I am headed back to the World in a bit (47 days or something like that), all by myself and I. Am. So. Excited.
That is all. More later, just wanted to share.
Main Mouse
Parade Magic!
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
Where to Stay
On site (the bubble) or off site? Fast Pass Plus (FPP) is the deciding factor for me. Today. With Disney making so many changes, so fast, this could change. As of right now, and it is only for the right now, off site has to go to a kiosk in your park of choice, and sign up for fast passes that day. If you can stay on site, that is optimal due to advanced Fast Pass Plus booking (60 days out from trip). Not always practical due to size of your family and monetary concerns, but it is lovely to have advanced FPP. The lines to get those fast passes for offsite guests can be borderline insane and since the gist of FPP is to help alleviate lines, well, ??? Not sure what will happen when the parks get really crowded this summer, but until the lines get more manageable for FPP kiosks, then think seriously about staying on site.
That said, I will devote two different posts to where to stay- on site and off site. This post concerns ON site lodging alternatives.
If you are a family of four, you are pretty golden. Three levels of resorts (the term resort here makes me laugh somewhat, but I digress)- Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. There are campsites available for your tent or parking for your RV. At the campsite location (Fort Wilderness, NOT to be confused with the Wilderness Lodge), there are also cabins available. There is also a moderate choice called tree houses. There is Villa options in the Disney Vacation Club resorts or buildings (there are several DVC buildings attached to resorts as well as a resort which is ONLY DVC- Old Key West). The DVC option becomes available to the masses, should there be any unused rooms available but at premium rates and definitely closer to your travel date. If you are booking a year in advance, you won't find any villas available. The DVC has from studios up to three bedrooms, all with kitchens and every third (or fourth?) day maid and trash pickup.
Families of five or more get a somewhat modified selection of above. A couple of value resorts have two room suites which have sleeping for six (albeit very tight), and one moderate, and most (but not all) deluxe have day beds which work for a family of five. The tree houses, and the cabins also work for a larger family.
Villas that are two or three bedrooms have extra space as well (one bedroom and studios are only compatible for four people), but definitely at a premium price.
Lastly, for the truly ambitious, there is a community of homes for purchase, called Golden Oaks. These homes are located in the world, they have all the benefits of staying on site, and they are home ownership. Very, very, very expensive home ownership. If you are inclined to retire well and have all the children and grandchildren come visit, this is the place for you. The prices start well into the million dollar range and go up. But! They have all the perks, and transportation, and options as an onsite guest. Just throwing this one out there. If you have spare time, google Golden Oaks Disney and check it out. It is lovely.
You will notice that I am not doing a ton of recommending up to this point. There are several sites which do a good job of breaking down the differences between resorts. I like EasyWDW.com and Disboards.com, and allears.net.
This post is to let you know that you have a gazillion options, and figure out what you want, and what you can afford, what you need (a room to sleep, or a room to relax or a room that is close to where you want to go?), and go from there.
Oh, and the reason I laugh at the term resort? Values and Moderates, both, have doors that open to the outside world. In my mind, that is a motel, not a resort. That said, there is lots of theming (you will hear that word, A LOT), and some lovely pool areas which could be indicative of the word resort. Just be aware. Doors that open to the outside also means that windows face the walkways to rooms as well. Your "view" will be the view plus other folks trying to get to their room. Something to think about when you want to pay for an enhanced view.
Deluxe resorts are definitely closer to the meaning of the word resort- interior hallways and doors, and windows to the outside, often (but not always) with balconies, which make the view much more of a viable option. Many amenities and pool areas which are often really good, to great.
Lastly, WDW on site guests have a few benefits beyond advance booking of FPP for on site guests. The use of the Magical Express for transportation to and from the airport and your resort (they won't take you to a park first, you MUST go to your resort first). The Extra Magic Hours which can be an hour before the park opens to the masses outside of the bubble, or an hour after the park closes to the masses (enforced generally by checking for magic bands on rides. If you aren't a 'bubble' guest, you can still shop and spend your money, just not ride rides). A resort guest can also purchase something in a shop and have it sent to the resort instead of lugging it around the park (more incentive to BUY), though this option is not available on your last day.
That said, I will devote two different posts to where to stay- on site and off site. This post concerns ON site lodging alternatives.
If you are a family of four, you are pretty golden. Three levels of resorts (the term resort here makes me laugh somewhat, but I digress)- Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. There are campsites available for your tent or parking for your RV. At the campsite location (Fort Wilderness, NOT to be confused with the Wilderness Lodge), there are also cabins available. There is also a moderate choice called tree houses. There is Villa options in the Disney Vacation Club resorts or buildings (there are several DVC buildings attached to resorts as well as a resort which is ONLY DVC- Old Key West). The DVC option becomes available to the masses, should there be any unused rooms available but at premium rates and definitely closer to your travel date. If you are booking a year in advance, you won't find any villas available. The DVC has from studios up to three bedrooms, all with kitchens and every third (or fourth?) day maid and trash pickup.
Families of five or more get a somewhat modified selection of above. A couple of value resorts have two room suites which have sleeping for six (albeit very tight), and one moderate, and most (but not all) deluxe have day beds which work for a family of five. The tree houses, and the cabins also work for a larger family.
Villas that are two or three bedrooms have extra space as well (one bedroom and studios are only compatible for four people), but definitely at a premium price.
Lastly, for the truly ambitious, there is a community of homes for purchase, called Golden Oaks. These homes are located in the world, they have all the benefits of staying on site, and they are home ownership. Very, very, very expensive home ownership. If you are inclined to retire well and have all the children and grandchildren come visit, this is the place for you. The prices start well into the million dollar range and go up. But! They have all the perks, and transportation, and options as an onsite guest. Just throwing this one out there. If you have spare time, google Golden Oaks Disney and check it out. It is lovely.
You will notice that I am not doing a ton of recommending up to this point. There are several sites which do a good job of breaking down the differences between resorts. I like EasyWDW.com and Disboards.com, and allears.net.
This post is to let you know that you have a gazillion options, and figure out what you want, and what you can afford, what you need (a room to sleep, or a room to relax or a room that is close to where you want to go?), and go from there.
Oh, and the reason I laugh at the term resort? Values and Moderates, both, have doors that open to the outside world. In my mind, that is a motel, not a resort. That said, there is lots of theming (you will hear that word, A LOT), and some lovely pool areas which could be indicative of the word resort. Just be aware. Doors that open to the outside also means that windows face the walkways to rooms as well. Your "view" will be the view plus other folks trying to get to their room. Something to think about when you want to pay for an enhanced view.
Deluxe resorts are definitely closer to the meaning of the word resort- interior hallways and doors, and windows to the outside, often (but not always) with balconies, which make the view much more of a viable option. Many amenities and pool areas which are often really good, to great.
Lastly, WDW on site guests have a few benefits beyond advance booking of FPP for on site guests. The use of the Magical Express for transportation to and from the airport and your resort (they won't take you to a park first, you MUST go to your resort first). The Extra Magic Hours which can be an hour before the park opens to the masses outside of the bubble, or an hour after the park closes to the masses (enforced generally by checking for magic bands on rides. If you aren't a 'bubble' guest, you can still shop and spend your money, just not ride rides). A resort guest can also purchase something in a shop and have it sent to the resort instead of lugging it around the park (more incentive to BUY), though this option is not available on your last day.
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