Having second thoughts about our first visit....

[dm0506]

We currently have reservations through a travel agent for our family of 4 (2 adults, 8 year old and 5 adult) at Animal Kingdom for 6 nights the week before Christmas. (Crowds - I know!) We also booked free dining because it is one less expense we would need to worry about. This is our first and most likely ONLY trip to WDW.

We decided to use a travel agent that was HIGHLY recommended locally and honestly, haven’t gotten much communication. She stated she would send us brochures via mail and we never received anything. We spoke at length regarding dinner reservations at the 180 day mark and I’ve heard nothing.

We are very laid back and don’t have our hearts set on ANYTHING. Just being there will be a good time for us and the kids. No special characters to meet or rides we have to ride.

As we are getting closer, I am having second thoughts and wonder if we should postpone our trip so the little one is a little older and would have memories of the vacation. The oldest is on the shorter side and was 47 inches last time I checked.

Do I follow my gut and postpone or am I just overwhelmed at all the choices and planning I’ve read about?

[sunflowers7]

In my opinion 4&5 seem like the perfect age. They are more gulable and believe in more magic that Disney has. They can go on almost all the rides. It will be fine.

[revolution]

First, I'm jealous of the Animal Kingdom reservation!

Our first trip my oldest was 5 and she still remembers some of it almost 4 years later. Our last trip my youngest was 3 and he still remembers some of the trip too.

Now, I'd start by calling and asking if she made your dining reservations. Your 180 day mark has already passed. Maybe she did make them and is bad at communication or has your email wrong?

If she doesn't have them made and it is your only trip, I'd be tempted to postpone - even for a month or two when crowds and prices are lower. I don't think you can go wrong with going or postponing.

I think you might be surprised at what rides they have for all ages and heights - I've taken my lap held infant on a bunch of rides. 47 inches can do a good majority of the "adult" rides. Here is a link with some of the height requirements:
touringplans.com/magic-kingdom/attractions/height-requirements

[momof2]

I would still go to Disney, but I would be PISSED at this TA.

[curbsideprophet]

I would still go. If you wait too long you will miss a window for the older child.

Do you have an MDE account? Do you see dining reservations listed? If you don't see any I would book some now.

[Deleted]

I would be PISSED that the TA didn't book your ADRs at 180 days. If you don't have them now make them. Then complain to her agency & make sure you make your FP plus at 60 days. Don't trust her to do it.

[zarapipe]

I would still go- IF you want to. It kind of sounds like you don't want to. My dd went when she had just turned 4 and she had a blast! It was seriously amazing. She was well behaved and just in awe the whole time.

Can you find another agent or book ADR's yourself? It's not hard.

[miss1180]

I would still go! 5 is really the perfect age! They can go on most stuff, and they're young enough to still get into the characters and stuff. We're here now with our 5 year old. We brought him Last year at 4.... And it's amazing what he still remembered :-) also if you wait too long, you might kind of miss a "window" a little bit with the older child. 47 inches is fine! My son is barely 44 inches, and the only thing he really hasn't been able to go on was the Aerosmith roller coaster which I'm not sure he would like anyway lol (it goes upside down)
But yeah I would have a big chat with your TA!!! Especially a first trip she should be better communicating!! Hopefully she made some meal reservations for you!
You mention you're pretty laid back- so maybe try to find things you want to do and let her know...

[jeaniebueller]

I think its a great age to go, but honestly the timing of the trip during the holidays would give me pause.

[dm0506]

Thanks everyone! I think I am just getting nervous because I am a planner. I'm trying to be laid back about the trip but it doesn't come naturally with my personality! LOL!

I reached out to the TA and hopefully she has good news about our ADR.
I do have access to MDE and there are no reservations listed.

We are going with the expectation that it is going to be crowded but I would love to experience the Disney Magic during the holidays too!

[Deleted]

Aug 31, 2016 11:34:38 GMT -5 dm0506 said:

Thanks everyone! I think I am just getting nervous because I am a planner. I'm trying to be laid back about the trip but it doesn't come naturally with my personality! LOL!

I reached out to the TA and hopefully she has good news about our ADR.
I do have access to MDE and there are no reservations listed.

We are going with the expectation that it is going to be crowded but I would love to experience the Disney Magic during the holidays too!

If there is an ADR you REALLY want and your TA didn't get it for you and you can't get it now, look at 60 days and 45 days ( that is when people cancel their trips ) and then again at 48 and 24 hours before you want to eat ( that is when people cancel ADRs. ) MOST things can be found 24 hours in advance online not EVERYTHING but most. 

[curbsideprophet]

I would not wait to hear back, I would start checking and booking things yourself. If the TA does have them you can just drop the ones you do not want or need.

[mmmomof2]

I wouldn't expect a TA to book ADRs or FPs. I would only expect them to get the best price on the room.

[katrinabennett]

Sept 1, 2016 15:25:00 GMT -5 mmmomof2 said:

I wouldn't expect a TA to book ADRs or FPs. I would only expect them to get the best price on the room.

Mine did all my dining. She even promised to keep an eye out for cancellations because some of my times aren't ideal.

[Deleted]

I good Disney TA will book your trip, do all of your dining, keep an eye out for any discounts that can be applied, do all of your FPs, and inform you of special events you may want to book, closures, construction, etc that effect your trip.

[dm0506]

Sept 2, 2016 9:58:20 GMT -5 @savestheday said:

I good Disney TA will book your trip, do all of your dining, keep an eye out for any discounts that can be applied, do all of your FPs, and inform you of special events you may want to book, closures, construction, etc that effect your trip.

This is exactly why we choose this TA! Obviously, we have fallen through the cracks!

If I choose to switch TA, does my reservation go with me? I don't want to lose our free dining plan.

[carolinagirl831]

Our disney agent, helped snag Fast passes and reservations for us. When i first talked with him, he told me he did this.