Some stupid questions...

[imagineer99]

Hey all,

Considering I have been to WDW an awful lot, I'm actually quite embarassed that I'm asking these basic qestions. Here's the deal, my best friend at college has a friend who is not using her timeshare in Florida this year...

After much persuading on my part, a group of four of us are going to use said timeshare for three days in January. We will be flying into Orlando on the 10th of January and will be leaving on the 13th in the afternoon.

First off,

The place we are staying is not on Disney property. The link to it's website can be found
here.

Off chance, has anybody ever stayed there?

My biggest concern is transportation. Since we are all college students, we are not yet old enough to rent a car. Thus, we will be relying on subsidiary transportation. According to the website, a bus does run to Disney parks. Nevetheless, I question both its quality and reliability. I really don't want to be stranded at one of the parks late at night with no way of getting back. How do you catch a taxi from one of the parks? If I ever get REALLY stranded, does anybody want to pick me up? (just kidding)

Second, concern is crowds. I know this question has been asked an insane amount of times...but how are the crowds usually from January 10th to the 13th? I would assume they would be light, but my assumption is probably wrong!

Third, comes tickets. This is the first trip I will be taking to Disney without my parents and family . Thus, this is the first time I have had to actually pay for stuff myself ( ). I have a park hopper that is still good for two more days. However, for the third day I would like to go to the parks (duh). What's the cheapest option? Should I just buy single entry to one park? I know this question may sound REALLY stupid, but does disney discount park entry after a certain time in the afternoon? If I wanted to go to EPCOT just for IllumiNations, would I be able to buy a ticket? Or am I just out of luck?

My friend really wants to eat at Mitukoshi (sp?) in Japan. Should I make PS for this? Or should I be ok (I kinda don't want to be tied down to a schedule).

Finally, If anybody is gonna be in the parks at this time, and they just want to say hello, let me know. I would like to say hi!

Thanks for all the expert help.

 

[NemoRocks78]

I stayed at that resort about two years ago. It was fantastic. "Apartments" were large, very clean, and well decorated.

Taxis are available next to the bus stops at the parks. I'm not exactly sure on the times that the buses run for Vistana Villages, but most off-site resorts have shuttles that leave an hour after the park closes.

You've picked a fabulous time to go as the parks will be DEAD. Expect major attractions to be walk-ons. Also, don't forget about the weather....it will be VERY COLD (but it will be nothing to you since you're in D.C. :lol: ).

Not sure about your ticket situation, but I think Epcot sells an "After 4" ticket at a discounted price (I know they have an 'Epcot after 4' Annual Pass).

I'd make a PS just to be on the safe side, but that's up to you. I thought we wouldn't need a PS this past Saturday for the Rose and Crown, but sure enough when we got there (after we had made a PS, of course), they were turning guests away that didn't have one.

 

[imagineer99]

Thanks for the response, Nemo!

Did you take the buses at all?

Do they travel consistently throughout the day? Or do they only go in the mornning and at park closing?

 

[NemoRocks78]

Thanks for the response, Nemo!

Did you take the buses at all?

Do they travel consistently throughout the day? Or do they only go in the mornning and at park closing?

I did not take any buses, but because of the resort's location to Walt Disney World (not far at all), I don't see why they wouldn't have a few shuttle times during the day (every off-site hotel I've stayed in has had them, so there's no reason for this one not to).

 

[Moustronaut]

We'll be there the next day on the 14th. Just gonna miss ya.

I don't think Disney has an after 4 ticket. Just the after 4 pass for Epcot to allow locals into the park to go to the restaurants for dinner. You can get a single park, single day ticket for $50 ish or just buy a multi-day pass and plan on coming back. but the cheapest would be the single day/single park.

As far as eating at the tepenyaki dining room... PS is always a good idea. But the parks will be largerly empty. Tepenyaki is HUGE so there's rarely that long of a wait. Heck we walked in a waited for 5 mintues on New Year Eve a few years ago. But probably i'd make a PS the morning of the day you want to go eat there.

 

[SpenceMan01]

As far as crowds go they should be fairly light. We're going at the same time (5-15th), so I've been doing quite a bit of research for it. As was stated, crowds should be minimal to non-existant. The only thing you really have to worry about is the WDW Marathon which is the weekend before you arrive. From what I've been told, they pretty much clear out very soon afterwards. Monday the 10th is the only day you should have to worry about, and even then, I doubt you'll hit significant crowds.

Careful about which resorts you go to on which days, as I guess parks that have Early Magic Hour that day are traditionally busier all day. A list of which parks have EMH on which days can be found here: http://allearsnet.com/tp/emhour.htm How much busier? I'm not sure, maybe someone with experience can back me up on this one. I'd like to know too .

Another thing about going in January is that park hours are the shortest of the year. Also, it is the time of year where many attractions go down for refurbishment. Keep an eye on this page to see what's going to be closed: http://allearsnet.com/tp/rehabs.htm#105

We'll be down there during that time as well. I'll be sure to say 'Hi' if I see ya!! :wave:

 

[pepper2028]

About getting to and from the parks...I do believe that the local orlando metro buss system called(lynx) goes down I drve and continues on to the ticket and transportation center near MK here is there web address, hope this helpsLynx

 

[imagineer99]

Great responses so far.

So, the "after four" ticket is out of the question, eh?

...and at the risk of sounding blasphemous, would Universal be cheaper for the day?

 

[Master Yoda]

I won’t be much help on the ticket or transportation issue but as far as priority seating to Mitukoshi in Japan (or any table service restaurant)the answer would be yes definitely. Make them as soon as you get to the park if not before you get there.

 

[Gail Hayden]

Great responses so far.

So, the "after four" ticket is out of the question, eh?

...and at the risk of sounding blasphemous, would Universal be cheaper for the day?

After 4 tickets are for FL residents only, so, yes, that would be out of the question, unless you are a FL resident (did not look at your location).

Universal is about the same price for a one day ticket.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

You'll be cutting it close, but you could qualify for the new ticket program. If your only interested in having a tcket for the days you are there, you can turn your current ticket's credit in for a new one, which might be cheaper than a one day ticket. Personally, I always like to have extra days left on my ticket..it is insurance that I will get to back! And...that time of year, you could run into weather issues.If there is a major storm, you could get stuck in Orlando. If you already have a few extra days paid for, it will ease the pain.

 

[DisneyPan]

Transportation:
How old are you? If you're at least 21 you can rent a car from Thrify. They charge an extra $20/day, but it's worth not having to depend on public transportation.
We always rent from Thrifty. I like them and they have a direct shuttle from the airport.

 

[imagineer99]

I'm 19. That's out of the question.

 

[Tim G]

Some Stupid Questions

I'm actually quite embarassed that I'm asking these basic questions.

There Are No Stupid Questions, But There Are A Lot Of Inquisitive Idiots.

 

[Gail Hayden]

Some Stupid Questions
There Are No Stupid Questions, But There Are A Lot Of Inquisitive Idiots.

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!! SO TRUE!!!!

 

[NemoRocks78]

...and at the risk of sounding blasphemous, would Universal be cheaper for the day?

Well, when you're going, the price of a single day ticket at WDW will be $59.75, and the price of a single day ticket at UO will be $54.75, so yes, going to UO would save you $5.

Also, if you're interested, UO has a one-day, two-park ticket available for about $73 if I remember correctly....there's also the two-day, two-park ticket for $99 (and the unused day never expires).

 

[imagineer99]

Also, if you're interested, UO has a one-day, two-park ticket available for about $73.

That's a good deal. I just don't know if I would have enough time to spend two days at UO. Tough choices...

Thanks for all the responses so far!