Brand new to WDW - please help!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-09-2007
Brand new to WDW - please help!!!
10
Fri, 02-09-2007 - 9:19pm

My husband and I have decided to take a 1 week trip to Disney World this summer. As excited as I am, I am feeling very overwhelmed with trying to do the planning. I called a travel agent and got a $4300 quote for Sunday-Sunday trip (2 adults and 2 children age 8 and 15). This includes airfare and is with a room at the QUALITY SUITES MAIN GATE, with TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE HOTEL,AND 5 DAY HOPPER PASS WHICH
INCLUDES DISNEYWORLD,MAGIC KINGDOM,EPCOT,AND ANIMAL KINGDOM. Sorry it's in caps, it is copied from the email from the TA. The plane tickets alone are $465 each so I know that is a large part of it. I just don't want to get ripped off. We also wanted to go to Sea World and were hoping to have a decent hotel. I can't even find any info on the Quality Suites.

Anyhow, isn't $4300 a little high? I know July is probably not the best time to go, but we have restrictions at work that won't allow us to go any other time.

This is a once in a lifetime thing for us, we never even had a honeymoon and have never really vacationed before. We just want this to be special for our daughter and niece.

Thank you for your suggestions. I am really afraid of overpaying for this trip, but am willing to pay what it takes to make it an unforgettable time. Thanks!

Colleen

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 02-09-2007 - 9:51pm

Hi and Welcome!!

I don't know your exact dates in July, but I just priced out a Sunday through Sunday in the middle of the month on the Disney site, and it looks like you could stay on-site at All Star Movies (value resort), with 8 day park hoppers and water park option, for $2164. You could use Disney's Magical Express from the airport (it's Disney's complimentary transfer service). I have no idea where you are flying from, but those ticket prices seem outrageous to me. If I were you, I'd look into airfare on your own, on carriers like Southwest, Airtran, etc.

I think you could stay on-site (which in my opinion, is THE way to go) and pay much less. We do have a "resident TA" on the board...I'm sure she'll have more advice for you!

Good luck with your planning!
Marcy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-09-2007
Fri, 02-09-2007 - 10:10pm

Thanks Marcy!

So this hotel is not on-site? Sorry, I am WDW challenged. I specifically told this TA that we want to stay on-site. We do need beds in separate rooms (like a pull-out couch in one room and then a queen in the next) since my niece is 15 and a little body conscious around my husband.

We are flying from Idaho so we are having a tough time getting decent ticket prices. This is actually the cost with us driving 1.5 hours to the nearest "big" airport in Spokane, Washington. Flying out of our closest airport is almost $600 per person. This is from Sunday, 7/8 through the next Saturday (or Sunday, I forget which).

Any more thoughts? Thanks!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 02-09-2007 - 10:31pm

The Quality Inn that you mentioned is not on-site. It is not a Disney property. I might suggest finding a travel agent who is a Disney Specialist....this way they can REALLY help you book the trip of your dreams (because they know the in's and out's of everything Disney!)

Sounds like you will need a suite or something similar. I'd suggest the All Star Music Suites, or the Fort Wilderness cabins. Each have separate rooms and living quarters. The All Star suites have 2 bathrooms, which might come in handy. The cabins have fully equipped kitchens and are really private and lovely!

Again, searching the Disney site (mind you, these are non-discounted, rack rates, and there is a possiblity of maybe getting a discount code or offer at some point), it looks like the All Star Music suites would run you about $2932 with 8 day park hoppers and Magical Express, and the Fort Wilderness Cabins would be about $2995 with the same hoppers and ME. If you are a AAA member, you could always book through them and get the AAA discount, if no other discounts for July come along.

Have you done a search on your own for airfare? Does Southwest or AirTran fly from Spokane? I'd check them out just to get an idea.

Marcy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-20-2005
Fri, 02-09-2007 - 10:44pm
Hi there, I haven't been there yet but I've been in planning mode for almost a year now!!LOL!! We're going in may, the website allearsnet.com was a life saver for me, I think I have now been to every page, it is very well laid out, gives prices, maps and pictures and explaines alot! we're doing the dining plan for our family which is something else you will want to take a look at atleast. We're also doing the fowrt wilderness cabins someone already mentioned. and I used the CL here (sonya)

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Avatar for superbmom
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 02-09-2007 - 11:14pm

Our local AAA agent did not come in lower than when my hubby called Disney himself (they did offer trip insurance more cheaply tho)

We stayed in the on site suites at All star Music and I really liked it a lot. I love staying on site! They was plenty of privacy, I think your niece could be very comfortable, if the July prices are not too high for your budget. The suite could save money on food cause of the kitchette, even if you are on the dining plan.

Flying from Washington can be pricey, I have a relative out that way. Buying airline tickets is pretty much like playing the stock market! So hard to tell which way the will go. I don't know what the average is but our plane tix were about 25% of our WDW budget (5 tix from Chicago) Maybe you can use a credit card or other membership to try and make the purchases for cash back or something and try to save there.

And definatly keep coming back to this board. Many Disney Gurus here!
GL!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Fri, 02-09-2007 - 11:45pm

Hi there and welcome to our board! I have to re-read your original post again but one other thing jumped out at me regarding your Travel Agent (aside from giving you a resort that was not onsite after you specifically requested one that was).

Val, Co-CL Disney Vacations

Avatar for lvstravel
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 02-10-2007 - 11:17am

Southwest Airlines flys out of Spokane, so you may want to look at a vacation package from them.

Debbie

WDW April 2007, Port Orleans Riverside:

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-09-2007
Sun, 02-11-2007 - 2:46pm

Yes, I asked if Sonya would take over as our TA and she is right on top of things already. I already feel great relief as it is evident she really knows what she is doing.

Thanks so much Sonya!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-15-2005
Sun, 02-11-2007 - 10:52pm
You're a good hands!! Relax and enjoy the planning!! :)

Val, Co-CL Disney Vacations º0º



WDW Trips: April '72, June '85, June '91 - offsite; May '03 - VWL, Nov '04 - BCV, May '05 - VWL, March '06

Val, Co-CL Disney Vacations