HELP! I desperately need help planning my Disney Trip!!! - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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HELP! I desperately need help planning my Disney Trip!!!
Hello. I thought this was the best place to come to ask for assistance and advice for planning my family's VERY FIRST Disney World adventure. My husband and I have both been there, but never with our little girls. These are the things I know... I am looking for at least 1 full year to plan and SAVE for this trip. I definitely want to stay in the park - I do not want to have to rent a vehicle. I want to do some type of hopper pass, but only things that are age appropriate for my little girls. My daughters (as of today) are 5 1/2 and 19 months old. My oldest daughter is totally into princess, so we know we definitely want to do the lunch in cinderella's castle. Also, my oldest daughter will be in 1st grade next year, therefore we'd like to do this trip either in the summertime or during a school break. I'd love to do it the day after Christmas next year through the 3rd of January, but I'm hearing that it's packed at that time. I know that we want to do the dining package, but I don't want to have breakfast included if we don't have to (not sure if that's an option)
So, that's what I do know. What I'm looking for advice on is the following...
*when do you suggest is a good time to go?
* what parks would be good for a 2 1/2 and 6 1/2 year old?
* what's the catch to get into the theme meals? Again, what would be good ones for my little ones?
* what suggestions do you have for the dining package?
* is it best to book this trip through the wdw website? is it best to go thru a travel agent? How do I get the best deal? What kind of payment arrangements are there to book a trip like this? Is it so much down and then so much 30 days prior?
I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting and any suggestions or advice that anyone has for me is greatly appreciated! The more we kick this idea around we may even turn this into a family trip and have my parents go as well as my sister, brother-in-law and my 14 year old niece (and a friend of course) Thank you all in advance. I look forward to any feedback.
Allison
I definitely want to stay in the park - I do not want to have to rent a vehicle.
At present, all the Disney resorts qualify for Disney's Magical Express which gives you free transport from and back to the Orlando airport. No rental car needed. Just pick whichever resort works best for your budget and taste.
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I want to do some type of hopper pass, but only things that are age appropriate for my little girls.
All of the parks have something appropriate for all ages. Just pick however many days you want on your park pass. You can pay extra to have park-hopping privileges - just figure out what you're wanting to do at each park and decide if the extra expense is worth it to you.
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My oldest daughter is totally into princess, so we know we definitely want to do the lunch in cinderella's castle.
Be aware that Cinderella only appears at breakfast. But lunch and dinner offer the other princesses, and all three meals at Epcot's Norway pavilion offer the princesses, although again, not Cinderella. If you really want Cinderella, you will have to call the second the phone lines open exactly 180 days before the meal and even then you will need an immense amount of pixie dust to get a reservation.
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Also, my oldest daughter will be in 1st grade next year, therefore we'd like to do this trip either in the summertime or during a school break.
As somebody who has exclusively visited during the summer I can tell you that early June is not quite as crowded as the rest of the summer. Also, mid-late August is not as crowded since many schools have started back already, but it is hotter in August than in June. Go either as soon as your school gets out or right before it starts for lighter crowds. Regular school breaks like Spring Break, Thanksgiving week, etc. are just as crowded as Christmas.
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I know that we want to do the dining package, but I don't want to have breakfast included if we don't have to (not sure if that's an option)
You either have the dining package or you don't. You can use the credits any way you want to, it's not meal-specific.
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* what's the catch to get into the theme meals? Again, what would be good ones for my little ones?
Just call and make a reservation. There are several character meals offered throughout the parks and resorts, with a wide variety of characters in attendance. Pick whichever meal(s) work based on the characters that will be there and whatever your daily plans are, like which park you plan to tour that day.
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* is it best to book this trip through the wdw website? is it best to go thru a travel agent? How do I get the best deal? What kind of payment arrangements are there to book a trip like this? Is it so much down and then so much 30 days prior?
I prefer to book everything separately, on my own, but it's a personal decision. Packages booked through Disney require a deposit (can't remember how much) at booking, with balance paid 45 days prior to check-in.
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Are you a member of AAA? They offer discounts on rooms and tickets.
One word of caution!!! As much as I love EPCOT I don't think young children would be that interested in all the different countries and their Pavilions. You might want to make that an adult activity because my wife and I loved it. I would give the same good advice that ChristyJoy allready did. Ask all the questions you want here. People here love to help. And one more important thing. Figure out what you really want to see because you can't see everything!!! WDW is a big area. And have fun!!!
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Well--- I actually disagree with Scott about Epcot. My kids love the kidcot stations in the World Showcase Pavilions--- also there are several characters that have meets and greets in the world showcase pavilions (mulan in China, Snow White and Seven Dwarfs in Germany, Pinocchio and Gepetto in Italy, Belle in France, The Three Caballeros in Mexico)
Kidcot Stations-- in each country (and a few in future world) the kids can work on a mask. At the first kidcot, they give you the mask to start with, and there's plenty of sharpie markers, that your kids can decorate the mask with. At each new country, they attach a hanging decoration to the mask, and the kids can decorate more. When my kids were 2 and under--- it was all scribbles. And last trip, my oldest turned 7--- and he actually put alot of thought into it--- he drew a cobra in Morocco since it was Africa--- it's cool seeing the different masks. Also my kids have loved the music in the pavilions--- I have many pictures of my then three year old dancing to Off Kilter in Canadian Pavilion, and they love The British Invasion in UK. Future world has lots for kids--- Figment's Imagination Ride, The Living Seas with Nemo--- there's so much to do then. I always feel bad when people with kids dismiss Epcot, becuase there's really so much for kids. We also buy them a passport book on each trip (9.95, and comes with stickers and things) and they get stamped at each kidcot station, and the castmember will also write down a fun fact about their country. And, my kids LOVE Illuminations (Epcot's firework show).
I agree with Scott that World Showcase is GREAT without kids-- my husband and I have taken two parent-only trips, and spent a GOOD deal of time in world showcase--- but it's great with kids too--- just a different experience.
when do you suggest is a good time to go?
If you want to go in January, I would go after the 3rd (avoid Martin Luther King weekend)--- unless you're set on swimming, then I'd re-think January. I actually think that's a great time to go--- we went with the kids in January for 10 days last year (my oldest was still in kindergarten) and the crowds were low, weather was cool, Pirate and Princess Party was going on--- just a great time -- but in 10 days, only 2 were good swim days--- swimming's important to my oldest. Other good times--- we've gone with our really young ones in May and September and enjoyed both times (although I think September's getting a bit more busy due to Free Dining--- it was virtually empty when we went a few years ago though). I think October, November and December can also be good times. I'd say any time other than Easter Week and Summer --- but, that's when we go now that my son is in first grade-- if you're going in the summer, my advice is go as early as you can in the summer, or as late as you can. We've gone at the very end of August (it's hot) but crowds were low--- that works if you're kids start back after labor day. if you're in a state that ends the year earlier-- around or before memorial day-- then I'd go as early as possible. If you can find a holiday in your school year--- maybe a week with teacher inservice days (even if there's only one or two) then you can go for a week, and your child will only miss 3 or 4 days? * what parks would be good for a 2 1/2 and 6 1/2 year old?
All of them!
Epcot-- Kidcot Pavilions in World Showcase, and there's so much in Future World
Magic Kingdom--- obviously great for young kids
Animal Kingdom--- My kids LOVE this park! They love the Safari, The Nemo Show, The Lion King Show, and just walking the trails and seeing the animals. They also love Dinoland
MGM--- Though my son has loved Star Tours since he was 5yo. We love Extreme stunt Show. If you're youngest watches Playhouse Disney--- there's a playhouse disney show . When my youngest still liked The Little Einsteins and JoJo--- they loved the Playhouse Disney character Meal. A new Toy Story ride is opening this summer, and there's lots of character meet and greets throughout the park
* what's the catch to get into the theme meals? Again, what would be good ones for my little ones?
There's no catch, just call Disney dining 180 days in advance (or just under that--- I just called at 160 with no problem) and book them.
* what suggestions do you have for the dining package?
It's great if you definitely want a sit down dinner every single day. We really prefer to sit down at lunch, so we don't really find it cost effective. But many love it--- you just really have to have your dining reservations booked.
* is it best to book this trip through the wdw website? is it best to go thru a travel agent?How do I get the best deal? What kind of payment arrangements are there to book a trip like this? Is it so much down and then so much 30 days prior?
We've only gone with a package once, so I'm not good with all of those details. If you're not going to get the dining plan, and you have AAA--- you can get a discount on your hotel room , and then you can buy park tickets separately. If you're feeling overwhelmed a good travel agent who REALLY knows Disney can really help you. I have found agents at your local Liberty Travel or other chain, don't always know the good discounts. Sometimes they do. There are some agents on this board who can probably help you. Just ask and I'm sure you'll get recommendations. Booking yourself is pretty easy--- but if you want help finding discounts--- ask more questions on the board, or ask for a good agent.
Also as far as princess meals--- if Cinderella isn't a MUST SEE--- consider the princess meal in Norway in Epcot, as I believe the price is better.
__________________
Dina
Last edited by Happymommy; 01-08-2008 at 07:07 AM..
(not sure if that's an option)
So, that's what I do know. What I'm looking for advice on is the following...
*when do you suggest is a good time to go?
* what parks would be good for a 2 1/2 and 6 1/2 year old?
* what's the catch to get into the theme meals? Again, what would be good ones for my little ones?
* what suggestions do you have for the dining package?
* is it best to book this trip through the wdw website? is it best to go thru a travel agent? How do I get the best deal? What kind of payment arrangements are there to book a trip like this? Is it so much down and then so much 30 days prior?
Allison
Good times to go are any time kids are in school--so Sept, Oct, Nov, btwn holidays in Dec.
Getting into charchter meals means calling exactly 180 days out
I love the new Deluxe DDP, but the regular DDP might be a better choice for your family--look at the website reviews
I have always used a travel agent to book my vacations--either small world vacations or the mouse for less travel.
Good Luck!
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You have gotten some great advice but I will add my 2 cents. The dining package is great and if you have AAA they will do a discount on the package too, sometimes the savings is worth the membership. Besides you will also get AAA parking at the parks (if you drive or rent a car), a discount on boat rentals, and some activities.
If you daughter loves Cinderella I suggest 1900 Park Fare, the food is better than the Castle and it includes Cinderella, her step-mother and step-sisters and Prince Charming. Prince Charming and Cinderella ask one lucky dinner to dance with them (Cinderella asked my 11 year old son, but he said no).
Ohana's Character breakfast which includes Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto. I would book the latest breakfast because the characters tend to spend A LOT of time with the kids as the restaraunt empties out. Ohana is great for dinner too and very interactive for the children. If you are lucky enought to get a window seat and it is time for the fireworks at Magic Kindom you have an awesome view and they even pipe in the music for the fireworks.
And please, please, make sure your Princess makes it to the Bibbity, Bobbity Boo Boutique.
I could go on forever, I love giving my friends tips. I even plan their trips, book their meals, and supply them with a schedule (I know.....that is sad).
Welcome to the boards.
We loved visiting WDW in mid September for the kids' Magical Beginings and the 2nd week of December for me because of all the Holiday hoopla.
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