Really want to go...but...

Originally Posted By FenwayGirl

We stayed as the ASMusic suites last week. They are great for a large party. We traveled with 2 adults and 3 kids. Plenty of room. The added wet bar/kitchen is a nice to have item.

 

Originally Posted By nbodyhome

You can't make a reservation with an individual hotel at WDW (except the Swan and Dolphin Resorts, not owned by Disney).

If you call the AKL or POR phone number, you will be talking to a call center that handles calls for all of the resorts. If you ask to make a reservation, they will transfer you to DRC.

The standard rooms at the AKL only sleep 4. I'm not sure if there are any deluxe rooms left, most or all were converted to DVC units. I've heard that some studios may sleep 5, but I haven't kept up on those at all.

 

Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct

<a href="http://www.mousesavers.com/packagevsap.html" target="_blank">http://www.mousesavers.com/pac
kagevsap.html</a>

this website <a href="http://www.mousesavers.com/" target="_blank">http://www.mousesavers.com/</a>
talks about buying an annual pass. If one of your family buys an annual pass, you can save up to 40% on the rooms.

Another good resource for WDW is
<a href="http://www.allearsnet.com/" target="_blank">http://www.allearsnet.com/</a>

And lsiten to Denise (aka nbodyhome) she has very good knowledge.

And have a great time!!!


My fav. moderate resort is Port Orleans french quarter - but they are all good.

 

Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct

Port Orleans is also awesome because the theming is top notch and it is the only moderate resort with a BOAT transportation option. You can get to Downtown DISNEY by boat - very cool - and the bus takes you everywhere else.

some info here;
<a href="http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_dxl.htm" target="_blank">http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/
g_dxl.htm</a>


We get a car so we can come and go on our terms - plus you can go off property for cheaper dining options.

I don't know about you - but I couldn't eat all the food the Disney Dining plan offers. I think it would be a better deal to just pay for what you need.

 

Originally Posted By nbodyhome

^^

Dennis - I love the POFQ! It's a very romantic setting, and the landscaping is beautifully done. But with 5, the only moderate they can do one room in is POR. There are suites at the CSR, but more for business purposes (and pricey).

Mousesavers does have good info. There aren't any AP rates this far out, but the OP can call for AAA room-only. The AP's are now pretty pricey (the AP prices have gone up sharply over the past few years), but often you can at least still break even. Then there are the discounts on shopping, some dining, etc.

 

Originally Posted By nbodyhome

Oh - Dennis, you should let me know when you visit next time!

Denise

 

Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct

<a href="http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_asm.htm" target="_blank">http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/
faq_asm.htm</a>

All Star music has family suites that sleep 6 and if you take 40 off those rates - that would be good.

 

Originally Posted By nbodyhome

^^

I would personally go for the All Star Music suites or FW cabins with a family of 5 on a budget.

The All Star Suites didn't do discounts when they first opened, but I was able to book someone with a discount a number of months ago.

 

Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct

<a href="http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/faq_asm.htm" target="_blank">http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/
faq_asm.htm</a>

Coronado Springs is another fantastic resort. I have stayed there over 6 times. I love it. Good choice.


The AP prices have gotten out of hand - I agree. I think an AP breaks even at 10 or 12 days of park hopping - but if you can get a room discount - then it pays for itself quicker - PLUS you get some discounts (15 or 20 % some shopping and dining)

<a href="http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/breakeven.php" target="_blank">http://www.allearsnet.com/pl/b
reakeven.php</a>



Denise - I have curbed my Disney trips to once a year - Gay Days in June and I may skip it this year - we'll see. I want to get to Tokyo and cash is not unlimited

 

Originally Posted By nbodyhome

Dennis - I still think the AP is a great value, but definitely isn't priced for casual guests anymore (i.e. - the hotel discounts are rarely as steep, and the AP price is way up). The AAA room-only rate is a great first step. Then if AP rates come out, they can see if the rate is better. The difference between an 8 day PH and an AP is about $200.00, so that is where the break even point is (if considering an AP).

 

Originally Posted By nbodyhome

Oh, I forgot - I hope you enjoy Tokyo. I haven't seen you in a numbers of years now, I'm sorry you don't make it down as often anymore. I want to go to Tokyo too, but I keep getting pulled back to Paris! (the city, not DLP).

 

Originally Posted By kennect

As far as rental cars go...Can't you get on there on WDW property? Who is the current rental car comapany sponsor???

 

Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct

Agreed. Paris is awesome. I have been lucky enough to have gone 7 times and I would go back another 7 !!

Our dollar just sucks right now and we Americans are being priced out of vacation spots in the US. Popular vacation spots are catering to the Europeans right now (I saw this in Key West this past New Years).

It felt like the Europeans are treating the US like we treat MEXICO as a vacation bargain.


Anyway - my WDW customer life cycle is winding down. I want to come for gay days and just buy an inexpensive ticket to just see AK (and the MK pararde on the saturday.) There really is not much at WDW right now to inspire me to visit (expect EVEREST)

It is better to stay away to "keep the magic" and not get any more jaded.

This whole DCA re-do has me very excited. I look forward to see the park transform over the next few years and pay a visit in 2012. psyched!

 

Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct

kennet - I dropped a car off on site (near the entrance gates at MK) but I always get on right at the airport.

 

Originally Posted By nbodyhome

Dennis - I've been to Paris 4 times now, 3 of those in the past 2 years. I REALLY love it (and the D'Orsay, I should have gone there in 2002 like you said)! The dollar is weak, but I have a favorite hotel (I paid about $80 per night this past trip, and it wasn't the cheapest room). The Italian restaurant next door is very reasonable, and the museum pass is a bargain. I get around pretty well. I did London cheaply as well. I'm saving for another trip, I could just live there.

I totally understand being burned out on WDW - I'm not, but I love Epcot and AK (and Fort Wilderness, the Boardwalk, etc.). If you do make it down in June, let me know if you have even time for coffee, I haven't seen you since the Adventurers Club. (I don't think).

I hope Disney does great things with DCA. It is better now than when it first opened, and I'm heading back there for an event in March.

Sorry to hijack OP's thread, but hopefully there was a lot of info too.

 

Originally Posted By nbodyhome

>> As far as rental cars go...Can't you get on there on WDW property? Who is the current rental car comapany sponsor??? <<

Alamo/National has a number of locations on property (I believe the Car Care Center as well as the S/D), but there are other car rental agencies at Downtown Disney as well.

 

Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct

<< I could just live there. >>

I hear ya !!



<< time for coffee >>

Sounds like a plan



Sorry to hijack OP's thread, but hopefully there was a lot of info too.>>


Agreed. Have a great time OP and also check out the disboards for more WDW help.

<a href="http://www.disboards.com/" target="_blank">http://www.disboards.com/</a>

 

Originally Posted By kennect

ploeb909, Is there any other time of year you could go? The weather will be brutal if I am remembering your dates correctly...

Dennis, I agree with you...My interest in going to WDW is also waning even though it is a short six hour drive away...Not because of quality,etc. It is just because we did it so many times a break is needed....For anyone that hasn't been there before I say go for it...There is nothing like it anywhere...It is certainly one place you won't get bored with...The only problem is the idea that there is so much to do that you will make yourself nuts trying to get it all in....My idea is that it takes several trips to WDW to be able to enjoy everything it has to offer without doing yourself in...

 

Originally Posted By nbodyhome

There are quite a few good tools online and off - Jen and Dave have a terrific book (Passporter), and there are message boards/WDW info sites all over. Even RADP is going strong.

If OP hits Mousesavers and Allears, that will cover much of what they need to know (discounts, hotel prices, menus, attraction info, etc.).