We are looking to go to Disney World but have no idea where to start. Go through the Disney website? What's the most cost effective way of doing this? It's turning into a full family trip with 7+ people. So far we the the Animal Kingdom Lodge where we can see the animals from our room.
Planning a trip Disney World
- Thread starter SAChick
- Start date
The Link
The Link
The Link
The Link
My favorite guide book is The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Disney lovers pan it for not be in awe of WDW.
Last trip I used The Link which is by a WDW personal tour guide. He had some suggestions that went against most books advice which worked well for us.
Also search this site as there is a WDW employee on here who helps folks with their questions. I can't remember her screen name
The most cost effective way to do WDW is to stay off site. Now with 7 persons who my all have different schedules and wants staying on property and using Disney transport may be easier.
When booking through Disney do a room only reservation as you can easily cancel. With the packages through Disney you better buy travel ins. to get you money back if something happens. You can add tickets and such though Disney at the last minute.
The Link
The Link
The Link
My favorite guide book is The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Disney lovers pan it for not be in awe of WDW.
Last trip I used The Link which is by a WDW personal tour guide. He had some suggestions that went against most books advice which worked well for us.
Also search this site as there is a WDW employee on here who helps folks with their questions. I can't remember her screen name
The most cost effective way to do WDW is to stay off site. Now with 7 persons who my all have different schedules and wants staying on property and using Disney transport may be easier.
When booking through Disney do a room only reservation as you can easily cancel. With the packages through Disney you better buy travel ins. to get you money back if something happens. You can add tickets and such though Disney at the last minute.
Went to WDW last December(part of a Disney Cruise extravaganza) and about three years ago. I have been to Disney Land a few times as well, the last time right before the National Championship game.
Personally I like Disney Land better. I have youg kids, oldest is now 7 and youngest 1.5. Close proximity to everything and within walking distance to even off property hotels, with young ones. You don't get EPCOT/AK, but everything els is baisically a wash.
EPCOT is really cool, probably for adults. Animal Kingdom is pretty much a waste of time in my opinion. You see the fences holding them in their environment. I'd rather go to the Ft. Worht zoo or one of those Animal parks you can feed giraffes out your window.
Personally I like Disney Land better. I have youg kids, oldest is now 7 and youngest 1.5. Close proximity to everything and within walking distance to even off property hotels, with young ones. You don't get EPCOT/AK, but everything els is baisically a wash.
EPCOT is really cool, probably for adults. Animal Kingdom is pretty much a waste of time in my opinion. You see the fences holding them in their environment. I'd rather go to the Ft. Worht zoo or one of those Animal parks you can feed giraffes out your window.
Go through a Disney specialist. We have used a woman named Melissa with Magical Journeys three times with great results. PM me if you want her contact information.
There are numerous tricks on rates. For example, when we have gone with big groups, it has saved us a lot to have one person in the group buy an annual pass to qualify all the group rooms for annual pass rates. We only had one room last trip (weekend before last) so our AAA discount was the best rate. These rates aren't available at all times so you need someone that's tracking the rooms to get the best rates.
How old are the kids with you? One of the keys for us has been coming back to room during the middle of the day so the kids could rest. We've stayed at the Polynesian (on the MK monorail and a 2 minute walk to the Epcot monorail) so this has been very easy. It is harder if you get off the monorail (particularly at Animal Kingdom Lodge) because it just takes more time.
There are some dining options that take real planning. The most in demand is breakfast with the princesses at Cinderella's castle. We've done it once, and our kids loved it. You can start making reservations 60 or 90 days out (I forget which), but you have to start calling the minute they open for the day you're looking for, and they are sold out for the morning within 10 minutes or so. They have made a lot of changes to help this so it may not be so bad anymore. None of the other meals are this competitive, but it does pay to plan in advance.
Go early. In every trip we've taken, we try and get to the park we're going to when the gate opens (or better yet, have a very early breakfast reservation in the park so you can be done before opening time), and you can get more done in the first 1 1/2 hours than the rest of the day. It means no rushing, panicking you've missed something, etc.
Learn about and use the Fastpass system wisely. This works really well with big groups because you can be in one line and send some poor schmuck in your group with all your tickets to get fastpasses for other rides. As I said, we were at Magic Kingdom last Saturday, which was the last Saturday of the Florida spring break. It was packed. However, other than Pirates of the Caribbean (which inexplicably doesn't have FastPass and was a 40 minute wait), we managed to plan so that no line was more than 10-15 minutes. (One caveat, we didn't go on Dumbo, which can be the longest line in the park if you aren't there within 5-10 minutes of opening. If your kids want to go on Dumbo then go directly there when the park opens --- maybe while you send others in your group to snag a fastpass for one of the other more popular rides).
Read the intercot and dis boards. They are Disney versions of Hornfans and people will let you know more than you ever wanted to know.
Enjoy the planning. The more you plan (which parks you want to go to and which rides/show you want to make sure and hit in each park, etc) the more calm and enjoyable the trip will be. You don't want to be one of those people dragging worn out, grumpy kids around and planning properly can really minimize that.
Let me know if you have other specific questions.
There are numerous tricks on rates. For example, when we have gone with big groups, it has saved us a lot to have one person in the group buy an annual pass to qualify all the group rooms for annual pass rates. We only had one room last trip (weekend before last) so our AAA discount was the best rate. These rates aren't available at all times so you need someone that's tracking the rooms to get the best rates.
How old are the kids with you? One of the keys for us has been coming back to room during the middle of the day so the kids could rest. We've stayed at the Polynesian (on the MK monorail and a 2 minute walk to the Epcot monorail) so this has been very easy. It is harder if you get off the monorail (particularly at Animal Kingdom Lodge) because it just takes more time.
There are some dining options that take real planning. The most in demand is breakfast with the princesses at Cinderella's castle. We've done it once, and our kids loved it. You can start making reservations 60 or 90 days out (I forget which), but you have to start calling the minute they open for the day you're looking for, and they are sold out for the morning within 10 minutes or so. They have made a lot of changes to help this so it may not be so bad anymore. None of the other meals are this competitive, but it does pay to plan in advance.
Go early. In every trip we've taken, we try and get to the park we're going to when the gate opens (or better yet, have a very early breakfast reservation in the park so you can be done before opening time), and you can get more done in the first 1 1/2 hours than the rest of the day. It means no rushing, panicking you've missed something, etc.
Learn about and use the Fastpass system wisely. This works really well with big groups because you can be in one line and send some poor schmuck in your group with all your tickets to get fastpasses for other rides. As I said, we were at Magic Kingdom last Saturday, which was the last Saturday of the Florida spring break. It was packed. However, other than Pirates of the Caribbean (which inexplicably doesn't have FastPass and was a 40 minute wait), we managed to plan so that no line was more than 10-15 minutes. (One caveat, we didn't go on Dumbo, which can be the longest line in the park if you aren't there within 5-10 minutes of opening. If your kids want to go on Dumbo then go directly there when the park opens --- maybe while you send others in your group to snag a fastpass for one of the other more popular rides).
Read the intercot and dis boards. They are Disney versions of Hornfans and people will let you know more than you ever wanted to know.
Enjoy the planning. The more you plan (which parks you want to go to and which rides/show you want to make sure and hit in each park, etc) the more calm and enjoyable the trip will be. You don't want to be one of those people dragging worn out, grumpy kids around and planning properly can really minimize that.
Let me know if you have other specific questions.
notreally
1,000+ Posts
first off: Intercot
that is the hornfans of WDW information. can't beat it.
second off: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World
that books kicks all sorts of *** and it is small. follow it. you won't regret it. the plans on there will ensure you see more of the park than any other way possible. it is really amazing. if you play it by ear, you won't get to see but about a 1/4 of the parks... i don't care how long you are there.
follow the plans. I'm telling you.
I am more of spontaneous guy, but i decided to follow this book because i have been to WDW several times and always ended up not getting to do what i wanted.
a couple of other things:
staying off site will definitely save you money, but you won't get to do early entry or e-night. those two things alone are worth the extra money. if you don't want to stay at a disney property there are a couple of other properties on hotel row (doubletree, courtyard, etc.) that allow you to participate in early entry and e-night as well.
and spend a day at universal. very nice.
that is the hornfans of WDW information. can't beat it.
second off: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World
that books kicks all sorts of *** and it is small. follow it. you won't regret it. the plans on there will ensure you see more of the park than any other way possible. it is really amazing. if you play it by ear, you won't get to see but about a 1/4 of the parks... i don't care how long you are there.
follow the plans. I'm telling you.
I am more of spontaneous guy, but i decided to follow this book because i have been to WDW several times and always ended up not getting to do what i wanted.
a couple of other things:
staying off site will definitely save you money, but you won't get to do early entry or e-night. those two things alone are worth the extra money. if you don't want to stay at a disney property there are a couple of other properties on hotel row (doubletree, courtyard, etc.) that allow you to participate in early entry and e-night as well.
and spend a day at universal. very nice.
i work there - at least for the next 5 weeks! Please feel free to ask questions. Depending on when you come, I may be able to help out with hotels - the All-Stars (think themed days inn) hotels can run on the lower end of $48 a night up to the $90 a night, depending on the season. If this is a far in advance, just thinking about it, kind of trip consider coming the week AFTER thanksgiving, the week AFTER new year's until about March. Also the week AFTER labor day - traditionally, there's no one here during those times, so you'd get the best prices on resorts/dining plans/ etc. I sent you a PM with my information if you'd like to talk in more detail.
aaigohorns
25+ Posts
We (wife and 2 kids) just got back last week. Read everything you can read before you go. You will have to be extremely organized and well read.
We stayed in the Wilderness Lodge Villas and really liked them. It was probably too nice because we didn't spend a lot of time there. It was nice to come back at the end of the day, spread out and relax. The whirlpool tub was great. Wilderness Lodge is very convenient to the Magic Kingdom. We rode the bus to Disney Studios one day and that was good too.
Being at the Magic Kingdom is like going in and out of a football game all day long. The crowd was amazing.
My tips:
1) Do not get the meal plan. You will constantly be trying to get your money's worth, which is very hard to do.
2) Make as many reservations as you can before you go. We waited on the dinner ones and we only got in one night - which made using the meal plan a lot harder.
3) Get to the park as early as possible. If you have to, rest in the afternoon and go back at night.
4) Figure out how to use the Fastpass early. It was rumored that the "end" time on the Fastpass was never enforced, and we found that to be true. Get as many as possible as soon as possible.
We stayed in the Wilderness Lodge Villas and really liked them. It was probably too nice because we didn't spend a lot of time there. It was nice to come back at the end of the day, spread out and relax. The whirlpool tub was great. Wilderness Lodge is very convenient to the Magic Kingdom. We rode the bus to Disney Studios one day and that was good too.
Being at the Magic Kingdom is like going in and out of a football game all day long. The crowd was amazing.
My tips:
1) Do not get the meal plan. You will constantly be trying to get your money's worth, which is very hard to do.
2) Make as many reservations as you can before you go. We waited on the dinner ones and we only got in one night - which made using the meal plan a lot harder.
3) Get to the park as early as possible. If you have to, rest in the afternoon and go back at night.
4) Figure out how to use the Fastpass early. It was rumored that the "end" time on the Fastpass was never enforced, and we found that to be true. Get as many as possible as soon as possible.
I really didn't know planning the trip was this intense a process. My husband just decided we should try to go this labor day but I'm not sure that's possible. I'm going to start by getting the Unofficial guide. I think we do want to stay on-site for the convenience. Our doughter will be five and we have a three month old but not sure we'll be taking him. We might leave him with one set of grandparents because the other set are joining us.
Is it crowded/open around Christmas? Maybe we'll try for that time or maybe January or February.
Is it crowded/open around Christmas? Maybe we'll try for that time or maybe January or February.
Was there right before Christmas before and after a Disney Cruise. 12/14 was great, 12/22 was crowded and got worse. I think 12/25 is one of the busiest days of the year. It's all decorated up, but kind of a pain in the a$$ as the day gets longer.
With a 5 year old and a baby, I cannot reccomend Disneyland over WDW more. The five year old will have everything they want and is probably a little young for all that EPCOT offers. You don't have MGM, but California Adventure has all the stuff that MGM has relative to the kids.
The first time we went to Anaheim it was July and we had our 3 almost 4 year old. We stayed off site, but were able to walk w/her and be at the gate in 15 minutes. You can't really do that from any Disney property in FL even w/tram/boat/bus. We were able to go back take a nap and head back out, huge advantage w/little ones. Much more difficult to do in FL.
With a 5 year old and a baby, I cannot reccomend Disneyland over WDW more. The five year old will have everything they want and is probably a little young for all that EPCOT offers. You don't have MGM, but California Adventure has all the stuff that MGM has relative to the kids.
The first time we went to Anaheim it was July and we had our 3 almost 4 year old. We stayed off site, but were able to walk w/her and be at the gate in 15 minutes. You can't really do that from any Disney property in FL even w/tram/boat/bus. We were able to go back take a nap and head back out, huge advantage w/little ones. Much more difficult to do in FL.
Labor Day weekend will be quite busy. The week from Christmas to New Years is the busiest week of the year.
I used to spend nearly every summer at my Grandparents in LA and greatly prefer WDW to Disneyland. But, that is personal tastes.
Kids that young make a rental car nice as you control your transportation. We rent a car even staying on property at WDW.
If you're looking at February be sure to avoid the week before and after Presidents day as that is a quite popular time for snow bound Northern US residents to go to Florida. The Daytona 500 is that weekend too adding to the crowds and hotel demand.
I used to spend nearly every summer at my Grandparents in LA and greatly prefer WDW to Disneyland. But, that is personal tastes.
Kids that young make a rental car nice as you control your transportation. We rent a car even staying on property at WDW.
If you're looking at February be sure to avoid the week before and after Presidents day as that is a quite popular time for snow bound Northern US residents to go to Florida. The Daytona 500 is that weekend too adding to the crowds and hotel demand.
Roger
1,000+ Posts
I was in WDW in september with 9 people in all (my family - 3 my sister's family 4 and parents 2) the 3 kids were aged 7, 3, & 1 1/2, we stayed at The Boardwalk in a Villa. While it was nice to be able have one big sweet for all of us with a small kitchen, I would have preferred being on the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. While the kids had a blast at MGM because they will have plenty of kid's shows and a good time at EPCOT and Animal Kingdom, the Magic Kingdom is where tehy will want to be. For Kids it is a must to be at the park when it opens and close (and hopefully after it closes with late nights for WDW resort guests) and in order to do that you will need to nap in during the day.
I would suggest the Contemporary or Polynesian or the Grand Floridian if at all possible.
I would suggest the Contemporary or Polynesian or the Grand Floridian if at all possible.
wannawinit
25+ Posts
Disney also has some "economy lodges" The All-Star sports resort and a couple of other we went with a group of 14 last summer and this was the option chosen. The hotels are on shuttle lines and they have shuttles going non-stop so waiting isn't a huge issue. Fastpass is awesome, use it often. Take advantage of the early opening if you stay on resort. We would rise early get to park for 5-6 hrs. Hop bus back to hotel and let the kids wind down a bit, hop in the pool, then maybe nap, then head back into parks for late evening runs. Worked well for us
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