Feb 2022 Disney trip - couple questions

[lessel]

We're thinking about a Disney trip in Feb 2022. We'd wanted to do one this past Feb before DS2 turned 3 (save what little $$ we could, lol). But alas, looking at next year. DS2 will be 3 and DS1 will be 6.

Should we start planning/booking stuff now? Where do I start?

We went in 2018 but it was just two days--MK and AK. I think we want to do like 4-5 days, stay on property, etc. My parents live about 45 minutes from the parks, but I think we just want to relax and would rather hang at pools instead of spending a ton of time in the car back and forth. (I grew up there and we had APs as kids, so going to Disney was always like a fun day or afternoon thing--or even a field trip with school!--it wasn't a whole vacation.)

It all just kind of seems overwhelming to plan a full week. Any advice is appreciated.

[maudefindlay]

We are going spring 2022. So many things are still unavailable right now (no fast passes etc), so just checking updates online right now. Dining reservations can be made 60 days out and you will want to go online and do that as soon as you can as those go fast I am told (though by Feb with more restaurants hopefully opened up that might help).

I think right now you can figure out which days you want to do which parks and start planning an itinerary for rides.

[curbsideprophet]

I would start with budget and resort. On-site or off?

How many people are traveling? Do you fit in a regular hotel room or would a suite interest you?

Consider if you want to use a travel agent.

Definitely not too early to start planning.

[lessel]

Jun 5, 2021 13:28:20 GMT -5 curbsideprophet said:

I would start with budget and resort. On-site or off?

How many people are traveling? Do you fit in a regular hotel room or would a suite interest you?

Consider if you want to use a travel agent.

Definitely not too early to start planning.

I think we’ll probably stay on-site. Not sure about budget yet.

Probably do a suite or something so we get some semblance of rest. A TBD factor is whether my parents want to come with us. Ideally it’d be somewhere we could get a suite for our family and they could get a room for them.

Open to travel agents. I know zero about this, so any recs welcome!

[taratru]

Suites are limited and very expensive, even the ones at Art of Animation.

I second deciding on a budget to guide you. Even in February, room costs range wildly, and you'll want to consider cost against other things like location, room size, and resort amenities.

[mainelyfoolish]

If you’re willing to stay off-site, there are many nice timeshare resorts nearby where you can get a 2 or three bedroom condo for a fraction of the cost of a Disney suite. Search online and you’ll find brokers who facilitate this or you can also rent directly from owners on places like eBay or redweek. Some resorts also rent directly, which costs more than going through a broker/owner, but will have cancellation terms more like that of a hotel. I’ve stayed at Wyndham Bonnet Creek a few times; it is literally next to Disney Caribbean Beach!

[sent]

The true on-site properties don't have many suites. I like staying at the Swan which is on-property but owned and managed by Marriott so I can book a room with points and at least save something. The Dolphin hotel is part of the Swan/Dolphin complex and they are also opening a third hotel building on the complex this fall. They do have suites at Swan/Dolphin. I have not stayed in one as I don't want to spend the extra money and would rather spend it on food or in the parks. The Swan/Dolphin is easily walkable to Epcot & Hollywood Studios.

The last time we went, we did 5 nights at Swan and then moved over to the Contemporary for 2 (or 3? I don't remember) nights to be walking distance to Magic Kingdom. Location was the key selling point for the Contemporary. It did not have a relaxing feel.

If you want true relaxation in a gorgeous calm place, stay at the Four Seasons Orlando. So amazing. All of us (me, DD, and my husband) can't wait to return there someday.