Possible 1st trip and a few questions

[Gothemi]

My wife and I are thinking about heading to WDW for the first weekend of February (2010). We have done DLR many times and now want to visit WDW. I have the Birnbaums book, I have been researching many sites, but have a few questions perhaps you all can help me with.

First off, we are just over a month out and I have no reservations, no airline tixs and no dinning reservations. Am I just not prepared? Is it too soon, or just too late to properly plan?

We have narrowed down our hotels choices to the Wilderness Lodge and/or Coronado Springs. Mainly for cost. We really like the Wilderness Lodge as it reminds me of the Grand Californian. Can you tell me what stops the buses take before getting to the Wilderness Lodge? I don't want to spend too much time waiting for a bus on my vacation you know.

Also, has anybody done WDW without a Park Hopper. This is our first trip and we are planning for 5 days in the parks. We don't have any interest in the water parks, but don't know if there would be a need to hop between parks. With DLR it's easy, a short walk next door. However with WDW, it sounds more like a process to get elsewhere.

Thank you in advance.

[tinkerb]

Re: Possible 1st trip and a few questions

START NOW..planning is imperative to get the best prices and to ensure you have the trip you want. Besides it can be fun.........As far as park hopper tickets, we always use them; we usually do one Park in the morning and another in the evening. But again, do your research and pick the price and tickets that work best for you. I would stay at Wilderness Lodge if being on a bus is and issue...you can take a boat to Magic Kingdom from there. Look at the web sites and just ASK!! We love to Share the Magic!!!

[Juliestrip7]

Re: Possible 1st trip and a few questions

Generally, most people who have never been to WDW, tend to stay in one park all day. The park hopper is convenient, especially if you are using Disney's dining plan. But, your dining can be worked out with only having the base ticket. The key is to plan.
I would choose the Wilderness Lodge over Coronado Springs anyday, for two reasons. The bus service and the size of the resort. Coronado Springs is very large and spread out. It has many bus stops. The WL has one. Also, I think that the WL has a cozy feel.
It's not too late to plan, but you may want to get busy with it!
There are some rooms still available at the WL for the first week in Feb. and if you book with the current Disney special, you would get a Disney Gift card for $750 at the WL. Good luck!