I decided it's finally time!

[MKCustodial]

Well, that's it. Today, I'm starting to plan my oh-so-thought-up future honeymoon. I know what I want to do, but I gotta put it down on paper to have an idea of how much it's going to be and what will I need to add or cut, not to mention the needed research for the best rates and deals.
Anyways, I got a couple of questions (call me lazy, I REALLY don't feel like digging through year old threads! ):

1) I'm shooting for early January 2005. There's a possibility of mid-December 2004, but that'd implicate putting all the money together faster and the eventual crowd boom of the holidays. Now, I know crowds in January are REALLY light, but I intend on making full use of Early Entry. Do you think it's necessary to go for breakfast PS in addition to EE?

2) I've read some bad reviews for the Norway Princess Breakfast and for the Fantasmic! Dinner Package. Any thoughts? And is the package availabele for the Sci-Fi Dine-In?

3) This one is more of a ponderation than an actual question, but how come Disney resorts don't offer breakfast? Down here, you get AT LEAST breakfast included on your stay, and I know many hotels around International Drive do the same. Is there an explanation for this or is this a common American habit not to have meals included on your stay?

4) The way I figure, I'll stay off-property in order to do Universal, Islands, Sea World and possibly a stroll around downtown Orlando, and then finish the trip immersed in the Disney magic. The off-site hotel I chose offers shuttle service to the main theme parks, but I don't think they have anything that goes downtown. So my question is, should I use Mears or a towncar or whatever transportation service to go from the airport to the hotel, then from the hotel to Disney and finally from Disney back to the airport, and use the hotel's service to visit the parks OR should I get a rental for those first and last few days (probably Alamo, which is Disney's official company and I know we can drop the car off on property)?


I think those are the main questions right now. I'm preparing a schedule so I can send to various places to figure who can give me a good rate (I'll be talking to you soon, Pam! ). But I'll use this thread as my main planning center, so I'll get back to it if I have any other questions.

 

[10 min. to wdw]

well I can only hep with number 4
now it depend where your staying what your best bet is. If you can get to the Ticket and transportation center than you could take a lynx bus (city bus) #50 this will take you to sea wourld then on to the downtown bus station located between central and pine street one block from pine street. now though they are building a new bus station a little farther out so i'm not sure what the finish date will be but for $1.25 per person per ride it might be worth it. I don't think mears has transportation to downtown orlando, so you'd have to get a taxi and I'd hate to think of what the cost would be for that. If you rent a car be aware that thier isn't to much free parking down in that area. also downtown orlando is a very spread out area. they have a bus service that runs in orlando called the "LYMO" its a free ride bus that runs around orlando and may be a good way to start out. anyhow check out the LYNX internet site and I think you will get all the info you need. oh and it takes close to 45 mins from wdw to downtown orlando and traffic can be at times a nightmare down there

 

[Maria]

Originally posted by MKCustodial


3) This one is more of a ponderation than an actual question, but how come Disney resorts don't offer breakfast? Down here, you get AT LEAST breakfast included on your stay, and I know many hotels around International Drive do the same. Is there an explanation for this or is this a common American habit not to have meals included on your stay?

I think the reason they don´t include it is because they want you to go an have it at the parks with the characters or all around property. More $$ less crowds in the hotel restaurants. Imagine all the families at one time trying to have breakfast and leave on time for early entry!

4) The way I figure, I'll stay off-property in order to do Universal, Islands, Sea World and possibly a stroll around downtown Orlando, and then finish the trip immersed in the Disney magic. The off-site hotel I chose offers shuttle service to the main theme parks, but I don't think they have anything that goes downtown. So my question is, should I use Mears or a towncar or whatever transportation service to go from the airport to the hotel, then from the hotel to Disney and finally from Disney back to the airport, and use the hotel's service to visit the parks OR should I get a rental for those first and last few days (probably Alamo, which is Disney's official company and I know we can drop the car off on property)?

I just want to suggest you to check with the hotel the schedule of their shuttles because they have set hours to leave the hotel and the parks, and most of the time, they don´t run too frequently. Maybe staying on property or on Hotel Boulevard would be a wise choice for the days you are visiting the parks and off site for Universal and SeaWorld.

 

[MKCustodial]

Re: Re: I decided it's finally time!

Originally posted by Maria

Originally posted by MKCustodial


3) This one is more of a ponderation than an actual question, but how come Disney resorts don't offer breakfast? Down here, you get AT LEAST breakfast included on your stay, and I know many hotels around International Drive do the same. Is there an explanation for this or is this a common American habit not to have meals included on your stay?

I think the reason they don´t include it is because they want you to go an have it at the parks with the characters or all around property. More $$ less crowds in the hotel restaurants. Imagine all the families at one time trying to have breakfast and leave on time for early entry!

4) The way I figure, I'll stay off-property in order to do Universal, Islands, Sea World and possibly a stroll around downtown Orlando, and then finish the trip immersed in the Disney magic. The off-site hotel I chose offers shuttle service to the main theme parks, but I don't think they have anything that goes downtown. So my question is, should I use Mears or a towncar or whatever transportation service to go from the airport to the hotel, then from the hotel to Disney and finally from Disney back to the airport, and use the hotel's service to visit the parks OR should I get a rental for those first and last few days (probably Alamo, which is Disney's official company and I know we can drop the car off on property)?

I just want to suggest you to check with the hotel the schedule of their shuttles because they have set hours to leave the hotel and the parks, and most of the time, they don´t run too frequently. Maybe staying on property or on Hotel Boulevard would be a wise choice for the days you are visiting the parks and off site for Universal and SeaWorld.

Yeah, Maria, your #3 answer makes a lot of sense!

And about #4, that's the plan, to stay on International Drive the first few days, then on to Wilderness Lodge for the rest of the trip.

 

[Maria]

Re: Re: Re: I decided it's finally time!

Originally posted by MKCustodial
And about #4, that's the plan, to stay on International Drive the first few days, then on to Wilderness Lodge for the rest of the trip.

Ah, ok... I misunderstood you then... :animwink:

 

[MouseMadness]

Roddy, we did the princess breakfast in Norway, and thought it was wonderful. The princesses were plentiful, and attentive! :lol: The food was eh, okay.... nothing to write home about, but not awful. I'd say if you can't get in to Cinderella's for breakfast (which is like the crown jewel of character breakfasts, from what I hear) Norway would be a good bet. I think those are the only 2 princess breakfasts, if I'm remembering correctly. Happy planning! :wave:

 

[Maria]

Re: Re: Re: Re: I decided it's finally time!

I would rent a car for the days you are not going to be on property so you don´t have to waste too much time depending on buses. :animwink:

 

[MKCustodial]

My main problem with the breakfasts is that our habits are very different from yours. I mean, we don't have eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles... It's usually juices, milk, coffee, fruits, bread, cheese, ham, cookies, cereal. You get the picture? So maybe it's not a good idea to spend 20 bucks on something that we won't really eat that much. Then again, i suppose you're paying for the experience, right?

Lots of thinking to do...

 

[MouseMadness]

Originally posted by MKCustodial
My main problem with the breakfasts is that our habits are very different from yours. I mean, we don't have eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, waffles... It's usually juices, milk, coffee, fruits, bread, cheese, ham, cookies, cereal. You get the picture? So maybe it's not a good idea to spend 20 bucks on something that we won't really eat that much. Then again, i suppose you're paying for the experience, right?

Lots of thinking to do...

AH, I see what you were asking now. Well, if you are not big on breakfast, then I'd skip it. We normally do one, MAYBE two big meals per day and then just whatever else inbetween if we get hungry. But yes, breakfast usually is a big meal for us... just to get us ("us" meaning husband and kids, lol) through the morning without being grouchy and tired.

 

[MKCustodial]

Originally posted by MouseMadness
AH, I see what you were asking now. Well, if you are not big on breakfast, then I'd skip it. We normally do one, MAYBE two big meals per day and then just whatever else inbetween if we get hungry. But yes, breakfast usually is a big meal for us... just to get us ("us" meaning husband and kids, lol) through the morning without being grouchy and tired.

Actually, you got it right both times! :lol: I figured I'd easy breakfast PS in addition to EE to get there REAL early. Problem is, American breakfast is a tough thing to get down! I am doing Cindy's that one I know for sure. And Donald's Breakfastosaurus for a different character opportunity. After checking the menus, I think I'll skip on Epcot and the Studios... Heck, depending on the final price I may skip them all, which is gonna be too bad, but... What can you do, right? Gotta plan, gotta save. :hammer: