The best DISNEY vacation yet!!!

[Disney Bumfords]

ok guys!! I can't even tell you how excited I am. We're planning our best Disney vacation of all! First of all, we just got back from a week in Disney during December, it was wonderful.

We're going to do that time again, but this time - 10 NIGHTS!!! Do you believe it????? I'm so torn and not sure what to do. We were going to split the vacation between Disney and Universal, but after much chatting, we decided that it would be best to become Disney captives for the week and just live in their world!!

So here's my dilema - Should I just reserve our room and then buy passes for maybe 6 or 7 days? I'm thinking we can take a few days and just enjoy the resort. Oh yeah - did I mention - we're staying at the POLY CONCIERGE????

I don't want to buy a package and waste the money on parks for certain days where we just might hang around the room.

Please pass on your thoughts! Oh, and Tikiman - can you answer one question for me? If we request Poly Lagoon View Concierge, are we guaranteed to stay in Hawaii? Isn't Hawaii the best (main) Concierge lounge with the best food and ammenities?

I'm telling ya guys - we're going ALL OUT THIS TIME!!

Also - can you make breakfast and lunch out of the concierge lounge?

ok - I'm heading out for a while - give me lots of details please!!!

 

[MinnieGi]

Congratulations! Ten days sounds wonderful!

Just a thought:

-How about AP's - that way you could enjoy some of each day in the parks if you wanted to and best of all you would qualify for wonderful hotel discounts! Not exactly sure when you are going in Dec. But I think AP discounts were available for most of the time in December. I believe AP break even point is 8 days so since you are there for 10, it might really be worth it and especially with a great hotel discount.


Happy planning!

Gi

 

[ceecee]

I say go for a rest day or two. We were park commandos our entire trip except for 2 out of 9 days and we were exhausted! It's nice to have a slow relaxing day at Disney as well, to explore other resorts or swim, etc.

 

[Sharper]

You can definitely make breakfast at concierge offerings. There were no meat offerings, which disappointed my husband, but we all had plenty for breakfast. I would not consider the lunch offerings a balanced lunch, however, although it might cover you if you ate plenty for breakfast and were planning an early dinner.

I can understand your excitement. We had a quick visit just before Christmas, but are returning for eleven days in May. It is a whole different sort of planning, and we, too, feel like we can relax a little more than the usual Disney trip. Enjoy your planning!

 

[roserae]

I also would suggest an annual pass. That is what my dh and I are doing after some research. (our trip is just two weeks away!) We are staying for 8 nights and discovered the AP was almost exactly the same price as an 8 day hopper. Plus we are getting discounts on several restaurants and other events. (There is a list somewhere on the website)

Also, a big bonus is if you are able to return to WDW within a year then your park tickets are already paid for! We are thinking of returning in December of next year for that very reason....more bang for our buck!

Have fun!

 

[Pig Pen]

GO with an AP! We are getting 3 trips out of ours (25 days total). What a deal.

 

[Hayley]

You don't really need one more person to say "do the AP" - but I'll say it anyway! I think at 7 or 8 days it costs the same as a hopper and your benefits with an AP are so much greater. For one thing, with the Disney Club closing, an AP is one of the big way I'll be looking for discounts on room rates. And then, you really won't feel pressure to do any more days than you want to in one trip, but you can plan another trip in the same year!

I'm so excited for you - when I saw your subject heading " the best disney vacation yet", I couldn't wait to click on it and read about it. HAVE FUN!

 

[Lou-Ann]

I say go with the AP as well. The rates in December are great. It sounds to me like you would get your $$ worth out of it. Have a wonderful time. Cast my vote for room only and AP purchase.

 

[Disney Bumfords]

Wow - you guys are awesome!! There's no doubt in my mind now that AP is the way to go. Does the AP last from one year from the time your purchase it? I'm gonna go do some research. I can't believe how excited I am about this.

Now DH is wondering if we want to do December and the Holidays again. especially with 10 days, it doesn't leave much time to prepare for xmas when we come home. What is another good time of the year to go and have cooler weather and no crowds?

We've gone in May twice (that was hot), September once (hate worrying about hurricane threats!) and December twice.

Boy, I've got my work cut out for me but it's gonna be GREAT!!!

 

[Gupsmom]

Here is what we LOVE about AP's: You can be sitting at your resort and say "Let's go to MGM for dinner and RnR." You don't have to worry about wasting a day off your hopper pass for a 2 hr visit to the park.

After having an AP this yr, I don't think we'll go back to hoppers.

Jess

 

[Hayley]

Originally posted by Disney Bumfords
Does the AP last from one year from the time your purchase it? I'm gonna go do some research. I can't believe how excited I am about this.

It's one year from when you activate it - you can buy a voucher ahead of time but it doesn't become an actual pass until you go to guest relations (at any of the parks). With an annual pass, you really can be frivolous about where and when you spend your time at Disney! <i>Don't forget</i> to ask about AP rates for your resort - watch these boards for when they come out for the time you'll be there!

We've gone in February twice and we were very lucky with the weather - but you take your chances....


Once again - have a great time!

 

[Disney Bumfords]

I just called CRO - got a wonderful woman on the phone that was very helpful. She answered all my questions and told me that if I called back when I knew our estimated dates, that they could tell me what the room rates would be with the AP discount.

So then, I did some fiddling with the calendar and called back, I got a nasty rep who told me that all she could give me was through february 12 of 2003. I've been there before though, I'll just call back again and hope to get another nice one. I know for a fact, that the nice cast members far outweigh the nasty ones.

After looking at the calendar, we're thinking about the last week of February. Anyone vacation then before? Am I making a good choice? It will be my DD's birthday and that will be the best present ever for her!!!

ta ta for now......................

 

[Disney Bumfords]

Hello - me again - now I'm talking to myself!! But hey, it's 12 degrees outside, what better to do than plan a Disney Vacation.

Does any agree?

Anyway - we tossed some dates around and decided the first Saturday in May. This will include Mother's Day (why not - I am the one doing the planning. right?).

It's regular season - no value, but at least not peak. I looked up rates and based on approximately 40% discount of rack rates, I can get a Garden View Concierge at the Polynesian for about $2900.

Another thing we were thinking about was going to GF concierge, but I don't know much about their concierge there. If anyone has tips, please feel free...

Ok - I gotta run and go out in this COLD weather. I'll be back later though.

Ta ta for now!!!!!