We're moving up our trip! Some questions...

[Ava]

Due to some life decisions, we've decided to move up our much-anticipated "DD's First Trip to the World" from 2012 to 2011 - next year! Woohoo!

So now it's time to get planning, right? We're looking at late April-early May 2011, right around her 2nd birthday. Exact dates will depend on what the "seasons" are for resort pricing next year. Which leads me to my first question:

When will Disney release room rates for 2011? I've never planned a trip this far in advance before so I have no idea how far out they usually release rates. Also, related ? - how far out should we book? I'm guessing the farther the better, right? And if we get a PIN (*fingers crossed!*) I can add it to my ressie later?

We've 99.9% decided on Pop Century. I had really wanted to go for a moderate resort on this trip, but with moving it up a year we don't have as much time to save for it. Plus, our parents are likely going to join us, so we wanted to choose something affordable for everyone. So I'm compromising - I've stayed at 2 of the 3 All-Stars & wanted something different, so Pop it is!

I doubt we'll do a dining plan, & will probably buy our park tickets from Undercover Tourist. Now I just need those 2011 seasons/rates so I can figure out my dates & how many park days we'll need (thinking 5 or 6 days).

Any tips for going to WDW with a just-turned 2-year-old? I'm thinking of doing 1 character meal - which one would you choose for this age?

TIA for any tips!

 

[dzneelvr]

If you've settled on POP, I'd say make your ressies 12 months out. You can always adjust the original ressie (NEVER cancel) if "deals" or saving packages come out. Dining: we love the TIW plan which is basically 20% off in most dining establishments plus POP food court Plan to spend time in MK, DHS, and AK, maybe not so much in EPCOT at that age. I'd suggest buying a Birnbaum's planning guide especially geared to that age group and really absorbing all it's tips. Remember, at that age the resort is a major attraction, so plan to spend quality time just enjoying the pool and resort facilities. When they get older there's plenty of years to enjoy everything else

 

[Ava]

If you've settled on POP, I'd say make your ressies 12 months out.

12 months out is like NOW! I'm not ready! Hahaha. I guess I can always book the rooms we might need and then move dates or cancel rooms later. I'm assuming I'll have to call to do this, since the Disney website doesn't have any 2011 dates listed yet. How do they charge you the 1-night deposit if they don't have the rates out yet? Will they just charge me 2010's rate & then charge me the difference (if any) when the new rates come out? You're making me nervous!

We don't have APs & aren't FL residents, so we can't get the TIW card unfortunately.

I'll look into getting a guide book geared towards young kids - I haven't been to WDW with a kid since I was one!

 

[SunnieRN]

As far as a character meal, at two my older grandson loved crystal palace with Winnie the Pooh and Tigger etc. My younger grandson (just turned 2) would look at me like I'm crazy. He is more the Buzz, Woody fan and carries Woody EVERYWHERE he goes. Sine there is not a Buzz/Woody meal, we will go with Chef Mickeys, since he loves Mickey and Goofy, as does my older grandson.

Disney with toddlers is fairly easy, if you go EARLY, bring them to rest after lunch and go by their moods to determine whether to go back to the prks or do low key activities. Have a great time!

 

[Ava]

^ I was thinking Crystal Palace w/ Pooh would be good for a 2-year-old. I don't know what characters she'll like in a year - she's not even 1 yet and hasn't really seen any TV/videos so far. I'll probably end up going with Pooh, or a Mickey & friends one if she doesn't seem to like Pooh.

We definitely plan on going early & probably taking an afternoon break at the hotel each day. I don't know what her napping schedule will be then (right now she still takes 2 naps a day) but I'm assuming (aka hoping) that at just 2 she will still be taking an afternoon nap. I've already prepared myself that I will probably not see any fireworks or nighttime shows this trip either, unless my parents or my MIL come with us & will watch her for an evening so DP & I can have a dinner/fireworks night.

 

[bcinohio]

Watch your dates in April. Easter is very late next year, April 24th so the parks may be more crowded. We are going at that time with my son's marching band. they are going to march at the MK. Can not wait!!

 

[Goofy_Dad_24]

If your dates are flexible, I would suggest moving it back to the fall. We took my son at 23 months, and again at 31 months, and there was an unbelievable difference. He basically forgot about the trip at 23 months the dayswe got back, and he still talks about the 2nd trip all the time, even though it happened in January 2009.