I still think you should check out the rates at the Swan and Dolphin. They offer the same convenience of location as BWI and they offer discounts for teachers, nurses, and government workers. With the money you save you can more than pay for transportation to and from the airport. The Magic Express package would not keep me from a convenient hotel. There are also less children at the Swan and Dolphin than most other on site hotels.
We stayed at the Caribbean Beach and the resort was very nice, but I HATED having to wait for those buses and having to stand on the bus most nights for the ride back.

I certainly would not make my accomodations decision based on whether or not I could use Magical Express. ME isn't perfect....if takes hours to get your bags and I think (?) that if you have a late night flight, you won't get them until the next morning.

When we go to WDW, we rent the smallest car we can fit into. We use Disney transportation for some and drive to others.

It's probably too late to get tickets for Mickeys Very MErry Christmas, but try. Do you know about the Candlelight Processional at Epcot? Google it. And do not miss the Osborne lights at MGM, AMAZING!

I think 7 days is enough if you are intent on not going anywhere but Disney.

Yes, I think it is too cold to go to Blizzard Beach in late Dec. It has always been much colder than 70 degrees when we've been there at that time.

klam chowder,

7 days is enough. Don't worry about Car.Beach R. - especially within your time frame- as you will not having to be rushing around to see it all in 2 days or be right in the middle. It is definitely not worth over a $2,000 difference.

CBR is fine. I stayed there with a 10 year old once and it was nice because it was also quiet too, when needed, and it has a food court.

I disagree about EPCOT being done in one day. Not the way I do EPCOT.

Have a good time.

Thx a mint for all the additional replies and tips (and endorsement, JJ5)!

I did go back and check out the Swan&Dolphin today and while they have availability, it is still $700 more than CBR. I know it is "worth" it for the upgraded facilities and convenient location, but for 2 adults I think I'll save that $$ to defray the cost of a fall trip to NYC. (=

I will pick up the Dining Plan and make restaurant reservations my next priority - things are booking up very quickly like posters mentioned!

Today I haphazardly booked California Grill (one slot left - the agent said it must have been a cancellation) and Artist Point for Christmas Eve and Day, respectively, just so I'd have somewhere to go on the big days. I'll work out the rest of the master plan of which days in which parks and see if I can get lucky with some other ressies. Boy, if posters hadn't mentioned the restaurants were almost full, I'd likely have left it too long and would be eating hot dogs and churros for Christmas - thx Fodorites!

Enjoy-la!

At the risk of getting stoned,,,,,, why would you want to go to Disney for 9 days?

I would really check into the dining plan. We are not big eaters, and so for us it would have been a waste of money. For others, its a great deal. So just check and see if it fits for you before you decide.

travelbug44, don't worry I won't stone you! Really, the question was asked out of ignorance...I didn't know how long one "needed" to see "everything". I know of course I won't see everything but you get the gist (hopefully).

I've been wanting to go for a long time so will enjoy all distractions, including Disney shopping fun! DH likes rides and will probably enjoy time visiting DisneyQuest and the waterpark; his Richard Petty experience will take up half a day.

Also my DH likes to take it slowewr so I wanted to build in some pool/down time for him every day. I tend to go-go-go but with extra days I won't feel like I can't stop - hopefully it will be a good balance for both of us. I understand your point tho, why would someone want to spend so long in a fabricated world?...LOL!

We're not big eaters either but we think if we were to enjoy a typical dinner out it would cost us more than $80 right there anyway, so the counter and snacks are a bonus. I particularly like that it still includes tax and tip.

Enjoy-la!

Also keep in mind about the weather. Just because it's FLA does not mean it will be warm. We have been at Mickey's Very merry christmas party and it was in the 30's. It is not suntan and swimsuits. For December, I pack sweaters, gloves, scarfs and wear layered clothing. It can get into the 70's during the day, but in the afternoon and for a short time (shorter days - less sunshine = cooler temps). Mornings are cold. I wear Ugg boots and find them warm and comfy for walking around and I wear jeand and layered long sleeve tees during the day and dress accordingly at night. Epoct is much colder than the other parks. Another helpful hint is to plan your dinners early - 5:30 or so. You will have a more peaceful dinner...as you are leaving the restaurant, that is when everyone else will be going in, so you will find the parks a bit emptier. At night is when you want to choose a park to walk around in due to all the beautiful christmas lights. Epcot may take more than one night...really beautiful. Besides it's even mor fun to grabe a dessert in the parks...they always have special stuff at the holidays. Since the sun sets so early, I have found that the California Grill is the best place for an early dinner. The sunsets from up there are breathtaking and 5:30 is when the sunset colors start. Seeing the fireworks from up there is highly overrated. If you can get tix for Mickey's christmas party, I highly recommend you do so. The "snow" falling on Main street and the special 360 fireworks are just amazing. It's not real snow, but it looks like it. You will have a great time...it's a lot of fun.

Also make sure you bring some very supportive shoes and more than one pair to walk around in. I wore a pedometer there once and we walked an average of 10 miles a day.

I agree with everything schmerl said. I have stayed at the CBR 3 times, twice with a car, and once without. I HATED the time without the car. Taking the buses really gets miserable. If you are going to stay there, skip the Magical Express. Rent a car from one of the rental agencies at the airport. You'll be at the resort sooner than you will with Magical Express. With ME, you have to wait until the bus is full, and then you stop may end up stopping at several resorts before yours. I have flown to WDW with my husband, and three young sons. We take carry-on luggage only. We usually rent a car from National. We are standing in the check in line at our WDW hotel less than an hour after the plane touches down. And you can drive the car to the parks instead of wasting much time and energy waiting for and standing on the buses. Don't let the Magical Express influence your hotel choice

Did you consider "Coronado Springs Resort"? It is also a moderate resort and fairly centrally located. See: http://disneyworldlinks.com/Resort-Park-Presentations/ It is the newest of the moderates and tends to be more popular with adults. It also has the longest waterslide - if that's a factor for you. Mousesavers considers it a best value among the moderates and has one of the best food courts. See: http://www.mousesavers.com/wdwresortfacts.html#moderate

We really liked Raglan Road which has live music in Downtown Disney after about 9PM and does not require a Pleasure Island ticket. You'll have better luck with a reservation booked directly with Raglan Road than through WDW. See: www.raglanroadirishpub.com

I love the Adventurer's Club, Jelly Rolls is also really popular among those in our age group. See: http://www.buildabettermousetrip.com...nightlife.html

New Years Eve will have specially or separately ticketed events.

As for Micro-planning: that will be your saving grace at that busy time of year. Someone already mentioned www.tourguidemike.com - which is really good. The Unofficial Guide to WDW has a companion site - touringplans.com - that will give "Best Days" information. I've also used www.buildabettermousetrip.com which did an great job on custom touring plans with best days information.

Knowing which park will have the lowest relative crowd level is never more important than during the holiday season. You'll want to avoid the Extra Magic Hour parks at all cost. Too many people being pointed in the same direction at the same time.

Annabel, great tips on dressing, esp. on Epcot - that's a new tip!

I should have mentioned earlier since others suggested it as well, but the Mickey Chr. Party is over before I arrive.

scarboroughmom and ajcolorado's posts on top of previous posters' comments, have made me re-evaluate my CBR choice. I decided to look at worse case scenario - since premium rooms (ones close to Old Port Royale) are all sold out, my request to be close is just a request and since I am booking late, I may get a room on the farthest fringes.

CBR is 46 acres compared to Coronodo Springs which is 15 acres. So in theory I'd have less of a hike to/from the central area in CS than CBR. I originally chose CBR cuz I thought it was the closest to Epcot but since I can't walk to Epcot from CBR, and CS is only 10 min to Epcot, has dedicated shuttles, is newer and more adult-oriented, I switched.

I have never re-booked a hotel for any trip before - for some reason Disney World's infinite options for everything has me in a tizz...LOL!

Okay, I'm staying with CS now. Just have to roughly sketch out my days, avoiding EMH parks, so I can try to still get some dinner rezzes at some good places.

Thx a mint all - enjoy-la!

Swan/Dolphin often offer special rates -AAA, "allears" rates (related to website) as well as teachers, nurses, govt workers, Fl resident. We loved the convenience of walking into Epcot & taking the boat to the Studios. Rates we've paid in the past have been $149/night & $169/night; have booked for $189/night on AAA rate for Oct 07 at Swan; these rates have got to be close to what a moderate (CS or CBR)Disney hotel would cost. The service was also very good, the Swan was quieter, more intimate. Hope you enjoy your stay!