Monday, March 24, 2014

WDW Planning - Help!




Last week I confessed casually mentioned to my husband that I registered us for the Wine & Dine half marathon taking place in WDW in November. I've been talking about it for a while, but I think it still took him by surprise since we don't even know where we'll be living then. His work training ends around October and that's when we'll find out where he will actually be working. Could be back here with me, could be in Texas, could be anywhere! (As a planner, this whole living life on the edge thing drives me nuts!)

 He gave me the okay to start cautiously planning, keeping in mind that we may have to defer the race and cancel the trip. :/ I've found some stuff on the interwebs and it sounds like you have to cancel at least 45 days prior to get a full refund on a package. Room-only reservations are a bit different.

 What are the advantages/disadvantages to booking a package (room & tickets, no dining plan)? What do you normally book and why?

 I'm definitely used to Disneyland. Planning for WDW is a whole new world to me- more parks, more hotels, more options! 
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10 comments:

  1. LaurenMarch 24, 2014 at 5:31 AM

    Dooon't purchase tickets on the Disney website. The runDisney discounts are WAY better (I have an excel sheet with comparable numbers... trust me lol)... if you reserve a room through the Disney website, you only have to pay one night at the time of reservation I believe and you can always cancel if need be (I want to say you can even wait until a few days before but you'll definitely want to double check that). I hope this info helps! :0) Have fun planning!

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    1. KimMarch 24, 2014 at 9:31 PM

      I trust you! :) How do you buy the discounted tickets? Do they offer discounted room rates? I feel like I read somewhere that you can't hook up your tickets to your magic band until you get to the hotel, which means you can't make your fast pass reservations? You're right about the cancellation- it's about a week before. I'm sure I'll have more questions! :)

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    2. LaurenMarch 25, 2014 at 5:06 PM

      Discount tix website:
      https://disneytickets.disney.go.com/store/mfns8/eventCodeEntry.html

      The code to use will be in your Wine & Dine registration confirmation email :0)

      During November, there is usually a room-only resort discount offered but they won't announce it until sometime during the summer. I would book a room just in case it's a resort that sells out fast then rebook at the lower cost when discounts are announced!

      When we used our magic bands, we were able to link the tickets to them online before we got to WDW so you shouldn't have any issues there :0)

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    3. KimMarch 26, 2014 at 2:56 PM

      Awesome! Thank you!

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  2. UnknownMarch 24, 2014 at 6:53 PM

    I usually price both packages and the hotel/park tickets separately. Unless Disney is offering free dining with their packages, separately is usually cheaper. If you are planning on 7 days or less in the parks, the discount park hopper through runDisney is your best bet. Please do plan on at least 7 days in the parks, because there is a lot to see/do!

    Probably the biggest difference between planning a trip to WDW versus a trip to DLR is dining. If you plan on dining at table service locations (and WDW has tons of them!), you need to make your ressies 180 days in advance. I have heard Disney's new cancellation may be helping, but in recent years walk-ups at popular restaurants were non-existent!

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    1. KimMarch 24, 2014 at 9:39 PM

      I think we're only planning for 2 days in the parks for Wine & Dine. :/ I'm trying to convince my husband to take two shorter trips so we can go back for marathon weekend. :) I'm excited to make dining reservations! There are so many amazing places to try!

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  3. Fairytales and FitnessMarch 24, 2014 at 9:56 PM

    Kim, what the above bloggers said is true and Disney is pretty good about cancellations too. I am a certified Disney Travel planner and I can actually book a room only or package reservation for you. One advantage to having an agent like myself book for you is that we are constantly being updated with the most current deals. If a better deal comes out after you booked yours we will contact you and let you know. Disney won't call you back and tell you that your room went on sale...lol I would also suggest getting a Disney Visa card if you don't already have one. once in a while it gives you perks! Feel free to contact me if you'd like my help. -meranda

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    1. KimMarch 25, 2014 at 7:39 AM

      Thanks for the tips, Meranda! I'm a little hesitant to go with a travel agent because there's a high chance I'll have to cancel. It's a lot of work to put someone through to end up canceling in the end. :/ But, if I do go with an agent, you're my first choice! :)

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  4. UnknownMarch 25, 2014 at 6:57 PM

    I usually book a package since it is easier for me to have things prepaid so I only have to worry about spending money once I arrive. For races I get my tickets through runDisney since they have the best prices I've seen.

    I hope you make it since I'm going to be there. :)

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    1. KimMarch 26, 2014 at 2:58 PM

      I hope I make it, too! It would be nice to meet you finally! :)

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