Pre-Trip The "I NEED HELP" Pre-Pre-Trip Report

Okay.
Deep breaths, Nicole.

Inhale, exhale.

Hello, friends. I am Nicole, and I need HELP. After my whining, and begging, and downright temper tantrum-ing, I have finally gotten my boyfriend to agree to a Disney trip! It has been FIVE years since we went to Disney together, and one whole whopping longgggggg 2015 of no Disney for me. But it's a new year... it's 2016, and this little princess is getting her behind to Disney. :)

So, I am thinking of booking Disney from Friday, November 4th to Sunday, November 13th. My birthday is the 5th, and I REALLY want to wake up in the world. I know it's a little bit more expensive to fly out Friday afternoon and pay for an extra night, but I don't think there is any monetary amount that can compare to waking up in Disney on your birthday.

Now here's where you guys come in.

Should I stay at a Value Resort (thinking Art of Animation) or should a spend about 600 bucks more and stay at Port Orleans Riverside?

I really want to go to Universal (don't throw things at me) because I have never been! Do you think 6 days Disney and 2-3 days Universal for a first timer would be appropriate?

Should I book now (please say yes) or should I wait until like 6 months prior which would bring me to the end of April...I know NOTHING about how airline flights work and I've been checking every day on the Disney website. It does seem like Tuesday is the cheapest day for flights for some reason, no clue why!

So my dear fellow Disney obsessed friends, please help me. I will be forever and ever grateful.


DSC00471 by nicole tiffany
 
Click to expand...
prfctlyximprct

prfctlyximprct

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
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IT IS REAL :)
 
parkhopper1213

parkhopper1213

Active Member
prfctlyximprct said:
Okay.
Deep breaths, Nicole.

Inhale, exhale.

Hello, friends. I am Nicole, and I need HELP. After my whining, and begging, and downright temper tantrum-ing, I have finally gotten my boyfriend to agree to a Disney trip! It has been FIVE years since we went to Disney together, and one whole whopping longgggggg 2015 of no Disney for me. But it's a new year... it's 2016, and this little princess is getting her behind to Disney. :)

So, I am thinking of booking Disney from Friday, November 4th to Sunday, November 13th. My birthday is the 5th, and I REALLY want to wake up in the world. I know it's a little bit more expensive to fly out Friday afternoon and pay for an extra night, but I don't think there is any monetary amount that can compare to waking up in Disney on your birthday.

Now here's where you guys come in.

Should I stay at a Value Resort (thinking Art of Animation) or should a spend about 600 bucks more and stay at Port Orleans Riverside?

I really want to go to Universal (don't throw things at me) because I have never been! Do you think 6 days Disney and 2-3 days Universal for a first timer would be appropriate?

Should I book now (please say yes) or should I wait until like 6 months prior which would bring me to the end of April...I know NOTHING about how airline flights work and I've been checking every day on the Disney website. It does seem like Tuesday is the cheapest day for flights for some reason, no clue why!

So my dear fellow Disney obsessed friends, please help me. I will be forever and ever grateful.


DSC00471 by nicole tiffany
Click to expand...
We have always stayed at the value resorts. It was hard to justify spending $600 more for a room we are barely in. We used the savings to pay for our meals and shopping. We are now annual passholders and try to take 2 trips a year. I could never have afforded that if I stayed at a moderate property.
 
Seanual757

Seanual757

Well-Known Member
Congrats on your trip to Disney you picked a great resort I have stayed twice in the past 2 years. We prefer French Quarter because of the smaller size resort but Riverside is great as well.

If you are into home cooking and southern style cooking I recommend heading over to Trails End @ the Ft Wilderness Campgrounds https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/cabins-at-fort-wilderness-resort/trails-end-restaurant/

Since you are not real big into breakfast remember you get a drink and dessert with each meal (on top of the refillable drink mug) so maybe grab a snack for your dessert (muffin or Danish) and save it for your next morning breakfast.

Your stay will be approaching fast and the next thing you know you will be 2 weeks away and realize you have a lot of things to get done before you leave.

Take it from someone who lives in Orlando (but stays at Disney 3-4 times a year) you can knock out Universal in a day, or wait for another trip us Universal is undergoing some major construction in the area (Volcano bay, the new hotels) in 2 years it will look totally different.

Good luck your Disney trip is approaching fast, that reminds me I need to get moving mine is less than 2 weeks away.
 
prfctlyximprct

prfctlyximprct

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Seanual757 said:
Congrats on your trip to Disney you picked a great resort I have stayed twice in the past 2 years. We prefer French Quarter because of the smaller size resort but Riverside is great as well.

If you are into home cooking and southern style cooking I recommend heading over to Trails End @ the Ft Wilderness Campgrounds https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/cabins-at-fort-wilderness-resort/trails-end-restaurant/

Since you are not real big into breakfast remember you get a drink and dessert with each meal (on top of the refillable drink mug) so maybe grab a snack for your dessert (muffin or Danish) and save it for your next morning breakfast.

Your stay will be approaching fast and the next thing you know you will be 2 weeks away and realize you have a lot of things to get done before you leave.

Take it from someone who lives in Orlando (but stays at Disney 3-4 times a year) you can knock out Universal in a day, or wait for another trip us Universal is undergoing some major construction in the area (Volcano bay, the new hotels) in 2 years it will look totally different.

Good luck your Disney trip is approaching fast, that reminds me I need to get moving mine is less than 2 weeks away.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your detailed reply! I loved POFQ so I am excited to give Riverside a try! Never tried Trails End either, so will go check out their menu right after I post this! I cannot believe it's already March... I know the trip will come up so fast! Trying so hard to not rush through the days. As much as I want to be there, I need it to last and I feel like the pre-trip planning allows for you to extend your excitement.

I am too nervous about only booking one day at Universal, since I am pretty hopeless when it comes to reading maps, so I want to have that cushion of two. This way I won't feel like I have to cram everything in. There just is never enough time in Orlando!

Enjoy your trip!!! :) :)
 
LAKid53

LAKid53

Official Member of the Girly Girl Fan Club
Premium Member
Of your resort suggestions, POR is best. But, as @RyPat mentioned, consider renting points and stay at a DVC villa. Animal Kingdom Villas are nice, but know that the resort is waaay out there for all parks but DAK. I would rent at either Poly or Boardwalk. That way you have easy access to two parks via the monorail and boats (three if you throw in Hollywood Studios via the boat). Disney converted three of the long houses at Poly to DVC studios and they are big, with two, yes two, bathrooms. Our studio at Poly was in Pago Page and it was a very short walk across the parking lot to the monorail station at the Ticket and Transportation Center. With three buildings of studios, there are plenty of rooms.

We've done the Disney-Uni vacation before. Make it easy on the two of you and move over to a resort at Universal for those days you will be at Uni. We did Disney for 3-4 days, then 2 at Universal. We stayed at the Royal Pacific, so we could either take the boat over to Universal or a nice 15 minute walk. I don't recommend staying at the Cabañas unless you don't mind a bus system worse than Disney's... and you will be dropped off not at a park entrance but at the parking garage. Plus the three top Loews resorts - Hard Rock, Portofino and Royal Pacific - all come with Universal express pass, which otherwise is a $40-$50 per day per ticket add on. And make sure to get the two park per day ticket if you plan on riding the Hogwarts Express between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley since they are in separate Universal parks.
 
prfctlyximprct

prfctlyximprct

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
For my birthday I have three different scenarios I am debating between!

I definitely want to celebrate in the Magic Kingdom. It is my first full day there and what's more perfect than having a birthday in MK??

Should I..
1. eat at BOG for lunch and Skipper Canteen for dinner and stay in the park ALL DAY
2. eat at Skipper Canteen for lunch and have BOG for dinner still stay in park ALL DAY
3. eat at BOG for lunch take a mid day break and go back to the resort, have dinner at Ohana and then watch fireworks back at MK

I think I much preferred BOG lunch over dinner, but I am not sure if I should have a celebratory alcoholic birthday drink with dinner for my birthday...which leaves BOG dinner or Ohana...

WHY AM I CRAZY??>?
 
MinnieM123

MinnieM123

Premium Member
prfctlyximprct said:
For my birthday I have three different scenarios I am debating between!

I definitely want to celebrate in the Magic Kingdom. It is my first full day there and what's more perfect than having a birthday in MK??

Should I..
1. eat at BOG for lunch and Skipper Canteen for dinner and stay in the park ALL DAY
2. eat at Skipper Canteen for lunch and have BOG for dinner still stay in park ALL DAY
3. eat at BOG for lunch take a mid day break and go back to the resort, have dinner at Ohana and then watch fireworks back at MK

I think I much preferred BOG lunch over dinner, but I am not sure if I should have a celebratory alcoholic birthday drink with dinner for my birthday...which leaves BOG dinner or Ohana...

WHY AM I CRAZY??>?
Click to expand...

You're certainly no crazier than the rest of us here! :hilarious:

My vote for your question would be # 3.
 

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