Please help me plan a trip to DisneyWorld
Apr 2, 2011, 7:38 pm
#31
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 9
So much misinformation, where do I start 
You don't have to use the Dining Plan this way. You can use your credits however you want. You can do a sit-down character breakfast and a quick service dinner, or you can do sit-downs in one day and use 2 quick services in a day. Some of us like to do a light breakfast in our room, think cereal, muffins, etc. and use the Quick Service for dinner and perhaps save a Table Service Credit to double up the next night for a signature meal.
The only character meal that requires 2 credits is Cinderella's Royal Table. All others are 1 credit.
RE: Dining plan. I'm not a great fan. It's not cheap, and not what it used to be. The regular plan will include a quick breakfast and sit down dinner (& a snack). That dinner includes an entree, dessert, and a drink per person. They claim you will save 25%, and you have to work it to do so. It no longer includes an appetizer or the tips. If you up it to the deluxe dining plan, you will spend a good chunk of your time going to /from restaurants and eating.
Also, if you're on the regular dining plan, some restaurants require 2 credits (the character meals and signature).
Apr 2, 2011, 9:57 pm
#32
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I thank you for that clarification. The last time I was on a plan, it was the platinum pkg that included everything no matter where we wanted to go.
I haven't been in a regular dining plan in years and they keep changing it,
My opinion of it doesn't change though. It's not what it used to be and to get anywhere near the 25% off they claim you can get, you really have to work it.
I thank you for that clarification. The last time I was on a plan, it was the platinum pkg that included everything no matter where we wanted to go.
I haven't been in a regular dining plan in years and they keep changing it,
My opinion of it doesn't change though. It's not what it used to be and to get anywhere near the 25% off they claim you can get, you really have to work it.
Last edited by Mary2e; Apr 2, 2011 at 10:05 pm
Apr 4, 2011, 9:00 pm
#33
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wow.
lots changed since I was there 36 years ago lol
I will need to read this whole thread. We may actually have a chance to swing down to Disney like in 10 days!
wooo hooo
could be in for something nutty with the 3 and 5 year old!
lots changed since I was there 36 years ago lol
I will need to read this whole thread. We may actually have a chance to swing down to Disney like in 10 days!
wooo hooo
could be in for something nutty with the 3 and 5 year old!
Apr 5, 2011, 10:55 am
#34
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ELP
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLAT, Marriott Titanium/LT PLAT
Posts: 4,120
Rented a car from the airport and just keep it with us throughout the stay. We will buy some food for the room at a grocery store and then eat breakfast in the CLUB when offered.
Lunch will be at the park or restaurants around us. Dinner will be outside around the Orlando area as I would like to get away from the hotel crowd and eat different type of food if possible.
Other than that, I thank everyone for all the wornderful advice and lets keep this thread open for info for other first timers.
Lunch will be at the park or restaurants around us. Dinner will be outside around the Orlando area as I would like to get away from the hotel crowd and eat different type of food if possible.
Other than that, I thank everyone for all the wornderful advice and lets keep this thread open for info for other first timers.
Apr 5, 2011, 10:57 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador: World of Hyatt
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Rented a car from the airport and just keep it with us throughout the stay. We will buy some food for the room at a grocery store and then eat breakfast in the CLUB when offered.
Lunch will be at the park or restaurants around us. Dinner will be outside around the Orlando area as I would like to get away from the hotel crowd and eat different type of food if possible.
Other than that, I thank everyone for all the wornderful advice and lets keep this thread open for info for other first timers.
Lunch will be at the park or restaurants around us. Dinner will be outside around the Orlando area as I would like to get away from the hotel crowd and eat different type of food if possible.
Other than that, I thank everyone for all the wornderful advice and lets keep this thread open for info for other first timers.
Have a great time!
Apr 9, 2011, 4:09 am
#36
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Maryland
Programs: Marriott Platinum, SPG Gold, DL Silver
Posts: 514
I saw a previous post that indicated that the AKL is in the Animal Kingdom - please be aware this is NOT the case at all! The savannah there is a separate one - it is a bus drive to the theme park, not in the theme park.
I also wouldn't waste evening time leaving the Disney area - I'd enjoy the ambiance and dine in Disney. That is part of the whole experience IMHO. It doesn't have to be expensive or fancy - my kids love having a hot dog at the Boardwalk and watching the entertainers. Or grabbing a snack at Epcot and walking around.
We also always add park-hopping. And - I always brought our own stroller. Trust me on this one. You'll want it. It wasn't too big a deal to fold it up for the bus rides.
Apr 13, 2011, 5:29 pm
#37
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 20
If you want a good book/planner to read about trips the Passporter is a great one. I use it when Im planning an on-site stay at Disney. Also for kids the Birnbaum Walt Disney World for Kids is pretty good as well. My oldest loves me reading to hear from it before trips.
I highly suggest that if you plan on eating at any of the sit down restruants at WDW that you make the reservations as soon as possible. They tend to book up for the times you want to eat (and sometimes they book up all together). Especially character meals. I know you said it was no big deal but if your daughter has her heart set on seeing princesses (especially a certain one) then the princess meals are the best way of seeing them. In the parks they tend to be a little quick hurried interaction. I did Cinderellas Royal Table with my then 3 and 1 1/2 year olds and the princesses were great about spending time with every child there. It was totally worth the time/money to go.
Other than Magic Kingdom the other place to see princesses is at Epcot. They are around the World Showcases in the countries the stories are suppose to be in (for example, Belle is outside of France.. sometimes the Beast is with her). I found the lines at Epcot a lot better than the ones at Magic Kingdom. Last time we were there we were in line for over an hour to see the princesses since my oldest had her heart set on seeing them. Another thing you can do if you are looking for a specific one is talk to the customer service at one of the parks and they will be able to tell you where and when you will be able to see them. Also at Epcot is the Character Spot where they have Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, Donald and sometimes Daisey or Pluto. Its a good spot to hit up all of the characters at one time.
Animal Kingdom is probably my favorite park. I love seeing all the animals. It is a lot of walking though and hard on little ones. My husband's niece was 6 when we took her and she was exhausted by noon so we ended up spending the money to rent a stroller the next day so she could actually enjoy the time. If you aren't planning on it yet I would suggest maybe bringing a stroller even for an older child, WDW is a LOT of walking.
If anyone at your house is a fan of Star Wars, Star Wars weekends will be going on at Hollywood Studios during the time of your stay as well.
I highly suggest that if you plan on eating at any of the sit down restruants at WDW that you make the reservations as soon as possible. They tend to book up for the times you want to eat (and sometimes they book up all together). Especially character meals. I know you said it was no big deal but if your daughter has her heart set on seeing princesses (especially a certain one) then the princess meals are the best way of seeing them. In the parks they tend to be a little quick hurried interaction. I did Cinderellas Royal Table with my then 3 and 1 1/2 year olds and the princesses were great about spending time with every child there. It was totally worth the time/money to go.
Other than Magic Kingdom the other place to see princesses is at Epcot. They are around the World Showcases in the countries the stories are suppose to be in (for example, Belle is outside of France.. sometimes the Beast is with her). I found the lines at Epcot a lot better than the ones at Magic Kingdom. Last time we were there we were in line for over an hour to see the princesses since my oldest had her heart set on seeing them. Another thing you can do if you are looking for a specific one is talk to the customer service at one of the parks and they will be able to tell you where and when you will be able to see them. Also at Epcot is the Character Spot where they have Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, Donald and sometimes Daisey or Pluto. Its a good spot to hit up all of the characters at one time.
Animal Kingdom is probably my favorite park. I love seeing all the animals. It is a lot of walking though and hard on little ones. My husband's niece was 6 when we took her and she was exhausted by noon so we ended up spending the money to rent a stroller the next day so she could actually enjoy the time. If you aren't planning on it yet I would suggest maybe bringing a stroller even for an older child, WDW is a LOT of walking.
If anyone at your house is a fan of Star Wars, Star Wars weekends will be going on at Hollywood Studios during the time of your stay as well.
Apr 20, 2011, 1:03 pm
#38
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PHL/EWR
Programs: UA, AA
Posts: 1,821
Rented a car from the airport and just keep it with us throughout the stay. We will buy some food for the room at a grocery store and then eat breakfast in the CLUB when offered.
Lunch will be at the park or restaurants around us. Dinner will be outside around the Orlando area as I would like to get away from the hotel crowd and eat different type of food if possible.
Other than that, I thank everyone for all the wornderful advice and lets keep this thread open for info for other first timers.
Lunch will be at the park or restaurants around us. Dinner will be outside around the Orlando area as I would like to get away from the hotel crowd and eat different type of food if possible.
Other than that, I thank everyone for all the wornderful advice and lets keep this thread open for info for other first timers.
For your grocery shopping, skip Goodings and go a mile farther down the road to Winn Dixie.
I've stayed twice Club Level at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and even their evening snacks filled us up so much it was dinner! They are appetizers from Jiko (at least they were) and Boma - and they have beer and wine all day - when it's not out you can just ask for it and they'll bring it to you. And their espresso machine is great!!
I also wouldn't waste evening time leaving the Disney area - I'd enjoy the ambiance and dine in Disney. That is part of the whole experience IMHO. It doesn't have to be expensive or fancy - my kids love having a hot dog at the Boardwalk and watching the entertainers. Or grabbing a snack at Epcot and walking around.
We also always add park-hopping. And - I always brought our own stroller. Trust me on this one. You'll want it. It wasn't too big a deal to fold it up for the bus rides.
I also wouldn't waste evening time leaving the Disney area - I'd enjoy the ambiance and dine in Disney. That is part of the whole experience IMHO. It doesn't have to be expensive or fancy - my kids love having a hot dog at the Boardwalk and watching the entertainers. Or grabbing a snack at Epcot and walking around.
We also always add park-hopping. And - I always brought our own stroller. Trust me on this one. You'll want it. It wasn't too big a deal to fold it up for the bus rides.
If you want something more sedate for dinner, some of the hotel restaurants, while often still bustling, will be your best bet. Some suggestions would include the Yachtman's Steak House, Citrico's, Narcoosee's, and that 1st floor resto at the Contemporary (I forget the name -- it will always be the Fiesta Fun Center to me). You'll save time that can be spent wandering around, getting ice cream, checking out shops, and the like as opposed to sitting in traffic. And I can't overemphasize the ability to beat a hasty retreat back to home base once the kid is exhausted.
Apr 20, 2011, 1:53 pm
#39
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make it simple: do not plan,just go.
April 3. called and booked Coronado resort--in Disney. Was about $1,200 for 5 days. But wife got a nice discount from work making this about $875!
Had our plans changed they only wanted $50 to change the ability of coming another time.
April 9 booked RT tickets on DL using 47,500 miles pp for family of 4
connections, yes, but the last minute ability of this made it worth it!
April 14 - 19 stayed in Disney and did 2 days at Magic Kingdom and 2 days at our pool and hopping to other Disney properties. We have a 3 and 5 year old so this worked nicely.
Had the cards they give you that are good to swipe everywhere. Used them exclusively.
Home: noted that I can and will transfer all points from our 3 new cap one cards into one and pay off the entire trip with cap one points that were matched from other airlines, which were brought to their high balances via coins and promos and sign on deals with CCs.
total cost of trip:
~$100 out of pocket if that. everything else is a travel related expense.
~$2,200 on Cap on Visa. Will need to burn up 220,000 points. No probs!
Benes:
-the ability to NOT plan hardly at all and just book, jump on a plane and go.
-All carry on luggage means less hassle all around! What do you need down there cept shorts and a bathing suit and some t shirts anyway!
-Brought tons of own snacks (saves you TONS of money) and brought those Starbucks instant VIA coffees because most any vendor or shop in Disney will gladly give you a free hot cup of water. Saves you tons of money on coffee. Brought empty water bottles in as well and filled at nice cold and convenient water fountains.
-Got fast passes for rides we needed to do.
-Got to park way early, which you can do when staying within the confines of their property.
-Got to Town Square Theater in Main Street square on right and got exclusive photoshoots with some princesses and Mickey/Minnie. This is a new and little know attraction and we actually did this at 9:30pm during the 9pm parade so no one else was in there!
MM
Had our plans changed they only wanted $50 to change the ability of coming another time.
April 9 booked RT tickets on DL using 47,500 miles pp for family of 4
connections, yes, but the last minute ability of this made it worth it!
April 14 - 19 stayed in Disney and did 2 days at Magic Kingdom and 2 days at our pool and hopping to other Disney properties. We have a 3 and 5 year old so this worked nicely.
Had the cards they give you that are good to swipe everywhere. Used them exclusively.
Home: noted that I can and will transfer all points from our 3 new cap one cards into one and pay off the entire trip with cap one points that were matched from other airlines, which were brought to their high balances via coins and promos and sign on deals with CCs.
total cost of trip:
~$100 out of pocket if that. everything else is a travel related expense.
~$2,200 on Cap on Visa. Will need to burn up 220,000 points. No probs!
Benes:
-the ability to NOT plan hardly at all and just book, jump on a plane and go.
-All carry on luggage means less hassle all around! What do you need down there cept shorts and a bathing suit and some t shirts anyway!
-Brought tons of own snacks (saves you TONS of money) and brought those Starbucks instant VIA coffees because most any vendor or shop in Disney will gladly give you a free hot cup of water. Saves you tons of money on coffee. Brought empty water bottles in as well and filled at nice cold and convenient water fountains.
-Got fast passes for rides we needed to do.
-Got to park way early, which you can do when staying within the confines of their property.
-Got to Town Square Theater in Main Street square on right and got exclusive photoshoots with some princesses and Mickey/Minnie. This is a new and little know attraction and we actually did this at 9:30pm during the 9pm parade so no one else was in there!
MM
Apr 23, 2011, 2:21 pm
#40
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Location: Calgary, Alberta
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Posts: 18,686
With a 5 year old, I wouldnt bother with the park hopper pass. You could probably spend 2 days at Magic Kindgom and 1 at each of the other parks. The contemporary is the closest...If you have a rental car, I would skip the buses to the other parks and just drive there (free parking if you're staying on site). A suggest website with a wealth of practical information is http://disneyworldforum.disney.go.com/home.aspx
We spent 20 days at the parks over Christmas Break.. recommendation, if you can book a couple extra parks, it will definitely be worthwhile.
10 day ticket with no hopper is the best value.. so if you can max that out, after 4 or 5 days, its only $3 or $4 extra per day.
Probably mentioned, but I would book ahead for your daughter to experience Cinderella's castle, or Princess Akershus in Norway Pavilion at Epcot.. These are princess experience meals with a free photo shoot (generally $30 if you go to 1900 Park fare for your Princess package). We were there at the Cinderella's Castle on Christmas Eve Lunch (celebrating my one year's old December 24th birthday) and Christmas Day supper (celebrating Jesus's birthday of course). Picture packages are worth a lifetime of memories.. so we've got quite a few on the shelf. We did get a Princess Akershus package during our August 09 trip.. and I've got two boys.
Apr 25, 2011, 8:28 pm
#41
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Chicagoland, IL, USA
Programs: WN CP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,193
The discount might more than pay for your annual pass. Then you can return in 11 months "for free" and get all kinds of restaurant and shopping discounts to boot during your stay.
You only need one annual pass for this hotel savings, and I think a passholder can reserve up to 2 rooms.