what would you do? - long-

[worlddreamer]

Hi all! DBF and I are going to WDW sometime next year (original plan was May, but now it's looking like October). This will be the first trip for both of us (we are both mid 20's) so I have a couple of questions for all you "pros"..

The first being, how would you work in all of the following in 14 days?

We want two "travel days" to relax, get acquainted, and resort hop - one at the beginning and one at the end of the trip.

We plan on spending 2 days in MK, 2 days in Epcot, and one each in MGM and AK. Not necessarily whole days, as we will be staying on site, and probably returning to the resort for mid day break.. I guess I'm saying park hopping is not out of the question.

We would also like to spend 2 days at US/IOA and 1 day at SeaWorld.

I think that leaves us with 3 "free" days... but, we also want to make sure to relax a bit, go to PI and DQ, see Cirque, and see as many parades, shows, and fireworks as possible.

Also, what kind of tickets would you buy?

And, if we went in October, how much additional should we budget for the Food and Wine Fest?

How much would your total budget be?


Thanks for even reading this SUPER LONG post, and extra thanks, in advance, for any replies!

 

[kar313]

You may want to look into tourguidemike, TGM, he will prepare a plan for you using all of your specific criteria and has many other tips, etc. to add as well. It cost about $22 but well worth it if you ask me, esp for a trip as long as yours and since it is your first time. I haven't personally used it yet, I may next time, but I have seen some pretty good reviews on these threads for it.

tourguidemike.com

 

[The Sweetness]

LAst summer DD, DH and I spent 5 days at SW, USF/ IOA. 2 at SW (second day free tix), and 3 at USF/ IOA ($99 each for 3 day I believe). Just incase you may want to stretch an extra day here or there

 

[mla973]

Hello - nice to see a fellow Michigan person on here!!!

As a mid-20's person myself, who has been to WDW many times with friends, I hope I can offer some good recommendations for you.

As far as your ticket questions, I would visit www.allearsnet.com if you have not already. Go to their ticket FAQ page, and I think there is one that explains the benefits of each type of ticket. Of your 14 days, I assume that with 2 free days, 2 for USF/IOA and 1 for SW (you actually get a second ticket to come back within a week for free - I believe) that you have 9 days to go to the WDW parks, water parks, DQ, PI, etc. You also mentioned wanting a few days to relax.

Now, I think the best type of ticket for you depends on what you want to do. My best recommendation would be a Park Hopper Plus if you plan on going to all four parks, water parks, DQ and PI. That way, you can go to any of them, anytime you want.

Another suggestion (and maybe more economical if that is a factor), would be a 6-day Park Hopper pass to cover your 6 days in the parks, and then pay admission separately to DQ, PI, etc. Sometimes the Plus tickets seem to "waste" admission if you won't be going non-stop.

I'm guessing by what you posted that you will have a car down there, which will allow you to resort hop - a fun and possibly free idea for WDW.

I think I could better answer your question about budget if I knew if you were staying on WDW or not. You can always save $$$ on food off-site, especially if you have a car (or bring your own).

To give you an idea of my trip budget...

Myself, DH and DBF and her DF are going to WDW in November (all mid-20's on a somewhat scaled budget) for a couples' trip. We are staying at All Star (separate rooms) and purchased the 5+2 dreammaker package (tickets to everything for 7 nights/8 days) for about $1170 per couple. I have been to WDW many times, so I know about what we will spend on food (mostly counter service except for CRT breakfast and several "nice" lunches - we're not into fancy dinners). So, we planned about $700 per couple for meals, including snacks. Add another $400+ per couple for souvenirs. Our budget (not including plane ticket and airport transfer) is about $2300 for two people for the 8 days.

HTH!! The DIS-ers love to give advice, so if you post more info, we can help out even further!!!

 

[Disney_1derland]

We rarely if ever spend one day in a single park. There are some parks that are for us "morning" parks and some that are "evening parks" and the MK is good anytime, day or night.

For us Animal kingdom is a morning only park. We have never enjoyed this park in the afternoon. I know that may not be true for you though.

Same with MGM. We like it in the mornings early, though to be fair the only time we've been there it was with a 1 year old and there wasn't much for her to do, so this may have colored that perception. But, do plan to go one evening for Fantasmic as this is a MUST DO amazing show.

Epcot we like in the evenings. We love the World Showcase, it is our favorite part of Disney World. We love strolling the countries in the evening and could easily do this every night of our trip. We're not huge fans of the front part of Epcot, but refer to previous statement about the trip with the 1 year old! Having her with us and there not being a lot there she could do, we skipped most of future world.

Sea World we like in the mornings early and we usually take advantage of the 2nd day free thing to do the park two 1/2 days instead of 1 full day. I would go to Sea World in the morning and take the afternoons to laze about the pool or resort hop and to to Pleasure Island those nights.

We've never done US/IOA so I can't give you feedback there but if possible, I hear staying at their hotels for the front of the line access is way more than worth it as they have some monstrous lines.

Of course, wether or not you are staying on site will affect what you do and when. As for tickets, I would get Park Hopper Plusses. Those plus options give you admission to PI and to the waterparks. A 6 day hopper+ comes with 3 plus options I believe.

Good Luck, Planning is half the fun!

 

[pumpkinfish]

I think the first thing you need to consider is your budget. Base all your other planning around that.
For DH and I, we would rather spend extra money on tours and souviners than spend extra money onsite. Don't get me wrong, I cannot WAIT for the day to come when we are able to do that.
We are spending 7 days at Disney...usually what we do. As others have posted, we ALWAYS park hop because we also prefer certain parks in mornings, and certain parks at night.

We always do IOA/UO as well, and incorporate that with our vacation. We opt for 2 mornings and 1 evening there at least. We always go in September and we are garunteed not to have any wait for lines at the coasters and other major rides. Plus evenings brings a hint of romace to IOA I think.

We usually stay at my parents timeshare and don't have to worry about that cost...but this time we are on our own. Regardless, I like to be able to have a kitchen...or microwave/refer to heat foods up and keep things cold. This saves some money from eating all the time in the parks.

We always get 5 day PH for Disney and reuse any days we didn't use on future trips. We bought the 5 days for $98 for both IOA & UO. This is a great savings as well, but you have to plan wisely because they have to be used consecutively.

Total budget this trip is $1700 for the two of us. We have done it on $1200, but that was without having to pay for rooms.

Last year we saw Cirque at DTD and LOVED it. It is expensive but absolutely mouth dropping. Go for that. Just remember to take your time at each park, and really indulge in what each has to offer.

I think it is smart to save the day before you go home to relax and wind down. We usually spend that day packing up...heading for shopping at DTD...and eating out. We always say that we will relax the day we check in, but that NEVER works. We always end up at MK that first day with HUGE grins across our faces.

Do try to get some PS for a few resturants inside the parks and resorts. I know you will want to find some romance there, and the opportunity is available to you. We liked V&A at GF. DH surprised me with that during our 1 yr anniversary. This yr I am surprising him for his b-day at CG at the Contemp for dinner and to view Wishes.

And I also agree that there is TONS of info to learn about on this site from the numerous posts and threads. I thought i knew it all until I stumbled upon the DisBoards!

 

[pumpkinfish]

I think the first thing you need to consider is your budget. Base all your other planning around that.
For DH and I, we would rather spend extra money on tours and souviners than spend extra money onsite. Don't get me wrong, I cannot WAIT for the day to come when we are able to do that.
We are spending 7 days at Disney...usually what we do. As others have posted, we ALWAYS park hop because we also prefer certain parks in mornings, and certain parks at night.

We always do IOA/UO as well, and incorporate that with our vacation. We opt for 2 mornings and 1 evening there at least. We always go in September and we are garunteed not to have any wait for lines at the coasters and other major rides. Plus evenings brings a hint of romace to IOA I think.

We usually stay at my parents timeshare and don't have to worry about that cost...but this time we are on our own. Regardless, I like to be able to have a kitchen...or microwave/refer to heat foods up and keep things cold. This saves some money from eating all the time in the parks.

We always get 5 day PH for Disney and reuse any days we didn't use on future trips. We bought the 5 days for $98 for both IOA & UO. This is a great savings as well, but you have to plan wisely because they have to be used consecutively.

Total budget this trip is $1700 for the two of us. We have done it on $1200, but that was without having to pay for rooms.

Last year we saw Cirque at DTD and LOVED it. It is expensive but absolutely mouth dropping. Go for that. Just remember to take your time at each park, and really indulge in what each has to offer.

I think it is smart to save the day before you go home to relax and wind down. We usually spend that day packing up...heading for shopping at DTD...and eating out. We always say that we will relax the day we check in, but that NEVER works. We always end up at MK that first day with HUGE grins across our faces.

Do try to get some PS for a few resturants inside the parks and resorts. I know you will want to find some romance there, and the opportunity is available to you. We liked V&A at GF. DH surprised me with that during our 1 yr anniversary. This yr I am surprising him for his b-day at CG at the Contemp for dinner and to view Wishes.

And I also agree that there is TONS of info to learn about on this site from the numerous posts and threads. I thought i knew it all until I stumbled upon the DisBoards!

 

[worlddreamer]

Thanks soo much everyone... I guess I do need to clarify a bit more - it would help!

I will give you the general outline, but remember nothing is set in stone yet! Also, don't faint when you see my total.. I know it's high, but I'd rather be safe than sorry!

Moderate, on-site WDW for first 10 nights ~ 1650.00 (w/o codes)
Food, for the both of us ($125/day) ~ 1750.00
Tickets to all parks ~ 1000.00 (assumes $50/day each)
Airfare ~ 500.00 for both
US resort for last 3 nights ~350.00
"extra" for spending, Cirque, etc ~ 1250.00

Total: $6500.00 for 2!

I was thinking we'd be in WDW for the first 10 days, check out, and stay at US for FOTL privileges.

I am really trying to avoid renting a car, but if it is a necessary evil, it can be done. Knowing that you all LOVE WDW, would you recommend staying there all days, and just traveling to US and Seaworld?

Also, besides the obvious, Cirque, and the Richard Petty thing, are there any other things that are an absolute MUST that require extra cash, or are not included in the ticket plusses (if I do decide to go that route)? I originally planned on buying an AP, but I don't think the discounts, at this point, will outweigh the extra cost of admissions to PI, DQ, etc.

Any more advice?

 

[DISNEYBIGGDOGG]

I believe that you should move to a US/IOA resort and enjoy the FOTL perk on the last three days. As for SW just go from either the US resort or the WDW resort. Either way you will have an excellent time.

 

[pumpkinfish]

With AP, don't you get free parking? I think that might be a good thing to keep in mind.
Also, I agree about staying onsite at IOA/UO the last 3 days. FOTL perks are the best and they spoil you so doing this last is better.

 

[mla973]

Just a couple of additional comments based on your detailed info...

MUST DO things (IMHO) that you need to pay for (in addition to park admission) are:

1. Go to Jellyrolls at the BW. I think admission is $7, and drinks are fairly expensive, but it is one of my favorite places outside of the parks at WDW. There is a pretty mixed crowd there (locals and resorts guests), but it is a great time.

2. If you like boats, renting a "water mouse" is pretty fun. DH rented them a few years ago at the Contemporary (you don't have to be a resort guest). I would suggest renting from a MK resort (rather than DTD), because they allow you to boat around Seven Seas Lagoon and get some great photos of the MK resorts. If I remember correctly, they are around $30/hour per boat. (Boats probably only hold one adult.)

3. Do a character meal. Opinions definitely vary as to which meal is the best. I've done several, and I feel that the food was best at Chef Mickey's and the characters were best at Ohana (dressed in Hawaiian gear that you don't see at the parks). I think they are definitely worth the money, even for two adults!

Based on your budget, it sounds like you should be pretty set on affording the things you are looking to do on your trip. There are some pretty good discounts showing up for the resorts. Try www.mousesavers.com for current codes - some were showing the WDW moderates at $79 per night. Booking with a code may save you some money.

There are definitely some great restaurants on property - just search the the DIS here for ideas. Hope you have a great time!!!