My husband and I are planning a trip for us 2 sometime in February/March. Disneyland closed 2 weeks before what was to be our honeymoon trip to Disneyland. This will be our first time flying, both are terrified but we’re itching for Disney and With Disneyland closed, this is our only hope. I want a trip we both can enjoy so if there is a hotel near Disney as well as fishing that would be great. It’s my dream to visit WDW and his to fish in Florida so I’m trying to make the magic happen for both of us.
We are planning on spending 1 day at Magic Kingdom and 1 day in Hollywood studios. I have plenty of experience with Disneyland but I’m at a loss on planning WDW. I know nothing about booking flights, rental cars, the fast pass system, just everything all together. I’m a budgeting type person and love saving money on Disney trips. What are the best sites to save on booking flights? I want to be sure we sit together. Also for car rentals.
Does WDW allow for backpacks so that we can pack snacks?
Are there fishing spots nearby so that we can stay at the same hotel then entire trip?
Also what will the weather be like around that time? We’re coming from Arizona so we’re used to dry heat.
Any other tips or advice is welcome.
In 2010 my significant other said he wanted to go to WDW for a week. A week!! Are you kidding me. What would we do with all that time? We went for three days. Fast forward to 2021. Since 2010 I have spent 137 days a WDW. I have NEVER been bored or at a loss for something to do. We love fine dining, the spas and the tours as well as all four of the parks and Disney Springs. You are going to love it and I bet have many more trips to the Most Magical Place on Earth through the years. (I have been to DL twice but much prefer WDW. Others may disagree.)
Per flying: A half of Dramamine will settle your stomach. I never flew until adulthood and still do this. Right now most flights are reasonable. If you are going to be flying in your adult life I would pick an airline and start in their rewards program and collect points. I am NOT a fan of credit cards with unpaid balances but some cards offer points when you sign up and your flight would be free. BUT you have to be very diligent about paying in full at the end of the month. With Delta you get free baggage with their card. I do not know about other cards 95 percent of the time I fly Delta.
Per hotel: If you are not staying on property try a room in the Disney Springs area. You need to make sure the place you choose has transportation and/or be willing to walk over to Disney Springs to get busses. We usually stay at Grand Floridian or Contemporary Resort but in May 2019 I went to WDW alone for the Garden Show and stayed at Pop Century. The price was very reasonable and I love it. The rooms are updated and pristine. You would be in the "Disney bubble" if you stayed here and have all the perks including transportation from the airport via the Magic Express Bus. Also there are great areas at Pop to purchase food items. Art of Animation is a short walk across Hourglass Lake Bridge for another place to find snacks and breakfast items. Plus Pop is on the new gondola line. (I packed protein bars, crackers, and other snacks and then purchased bottled water, fresh fruit, peanut butter, English muffins etc. All a bit more expensive than a grocery but far less than eating out three meals a day. I stick to one meal out per day when traveling alone.) Also Pop has a very nice laundry facility which allows to pack half of what you need. You can get a cocktail, sit by the pool, and do a load or two of laundry and save bag fees if the airline you choose has.)
You may also wish to consider a package vacation to WDW via Costco. We use Costco for our Adventure of Disney trips. The packages could save you on planning everything yourself. You will have to price compare. We shop at Costco all the time so we love the kickback merchandise cards and the better pricing as well as their "travelestias" do the planning for you.
I am no help on the fishing question. I hate fish!! lol. However, I do know the resorts have fishing excursions.
Another thought: Also think about a Disney credit card - again ONLY if you pay your full balance each month. When you take the card out you spend $500.00 in three months and get a $200.00 rebate. You then get percentages off at certain Disney restaurants for having the card. You also get other perks including points that you can turn into cash when you go to WDW. Use your Disney charge card to buy Disney gift cards. You get points on the charge card to redeem at Disney and use the gift cards to pay for everything while at Disney. You can also buy Disney gift cards at some groceries and then use the perks for gas. (I have a friend that buys their Disney cards at Sam's Club. You get $50.00 for $47.50 plus the kickback you get at Sams. I am not a Sam's Club member so I have not used. Also I know Target has some kind of deal. I do not have a Target charge card so I can't give you the particulars.)
Per car rentals: We use Costco to book car rentals most of the time. (We always check prices and then call Costco. Costco usually finds a better rate.) I would not pay for a car rental when you are at WDW. Use WDW free transportation. You have to pay to park the car. If you are leaving the Disney area to do other things there are car rental companies that will come and pick you up and take you to get the car. Car rentals in the Orlando area are expensive. 90 percent of the time we stay in the "Disney bubble" and never leave so we do not get a car. However, there may be other things you wish to see if you are not familiar with FL.
Fast Pass: Not available right now BUT you must register for your park days as there is 35% capacity with COVID.
Backpacks: You can take everything but the kitchen sink. Buy an insulated sleeve to put in backpack for foods that spoil. I make sandwich wraps to carry into the park. They have cheese and cold cuts at the onsite little grocery area. I take the wraps with me in my suitcase as I have found some places do not have. Don't forget you can split meals. In Magic Kingdom at Cosmic Rays they have a footlong dog with add your own toppings that is huge. At Pecos Bills they have build your own nachos which is also big enough to split. Don't forget water is free in all parks. You do not have to purchase $4.00 drinks unless you wish to. With the limited park hours due to Covid I personally would not want to spend a lot of time eating out. I would wait and eat in the evening and pack food for the parks.
Weather: I have been to WDW only once in February. The weather was beautiful. We have gone a few times in January where we have had some COLD days. Just check the 10 day forecast before leaving home. Go to Kohls or alike store to purchase your Disney sweatshirt to tie around your waist for chilly park days. You will find they are half the price of those at the parks.
Congratulations on your recent marriage. I think you will have a great time in FL as you start to build wonderful travel memories as a young couple. I remember those days so fondly. Planning, budgeting, and discussing, is half the fun.
