Ok laldies some of you are Disney world experts. I am going to start planning a trip to Disney World for either February or March of 2009. Here are some quiestions I need answered please.
Also we are driving!!!

1. Which month is better need it warm enough for water park and rides (I am from MI)
2. Is it cheaper to book as a package or do it by the item?
3. Best place to get deals? (website to watch)

Anything else I should think of as far as planning? Also is there a place I can book really early and like pay on it monthly somehow.

Thanks ladies

By Debbie on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 - 11:29 pm:

Well, February is usually less crowded, just stay away from any holiday weekend. However, the weather is unpredictable. It could be warm enough to swim, but it could also be too cold. March would be okay, as far as crowds, if you go the first week or so. After that, you have Spring Break which can make the parks very crowded.

I have found that it is cheaper to book seperately, but sometimes they also have good package deals.

I think www.wdwinfo.com has the best information. Just go to the discussion boards on the left hand side. I think they also have a budget board. Also, mousesavers.com has great information on deals at Disney.

By Reds9298 on Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 08:14 am:

Package for sure! Watch out for Spring Break time in March - yikes on the crowds. Check www.allears.net for discount coupons/tickets/boards. Also mousesavers.com. I have found that AAA has fantastic deals to Disney. We've ended up booking with them all 4 times we've been, simply because it was the cheapest. I think they have a pretty good deal going with Disney. We've always stayed at a Disney resort (Coronado Springs & Animal Kingdom Lodge) and I'm the opposite as Debbie. I've never found it cheaper to do anything separately. Also, honestly check the flights. We're in Central IN and by the time we would drive there, with gas being outrageous, the hotel night(s) for the drive, and the irritation of all that, it's actually cheaper to fly. I had to throw that in -I drove to Florida once and I will NEVER do it again!! (and that was without kids)

I've never seen anything where you can pay monthly. I would just put the $ back monthly and pay it when it's due, usually not long before your trip. I've always booked with my local AAA agent, so you need a deposit when you book but then the balance isn't due until a few weeks before the trip. They have good deals in April/May because it's a mroe down time. Discounts on Hopper Passes and free Waterpark tickets, since you're interested in that.

It's expensive to eat at Disney so plan extra for meals unless you're doing the meal plan. I haven't heard great things about doing the meal plan with smaller kids, but I haven't done it so that's just hearsay. Also add $ in your budget for all the pics you'll be printing afterward.

By Debbie on Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 09:11 am:

I have always found room discount codes on Mousesavers.com. If there is a code, you just use it when you make your reservation, and they give you the discount. I have gotten anywhere from 20-40% off our room. We have never used the dining plan. It is a lot of food, and can be a pain to use! We always bring breakfast items, all resorts have little refrigerators. We also bring tons of snacks. So, the dining plan wasn't worth it to us.

We usually stay on property. But, this last time we stayed off site at a Hyatt resort just 10 minutes away. We loved having a condo with a full kitchen, and all the extra room. It was soooo much cheaper then staying onsite, that we will probably do it again, especially since my dks are a little older now.

By Melanie on Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 10:43 am:

There is a great discussion board at passporter.com where you can find information about deals and other tips. I swore by the site when planning our trip.

By Reds9298 on Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 11:37 am:

Ditto Debbie on bringing your breakfast and snacks. We always do that, too, and it saves $. Debbie - lucky on the off site discounts! We just looked into it for this month and for November and staying on site was only $50 more and more convenient. I've not found anything on mousesavers yet, but Tonya, check it out! You never know!

By Tonya on Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 10:56 pm:

Thanks ladies keep the ideas coming please. As for the driving we need our car we are visiting family too while we are there. I am debating between on site and offsite. Onsite because of the experience but off for price I am a digger for saving $$$ so trust me I will be doing allot of research plus I am AAA and I have a friend who is a AAA travel agent so I will call and talk to her too!

Thanks ladies by spring next year the kids will be 5 and almost 11 so we will all be able to do everything I want to make sure we can do the water parks and dry areas when we are there. So probably the end of March will be better for us.