Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< My fanny pack has 3 zipper sections, I only unzip one, and noone ever asked me to open the others. >>> Do they lift or brace the bottom of the pack as they're doing the inspection, even if you're wearing it? If so, that's part of the inspection. If you had a Glock hidden in one of the other compartments, they'd feel the weight.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I'm actually starting to feel the first pre-echo of a panic attack at the thought of staying at a "real" hotel. I've only stayed at hotels a few times in my life, and the last time was over a decade ago. That's another reason I'm inclined to go cheap. The idea of luxury makes me nervous, even when I can afford it. >>> No need to worry about that. With the exception of the Grand Floridian, none of the WDW resorts has any potential of seeming "too nice" for someone not used to luxury hotels (and even then, at the GF its more and more just facade luxury these days). Even the other deluxe resorts (Poly, Contemporary, AKL) would not make someone uncomfortable for them being "too nice" - they may seem "nice" and of high quality, but in a Disney way that I'd think you'd feel comfortable with (again, with the possible exception of the GF). I can't imagine any of the moderates making you uncomfortable. <<< I'd rather do that than fly, actually, but it's not practical cross-country. (Flying is something else I haven't done in a lot of years. Since before 9/11, actually. I understand the experience has changed considerably, and not for the better.) >>> It's too early to book for your trip, but as an example, Southwest Airlines currently has a fare sale between Orange County CA and Orlando for $244 round trip, all in ($99 each way plus taxes). That's probably the low end of what you'd expect to pay. I suspect that regardless of when you go, if you plan in advance and shop around, you could get a round-trip flight for $350 or less. And, don't let the post-9/11 flying scare stories worry you. I've probably flown on well over 100 flights since then, and it's just not that big a deal. Things at the airport that have changed: must show ID, must take shoes off at security inspection, and can't bring liquids other than trial sizes on board (must be in checked bags). In the vast majority of cases, security takes under 10 minutes. As far as airlines go, meals have disappeared for the most part on domestic flights, but Southwest never had them to start with. My opinion is that traveling by air is just not that big a deal, and that those that complain about it are mostly looking for something to complain about, but that's just my opinion. For your situation, I'd recommend staying on-site, and with a rental car (assuming you have a drivers license). Looking on Expedia, I see that you can get a car for a full week for $188 including taxes. So, throw in another $6 for tolls and a tank of gas, and you're looking at maybe $225 all in for a car for the week. Although most of the budget off-site hotels have free parking, so do all of the Disney resorts. But the big difference is that if you are staying at any Disney resort, you also get free parking at any other Disney resort as well as at all of the parks. Parking at the parks is something like $13/day now, so that's another $91 for a week if you stay off-site and plan to drive to the parks. Also, staying on-site will give you access to Extra Magic Hours, which are a free 1-3 extra hours in the morning and/or evening in certain parks on a daily rotating schedule. Many of the off-site hotels will offer a shuttle to WDW, but only during limited hours and sometimes only to one park a day on a rotating schedule (they tell you to use Disney transport to get to other parks that day). That's a big inconvenience. If you stay on-site, you could save the $225 and not get a car, and take Magical Express to/from the airport and rely on Disney transport while at the resort. But having a car gives you the flexibility of using Disney transport or the car to get around on a daily basis, plus you can go to a supermarket upon arrival and stock up on snacks - that alone will probably pay for half the car in savings. And you'll soon see once you're there that Disney transport can be both a blessing and a curse - sometimes it's the best way to get from Point A to Point B, and other times it's a 2-hour detour. Especially since you say this may be your only visit to WDW, I'd recommend that you budget time to visit some of the resorts other than where you're staying. You can have a meal or snack there, or just spend an hour walking around and seeing what it's all about. You'll have a much better idea of what some of the resorts are if you do this, and there are some things like Yeehah Bob at Port Orleans Riverside that you really should see during your visit. If you rely on Disney transport to check out some of the resorts, you'll spend half your day on buses, but it's easy to do with your own car. I'd recommend all of the above even if feel you only want to stay at a value resort. As to when to go, you mentioned that you want to go during the summer. That's not the best time of year to go to get the best discounts. This winter/spring for example, they're having the "Buy 4 days, get 3 free" promotion. Since that offer includes any park tickets purchased as part of the package, that's an excellent value. Pay for 4 nights at a value resort and a 4-day ticket, and get 7 room nights and 7-day ticket, plus the Extra Magic Hours and free parking. It would be hard to beat that offer with an off-site option. Having said that, I would not discourage a summer visit if that's when you want to go. Just realize that there will be fewer opportunities for savings. Regarding food, at various times (usually in the fall) they have a promotion where they throw in the Disney Dining Plan at no additional cost for guests staying on site. So, for the regular room rate, you also get one snack, one counter service, and one table service meal per day at any resort location (that is, any park or any resort). That solves your food budget right there, and also gives you the option to dine in some of the nice table service locations that you might otherwise avoid. Good luck with your trip!
Originally Posted By Mr X ***For your situation, I'd recommend staying on-site, and with a rental car (assuming you have a drivers license). Looking on Expedia, I see that you can get a car for a full week for $188 including taxes. So, throw in another $6 for tolls and a tank of gas, and you're looking at maybe $225 all in for a car for the week.*** Considering that he's budget conscious and you are recommending on-site, why recommend the car? (just curious...personally I ALWAYS want to have one at WDW, but I do realize that if you're thinking cost it's hard to justify paying for something when you can get around for free)
Originally Posted By Mr X ***If you stay on-site, you could save the $225 and not get a car, and take Magical Express to/from the airport and rely on Disney transport while at the resort. But having a car gives you the flexibility of using Disney transport or the car to get around on a daily basis, plus you can go to a supermarket upon arrival and stock up on snacks - that alone will probably pay for half the car in savings.*** Okay, never mind.
Originally Posted By avromark ^^ The only exception to free onsite parking and parking at other resorts would be the Swan and Dolphin, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to stay there. There's a big difference between the Westin Bonaventure and the Westin Swan.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< ^^ The only exception to free onsite parking and parking at other resorts would be the Swan and Dolphin, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't want to stay there. There's a big difference between the Westin Bonaventure and the Westin Swan. >>> That's certainly true. Although "on site" in a literal sense, the Dolphin and Swan are not Disney-managed resorts. Not only will you not get free parking at Disney parks/resorts, you'll also have to pay for parking at the Swan/Dolphin. So, add about $25/day. Not a good option for a budget visit with a rent car.
Originally Posted By avromark Oh I'm sure the only reason Alex would go to the Swan is to eat Shula's 72 ounce Porterhouse Question though which of the All-Stars has renovated, and are they nicer than Pop Century? My one gripe about Disney though is that too many of their more inexpensive offerings offer 2D not 2Q beds. Even if America wasn't one of the "larger" nations it's nice to have extra space in bed.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb OK August = birthday. But it also = heat, humidity & crowds. By delaying a month or 2 you could get cooler temps and fewer people. I would recommend the week following (NOT of!) Thanksgiving. Low crowd levels, nice weather and Christmas decorations. If your heart is set on your birthday hopefully you can get free dining (no need to worry about a rental for cheap meals and snacks. In your situation, I would see if you can find another single to split the room. You'd never have to even see each other, just agree to be respectful of your individual needs and boundaries. Yet another option is rent that care and stop by Big Box Mart and by camping equipment and do a week at Fort Wilderness. (I've always been tempted to do this myself) Bottom line, no matter how you go, budget for 2K just to be safe.
Originally Posted By avromark ^^ Course when Autopia Deb goes she just gets a nice view at the Grand Floridian, lets her son take the bed, and she just asks them to ship over one of those sleeping bags from the Grand Californian so she can pretend she's at Fort Wilderness. That's another idea there for you Alex.
Originally Posted By beamerdog sorry, just mentioned MegaBus as there might be someone interested in cheap, but nice transportation. I wouldn't even drive myself cross country (my SIL did).
Originally Posted By avromark Hey I've done some cross country car trips when growing up! We've even gone cross tri-country in previous years. But buses are a different beast.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 <<<<< My fanny pack has 3 zipper sections, I only unzip one, and noone ever asked me to open the others. >>> Do they lift or brace the bottom of the pack as they're doing the inspection, even if you're wearing it? If so, that's part of the inspection. If you had a Glock hidden in one of the other compartments, they'd feel the weight.>>> We're told to take fanny packs off and put them on the table. No, they don't touch mine, a few have held a flashlight over it. Would a glock even fit in a fanny pack?
Originally Posted By avromark Well my kid brother is 132lbs now and he can pack in an entire KFC bucket. So yes. Also -> Souvenirs just buy them in DLR it's all the same Or go to a used store / Garage sale in the area. You can load up on souvenirs from WDW all along the east coast.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Also -> Souvenirs just buy them in DLR it's all the same >>> Unfortunately, what you say is true for the most part. But you still do get to choose from two types: Type 1 has both the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort logos on it, and Type 2 just says Disney Parks.
