Frequently Asked Walt Disney World Questions

29 comments

1 Alicia { 09.21.10 at 11:57 am }

When are you guys going to publish the 2012 calendar. I know that is a long time away, but I am anxious to see it. Thanks for this site – is has been a big help!

2 Dave { 09.21.10 at 12:20 pm }

Hi Alicia! The first draft of 2012 should come out in late October or early November. If you are thinking about a specific week in 2012, feel free to ask about it and I’ll get you an early opinion!

3 Nelson { 02.22.11 at 10:57 pm }

I’m planning a trip in March of 2012. When does the dates for the Flower and Garden Festival come out ?

4 Dave { 02.23.11 at 8:23 am }

Hi Nelson!

The dates for the 2012 show should be out by the fall at the latest.

In the past couple of years it’s started in early March (3/2/2011 and 3/3/2010) but prior years it’s started later–3/18/2009, 3/19/2008, and 4/5/2007. So there’s no real pattern here for predicting.

Note that the only March 2012 week I recommend is the week beginnning 3/3. See http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/20/2012-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/

5 Nelson { 02.23.11 at 2:44 pm }

Thanks for the information. I just found your site, lots of great info, I’ll be back often. Thanks again.

6 Dave { 02.23.11 at 3:30 pm }

You bet Nelson!

7 Cherice { 05.11.11 at 2:45 pm }

Have all of the rooms in Old Key West been renovated or do you need to request to be booked in a newly renovated room?

8 Dave { 05.11.11 at 2:53 pm }

Hi Cherice!

Reports on the web are that renovations are complete–see for example the bottom of this: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2571390

That said, it can’t hurt to request a renovated room, just in case the web is wrong

9 Rose { 06.11.11 at 9:45 am }

Can I leave travelers checks instead of a credit card for room charging privileges?

Thanks,
Rose

10 Dave { 06.11.11 at 12:38 pm }

Hi Rose! I’m not sure. Suggest you call the front desk of a WDW resort directly and ask them!

11 Deb { 06.23.11 at 10:54 am }

I have a dilemma, I have two 5 year olds, that want to go back to Disney. (we have only been once in 2010) I wanted to wait until all the FantasyLand is completed. But the kids are dying to go back. Your opinion……..should we just wait for 2013 when everything is complete? Is it worth the wait? We can afford to go both times. Just hard to make a decision. Thanks for all your help and love the website!

12 Dave { 06.23.11 at 11:23 am }

Hi Deb!

You are aksing someone who goes to WDW six times a year…so I may be biased!

Since you can afford it, go twice. Depending on how long you mean to stay on each trip, it may be cheaper to get extra days and a no-expiration option on your first set of tix…

13 Deb { 06.24.11 at 10:09 am }

Thanks Dave, yes go! is what I really wanted to hear. I will look into the no-expiration option, didn’t think of that.
Thanks again! Love the website!

14 Dave { 06.24.11 at 1:19 pm }

You bet and have fun!!

15 James Chaisson { 07.16.11 at 5:02 pm }

Dave,
WOW, so much useful information. Thanks. One thing that I haven’t found is concerning Park Hopper tickets? It seems that some of your itineries have days that would require a Park Hopper for that day. Is this correct? And if so, can you purchase a Hopper pass for only one or two days of the entire trip?
Thanks.

16 Dave { 07.16.11 at 5:11 pm }

Thanks James!

For park hoppers, see material on this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/06/12/disney-world-2011-2012-admission-ticket-prices/

I try to avoid park hoppers in my itineraries, but when they are required, buying them is part of my to-do lists.

Park hoppers are a fixed price– ~around $50–for the life of a ticket, whether it’s one day, 10 days, or in between…

Thanks to your question, I’m gonna add “Park Hoppers” to this FAQ page! Thanks!

Dave

17 Jon Hansen { 08.08.11 at 1:13 pm }

Thanks for great site. Do you have any advice on where to spend new years eve 2012? Epcot? Magic Kingdom? Downtown Disney? We are a family, all over 16 yrs.

18 Dave { 08.08.11 at 2:27 pm }

Hi Jon thanks!

Personally, I’d sepnd it at home–Disney World is unbelievably crowded then…

If you are committed to WDW, though, I’d pick Epcot, given the ages of your family. It handles crowds better, is less likely to close, and is not dry like the Magic Kingdom…

For more, see http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/05/30/new-years-eve-20112012-at-walt-disney-world/

19 Jen { 10.24.11 at 8:23 pm }

Hi Dave, I am planning a 6night 7 day at DW June 6th to June 12th for the Star Wars Weekend. How would you rate the crowds? I have heard this is peak season and to expect high crowds. Is their a high probability that the event will take place on the dates I have planned. I have heard that DW will not post dates until Jan or Feb 2012 which stinks for those who have to schedule vacation time at work. Also, in planning an itinerary, do we need to go to all three days of the Star wknd? Do they do the same stuff each day? My thinking was do Star Wars on Friday and Sunday in order to potentially avoid crowds. People checking in on Friday and potentially some leaving on Sunday. What are your thoughts.

20 Dave { 10.25.11 at 8:47 am }

Hi Jen–that’s not peak season but it is crowded. Not as bad as later in the summer-I have it rated on my crowd calendar as moderate+. See http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/06/29/disney-world-crowds-in-2012-3/

It’s a very ggod bet to be Star Wars weekend–90% plus. Two days should be enough–combining experiencing the park and also experiencing the special events. The stuff is the same every day, I think, but I’m not an expert on Star Wars weekend…

21 Tiffany { 02.24.12 at 11:35 am }

How would I go about nominating a large family of 12 for an all expense paid vacation to Disnep Land?? They really deserve this trip they hav suffered many losses lately and just found out the mother needs a liver transplant and those are very hard to come by. The father usually is able to find a way for his family but is now coming to reality about this one being out of his hands and is seeking help in anyway and his last statement to my family was that “He just wants to take his family on a vacation to forget about all the pain for a little while” just talking with him lastnite broke my heart and I would really love to make his dream come true…..can you at least direct me??

22 Dave { 02.24.12 at 12:37 pm }

Hi Tiffany, I’m so sorry, but I don’t know of anything that can help…

23 Tiffany { 02.24.12 at 12:55 pm }

Ok Thank You for getting back to me, I appreciate your time.

24 Candice { 03.21.12 at 7:13 pm }

What do you recommend as the best resort to stay at for a honeymoon? We’ll be going 4/7/13 and your price and crowd calendar have already been helpful!

25 Dave { 03.22.12 at 6:51 am }

Hi Candice and glad the site’s been helpful!

For a honeymoon at Disney World I’d recommend among the deluxe resorts the Polynesian and the BoardWalk Inn; the moderates, Port Orleans French Quarter, and the values, All-Star Music.

There’s links to reviews of all these here: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/04/26/walt-disney-world-resort-hotel-reviews/

26 Candice { 03.22.12 at 1:11 pm }

Thanks so much! One more question, he’s never been and I have been before. How long would you recommend to stay?

27 Dave { 03.22.12 at 7:48 pm }

Hi Candice that’s a tough one. If you can swing it a full week, and a minimum of 4 nights. The parks themselves are worth 5-6 days–but that’ll run you ragged and you need some off time as well. 4 nights will let you enjoy the Magic Kingdom and Epcot–typically the favorites parks of adults–for 3 days plus leave some time off…

28 Lauren { 04.24.12 at 8:02 am }

Hi! Myself and my partner are looking at visiting from the uk in October 2013 (thanks to your recommendations!) We are travelling without children (but possibly with some other adult friends) and was wondering which resort you would recommend? We have already stayed at Coronado springs and was looking at port Orleans but can’t decide with is best out of the French quarter and riverside?!
Can I also say thank you do much for this site – its my first stop for all things WDW!
Many thanks, Lauren

29 Dave { 04.24.12 at 9:29 am }

Hi Lauren, and thanks for the kind words!

That’s a tough call…Riverside has “more,” but is more awkward to get around. French Quarter is more compact, and lovelier, but does not have everything Riverside does. For me it’s French Quarter–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/10/25/personal-favorites-the-moderate-resorts/

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