Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

I would really like to go in the fall...

I have no idea how much this trip would cost us financially- and am not sure if Im better off going through an agent- or just booking everything myself...

Where is the best/cheapest place to stay (I perfer to stay in disney for all the transportation and stuff)

Hoppers? What do they run???

Are there any sort of pkg deals..??? Where do I find them?

What should I expect to spend on food and stuff- generally how much spending money..??


DS will be like 27 months... Ideally I would like to go next fall(when he is 3)- but if we go through with our plan of action to TTC next summer- Ill be preg. and wont be able to go on rides- and I kinda want to do this one last thing with just DH and RJ...

I def. want to do Magic Kingdom, Animal kingdom, and MGM ( i dont think DS will get to much out of Epcot- am I wrong?) Since it will be fall I think we can skip the water parks...

Any tips, advice, or whatever- just guide me in the right direction!

TIA

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

The cheapest places to stay are the "value" resorts. We spent one night at All Star Movie at the beginning and end of our trip last year. They were OK but if you'll just be crashing there for sleep then it's fine.
They have packages that include meal tickets and hopper passes. I would probably go through a travel agent. IMO it's just easier but that's just me.
We don't plan on going back until Miranda and any future kids are older than 5. For us the only reason we went was because it was a big family trip with all of DH"s family. We skipped most of the parks and have 5 days left on our hopper passes which we upgraded to not expire.
We did LOVE the Disney cruise. That might be worth looking into also.

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

We haven't gone, but I'd bookmarked this thread that has links to a few other boards that can help you out.

linky

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

We are taking Ava next week.

We are staying at The Regal Palm Resort in Davenport- about 10 miles from Disney. We got a 3 bed/3 bath condo for $139 a night. It has a fully stocked kitchen, a gym, restaurant and swimming complex (pools, lazy river). My friend has been there several times and loves it.

As far as Disney itself, I don't have high expectations. I know it will be hot and I don't know how long Ava will last walking around all day. So, I am just planning on Magic Kingdom right know since she is sooo into the characters and princesses . We may also do Sea World. I will post how it went when we get home.

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

I have been at disney about 15 times... FM me if you have any questions... I can def help you.

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

HarleyGirlFLA is a Disney Specialist/Travel Agent - I am sure she can help walk you through all the packages and help you get the best deaks.

I know they are having a free dining promotion right now - it's limited to a certain number of packages at each resort but I would call them now to see if it's still available.

The dining plan will give you a sit down meal, counter service meal and snack for each night of your package. It's more then enough food per day and a great value.

The Value resorts (All Stars & Pop Century) are the least expensive Disney Resorts.

The weather in the fall is still really nice. September is actually Pretty hot (mid-80s). The park crowds are pretty empty and except for a few marquis rides, you'll probably walk on to everything. The restaurants will be crowded b/c of the free dining. October is milder with a bit more crowds as the Food & Wine Festival at Epcot and the Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom draws a lot of people.

If you are there for a Halloween party night, you should really consider checking it out. It's not included with the regular park ticket but it's worth it - you can dress up if you like and there's a special parade & fireworks show, trick or treating, etc.

HTH!

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

SIL just went and she got a great deal....not sure where or how but she did book it herself. If I were on better terms with his family, I'd ask, but not right now.

The fall may be warm enough for water rides down there....MGM may or may not be a good park for RJ. I went to MGM when I was 11 and it's all movie-based stuff from what I recall.

Maybe ask on NFR from the Disney Fans who go every year? We are thinking of going in the spring or next fall as well and plan on staying in a park, but we may limit it to one park with the kids so it is not overwhelming for any of us.

We should plan to go together!! LOL.

Eta: I may recall someone saying something that SIL paid about $1700 for everything (hotel, passes, airfare)

Message edited 5/25/2007 9:12:06 AM.

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

You are so much better off booking everything yourself. You can find the same, if not better deals that travel agents do. This website is a great resource:www.mousesavers.com As is www.disboards.com

We go every year and it's a blast (except this year). The first couple of times we stayed at a Deluxe Resort (The Yacht Club) and it's SUPER nice and the pool is AWESOME! Of course the price is super expensive so we started staying at the Value Resorts. Pop Century is the newest and it's cute. DS loves it.

You are better off staying at a WDW on site resort since you get free transportation on Disney's Magical Express from the airport to your resort, as well as transportation the parks, early entry to the parks, extra magic hour evenings, etc. If you go in the fall, check out Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.

If we are staying for less than a week we don't get hoppers, we just regular passes and do one park a day. If it's your first time, that would be a good option since there is sooo much to do in each park, you will want to spend a lot of time at each one.

If you sign up for Southwest Airlines "Ding" Program, you can typically get fares for $49-59 each way when they "Ding" you. Even if you don't get a "Ding", their rates are still pretty good for FL and you can't beat flying out of Islip.

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

there is free dining 8/26-9/22 thats when we are going

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

Posted by KPtoys

there is free dining 8/26-9/22 thats when we are going

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

Posted by beautyq115

Posted by KPtoys

there is free dining 8/26-9/22 thats when we are going

Are you serious???? Where did you find that out?

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

we have a timeshare down there so we go almost every year.. my boys started going around 6 months of age.. 27 months is a great age IMO.. he probably won't remember it but so what!! at that age they like the big characters and then when they get a bit older they get scared of them! lol The value resorts are money savers and you don't have to rent a car. we always get hoppers and then go home for lunch. it gives the kids a break from the crowds at lunchtime then we go back.. there is a book called Disney with Kids that i read and thought it was great.. it tells you how to get through the park with minimal waiting on lines and it works!! have fun!

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

Posted by Summerrluvv

Posted by beautyq115

Posted by KPtoys

there is free dining 8/26-9/22 thats when we are going

Are you serious???? Where did you find that out?

www.mousesavers.com

They offer it every year to attract more guests during hurricane season.

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

if you want to save on food, definitely check out the disney dining plan. 2 meals a day and 2 snacks, so worth it. i think we paid $35 per person per day for the plan. you can easliy spend $100 a day on food at dsney.

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

Posted by KPtoys

there is free dining 8/26-9/22 thats when we are going

Re: Lets talk taking DC to Disney-

Last year it was during October. This year it's september.

September is a good time because the kids go back to school and it doesnt feel as crowded.

Plus their are many great tips on taking full advantage of the parks and avoiding the crowds. Some things like taking breakfast at 10am, lunch at 2 or even an early dinner or late dinner.

Other options is hit the parks in the morning and during the times when the sun is the hottest go back to the hotel and sit at the pool.

Some parks open 1 hour early and you usually find that out when you check in. This will help in getting an early start at the parks and then heading back to the hotel to sit at the pool and then going back when it's cooler.

Other things that also help is the fast pass. You get your ticket for the ride you want and it will give you a time to return. The lines are usually shorter that way. If the ride has fast pass I always make sure to do it.