Best place to make Disney Reservations

[CFrance]

I want to make Disney reservations for my son and daughter-in-law for over Christmas. I want two nights (for them only) in a Disney property--probably moderate (say, Port Orleans Riverside) and two days of park hopper tickets. They would go over after dinner on Christmas Day, go to the parks the next two days and return to TV the end of the second day. I've already seen that there is availability through the Disney site.

Is this best set up through the Disney site, or can you get a better deal through a travel agent? If so, does anyone have a recommendation for a travel agent?

I want to make this very easy for them, so want them to be on Disney property and not have to stand in line to pick up their tickets, or have to deal with parking.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[Indy-Guy]

Perhaps the link below will help.

MouseSavers.com - Disney World Resort Discounts & Disney Hotel Codes (http://www.mousesavers.com/walt-disney-world-vacation-discounts-and-deals/disney-world-resort-hotel-discounts-codes/)

[aabuono]

I want to make Disney reservations for my son and daughter-in-law for over Christmas. I want two nights (for them only) in a Disney property--probably moderate (say, Port Orleans Riverside) and two days of park hopper tickets. They would go over after dinner on Christmas Day, go to the parks the next two days and return to TV the end of the second day. I've already seen that there is availability through the Disney site.

Is this best set up through the Disney site, or can you get a better deal through a travel agent? If so, does anyone have a recommendation for a travel agent?

I want to make this very easy for them, so want them to be on Disney property and not have to stand in line to pick up their tickets, or have to deal with parking.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

If you are a member - try AAA - Then compare all the prices - make sure you are comparing the same choices - it can get confusing

Anne

[Ragman]

[QUOTE=CFrance;704443]I want to make Disney reservations for my son and daughter-in-law for over Christmas. I want two nights (for them only) in a Disney property--probably moderate (say, Port Orleans Riverside) and two days of park hopper tickets. They would go over after dinner on Christmas Day, go to the parks the next two days and return to TV the end of the second day. I've already seen that there is availability through the Disney site.

Have they been to Disney during Christmas week? It is an absolute madhouse; probably the busiest two days of the year!

Standing in line is going to be the order of the day. If they go they will need a well thought out Disney "battle plan"

Other posters are right on as far as tickets are concerned. Also check out touringplans.com and undercover tourist.

[CFrance]

Thanks for these suggestions. I tried to dissuade them, but they are really hot to go. Better them than us at that time of year.

We know little about Disney, having not been there since the '80s. What might you ean by battle plan, Ragman?

[janmcn]

My family stayed at The Wilderness Lodge last year and highly recommended it. They were able to park there and check in as soon as they arrived, around 10:00am on day one. Checking in probably depends on availabilty, but parking definitely is allowed.

Getting over to the Magic Kingdom was a ten minute boat ride, right from the hotel. They were also allowed to leave their car there until after the fireworks on day two.

The restaurants, rooms, and pool were very nice. Unfortunatly, I don't know how they booked it, but I would guess it was through the Disney website.

[Ragman]

Thanks for these suggestions. I tried to dissuade them, but they are really hot to go. Better them than us at that time of year.

We know little about Disney, having not been there since the '80s. What might you ean by battle plan, Ragman?

Know exactly what they want to do and don't just wander around aimlessly. Utilize fast-pass and get there at rope drop. Take a break in the middle of the day (parks will be open very late).

The sites I mentioned as well as others have very good guidance.

They won't get much value due to the crowds, but it will be an experience.

[Schaumburger]

I want to make Disney reservations for my son and daughter-in-law for over Christmas. I want two nights (for them only) in a Disney property--probably moderate (say, Port Orleans Riverside) and two days of park hopper tickets. They would go over after dinner on Christmas Day, go to the parks the next two days and return to TV the end of the second day. I've already seen that there is availability through the Disney site.

Is this best set up through the Disney site, or can you get a better deal through a travel agent? If so, does anyone have a recommendation for a travel agent?

I want to make this very easy for them, so want them to be on Disney property and not have to stand in line to pick up their tickets, or have to deal with parking.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

They are smart to stay inside Disney World; the last time I went to WDW with one of my sisters and her daughters we stayed in a place about 10 miles away from WDW and depended on a twice a day shuttle back and forth from the hotel (we did not have a rental car :( ). This was all done so that my sister could save a couple of $. Never again.

[DougB]

Hope they have a Very Merry Christmas!

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Walt Disney World ...

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Walt Disney World Resort - YouTube

[Schaumburger]

Hope they have a Very Merry Christmas!

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Walt Disney World ...

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Walt Disney World Resort - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACbzr_lkIag)

DougB, Thank you for posting that clip. That looks like a lot of fun. Now I want to go see Mickey again! It's been 9 years since I went to the Magic Kingdom.

[CFrance]

Hope they have a Very Merry Christmas!

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Walt Disney World ...

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party at the Walt Disney World Resort - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACbzr_lkIag)

Doug, is this for Christmas 2013? I may have to rethink the dates to include that.

Schaumberger, I agree. It's too short a time and too much hassle to have them shuttling back and forth from outside the grounds.

[CFrance]

Doug, is this for Christmas 2013? I may have to rethink the dates to include that.

Schaumberger, I agree. It's too short a time and too much hassle to have them shuttling back and forth from outside the grounds.

Oh, never mind. The party dates don't coincide with their visit.

[Gerald]

one very important thing is to book their meals ahead. some one should call the places they would like to eat at inside disney and book early a month ahead for that time of year would give you the best places to pick from. If they try to find a place to eat once they are in disney nothing will be available except fast food.

[YouNeverKnow]

one very important thing is to book their meals ahead. some one should call the places they would like to eat at inside disney and book early a month ahead for that time of year would give you the best places to pick from. If they try to find a place to eat once they are in disney nothing will be available except fast food.
We are planning on going in October to the Epcot Wine and Food Festival.
We will be staying at the Swan Resort and wondered where the best place near there is to make dinner reservations. (If we are not too full from the Wine and Food Festival.) :D

[Marigold]

All you can eat buffet at Cape May Cafe at Disney's Beach Club Resort. Check it out on Disney's website. Primarily seafood but has meats as well. One of our favorite dining places.

[njbchbum]

We are planning on going in October to the Epcot Wine and Food Festival.
We will be staying at the Swan Resort and wondered where the best place near there is to make dinner reservations. (If we are not too full from the Wine and Food Festival.) :D

don shula's steakhouse - on the dolphin side! pricey but worth every bite! and much higher quality than any disney park/resort food i was ever served!

[asianthree]

call disney direct..sunday morning early is the best..deals are the same on property but some times they have a property at a great rate...we go every year and as adults the chrismas party is wonderful...great to have the park to yourself...there are apps on your phone to what ride is not busy...yes disney is busy, but next to the food and wine..christmas is my fav

[njbchbum]

cfrance - might either your son/dil qualify for a stay at the disney military family resort, shades of green? Shades of Green® Resort on WALT DISNEY WORLD Resort official website is the only Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) located in the continental U.S. Shades of Green® on WALT DISNEY WORLD® Resort is a military resort serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air (http://www.shadesofgreen.org/eligibility.htm) it is a lovely resort and is/has been undergoing some updating and renovating!

i don't know the difference in cost among the reg resorts and the vacation club resorts - but a regular disney booking for a vacation club resort studio would be my ultimate two nite place to rest my bones after christmas in the parks! disney does maintain their own inventory of rooms within the dvc resorts - so rooms there are available for booking by others!

[Harry Gilbert]

There is a very good Disney Forum on the net

Intercot.com

It is run by a travel agency called Magical Journeys


As far as making dinner reservations a month out. not a good idea! 6 months out would be much better if not required for any of the more popular restaurants. Dinner at the new Be Our Guest in Fantasy Land is booked by 8:00am on the 6 month limit.

You can make dinner reservations ADR'S online as well as calling

[CFrance]

Thanks for all this information. Gives me a lot to go on.

[coolkayaker1]

I agree. This is a helpful thread. Thanks to all that took the time to post.

[BarryRX]

Hello, my name is Dorothy Helfer. I work for AAA and strickly handle Disney vacations. Please call me and I will be happy to help your son plan a Disney vacation.

Sincerely,

Dorothy Helfer
dhelfer@nyaaa.com
585-944-5037

Dorothy....they took the trip last Christmas, but I'm sure others will contact you for future trips.