Disney World Vacation Tips???

[bradedit]

Any and all hints tips welcome

We would like to stay somewhere in the park itself, any place to get good deals? When is the best months to go? We went about 12 years ago and would like to go again possibly this April, We are going to drive down and would like to stay there for about 5-7 days (then onto Pompano Beach, MIL lives there) It will be for 3 adults(makes me feel old to call my son an adult and 2 kids)

Thanks

[csmommy]

Hi Tami, we went to Disney world last May & it was perfect! We stayed at the Port Orleans, which was the first stop for the buses to the parks, so we always had a seat. This was important since our stop often filled the bus & people at other stops were pasted over since there was no room. The weather the first week of May was perfect, not to hot, & the wait time never exceeded 20 minutes for any ride or attraction. Amex, & AAA offer good discount packages,(we went with AAA) as do the big whole-sale clubs;Sams, BJ's, Costco. I did a lot of reading from the most recent travel guide books which you can get at the library. I can't remember the names of the books, but there were 3 that I read. Hope this helps & have a wonderful time.

[Tiggers Lady]

Tami:

I totally agree Port Orleans is where we always end up. DisneyWorld is my favorite hobby!!! OK, helpful hints:

1. If you can, do not go during school breaks. I take my kids out of school - with the understanding that they make up their work, but then the parks are not so busy!

2. Book it asap cause the rooms fill up quickly.

3. Go to a Disney Store and check out the DisneyClub membership. I believe it is $40 for a year and should give you 5% discount on 4 day or larger passes. So if you have a large group (which it sounds like) and are staying 4 or more days, this may be the way to go. But you have to do the math - this card may also get you discounts on hotels, but don't hold your breath. It also gets you 10% off at the Disney Store and 10% at Downtown Disney only. Just something to check out.

4. If and when you book, be sure to book your reservations asap for restaurants. They book up fast!

5. If you can afford it, and even if you cannot, try and see Cirque De Soleil, which is in Downtown Disney. It is the most fantastic show I have ever seen and my kids loved it too (10 and 7), it is well worth the price!!!!

6. Do you know about Fast Passes? If not email me and I can explain, or I can try and remember to put it here!!

7. Do you know about the Pin Trading? Let me know - it is really cool!!!

That should hold you for a bit, hope it helps!!! As I said, I am a Disney Freak!!!!!!!

[cata5]

I took my 5 kids (ages 3-15) last July.We chose that time of year because the kids flew free.It was fantastic! We couldn't have had a better time and alot of that was due to the book I bought and read thoroughly.The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World (macmillan travel). (I would go with the newest addition or at least within the last few years)It was our first time to disney so this book was especially helpful. There are sample touring plans to show you the best way to get around to the must see rides etc. I would use those as a GUIDE.

***We went to the parks every am before they opened and left by 1 or 2 depending on the July heat.This strategy might not be necessary for you. We returned to the hotel to swim or rest and went back to the park between 4 and 6.Go to one park in the am and a different one in the pm and the next day switch. You'll get to see the whole day's events at each park yet not get burned out doing it all in one day.Plus some parks require more walking while others have more sit down type attractions(MGM studios).A nice combination can work in your favor.

***The best thing you can do is buy walkie talkies!Motorola talkabout work well. My husband took the older kids on a ride while the rest of us stood in line for a show. We were able to do alot more using those rather than waiting or trying to meet up. These are great in the hotels too.

***Be flexible!

You can also email me with questions if you want.

Also, if you do a search you'll come across some websites that were listed that will give you a better idea about when to go and when hotel rates might be better etc.I remember seeing them in this forum.

[lschrow]

the best (imho) place to start is:
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look around there, the wealth of information is HUGE (best time to go, resort/pass/car prices & discounts.)
there are also links to just about every other relevent website.

if you haven't gone in years, i would DEFINATELY advise buying a current guidebook (i use the official - birnbaum's - annually, and the unofficial every few years).
there is so much to see at wdw, that planning in advance is important.
most important, have a GREAT time!! (like there's such a thing as a bad time at WDW - :^) )
laurie s (if you have more ?'s, just let me know)

[dlm]

They have alot of info on the message boards here -
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Here are a some more -
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[Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now],1419,G-Go2Orlando-Home-X!Front,00.html

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Didn't know I had so many links saved in my bookmarks. Am I getting obsessive???

Also an inexpensive way to say onsite if you are active or retired military, reserves, National Guard, as well as currently employed DoD civilians and U.S. Pubilc Health Officers is -
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Whoops, here's one more -
This was the best place I've found to get tickets
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[Edited by dlm on 02-07-2001 at 09:42 AM]

[GTucke]

I just recieved my copy of WDW Passporter, and am really pleased with it. We have been to WDW numerous times and try to keep up to date on all the changes from year to year. This book really helps to keep you organized. It has pockets for all your documents, and areas to keep notes in. It makes a great keepsake after the trip, too. I am not affiliated in any way with the company, but highly reccomend this book. The link was posted in a previous reply so I won't duplicate it.

I also have found myself going back time and time again to WDWIG, also listed in previous replies.

Have a wonderful time, and definitley stay on site if at all possible. It truly is magic.

Grace

[blue2182]

I know this probably isnt the right place for this but.....My daughter is going to be 9 years old next summer. I think she is now old enough to fully enjoy WDW. I am wondering what the estimated cost has been for an average stay of about a 5 days for three people ( 2 adults, 1 child), in the park. Taking full advantage of all the coupons and discounts you possibly could(is there any other way) to save the maximum amount of money, what might I expect to spend. I have been saving for this trip for two years and want to know how much is enough. Your help would be appreciated. Thanks for letting me cut in on your thread Bradedit, Blue2182

[bpesch]

If you are tryig to stay within a budget, and want to stay on the Disney property, try the All-Star Resorts. They are family oriented, reasonablely priced and very convenient. There is a great food court in each one and bus service to anywhere in DisneyWorld.
The best piece of advice I can give you is don't try to see everything on one trip! You'll never do it, especially in the summer and you'll just exhaust yourself in the process.
Have a great trip!!

[kacey]

One small bit of advice about the All Star resorts - If you are used to the other hotels at Disney, you will not like the All Star. They are very very basic rooms, to the point of being claustraphobic. I found the room we stayed in to be not too clean, and certainly not up to Disney standards. I found myself dreading going back to the room. We had stayed at the Polynesian and the Contemporary on our other trips, and if you are used to those hotels, you will NOT like the All Star resorts. We had no choice at the time because we had just bought a house and that was the only way we could afford to go, but NEVER again will I stay at the All Star resorts. Also, you have to keep in mind that the beds in these rooms are double beds. My husband and I spent 5 miserable nights together in one of them. You cannot roll over or move at all without bothering the other person. The other bed was just fine for my son alone. If you are used to sleeping in a queen or king sized bed, you will not be comfortable in these beds. Just my opinion and advice!

[andee1]

I also am planning a trip to WDW, and I talked to a travel agent with Travelocity today and she suggested some good tips....She said no need to buy tickets in advance (except for the shows) she said very rarely did WDW give discount tickets..also said that at most of the restraunts they had those "time share" representatives...she said you can go to a one hour meeting and get free or close to free tickets to the parks! I know those one hour meetings are boring but to get a free ticket...depending on your budget it would be worth it! Thought that was a good tip!


I'm editing my post 'cause I have done a little reading at some of the wdw info sites and they discouraged the tip about the time share reps. They said alot of the reps use stolen tickets and they could not be used at the parks. So I think we will be buying a ticket at the gate!

[Edited by andee1 on 02-20-2001 at 07:14 PM]

[kenika]

I have a question if anyone can help me out. We may be going to Orlando this summer and since my son is only 4 and totally obsessed with dinosaurs we thought we would just do one park. So I've been trying to figure out where the dino stuff is located and it looks like there's some in Animal Kingdom and Islands of Adventure. Can anyone tell me for sure if there's stuff in both and if so which is the best.

I really appreciate it!
Kenika

[cata5]

Originally posted by kenika
I have a question if anyone can help me out. We may be going to Orlando this summer and since my son is only 4 and totally obsessed with dinosaurs we thought we would just do one park. So I've been trying to figure out where the dino stuff is located and it looks like there's some in Animal Kingdom and Islands of Adventure. Can anyone tell me for sure if there's stuff in both and if so which is the best.

I really appreciate it!
Kenika

Try this!
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[andee1]

This is the place to request the Orlando Magicard! Lots of savings in here.

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[jgates]

My favorite is the [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now] site.

Also, if you wish to stay onsite but maybe not at Disney's prices, the Swan & Dolphin (owned by Sheratons group) have special rates available for military, gov't employees, teachers and also usually a coupon in the Entertainment books. That is where we are staying the next time. You can walk to Epcot from there and they have full bus service.