WDW Trip need help.

[Semperfi1972]

Just got back from DL, DCA 2 days ago didnt go all that well but still had a great time. Was very frustrated with how much food cost in and out of park did everything OOP. I am starting to plan a WDW trip for just me and the DW. I have a lot of time to plan since it will not be till July 2018 for our 10yr anniversary. Now to some of the questions. I think I have decided on the Magic Your Way Premium Package. Just so I dont have to worry about OOP cost for food and deciding where to go eat once at the park. I also like the extra perks of being able to do the tours and some of the other extras. Now for you WDW Vets out there what is too few days and where would you say its too many days? This is all a bit over whelming, I can do anywhere from 6 to 14 days.

 

[ebtbmom]

2018?? That is preplanning for real!

Honestly I think it's too early to look at packages and tours, they tend to change them up.

I would go for at least 7-8 nights. That way you have 1 day/park and some rest, return to favorites days.

Things will be different then though, hopefully we'll have Star Wars Land!!!

 

[kmb584]

Will it be your first visit? If so, I say the more days the merrier! That way you can build in a day or two of downtime in the middle of the vacation while still being able to accomplish mostly everything!

For me, someone who visits WDW every 6 months, I like our 9 night / 10 day schedule. Sometimes we go for less time but never for more. By the time the end of our vacation is upon us we're ALL tired but happy.

 

[Hadjii]

Hi Semper Fi (proud Daughter of a Marine vet here!). If you can be flexible about celebrating your anniversary date, you can get some great deals. At certain times of the year, there us free dining included if you stay on site. July us usually a more expensive time of the year to go. The Fall (not including holidays) is generally more affordable. Maybe you could do something small scale in July on your anniversary but save the big celebration for WDW at a time you can ate take advantage of the free dining or discounted room deals? Just a thought. Either way, enjoy your trip and your anniversary!

 

[patty57]

It would be my dream to spend 14 days at WDW. Parks, relaxing, tours...how fun. I think that planning five years out is probably overkill. Who knows what kinds of packages will be available then.

 

[Cafeen]

Keep in mind that the premium package is ~$189 per person, per night as of 2013 and this is very likely to rise ~2-5% per year.

While food is costly, I strongly advise you on doing the math beforehand. The tours are a nice added touch, but they can easily eat up much of the day, and with the premium package, you really have to do many of them to get the paid value out of the plan. Alternatively, look into splitting your stay, with a 3 nights (the premium plan minimum) on the plan, and the rest of nights differently. This could allow you to have some of that experience, but not be tied down to constant tours and recreation things, while the parks sit there taunting you!

From a dining perspective, we won't know how valuable the dining plans (Quick Service, Disney Dining Plan, and Deluxe Dining Plan... these are actual dining plans rather than recreation/dining packages like premium and platinum are) will be in 5 years. At the current trend, it will likely be cheaper to go out of pocket. I know that you had sticker-shock at DLR with the OOP prices, but it would still make more sense if you're going to spend less OOP than on a dining plan.

So, as such, start getting a general idea of where and how you'd like to dine for now. When the time comes nearer, you can do the math to see if a dining plan is a right fit for your intentions or not. If it's not, there's a very good chance that it will be cheaper to go OOP, even with the high individual prices at WDW.

Length of stay can be a bit personal and subjective. Some people can feel they did enough within 3-4 days, others can't fit everything they want into 14 or even 21! I'd take the time before your trip to start determining what you want to do and stuff and seeing how long that takes up, rather than determining a time frame and trying to fit or fill as needed.

I know, I'm not all that helpful , but I strongly believe in crafting the right trip for you rather than you trying to fit into what I (or others) do! Of course, you have time, and some great resources at hand to help you decide.

 

[Pakey]

I have done the Platinum Plan once and the Premium Plan once. I would not recommend either for extended periods of time or for first time visitors. The meals and tours will eat up all of your time. You will spend your days running from tour to meal to tour to meal and you will not have time to enjoy the parks.

I think these plans are great for a few days when you don't care about getting park/waterpark time. I did the Platinum for an entire week and I was exhausted from it after 3 days. I did the Premium for 5 days the year after I did Platinum and realized that it still was just too much structure and food.

You have plenty of time. You need to look at the tours/activities you really want to do and price them OOP. Then look at the food. I'd be surprised if you came out money ahead by doing one of these plans. Then factor in the time it takes to do these meals/activities plus the time it takes to get to/from them. I can't imagine doing either for 6-14 days!!

 

[Semperfi1972]

Yes I know all prices will go up between now and then but I am still looking for any and all suggestions. I do like the thought of splitting the trip in two. Doing the premium dinning for part and backing diwn to only QS meals for the rest.

 

[macnodos]

Semper Fi -
Talk to as many people as possible that have used the premium pkg. May or may not be overkill. Reg pkg may be all that you need from time constraints. It would be tough to maximize park time and relaxation, having ADR's and multiple tours with premium Pkg. One week is a good place to start for parks, relaxation poolside, and Downtown Disney. Another day or so would certainly not hurt. My point, premium pkg. not necessary to control OOP expenses. Good Luck.

 

[Semperfi1972]

Wow. So I am kind of lucky I can surf the net and look at things while I'm working. I have been all over the web today. There is so much more at WDW. I am glad I have plenty of time to do my research. Ok now two questions. What's your top 3 resort hotels? What's your top 5 dining experiences?

 

[macnodos]

Top three resorts would be Poly, GF, Yacht & Beachclub in that order. Dining TBD! Just my opinion.

 

[waitomo]

I know this thread is getting old, but if you are still planning for 2018, I thought that I would add one suggestion. Consider embedding the platinum, rather than the premium plan. It has several things above the premium, that for me, make it a better choice. V and A is one, the higher priced tours another and the fireworks cruise the third.

 

[Semperfi1972]

So yes still planning and just over a year out. Dates have moved up to the end of May beginning of June 2018.

Vacation Package $7,500.00
Spa $1,000.00
Misc Shopping $1,000.00
Tips for Meals $500.00
Supplies $264.56
Misc Food $250.00
Tips for Others $200.00
Tips for Mousekeeping $40.00
Total $10,714.56

Think i am about settled but hey things are always changing.