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Post by rahnee on Aug 2, 2019 3:20:30 GMT
We went June/July this year and exactly the same time in 2017. We found 2017 really easy. Crowds were never a problem. We were actually so surprised that July 4 was such a quiet time. Then fast forward to this trip. Crowds were insane. Thank goodness for fastpasses. We didn't wait in lines but we really took advantage of fastpasses.
We booked a campsite at Fort Wilderness and rented a camper for our 11 night stay. It was really glamping. Airconditioning. Came with an outdoor kitchen as well as an outdoor fan and chairs and everything we could need inside. It was a great place to come back to at night to wind down. We loved the boat to the Magic Kingdom. And it gave us the option to save money on food as we had all our own facilities. We didn't cook but had snacks and breakfast foods, water and icecream, soda and snacks. It saved us a fortune.
For us, we don't see value in the dining plan. We do eat at a lot of restaurants but the meals are so big. With 2 teenagers we found we could share meals and still have food left over. Next time I think we will cut down booking restaurants as there are so many really good quick service options. We really loved Pecos Bills this time. A serving of nacho's at around $10 fed two of us. I would do the dining plan if we got free dining but the one time we did have it, we felt we were wasting so much food.
Just a shout out too for the Nomad Lounge at Animal Kingdom. What an amazing place for a break, a cold drink and a couple of small plates to share. An absolute piece of paradise amongst the crowd. We ended up here a couple of times, sitting out on the deck, relaxing on the couch and enjoying our cold drinks and food.
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Post by JBeans on Aug 2, 2019 4:45:31 GMT
Ok. These are really good tips and perspectives. Keep them coming.
I’ve been before when I was a teen. It was just before they opened they opened Animal Kingdom. So, I know it’s changed HUGE.
I know what magic is at DW. My husband has no clue. He’s the type of guy that doesn’t have a good impression of Disney, but from other travel experiences I’ve had with him, I know when he gets there, he’ll be blown away.
Time of year: I don’t want absolute insane crowds. So off season. I’ve done last two weeks of August and the weather was perfect. I know that’s hurricane season but it was a time when the park was super quiet but the all the rides were still open. And there were deals on park tickets. I have no idea if ticket prices for on and off season change.
I’m thinking Disney for a week is more than enough. If on site, I’d even consider a one day car rental and take a day trip somewhere else. But I don’t know that yet. Nothing is concrete.
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Post by JBeans on Aug 2, 2019 5:05:26 GMT
Also want to add, what kind of discounts do you get with CAA?
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Post by katlaw on Aug 2, 2019 6:05:48 GMT
Seeing as you are Canadian do you collect Airmiles? We have an Airmiles Mastercard. We earn Airmiles at Shell, Sobeys, Safeway, Rexall, etc. I watch for bonus Airmiles, you can put the app on your phone to watch for offers. We are going to WDW next March with 6 of us and I have enough Airmiles that we all have 7 day park passes for free. If you are planning on staying on Disney property and do not have firm dates you want to go yet, consider going during free dining plan days. WDW Dining Plan
and some 2020 WDW Dining Plan If you stay on property transportation is free from the airport to your resort and free around the resort. Boats, monorail and buses go from resorts to the transportation centre and to the parks. My favourite time to go is mid-October to mid-November for the Halloween theming. The weather is nice, humid but not unbearably hot. I also like March. If you want to go to one of the Disney waterparks do not go November to February/March - they are closed for the cooler weather. Check out these websites for great info MousesaversDisney Food BlogPassporter.comAllears.net |
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Post by katlaw on Aug 2, 2019 6:07:31 GMT
Also want to add, what kind of discounts do you get with CAA? They have some great WDW packages where you get your room, flights and tickets for a better price. And they have a lot of "Disney" specialist travel agents. They are worth talking to you before you book anything. |
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Post by JBeans on Aug 2, 2019 6:34:08 GMT
Katlaw, thanks for that! I hate air miles so nope, that won’t work for me. I was looking at some other options, one was pros and cons of renting vacation points and also looking at grocery delivery for some meals. Trying to figure out a few hacks, especially if the CDN dollar is crap. I’m trying to figure out pro and cons of package vs. Pricing separate. Like I said, nothing concrete. Just reading and asking. AMA is a definite. I saw the disney specialists. Also want to add, what kind of discounts do you get with CAA? They have some great WDW packages where you get your room, flights and tickets for a better price. And they have a lot of "Disney" specialist travel agents. They are worth talking to you before you book anything. |
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Post by katlaw on Aug 2, 2019 16:12:02 GMT
For renting points and staying in a DVC property use David's DVC unless you know someone with a DVC and extra points. We have been DVC members since 2007 and love ours. I do have some friends with a timeshare in Orlando who have rented theirs out. They have a beautiful unit. If you are interested in talking to them (no pressure) let me know, they are awesome people. I would rent from them with no concerns if I did not own my own. We usually use Garden Grocer or Wal-Mart grocery delivery. Make sure you order some cases of water. The parks have no problem with you bringing in your own bottle of water each and you can easily refill for the day in the parks. And water bottles are expensive in the parks. AMA has bank machines at some of their locations which give out USD. I watch for our dollar to swing high and will stop by pick up some US cash for a future trip when the rate is good. |
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,322 
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Post by gina on Aug 2, 2019 18:45:24 GMT
Join the Disney Junkies page on FB. TONS of info!
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craftymom101
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,789
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Post by craftymom101 on Aug 2, 2019 21:11:40 GMT
Ok. These are really good tips and perspectives. Keep them coming. I’ve been before when I was a teen. It was just before they opened they opened Animal Kingdom. So, I know it’s changed HUGE. I know what magic is at DW. My husband has no clue. He’s the type of guy that doesn’t have a good impression of Disney, but from other travel experiences I’ve had with him, I know when he gets there, he’ll be blown away. Time of year: I don’t want absolute insane crowds. So off season. I’ve done last two weeks of August and the weather was perfect. I know that’s hurricane season but it was a time when the park was super quiet but the all the rides were still open. And there were deals on park tickets. I have no idea if ticket prices for on and off season change. I’m thinking Disney for a week is more than enough. If on site, I’d even consider a one day car rental and take a day trip somewhere else. But I don’t know that yet. Nothing is concrete. The end of August is typically super hot and humid. I’ve done Disney in August and while we had fun, we were hot, sweaty, and cranky by the end of the day. I wouldn’t say the weather is “perfect”, plus we have daily storms during that time of year. Research the weather and plan accordingly! I will never do Disney in August or September again.  |
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Post by nellej on Aug 2, 2019 22:03:09 GMT
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julieb
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,845
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Post by julieb on Aug 2, 2019 22:13:40 GMT
Probably my best tip is that any of the walk up food stands will give you water in a cup if you ask. No need to buy bottled water.
When we went when my kids were little, we would pack PB & J sandwiches and dh and I would split a meal.
Edited to add that went most of the time in the first week of May. I took the kids out of school - didn't care if it upset the teachers, my kids had really good attendance. Great time to go. Went one time in August - it was hell.
I've also been there twice in October with my friends and it was a good time to go. Food & Wine festival at Epcot is great!!
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Post by Tamhugh on Aug 2, 2019 22:20:08 GMT
One thing to remember is that with Galaxy's Edge opening, all bets are off on good times to go. We are DVC members and take frequent short trips. On our last few trips cast members have been saying how worried they are about the kind of crowds they will be getting. We are going in October and planning to skip Hollywood Studios, but know the other parks will be packed to deal with the overflow.
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Post by JBeans on Aug 8, 2019 0:41:34 GMT
One thing to remember is that with Galaxy's Edge opening, all bets are off on good times to go. We are DVC members and take frequent short trips. On our last few trips cast members have been saying how worried they are about the kind of crowds they will be getting. We are going in October and planning to skip Hollywood Studios, but know the other parks will be packed to deal with the overflow. Yeah, this is a bit of my fear. But, at the same time, this isn’t something i’m planning to do next year. This is something i’m thinking about doing in two to 3 years. |
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Kath
Full Member
Posts: 446
Jun 26, 2014 12:15:31 GMT
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Post by Kath on Aug 8, 2019 1:36:03 GMT
I disagree with avoiding holiday times. We went at Christmastime several years ago and went to MK one day during the day and again for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party which is a separate ticketed event at night. In hindsight, we really only needed to go to the Christmas party. With our ticket for that we could get in early before the park closed to the public, around 4:00 pm-ish and stay until midnight or so which was more than enough time for us. The lines were short even for the most popular attractions, the crowds were much thinner and we even got all the free cookies, cocoa, apple slices and water we wanted from the special stands they had set up for the event. Plus the park was all decorated with lights and stuff for the holidays so we got some awesome photos. At some point I’d love to go back for the Halloween party they put on which is similar. Yes, but not between Christmas and New Year, right? Early December is supposed to be a great time to go (I've not done it because of the kids' schedules....damn kids  ). We almost went to Halloween party last August but the first party got terrible reviews due to crowds so we opted to skip the 2nd party (our last night). I'd love to go back in October for that too. I was there for the first one last August. I didn’t think the crowds were too bad at all. We got on all of the rides without having to wait hardly any time. It was fun. We paid extra for the dessert event as well that night and had our own private table reserved over in Tomorrow Land. The desserts were mostly the same as what you could get if you just walked around the park though so wasn’t too impressed by that, but it was nice to sit and enjoy the fireworks. |
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). We almost went to Halloween party last August but the first party got terrible reviews due to crowds so we opted to skip the 2nd party (our last night). I'd love to go back in October for that too.