Time To Start Planning...need Your Input.

[DISNEYFANRI]

Our last trip to WDW was Feb 2002 - Presidents week - weather was great 70's and crowds not bad at all - stayed at All Star Sports and were very satisfied. Now....time to start planning for Feb 2003 - yes - presidents week again - would welcome any and all input - last time I booked total trip thru a travel agent - wondering if I would be better off "on my own" - also - would like to stay at a Moderate Resort this time - any suggestions?? I should mention it will be me - dh - dd (15) and ds (14). Looking forward to your replies and I'm sure I'll be posting on other boards as well.

 

[TINKTWINS]

I say plan it yourself!! Its very rewarding when you get there! And youll find yourself very Disney knowledgable!!

Keep reading the Dis boards and check out MouseSavers regularly. She has lots of money saving tips. Check Expedia and Travelocity for airfares.

Good luck! Youll have lots of fun planning!

 

[TINKTWINS]

Oh and We stayed at Port Orleans last time and we really liked it so did my kids. I think its a nice place for teens too. I think your kids would like it.

 

[joyful1nh]

Plan it yourself, our use Dreams Unltd to book your room ressie. If you are as I suspect from RI, one cost saving word for you -- Southwest. Just booked nonstop airfare from Manchester for $185 round trip -- and they have better fares than that from time to time. They should release February in about four - six weeks.

 

[Disney-Kim]

we are thinking of going in that same time period so I look forward to your replies.

I am glad to hear that you had pleasant weather too. I was concerned about that. We will be coming from a warm climate and are thin blooded now..... so 60's is nippy for us.

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

I really appreciate the input - now - next question????? currently I do not belong to AAA - would it be worth it to join for the discounts or will I do better on my own??

 

[cindala]

First of all, I would definately book the trip on my own. You have the opportunity to save so much more, and it allows more flexibility.

I think you would be happy with any of the moderates. I can only speak for PO which we really liked though. As far as AAA rates go, you can save anywhere from 10-20% depending on the season. This is about the same savings as the DC. We are members of AAA anyway, so for us it is an added bonus. If you don't have any other car membership, then you should consider it. Also keep your eyes open for codes and discounts for the time that you are going. Something is bound to come out.

 

[jcanary]

I would definitely plan yourself. I would start soon. I am going next July and have already made ressies for Hoop de do and hotel room with AAA discount. we will be staying at the Poly and I found I saved 15% on my room. You can always call and check on prices. Start with your room budget, maybe try to break down your costs from this past trip and see what you can get on your own with the discounts. You may find that you can upgrade to a moderate for no more money than what you spent this past trip. It's always a lot of fun planning. Base your budget on the room prices with AAA or DC and then watch the boards for when the other discounts come out. If they do go down, you can add anew activity or upgrade a pass.
have fun and enjoy it, you will be learning a lot.

 

[DISNEYFANRI]

MANY THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR THE GREAT REPLIES - YOU HAVE GIVEN ME THE CONFIDENCE TO BOOK THIS TRIP MYSELF. WHICH LEADS ME TO MY NEXT QUESTION.....WHO DO I CALL AND WHEN SHOULD I START CALLING?? WILL I HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL NIGHTS UPFRONT??
I AM STILL "ON THE FENCE" WITH VALUE VS. MODERATE RESORTS - WE LIKED ALLSTARS BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT - ALL THE MODERATES LOOK NICE BUT NONE IN PARTICULAR IS "REACHING OUT TO ME" ....
FYI - MY FIRST TRIP TO WDW WAS JULY 1972!!! STAYED AT THE CONEMPORARY FOR MY PARENTS 25TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!

 

[jcanary]

First, make your reservations where you feel comfortable now. When the discounts come out, check at a moderate that you may find interesting in the reading of these boards. You will probably have to put a one night deposit down, that's it. I would start with reserving the room. Call CRO and ask about the different discounts for your time frame. Good luck, and have fun.