WDW for DLR Vets??

[cloudconnected1039]

So, I'm sure we are all aware that there is a Hydro thread deemed DLR for WDW Vets. Now my question is whether there is a WDW for DLR Vets thread.

My family and I have just recently agreed that a WDW vacation will happen for us in September of 2012 and I thought it would be helpful to have a thread for our situation: we've been to DLR multiple, multiple times but we've never tackled WDW. Anyone have any suggestions for threads that could help us??

If not, anyone willing to make one?? No pressure of course!! I just think it could be helpful for alot of people

 

[skiingfast]

There is.

An Introduction to WDW for DLR vets.

 

[cloudconnected1039]

Thanks so much!!!

 

[skiingfast]

The other thing to look into is. When someone comes on this board and asks questions like.

Does DL have Magical Express?
Do you books ADRs 180 days out at DL?
Does DL have an Value Resorts?
When are DLs EMH scheduled?
Does DL have a Dining Plan?

These things are so common and important for WDW, they are things to look into.

 

[jlmarr]

These things are so common and important for WDW, they are things to look into.

Also:

* Is the weather unbearable in July/August?
* When is hurricane season in California? (Ok, I made that one up, but I think it's August/September in Florida.)

 

[BELLEDOZER]

I'd also like to thankyou Matt, for posting that info as well. I'm planning a trip to WDW sometime in Aug/2014, and was feeling lost in the vastness of attempting to get solid, basic information about WDW.

 

[HydroGuy]

To both of you, I have spent a lot more time keeping the DLR Guide updated than the WDW Guide. I need to do something about that.

One thing that has changed somewhat from when I first wrote the guide some four years ago is that Tour Guide Mike's website has kind of stagnated. I still buy into his philosophy, but the value of his site is not what it once was.

Along those lines, as much as I have always had an aversion for the Touring Plans entity (which DIS webmasters had as well - any link to their site was banned at one point - no one seemed to know why but one could guess) today their website is providing good value to WDW visitors and I would now recommend it. On my March WDW visit I subscribed to both TP anf TGM and frankly I got more value from TP this time.

Also, the WDW dining reservations (ADR's) are now online which is a huge, huge plus. Make sure you use that ASAP or 6 months in advance if possible.

 

[bigturkey12]

we are wdw frequent visitors and we are going to dl oct 2012 maybe we can help each other. i need all the help i can get believe me. it would be nice to have a dl visitor to ask . you send your questions my way and ill do my best to help.it is like were switching places

 

[PinkBudgie]

To both of you, I have spent a lot more time keeping the DLR Guide updated than the WDW Guide. I need to do something about that.

One thing that has changed somewhat from when I first wrote the guide some four years ago is that Tour Guide Mike's website has kind of stagnated. I still buy into his philosophy, but the value of his site is not what it once was.

Along those lines, as much as I have always had an aversion for the Touring Plans entity (which DIS webmasters had as well - any link to their site was banned at one point - no one seemed to know why but one could guess) today their website is providing good value to WDW visitors and I would now recommend it. On my March WDW visit I subscribed to both TP anf TGM and frankly I got more value from TP this time.

Also, the WDW dining reservations (ADR's) are now online which is a huge, huge plus. Make sure you use that ASAP or 6 months in advance if possible.

Online is great but 6 months in advance??!!! How do I know what I feel like eating 6 months from now? That's crazy. I'm starting to feel like I'm already behind in planning our 2014 trip! I'm sure interested in following any further tips about WDW for DLR vets. Like: if ADRs are made that far in advance, how far out do I need to book a room?

 

[Jynxed]

Online is great but 6 months in advance??!!! How do I know what I feel like eating 6 months from now? That's crazy. I'm starting to feel like I'm already behind in planning our 2014 trip! I'm sure interested in following any further tips about WDW for DLR vets. Like: if ADRs are made that far in advance, how far out do I need to book a room?

That's funny, because as a WDW vet I feel like I have far too much to plan and not enough time to cement it all with the 60 day ressies!
As for when to book a room, if you are going high season, which part of august is, book ASAP, especially if you want a particular resort. Value resorts tend to fill the quickest.

 

[HydroGuy]

we are wdw frequent visitors and we are going to dl oct 2012 maybe we can help each other. i need all the help i can get believe me. it would be nice to have a dl visitor to ask . you send your questions my way and ill do my best to help.it is like were switching places

The OP started this thread because he/she was aware of a guide I wrote for WDW vets:

"A DLR Guide for WDW Vets" www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1162599

 

[HydroGuy]

Online is great but 6 months in advance??!!! How do I know what I feel like eating 6 months from now? That's crazy. I'm starting to feel like I'm already behind in planning our 2014 trip! I'm sure interested in following any further tips about WDW for DLR vets. Like: if ADRs are made that far in advance, how far out do I need to book a room?

Basically, if you do not care about good dining spots and convenient times, you can skip it. But there are certain restaurants where you need to be on the ball six months in advance or you will not be able to eat there.

Think about how WOC dinners got reserved so quickly at DCA last summer two months in advance. And then extrapolate that to most all of the better dining options at DLR. That is what it is like.

If you care about the dining - and you should IMO - then you need to decide 6 months in advance:

1. Which park you will visit that day - ususally based on EMH and whether you want to participate or avoid EMH parks (I avoid them) - but also based on what entertainment will be there that day

2. Which restaurants you want to reserve

If you have a large group it is harder. If you have a small group (say two people) the six month thing is not such a big deal. At WDW in March it was just I and DS14 and we got every ADR we wanted 2-6 weeks in advance. But Le Cellier was hard and sold out way in advace - it always is - I had to check the online site daily looking for a cancellation - and found one about two weeks before we left.

I do find it amusing how WDW vets get so accustomed to this that they are seriously annoyed that DLR does not take reservations until 2 months in advance - and even then nothing sells out even up to a few days ahead of time. This to me seems like a huge advantage that DLR has over WDW - but many WDW vets see it as a disadvantage for some reason.

 

[PinkBudgie]

That's funny, because as a WDW vet I feel like I have far too much to plan and not enough time to cement it all with the 60 day ressies!
As for when to book a room, if you are going high season, which part of august is, book ASAP, especially if you want a particular resort. Value resorts tend to fill the quickest.

I guess I don't plan that much so no need to worry about getting it all done. I think I spend more time making sure I have all the correct directions for driving down there. If we were seeing WOC I would have called that in at 60, but since we aren't I will call sometime before we go to make a PS at Cafe Orleans just because that's easier than walking up and getting some odd time. We are thinking Nov. would be a good time to go to WDW. Want to go after hurricane season and not during humid summer. To avoid buses as much as possible, I'd like to stay at the Poly.

Basically, if you do not care about good dining spots and convenient times, you can skip it. But there are certain restaurants where you need to be on the ball six months in advance or you will not be able to eat there.

Think about how WOC dinners got reserved so quickly at DCA last summer two months in advance. And then extrapolate that to most all of the better dining options at DLR. That is what it is like.

If you care about the dining - and you should IMO - then you need to decide 6 months in advance:

1. Which park you will visit that day - ususally based on EMH and whether you want to participate or avoid EMH parks (I avoid them) - but also based on what entertainment will be there that day

2. Which restaurants you want to reserve

If you have a large group it is harder. If you have a small group (say two people) the six month thing is not such a big deal. At WDW in March it was just I and DS14 and we got every ADR we wanted 2-6 weeks in advance. But Le Cellier was hard and sold out way in advace - it always is - I had to check the online site daily looking for a cancellation - and found one about two weeks before we left.

I do find it amusing how WDW vets get so accustomed to this that they are seriously annoyed that DLR does not take reservations until 2 months in advance - and even then nothing sells out even up to a few days ahead of time. This to me seems like a huge advantage that DLR has over WDW - but many WDW vets see it as a disadvantage for some reason.

I agree- DLR does have the advantage here. (Also has the "no bus" advantage) Although, I've heard so much about the many good places to eat at WDW. It would be just DH and I at that time. But I don't even book a hotel room for DLR 6 months out, so trying to book a WDW vacation a year in advance, and hoping we can get the time off of our jobs the next year seems a little scary. We are both teachers, but really don't want to go to Florida in the summer.

 

[skiingfast]

We are both teachers, but really don't want to go to Florida in the summer.

It's unfortunate, not that you are teachers, that's great, but that you have to plan around school.

While lots of people scream the advice to get ADRs 180 days out, that is not always true at all.

It depends on two things, are you going during a busy time? In your case probably. Do you have to eat at 6pm? NY might want to, but you can eat on west coast time and use that to your advantage.

Other than that are you eating at the most popular places?

Just like DL, BB books quicker than WCT so take those things into account.

Plus you know how WDW vets are surprised you can only character dine at 5 DL places with one dinner? WDW has 12 options. So honestly don't get your heart set on certain places because you have more opportunities in WDW.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Good points. I'm trying to learn what I can now so I don't have to "cram" suddenly. Also I think I will go with Dreams Unlimited for help because I'm sure I'll need it. In the meantime, I have to keep going to DLR because I can't possibly miss out on all the new things they keep adding!

 

[HydroGuy]

I agree- DLR does have the advantage here. (Also has the "no bus" advantage) Although, I've heard so much about the many good places to eat at WDW. It would be just DH and I at that time. But I don't even book a hotel room for DLR 6 months out, so trying to book a WDW vacation a year in advance, and hoping we can get the time off of our jobs the next year seems a little scary. We are both teachers, but really don't want to go to Florida in the summer.

Realize that an ADR costs nothing if you cancel. So get the ADRs as best you can when you can and then change them or cancel them as you go along.

Not sure when you get freed up but I like going to WDW as soon as school is out. For some people that is late May but early June is also good. The humidity is there but not terribly bad and the crowds are not terribly bad either. As you progress later into June and then July/August IMO it is just so miserable it is not worth it.

Have a magical trip!