Where Do I Start?

[frye79]

DH and I are, again, thinking about taking my Mom down to Disney for her 50th - it will be my first trip and hers as well, in addition to our daughter, who will be 2 years old...

Earlier this year we thought about taking my Mom on a Disney Cruise but now feel we would get more out of our money by going to the parks...

Of course, being the parents of a toddler and treating my Mom for this trip, we want to get the most out of our money...

With that being said, I have a few questions:

• When is the best time of year to travel (lowest crowds)
• What are the best ways to cut costs (food, transportation, etc)
• How far in advance should we book (My Mom's birthday is in July - no way are we going to FL in the summer - but we're looking for a fall/winter trip)

I'm sure I'll have more questions once we decide to commit on this idea.

Thanks in advance for all your help and suggestions!

 

[thebecka]

Great questions! The best times to go to Disney is when the schools are open so the crowds are lighter. Disney is offering some wonderful deals for 2009. They are offering a promotion to buy 4 days and get 3 days free. This promotion goes till the end of June (I think the last day was the 27th) it includes both room and park passes. In most cases the earlier you book the better because there is more availability for rooms and also for making dining reservations. I hope this helps!

 

[frye79]

Great questions! The best times to go to Disney is when the schools are open so the crowds are lighter. Disney is offering some wonderful deals for 2009. They are offering a promotion to buy 4 days and get 3 days free. This promotion goes till the end of June (I think the last day was the 27th) it includes both room and park passes. In most cases the earlier you book the better because there is more availability for rooms and also for making dining reservations. I hope this helps!

Thank you for answering my question! We are considering Sept/Nov/Dec 2009 or Jan 2010.

 

[thebecka]

For the Fall in general the first two weeks of December are usually a great time to go. I'm sure Disney will have more discounts and special promotions once the current deal passes. I would definately keep an eye here on the DisBoards as well as touch base with your local travel agent as they will get heads up as the promotions become available.
Good luck and happy planning!!

 

[mickeystoontown]

If you are thinking of a September trip, then you may just be able to get in on free dining. There is nothing written in stone but, historically, it seems that they offer it during the month of September.

I would suggest that you go to the Disney World website and look for the Best Time to Visit icon. The link provides information on when there is low attendance and what is considered "value" season.

Is an April or May trip definitely out of the picture? If not, there is a really good buy 4/get 3 free promo out right now. If you purchase 4 nights at a Disney resort, then you get 3 nights free. I think the promo has to be booked by December 20th though.

I would also tell you to continue to watch the Codes & Rates threads here on the boards. That's how I got the heads up on the promo before it was ever even released!

The Disney World website, www.disneyworld.com, has a Special Offers page that is updated fairly often. Just go to their website and click on Tickets & Reservations. The Special Offers link is located on the left hand side of the page.

Disney transportation is free to all guests staying on Disney property. The system is fairly efficient with buses normally running every 20 minutes. We drive our own vehicle to Disney but we never move it once we get there. The buses are the way to go!

Disney has a few dining plan options to choose from. There is the Quick Service plan, the basic dining plan and the deluxe dining plan. You can find information about the plan on the Disney World website as well.

We like the basic dining plan which provides one counter service meal, one snack and one table service meal per person per day. We aren't big breakfast eaters so we normally just eat a pop tart or other snack in our room before leaving for the parks. We utilize our counter service meal for our lunch. Stop mid day for a snack using our snack credit. By dinner time, we are ready for a nice sit down meal.

To find out if any of the dining plans would work for you, go over to www.allearsnet.com. Click on the Dining link and then scroll down to the Menus link. Click on that and up pops a menu (with prices) for each and every Disney restaurant.

For us, the basic dining plan more than pays for itself. We are also more apt to eat at a new restaurant and try new foods.

If you stay at a Value resort, you can rent a refrigerator for about $10.00 a night. If you are staying at a moderate or deluxe resort, then a refrigerator is included in your room price. Since we drive, we bring along colas, water, juice, etc. and put them in the refrigerator in our room. It really saves us a lot of money.

As far as how far in advance should you book, well the 2009 rates are already out so I would book as soon as possible. If you book a package, you can be making payments on the package all along. The only requirements are that the payments be a minimum of $20.00 and you have the package paid for 45 days prior to your arrival date. I like booking way in advance because I am able to make payments and I feel like my vacation is on layaway.

Sorry that I jumped around a bit but I was trying to answer your questions. If I have missed something or you have more questions, just let me know.

 

[frye79]

Thank you so much for the information!

Since I've never been to Disney before and I want to surprise my Mom with an amazing trip for her 50th - this is going to be a bit of a challenge, but probably one I am going to love every minute of!

 

[NeverLandDreamer]

I hope you and your mom have a fantastic and safe time. Enjoy!!

 

[Metro West]

 

[aceys_h0ney]

I dont have anything to add as you got some great advice but wanted to welcome you. I hope you all have a wonderful trip. What a great present for your mom. We are taking my MIL for part of our trip in June and it will be her first trip. She is so excited!

 

[ceeliebell]

Our family has been to WDW two years in a row, both times in September! We are huge fans for this month.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Thank you so much for the information!

Since I've never been to Disney before and I want to surprise my Mom with an amazing trip for her 50th - this is going to be a bit of a challenge, but probably one I am going to love every minute of!

You're welcome! Feel free to post any other questions you might have. Everybody on these boards have a wealth of information!

 

[Floydian]

I would also check some special events. For example...

Food and Wine Festival at Epcot in Oct-Nov
Holiday celebrations of all kinds in Nov-Dec

For price and crowds, avoid holidays or any time schools are out.

For weather, as a general rule, Oct-Mar is pretty good (less storms and heat).