RECS NEEDED.....We decided on Disney either End of Sept or End of Oct.....NOW WHAT?!

My DH has 2 weeks we can choose from & since my DDs aren't in FT school, we have the flexibility. (they will be 4 1/2yo & 2yo)

Which would be better, Sept or Oct?

where to stay?

We will probably drive since we live in NC, rather than 4 plane tickets.

recommend you on-site resort, who do you book through, what should be book?

Re: RECS NEEDED.....We decided on Disney either End of Sept or End of Oct.....NOW WHAT?!

Depending on the exact weeks (whether the fall into labor or columbus days...and in September AFTER LD is empty), you really can't go wrong with either.

September will be a little hotter. October might be marginally more crowded.

Right now there is Free Dining for most of September, but I am willing to bet it will be extended into October this year as it has in years past.

I really love October. We like to go for the Food and Wine Festival as well as Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party. The party is a BLAST and it's fun seeing the park decorated for fall.

Where to stay depends on your budget and needs. I prefer on property. That's my first consideration. Then budget, then location.

If you want to book now and you want to guarantee Free Dining, I'd book right away for September. If you can live without Free Dining, you can book for October and then your travel agent can switch you over into Free Dining or whatever discount becomes available.

I think you should book with a TA (Disney Specialist only!!! I learned that the hard way before I became one), and book ASAP. Free Dining Rooms are going fast, and even if you're going in October, if you book now, your TA will already have your dates, your preferences and your info to get you into free dining as soon as it hopefully opens.

Re: RECS NEEDED.....We decided on Disney either End of Sept or End of Oct.....NOW WHAT?!

As far as resort recommendations go, it REALLY depends on your budget.

If I could stay anywhere with 2 young DDs I'd either want to be on the monorail (no fold stroller access to MK and EPCOT), or I'd want to stay at one of the Royal Guest Rooms at Port Orleans.

These rooms are dedicated with touches from all of the characters and other princesses. They're truly special, and there is a virtual fireworks show over the beds. They just look so amazing

Re: RECS NEEDED.....We decided on Disney either End of Sept or End of Oct.....NOW WHAT?!

LOL....I don't even know our budget. The lesser the better, but we don't want to miss the good stuff.... But I don't even know what that is.

We want on-sight.
We want princesses & tinker bell (if she's even there?)

Do Disney travel agents really get better deals for you?

It would be the end of Sept...so no holidays involved.

Message edited 3/19/2012 3:41:51 PM.

Re: RECS NEEDED.....We decided on Disney either End of Sept or End of Oct.....NOW WHAT?!

Posted by NewlyMrs

LOL....I don't even know our budget. The lesser the better, but we don't want to miss the good stuff.... But I don't even know what that is.

We want on-sight.
We want princesses & tinker bell (if she's even there?)

Do Disney travel agents really get better deals for you?

Re: RECS NEEDED.....We decided on Disney either End of Sept or End of Oct.....NOW WHAT?!

Posted by JenniferEver

Posted by NewlyMrs

LOL....I don't even know our budget. The lesser the better, but we don't want to miss the good stuff.... But I don't even know what that is.

We want on-sight.
We want princesses & tinker bell (if she's even there?)

Do Disney travel agents really get better deals for you?

The rooms above are at the pricey end of the Moderate resort range. You can also do a Value resort. They have comfortable rooms, large icons and really fun pools!

Your girls can definitely meet the Princesses. I suggest doing a character meal for that, either at Cinderella's Royal Table or Akershus to avoid lines, though you can also meet the Princesses on Main St.

There is also a Tinkerbell Meet and greet area, so you'll be set!

A TA can definitely help you. At worst, you're going to pay the exact same thing that you would pay booking through Disney. Better is, we check discounts daily and if something comes out that will reduce your price, we'll immediately change your reservation to reflect the savings. We might find a discount you don't know about, or because we're on the phone at the crack of dawn making changes, we might get you a room you would have otherwise been locked out of. I just got someone into a free dining room after she was told by Disney it was unavailable for her dates.

We also make all of your dining and tour reservations for you, and if you'd like we can provide a detailed itinerary. I think different agencies do different things, but at mine for example, we can provide you with plans down to which order to ride which rides.

I highly recommend that you book through a Disney Specialist. You will not pay a dime more, but you're going to get a lot of services, and maybe even save some $$.

I also suggest that you go to the Disney website and play around. Once you're registered there you may get exclusive PIN code discounts in the mail.

Re: RECS NEEDED.....We decided on Disney either End of Sept or End of Oct.....NOW WHAT?!

The Royal Rooms look so nice!

We are booked at POP Century, which is a value resort, we have stayed there several times. The kids enjoy it, the food court is efficient and offers something for everyone. We have stayed at the other value resorts, and weren't that thrilled with them. They also now all have free fridges in them, due to be completed by the end of the month I believe, and free wi-fi.

We have also stayed at the Yacht Club, and Saratoga Springs, which are both deluxe resorts, and nice, but much more money. Those are good if you think you will utilize the amenities of the resort a lot. OR if you want to utilize the monorail or boats to get to the parks. If you are going to be in the parks a lot for your first trip, and not relaxing poolside, etc., I would stick to a less expensive resort.

We pretty much just sleep in our room, and are on the go all day.

Message edited 3/20/2012 8:26:23 AM.

Re: RECS NEEDED.....We decided on Disney either End of Sept or End of Oct.....NOW WHAT?!

Pop is my favorite Value as well!

We've stayed there twice, though All Star Music has a special place in my heart since we stayed there for 3 of our first 4 trips.

I stayed at beach Club last weekend and I was SO excited about Stormalong Bay. Do you think we even got to the pool? Nope!

Re: RECS NEEDED.....We decided on Disney either End of Sept or End of Oct.....NOW WHAT?!

If you stay at the beach club or yacht club they have the stomalong bay , a pool area with sand, lazy river, a large slides for adults and a mall slide for kids, my DD was 3 and she loved it. I saw your other post about the water parks if you did this they you wouldn't have to go to a waterpark.

Message edited 3/21/2012 2:45:38 PM.