OT: Calling all Disney experts!!

[amyjoy]

I also emailed you Stephanie. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Kitzka]

I just want to thank Cassieandnicolesmom for starting this thread.

DD is turning 8 this year and I am hoping to plan a tripi to take her to Disney next yer when she turns 9. She has been about 3 years ago but we had to cut the trip short due to my dad having a heart attack. DD has talked about going back ever since.

My company is sending me to Anaheim for work in March and I hope to take DD and DH to she can expereince Disneyland but I really want to take her to Disneyworld. Plus I have not been since I was 10!

Thanks for the tips.

Lara

[mandasmom]

Homemommie-we stayed at Westgate the first trip that we stayed in Orlando. Some trips we traded to resorts on a beach, and just drove in to the theme parks for a day or two. We've been to all the parks by now, so a couple days of them is enough for me! It's been over 10 years since we stayed at Westgate, but it was very nice. I don't know if you are owners there or if you traded in, but if you don't actually own there, my only caution would be that they are very agressive about wanting you to take a tour-don't let them trick you into it. They kept calling and saying we needed to come to the office to pre-check out to make leaving easier, and I found out from people by the pool that all it really was was a 2 hour time share presentation for their resort. [img]mad.gif[/img]
Don't let them take advantage of you, or if you do listen to them, make sure they are going to compensate you with free attraction tickets first.

I know AGTeacher worked for Disney-maybe she has ideas on how to save money on admission tickets. I think it used to be if you prebought your tickets at a Disney store, you got them at a discount.

[MickeyFan]

From what I have read I think AGTeacher only worked for the Disney Store and that was a few years back. There are people I read on the board like AngieBelle who actually work at WDW so they might be a better bet for information. No offense to AGTeacher meant. [img]smile.gif[/img] There are also people on the DISBoards who work at WDW so you can get some great inside information there as well. Since we go so often, we have perfected "Disney on a Dime" so I understand about your needing to saving money there. The Mouse can quickly take all your money if you don't know what your doing. [img]eek.gif[/img]

[littlele]

Definately spend some time reading your way through Disboards. You will become an expert in no time and learn lots about everything Disneyworld.

I had a great travel agent (online) for our last trip in May/June. She had lots of info and was helpful in getting us the resort we wanted, dining reservations, etc. Since there isn't a charge for this service, I would recommend getting an agent to help you along. Our agent also included a free membership to the Tour Guide Mike's website, which was an invaluable resource in regards to planning our initerary and such.

Of course we fly (from Oregon!) and I would highly recommend staying onsite. There is defintely something to be said for experiencing the Disney magic 24/7. Besides, it's nice to have a vacation from driving as well, since you can use the Disney tranportation to get anywhere on property. Also, it has been mentioned before, but you can really get a great deal if you go when there is free dining involved. And it is not a skimpy plan either. We ate way more than we normally would have! It was nice to eat like Kings and not have to worry about the price.

Have a great trip!

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ August 07, 2006 03:48 PM: Message edited by: littlele ]</font>

[Aryn]

WDW is one of my favorite subjects!
I work for The Disney Store, so I like to think I know something about Disney.

If you are flying I would stay on site. You do not have to rent a car(unless you are planning to go places other than WDW) You do not have to pay for parking at the parks, you can ride the buses. The buses are great! they drop you off right up front and you don't have to try and find your car after a day full of rides.

The disboards are a great resource for information! I go there everyday to find info and just read about what others are talking about.
My daughter and I are going Sept 30 thru Oct 8. We are staying on site at POP Century, and we go a deal that includes FREE dining!!
We found out about the free dining on the disboards.
Look around, you can find lots of deals and codes and WDW runs specials all the time!

Good Luck! PM me if you have any questions I can answer

Aryn

[Madi100]

We've been to Disney World 4 times, and are planning our 5th and 6th trips now. I think it's great to get advice from other people, but you need to decide what type of vacation you want. The way we vacation is to save as much money as we can on accommodations and airfare, but once we are there, we are going to spend money. We don't have to have the nicest hotel, but we do have to stay on Disney property. Simply because our vacations are all about Disney.

If you must have two bedrooms or a kitchen or super nice rooms, but don't want to spend the money that Disney charges, then you want to stay off property. If you are wanting to have a total Disney experience, then you need to stay on property. To me, I don't ever see myself staying off of property. First of all, we just recently purchased Disney Vacation Club. But, secondly, I love staying on-site. Why ruin a good thing.

We have gone in December and love it. It wasn't too busy,and it's beautiful at Christmas time. While a travel agent might save you money over just calling yourself, if you do research, you will do better than a travel agent, unless they specialize in Disney. I definitely recommend the Disboards. I think that you will find that most of us who love Disney love it for more reasons than just the theme park. We love the magic and history behind it. I think if you plan the trip yourself over having a travel agent do it, you will discover some of that yourself.

[cowgirlsue]

Originally posted by Madi100:
I think that you will find that most of us who love Disney love it for more reasons than just the theme park. We love the magic and history behind it. I think if you plan the trip yourself over having a travel agent do it, you will discover some of that yourself.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That's definitely true from my POV. Half the fun of a vacation for me is research. I tend to be obsessive over anything I get involved in (which is how I found HB, LOL), but that enriches the experience for me. Not everyone has the time or inclination to do that kind of research, though, so travel agents do have their place.

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ August 08, 2006 09:51 AM: Message edited by: EleanorofAquitane ]</font>

[lscogbill]

Another recommendation for the disboard and mousesavers here. We're planning to go in 40 days (not that I'm counting or anything [img]wink.gif[/img] ) and those message boards are a wealth of information. There is an entire thread about transportation, although personally you couldn't pay me to travel by car with a baby from Michigan to Disney World. Just sayin'

If you're going in November or December, there are lots of goings on, including Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party in the Magic Kingdom and a Candlelight Processional at Epcot. The disboard already has me wanting to go at Christmas for my next trip. The MGM Studios also have the Osborne Christmas lights.

I've stayed onsite, offsite and with relatives in Orlando and I definitely recommend staying onsite if you have small children. It makes it easier to go back to your hotel for an afternoon break. (I've gone to Disneyland, too, and there I wouldn't bother with a Disney hotel.)

Also, check out the Travel Channel. They do a lot of features on Disney hotels and parks. You can get a schedule at travelchannel.com and keyword Disney.

Disney World is so much fun. It's almost as much fun to plan the trip as to actually go.

[Asellus]

www.allearsnet.com is an excellent website. It has reviews, menus, and anything else you can think of for Disney World.
I go to the site whenever I get the Disney bug...can't go because of lack of money atm, and the girls are still in diapers.