The Balance is paid! A few questions :)

[Azza1987]

Wow!

Thats it, The flights were booked and paid in December, and now the WDW balance is paid! I have my new passport at the ready, and I'm itching to go!

Do I get a pack from Disney now its paid? Or when I arrive? Sorry first visit! What can I expect to receive basically!

A few more things to sort out though....

ETSA! Because its a surprise for my BF's 30th he wont find out until his actual birthday on the 10th March so I'll apply for our ETSA's when he knows so we can both do it together, so we get the information right! Am I right in thinking we just print them off once the application has gone through online? (We have nothing on our history that would stop us going to USA so Im not worried )

Insurance! Is there a particular type I should focus on for USA, Any companies you would recommend at all? We are both in good health with nothing to declare, and would require a minimum of £2000 baggage cover.

Spending Money! I've budgeted £2000 for both of us for 4 nights NYC, and 8 Night WDW (We're on DDP at disney and not big shoppers!) So I hope this will cover everything. We're staying with a friend in NYC who knows all the good places to eat/drink and we'll spend our time in NYC being typical tourist's so I think £1000 to cover NYC and £1000 to cover WDW. Its roughly $3000 on today's exchange (Im hanging on to see which way it goes currently, Im hoping upwards.....) Is this reasonable for 2 adults? We'll have a CC with us in any case as a back up, and both our debit cards. Also I though about bringing $1000 cash and $2000 on pre paid FX card?

Airport Parking! I need to book this for Manchester, however as we're dropping our cats off at my parents the night before and staying with them I'm sort of hoping my Dad will play Taxi! If I hold off until nearer the time will there still be parking?

Other then packing (I'll cross that bridge when we get there!) I don't think there's anything else I can sort out now is there? Have I missed anything?

We've been able to book ADR's for ages but because the holiday is for him, I've only made 2 ADR's for the first night at Sanaa and the first morning at Chef Mickey's (Big Kids!). Im going to let him book the rest, will we be out of choice 6 weeks before hand?

Nearly there! Its so hard for me not to share my excitement because he doesn't know, but I think he has his suspicions so I'll just have to keep my excitement restricted to hear for a couple more weeks

xxx

 

[GirlDreamer]

Hehe, I think you'll be more than good with spending money We've budgeted £2000 for our 3 week WDW holiday, and that should be more than enough. But is that spending money only, or does it include money for tickets? If you haven't bought any tickets for the parks you're going to yet, I recommend you to do that as it can be cheaper to get them online.

EDIT: And yeah, you'll get a pack before you go, we call it Mickey Mail here I can't remember how long before it arrives though.

 

[starrysky]

Yay first visits are awesome


ESTA I have never printed it off but I do write the number down and keep that with all my travel docs. Never been asked to provide proof.

Disney will send you a letter and the little big book of coupons which contains all your money off vouchers.

Have you got car hire are or are you staying on property and using the magical express? If you have not booked the magical express?

You might have no problem getting any extra ADRs so close but they may be at odd times of the day like 9:00pm. You could always try a walk up you might have to wait but people on here have been really lucky and got in right away.

Make sure you have a contingency of money you might not be big shoppers but its so easy to get caught up and before you know it the mouse has all your money and then some. Tips etc add up.

Be prepared to walk a lot it's much bigger than you think so get walking and you will be prepared for it.

Did you consider any of the tours that Disney offer might be an extra surprise.

 

[Azza1987]

Thanks guys, Ooo Mickey Mail! I'll be keeping a look out for that

Sorry I should have given a little more information So we fly to Newark on the 27th April, and then fly to Orlando on Wednesday the 1st May. I've got ME booked, if United stopped swapping my flights though I wouldn't have to keep changing it! They changed our flight to Orlando from 9am to 11.15am, and now 11.45am! Im not too bothered as its only a few hours later if they change it again though I think I'll be complaining they are stealing my florida sun hours away from me

So I dont need proof of my ETSA? I just need to know I'm allowed it and the reference number?

We're staying onsite at SSR in a studio villa, and we got the free DDP when it was on offer with $100 gift card (Im going to let DBF use that ). I picked SSR because it was more 'adult' themed, even though Im a BIG disney fan, he really only wanted to go because of Animal Kingdom.

Do i get the $100 gift card in the mickey mail, or when we arrive? Money off coupons? Fab, Im always after a bargain!

I haven't booked any other tours but I've been looking into the Wild Africa Trek? The main reason I booked WDW for his 30th present was because he had been harping on for ages about how good Animal Kingdom is supposed to be etc. So I think this would suit him the most out of the others? Any other recommendations, or experiences from the wild africa trek? Or even the price? It doesn't say anywhere. Also I dont know how long to leave it before I book it?

We've got our 'ultimate 14 day' tickets booked and paid for as part of the package, and I think we'll go to Univeral one day. Is it best to book before we go for Universal or get them when we get there? In my head I've sort of go our plan as -

Arrive Wednesday, settle in, shower, relax, explore, Dinner at Saana, early night kind of thing.
Thursday - Magic Kingdom (Breakfast at Chef Mickeys booked!)
Friday -Animal Kingdom (Maybe Wild Africa Trek?)
Saturday - Epcot
Sunday - Pool day, explore I-Drive, maybe shopping?
Monday - Universal
Tuesday - Hollywood Studios
Wednesday - Tie up any thing we haven't gotten done yet that we want to do!
Thursday - Go home
However the Friday after we get back its my birthday, so not all sad faces!

We'll be preapred with trainers/flip flops for walking depending on heat, but old worn ones (I've already been there with new shoes and blisters on holiday!).

I was thinking about taking a bit more then £2000 but I just dont want lots of $$$ left over. I figured we would have enough with the $3000, including tips etc and if we ran out we can use our emergency CC.

 

[GirlDreamer]

Yeah the Universal tickets are definitely cheaper online. Are you going to both Universal parks in one day? Or are you just sticking to one of the parks?

Yeah you don't really need to print your ESTA, some do it just to be sure, but they don't ask to see it. Last time I saved some of the documents on my computer as an image file, so could put them on my phone just in case.

 

[Azza1987]

Hang on, 2 Universal parks?! I thought it was just one! Oh dear I cleraly haven't done my research!

 

[orangetiggs]

Universal studios and islands of adventure where harrypotter is, we do two oarks in one day and even with toddlers in tow we got all we wanted done

 

[GirlDreamer]

Hang on, 2 Universal parks?! I thought it was just one! Oh dear I cleraly haven't done my research!

Hehe, yeah But you can do them both in one day. They do have a ticket that is valid for one day in both parks

 

[starrysky]

As long as your esta is approved you will have no problems. Just having the number makes it easy to call it up if you need to change flight details for example. It should only be $14 each and I would go through your airlines website so you know you are on the right page. There have been people who get scammed and pay way too much. If you are worried print it off but I have never needed to in all the times we have been since it came into use.

Good news is when you arrive from New York you will be on an internal flight so no need to que at immigration as you will ave cleared in New York. That saves some time when you arrive in Orlando.

SSR is in a great location beside DTD and you can walk though the boat ride is nice.

The discounts are things like 10% off basin (same idea as lush) and discounts on meals. Not massive but nice to have. Should be listed on your Disney booking if you made it through them. Or do a dummy one via the website and it lists them there.

Heard good things about the wild Africa trek though my DH is not keen I would love to do it. Another one I would love to do is the Epcot one where you can snorkel in the tanks with all the sharks etc.

We got our gift card with the mickey mail about two weeks before we left so maybe give them a call so you get it in time before you head to NYC. Lots of people do this and Disney are good at getting them sent out.

 

[GirlDreamer]

Oh the Epcot Aqua tour is awesome! I surprised my DFI last trip, and we both loved it We'll probably do the Wild Africa Treck one as well, as DFI loves nature and animals

 

[thestevied]

Hope he isn't a secret lurker on the disboards or your secret would be out!

 

[chmurf]

Mickey mail arrives roughly 2 weeks before departure.

Since you leave a few days before hitting florida, and if you want to make sure you get your big enveloppe, you can either phone or email WDTC-UK to request that this mail be sent a bit sooner. But you should receive that with plenty of time to spare.

We're staying onsite at SSR in a studio villa, and we got the free DDP when it was on offer with $100 gift card

Now to weed out any misunderstanding, do you have QSDP or DDP ?
the $100 gift card came with free QSDP, did you upgrade ?
I'm just asking because you're talking about making ADRs and DDP and $100 gift card, something doesn't add up here unless there is a piece of missing information

 

[Azza1987]

Now to weed out any misunderstanding, do you have QSDP or DDP ?
the $100 gift card came with free QSDP, did you upgrade ?
I'm just asking because you're talking about making ADRs and DDP and $100 gift card, something doesn't add up here unless there is a piece of missing information

Hello!

We've got DDP not QSDP, didn't upgrade that was just the offer when I booked in I think August time? It was $100 gift card then but I think they had $200 on offer at some point! We're staying at SSR and I think they only reduced it to QSDP at the end of the year so I was lucky I thi k!

 

[queendisney]

Yay how exciting...the first trip is so magical.

I was just looking at your Sunday itinerary and just wondered if you had anything inparticular that you want to see in I-drive? The only reason I am saying that is there isn't really a lot down there. There are of course some attractions but nothing major and a lot of stores that sell cheap stuff and a load of hotels. I know its 'each to their own' but because its your first trip I personally would spend that time doing something else. You mentioned shopping also, well the Premium Outlet is at the top of I-drive and you really could spend a lot of time there as its huge..its only my opinion obviously but you may feel you have wasted a valuable slice of time exploring I-drive..

 

[GirlDreamer]

I love shopping at Florida Mall Can't go on a trip without it. I don't shop at all at home, so I can save the money for some shopping on my vacation instead

 

[chmurf]

I love shopping at Florida Mall Can't go on a trip without it. I don't shop at all at home, so I can save the money for some shopping on my vacation instead

We don't shop at home either.

We've discovered that, thanks to the exchange rate and low sales tax in Florida (6.5% against 22% in France), we can buy our clothes (brands) for less than the price we would get clothes from our department store (noname or dep. store brand)
Better quality, better value, for less money...

we go with empty suitcases when we don't go with carry ons only (we then buy cheap suitcases), and off we go to the malls and outlets.
You should see DW on a shopping spree (scary, lol)

Shopping is definitely part of our Florida vacations.

 

[2Tiggies]

You should see DW on a shopping spree (scary, lol)

I bet she wouldn't scare me I dont shop at home at all either. I'm one of those people who buys nothing at all for months or a year at a time .... but when I do buy, it's usually spectacular I have related this story before on here, but in 2009 (or 2008 - I forget which year) I bought so much stuff at the character outlet at the Premium Outlets that I had the cashiers storing a row of overflowing shopping baskets behind the registers for me while I continued to shop. Then it occurred to me that I was unable to carry it to the taxi area .... so I paid and had them keep the bags while I dashed to a nearby luggage store and bought a full sized suitcase to wheel my purchases out in. I think I spent about $400 that day in there but must have had well over a grand worth of stuff. I had also called in at the Levi store earlier that day and they were selling off ladies' Levi's for $12 I think I bought about 12 pairs lol

When we landed back in Scotland one of the other passengers at the carousel helped me get our four bags off the belt and was voicing his disgust that the rest of my party had left me to watch the wee one and collect all the bags alone. I didn't have the brass to tell him it WAS only me and the 6 year old with me

 

[thestevied]

I bet she wouldn't scare me I dont shop at home at all either. I'm one of those people who buys nothing at all for months or a year at a time .... but when I do buy, it's usually spectacular I have related this story before on here, but in 2009 (or 2008 - I forget which year) I bought so much stuff at the character outlet at the Premium Outlets that I had the cashiers storing a row of overflowing shopping baskets behind the registers for me while I continued to shop. Then it occurred to me that I was unable to carry it to the taxi area .... so I paid and had them keep the bags while I dashed to a nearby luggage store and bought a full sized suitcase to wheel my purchases out in. I think I spent about $400 that day in there but must have had well over a grand worth of stuff. I had also called in at the Levi store earlier that day and they were selling off ladies' Levi's for $12 I think I bought about 12 pairs lol

When we landed back in Scotland one of the other passengers at the carousel helped me get our four bags off the belt and was voicing his disgust that the rest of my party had left me to watch the wee one and collect all the bags alone. I didn't have the brass to tell him it WAS only me and the 6 year old with me

Mad! You must have looked hilarious!!

 

[2Tiggies]

Mad! You must have looked hilarious!!

Oh you don't know the half of it And UK airports don't have those lovely sky caps you can pay to take your luggage .... they give you those teeny little itsy bitsy trolleys that keep stopping and making you play leapfrog with them

 

[GirlDreamer]

I bet she wouldn't scare me I dont shop at home at all either. I'm one of those people who buys nothing at all for months or a year at a time .... but when I do buy, it's usually spectacular I have related this story before on here, but in 2009 (or 2008 - I forget which year) I bought so much stuff at the character outlet at the Premium Outlets that I had the cashiers storing a row of overflowing shopping baskets behind the registers for me while I continued to shop. Then it occurred to me that I was unable to carry it to the taxi area .... so I paid and had them keep the bags while I dashed to a nearby luggage store and bought a full sized suitcase to wheel my purchases out in. I think I spent about $400 that day in there but must have had well over a grand worth of stuff. I had also called in at the Levi store earlier that day and they were selling off ladies' Levi's for $12 I think I bought about 12 pairs lol

When we landed back in Scotland one of the other passengers at the carousel helped me get our four bags off the belt and was voicing his disgust that the rest of my party had left me to watch the wee one and collect all the bags alone. I didn't have the brass to tell him it WAS only me and the 6 year old with me

That's an amazing story, thank you for sharing