Need help with Disney World vacation...

[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.