Where Do I Begin?

[jaylensmom]

I’m not sure where I should begin…We’re thinking about taking a trip to WDW in either June or August (so very last minute I know) so I don’t have a lot of time to plan. I feel absolutely lost right now… I don’t know which parks would be best for us…I’ve been reading about dining plans…park hoppers…resorts…my head is spinning…Help!!!
This board provided the best advice last year when I went on our Disney cruise so I’m here trying to figure it all out for WDW.

 

[lovetoscrap]

The first thing that you probably want to do is to figure out which resort you want to stay at if you want to be on Disney property, or where you want to stay off property. If you want to be on property then decide if you want a room only or a package with tickets and maybe the Dining Plan. You can always just get the package with the Magic Your Way base tickets now and can add days and the hopper and the Water Parks options when you get to the resort. The Dining Plan does have to be booked in advance though.

There are some good discounts available depending on when you want to go. Take a look at our Codes and Rates board, found within the Disney Resorts Board and that may help you decide on when to go also. You can also find information on the Discounts on our site www.wdwinfo.com : http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneypackages.htm#current

Once you figure out that then your next decision is on Dining. If you want to do any of the sit down (Table Service) meals then you need to book those now. You can do that online at the Disney.com website.

Then I would suggest that you look around our boards, do some reading here and at wdwinfo.com and ask some questions and that will help you figure out what parks and what to do.

 

[magicaldisney]

Pick your travel dates first, then the next thing would be to narrow down the group of resorts you'd be interested in....deluxe, moderate or value. Once you narrow that down we can help with suggestions as to what would be a good fit. Then we'll go from there!!

 

[magicaldisney]

Sorry Lovetoscrap, I posted at the same time....it's nice to know we were on the same page!!!

 

[lovetoscrap]

Sorry Lovetoscrap, I posted at the same time....it's nice to know we were on the same page!!!

LOL! Actually right after I posted I said to myself "Shoot, I should have mentioned picking between a Value, Mod or Deluxe resort" and I was going to Edit my post when I saw yours! Great minds. . . well, or at least Disney minds think alike!

 

[Metro West]

 

[Rylee]

If you want to offer more info, we could offer more tips.

Who's going?
Do you want to stay on-site at a Disney Resort or off-site?
What are your dates of travel? (Disney is offering a couple of discounts for your time frame, including Free Dining, beginning in August. Free Dining may or may not be the best discount for your family depending on other factors... which level of resorts you choose and how many are in your party. Check the WDW site and click on "Special Offers." Find the best discount for your family.
How many days will you have in the parks?


Order the free Disney planning DVD.
Choose your dates.
Choose your resort. If choosing a Disney Resort...
Decide if you want to book "room only" or a package.
Decide the number of days you'll need tickets. (Park Hoppers can be added later at anytime.)
Decide if you'll want a Dining Plan, (DP) if so, which one.
If dining in any of the Table Service Restaurants, (TS) with or without the DP, you need to make Advance Dining Reservations, (ADR's.) NOW! (My family enjoys having one TS meal a day, think... waitress/er comes to your table, and then eating Counter Service meals, (CS) the rest of the day.
Make other travel arrangements, air, car, etc., if necessary.

Once you have this in place, check the WDW site calendar for park hours, etc., and come up with a loose schedule for your stay...

Mon. - Magic Kingdom... breakfast - Crystal Palace @ 9:30. Parade @ 3:00.
Tues. - Disney's Hollywood Studios... dinner - Cape May buffet @ 5:30, Fantasmic @ 8:30.
Wed. - Pool Day @ resort, dinner - T-Rex in Downtown Disney @ 6:00.
etc.

Read up on the attractions in each park and choose a few "must-see-and-do" for your family.

Learn about Fast Passes and use them!

Hope this helps.

 

[shaz105]

Welcome To The Board

Me and My Family will be going to WDW in August we cant wait it so exciting.

I have been on this board for about a year and still get overwhelmed