My First Disney Post

[buckeyegirl]

We have just decided to go on a Caribbean cruise this summer and thought we would spend a couple days at Disney before we go since it leaves out of Orlando.  I haven't paid attention to too many of the posts because they hadn't applied to me.  We'll only have 2-3 days.  Where can I get a nice summary of what I should figure out in terms of where to stay, dining plans, character meals?  I need a beginner's guide to Disney.

[londoncalling]

I really like easywdw.com to help you plan according to projected crowds, come up with a touring plan (cheat sheets) for each park. They also have hotel and dining reviews.

The big thing to decide is if you want to stay on Disney property. If you want to stay onsite, then you choose between levels: value, moderate, and deluxe. You can price things out on disney.com to give you an idea for your dates what each level's prices are.

[countthestars]

What is your budget? What are you looking for in terms of hotel room, transportation, dining (sit down or counter service)? How old are your kid(s)?

I would definitely stay on property and we can give you hotel recommendations based on your budget. You will need to book soon to be able to get your dining reservations.

[buckeyegirl]

My son will be 3. My budget is I want to spend as little as possible but still experience everything that we can. I think we want to stay on property because then we probably won't need a car with all the complimentary transportation they seem to have. I am fine with a value hotel. I haven't compared enough to see the difference in amenities between the different hotel levels. We only have 2-3 days so I just want to spend a couple days at the park and eat at a few cool restaurants and just enjoy what's there. Where can I find the character meals? I know we might be a little late to get our first preferences for things. This was just a spur of the moment decision. I will also check out easywdw.com. Thanks for quick help!

[buckeyegirl]

For the dates we are there Pop Century, All Star Music, All Star Movie and All Star Sports are the same price and Art of Animation is slightly more. He likes Cars, Planes and Doc McStuffins. Cars and Planes probably wouldn't have any I would guess. I think he would really just be fascinated by anything. So somewhere that my DH and I would like to eat as well.

[auntie]

If you're doing a Disney Cruise, they have packages that include both. There are nice opportunities to meet characters on the ship, so you can do your character meal there instead of at WDW.

[Deleted]

Feb 4, 2015 14:02:12 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

For a truly value pricing, I'd recommend Pop Century.

Art of animation is a value also, but I feel like the pricing is definitely more in line with a moderate. But the resort is really cool and super well themed. No restaurant onsite besides the food court. But for a first trip, the theming would be SUPER fun for a kid.

I love the 70s section of Pop that faces the lake. It's likes a little oasis in all the Disney Madness of Pop. 

I also like that Pop has one bus stop. 

[Deleted]

I like The Garden Grill at Epcot for a character meal. Dinner only, great meal brought to your table & good character interactions. Mickey and friends.

[Deleted]

Feb 4, 2015 16:39:33 GMT -5 chilerellanos said:

Feb 4, 2015 16:34:30 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

I like The Garden Grill at Epcot for a character meal. Dinner only, great meal brought to your table & good character interactions. Mickey and friends.

Forgot about that one!

The kids meals there are so good. I kept stealing DS' Mac & cheese & sweet potato churro fries.

[londoncalling]

Hollywood and Vine also has Disney Jr lunch buffet now.

We've stayed at Pop before. Like the single bus stop. Downside to values is two double beds or 1 king. But with just 3 of you that should be manageable for you.

Id decide what you want to see and what parks you want to go to.

[Deleted]

Make sure to book your FP plus. It's like imperitive.