Disney World (Orlando) Deals and Discussion

If you don't do Disney often, then I recommend staying at a Disney resort . . . if you are like me and live in Florida, you find TREMENDOUS value staying off site in a condo or villa, especially with a family and a week stay. I booked at the Parkway International Resort (ranked #6 out of 183 hotels in Kissimmee) next weekend for 4 nights and spent $300 with everything included. It comes with a jacuzzi tub, balcony, sleeps up to 8 and a full kitchen with washer and dryer. It is like 1 mile from the parks.

There are a few things you don't want to miss at Disney. You HAVE to do Splash Mountain at Magic Kingdom, to me it defines Disney with the characters and the music . . . unfortunately it is closed next week when I go for refurbishment, but maybe they will open it back early, it has been closed the entire month I believe.

If you go to Epcot, you gotta do Soarin . . . it probably is the best ride in Disney, a personal favorite of mines. Also at Epcot the Fireworks display at night is a treat, if you are lucky enough to get a Disney hotel with Balcony you can enjoy it from your room. Many offsite hotels enjoy the display as well. Epcot is the best park for adults, everything from the rides to the countries . . . if I could only do one park, it definitely would be Epcot.

For kids, do a character breakfast, it is a moment they/you won't forget.

Disney is just a fantasy land, and they do the experience better than anybody else. From the dining, to the resorts, the water parks, the regular parks, downtown disney. All 4 parks are unique in their own way.

Going in June. This will be our second time there. The prices have jumped since we went last time. We had the benefit of the free dining then as well.

Quote from oracle732 : Very useful info! How does this work? Say I have 2 adults and 2 children, so I can buy four 5 day tickets for $147? Or it's only good for kids? And are these tickets the same as the ones you buy from the booth? Thanks.

Yes & Yes You can get tickets for everyone in your party, adult or child they are the same price, but any children old enough for the classes must attend it, most of them are only 3hrs so you still have plenty of time in that park the same day.

You order the tickets from the site, someone fro Disney will contact you to confirm your order and then they will express mail them to you or you can pick them up at will call when you get there. Same tickets you get at Disney only difference is they say "YOUTH"(for Youth Education) as opposed to Adult or Child on the back.

wow thanks guys i was just researching all of this,everyones tips are great

Going in Feb...We are doing the Villa/Condo thing...saved a bunch. Got some nice airfares too. I had reserved a rental car thru Thrifty...Full size...was about $190 after all of the taxes and everything. Just checked Hotwire...and canceled Thrifty. Same booking, same class car....$118. You must book in the blind...but my company was Alamo...who I like better anyway. I book cars from them about 5 times a year.

Even though I have been to WDW many times, to me 'The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World' is an indispensible tool. It's like a complete Disney how-to all in one nifty package. It even provides touring plans (broken down by park and your needs, like 'one day Magic Kingdom with young children') to help you to save money and time! Also, there is a companion web-site available free with purchace of the book that provides a guide to which parks have the lowest ride wait times day by day based on extensive research. Best of all, it's totally independent of any Disney coporate influence, so you know you're getting the 'real deal' information.

If you have a smartphone, I suggest the 'Lines' application, the UGs companion app, which provides real-time ride-wait updates and info.

Quote from morgane39 : Even though I have been to WDW many times, to me 'The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World' is an indispensible tool. It's like a complete Disney how-to all in one nifty package. It even provides touring plans (broken down by park and your needs, like 'one day Magic Kingdom with young children') to help you to save money and time! Also, there is a companion web-site available free with purchace of the book that provides a guide to which parks have the lowest ride wait times day by day based on extensive research. Best of all, it's totally independent of any Disney coporate influence, so you know you're getting the 'real deal' information. If you have a smartphone, I suggest the 'Lines' application, the UGs companion app, which provides real-time ride-wait updates and info.

I googled that and found a whole bunch of differents one which do you use

Any comments on the dining plan? We are going in may there are 2 kids and 2 adults. We are not big, big eaters. I would like to do a few character meals like chef mickey or something similar. Is it worth the price?

did anyone get the mouseavers.com newsleter last month and would be willing to forward it to me. Please, please PM me if you would be willing!!!!
Thanks

Quote from REDCELL : Going in Feb...We are doing the Villa/Condo thing...saved a bunch. Got some nice airfares too. I had reserved a rental car thru Thrifty...Full size...was about $190 after all of the taxes and everything. Just checked Hotwire...and canceled Thrifty. Same booking, same class car....$118. You must book in the blind...but my company was Alamo...who I like better anyway. I book cars from them about 5 times a year.

I have never booked car rentals through Hotwire. Other than not being able to cancel, are there any other "downsides" to booking through them? I have done lots of hotels through Priceline without a problem, but usually book car rentals right through my Emerald Club membership (pick your won car deal). Thanks for any input anyone has.

Quote from dancemom : I have never booked car rentals through Hotwire. Other than not being able to cancel, are there any other "downsides" to booking through them? I have done lots of hotels through Priceline without a problem, but usually book car rentals right through my Emerald Club membership (pick your won car deal). Thanks for any input anyone has.

The only concern I had was that I didnt get a booking with Payless or Advantage. I have read waaay too many horror stories about them. Once I got confirmation it was a "Major" company...I bit. I have used Hotwire for many things and never had any problem.

Im still stoked about the deal...

any good deals on SeaWorld tickets?

So for all seaworld codes I have been able to find are expired. There are some codes for sale on ebay for like 30% tickets.

I just discovered this thread! I've been to WDW about 15 times and am constantly reading and researching about the parks. If anyone has any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.