Orlando - WDW and Orlando end of Oct

Ok people in Celebration finishing my Masters and my Birthday, I'm finally getting to WDW! Been thinking of staying at the Swan Hotel (haven't read any recent reviews) and of any good places to buy WDW tickets. So could someone direct me to a good site or give me information on a newbie's trip to WDW, basically to the Do's and Dont's.

Thanks

You have asked a HUGE question. It's kind of like saying, "I want to travel to Europe--can you give me any advice?"

That being said, the Swan hotel is nothing special, so unless you are dead-set on earning (or redeeming) those Starwood points I would instead consider an actual Disney resort. October tends to be a fairly slow time of year so rates are low, although I will admit that the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival has changed that somewhat.

As for buying tickets, Disney does an excellent job of controlling that so whether you buy them on-site, at an Orlando hotel, or whatever you will pay the exact same price. The only exception that I'm aware of is for active duty military who can get discounted tickets on military bases.

The end of October can be a bit busier because some US schools have a short break then and I know that the UK get a week off end of October. The Swan is nice but nothing awesome. The real Disney hotels are very, very good. Animal Kingdom Lodge was great.

You can probably get a small discount on tickets prices or packages. Check the WDW site to see if they have any dining specials. Also here are a couple of sites that may help since they are specific to Disney.

www.allears.net

www.mousesavers.com

Congratulations! You have plenty to celebrate and October is an excellent time to visit Central Florida. Here are some sources of additional information on WDW:

Theme Park Insider
http://www.themeparkinsider.com

AllEars.net
http://allears.net/index.html

DISboards.com
http://www.disboards.com/

Mousesavers.com
http://www.mousesavers.com

Disney Phone Numbers
http://www.islandcruisetravel.com/disney_phone_numbers.htm

I would also like to suggest that you post your questions (perhaps more focussed) on Fodors http://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/florida/ as their forum is more oriented to leisure rather than business travel.

One good place to purchase tickets is through Undercover Tourist. The link can be found at Mousesavers site; additionally, you can score more of a discount by signing up for their newsletter.

We are traveling to WDW in the middle of November and were able to find a great fare on USAirways. Southwest seems to be matching those fares, although I do not know if they are still available.

WDW has hotels in every price range, so you should be able to find something that meets your criteria. The moderates (Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans, etc.) are a good choice for many folks who do not want to pay the rather high prices at the deluxe resorts. However, the deluxe resorts are really nice and convenient to the parks (Polynesian is on monorail to MK, Beach/Yacht Clubs within walking distance to Epcot, etc.).

Also, if you are staying at a WDW resort, you can book a free shuttle from the airport - Disney's Magical Express. Details should be on one of the sites PPs have mentioned.

Consider renting from a Disney Vacation Club (timeshare) owner. Check the DVC forum at disboards.com.

You will save a ton of money and stay in a Deluxe resort.

October is a beautiful time to go.

Hi,

Also just now WDW has special offers on hotel rooms ( 25% off at value and up to 40% off at Deluxe resorts)

Go to www.waltdisneyworld.com and click on " Save at least 25% at select Disney resorts" ( the icon with Chip & Dale)

Regards

TBS

Both positives and negatives going on the meal plan if you do stay at Disney World Resort. Talked to one of my neighbors.. she and her family went Christmas break and took advantage of the meal plan, and felt it was worth it. Last time out, we went on the meal plan, and it gave us an opportunity to explore the restaurants throughout Disney.. When you've got it, gotta use it.. sort of mentality.

Plan and get reservations ASAP.. the best restaurants go first and seeing that October is around the corner you'll have to work some cancellations. Character Dining is hard to get into.. Ohana's, Le Cellier, Princess Akershus, Mickey's Back Yard BBQ, and at times Disney World Castle, are hard to get into as well, and requires advanced reservations.. although October may have more availability since its' low season.. Best to give them a call and line em up.

The end of October can be a bit busier because some US schools have a short break then and I know that the UK get a week off end of October. The Swan is nice but nothing awesome. The real Disney hotels are very, very good. Animal Kingdom Lodge was great.

You can probably get a small discount on tickets prices or packages. Check the WDW site to see if they have any dining specials. Also here are a couple of sites that may help since they are specific to Disney.

www.allears.net

www.mousesavers.com

I have the exact opposite view.

The Swan is much nicer then any Disney "Deluxe". Disney "Deluxes" are 3 star hotels charging 5 star pricing. I would say that the Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah View is the only one I consider SOMEWHAT worth the pricing. But for my next visit. The BEST rate for a Disney "Deluxe" was over $300. The Swan $179, Dolphin $149. Yes, I have to pay for parking, but... the math didn't add up LOL! The bedding etc at the Swan is just much nicer then Disney "Deluxe" . As for that 40% discount... IMHO Disney hotels work like the carpet store that's been going out of business for 20 years. Mark everything up to some unbelievable rate, put a 50% off sign on it and sell it. Disney pricing for their hotels (especially the Deluxe) has reached that point! The rack rates for their very basic rooms are now in the $300 to $500 range. Same as the Ritz Carlton... which is a TRUE Deluxe not a "pretty hotel"

If you have time sign up for the monthly newsletter at Mousesavers. It comes out the 15th of each month and has a link to Undercover Tourist that gives about the best ticket discount I have seen. I have purchased from them and they were fine.

There are lots of fan sites. SOme of them require you wear a bulletproof vest however so be careful :)

I have the exact opposite view.

The Swan is much nicer then any Disney "Deluxe". Disney "Deluxes" are 3 star hotels charging 5 star pricing. I would say that the Animal Kingdom Lodge Savannah View is the only one I consider SOMEWHAT worth the pricing. But for my next visit. The BEST rate for a Disney "Deluxe" was over $300. The Swan $179, Dolphin $149. Yes, I have to pay for parking, but... the math didn't add up LOL! The bedding etc at the Swan is just much nicer then Disney "Deluxe" . As for that 40% discount... IMHO Disney hotels work like the carpet store that's been going out of business for 20 years. Mark everything up to some unbelievable rate, put a 50% off sign on it and sell it. Disney pricing for their hotels (especially the Deluxe) has reached that point! The rack rates for their very basic rooms are now in the $300 to $500 range. Same as the Ritz Carlton... which is a TRUE Deluxe not a "pretty hotel"

If you have time sign up for the monthly newsletter at Mousesavers. It comes out the 15th of each month and has a link to Undercover Tourist that gives about the best ticket discount I have seen. I have purchased from them and they were fine.

There are lots of fan sites. SOme of them require you wear a bulletproof vest however so be careful :)

everyone has their opinion. I would rather stay in a Disney value resort than the Swan. But that's because I don't value what you get at the Swan for the price difference, over a basic value resort.

I also have the advantage of being a Flroida resident so get very good discount deals at the Disney hotels (also Universal hotels) so that may influence my opinion.

Carol has clearly had some bad experiences at Disney resorts, as she often touts the "3-star hotel at a 5-star price" comment. I see them as 4-star resorts at 4-star prices--clearly I've had better experiences and I've stayed at every single deluxe except the Yacht and Beach Clubs. I've also stayed at enough 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts around the world to know what to expect.

Carol has clearly had some bad experiences at Disney resorts, as she often touts the "3-star hotel at a 5-star price" comment. I see them as 4-star resorts at 4-star prices--clearly I've had better experiences and I've stayed at every single deluxe except the Yacht and Beach Clubs. I've also stayed at enough 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts around the world to know what to expect.I have to agree with Carol - they are 3 star hotels at 4-5 star prices, and I've stayed at all of them as well. I haven't had any bad experiences, just not what one would expect from a "deluxe" hotel.

If I pay in excess of $300 per night (and it goes higher than that) I expect more from a hotel.

I got better service from the Hyatt Grand Cypress for substantially less.

Because of the size of the operation, Disney has to standardize everything in order to maintain some order and consistency of experience. What is lost is some service and amenities.

But we continue to go and pay those rates anyway :)

Some of y'all need to try DVC resorts. Considered perhaps a bit below Deluxes in quality, but for a fraction of the price.

More like $80-120 a night if you rent from a member.

Carol has clearly had some bad experiences at Disney resorts, as she often touts the "3-star hotel at a 5-star price" comment. I see them as 4-star resorts at 4-star prices--clearly I've had better experiences and I've stayed at every single deluxe except the Yacht and Beach Clubs. I've also stayed at enough 4- and 5-star hotels and resorts around the world to know what to expect.

Actually that is a very common comment made by a lot of DFs (Disney Fanatics) regarding Disney and its room rates. Personally I suggest that you think about just how much Disney and Pixie dust you want to get into. If you want to be totally immersed in the Disney environment then staying at a Disney Resort is probably better. Otherwise staying at either the Swan or Dolphin resort will take you out of the Disney Bubble but still keep you within walking distance of the parks. The Swan and Dolphin resorts have a little better room amenities and actually cost sometimes less then the deluxe equivalent at Disney but you get nickle and dimed by them with taxes and parking and other little sub charges they don't mention till you check out.

WOW, I would like to thank you all for your feedback and comments, I'll be going through them and evaluating them all..

Can you add the meal plans at the Swan and Dolphin Disney resorts?.. Seems there are hundreds of hotels throughout Orlando, so these resorts must have Disney priveleges and amenities.

No you cannot add the meal plan at those 2 hotels. They only get some of the on-site priveldges, not all of them. For example, you can't do a room charge either.

I would also recommend going to the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival, if you have the budget to do so. My friends and I call it "Drink Around the World" - and we've had an absolute blast every time we go.

If you want to save money - stay off property. 99% of the hotels in the area offer a shuttle service to and from the parks. If you're just looking for a nice clean room to lay your head at night, I would recommend the Hilton Garden Inn on Palm Parkway. I stay there a lot for work. It's a newer hotel, very clean and nice, and I've seen rates anywhere from $69-$109 a night.

If you want a fancy resort Hilton Bonnet Creek is to die for - I was just there on Tuesday, and it's as on property as you're going to get without being a Disney hotel. Other than that - I would also say to check out the Hyatt Grand Cypress that someone else mentioned. I stayed there too a few years ago. The rooms aren't anything fancy, from what I remember - but the pool area is very nice. I was quite fond of the grotto area at the pool. Took several cat naps in there, while enjoying a drink and escaping the hot sun. It was so relaxing!

If you want a fancy resort Hilton Bonnet Creek is to die for - I was just there on Tuesday, and it's as on property as you're going to get without being a Disney hotel.

Not absolutely. I see that you're a HH diamond, so you have a preference for Hilton brands. There is a standard full-service Hilton in the Downtown Disney area, along with a handful of other hotels. The WDW Swan and Dolphin are Starwood properties with ideal locations right in the heart of the Disney action.

But all that is irrelevant AFAIC. Staying on-site at a Disney resort is the only true way to experience the magic, start to finish, of a WDW vacation!

Ok people sorry for the delay, I would like to thank you for all the feedback you have all given. We are leaving Oct21 for WDW, we planned a busy trip. WDW,Universal Studios and Kenndy Space Center. Then off to DC for a couple of days.

We are leaving Oct21 for WDW, we planned a busy trip. WDW,Universal Studios and Kenndy Space Center. Enjoy. We just got back from a couple of days at the Swan hotel (Disney) and another couple of days at the Royal Pacific (Universal). And we had a blast. I'm already planning my next trip. :D