In one of my very first posts, I gave you the skinny on the different ticket options available. (If you need a refresher, check out the "That's the Ticket" post.) There are three options to choose from. You can add all of them, just one or two, or none to your base ticket.
This time the only option we'll be adding is the Park Hopper option. We're going in February, so it will be much too cold to visit the water parks (adios Water Parks & More option!); and since we're really trying to save on this trip, we won't be needing the No Expiration option either.
I think I've mentioned that my favorite option is the Park Hopper. I use it every time I visit the parks. This option gives me the freedom to jump around to multiple theme parks in the same day, so that I can see what I want to see when I want to see it. It helps add great flexibility to my vacation schedule. Let me give you one example.
Since this is Kayla and Ashley's first visit, the first thing I really want them to experience is that walk down Main St. at the Magic Kingdom. I can't tell you how excited I am to see their faces when they see Cinderella Castle for the very first time. There's just something about that walk that is profoundly magical, and I can't think of a better way to start off our Disney adventure.
But I've got a plan, and you can't see Illuminations fireworks at Magic Kingdom.
So after that inaugural walk, we'll hit a couple of classic attractions (Peter Pan!!) and then catch the monorail to Epcot. We'll spend the rest of the afternoon and evening enjoying the attractions there, and then end our first day with the brilliant Illuminations of Earth firework show. Without the Park Hopper, we would have to stay at Magic Kingdom for the rest of the day, or would have to go straight to Epcot to begin with. And another great plus: if at lunch time, we decide we need a break, we can head back to the hotel, take a nap and then head right back to Epcot without having to buy another ticket. It's like having a skeleton key that unlocks all the doors to all the parks any time you want :).
~*What do you do with that half-day at Disney?*~
This is a question that's crept up on more than a few of our vacations. From where we live, Disney World is about a 9 or 10-hour drive, depending on traffic. Usually we leave very early in the morning, around 2 or 3 a.m. to avoid rush-hour in Atlanta. Traffic is almost never an issue that way, but it does give us a somewhat annoying arrival time, around mid-afternoon. So, do you spend the full price of admission just to enjoy a few short hours at the parks?
As hard as it is for me to step on Disney property and not race to the Magic Kingdom, I have to say I can't validate paying full price for less than half the time. A few times in the past, we have paid for that extra ticket day, but not anymore. Why pay extra when there's plenty to do at Disney that doesn't require theme park admission! Case in point: Downtown Disney.
If our travel schedule causes us to arrive with only a half-day for our first day of vacation, we get settled into our hotel room, then head to the Downtown Disney area. There's plenty to do there for the rest of the evening. You can go shopping, try out some great restaurants, do a little dancing, catch a movie or a show. If you're tired from traveling, end the night early and rest up for a full day in the parks.
Another way to avoid unused park hours is to simply adjust your travel schedule. For our next trip, we're planning on leaving a few hours earlier than normal so we'll arrive mid-morning. That way, we'll still have plenty of time to enjoy the parks that day.
Now we're getting to the fun stuff! It's time to start planning out our days :). See ya real soon!
Miranda
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Planning, Step 2: Choosing a Resort
The main factor in the "Where do we stay?" decision is usually price. Often, the absolutely cheapest route is to stay at a hotel off Disney property. You can find places just outside the gate that are comfy and very reasonably priced. During the time when my parents and I made yearly trips, this is what we did. However, now I prefer to purchase hotel and ticket packages and stay on-property, which is exactly what we're going to do in February.
~*Choose Your Category*~
• Deluxe Resorts Part I and Part II
• Other Lodging Options
~*Choose Your Resort*~
Once you've decided on a budget category, it's time to choose your resort. Each one is uniquely themed to suit various tastes and interests like music, movies, sports and pop culture. Previously, we've stayed in the Pop Century value resort. This time we chose the All-Star Movies Resort. My sisters-in-law and I LOVE movies, especially Disney movies, so this theme suited us really well. I know they're going to love looking out the window and seeing a 3-story tall Woody smiling back at them.
You can take a tour of each resort on the Disney World website. Just click on the "Places To Stay" tab on the main menu bar. Take a look at the All-Star Movies Resort here.
Yay! Now we've got somewhere to lay our heads down. Now let's take a look at those tickets!
Miranda
~*Choose Your Category*~
Disney offers hotels for every budget. There are value, moderate, and deluxe lodging options available. Like I mentioned before, the main goal of this trip was to be cost-effective, so we are choosing one of Disney's 4 (soon to be 5!) value resorts.
To learn more about each budget category, see my previous posts on resorts:• Deluxe Resorts Part I and Part II
• Other Lodging Options
~*Choose Your Resort*~
Once you've decided on a budget category, it's time to choose your resort. Each one is uniquely themed to suit various tastes and interests like music, movies, sports and pop culture. Previously, we've stayed in the Pop Century value resort. This time we chose the All-Star Movies Resort. My sisters-in-law and I LOVE movies, especially Disney movies, so this theme suited us really well. I know they're going to love looking out the window and seeing a 3-story tall Woody smiling back at them.
You can take a tour of each resort on the Disney World website. Just click on the "Places To Stay" tab on the main menu bar. Take a look at the All-Star Movies Resort here.
Yay! Now we've got somewhere to lay our heads down. Now let's take a look at those tickets!
Miranda
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Planning, Step 1: When and How long?
The first step in planning any trip, Disney or otherwise, is deciding when you want to go. Normally, we plan for April or May, but this time we decided to try February. And here's why:
~*Value*~
Like most other vacation destinations, Disney has price and popularity "seasons." Mid January to mid February is the value season, when package rates are cheapest. You can book a room at one of the value resorts for around $84 per night during the value season. The same room would be $107 per night during regular season, and $134 during peak season. Peak season is any time around holidays and summer. Regular season is during the Spring and Fall months.
~*Crowds*~
Value season is also the least crowded. The kids are in school, and most people don't think of the winter months as prime vacation time. On one trip, we talked to a couple who had annual passes to the parks. They planned multiple trips throughout the year, but said their favorite time to come was during late January. The husband said it was like a "ghost town" during that time. There is little or no waiting for most attractions, and no fighting for a good spot at the parades. *Fingers crossed* that it's true!
~*Weather*~
In February, you're less like to roast than you would in the heat of July. Having been to Disney in the middle of summer, I know first-hand that it is NOT my favorite time of year to go. It is HOT! Spring and Fall are pleasant; still shorts and tank top weather, but not searing heat. December is a nice 70something in the day, but quite chilly at night. In February, the average low is in the 50s and the highs are in the 70s. Sounds like great Disney weather to me!
Once you decide when you want to go, you need to decide how long you're going to stay. I have stayed varying lengths of time at Disney World, from one week to one day, and I've found that my magic number is 5 days. This allows you one day in each park, plus one day to go back and check out anything you might have missed or revisit your favorites.
This time we are staying four days and three nights. It's a day less than I normally like, but I think with the lighter crowds we'll still have plenty of time to see everything. If you're planning your first trip, Disney recommends one week. I can't say I completely agree. If you're also purchasing the dinning plan, you'll definitely need a week (you spend a big chunk of time eating!), but if you're purchasing the basic Magic Your Way package, 5 days should be plenty.
When you decide on your vacation dates, the instinct is to book it right away, but I don't recommend it. (Believe me, it's so hard not to!) Unless you're planning on going during a holiday, chances are, rooms are going to be available. Another exception would be if you're purchasing the dining plan. Some restaurants book up quickly for reservations (Cinderella's Castle can book up several months ahead). I usually reserve my room and tickets no more than a month in advance. The longer you wait, the less likely you'll have to worry about cancelling.
Well, that does it for now. The next step will be choosing your hotel. To Disney, or not to Disney, that is the question!
See ya soon!
Miranda
~*Value*~
Like most other vacation destinations, Disney has price and popularity "seasons." Mid January to mid February is the value season, when package rates are cheapest. You can book a room at one of the value resorts for around $84 per night during the value season. The same room would be $107 per night during regular season, and $134 during peak season. Peak season is any time around holidays and summer. Regular season is during the Spring and Fall months.
~*Crowds*~
Value season is also the least crowded. The kids are in school, and most people don't think of the winter months as prime vacation time. On one trip, we talked to a couple who had annual passes to the parks. They planned multiple trips throughout the year, but said their favorite time to come was during late January. The husband said it was like a "ghost town" during that time. There is little or no waiting for most attractions, and no fighting for a good spot at the parades. *Fingers crossed* that it's true!
~*Weather*~
In February, you're less like to roast than you would in the heat of July. Having been to Disney in the middle of summer, I know first-hand that it is NOT my favorite time of year to go. It is HOT! Spring and Fall are pleasant; still shorts and tank top weather, but not searing heat. December is a nice 70something in the day, but quite chilly at night. In February, the average low is in the 50s and the highs are in the 70s. Sounds like great Disney weather to me!
Once you decide when you want to go, you need to decide how long you're going to stay. I have stayed varying lengths of time at Disney World, from one week to one day, and I've found that my magic number is 5 days. This allows you one day in each park, plus one day to go back and check out anything you might have missed or revisit your favorites.
This time we are staying four days and three nights. It's a day less than I normally like, but I think with the lighter crowds we'll still have plenty of time to see everything. If you're planning your first trip, Disney recommends one week. I can't say I completely agree. If you're also purchasing the dinning plan, you'll definitely need a week (you spend a big chunk of time eating!), but if you're purchasing the basic Magic Your Way package, 5 days should be plenty.
When you decide on your vacation dates, the instinct is to book it right away, but I don't recommend it. (Believe me, it's so hard not to!) Unless you're planning on going during a holiday, chances are, rooms are going to be available. Another exception would be if you're purchasing the dining plan. Some restaurants book up quickly for reservations (Cinderella's Castle can book up several months ahead). I usually reserve my room and tickets no more than a month in advance. The longer you wait, the less likely you'll have to worry about cancelling.
Well, that does it for now. The next step will be choosing your hotel. To Disney, or not to Disney, that is the question!
See ya soon!
Miranda
108 days, 13 hours and 36 minutes
That's how long I have to plan the perfect first Disney World vacation for my two younger sisters-in-law. I can't tell you how excited I am that they will finally be able to experience the magic their brother and I have been telling them about for years. My husband and I originally planned this trip as just a quick, cost-effective getaway for the two of us. But after talking to our sisters, we decided this would be the perfect time to take them along. That's when my excited planning became estatic, can't-wait planning.
This is slightly different from every other trip I've planned before, and I'll be honest, it may be a little challenging. Our little group will have variations in age, tastes, interests, and of course Disney experience. All that made me decide that this is the perfect opportunity for me to take you through the planning process with me. I'll show you step-by-step what I'm going to do to make this the most magical first Disney experience my sisters can have.
So what are we waiting for? Let's plan!
This is slightly different from every other trip I've planned before, and I'll be honest, it may be a little challenging. Our little group will have variations in age, tastes, interests, and of course Disney experience. All that made me decide that this is the perfect opportunity for me to take you through the planning process with me. I'll show you step-by-step what I'm going to do to make this the most magical first Disney experience my sisters can have.
So what are we waiting for? Let's plan!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Boo to you!
Hey gang! I know, I know, I've been slacking again :(. It seems that time is just never on my side lately. But even if I don't post, you know I've always got WDW on the brain :) LOL.
Anyway, it's finally October! This past Saturday, Oct. 1, Walt Disney World celebrated its 40th birthday. Pretty awesome, huh? I've experienced the parks during every season, but the Fall is definitely my favorite! Maybe it's because the weather is so amazing during this time of year, or because the crowds are lighter than in the summer, or maybe it's just that Disney seems to love Fall and Halloween as much as I do. No matter how you slice it, Disney in October rocks!
On these nights in September and October, you can show off your costume and go trick-or-treating all over the park (and I don't mean just kids. Adults too!). There's also a special Halloween parade called "Boo To You" and a special Hallo-wishes fireworks show. All your favorite characters (some of them never seen during normal park hours) will also be decked out in their Halloween costumes and ready to meet and greet. Here's a little peek at the fun at MNSSHP:
Now here's the downside. The Halloween party requires a separate ticket. Your regular admission to the Magic Kingdom will not let you stay for the party after closing time. Likewise, if you have a party ticket, you can't get into the Magic Kingdom for the whole day on that same ticket.
On party nights, the park closes at 7 p.m. At that time anyone without a ticket for the party has to leave the park. Party-goers will be given wristbands that show you've paid the extra fee. If you've bought a party ticket, but don't have a regular Magic Kingdom ticket, you can usually get into the park about two or three hours before the party starts.
Now I know what your asking, "So just how much does this cost?" Well, it depends on when you go. If you go to a party in September it's much cheaper (around $54 per person for ages 10 and up). Most October parties cost about $60 per person, but Halloween night is the most expensive at $68 per person. These prices are if you buy the tickets in advance. If you purchase them the day of, they cost a few dollars more.
Now I know what your asking, "So just how much does this cost?" Well, it depends on when you go. If you go to a party in September it's much cheaper (around $54 per person for ages 10 and up). Most October parties cost about $60 per person, but Halloween night is the most expensive at $68 per person. These prices are if you buy the tickets in advance. If you purchase them the day of, they cost a few dollars more.
Now the next question, of course, "Is it worth it?" Again, it depends. For me, definitely. Halloween is my favorite holiday and the extra magical touch that Disney gives it makes worth every bit of the $60 I'd pay for my ticket. I'd also say it's worth it if you have kids.
One night while we were on our honeymoon in Oct. 2009, we were on the monorail to the Magic Kingdom with a little girl and her parents. She was all dressed up in her Sleeping Beauty costume and gave my husband and I a sweet "Congratulations" when she saw our "Just Married" badges. I asked her if she was going to the party, and she gave me an excited "Yes!" When we all got off the monorail, she grabbed each of her parents' hands and pulled them toward the entrance with a huge smile. I told Brandon right then that we were coming back and bringing our kids to Mickey's Halloween Party.
Did I mention there's free candy??? :)
Miranda
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