Need some Tips for a Trip!

[darthspielberg]

I have a few things I know some of the fine folks here will either know or have a good insight into. I am planning a trip back to the World for December. (A long way out, but it works out with the people I want to visit with, and I get to see the holiday decoractions.) This gives me plently of time to plan, but I am going to be booking the trip as soon as I have the money in hand (basically once the government gives me my tax return)

The dates are December 2nd - December 8th tenativly. Might push it back a tad, but I like the idea of arriving right after the Thanksgiving crowds disperse.

First major question: Which hotel. I unfortuantly can't afford Moderate or Deluxe, so it's Value for me. I know they are often derided around here, but I will be the first to say that while I love the ambience of the hotels at Disney, I am one of those types where the hotel doesn't matter as much as being in Disney World. My choices have narrowed down to All Star Movie and Pop Century. The only reason I ask is because Movies would save me a little money in the end, but I am leaning towards Pop. I figured you guys might have some thoughts.

Secondly: If things work out the way I wish, I'll be arriving in Orlando (and hopefully the resort) before the 3:00pm check in time. Knowing this, I would still like to head into the parks as soon as I get there. I will be taking Magic Express so it's two fold a)Can I get my park ticket before my room is ready and b)will I have to worry about my bag or will it just be brought to my room once it's ready?

Thirdly: I am going to be doing a Disney dining plan, probably the regular plan so I get one of each type a day. This seems to be the best bang for my buck when I like to eat counter service for lunch, but enjoy a good sit down dinner. What are some things I should look into making ADRs for when that time comes. I know I want to try Via Napoli for sure, as well as a hope and a prayer to try dinner at Be Our Guest (I am pretty sure my aunt who is going at the same time is going to try for it to, so I'll try too, and see if one us can get in. ) and outside of the Dining Plan, I may try to do Lunch with an Imagineer if there is one avalible.

Thanks for your help in the past, WDWMagic, and thanks for any future help.

-darth.

 

[darthspielberg]

Have you checked the availability of the value resorts for those dates?

I've gone through the Disney website's planing function up to the point of ordering (and saved my cart) and it seems it. Is there another way of checking if they are available.

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

I have a few things I know some of the fine folks here will either know or have a good insight into. I am planning a trip back to the World for December. (A long way out, but it works out with the people I want to visit with, and I get to see the holiday decoractions.) This gives me plently of time to plan, but I am going to be booking the trip as soon as I have the money in hand (basically once the government gives me my tax return)

The dates are December 2nd - December 8th tenativly. Might push it back a tad, but I like the idea of arriving right after the Thanksgiving crowds disperse.

First major question: Which hotel. I unfortuantly can't afford Moderate or Deluxe, so it's Value for me. I know they are often derided around here, but I will be the first to say that while I love the ambience of the hotels at Disney, I am one of those types where the hotel doesn't matter as much as being in Disney World. My choices have narrowed down to All Star Movie and Pop Century. The only reason I ask is because Movies would save me a little money in the end, but I am leaning towards Pop. I figured you guys might have some thoughts.

Secondly: If things work out the way I wish, I'll be arriving in Orlando (and hopefully the resort) before the 3:00pm check in time. Knowing this, I would still like to head into the parks as soon as I get there. I will be taking Magic Express so it's two fold a)Can I get my park ticket before my room is ready and b)will I have to worry about my bag or will it just be brought to my room once it's ready?

Thirdly: I am going to be doing a Disney dining plan, probably the regular plan so I get one of each type a day. This seems to be the best bang for my buck when I like to eat counter service for lunch, but enjoy a good sit down dinner. What are some things I should look into making ADRs for when that time comes. I know I want to try Via Napoli for sure, as well as a hope and a prayer to try dinner at Be Our Guest (I am pretty sure my aunt who is going at the same time is going to try for it to, so I'll try too, and see if one us can get in. ) and outside of the Dining Plan, I may try to do Lunch with an Imagineer if there is one avalible.

Thanks for your help in the past, WDWMagic, and thanks for any future help.

-darth.

You should also consider AoA if noise doesn't bother you. It's new and clean.
Yes. You will get your ticket as soon as you arrive and they will keep your bags and they will text you when your room is ready.

 

[disneycouple07]

I've gone through the Disney website's planing function up to the point of ordering (and saved my cart) and it seems it. Is there another way of checking if they are available.

I just checked it looks like rooms are available. At first, I was worried about Pop Warner beginning on the 7th and that affecting your availability. They normally block rooms at the values. You shouldn't have a problem though.

 

[darthspielberg]

I just checked it looks like rooms are available. At first, I was worried about Pop Warner beginning on the 7th and that affecting your availability. They normally block rooms at the values. You shouldn't have a problem though.

Oh wow. Didn't even know that was a thing that existed. Good call. I guess I really need to book as soon as I get the money then (or shift my trip a day forward and deal with a little bit of left over from Thanksgiving)

 

[darthspielberg]

You should also consider AoA if noise doesn't bother you. It's new and clean.
Yes. You will get your ticket as soon as you arrive and they will keep your bags and they will text you when your room is ready.

I had thought about AoA, but I think it might be a little too much above the price range I want. I am trying to keep the Disney aspects of this trip to around 1400 so that when I get screwed on airfare, it still keeps me within my budget. I may look into it again (as I think my aunt may be staying there, so that'd be synergy.)

(Woah. After Checking, it's only a 30$ difference. TOTALLY gonna do that. That resort looks wonderful)

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

I had thought about AoA, but I think it might be a little too much above the price range I want. I am trying to keep the Disney aspects of this trip to around 1400 so that when I get screwed on airfare, it still keeps me within my budget. I may look into it again (as I think my aunt may be staying there, so that'd be synergy.)

The Mermaids rooms are reasonable. The suites are very high. Our Mermaid room last September was 99 on week days and 119 on the weekend. They'll probably be on special. We went two days after the Mermaid rooms opened, so they weren't discounted yet.

 

[brifraz]

I would definitely recommend Pop over Movies. We have friends who use Pop almost every visit and love it.

Others have covered the fact that you can check in and get tickets as early as you need to (we have arrived at 7am on check in day quite a few times) and your luggage will be delivered to the room when it is all ready for you.

Dining-wise, it really depends on your party. If you have small or even 'tween' kids along, the dining choices are quite different from an adult/teen selection. Our 9yr old DD has already told us that the trip this summer will be the last big Character dining trip for her (kind of doubt that will end up being true). But the make up of your party will definitely impact plans. Be Our Guest for dinner is quite good - we went during previews and really enjoyed it, we'll be doing it again this summer and have to deal with an 8pm seating since that was all we could get!

Good luck and have fun planning!

 

[WishIWasAtWDW]

I prefer Pop Century over the All Stars. I like the theme better at Pop Century. If you don't care about the theme, you really can't go wrong with either resort. They both give you the essentials that you need: a bed, bathroom and transportation to the parks.

Even though your room may not be ready when you get there, you can still check in and drop any carry on bags off with guest services to hold until your room is ready. You can give them your cell phone number and the resort will send you a text when your room is ready. Once you check in, you will be given your Key to the World card, which will be your room key and if you book a package, will also have your park tickets on it. You can visit the parks before you find out what room you are in. If you checked bags with the airlines, make sure you put the yellow DME tags on them and Disney will deliver them to your room for you. They should arrive around 3 hours after you arrive.

I really like Disney's dining plan...especially when they offer their free dining deals! One of the most important things about making ADRs is calling right at the 180 day mark. Sometimes you can get lucky and get a reservation for one of those hard to get reservations, like Le Cellier, with less than 180 days but it's always better to book as soon as you can. We ate dinner at Be Our Guest in November and it was really great. I hope that you or your aunt are able to get reservations!

 

[darthspielberg]

I would definitely recommend Pop over Movies. We have friends who use Pop almost every visit and love it.

Others have covered the fact that you can check in and get tickets as early as you need to (we have arrived at 7am on check in day quite a few times) and your luggage will be delivered to the room when it is all ready for you.

Dining-wise, it really depends on your party. If you have small or even 'tween' kids along, the dining choices are quite different from an adult/teen selection. Our 9yr old DD has already told us that the trip this summer will be the last big Character dining trip for her (kind of doubt that will end up being true). But the make up of your party will definitely impact plans. Be Our Guest for dinner is quite good - we went during previews and really enjoyed it, we'll be doing it again this summer and have to deal with an 8pm seating since that was all we could get!

Good luck and have fun planning!

Very True about who the party is When I'm on my own, it'll just be me (unless a friend of mine joins for a few days, but I have yet to talk him into it.) so in most cases, it's going to be a simple meal for one. When I dine with my aunt, her partner, and their son, its a different dynamic, but they are experts and pick their meals well in advance. Since their son is a big Beauty and the Beast fan, I assume Be Our Guest is going to be a favorite choice.

 

[darthspielberg]

I prefer Pop Century over the All Stars. I like the theme better at Pop Century. If you don't care about the theme, you really can't go wrong with either resort. They both give you the essentials that you need: a bed, bathroom and transportation to the parks.

Even though your room may not be ready when you get there, you can still check in and drop any carry on bags off with guest services to hold until your room is ready. You can give them your cell phone number and the resort will send you a text when your room is ready. Once you check in, you will be given your Key to the World card, which will be your room key and if you book a package, will also have your park tickets on it. You can visit the parks before you find out what room you are in. If you checked bags with the airlines, make sure you put the yellow DME tags on them and Disney will deliver them to your room for you. They should arrive around 3 hours after you arrive.

I really like Disney's dining plan...especially when they offer their free dining deals! One of the most important things about making ADRs is calling right at the 180 day mark. Sometimes you can get lucky and get a reservation for one of those hard to get reservations, like Le Cellier, with less than 180 days but it's always better to book as soon as you can. We ate dinner at Be Our Guest in November and it was really great. I hope that you or your aunt are able to get reservations!

Thanks. That's good to know about the Key to the World and checking in and all that (although it seems that may be a wristband or whatever by the time I get down there. Ah, Technology) so thank you for the info! Good to know that when I get there, I can jump right into the parks and enjoy myself. My last trip didn't start until after the day I arrived (off property, late flight in. Total bummer)

 

[Poofiesdream]

Pop would be my choice.

 

[JillC LI]

My recommendation is Pop Century. Great location, great bus system, great food court. At that time of year, if history holds true, you might luck out with Free Dining. That's when we went last year, and I had also booked Pop because of price. But when free dining was announced (free Quick Service at Values and free regular DDP at mods and deluxe), I asked how much it would cost to upgrade to from QS to regular DDP, and the price was only $27 more to just upgrade to a moderate resort with the resgular DDP, so that's what we did. Keep that in mind as an option.

As for getting your park tickets, I'm not sure. I would think you could leave your luggage at Reception. But your park tickets would be on your KTTW, and if they don't assign you a room yet, then you can't have a room key. So I'm not sure.

The are lots of great restaurants to check out on the DDP: Kona Cafe for breakfast, character meals, 'Ohana, Rose & Crown during IllumiNations, etc. Check out the Restaurants and Dining board for ideas.

Early December is a great time to go - lower crowds, hopefully free dining, and holiday decorations and events. Make sure to see the Osborne Lights!

 

[WishIWasAtWDW]

Thanks. That's good to know about the Key to the World and checking in and all that (although it seems that may be a wristband or whatever by the time I get down there. Ah, Technology) so thank you for the info! Good to know that when I get there, I can jump right into the parks and enjoy myself. My last trip didn't start until after the day I arrived (off property, late flight in. Total bummer)

Oh, you are right. It probably will be the new MagicBand thing by the time you go on your trip. I am so used to the KTTW card that I forgot that it will be a MagicBand now. Times are a changing.

 

[wild01ride]

...your park tickets would be on your KTTW, and if they don't assign you a room yet, then you can't have a room key.

Actually, they will give you your KTTW (or Fastband?...) when you check in regardless of your room status. Then, as someone mentioned, they will text you when your room is ready and you can proceed directly to your room whenever you choose.
If you have elected to have DME handle your luggage, it will be delivered to your room *at some point* during your check-in day (we prefer to bring outs on the DME bus so we can access it as necessary).

Have fun!

 

[darthspielberg]

Another question that just occured to me. I will probably have a carry on with things I bring to keep me occupied on the flight. Is there any way to have DME take that with my luggage or leave it with the hotel? Sounds weird, but it'll likely be big enough that I don't want to carry it until I can check in.