What's ALMOST as good as planning a Disney trip???

[snowmom]

Helping your oldest & dearest friend plan her trip...

I need your help! My friend is in the beginning stages of planning a March 2003 vacation to Disney World. Her family consists of husband, 17-year-old son, 14-year-old daughter and 6-year-old daughter.

What should be their strategy on finding a place to stay? They're pretty sure that they'll want to be on-site. They'll either need two adjoining rooms or a larger room. Are there ANY deals out there for this time of year?

Thanks for any help you can give us!

 

[Misti]

Hi!

The first factor will be the budget. Most Deluxe resorts can accomodate five guests (two queen beds and a daybed) in ONE standard room--exception: Swan/Dolphin/WL. I'd think with two teenagers, they may want to be in the Epcot/MGM area--the Yacht Club, Beach Club or Boardwalk. At the Moderate or Value resorts, they will require two rooms to accomodate their family size.

So, these are the things I'd ask:

* what is your budget for room cost (make sure you tell them how expensive everything else is on property: meals, drinks, tickets, etc since that may affect their room budget)

* which parks will they tour the most? The 6 year old will love the MK but I have a feeling overall that they'll be at the Epcot/MGM side a bit more

* what resort theming will suit them? Someone up North may prefer the more "tropical" theming of the Poly over the rustic nature of WL, etc. Check out pix on-line to see what they like.

Yes, discounts can be had. However, there is nothing announced at this point. Discounts, if offered, could be released as early as now to as late as February. if there dates are set, I'd recommend booking a room now that suits their budget at rack rate. Then, if discounts ARE announced, they can try to get a discount applied to their reservation. I'd just hate for them to book a room that is out of the budget hoping that they'll eventually get a reduced rate. If discounts don't happen, they may be stuck with a room that is out of the budget.

Hope this helps and have fun with the planning!

 

[TigrLvsPooh]

I would do 2 adjoining rooms at a moderate resort or a cheaper deluxe (like WL or AKL).

Or a 2 bedroom villa at one of the "home away from home" resorts.

 

[Desnik]

I'm not sure if they'll be able to get any deals, it is peak season. Here is a link to a thread about that same time frame
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=275562

 

[Rhonda]

I would suggest, obviously, a Fort Wilderness Cabin! They're beautiful, and Fort Wilderness is a great place! The two younger ones (and even the older one!) would really enjoy the nightly campfire program and movie!

There is so much to do there at Fort Wilderness, that we always say we're going to go there for a week sometime, and never even go to the parks! LOL!

It's a very fun, but relaxing, place to come "home" to at the end of a long day at the parks.

If they consider it - please visit us over on the Fort Wilderness board! You'll get lots of answers to questions over there! Here's a link:
Fort Wilderness Discussion Board

 

[tink2dw]

Hi,March is a very hard time to get Any Onsite discounts but check this out!!
Stay at HOLIDAY INN FAMILY SUITES they will only need 1 Kidsuite,already a money savings,HIFS is practically onsite being just outside WDW on Epcot Road. They will need a rental car though.
Here is there website
http://www.hifamilysuites.com/index.html?
and to get better web rates become a member at this site
http://www.basshotels.com/h/d/hi/home

And if they can go between 11/14/02 and 2/28/03 they can Stay a night and get the next night Free!
Print this
http://www.sixcontinentshotels.com/cq/etc/media_library/frnight.Par.0001.File.tmp/new_freenight.gif

It just maybe what they need!!