Trying to Plan First Family Trip to WDW....HELP please!

[spacemouseneer]

Hello all,

My family and I have been to Disneyland a few times, but now are looking to begin the planning for a trip to the other side of the country.

We are looking to visit maybe the first couple of weeks in December. Any thoughts on this? At Disneyland, that used to be a great time to go, but now it's getting extremely busy at that time. Is WDW following the same pattern? What is the weather like at that time there?

Also I am looking for any place to book things other than the Disney site, just to do some comparison shopping. We've used GetAwayToday.com a ton for our DL trips, and was wondering if there was something similar that offered nice packages to WDW, or is that a pretty exclusive Disney.com thing? The packages. I know Travelocity.com offers them, but any other ideas? We would be flying from Seattle.

It is a little overwhelming. The whole thing. Even the DIS board for WDW, is so HUGE. So many sections. Unlike the DL one where is all seems so small. I am a HUGE Disney freak and haven't been to WDW since 1986 when I was 16.

Thanks in advance for any and all tips.



Spacemouseneer

 

[mel&me]

The couple weeks just after thanksgiving is usually a good time to visit.
Crowds pick up again the week before Christmas.
As for booking packages, check out some of the travel agents.Their deals can be just as good or better than booking everything your self.
It also depends on what type of accommodations you are looking for. I assume if you are looking at Disney web site, you plan on staying on site. You can ever rent from a DVC member if you are looking to have a kitchen and laundry. Try posting your questions on accommodations in the Disney resorts board or on budget board about deals on packages.

 

[CindyMcClung]

Hello!

I am so excited for you. I hear visiting Disney at Halloween and Christmas time are the best. When we purchased our DVC membership our representative told us to visit for Christmas the last week of November and first week or so of December to beat the crowd. Hope this helps.

 

[Keyana]

Fun!
Having been in the same position I would recommend checking out www.tourguidemike.com. We are from Idaho and go to Disneyland annually. I found the site well worth the minimal registration cost. We had the best family vacation. My parents who joined us for a few days had been to WDW 3 or 4 times and said they saw more in the two days they were there than in their previous week long trips...plus we took time to relax every day.

I don't work for TGM, but am now on our 3rd trip to the world using his advice!

Keyana

 

[mickeyluvsjess]

Not sure if this helps, I have never been to Disneyland but have family that has, from what I have been told, at Disneyland it is not as important to stay on property, at Disneyworld it really is worlth it. There are Dining plans, transportation options, and the extra magic hours that arent available to off property guests. And I really believe you can just as affordably stay on property as off. Either way I hope you have a wonderfull vacation. Oh, but another place to consider is any memberships you or someone in your party has such as AAA or AARP and even military (I know they offer discounts)

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Hello all,

My family and I have been to Disneyland a few times, but now are looking to begin the planning for a trip to the other side of the country.

We are looking to visit maybe the first couple of weeks in December. Any thoughts on this? At Disneyland, that used to be a great time to go, but now it's getting extremely busy at that time. Is WDW following the same pattern? What is the weather like at that time there?

Also I am looking for any place to book things other than the Disney site, just to do some comparison shopping. We've used GetAwayToday.com a ton for our DL trips, and was wondering if there was something similar that offered nice packages to WDW, or is that a pretty exclusive Disney.com thing? The packages. I know Travelocity.com offers them, but any other ideas? We would be flying from Seattle.

It is a little overwhelming. The whole thing. Even the DIS board for WDW, is so HUGE. So many sections. Unlike the DL one where is all seems so small. I am a HUGE Disney freak and haven't been to WDW since 1986 when I was 16.

Thanks in advance for any and all tips.



Spacemouseneer

This December? If so, you really need to get your resort and dining reservations going ASAP. Free Dining is going on and there is already limited availability. BUT, free dining is a HUGE discount and definitely worth going that time of year. Christmas decorations and free dining is awesome

The first two weeks of December used to be quite, like Disneyland, but they have picked up a lot in the last couple of years. The third week, before the kids get out of school and the crazy Christmas crowds start arriving is probably your best best. If you are going for more than a week, at least wait until after the first weekend, so at least the parade taping will be over. The weather is usually mild, but can very greatly. We been there when it's in the 60s and we've been there in December when it's high 80s.

If you are planning on staying on-site, which I highly recommend especially if you want the dining plan (you have to stay on-site and purchase a Magic Your Way package to get it), the Disney site is the best place to start. There aren't any "deals" out there that you can't get off the Disney site. If you book through Travelocity or Expedia then that would be a room only reservation and you can not get the dining plan. Southwest would probably have the cheapest airfare from Seattle to Orlando.

 

[Disn3y]