Advice needed

Our family vacation this year is Disney World. My wife and I have two
girls aged 7 and 18.

We can go anytime after schol lets out in May until mid August.

Research is showing that the Disney's Port Oreleans Resort - French
Quarter is a great place to stay inside the park.

I'd appreciate any tips or advice on the disney packages. The best
time to go to avoid crowds, reservations that need to be made now, and
the food plan benefits, if any.

Thanks,

MD

> First question: Have you decided for sure that you want a package?
> It's certainly easier, but if you're willing to do some research,
> you'll very possibly save money by booking your hotel and tickets
> separately.

Excellent advice and links; I've got some reading to do.

I haven't decided to do a package and noticed that the hotel is way
down at number 19 on trip advisor's site. There are some excellent
hotels very close to DW that are cheaper. One provides a very well
rated breakfast and supper buffet along with queen beds.

The benefits I see to the package are the convenience of the bus and
boat to disney when staying in the park. Everyone seems to really
enjoy the relaxing boat ride.

I think you'll be happier if you can stay on-site. It's much easier
logistically for one thing. Plus you have that Disney immerseion
24/7. You might want to think about Alligator Bayou in PO Riverside.
The second bed has a trundle bed under it in case the sisters don't
want to sleep in the same bed.

"MD" <mdindestin@m> wrote in message
news:1172453021.101880.300140@p10g2000cwp. o...
> Our family vacation this year is Disney World. My wife and I have two
> girls aged 7 and 18.
>
> We can go anytime after schol lets out in May until mid August.
>
> Research is showing that the Disney's Port Oreleans Resort - French
> Quarter is a great place to stay inside the park.
>
> I'd appreciate any tips or advice on the disney packages. The best
> time to go to avoid crowds, reservations that need to be made now, and
> the food plan benefits, if any.
>
> Thanks,
>
> MD

I just made our reservations for the end of June to stay at the POFQ! We've
been there before, and it's a lovely resort. Here in the northeast, school
doesn't let out until late June, so you might want to consider going right
after the kids are done with school in May or early June. Although the
weather will be warm, it won't be August HOT! I've been in August, and it
can definitely be scorching! As long as you stay mucho hydrated, you will
be fine. Another thing people mention is hurricane season. The last trip I
made was in August, and I had to leave Florida 2 days early because Katrina
was bearing down on us (I was with relatives in the Tampa/St. Pete area,
after the Disney trip!). This is a big concern to some people. I would
still go down that time of year if given the opportunity.

Although I've never done the food plan before, I've been reading up on it on
RADP whenever people talk about it. It seems like a very good deal to me,
especially if you like to eat in nicer restaurants. The only "drawback"
that has been mentioned, is that the servers encourage you to eat all that
you are entitled to, and it can be a lot. I'm just finishing up deciding on
our restaurant choices!

How long are you planning on staying? The length of your stay can make a
big difference in package choices vs staying off property, too. Good luck!
Ellen :)

> ...Here in the northeast, school
> doesn't let out until late June, so you might want to consider going right
> after the kids are done with school in May or early June. Although the
> weather will be warm, it won't be August HOT! I've been in August, and it
> can definitely be scorching!

I'm from the gulf coast of Florida so I was a little surprised some
recommended August. It can be brutally humid there. Only the real
French Quarter is worse than Florida in August.

> I'm just finishing up deciding on
> our restaurant choices!

So where did you chose and why?

> How long are you planning on staying? The length of your stay can make a
> big difference in package choices vs staying off property, too.

We're flexible on the number of days. I've been to WDW one time many
years ago and we ran from place to place trying to pack it all in
three days. It was not relaxing.

I started reading some of the recommended websites and feel
overwhelmed. This is going to take tons of planning. In the
meantime, everday I wait, I lose the chance to grab a choice
reservation.

I've decided on a date - June 16. Also, we will stay inside the park.

My 18 year old is very mature and has no problem gearing this vacation
towards her 7 1/2 year old sister. Should we stay at the Port Orleans
or the Wilderness Lodge or somewhere else

Finally, If anyone wants to submit a first draft itenariry for a
little online collaboration to get us started, I'd be eternally
grateful.

On Feb 27, 1:28 pm, "EllenGee61" <ellen...@> wrote:

> and me! We have an 8pm reservation that night. Decided on a walk on the
> boardwalk 3rd night, with dinner at the Big River Grille, it's a brew pub,
> and picky teen will definitely find food there. Our last night, we decided

Skip Big River. Ate there last week. Menu is ok, but the restaurant
is cramped inside, lacks atmosphere, and smells like an old brewpub.

If you do go, make sure to get a table outside.

oj

if your budget allows.
> > Wilderness Lodge is IMHO much better than Port Orleans.

You're right, it does appear to be much nicer and I'm leaning heavily
towards it.

It's strange, unless I'm missing something, the difference between 7
nights and 9 nights is only $15.00.

On Feb 28, 1:51 am, Patty Winter (pat...@wintertime.com) wrote:
> In article <1172636501.023795.143...@a75g2000cwd. .com>,
>
> MD <mdindes...@m> wrote:
> >if your budget allows.
> >> > Wilderness Lodge is IMHO much better than Port Orleans.
>
> >You're right, it does appear to be much nicer and I'm leaning heavily
> >towards it.
>
> >It's strange, unless I'm missing something, the difference between 7
> >nights and 9 nights is only $15.00.
>
> Where were you checking rates, "MD"? I just ran 7- and 9-night
> room-only rates on the WDW website, starting June 16th, and the rate
> was about $500 higher for 9 nights in a courtyard-view bunk-bed room,
> and about $900 higher for a lodge-view deluxe room.
>
> Patty

At Disney.com. I'll run it again this evening and verify it.

I think I did. Hmm, will have to visit the website later today.

Jennifer

>
> You just need to set up a login account with a password.
>
> Mark
>