Lots and lots of questions.

[lovesdisney]

Here's the deal. I've always wanted to go to Disney World, but now that I've turned 21, I'm making it a personal mission to make it there before December 2007. That gives me a lot of leeway to plan for when I go, because I'm going to road trip it there! (Well, I plan to, anyway - there are a couple stops on the way that I'd like to hit.)

Anyway, as I've never been there, there are a lot of questions I have about WDW.

#1. How many days do you think I'd have to stay to see everything? I know it's way bigger than Disneyland, with four parks and the water parks. But I would like to at least see every WDW counterpart of a Disneyland thing, like SM, Fantasmic, Pirates, etc, etc, as well as Wishes (do they still have that?), and Expedition Everest! AND, the Finding Nemo musical if it's there by then.
#2. When, in your opinion, is the best time to go, taking into account school scheduling, money, and weather?
#3. What are the general rates for hotels in Florida? Is it about the same, slightly higher, or slightly lower (or a marked difference) than rates around here? And where is a good place to stay - on site or off site?
#4. Anything else I should take into account about staying in Florida that's different than CA (for instance, like bringing bug spray? ;D)?

If you guys can help me out with this and offer some tips, I'd appreciate it a lot. Nothing's set in stone yet but I'd like to start at least looking into it so I can decide when to go and how much money to save. :) Thanks so much!

[TimmyII]

Anyway, as I've never been there, there are a lot of questions I have about WDW.

#1. How many days do you think I'd have to stay to see everything? I know it's way bigger than Disneyland, with four parks and the water parks. But I would like to at least see every WDW counterpart of a Disneyland thing, like SM, Fantasmic, Pirates, etc, etc, as well as Wishes (do they still have that?), and Expedition Everest! AND, the Finding Nemo musical if it's there by then. At the very least....7 days.
#2. When, in your opinion, is the best time to go, taking into account school scheduling, money, and weather? Sometime during Thanksgiving/Christmas time...weather is perfect!
#3. What are the general rates for hotels in Florida? Is it about the same, slightly higher, or slightly lower (or a marked difference) than rates around here? Unsure, booked mine through Walt Disney Travel.And where is a good place to stay - on site or off site? Don't know.
#4. Anything else I should take into account about staying in Florida that's different than CA (for instance, like bringing bug spray? ;D)? Didn't need bug spray when I went in December 2001.

.....

[RU42]

Greetings:

1. I recommend a min of 7 days if you can swing that timewise and financial. WDW offers some mice ticket discounts when you hit the 7 day mark. I know people who try to do it in 4 but that is really hauling around the Parks. If pressed you could do 1 day DS/MGM, 1 day AK, 2 days Epcot, and 2 days MK.

2. I have been in Oct, Jan, and April. My favorite was Jan. Great temperatures and low crowds are the keys here. Also, the Parks close early (7-8pm ish) This allows you time to visit DtD or catch the Cirque show. Oct was nice but had humidity from time to time. Apr wasn't too bad but I happened to be there during a hot streak and it was in the 90s.

3. Hotels are generally the same as Anaheim. I recommend staying on property. The bus/transportation system is great. The bus service (free) from the airport was awesome. Value in the off season is around $70 a night. Savings you have offsite are offset by having to rent a car.

4. No real differences between DLR and WDW - depending on time of year. Bringing yoru own poncho is recommended. Walmart for $2 versus $7 in the park.

RU

[tonichelle]

We spent 5 days at the parks 2 years ago and that wasn't enough time... we're planning to be there for at least 7 (more like 8 or 9) next summer...

I don't really recommend going in teh summer, but it's the only time the whole family could get together... why on earth my Alaskan family thinks JUNE would be a good time to go I will never understand lol

It really depends on how much you can swing time and finance wise...

[Kileli]

Here's the deal. I've always wanted to go to Disney World, but now that I've turned 21, I'm making it a personal mission to make it there before December 2007. That gives me a lot of leeway to plan for when I go, because I'm going to road trip it there! (Well, I plan to, anyway - there are a couple stops on the way that I'd like to hit.)

Anyway, as I've never been there, there are a lot of questions I have about WDW.

#1. How many days do you think I'd have to stay to see everything? I know it's way bigger than Disneyland, with four parks and the water parks. But I would like to at least see every WDW counterpart of a Disneyland thing, like SM, Fantasmic, Pirates, etc, etc, as well as Wishes (do they still have that?), and Expedition Everest! AND, the Finding Nemo musical if it's there by then.
#2. When, in your opinion, is the best time to go, taking into account school scheduling, money, and weather?
#3. What are the general rates for hotels in Florida? Is it about the same, slightly higher, or slightly lower (or a marked difference) than rates around here? And where is a good place to stay - on site or off site?
#4. Anything else I should take into account about staying in Florida that's different than CA (for instance, like bringing bug spray? ;D)?

If you guys can help me out with this and offer some tips, I'd appreciate it a lot. Nothing's set in stone yet but I'd like to start at least looking into it so I can decide when to go and how much money to save. :) Thanks so much!
1: everyone says "i wish we had more time, next time we are ging for a longer stay" when planing our trip, we considered that and took 2 weeks to see eerything. we STILL didnt have enough time(though there were five of us, and i dont know ow many are in your party). maybe a week or 2 for your stay
2: winter. kids are in school, it doesnt snow, and the prices are the cheapest after christmas.(for hotels) it might rain some, but it will anytime anyway.(made our trip really fun with the lightning)
3:like i said before, winter. i dont know much about the prices, but that would be the best bet.
4: we didnt need bug spray. lots of sunscreen if you are going during the summer, or really any other time. fastpasses will save your life,(tough you probly already know that from DL) .......um, i dont know the winter in florida, so sorry about that.

thats about all i can think of......oh, the line for everest was 2 hours. i had a fastpass, and got on in 5 min.

[lovesdisney]

Thanks you guys! I'm thinking about it and January is seeming like the best time to go. Maybe next January (2008) so that I'll have enough time AND money by then. :)

And wow, I knew WDW was that big, but... wow. Let's hope I can do as much as I possibly can in a week! :) *continues to make plans*