How did you plan your first trip to WDW?

[heatherya]

Did you do all the work yourself, go with a travel agent, or with an online package (through Disney or some other website)? What would you recommend?

[Drince88]

My first or second trip that I planned that wasn't visiting family (quite a few years ago) my sister and I went to a TA at a brick and mortar location -(this is before they charged customers for booking air, so that's how long ago!) and he booked our air, rental car, and then called Disney to book our room. He basically didn't do any work, supply any additional information - and we had to go back to get our package paperwork because Disney sends that stuff directly to the TA.

So after that, we started booking ourselves via the phone.
Then via internet
Then I did a trip where we needed 2 rooms but were paying for them separately, but wanted them to be 'linked' in Disney's computer so that hopefully we could get connecting (because 2 of my nephews were going to be sleeping in my extra bed, while their Mom and Dad and little brother were in the other room).
So I called up a woman that I'd met through MousePad, that had become a Disney specialist TA after we first met.

Any more, I do a room-only and have a TA book the room and arrange DME, book my own flight and purchase admission media through the internet (either Disney if an AP or Undercover Tourist if a regular Magic Your Way ticket). And the TA can watch to see if any deals come out that would work for me!

We do a room only because lately I've had a AP and any others with me have gotten MYW tickets, and so a 'package' just doesn't work for us.
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What would I recommend for a first time visitor: A DISNEY SPECIALIST travel agent. They provide INVALUABLE information and support, especially for first-time visitors. You've already figured out Disneyland and WDW are quite a bit different (otherwise you wouldn't be asking this question!) so you're miles ahead of most when they decide to visit Orlando!

[oregontraveler]

First thing I did when I knew I was going to Orlando was buy the Unofficial Guide Book. Then booked thru the Disney website. This was during the Year of Million Dreams promotion, free admission on your b-day in 2009. My trip also fell during a stay 4 nights, get 3 free promotion, which was another deciding factor. I stayed at POP, LOVED it & within my budget. I also went with the dining plan, because of the convenience factor. Now... being a solo traveler, this worked well for me. It appears you have a family, so maybe a TA can work a better deal for you, give you more insight. Hopefully other padders will chime in too.

I did alot of planning beforehand though. Decided not to get the hopper-pass, so booked my sit down meals accordingly.
WDW covers alot of ground, not just the theme parks.

[Drince88]

First thing I did when I knew I was going to Orlando was buy the Unofficial Guide Book.

Particularly GREAT advice!

[heatherya]

thanks for the advice so far we're trying to see which one would be cheaper...WDW or a disney cruise...i'd love to do a cruise, but the cheapest time (november) coincides with my grandmother's 80th bday party that i can't miss. i read the unofficial guide about a year and a half ago when we thought we'd be going last september and then it fell through basically after i read through the whole book lol. so i have that as a base, but should probably pick up the new copy at the library to refresh my memory. i have a friend who is looking into deals for me and she said new price quotes will be coming out monday, so we'll see what comes up there. dh was looking at doing a package through the united website since we have free checked bags this year through his status with united.

what does doing a room only reservation do for you?

[bennette]

A room only reservation gives you the freedom to choose your own media and dining (you can add the dining package or not, add single or multi-day passes with various options or not, etc.), emphasis on the "or not". A package may throw in some freebies you may or may not want and may include free dining certain times of year. And about here is where I say get ready for the research or call the travel agent, because it can take a LOT of work to figure out what is of the most value to you and which option is really the more valuable (I can't argue that cheapest is always best). $200 for checked bags may seem like a lot (heck, it is a lot) but for a WDW trip, I wouldn't let it be the deciding factor.

[Drince88]

Another difference between room-only and package is what is due, when. With a room only, a deposit is required when booked equal to the first night, with a package, I think it's $200. Package has to be paid off 45???? days before your trip, room only, pay balance when you check in.

And adding the dining plan to a room-only (non-DVC) I THINK is only available if you're getting the room at an AP discount - but I could be wrong on that -- the dining plan doesn't work for me.

[mkraemer]

A room only reservation gives you the freedom to choose your own media and dining (you can add the dining package or not, add single or multi-day passes with various options or not, etc.), emphasis on the "or not". A package may throw in some freebies you may or may not want and may include free dining certain times of year. And about here is where I say get ready for the research or call the travel agent, because it can take a LOT of work to figure out what is of the most value to you and which option is really the more valuable (I can't argue that cheapest is always best). $200 for checked bags may seem like a lot (heck, it is a lot) but for a WDW trip, I wouldn't let it be the deciding factor.

Unless you are booking an AP or military rate room-only reservation, you cannot add dining without some kind of tickets added in to create a package. If you add tickets or dining, then you have created a package, and the different deposit requirements come into effect.

My advice as to how to book a WDW vacation? Well, it's obvious I'm going to say to talk to a Disney travel specialist. I mean, why spend hours and hours researching the various options when you can have someone who does it professionally take care of it for you...at no added cost? (Psst. Commission is built in to every reservation, no matter how its booked. Of course, the Mouse would prefer to keep the extra percentage....)

[bennette]

My first trip wasn't planned.

I was in the area and decided to spend a day there over President's Day weekend. I called Disney on the phone and got a room at POR on the drive there (I had already memorized the Unofficial Guide thinking about a possible future trip and wanted to see if I would be okay with a moderate; POFQ was booked). I went two days, visited Magic Kingdom and Epcot, using the buses during the day. I got into the French Bistro over the phone and had a lovely dinner the first day.

My first "real" trip I did online with a Disney package; it was during a big room-only discount promotion at a Deluxe. We had a very nice trip and I did everything myself but I tend to really research a trip before I go and I travel a decent amount. I've never used an agent for any Disney trip excepting a Disney cruise. All subsequent trips have been similar, some more spontaneous than others.

I do use a travel agent when I'm going somewhere overseas for the first time or somewhere far from home. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Disney specialist to anyone who hasn't been before or who hasn't traveled much, especially with a family. It's a lot to deal with. I'm always trying to get one family member in particular to use travel agents more often!

I would also ask how much other family members are going to want to be involved in the planning. (At my house, the answer is "Not at all!"). If yours tend to have a bigger voice, even if you work with a travel agent, you'll have to use other types of media and research to narrow your options since the place is just so big. For example, I'm not a big fan of the Disney planning DVD or the official Birnbaum books but they do tend to speak to kids, probably since they have more pictures and action.

Have a great time planning!

[scoobydooby]

Really badly. Didn't research, read some bad advice about fuelling up on a big breakfast before entering the parks and consequently stood in long lines and didn't take enough money to eat more than snacks at the parks. This was my 1998 honeymoon. But I fell in love with the place.......

Fast forward to 2008 and 2 children later and we could finally afford to go again. This time I read the Unofficial Guide from cover to cover and joined mouseplanet months before we travelled. GREAT trip We are back for our 4th trip with the children this summer. I am hooked!

[Eighty8Keys]

First trip was booked impulsively with very little research when I read on Mousesavers.com about free dining being offered. Did the math and found that it wasn't much different in price than the Disneyland trip we were planning. Decided to give WDW a try, one time. Called Disney Travel and was told no availability for our dates. Checked Expedia and found the free dining package available, so I booked a package with airfare through them. Had such a great time that we couldn't wait to get back although it was three years until we could manage the next trip. Next two trips we booked room only with an annual pass so we could fit both trips in within a 12 month period. Used a Disney travel specialist for both trips and was extremely pleased with the service, even for a micro-manager like myself.

The Unofficial Guide is a must-have purchase for each trip, even though a lot of the info doesn't change from year to year. It marks the start of the planning process for me. In 2008 I brought it with me to MouseFest and had co-author Len Testa autograph it. Definitely a highlight of the trip.