Tickets??

[Rachelx]

Hi all!
I'm mega excited to be going to Florida in exactly 21 days! And can't believe I only found this forum yesterday *typical*
I've been before but this time we're going with Walt Disney World Travel Company .. anyone booked or has gone with them before - when did your tickets arrive?

 

[Goofyish]

Welcome to the boards

I've booked with WD Travel in the UK but not going until September but will be interested to know when to expect my documentation etc...

 

[Rachelx]

In that case I shall be sure to inform you when I find out! I suppose aslong as they get here on time then it doesn't matter - it's more a case of I'm so excited and as soon as the tickets are in my hand it will feel 100% real!

Rachel.

 

[wayneg]

Welcome to DISboards

Used them twice(3rd time this August) never taken much notice when they arrived, a total guess would be 2-3 weeks before departure. Never felt as though I was waiting for them.

 

[crabbie1]

Welcome Rachel. Ours came 10 days before we left last year but expect them any time from now.Where are you staying.Tell us more.Do you have any meals booked

 

[Rachelx]

Oooh that's exciting!
We are staying at POR, I went with my family a couple of years ago and really liked it! I'm kinad hoping they put us in AB rather than the mansions..
It was only December 2008 I last went but I feel as though it's gonna feel new again. It'll be my birthday half way through as well, should be a fab holiday!

 

[Rachelx]

And no we have no meals booked, I wouldn't know where to start

 

[Pegasus928]

Hi - and to the Dis

Even though you are going very soon you will still find plenty of useful advice from all of the helpful people on here - and if you have any questions then ask away.
You can normally get an answer pretty quick

 

[2Tiggies]

Hi Rachel and welcome!

Tickets should be with you soon as others have said so keep an eye on that mailbox.

Ask as many questions as you want to. You will be amazed at what you will learn in 3 weeks - still plenty time to turn you into an all knowing Disney guru before you leave

 

[Rachelx]

Thanks for the replies! I'll be watching my mail box like a hawk for the next week and abit!
I've been like 6 times to Disney but I've been young so haven't really known as much as this .. so especially on disboard .. I'm still 'earning my ears'

 

[2Tiggies]

Oh you'll earn your ears quickly. Are you a Minnie fan by any chance? My DD is Minnie Mad!!

Did you book any of the dining plans for your stay? I know you said you hadn't booked any meals. Is there anywhere you think you may like to try have a meal if possible, or do you just want to go with the flow?

 

[Rachelx]

Yess! Everytime I go to Disney I have to bring home a Minnie!
We have no dining plans, I'm abit of a crazy eater so it didn't really make much sense to get one, I think I'm just gonna go with the flow - my boyfriend is a first timer at Disney so we'll just see! But is there any resteraunts or anything you recommend?

 

[2Tiggies]

Since your boyfriend is a first time visitor there it may be a good thing not to be too tied down. Not everyone will agree with this as it is a very individual thing, but it can work very well, allowing you plenty flexibility.

We have been doing the QSDP (Counter service Dining Plan) since 2009 so no TS included in it for exactly that reason. However we do like to pay out of pocket for a few TS meals. My daughter is now getting a bit older and character meals are not the main draw in terms of restaurants for her, but we did initially do quite a lot of those.

Also picky eaters, I tend to pick buffets so that we can pick and choose what goes on our plates. Buffets are not regarded by some as the best of Disney fare, but we have been very happy with our choices. Crystal Palace is our favourite buffet, but it is a character meal which you may not want. Also, since you are going around Easter, the buffets and fixed price meals charge a seasonal surcharge on top of the normal prices.

Our new favourite restaurant is House of Blues at Downtown Disney. They have an extensive menu so plenty of choice and we loved it. Even better is that Restaurant.com offers heavily discounted gift certificates so you can offset the cost of your meal. They do not operate the Dining Plan so it is much easier to get reservations here at short notice and they do accommodate walk ups.

The beauty of no dining plan is that if you do want to try a restaurant, you are not limited to the ones where the dining plan is accepted and there isn't the same fight for guests to get in.

Here is a link to their website if you want to check out the menu.

http://www.houseofblues.com/venues/clubvenues/orlando/dining.php

Shout if you want more info on restaurant.com

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Just to let you know that we check in to POR on 6th May (will be in WDW a week before though at BLT) and we booked the POR portion (wilth DDP and tickets) through Disney UK. Our documentation packet arrived 3 days ago, so it shouldn't be long!!!! Have a great trip!!!

 

[Rachelx]

Wow 2tiggies thanks for that! I'm going to have a look at that menu now. I think most of the time we will be just using the counter service as it's quicker and probably better for us but I think one proper meal would be lovely .. maybe for my birthday

Tinkerbell 766 you are so lucky! Ohhh I hope mine come soon. I'm practically bouncing off the walls waiting for this documentation

 

[Goofyish]

I'm also staying in POR My favourite resort.

It has a really good foodcourt with plenty of options and seating. Make sure you invest in a refillable mug

I managed to get the free quick service dining plan for September so will also be eating mainly at CS places and the POR foodcourt. Have made a few reservations for table meals though

You can review menus (and prices!) either on the All Ears site or the main DIS site:

http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningmain.cfm

In the past I have found the CS restaurants get very busy during 'normal' meal times, so best to be flexible and eat when they seem quieter.
I tend to either skip breakfast or have a snack in my room and head to the parks early then have an early lunch to beat the lunchtime rush

The disney reservation system (ADRs) is explained here:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/reservations.htm

You can make any ADRs while your there at the POR lobby concierge desk.

 

[2Tiggies]

I think most of the time we will be just using the counter service as it's quicker and probably better for us but I think one proper meal would be lovely .. maybe for my birthday

I would love to celebrate my birthday at Disney you lucky girl! Yes, a special meal for a special occasion sounds like a good idea. As you can see, the great thing about this forum is that we all have different preferences so you get a wide range of opinions and advice to allow you to tailor the information to suit your needs.

Looking forward to chatting to you some more and hearing about your plans.

 

[Rachelx]

Oh gosh you'll regret saying that! I'm talking about it constantly, think none disney'ers must think I'm mad!

Right okay new question for you oh wise one .. if I want to have a meal, but I don't want anything too fancy .. where are my best options?

 

[2Tiggies]

Oh gosh you'll regret saying that! I'm talking about it constantly, think none disney'ers must think I'm mad!

We all get that. That's why we all hang out on the DIS. Birds of a feather .....

Right okay new question for you oh wise one .. if I want to have a meal, but I don't want anything too fancy .. where are my best options?

First of all, have you made any plans or do you have an idea what you want to do on your birthday? If you have a particular park in mind it is helpful to try and eat somewhere that is not necessarily close, but easy to access without having to transfer to get there.

Next question: can you give a summary overview of any foods that you love and those that you won't touch. I am talking kind of cuisine here. I mean there is no point sending a vegetarian to a place known for its steak for example. You said you were a picky eater so I would think it should be easy for you to narrow down.

Very hard to recommend a meal to a stranger, but given that your trip is so soon, you may be limited in your choices which could prove a mixed blessing in that it won't throw too many options into the mix which can be stressful in itself.