use Disney transportation and never rent a car...but we never plan to go off property. We don't find buses a hassle--but be prepared for a long wait if you stay at a park until closing/fireworks are over. The wait is less for the Deluxe resorts than the values. Yes, there are places to rent a car for a short time. The 'car care center' and the Dolphin Hotel--Alamo/National. We have friends who rented a car for a day, and other who returned a car. If you think you'll go off property a few days--check rates to see what ends up being cheaper--a 2 week rental or a 2 day rental from Disney property.

4. Yes, you can purchase the dining plan from the DVC website. You need to pay for it in full 48 hrs before arrival. Another option is the TIW card. For $100 you get a 20% discount off most table service restaurants and just a few counter service restaurants. The discount is off food AND alcohol. There is an 18% gratuity added on to the table service meals.

5. Yes, you need to make ADR's if you want to eat at table service restaurants.

6. March should be in the 70's/80's. We're from Massachusetts. I think it's warm enough to go in the pool (and stay submerged) when we visit Disney in February. Whether it's warm enough for a full day at a water park is up to you.

7. We've never stayed around Easter. Since you're staying 2 weeks before Easter, I'd plan your first week to be park heavy as that week should be lighter. The week closest to Easter should be busy. Take advantage of the fast passes, get to parks early, avoid Magic Kingdom on the weekend. Epcot is the largest and won't feel as busy...although ride wait times won't reflect that.

 

[bumbershoot]

We stayed in a one-bedroom at Jambo. We really disliked Jambo. We are giving a one-bedroom at Kidani a try on our upcoming trip, hoping that it was the circumstances surrounding that stay that made it seem extra awful.*

I would not get a savannah view if it were just me and DH. My son, however, LOVES that view. It's really for him that we're doing this stay at Kidani, so I went for the view. YOur username indicates that there's at least one child in your life...if she's going along, you might consider if she would like the ability to possibly see animals from your room.

As was stated, being an onsite guest gives you free parking. The AP allows for free parking if you are staying OFFsite.

We love having the car. We've had some decent, some not good, and one really BAD experience with the buses. We've had nothing but GOOD experiences with our rental cars, and also have been extraordinarily lucky with the parking situation when going to MK. If you look around the Transportation forum you'll find month by month rental car threads as time goes on, and you'll see that you will see rates dropping the closer you get to your dates. For instance, we have a car booked for February that's really high. But in a week or two I'm expecting coupons and codes to come out that encompass our dates, and I expect that our total will drop as I rebook it.


I don't mind a split stay at all. You have to be a big more organized, and you need a plan for the moving days. There are tons of threads about split stays and moving luggage and all that...on the DVC pages and also on the Resorts pages.



Yes it's going to be busy. Start practicing patience now. Decide to enjoy the queues, meet new and interesting people, and use whatever sort of Fastpass Plus program they have by that time.





*(literally freezing cold, checked in after dark, miscommunications with Valet and checkin people, the tail end of a LONG trip, aching bodies, and were randomly given a handicap accessible room with NO TUB to soothe those aching bodies...we were told to take the van to Kidani for our late Sanaa reservation, but weren't told that said van stops service at 9, and we had NO idea how to get back in the dark and the cold without a map...we were moved late the following day, and just never got the fun trip mojo back after that)

 

[Kidanifan08]

Hi all.

Just booked flights for our first DVC trip to WDW (we're DL people - but our home resort is AKV - bought on a cruise last year). Have a bunch of questions, since things seem to be so much different on the east coast.

1. We're going for the two weeks right before Easter. We can either stay at SSR the whole time, or do a split stay with the first half at AKV (both in a studio). Leaning towards the latter, just so we can experience different resorts, but concerned that the hassle isn't worth it. Thoughts?

I agree with others . . . do a split stay. We have done split stays for 8 and 9 day trips, and it is manageable. It looks like SSR may be your only option at this point for the week leading up to Easter. It's not one of our favorites, but it's a nice resort; and you can walk to DTD.

2. If we do the split stay, is there a difference between Jambo and Kidani? Is one preferred? We aren't the types who care about view very much, but is it worth a few extra points a day for a savanna view?

We are Kidani fans, but some don't like not having a QS option on site. We like the pool area at Kidani better, too. We love the savanna view, but if you need to conserve points, a standard view is not the end of the world. There are plenty of places to view the animals. But, standing on your private balcony to view the animals is awesome, especially with kids.

3(a). I know I need to get with the program and order our PAP's by Monday, so I understand that parking in the parks is included with the passes. That being said, is it worth renting a car from the airport for the two weeks so we don't have to deal with riding on buses?

We love using WDW buses. The buses stop at Kidani first (and empty), which is another Kidani advantage. The one time we had a car, we did not quite know how to work it in, with all of the park hopping we do.

3(b). Is there a car rental agency at EDW (like there is at DL), where I could just rent a car for a few days here and there (want to go to a few spring training games while the fam is at the parks).

Alamo at the Dolphin or WDW Car Care Center. The CCC will send someone to pick you up at your resort.

4. Went onto the WDW website and thought I read that the dining plan can only be purchased with a MYW package. Can this be purchased separately by DVC members?

You can purchase it separately. It needs to be purchased at least 2 days prior to your arrival. You could even do it for one half of your trip and not use it for the other, as long as you change resorts. For two weeks, I would suggest looking into the TIW card. It will give you alot more flexibility. The DDP ends up being too much food for us.

5. We're used to eating at DL, where other than the rare occasion, you can just walk right up to any restaurant and get a table. Is it really that crazy at WDW that we need to plan our days by what restaurants we can get reservations at?

We always do ADR's, even during slow seasons. I would definitely getting ADR's for character meals, if those are something you want to do. You can always cancel the non-signature ADR's up through the day of the reservation, if needed.

6. We're Canadian, so mid/end March, we're still dealing with snow on the ground. Is it normally warm enough in FL at this time that we should plan to spend a few days at the water parks? When I say warm, a normal summer's day for us is around 75.

I grew up in Michigan, so we are used to swimming in Florida in March. When we were there 3/9-3/18 this year, we ended up swimming most days.

7. I know it's too late to ask now (since I just booked flights), but any thoughts on how bad the parks are going to be in the two weeks before Easter? FYI, we almost always go to DL off-season, so anything more than a 20 minute wait for rides is too long (just about went bonkers when we went to DCA in Oct and had to wait an hour to get on Radiator Springs Racers).

Busy, but not horrible. Use FP as much as possible. We generally get to the parks at RD and get quite a bit done before noon. Check out easyWDW.com for good recommendations on what days to go to what parks. He generally recommends avoiding EMH days, and we have found that that is usually a good idea! We still usually use the morning EMH's, since we have a little one who likes to wake up early.

Any and all advice is very much appreciated.

See answers above. Have a great trip!!

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Many thanks everyone.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Thanks again to those who offered advice. I booked this morning, with mixed success...

Managed to get 9 nights in a savanna view studio at Kidani, followed by 4 nights at a studio at SSR. This is when my reservation falls apart, as the following night was booked at SSR, and the only studio available at any of the DVC properties, was back at AKV.

So... we are back at Jambo for 1 night, and then back to SSR for another 2 nights in a studio.

I've waitlisted a studio at SSR for the AKV night, in the hopes of preventing two additional moves. Cross your fingers for me please.

 

[Kidanifan08]

Thanks again to those who offered advice. I booked this morning, with mixed success...

Managed to get 9 nights in a savanna view studio at Kidani, followed by 4 nights at a studio at SSR. This is when my reservation falls apart, as the following night was booked at SSR, and the only studio available at any of the DVC properties, was back at AKV.

So... we are back at Jambo for 1 night, and then back to SSR for another 2 nights in a studio.

I've waitlisted a studio at SSR for the AKV night, in the hopes of preventing two additional moves. Cross your fingers for me please.

I think you have a good chance at your 1 day WL coming through. You should check the website daily for that day, because sometime the room you want becomes available online before DVC fulfills WL's (based on this phenomenon being reported on other threads). Also, you could do a WL for the last 2 nights in the Jambo studio. You can have 2 active WL's. Just make sure you prioritize the WL's so one gets cancelled when the other comes through.