WDW newbie alert

[lojo]

We want to go end of Jan/beginning Feb 2013 - for my 50th. It will be our first time to WDW. When would you start planning/booking? Obviously, I've been reading lots but the initial co-ordination of flights and hotels is a complete unknown to me, especially as I'm hoping for the free dining.

When we go to DLP we've always booked the flights as soon as the budget airlines release them and figure out the best price for accommodation later - sometimes onsite, sometimes off, sometimes taking a package, sometimes booking room only with AP discount. We also know from experience what days to book the flight for to get the cheapest pricing band with Disney.

Any advice for a newbie would be much appreciated.

 

[Pegasus928]

Start planning now. The more information you can gather at this stage the better prepared you will be once the dates come out for you to book.
Have an idea where you want to stay, how long, the dining plan you want to be on, dates etc. You can get all the information you need about the different hotels and resorts from this site, just ask any questions you want and I can almost guarantee someone will know the answer (usually 2tiggies )
There are members here who specialize in certain areas and those who have a very broad knowledge about everything Disney and DDP because they have done it,and learnt along the way, for several years now.

 

[juliebro]

I always recommend the book 'Brit Guide to Orlando and WDW' by Simon & Susan Veness. The 2012 edition is probably out now.

 

[2Tiggies]

Hi Lojo

You have an advantage with plenty of time on your hands to glean as much information as possible. If you are thinking of staying onsite, have a look at the Disney resorts and read up about them, maybe have a look at some trip reports and get an idea on which ones you think you would like/would fit into your budget. Same goes if you are considering staying offsite.

There is a dedicated resort forum on the main part of the boards and it even has a picture section where you can get guests' photos of a vast range of aspects of the resorts. To me, deciding when you want to go, choosing a resort and getting flights are the biggest deciding factors and you already have your time frame chosen so you are two thirds of the way there. Here is a link to the resort forum to get you started (if onsite is potentially a choice at this stage).

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12

Another thing you can do is to look at the historic park hours and show and parade schedules for the corresponding dates. For example, if you look at the same period for Jan/Feb next year, it will give you a rough idea of what timings will be like as you are going at a quieter time of the year which has many advantages, but you will need to keep in mind that frequency of certain shows etc is limited compared to what it would be during busier months. You may already have seen these, but here are next year's ones for your time of the year:

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/hours.htm

As far as booking accommodation, if you want to go through Disney (sorry I am useless with info on offsite as we only stay at Disney resorts), Disney UK, Complete Orlando and most other travel agents release dates for the following year in late April/early May. So shortly after Easter next year you will be able to pull up quotes on these as well. Flights for you may actually be released before the accommodation info is and you need to just keep checking as there is never any way of telling what is going to be available when.

I think that should keep you busy for a while. Meantime, if you want to run thoughts by others and get some input, please post on here. THere are so many folk on here who have plenty of experience and great advice and the beauty of it is getting a wide variety of suggestions as what suits/works for one family may not be ideal for the next. And don't forget to share your exciting news as you plan out each phase. You'll know this from your posting on the DLP boards.

 

[lojo]

Thanks guys, especially 2Tiggies for the extensive reply and links.

In an abstract way I've been planning this trip for years - I've read so many trip reports and have three books in the bathroom (!) which I've read until my eyes turn back in my head.

As we want to go to Universal as well, we'll stay in one of their hotels for a few days, but will probably choose an onsite moderate hotel for the rest of the visit. Want to fit in a few days outside the theme park bubble too. At the moment we're planning three weeks in total.

Now that it's come to concrete planning I've gone into panic mode - I know which ride to hit first thing in each park but I haven't a clue how to narrow my shortlist of five or six hotels down to 'the one'.

I know how to get to the ME counter at MCO but have no clue which airline is most economical nor whether flying on a Monday is cheaper than a Friday (for example).

What if I book my flights for a Thursday, only to discover that the hotel package is cheaper beginning on a Wednesday?

What if I procrastinate so long that the not quite cheap enough flight doubles in price - arggh driving myself nuts. I know I have to calm down and just do the practical research, and leave the fun research until later but....

Anyhow, down to business:

1) I couldn't find a table showing the pricing structure for WDW hotels - you know like the coloured bars in the brochure for Disneyland Paris - I presume there is one?

2) Do the airfares for MCO from UK/Ireland steadily climb in price after their release, or do they have real sales at various times of the year? Or is this dependent on the airline?

3) I'm budgeting for a moderate but my internal spoiled little girl wants a deluxe. Which of the moderates do you think is the most luxurious?

4) How did you decide which company to use when booking your first ever trip to WDW?

Think that's enough for now - have to close down the ten or so windows I have open on Disney before OH comes in and sees how 'hard' I've been working all afternoon!

 

[Elise79]

Just to answer your questions:

There isn't coloured chart for WDW like the DLP ones. Broadly there are seasons but that's it. Doesn't usually make a difference in price for the day you check in.

Flight will generally increase however is slow times such as January/Febuary you will get sales fares.

IMO Coronado Springs is the most luxurious moderate. It has more resort amenities than the other mods. Might we worth considering OKW & SSR if the offer the discounts again.

We booked through Virgin Holidays because I was 18 and DH was 21 and we didn't know any better and we needed transfers.

 

[WiganTony]

Just to add our two pennyworth to the discussion!!

With regard to flights, you will usually be able to book scheduled flights 330 days in advance of your return date, so make a note of this date to start checking prices. You can use Kayak to set up e-mail alerts for scheduled airline flight prices which will e-mail you the prices on a daily basis.

Unfortunately it's a bit of a black-art predicting when the best prices will be available. I would suggest signing up with as many airlines as possible for their newsletters plus Travel Agents/Operators, and also keep an eye on these forums for bargains - we booked out flights for next August through Delta for £549 each.

Also consider indirect flights, and may be worth checking out charter flight prices as well.

On the accommodation side, we booked an Old Key West studio last year with 42% discount and free DDP, and have done the same for next August. We found this was ideal for three of us - two large beds, kitchenette for doing breakfast and snacks/drinks, and a large bathroom.

HTH.

 

[lojo]

Just saw your responses (Elise and Tony - tuppence in the mail). Some good advice there.

I emailed Disney to ask when they will be releasing prices for that timeframe and they said March 2012. Based on the 330 day rule, suitable flights should be available on 22 March 2012. There's going to be a flurry of activity and possible mental breakdowns in our house next March!

I'm such a dope - I'm on airline email lists for our European holidays but it just never occured to me to subscribe to transatlantic companies (duh).

I have narrowed (notice that - I keep saying I, even though there's two of us going) the onsite accommodation choices down to four for the timebeing:
AKL - because it looks fab and I'm probably never going to Africa so a small Disneyfied version may be the best I can hope for
OKW - nice to have some kitchen facilities and the offer prices make this affordable
BWI - perfect for walking to Epcot and close to lots of evening dining/drinking
POFQ - quiet, compact, nice theming without the crazy stuff (well apart from the alligators)

I realise as I type this that my criteria contradicts itself - I want Boardwalk because it's central and therefore close to lots of activity and I want FQ because it's quiet. Is it any wonder I can't make up my mind.

Hadn't even looked at CSR (must go and have a look).

OKW offers seemed very good this year, so if they're as good next year it's going to be hard to pass. What did you like and dislike about OKW, Tony - and did you use Disney transport or a car?

Elise, what did you like and dislike about CSR? Were you in casitas/cabanas/ranchos?

 

[pigby]

We have just booked OKW again for next year - went this August also. It was actually more affordable than the moderates - Caribbean Beach came out more than OKW on the Disney UK site and you have full free dining with OKW (as opposed to counter service only at the mods)

If you are looking at quiet resorts, OKW was quieter than POFQ IMO and the bus service superior. Plus as you say you get a small kitchen with microwave in a studio and a larger room than at the mods at OKW.

 

[Elise79]

Elise, what did you like and dislike about CSR? Were you in casitas/cabanas/ranchos?

We have stayed in all 3 sections. Each has it's advantages. We loved the fact it's a convention hotel - means the buses and pools are quieter.

I like to rooms they have duvets as opposed to bedspreads and doors separating the sink area from the beds.

We've always enjoyed the Pepper Market but some are not so keen.

Any other questions please ask - we have stayed there 5 times.