WDW trip info, please!

[bizybea]

Hi everyone!
I've never been to WDW and may be planning on going next year, woohoo!! But I need your help! I have sooo many questions, I'm really, really new to this. It would be 2 adults, one child, girl, 8 years old. We want to see as much of Disney as possible, but want to keep it interesting for 8 yr old DD. (For instance, would she enjoy Epcot, or should we skip it?)

If you had your choice, how many days would you spend at WDW?

What is the best time of year to go?

What kind of tickets to purchase?

We want to stay onsite, with transportation to and from the parks it doesn't need to be ultra fancy, since we'd mostly just be there to sleep and rest.

What parks to visit? What to see/do that everyone will enjoy? Must do's?

And, finally, (for now ) :

Where to eat and how much to budget for food each day?

Can you give me an idea of how much a trip like this would cost? (Just lodging, WDW, souveniers, and food for X many days?) We would find airfare on our own. I know this is a lot of questions, thanks for helping me out! Since this is the first time for me and my DD I want it to be a memorable and magical trip, so if you know of any extras that would make it possible, please mention! Thanks again!

Beatriz

 

[dbail2]

Definitely read this site it is wonderful for info:
http://allearsnet.com/

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Hi Beatriz,

I can only answer you the way I would do Disney.

I never leave WDW so I do not rent a car. I prefer to stay onsite and have tickets for the entire time I am there....ultimate park hoppers work great. http://www.dreamsunlimitedtravel.com/tickets/index.htm for information on tickets.

One of our favorite times to go is the last week in November, first week in December, the parks are aglow with Holiday splendor, low crowds, weather can be "iffy" but we have always had decent weather then.

My children always liked Epcot even when they were young. I would try to go to all the parks, and just revisit the ones you like the best.

If you are flying in, there are many car services that will pick you up at the airport and deliver you to your hotel.. One off the top of my head is www.fltours.com. He will even make a 30 minute grocery stop for you if you plan it with him ahead of time.

Budgeting is a tough one for me. You have to decide whether you are doing fast food or sit down meals. It does add up depending on where you decide to eat, whether you do character meals or not, to save money, sometimes you can have a big lunch and then just a small dinner.

Depending on when you go, what time of year, what season it is for Disney, value, regular, peak season and what resort you choose, value, moderate or deluxe, that is the best way to figure out your costs.

Good luck in your decision making.

 

[fam4jc]

HI. So glad that your are planning your first WDW trip. You will all love it! I would plan on doing all the parks. If you get the park hopper tickets, you can come and go as you please so you can split up your days between two parks and water parks! (if you get the tickets with plus').
Check out the good web sites, Mousesavers.com & allears.net. They are loaded with information to help you plan and choose resort. There are lote of ways to save money on your room rate. The cheapest time of year to go is called Value Season. It's kinda hard during the school year...
Your budget is totally up to you. You can spend bucket fulls of money, or go relatively cheaply. Again, I think you should read those web sites first, then come back to the boards with your specific questions.
We've done a four night trip before, which was fine and all our budget could afford. Three nights would be pushing it to see all the parks.
Your DD will probably love Epcot. It is very intersting and has some cool rides. It may not become her favorite park, but you should atleast let her take a look.
Have fun planning. Thats half the fun. You can make a reservation and make payments as you go. Works nicely for an expensive trip
Feel free to ask multiple questions. The people on these boards are very nice and very willing to share.
fam4jc

 

[MrsJ Henry]

Well.. If I had my choice I would stay at Disney for month but then there's reality!!! LOL
But I would say a week... more if you can

Many people like different times.My favorite is in the fall. I really like November. I have gone in the spring many times and I like it but When i went in November I enjoyed it more. I like that the crowds were lower and I loved having the Christmas decorations. (we went right after Thanksgiving. This year we are going to go November 16-22. The weather is great for us then. Like I said though.... eveyone likes different times.

If it were me and i was going for a week i would get 5 day park hoppers. You can go back and forth to all the different parks and have a day off to do some different things. There is a lot of info on here about the different tickets. see what is best for you since you don't want to pay extra for time or things that you will not be able to do.

I have not stayed on site in many years but we will be staying on site when we go in November. If you are just looking for a nice clean place to sleep then go with one of the value resorts. Everyone that I know that has stayed there has liked them.
Keep looking on these pages as well as mousesavers.com for codes to stay there cheaper. I would never get a package because i think it is a waste of money but i have a cousin that says it is easy and she would rather do that. Everyone is different. You will see that on here and get lots of advice on the subject!

Since you will have a park hopper pass go to all the parks. Even if you only go a 1/2 day. Don't spend all the money and then later wish you had seen something.
The more you look up the more you will get ideas on what you will enjoy seeing.
EPCOT is very nice ... don't pass it by!!!!

I can't stress enough how great these boards are and how much info you will get.
I would also suggest getting the unofficial guide to Disney world. This will give you lots of info. I also have birnbaums guide which I love and the passporter but I love researching and planning!!!

Allearsnet.com has a list of all the places to eat and their menus. I love that site!!!! So helpful for ideas and budgeting.
Also go to the buget forum on here because they also can be very helpful in that area.
There is so much more that people will come along to tell you. good luck and welcome to the board!!!!!