Best way to book a Disney World vacation?

[The Bad Guy]

I'm in the very early stages of trying to plan a trip for our family to go to Disney World in late September/early October.

I've never been to Disney as an adult - my last time was in 1993 and it was god damn miserable, but I'd like to plan a great trip for my 6 year old.

We'd like to stay on property. Is there any tips, sites to utilize, to get the best deals? I'm sure we will get the fast pass and all that because we are only going for 3-4 days.

Thanks for any advice/help.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by ct

I've used the magic bands twice and it was mostly positive. My daughters had to be reset 3-4 times the first couple days which was annoying but once worked out, no issues. pays for everything, park entrance, pool entrance, resort entrance, fast pass entrance, what was your issue with the bands? or do you just mean the fast pass reservation ahead of time you didn't like?

The new band system combined with the fast pass restrictions sucks. Having to choose rides from a menu as opposed to exactly what you want. You can't reserve different parks on same day even if you have the hopper pass. You physically have to be in the second park (which by then is too late). If one person in your party skips a ride because they want to take a break or go for a drink, they get locked out for the rest of the day.


Back to the OP - do a water park. They are virtually empty.

[ct]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

The new band system combined with the fast pass restrictions sucks. Having to choose rides from a menu as opposed to exactly what you want. You can't reserve different parks on same day even if you have the hopper pass. You physically have to be in the second park (which by then is too late). If one person in your party skips a ride because they want to take a break or go for a drink, they get locked out for the rest of the day.


Back to the OP - do a water park. They are virtually empty.

still sounds like fast pass is what you don't like, which i mostly agree with you. reserving ahead of time severely limits the spontaneity for sure, and why they can't work it our for those of us already committed to park hopper tickets to reserve say everest at animal kingdom in the morning, with TOT and RnR at studios in the evening is frustrating. they have the technology, just allow it to happen!

they've just tweaked the system a little bit, but we already had ours scheduled before that, and i'm not sure it's really gonna help us for this trip. we all have the app and can make changes if we want, but we'll see if it really helps things out.

I like the bands, they are far more than fast pass, so i'll just politely disagree with you on that.

[007]

Originally Posted by Amnorix

I'm doubting your kids were SIX years old.

The reason I'm advocating park hopper is for splitting the days, which are a must, especially if (1) your kid will enjoy the pool as much or more than the park, and (2) is so young they would likely benefit from a nap, and (3) if you're going in the blazing heat of summer. They are also handy if you're not happy about deciding when you book your restaurant reservations which park you must go to that one day. It's seriously convenient.

You got an 18 and 17 year old, then yeah, sure, go to a park for 14 hours each day every day. A six year old will melt down (literally and figuratively), BUT THEY WILL WANT TO TRY.

I sat my two boys down and said "this IS the plan", multiple times, before we left. That way when 1:30 or whatever came and we left the park, they didn't fight and scream. They knew we were going to be back at a park (usually a different one) later, and that there was a pool waiting for them. Plus the mandatory nap.

Too many parents trying to cater to too many spoiled kids who end up getting hot and tired and having emotional meltdowns... I wasn't going there.

You would be wrong. I took a 6 year old on three of those five trips. They were stronger than I was at the end of the day. You don't know my kids man so don't speak for them.

[007]

I loved the old fastpass system. Not a fan at all of the new one. Its nice to be able to prebook 2 months in advance but it also kills spontaneity. It also makes it harder to ride the headliners multiple times. (which I know is what Disney was going for)

[Deberg_1990]

Originally Posted by Guru

I loved the old fastpass system. Not a fan at all of the new one. Its nice to be able to prebook 2 months in advance but it also kills spontaneity. It also makes it harder to ride the headliners multiple times. (which I know is what Disney was going for)

SoCal Disney still uses the old system. At least they did last year.

In some ways Cali Disney resort is better than Florida.

1. The weather is better. Not nearly as hot and muggy and it doesn't rain everyday.

2. It's smaller and not as spread out. Easier to navigate.

The downside: Disneyland as a park is a lot smaller than Disneyworld Florida. The sidewalks and walkways are skinnier. It gets congested a lot more.


But California Adventure is a nice modern park.

[lewdog]

Never spend that much money on your kids.

They aren't worth it.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by Guru

PS. Park hoppers are not worth the expense and are generally a waste of park touring time.

Also, since you are taking kids I would suggest staying at POP, or the carribean beach resort. They are the most kid friendly.

I disagree in regards to the Park Hopper passes.....they are great if you use them right. But first timers are probably not as adept in planning which parks to go to at what times to avoid long lines and crowds.

Almost every time I have gone we have gotten Park Hopper passes....mostly so we can do the things we want in whatever park we want to each day. We've spent the morning at Magic Kingdom, gone to lunch, then headed to EPCOT for the afternoon and then gone back to MK for the last 3 hours the park was open. And we did everything we wanted to do that day. If you plan correctly you can do what you want and avoid what your kids won't enjoy.

I do agree with you about the Pop Century...and would add (from what I am told) the Art of Animation resort also. In the moderate resorts I prefer the Coronado Springs over the Carribbean. For the Deluxe i would take Wilderness Lodge or Animal Kingdom Lodge over any of the other Deluxe resorts including the Grand Floridian and Polynesian.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by Guru

You would be wrong. I took a 6 year old on three of those five trips. They were stronger than I was at the end of the day. You don't know my kids man so don't speak for them.

I would tend to agree with Amnorix on this one.....while yours may have been different than most 6 year olds, all you have to do is look around at the massive amount of parents holding kids in their arms on the buses, trams, or boats when the parks close to know that most 6 year olds are there because their parents wanted to be there, not them.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

The new band system combined with the fast pass restrictions sucks. Having to choose rides from a menu as opposed to exactly what you want. You can't reserve different parks on same day even if you have the hopper pass. You physically have to be in the second park (which by then is too late). If one person in your party skips a ride because they want to take a break or go for a drink, they get locked out for the rest of the day.


Back to the OP - do a water park. They are virtually empty.

I would look for Disney to tweak the FastPass system at some point....what caused the issue was the same thing that caused the changed in the Disability Access Service pass......people abusing the system.

[Mosbonian]

Originally Posted by ct

solid advice

i'm a big proponent of on property, even thought it looks crazy expensive, when you work out the transportation cost (if you rent), daily parking, magical express, numerous on-site perks, it's worth the extra $ and not as much as it seems

also, the split days, hit the parks early, break, head back in evenings, are truly key to enjoying a long trip during hot weather!!

we are headed to port orleans riverside late next week. this is typical of our timing for trips, right after our schools get out, but before many other areas of the country, including florida. it's pretty busy over the memorial weekend, then settles down quickly.

general research, the disboards are great, my wife lives there like we do here. also, mousesavers.com is very good too. plan ahead and look for discount codes for rooms or dining plans if you want that.

I've always used the DisBoards just to chat with others about their experiences, find out what things are being serviced, and what little tips that the average Disney traveler may not know.

One thing I am curious about....do the resorts still do the "Find The Hidden Mickeys" for the kids?

[Rain Man]

My 25th wedding anniversary was last week, and my wife and I are planning to take a trip. I like trip planning, so I put together 20 potential trips for my wife and me to consider. One of those involved staying at Disney World in one of the nicer on-property sites, and it cost about the same amount as going to Antarctica or doing a monthlong cruise in the South Pacific. Disney World is not a cheap vacation.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

90 minutes between parks? We've always walked freely but maybe Orlando is much different than Anaheim.

Just slightly. Like a million times bigger.

[Rain Man]

Originally Posted by cosmo20002

Just slightly. Like a million times bigger.

Disneyland is a small world after all.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by Guru

PS. Park hoppers are not worth the expense and are generally a waste of park touring time.

Totally, totally disagree. Park hoppers are the shit. Here's why:

If you're staying on property, you'll have access to Extra Magic Hours, giving guests staying at Disney hotels the ability to enter the parks before everyone else and/or stay later than other guests.

So, you can go to a park with extra magic hours in the morning, and hit all the most popular rides with virtually no wait times. You should have your Fastpasses all scheduled from 10-12. Leave the park after your last FP. Go back to your room and nap until the afternoon. The parks are absolutely the most crowded in the middle of the day.

After your nap, go to a DIFFERENT park with evening EMH. You can now schedule extra FP in different parks via the app, so you'll probably be able to snag a couple of extra FPs at night. But if you can't, no worries. The lines are much much more reasonable with evening EMH, especially after most guests have left.

Rinse, repeat. Even if you can't get to parks with EMH, it's still worth being able to hit up a different park at night than the one you started in. There are apps like Lines that show you which park is the most crowded that day, so if you notice the crowds are absolutely insane, just leave and go to another one.

[Silock]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

The new band system combined with the fast pass restrictions sucks. Having to choose rides from a menu as opposed to exactly what you want. You can't reserve different parks on same day even if you have the hopper pass.

I hate the new FP system, but you can now schedule FPs in different parks on the same day via the app.