Where do i start??

[aprild]

i have no clue where to even begin. we have timeshare and have never stayed on a resort. its always been a dream of mine to stay on a disney resort.
hopefully we will be staying around october or november.

i dont know where to start! there are so many options!
first of all, the only place i know to get reservations is disneyworld.com. is that where most of you go?

it will be me (28) DH (28) DS (5) DD (1). i really badly want to stay at AKL. Not sure if we want to spend the money though. The price for PoP is great!
but are all the rooms in every resort like hotel rooms? are any of them like mini-apartments? or will we need the kitchen and such if we have the meal plan?

and can anyone give me info on the 'mousekeepers'? are they a given or do you pay for them?

any input at all would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Dizneydaz]

i have no clue where to even begin. we have timeshare and have never stayed on a resort. its always been a dream of mine to stay on a disney resort.
hopefully we will be staying around october or november.

i dont know where to start! there are so many options!
first of all, the only place i know to get reservations is disneyworld.com. is that where most of you go?

I've made the reservations online but now I prefer making them by phone. I find it better for me. 1-407-WDISNEY

it will be me (28) DH (28) DS (5) DD (1). i really badly want to stay at AKL. Not sure if we want to spend the money though. The price for PoP is great!
but are all the rooms in every resort like hotel rooms? are any of them like mini-apartments? or will we need the kitchen and such if we have the meal plan?

All the rooms are like other hotel rooms. All but the values include mini fridge. I believe only DVC resorts have the full kichen option. In my opinion, with the DDP, you won't need a kitchen. Mini fridge (for leftovers) and microwave in food court will probably be fine. POP is great fun. Maybe you can go to AKL next time. We've loved it there. We've never stayed for the entire trip though, we have split our stay between AKL and other resort, to cut down on cost.

and can anyone give me info on the 'mousekeepers'? are they a given or do you pay for them?

Mousekeeping is just another name for housekeeping. You don't pay extra. Some leave daily tips, and this may, or may not, get you special treatment (towel animals, etc.)

any input at all would be greatly appreciated!

I could write more, but it's time for lunch. I can post more later. You'll have a wonderful trip. By being on these boards, you will save yourself time, and money!

 

[dischick4778]

Hi! Staying on site is great. We have stayed at a variety of different Disney resorts. Our favorite now is OKW. The values and moderates are the same basic setup (values slighty smaller space) of two beds, small table with 2 chairs, tv, etc. The vacation homes like OKW, SSR, BWV or BCV all have some kind of kitchen. The studio is a kitchenette I believe and the 1 or 2 bedroom has a full kitchen. It is really up to you as to what you can afford. Yes, the vacation homes are more expensive, but we like them because we then save money on food. We cook and eat breakfast and lunch in the room / at the pool daily. Savings lots of money spent in the park.

Do you have any questions about specific resorts? I like to look at the resorts on www.allearsnet.com to see pictures and get info. Good luck!

 

[skipperkim]

Yes, choosing a resort is a difficult task. Have you considered a moderate? AKL would be great for your kids.

Try this link. It might be of some use to you:

http://hotels.about.com/cs/disneyworld/l/blwiz_wdw01.htm

Also, here are some great pics of each Disney resort:

http://allearsnet.com/acc/faq_hot.htm

 

[CoolPool]

I suggest going to disneyworld.com and ordering the free vacation planning DVD. Its the best introduction to what an onsite vacation is like.

 

[Trekker]

Please do not forget everyone - that the discussion boards are just a small part of the information that is provided for you at the DIS! The main portion of the site can be found at www.wdwinfo.com.

Like this section with a ton of great resort information.

 

[bab31]

I would start as stated above at WDW.com site. check out all the resorts and cost etc.

Then I would call AAA and get a quote if you took out there membership. You do not need to book thru them. Call dreams unlimited ( a disney speciliast travel agency ,they advertise here) see what they can do for you and ask about AAA discount. Ask if a discount code comes out, do they follow that up or do you have to call them and have it appllied. You dont have to use an agency- so you can call WDW reservations and make the resie yourself.- I dont like making resies online personnally. And while your on the phone with WDW ask about AAA discounted rooms. I dont know if you have AAA if you have to book thru AAA. My gut says no. I saved a couple of hundred dollars booking thru AAA. I took out the membership just for the trip because it saved me $$$$. You cannot combine discounts- if a discount code comes out and you have a ressie with AAA discounted room you cant use both- one or the other- it can be changed. Depends on the code. Go to the code board for more info

have fun planning your trip- Wish I was planning another!

 

[stacy6552]

Do your research online, but call 407-wdisney to book. The website is not opperated by Disney and has less concenient payment and cancellation policies. Definatly call.

Disney makes it super easy to split your stay, so you could spend the bulk of your trip at Pop and then move over to the AKl for a night or two. All you have to do is pack and call for the bellman. Your bags will be waiting at the other resort when you arrive after a day of park fun. Also, Disney is building xillas at the AKL, so you could stay in a villas with kitchen and such, there too.

Mousekeeping is just our fancy word for housekeeping, which is a featured service. Tips of one dollar per person is the usual standard.

 

[aprild]

thanks for all of the information everyone!
i'm off to research all of the links and info that i have so far!


and as far as staying partly at PoP and then moving to AKL for a couple of days - that sounds like a great idea!

and i am getting the point that i should call for ressie's instead of doing them online? right?

thanks!!!!!!!