[cmdunn]

I am 33 years old and my childhood dream of going to WDW is coming true! I am taking my husband and two girls 13 & 11. I have exhausted myself trying to plan. We will be there for 6 days and I want to do as much as possible. I have not yet booked the trip because I did not know if it was cheaper to go through a travel agent or get the package off disneys website. I am not sure that I will ever get to go back and want to see as much as possible and be a kid again!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!

[mickey]

cmdunn, welcome to DisneyCentral. I am sure that you will love staying at WDW, and I am just warning you, this will not be your only trip.

Honestly, you can get the same prices through Disney as you can through any travel agent. But, the one thing about Disney is that if there is a discount to be had, they will not tell you about it, even if you ask. You have to know in advance what discounts are available, and which one is the best deal. That is where your travel agent comes in. I would suggest a Disney only travel agent, in that they should know all the discounts, hints and tricks that others wouldn't know.

As far as September, 2003, there aren't any discounts released right now for that far in advance, with the exception of the Disney Club discounts, which are about 10% for that timeframe. There should be multiple discounts released sometime in the future, both Annual Passport discounts (usually the best) and codes that anyone can use. This year, the codes for September were between 30% and 45% off, depending upon room type, resort, etc. The Annual Passholder rate was about $5 to $10 less per room.

I would suggest booking the package right now, and having your travel agent re-book the package when a discount is released. I would suggest going with a ticket only package (room and park tickets) and purchase your meals seperately. It will be cheaper in the long run. You can save a little money by purchasing park hopper passes instead of length of stay passes, but it will only be a couple of dollars, and the length of stay passes get you into more things, and there are some other small pluses to the packages, which end up making it a better deal over all.

Good luck planning your trip, it is one of the funnest times you will have, until you actually arrive. Please let us know if you have any questions.

[jwdj4lfe]

hey cmdunn, Welcome to DisneyCentral! Wow, first trip! I dont know where to start, I know that you'll get a TON of responses so it will all get covered eventually! My first piece of advice to you would be to STAY ON SITE! Staying on site basically means just that- staying in a disney hotel on disney property (not necessarily including the hotels at downtown disney). If money isnt the matter, I would recommend staying at a deluxe hotel ( the contemporary, wilderness lodge, polynesian, Grand Floridian, and the new Animal kingdom lodge). These hotels offer the best and most pampered experience. Some even have the monorial, which you cant beat! If this is a low budget trip, go for the all star resort, there are 3 for you to choose from, each with there own theme...the all star music, the all star sports, and the all star movies. Of course theres also those moderate resorts, the carribean beach, port orleans, and coronado springs.My 2nd tip for you would be to buy the 2002 OFFICIAL BURNBAUIMS GUIDE TO WALT DISNEY WORLD!! This is a must have for first timers! Its a disney world dictionary, guide book, and its chalk full of info you will need to know. As for the question on wither to book on your own, get a travel agent, or buy a plan.....I would steer away from buying a plan. They are known to not really give you that much of a better deal. As for travel agent....Disney Central has its own! Im sure Mickey will be very pleased and happy to help you any way possible!.....From what ive heard he's pretty good! lol. I hope this has helped you in any way. Dont be afriad to ask if you got anymore questions, thats what DisneyCentral is made for!
Joe:)

little edit: Mickey beat me to replying, thats why I said "im sure he will help you"..i didnt know he replied already..sorry :o lol.

[mj7379]

My advice for you would be to make a PS for any place you would like to eat. This way, you don't have to wait on line to eat, you just walk up at your PS time and the next table is yours (well almost next- lets just say I've never waited more then 5-10 minutes to be seated). This way you can spend more time waiting in line for rides and shows and not to eat. LOL. I would suggest you go to the Walt Disney World website and look at all the resturant or just ask and we'll let you know our favorites. A PS can be made either 60 or 120 days prior to the day you would like eat (depending on the resturant) by calling 1-407-WDW-DINE.

Food and eating can be one of the best experiences at WDW. With so many different choices (especially at Epcot) this can be a task in itself. :)

Oh, and welcome to DisneyCentral. Hope we can help make your first trip a great one.

[PhantomBantam]

One time shot at going to Disney? My first suggestion is to consider a longer stay! :D

Everything will be fine. Your best move to date was starting early. There are so many places to get personal testimony on how and what to do.

My second suggestion is for you to get a Pack of pencils, 3 ring binder, a 3 hole punch, and a ream of paper. And start your pre-Trip Disney Plan note book.

My third suggestion is to keep a calculator handy. One time shots deserve better than the cheapest trip, and first class is not always the best. Ask questions. And learn to say no.

Disney at its worst is so much better than others at their best.

[lisajl]

Hello CMDUNN!

LEt me tell you these people know what they are doing.
I have not been to WDW in 13 years and they have been an immense help.
We are still waiting to see what the Dec hours will be before we finalize anything.
I suggest going over old posts, as I have been doing. Find the things you really, really want to do.

Enjoy! When we took my daughter the first time she was two, I was 25. It was always my dream to go there. I ran her little legs off! LOL!
When she saw Mickey for the first time, coming down the parade route, she squealed with delight. I being the sappy mother that I am, started to cry. That moment made my dream of going to WDW a reality!
I cannot wait to show that wonderful Disney spirit to our boys that are 8 and 5.
It will be hard to keep up with me, but they are ready to go.
My five year old packed his bags last night. We aren't going till Dec 20. LOL!

Have a wonderful, magical trip. It will be everything you dreamed of!
Lisajl
:)

[trishb]

cmdunn...Hi and Welcome!

My very first advice to you would be to invest in a few basics:
*get on the disneyworld.com website and request a vacation
planning video
*pick up a few tour books (WDW for couples and Birnbaums)
*read a few post on disney central and wdwig.com

After you do those things, you will have an idea of what you want and will know what to ask when you decide to book your trip.

Happy Planning!

[MickeyMac]

CMDunn - welcome to Disney Central!!

Dream about the Magic: I would recommend closing your eyes and dreaming of what you want your vacation to "look like." Does it include lots of pool time? Certain rides? Eating out in fine restaurants? What are the scents, the sights, the sounds, that your family WANTS to do? Focus on those.

Research the Magic: read, read, read, but throw out all advice that doesn't fit. I've got a kid who is petrified of most rides. I planned a list of rides my son wanted to go on, without even considering what my daughter wanted to do. We sat outside of most rides, her sobbing hysterically, until I learned to work the system (he does a ride, she does a ride)

Remember the Magic: when you get to your vacation, just let things happen. I've seen so many people plan incredible itineraries, and when the tiniest thing goes wrong, they let it ruin their whole vacation.

Just enjoy being. Remember, first times are better enjoyed without the heavy wait of expectations. You will do fine!

[Cinderellafifi]

Welcome, cmdunn! My goodness - your first trip! I just love going to Disney with first timers because they are always so overwhelmed with happiness and excitement!

How long are you going to stay and where do you plan on staying? Do you have a Disney trip planning book? That may be a good place to start and it will keep you "close to the Magic" as you invision all the great things you are going to do and see. But, the next best place to be is right here on this site. You get to vertually go on Disney trips and find what's in and what's out daily.

Can't wait to help you plan your trip! :)