Best Way to start researching DisneyWorld Vacation?

[veronica]

Any suggestions? Am I better off calling Disney, travel agent or researching online? Do I research through a travel engine like expedia or go to Disney.

We would need airfare from NJ/PA and would like to stay in park. How do I even start looking into it all? TIA

[bnme]

I would play around with booking online on Disney's website to get an idea of the cost. You can get the prices for park passes, too. I think you can even do flights but I would research that seperately. We usually fly Southwest from NY (LI). Jet blue usually has the lowest fares (that I have seen).

Disney's website is a PITA and very slow but it will allow you to compare the different hotel prices easily. I usually stay at DVC but if I were booking I'd do it right through Disney. I'm not sure if they have the best prices though.

Have fun!

[Tinkerbell313]

Since it could be overwhelming...I would start with a book that explains the ins/outs of DW or with a website called www.allears.net (this website, not affiliated with Disney but has lots of information, has a section called "planning". You can start there as it will give you a step by step guide.)

Books that have been mentioned include the Unofficial Guide and Birbaums' Official Guide. We used the Unofficial Guide and found it to be a wealth of information.

The books will explain how Disney works: including the different levels (value, moderate, deluxe, deluxe villas) of the hotels on the property as well as the different hotels off the property but in the vicinity. They also explain the different modes of transportation and which properties are connected to the monorail or the boats, etc. They will also explain the dining plans if interested. There is so much more in those books!!

There are message boards such as www.disboards.com. That message board can be overwhelming if you do not have a basis of how Disney works...but once you do, it is a wealth of information.

Once piece of advice...restaurant reservations are available 180 days out from your trip. If you are remotely interested in doing a character meal, I would make those reservations right as soon as you make your hotel reservations, if you are within the 180 days. And you do not have to be on the dining plan to make restaurant reservations.

Good luck.

ETA: Thanks TwinFoxes for correcting my typo...explains why I only got a B in typing class in high school!!

[BeachBum]

<Nodding head>. Yes, good info above. You've really got to figure out what you want to do, before you start booking. I've always gotten the same prices by booking direct than with a travel agent, but if you aren't familiar with Disney discount codes (often found on mousesavers.com) you might do better with an agent. I would choose one that does disney only. There are 2 big ones that tend to advertise with the info sites mentioned above.

I would say the basic stuff you need to figure out as the basis for your trip and budget are
Which parks? Hop between parks? (tickets)
How many days? (how many hotel nights, how many days of tickets)
What level of hotel? (value, moderate, deluxe, other or off property)
How does your family like to eat? (Dining plan, Deluxe dining plan or pay out of pocket)

[TwinFoxes]

There are message boards such as www.disboard.com. That message board can be overwhelming if you do not have a basis of how Disney works...but once you do, it is a wealth of information.

I think it's www.disboards.com

[malibelle]

I am considered the Disney expert at work so everyone comes to me for info. This is what I give them. I think its because we got married there and own DVC so they come right to me!

Here some info that might help you out planning:

Tips to book vacation:

1.Book through disney-room and magic yourway tickets hopper passes (You can jump around from park to park) http://bookwdw.reservations.disney.g...|S||4493429898 to get rates and call call (407) 939-1318. room and magic yourway tickets hopper passes (You can jump around from park to park)

2.Book your own airfare- its cheaper

3.Book Magical Express through disney once you have your airfare booked ( you just call them and give your reservations#), you wont need a car. we never rent a car anymore. The Disney bus picks you up at the airport and drops you off and vice versa. Its a perk that is free. If you need a car to go to Sea World or something you can rent one on the disney property for the day or they have shuttles that will pick you up at your resort for a fee.

4. Do the Dining plan. It will save you money, we have proved it time and time again. You get 1 snack, 1 counter service and 1 table service for each night of your stay. You can use them how ever you want. http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/med...ey%20World.pdf

5. Book all your Ding reservations in advance. I mean all, if you dont have reservations you wont eat at the Table service restaurants. Call 1-800-WDW-DINE. If you don't get what you want book what you can get and keep calling back. I think now you can book up to 180 days in advance. If there is a special occation tell them to mark it on the reservation( like Bella's 1st visit to Disney).

6. Check out allearsnet.com http://allears.net/index.html and Dis Discussion boards http://www.disboards.com/ for info and pictures on everything. There are lots of great info on here from people. You can find dining reviews, ideas, hotel info and tips.

7. Stroller Rentals if you need one. Disney has them but they are big plastic things but if you wanted one for outside the park there is a company that rents them. http://magicstrollers.com/ They deliver right to your hotel. Also On the Dis Board people get to gether to do a stroller swap so you don't have to pay anything.

8. Use Disney Photopass. http://allears.net/tp/ppass.htm YOu can order pics once you get home or pre purchase the CD in advance at a lower price. They do special shots a lot of times with the characters placed in the picture with you. You can upload your own pictures to the CD after your trip before ordering which is nice.

9. COnsider renting from a DVC owner, you can usually stay in deluxe hotels for less money. Here is the forum http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=29 where people who own DVC rent out there points. Before we bought out timeshare we rented from here. Its basically a one on one transaction. You pay them the amount agree on and they book the room in your name, send you the confirmation. You check in as normal. You can add the dining plan if you want too

Special things you can do in DIsney:

• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique http://allears.net/btp/bibbidi.htm
  
• The Pirates League: http://land.allears.net/blogs/jacksp...es_league.html
  
• Go to City Hall in the MK and get her a free 1st Visit pin to wear. She may get special treament
• Eat at Cinderella's Royal Table (inside the castle)- she can where her princess gown
• Here are tips for Preschoolers: http://allears.net/pl/kids.htm
• Bring an autograph book.
• Pressed Pennies collecting at the all the parks are resorts
• Make Tshirts, inviations to dinner..etc All sorts of things. Check out the Dis board creative designs thread. http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=105 You can request all kinds of personalized graphics and they do it for free. I put a request in for lots of things. Just brouse through the threads to see the designs of different people.

Here is a Disney site that will help you with information on rooms, dining..etc.

Allearsnet.com : http://allears.net/
- you can find pictures of the resorts, dining...etc.

Menues are here: http://allears.net/menu/menus.htm