March 17, 2008

The Happiest Place

We're going back to Disney World this fall. It will have been 3 years since we were there last. If we could we'd go every year. My dilemma is this, I have a code that will allow us to stay in a moderate resort cheaper than we could stay in a value resort. We have to book by the end of the month to get this special price but now after seeing some of the special packages they have for spring break, I'm wondering if we'd get a better deal if we waited til fall to book our trip. With the economy the way it is, I think they are working harder to lure vacationers. I'd love to hear your Disney tips, hints and money saving advice.

24 comments:

  1. We just got back from DW a week ago! We had a great time, as usual, and we stayed at the Swan with a deal I got through Travelocity. With fall being hurricane season I'd be hesitant to try to go then, but I'm pretty wimpy about hurricane-cancellations!

    Love your hair, btw!

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  2. Oooh, can I go too? I've never been there. I love Disneyland here on the West Coast but I just know Disney World would be such fun. ~Adrienne~

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  3. Book it now. You can always cancel and rebook a better package if one comes up. People do it all the time. Also, try this DW site - http://www.intercot.com/ for more advice + the link to the AWESOMEST DW travel agency ever- http://www.yourmagicaljourneys.com

    Magical Journeys is completely free. Seriously. I booked my hotel room through them last January (with Elaine) and they did not charge me one cent to do it (They get their kickback from DW). Every I asked for was taken care of beforehand and they let me pay in full before I even showed up. They also help keep an eye out for better deals for you and if one comes up- they call and explain it to you and ask if you want to change to the better deal.

    I adore DW and can't wait to go back!

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  4. Sounds like fun! I have only been to Disneyland.
    Rosemary

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  5. The fall! It's hot and that's the worst part but it's so much cheaper and it's a lot less crowded. We've gone in September the last 2 times and it makes such a difference. Just don't tell anyone, I don't want it to get any busier! :)

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  6. I forgot to say, just get travel insurance in case there's a hurricane. I think it cost us $200 but when you think about how much you're spending, it's worth the peace of mind!

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  7. I forgot to say, just get travel insurance in case there's a hurricane. I think it cost us $200 but when you think about how much you're spending, it's worth the peace of mind!

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  8. What an exciting trip! I've only been there once and it was a blast! Have a photo of Mickey and me in my family room. I agree with Cris...book now, you can always cancel and rebook if a better offer comes up. Good luck!

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  9. We are having a similar dilemma for booking for July or August. With the price of gas, the airfares keep going up an average of 50. dollars every few weeks...all our kids are considered "adults" so its quite pricey. Good luck to you. If you book Expedia, at least you can cancel and re-book if you want..thats probably what we will wind up doing.

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  10. I love these blog posts about favorite things as they are a great way to find new things to love! I adore Anthropologie- have you seen their large Doodle books? Too cute. I realized today that I've had the URL for your blog wrong on my list, so have it corrected now. Sorry 'bout that! Love your new 'do! Adorable!

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  11. Hi Jen,
    Heather at Splaneyo blog just got back from Disney World and seemed to have picked up a few tips. She even suggested where to eat that is good and reasonable...check her out and drop her a line!!

    Lucky you...I think I need a trip away from the cold, too!!

    Linda
    xoxo

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  12. Ok, so you don't know who I am but I visit your blog often and never leave a comment. However this time I had to leave one. I had to tell you about an amazing book to help you plan your entire vacation. It's called Fodors Disney with Kids 2008. We went to Disney two years ago and I read this book, and took notes, ahead of time. I found it to be such a valuable tool in helping us plan our trip. It was my bible!! Have a great time planning!!

    -Tami

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  13. Hi Jen :)

    I've never been to Disney World, but DisneyLAND is another story. We went there at least 2 times a year when I lived in CA and I miss it now that I'm in Ohio. I'm going to have to look for tips from you, because Annie wants to go there this year....

    Rue :)

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  14. We just got back from Disney World! We had a great time. We stayed at the All-Star Music resort because my daughter's show choir was staying at that resort, so I didn't shop for deals on lodging. I would recomend getting the meal plan. I don't remember how much it cost, but I do know it saved us money on food. Ask about it when you make your reservations. Have fun on your trip!

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  15. Hey Jen- It's Christine. We go to Disney every year. We went once in September and then we moved our trip later to go when the Christmas lights and decorations and events start. If you can possibly go then it's a great time!

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  16. I have been to Disney Land when young. BobVilla has never been, nor the children. I am excited to hear of all the ins and outs of this wonderful place. We really want to take them there soon. This is a great idea for a post Jen girl.

    Does anyone else have wonderful places to go (in the west) for a fun family vacation? My kids are total water babies, so we gotta GOTTA have a pool.

    PS--
    Love the new do, girlfriend. totally fresh on ya!
    Lisa
    coastal nest

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  17. Have you been to http://www.mousesavers.com/
    I go there looking for Disney Deals. You probably won't get a better deal if you wait. If you do find one, you can cancel the one you booked and rebook with the cheaper rate, I think you can cancel upto 2 weeks before your trip without penalty, but check on cancelation terms when you book.

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  18. We took the family this past XMas, we rented a house just outisde the park we had so much room and the garage was turned into a gameroom, we had a ball. In the past we always stayed in the park, loved the Carribean Beach Hotel, my daughter was a cheerleader and we stayed at the All Star (small rooms but reasonable prices..it's where the team stayed so we had no choice..not my favorite place in Disney though) another great place more upscale that we loved was the Yacht/Boat Club..you can walk right into Epcot or take a boatride, such a pretty place.
    Another thing we learned this year was different parks stayed open beyond closing times for DISNEY hotel guests only. Just so happened friends were staying in the park and we borrowed their identification (room keys) Christmas time is pretty but very crowded. November is a great time to go too, before the crowds of Thanksgiving.

    Hope this helped and I hope you have a ball !!!

    One more thing we ate at an Italian restaurant/Narcoossee's at the Grand Floridan, they do the fireworks at 9 pm and you can go out on their porch and watch them, best I think we ever saw !!

    Kathy :)
    jokaj@comcast.net

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  19. We just returned yesterday...very crowded but we are early risers and did everything we wanted before 12:00. We used a travel agent that will book your trip and re-book for you automatically with any (lower) price changes. Give me a shout if you have any questions!

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  20. We spent New Year's at the happiest place on earth and we stayed at the Port Orleans French Quarter, a moderate resort. Booked through Magical Journeys and we had Karen do all the hard work for us. She was great and got us (a total of 10) a great price. I also used intercot.com to plan our trip and read everything they had to offer. I have a few pictures posted in January. Stop by and take a look. Have a magical time!

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  21. Did you get in on the dining plan-it's the best! We're going this fall for our 2nd time.

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  22. Ok, now it is getting scary how many things we have in common. We are going to DW in Sept AND I have an Emma too. WOW!

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  23. I love DW too..my BIL works for ABC so we get in free and mega discounts on hotels. We've stayed at the discount places but this year in june we are staying in the carabian resorts...a step up I guess. Rented a condo on the beach and then 3 days of disney. My favorites are Soaring at epcot and love the 3rd movie Mickeys philharmagic at magic kingdom!

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  24. Oh yeah we did get trapped by hurricane Jean a few years back...it was not so bad and makes for a great story to tell lol

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