Last minute trip - advice?

[w_tech_v]

Hello!

I haven't posted anything here in years, but I'm a long time reader. So I know that some of the most WDW-savvy people in the world interact here. I need your help!

To make a long story short, my spouse and I (no kids) will be making a last minute trip to WDW the first week in April. It's so last minute that I haven't even reserved a room or purchased tickets, etc. So, actually, I'm not even positive that we'll be able to make the trip -- I'm probably foolishly assuming that there will still be availability.

I grew up going to WDW once a year - so I've probably been around 10 times in my life (I've stayed in the park every time). My most recent trip was back in early 2013. So on the one hand, I'm a pretty experienced WDW fan, but on the other hand, it's been a few years since I've been.

While it's still last minute, we aren't really looking to "plan" a lot of stuff - we have no children, and we're not looking for lots of restaurant/show reservations. I simply want to book an economic hotel on the resort (probably All Star Movies, if available) from Sat. - Sat. (or maybe Sat. - Fr.), book park hopper tickets for each day (preferably), and add a standard but still useful dining plan.

It's a tall order, but I have faith that we can pull it off and still book the most valuable options.

My request is a bit vague, but overall, this is my concern: since I haven't been in a few years, what are the most important changes I should be aware of? Can you think of anything I need to avoid when booking this trip? Are there any "savings" options I might be overlooking in my haste to book a last minute trip? Things of that nature...

Any advice is appreciated! I'm extremely excited that this trip might actually happen but also anxious because it's a lot to book/process in a short amount of time. Again, we are not looking for special activities or amenities - just two adults who want to stay in the park, in an economic hotel, and get the most bang for our buck. (Also, we are not flying but driving - from South Carolina). I'm pretty familiar with how things operate - so I'm not worried about "rookie" mistakes. But any useful information you can think of would be appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[mousehockey37]

I'd just book it and go. If you're just going to "be there" and don't have anything super specific you want to do, just book it. If you haven't been since FP+ and magicbands have come into existence, that's the major change, but even then you can still request the KTTW card which can hold your FPs, room key.

So I wouldn't waste time here, I'd just book it.

 

[w_tech_v]

I'd just book it and go. If you're just going to "be there" and don't have anything super specific you want to do, just book it. If you haven't been since FP+ and magicbands have come into existence, that's the major change, but even then you can still request the KTTW card which can hold your FPs, room key.

So I wouldn't waste time here, I'd just book it.

That's good advice! Thanks. I am also going to start looking into details regarding FP+, magic bands, etc.

 

[contrariwise]

Also if you're going to do a dining plan other than the QS plan, you'll need to make ADRs for restaurants. Sooner the better. If you're staying onsite, you're already within the window to book your fastpasses. You don't want to wait any longer than you have to. Any special offers available right now should be advertised on the website.

 

[mousehockey37]

That's good advice! Thanks. I am also going to start looking into details regarding FP+, magic bands, etc.

There's a HUGE thread on here somewhere about that. Just search for it. It'll have everything you need to know. They're very simple to use.

A simple breakdown of FP+: With your tickets, you get an initial 3 FP's per day that all must be used in the same park. You can't cross parks with FP's. The rides are tiered, so you can't ride Space Mountain 3 times in a row, you'll have to do Space, Haunted Mansion and Little Mermaid, or something to that effect... This is the same for all 4 parks. Once you use your first 3, you then have the ability to add a 4th, 5th, etc...

As far as the magicbands, when you book onsite, you get them automatically. You can customize them on the Disney website and they'll ship them to you within 30 days of your trip. Your magicband is your room key, FP+ holder, your payment system (if you choose to have it), memory maker account. Basically, it's everything you need. When I said payment system, you can charge to your room by simply tapping your band at any register or meal (you have to have a credit card on file and such). You just put it on your wrist and hit the touch points.

 

[elhefe4]

It looks like the All-Stars and Pop are available during the time frame you want to book. Disney also has a room+tickets promo going on right now that you would qualify for, with more details here: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/special-offers/magic-incentive-package/

It looks like you'd be elligible for 10-15% off the base rate of the room if you book tickets as well. You'd want to see how that compares to just booking the hotel through Disney and then buying tickets through a reseller. From what I understand, the tickets in the package are only single park tickets, not Hoppers, so that's something to keep in mind. I'm not sure if you can upgrade the tickets as part of the package or not. Hopefully this helps!

 

[w_tech_v]

Thanks, everyone! This is already extremely helpful.

 

[SAV]

The newest thing is the new Nighttime show at Animal Kingdom. You can see if there is any FP+ availability for that on the day you go to AK.

Another way to save money is to stay off-site. Especially since you have a car and don't need the transportation. Just remember to factor in the cost of daily parking into the price to see if it works out in your favor. There are nicer accommodations off-site for less cost than on-site.

Look at Undercovertourist.com for your park tickets. They will save you money vs. getting them through Disney.

Also, If you are looking for savings, why do you want the dining plan? With that you are locked into paying for meals and snacks up front that you may not want to eat. I suggest that you look at the menu's of the places you are going to eat and price it out. You may end up saving more out of pocket than on the plan. Keep in mind that the DDP does not include tip.

 

[w_tech_v]

The newest thing is the new Nighttime show at Animal Kingdom. You can see if there is any FP+ availability for that on the day you go to AK.

Another way to save money is to stay off-site. Especially since you have a car and don't need the transportation. Just remember to factor in the cost of daily parking into the price to see if it works out in your favor. There are nicer accommodations off-site for less cost than on-site.

Look at Undercovertourist.com for your park tickets. They will save you money vs. getting them through Disney.

Also, If you are looking for savings, why do you want the dining plan? With that you are locked into paying for meals and snacks up front that you may not want to eat. I suggest that you look at the menu's of the places you are going to eat and price it out. You may end up saving more out of pocket than on the plan. Keep in mind that the DDP does not include tip.

We were just talking about that tonight -- not sure what the best value is? I've used the dining plan before, and it seemed like a good idea/value. Since we're there, on vacation, we would like to take advantage of some of the dining options (nothing too extravagant, though). But if it's about the same/cheaper to play it by ear and pay for food out of pocket, maybe that's a better value.

 

[JohnD]

I'd just book it and go. If you're just going to "be there" and don't have anything super specific you want to do, just book it. If you haven't been since FP+ and magicbands have come into existence, that's the major change, but even then you can still request the KTTW card which can hold your FPs, room key.

So I wouldn't waste time here, I'd just book it.

Agree. The first thing to do is book a resort. Log on, find one that works for your budget, and "Book it, Danno!" Then, depending on your situation, see if you can get any discounts (Florida Resident, AP, 25% off season, etc.) Don't worry if you didn't pick that from the website when you booked. Call them up. WDW will always apply a discount if available for the time you are going, especially if the discount becomes available after you booked and before your trip.

Then, choose your FastPasses for the length of your stay. You'll already be under the 60 day window so they'll become available immediately. (I just booked a 3/31-4/2 trip five days ago.).

Finally, decide on what, if any, "Advance Dining Reservations" (ADRs), you want to make. You'll be able to figure out that out after deciding which park, which day, and whether the restaurant is in the park, or at a resort. (Keep in mind that in Epcot, the Flower and Garden Festival will be going on. You could just "graze" from the food booths. That's what I'll be doing.)

I would add, you're probably going to want to see Rivers of Light. You can either book a FP+ or do a "VIP Dining Reservation" for either Tusker House or Tiffins.

 

[w_tech_v]

Agree. The first thing to do is book a resort. Log on, find one that works for your budget, and "Book it, Danno!" Then, depending on your situation, see if you can get any discounts (Florida Resident, AP, 25% off season, etc.) Don't worry if you didn't pick that from the website when you booked. Call them up. WDW will always apply a discount if available for the time you are going, especially if the discount becomes available after you booked and before your trip.

Then, choose your FastPasses for the length of your stay. You'll already be under the 60 day window so they'll become available immediately. (I just booked a 3/31-4/2 trip five days ago.).

Finally, decide on what, if any, "Advance Dining Reservations" (ADRs), you want to make. You'll be able to figure out that out after deciding which park, which day, and whether the restaurant is in the park, or at a resort. (Keep in mind that in Epcot, the Flower and Garden Festival will be going on. You could just "graze" from the food booths. That's what I'll be doing.)

I would add, you're probably going to want to see Rivers of Light. You can either book a FP+ or do a "VIP Dining Reservation" for either Tusker House or Tiffins.

Very helpful - thank you! Do you have an opinion on the dining plans? Thanks again!

 

[JohnD]

Very helpful - thank you! Do you have an opinion on the dining plans? Thanks again!

I've never done dining plans. I pay OOP. As an AP, I get a 10% discount on restaurants. This year 20% at certain restaurants as part of WDW's 45th anniversary. What I've heard about the dining plans is that you get so many meals, allotments, etc. It never made sense to me and I heard that it is frankly too much food. You indicated you weren't doing much table service anyway, so if it were me, I'd skip a dining plan. Graze food booths in Epcot and pick maybe one ADR per day. Counter service all other times.

 

[w_tech_v]

I've never done dining plans. I pay OOP. As an AP, I get a 10% discount on restaurants. This year 20% at certain restaurants as part of WDW's 45th anniversary. What I've heard about the dining plans is that you get so many meals, allotments, etc. It never made sense to me and I heard that it is frankly too much food. You indicated you weren't doing much table service anyway, so if it were me, I'd skip a dining plan. Graze food booths in Epcot and pick maybe one ADR per day. Counter service all other times.

Thank you! I think we're going to go ahead and book either tonight or tomorrow. The dining issue is the last thing we really need to discuss. All of this has been really helpful!

 

[JohnD]

Thank you! I think we're going to go ahead and book either tonight or tomorrow. The dining issue is the last thing we really need to discuss. All of this has been really helpful!

There are plenty of others on this forum who know more about dining plans than I do. Just go to the top right of this page, search "dining plans" and many threads will come up on the topic. Good luck!

 

[w_tech_v]

There are plenty of others on this forum who know more about dining plans than I do. Just go to the top right of this page, search "dining plans" and many threads will come up on the topic. Good luck!

Thanks!

 

[contrariwise]

I have used the dining plan before. I prefer life without it. It probably comes out as a wash for us economically. However, it forces me to dine in a way I would not otherwise. If you look at a dining plan and go -- that's totally how we eat, that's one thing. For us, we had a lot of unwanted desserts. We ordered a lot of appetizers out of pocket, and we had a ton of snack credits leftover. And it added a bit of stress to keep up with it all on vacation. I think the dining plan used to be a great value, but I think those days are over.

 

[w_tech_v]

Hi, everyone!

Just as an update, I went ahead and booked the trip at All Star Movies, with the dining plan. A weight is lifted now that I have hotel reservations. Now I'm looking more closely at the new fast pass system, etc. Thank you all for your advice! I can't believe I'll be going in less than two months!

 

[contrariwise]

Hi, everyone!

Just as an update, I went ahead and booked the trip at All Star Movies, with the dining plan. A weight is lifted now that I have hotel reservations. Now I'm looking more closely at the new fast pass system, etc. Thank you all for your advice! I can't believe I'll be going in less than two months!

Congrats! Book your FPs ASAP.

 

[w_tech_v]

Congrats! Book your FPs ASAP.

Booking now