Need help with Disney World vacation...

[DC_Street]

What is the best package to get for going to DW for 4 days and staying at one of the resorts? right now I have a quote for $1,800 for 4 days and 4 nights. Check in would be November 28th to the hotel and then use the basic park pass with meals included for Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and then checking out of the hotel Wednesday and enjoying our last day there.

I don't even know where to start on what to do and how to get the best prices, I've never done this before . I've been to Disney World countless times but usually always stayed off of the park and did the timeshare or something to get free tickets. Now that my family is wanting to go there and stay on the resort I am lost as to what to do and if we should stay 5 days or not and what discounts are available. I saw somewhere you can get some hefty discounts with the Disney Visa, also having a annual pass is suppose to help but that thing is over $400

Thanks for any help

edit: btw it is for 4 adults
edit again: also what are the meal tickets good for? I heard they can be used for any dollar amount on the park.

[Grumpz]

Ok, we're talking Disney World in Florida. So my only advice is #1, don't buy anything at the gate.

And #2, which is most important. Don't make same mistake that almost everyone I know seems to make when going to Florida. Don't leave out Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. It's the top rate theme park in the world for a reason!

My family has done both with a demographic of a 5 yr old boy to 55 yr old grandparents.

Islands of Adventure is simply amazing. Disney had it's day...

[DC_Street]

I'm trying to book the vacation online for Disney World. I've been to Universal several times as well, last vacation we had down to Orlando we kind of kicked DW to the side and did more things at Universal. So this time we are just going to do a DW trip.

DW is the Orlando Disney.

[Grumpz]

Originally Posted by DC_Street

I'm trying to book the vacation online for Disney World. I've been to Universal several times as well, last vacation we had down to Orlando we kind of kicked DW to the side and did more things at Universal. So this time we are just going to do a DW trip.

DW is the Orlando Disney.

Ok, good stuff. At least you've already done Universal. Have you considered a travel agent?

[CaptainYoda]

4 days is pretty short for WDW. They have four parks and one day is not enough time to see some of them. If possible i would suggest trying to stretch it out a bit. Plus I agree with the Universal Islands of Adventure. You should do that too if it is economically feasible for you.

[DC_Street]

I did but also I really don't want to mess with the expenses involved with having one :\

Originally Posted by CaptainYoda

4 days is pretty short for WDW. They have four parks and one day is not enough time to see some of them. If possible i would suggest trying to stretch it out a bit. Plus I agree with the Universal Islands of Adventure. You should do that too if it is economically feasible for you.

We have done 90% of everything at all of the DW parks, stretching it out farther isn't needed and complicates things with work. Universal is awesome but we have done everything there...multiple times

edit: my family loves to travel

[Moefiz]

Well, a good way to start saving a little, change your dates that doesn't include weekends, maybe check in on Monday and check out on Friday..there are a few different meal plans that you can choose from, more expensive better restaurants you can eat at..

Also look at different resorts in Disney....

[Bear28]

I've never been to Disney World, but a couple years ago I went to Universal Studios/Sea World/Discovery Cove.

The cool part is that Sea World owns Discovery Cove so we got some kinda deal on the Sea World passes I believe.

Universal Studios was awesome, had a great time and went a few times. The Marvel Island place was pretty cool but extremely busy, only checked out the Spiderman ride which was well worth the wait.

Not sure the time of year you are going but you should check out Discovery Cove online...they only let a set amount of people in each day so it doesn't get very busy.

Thanks

[TheForce8686]

Call the 800 number and speak to someone over the phone. They will give you the best deal they can.

[DC_Street]

I have called the 800 number twice, the first time I got an awesome deal, then when I called back to order the price went up by $300. That is why I'm trying to find deals online to get a better price.

[phlydude]

Originally Posted by DC_Street

I did but also I really don't want to mess with the expenses involved with having one :\

What does this mean? Travel agents are paid commission by the company they book the trip through, not you.
It is in their best interest to make you happy so you keep coming back.

The fact of the matter is that if you book a Disney hotel, you have to book through Disney reservations (1-407-934-7639 (1-407-W-DISNEY)), a Disney certified travel agent (if you are a member of AAA you can use them) OR Disney's website. No others (Expedia may run room only deals but not packages).

Keep in mind Disney has multiple categories of resorts...
Value
Moderate
Deluxe
Ultra Deluxe (Monorail resorts)
Vacation Club

Tickets ofter include a Park Hopper and More option - park hopper allows you to go between parks on the same day, "and more" includes water parks, Downtown Disney arcade thing (if it is still open) and mini-golf. Also, the package system likes to give you park tickets for the number of days you will be there...you don't have to do it. If you have old tickets you want to use and don't want a meal plan, you can book a room-only reservation (and leave 1 night's deposit). If you want the tickets or the meal plan, you are only required to have a 1 day ticket for each person in the party (this involves paying the balance of the trip before you hit 45 days prior to arrival). Think whether you really want to be in a park each day or if you want to spend time and relax away from the parks.

Meal Plans - there are three variations:
Basic -
2 counter service meals per day and 1 snack
Standard-
1 counter service and 1 sit-down meal per day and 1 snack
Preferred -
includes all sit-down meals and 2 snacks

Disney will often give meal plans away as perks of booking during slower times of the year. Sign up for a Disney mailing list and they will send them to you when they come up. Usually late August through late September is a free dining period as is this year from after Thanksgiving to week before Christmas.

I'd suggest checking out sites like:
mousesavers.com for discounts
allearsnet.com for resort and dining information

[DC_Street]

thanks for the help

I'm going to be ordering the package through AAA now, apparently you get a bigger discount that way

[redboxcar]

Another option is to check out the Disney Vacation Club rentals board over at disboards.com.

If you're not familiar, DVC are all on-site villas that are partially owned by the people who buy into DVC and become members. A lot of great deals are to be had at the DisBoards and it's definitely a good way to go to WDW in style.

DVC has a lot of other stuff available besides just the resort, as well, since it's a "club" of sorts. Ask the person you might consider renting from what kind of other perks there are with renting through DVC.

Highly recommended!

[sfmarine]

Staying on site is a lot easier..However, the resorts are quite expensive. I've never stayed @ any of them so I can't really guide you. All I can say is there really isn't any good deals lol. Disney is out there to get all your money. 4 days @ Disney can be expensive but you probably need at least 5 days to see everything. I stayed @ a Holiday Inn Express and they provided a free shuttle to the park.

I personally would only purchase a few meal plans and then leave and go eat off-site. You mentioned that you have 4 adults going so I'd imagine you'll enjoy Epcot. You can easily spend the whole day there but bring your walking shoes. Hollywood studios is the smallest park and you probably could breeze by that in a day. Downtown Disney is a good time as well. I'd suggest eating @ Fulton's Crab house and attending the La Nouba show.

[DC_Street]

we do not plan on leaving DW for anything, we have done that several times already. Plus you can get tickets with meal packages (much much cheaper than leaving DW to eat. Plus staying at DW at the time we are going it is 50% cheaper to stay in a DW resort than a hotel outside of the park.

[Ferris]

I'm sorry I'm getting into this so late. My mother-in-law works for the reservations center in Tampa, and my wife and I go to Disney at least once per month, so I can pretty much answer any questions you have.

AAA is a good way to go, but make sure you're able to compare that with what you see on the site.

Also, for all of you folks who enjoy going to Disney (or are looking to go in the future), check out mousesavers.com (tips on saving money) and allears.net (reviews/opinions on all things Disney).

Any other questions about particular resorts, restaurants, events, or anything else, please let me know!

[phlydude]

Originally Posted by sfmarine

Staying on site is a lot easier..However, the resorts are quite expensive. I've never stayed @ any of them so I can't really guide you. All I can say is there really isn't any good deals lol. Disney is out there to get all your money. 4 days @ Disney can be expensive but you probably need at least 5 days to see everything. I stayed @ a Holiday Inn Express and they provided a free shuttle to the park.

I personally would only purchase a few meal plans and then leave and go eat off-site. You mentioned that you have 4 adults going so I'd imagine you'll enjoy Epcot. You can easily spend the whole day there but bring your walking shoes. Hollywood studios is the smallest park and you probably could breeze by that in a day. Downtown Disney is a good time as well. I'd suggest eating @ Fulton's Crab house and attending the La Nouba show.

Value resorts (much better than other sub-$100 night hotels in the area) can be had for $79/night in off season and $50/night on promos...you really can't ask for more for 2 beds in a quiet, away from traffic, clean room with updated ammenities and Disney theming out the wazoo. They might not seem like a great value but that is far from the truth...if you are going to Disney, it makes sense to stay on property - it isn't as expensive as you think and finding the discounts isn't hard like other hotel companies. The discounts are there for the taking and most improtantly, for the ASKING. Check it out, even if you have the $$$ to spend at one of the higher resorts, the moderates are like caribbean resorts. The Ultra-lux hotels on the monorail are the only ones I wouldn't spend the money on - sure they are close and on the monorail but I don't know that get as much value from them as you would a standard Deluxe (one of the Lodges).

As far as meal plans are concerned, unless you live OUTSIDE the US/Canada, you are not able to buy a "few" meal plans. Disney meal plans are tied to your room key/admission card and set on a number of meals basis. You can't just hand in vouchers for meals...it doesn't work that way. They are based on the number of nights you are staying on the package you booked and while not limited to any one day, are limited to the day of your checkout.

[supersix4]

One thing to say about disney.

Peter Pan ride is the SH**!!!!!!!

I loved disney when my dad lived in orlando and we'd spend summers there, it got so bad it was like wanna go to disney again, yeah why not.


On topic here's pricelines page about disney. Hope it helps.
http://vacation-packages.priceline.c...vacations.html

[mikejet]

DC, this weeks Amazon wishlist contest is for a one week stay at Disney World!

[Musashi]

I haven't been to Disney World in Aeons. The family used to take me there every 3rd or sometimes every other year.

I may end up going next year in October; There's a food and wine festival at EPCOT, some of my friends may also be going to it, and best of all: I've a friend who works as a cook there, and reportedly he can get me a sweet employee discount.

DC: If you've time and are going when it's sufficiently warm, I'd recommend the water parks. Blizzard Beach is really fun.
Talking of which: how's the weather in Florida around mid October? I'd like to attend food and wine festival, but at the same time, I'd like to go during swimming weather.