PTR for the planning obsessed....Updated 11/5 We're home now.

[MRYPPNS]

Hi

sorry I missed a bit in your PTR...
:

Hi Scrappie-Do...sorry I took so long replying! I can't wait to see how your Margaret does on your vacation because Liam will be about the same age when we go.

Update coming up!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I realized this morning that I've been away from my own PTR for almost a week...

I booked half of our flight for the vacation. Southwest is only booking thru Oct 30 so I couldn’t book the roundtrip which didn’t make me happy because there was a special promo code for 15% off if you booked roundtrip. I went back and forth for several days trying to decide if I should book the Manchester to Orlando flight now or wait until I could book the whole thing. The web price was $95 per person. For Southwest I really didn’t think that was a bargain. In the end I booked because it’s really important that we get an early morning non-stop flight (remember DH has motion sickness issues) and the way gas prices are going… $95 might not be such a bad price. I think it will be months before Southwest is taking ressies for November…I hate that this won’t be finished for a while but what can you do? And here’s hoping that Disney and Southwest can come to an agreement on Resort Check In before October…that would be awesome if we never had to check luggage at MCO again.

Here are the details:
3 one way tickets including all taxes and fees $316.50
Depart Sunday at 7:10am, arrival in sunny Florida at 10:20am

I’ve been working on my daily itineraries for each park day. These are very detailed step by step touring plans. I use touring plans .com, if you subscribe you can copy one of their plans and edit it yourself. If anyone needs help with trying it themselves, PM me…I might be able to help…there doesn’t seem to be any directions on their website.

So after doing the detail plan for Epcot it became clear that dinner at Teppan Edo wasn’t going to work all that well. I’m not a big fan of crossing a whole park at once or changing my touring plans just to get to dinner. I showed DH the plans and we decided together to not go to Teppan Edo at all and just nosh around the world with the Food and Wine booths. I’m actually really happy about that decision…I was figuring that dinner would cost around $75 for the two of us so that a lot of Food & Wine samples that we can now enjoy.

The one other thing that I have been thinking about is changing up our park days a bit. Here’s the scoop—the plan is to go to DS on Tue and MK on Wed. I’m thinking about switching them or maybe do ½ days at each park both days. Tues am @ MK, Tues pm @ DS, then Wed am @ DS, Wed pm @ MK. The reason for all this you ask? Tuesday is a MNSSHP night at MK so the park closes at 7 pm with no Wishes…that’s why I originally didn’t want to be there on that day. Wednesday MK is open to 8pm with no MNSSHP or EMH. Everyone else might think the same as me and go on Wednesday to MK. Tuesday during the day at MK should be very low crowds because the night before it would have been open ‘til Midnight for EMH and then that Tuesday night it has the Halloween party. So if we can go to MK on Tuesday we will probably get low crowds but no Wishes and lose 1 hour of time because it closes at 7pm for us. If I park hop I might be able to get both the low crowds on Tuesday day and Wishes on Wednesday night. Is this making any sense? But then I think... what crowds am I worried about in the first place? It not like the last week in October is that busy to start with. But shorter lines is shorter lines right???? I have to look at my plans for both MK and DS again to see if hopper might work the best. Any I really need to rethink the DS touring plan anyways…I think I have too many shows for an 18 month old to sit thru.

Anyone out there have experiences with a younger toddler at DS that they can share? I really need the help on that one.

And I just have to share….I bought grapes at the supermarket yesterday just because they had the Disney Garden label on the bag…its’ a picture of Mickey and Minnie having a picnic. Did you know that the average person eats about 8 pounds of grapes per year? That was the fun fact on the back of the bag. There is even a website www.disney.com/healthykids (PS…my container of Strawberries had Sesame Street characters on it….)

I have a website pick this week: www.retailmenot.com
It’s the best website I have found for getting codes for discounts for online shopping. I used it last week to save money on DS’s party supplies from Oriental Trading.

That's it for now...I'm still pluggin' away at the plans when I should be cleaning the house or at least working on the birthday party. I did pull out some decorations from the basement the other day to discover a copy of the Cars dvd that DH had bought me for Christmas in 2006 that he hid and forgot about. Too bad we already have Cars.

 

[stagemomx3]

I liked using touring plans just to make sure I wasn't criss crossing the park when deciding what we should do. It really helped being able to visually see where we would be going 1,2,3. I never actually used a plan while were there, but it was invaluable before hand.

 

[mrsksomeday]

Tracy...how's your back today?? I've pulled my back a couple times now since I've had DS...trying to load him and the car seat in the SUV.

I'm lucky that I'm a Diet Coke addict...goes well with WDW. Sea World has Pepsi products...have you and Bill been to Sea World yet? I bet you would love it.

My back is finally better thanks for asking . Bill and I want to go to Sea World, we just haven't fit it into the plan yet. Someday we will I am sure of it.

 

[cc1075]

Hi Heidi,

I'm back - 40 days and 40 nights at the greatest place on Earth!!!!

We had a great time! Glad everything arrived OK - - i was real tempted to get you all of the park maps in all of the foreign languages - that would have been a big package.

Disney is still wonderful - except for one thing - - - - - - gave me real fits - - - - - all of the hot dog and hamburger buns across property are whole grain buns. This is un-american - who would ever think to eat a lip smackin' hot dog in a whole grain bun. It finally drove me so crazy - I went to the general store at OKW - where they sell only white hot dog buns - bought the buns and went to Goods to Go and got myself a big, fat juice hot dog and ate it in my white hot dog bun.

Disney states that they are going more nutritional in their food service. Please, after I eat the whole grain bun (which I didn't) then I can go buy a Mickey Rice Krispie treat dipped in chocolate - or a Micky Bar - or popcorn - or cotton candy - - - or chocolate covered pretzels - or maybe just a quick stop at Goofy's candy company!! It became my Disney obsession for this year - a good, junky, white hot dog bun!!

Keep planning - we are also going back in October for about 10 days - need to be on the six month plan for Disney!

Think I will just pack some hot dog buns for October!!

 

[Native NYer]

I am going to subscribe to touring plans.

I agree that crossing the park for dinner is not a good idea. I'm sure the Food and Wine Festival will be much more tempting than Teppan Edo.

It stinks that you could only book one way on your flights. Hopefully, you'll be able to book your flights home real soon.

I like your idea of half days in each park rather than one full day. It'll change it up a bit and allow you to use your park hopping option.

 

[Princesskeyblade]

I am subbing Your son is adorable, and his birthday invites came out awesome! Your Trip sounds like a blast!

CSR has real coffee. The Nescrap at the parks is so horrible, yet as coffee/caffeine addicts we were forced to consume to much of it on our trip. Even tons of creamer and sugar didn't help much.

This is incredibly good to know.... DBF needs coffee every morning and he is mildly picky

Disney is still wonderful - except for one thing - - - - - - gave me real fits - - - - - all of the hot dog and hamburger buns across property are whole grain buns. This is un-american - who would ever think to eat a lip smackin' hot dog in a whole grain bun. It finally drove me so crazy - I went to the general store at OKW - where they sell only white hot dog buns - bought the buns and went to Goods to Go and got myself a big, fat juice hot dog and ate it in my white hot dog bun.

Thanks for mentioning this... I can't eat whole grains, but can eat enriched ones, so knowing this before we head out is a good thing!

 

[carissanboys]

Hey Heidi! Sorry I haven't dropped in for a while. I'm going to try and get caught up over the next few days. Very cool on buying your tickets!

 

[DisMomAmy]

I realized this morning that I've been away from my own PTR for almost a week...

I booked half of our flight for the vacation. Southwest is only booking thru Oct 30 so I couldn’t book the roundtrip which didn’t make me happy because there was a special promo code for 15% off if you booked roundtrip. I went back and forth for several days trying to decide if I should book the Manchester to Orlando flight now or wait until I could book the whole thing. The web price was $95 per person. For Southwest I really didn’t think that was a bargain. In the end I booked because it’s really important that we get an early morning non-stop flight (remember DH has motion sickness issues) and the way gas prices are going… $95 might not be such a bad price. I think it will be months before Southwest is taking ressies for November…I hate that this won’t be finished for a while but what can you do? And here’s hoping that Disney and Southwest can come to an agreement on Resort Check In before October…that would be awesome if we never had to check luggage at MCO again.

I was a little behind and just got caught up! I was going to reply and suggest you book your one way tickets now. Last year I booked round trip and then the fares went down, but I couldn't take advantage of the lower price because I would have had to cancel the whole round trip ticket. Now I always book 2 separate tickets for each way. I can understand your dillema with the extra round trip discount though. In the end, I think you did the right thing. And if you find the fare goes down, you can cancel this portion and re-book with the lower rate. I think you'll get a credit, not a refund. And if it works out that you can book round trip when the rest of the fares come out, just cancel this portion and use the credit to buy the new tickets. Just call and confirm that with a live person first. I'd hate to get you all messed up if I'm wrong.

Here are the details:
3 one way tickets including all taxes and fees $316.50
Depart Sunday at 7:10am, arrival in sunny Florida at 10:20am

I’ve been working on my daily itineraries for each park day. These are very detailed step by step touring plans. I use touring plans .com, if you subscribe you can copy one of their plans and edit it yourself. If anyone needs help with trying it themselves, PM me…I might be able to help…there doesn’t seem to be any directions on their website.

So after doing the detail plan for Epcot it became clear that dinner at Teppan Edo wasn’t going to work all that well. I’m not a big fan of crossing a whole park at once or changing my touring plans just to get to dinner. I showed DH the plans and we decided together to not go to Teppan Edo at all and just nosh around the world with the Food and Wine booths. I’m actually really happy about that decision…I was figuring that dinner would cost around $75 for the two of us so that a lot of Food & Wine samples that we can now enjoy.

I think that was a good choice too!

The one other thing that I have been thinking about is changing up our park days a bit. Here’s the scoop—the plan is to go to DS on Tue and MK on Wed. I’m thinking about switching them or maybe do ½ days at each park both days. Tues am @ MK, Tues pm @ DS, then Wed am @ DS, Wed pm @ MK. The reason for all this you ask? Tuesday is a MNSSHP night at MK so the park closes at 7 pm with no Wishes…that’s why I originally didn’t want to be there on that day. Wednesday MK is open to 8pm with no MNSSHP or EMH. Everyone else might think the same as me and go on Wednesday to MK. Tuesday during the day at MK should be very low crowds because the night before it would have been open ‘til Midnight for EMH and then that Tuesday night it has the Halloween party. So if we can go to MK on Tuesday we will probably get low crowds but no Wishes and lose 1 hour of time because it closes at 7pm for us. If I park hop I might be able to get both the low crowds on Tuesday day and Wishes on Wednesday night. Is this making any sense? But then I think... what crowds am I worried about in the first place? It not like the last week in October is that busy to start with. But shorter lines is shorter lines right???? I have to look at my plans for both MK and DS again to see if hopper might work the best. Any I really need to rethink the DS touring plan anyways…I think I have too many shows for an 18 month old to sit thru.

I totally agree! MK can be quieter on a MNSSHP day because people without hopper passes will avoid the park for the whole day. And going to any park the morning after an EMH night is a good idea too. I personally prefer to go to two different parks in one day - it always seems like I do so much more that day.

Anyone out there have experiences with a younger toddler at DS that they can share? I really need the help on that one.

We went when Alex was about 16 months old and didn't spend too much time there. When we were there, we ended up doing a lot of baby swapping. There wasn't too much for him to do there. Does he watch any of the shows on the Disney Channel? You could go see the Playhouse Disney show??

And I just have to share….I bought grapes at the supermarket yesterday just because they had the Disney Garden label on the bag…its’ a picture of Mickey and Minnie having a picnic. Did you know that the average person eats about 8 pounds of grapes per year? That was the fun fact on the back of the bag. There is even a website www.disney.com/healthykids (PS…my container of Strawberries had Sesame Street characters on it….)

I have a website pick this week: www.retailmenot.com
It’s the best website I have found for getting codes for discounts for online shopping. I used it last week to save money on DS’s party supplies from Oriental Trading.

That's it for now...I'm still pluggin' away at the plans when I should be cleaning the house or at least working on the birthday party. I did pull out some decorations from the basement the other day to discover a copy of the Cars dvd that DH had bought me for Christmas in 2006 that he hid and forgot about. Too bad we already have Cars.

Your plans are really coming together! They look great!
Amy

 

[MRYPPNS]

There is a 15 page thread on the fake wheat buns at Casey's

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1676530

According to a Disney CM they are a white bun "enhanced" with wheat flour.

I'm reserving judgement until October but I had this type of bun on my burgers there last Janaury and didn't mind them. That being said...I think Disney Dinning needs a new chief cook...everything from wheat buns to 1% milk pints for $2 to shrinking menu choices at TS needs to be re-addressed. I'm still pissy that you can't get a Yorkshire pudding at Rose & Crown like you could in 2001. I use to not agree about the dumbing down of the TS menus because of the dinning plan but I've changed my mind.

 

[MRYPPNS]

I liked using touring plans just to make sure I wasn't criss crossing the park when deciding what we should do. It really helped being able to visually see where we would be going 1,2,3. I never actually used a plan while were there, but it was invaluable before hand.

Did you not use them because crowds were so low or because you had committed you plan to memory?

My back is finally better thanks for asking . Bill and I want to go to Sea World, we just haven't fit it into the plan yet. Someday we will I am sure of it.

Glad you're feeling better...no need to rush to SeaWorld until they change the Shmu show back to something that is less like a Hallmark card about the trainers and more about those amazing creatures. (I should do a mini TR on SeaWorld sometime so everyone would know what I'm ranting about!)

Hi Heidi,

I'm back - 40 days and 40 nights at the greatest place on Earth!!!!

We had a great time! Glad everything arrived OK - - i was real tempted to get you all of the park maps in all of the foreign languages - that would have been a big package.

Disney is still wonderful - except for one thing - - - - - - gave me real fits - - - - - all of the hot dog and hamburger buns across property are whole grain buns.

Keep planning - we are also going back in October for about 10 days - need to be on the six month plan for Disney!

Welcome back! Thanks again for the Disney Magic Mailing...Liam is learning how to wave hello and he makes a noise that actually sounds like "Hi!" ....well this morning he waved and said Hi to his Mickey picture...it was too cute.

I hear you on this whole health kick thing too. Yes please use a fake wheat bun with my mystery meat and processed cheese burger! And they are not done yet...Disney is making all their outside suppliers of packaged snack goods change their products to fit these "healthy" guidelines.

Do you know what your travel dates are yet for October?

I am going to subscribe to touring plans.

I agree that crossing the park for dinner is not a good idea. I'm sure the Food and Wine Festival will be much more tempting than Teppan Edo.

It stinks that you could only book one way on your flights. Hopefully, you'll be able to book your flights home real soon.

I like your idea of half days in each park rather than one full day. It'll change it up a bit and allow you to use your park hopping option.

Let me know if you need help with touring plans.com...the custom plans are easy enough to use but I couldn't find directions.
I'm now getting excited for the Food & Wine Fest...I can nosh all day long and maybe have a drink or two as well.
I have a one way ticket to Disney World...life could be worse!

I've been working on hopping plans all day...taking resort breaks for DS and short hours is killing my plans. I might have to lose a day OFF....we'll see...

I am subbing Your son is adorable, and his birthday invites came out awesome! Your Trip sounds like a blast!
This is incredibly good to know.... DBF needs coffee every morning and he is mildly picky
Thanks for mentioning this... I can't eat whole grains, but can eat enriched ones, so knowing this before we head out is a good thing!

Welcome! There are a couple local New Englanders hanging out here...Thanks for the kind words for my DS and his invites. I also just read that the coffee at Starring Rolls in DS is fresh ground and drinkable. I think you will be OK with the buns....I don't think there is actually a whole grain in sight but you should call Disney Dinning ahead of time just in case.

Hey Heidi! Sorry I haven't dropped in for a while. I'm going to try and get caught up over the next few days. Very cool on buying your tickets!

Where have you been??? Glad to have you back...has your DH gotten his new orders yet of where you are moving next?

 

[MRYPPNS]

FROM AMY:I was a little behind and just got caught up! I was going to reply and suggest you book your one way tickets now. Last year I booked round trip and then the fares went down, but I couldn't take advantage of the lower price because I would have had to cancel the whole round trip ticket. Now I always book 2 separate tickets for each way. I can understand your dillema with the extra round trip discount though. In the end, I think you did the right thing. And if you find the fare goes down, you can cancel this portion and re-book with the lower rate. I think you'll get a credit, not a refund. And if it works out that you can book round trip when the rest of the fares come out, just cancel this portion and use the credit to buy the new tickets. Just call and confirm that with a live person first. I'd hate to get you all messed up if I'm wrong.
Great minds think alike...I was totally thinking about canceling a re-booking with the credit...my only worry would be if I lost my seats on first flight during the transactions

I totally agree! MK can be quieter on a MNSSHP day because people without hopper passes will avoid the park for the whole day. And going to any park the morning after an EMH night is a good idea too. I personally prefer to go to two different parks in one day - it always seems like I do so much more that day.
I think I'm going to try to make that work for us...I'm usually not much of a hopper. So unless I decide that I only need to see Wishes once then we will be hopping

We went when Alex was about 16 months old and didn't spend too much time there. When we were there, we ended up doing a lot of baby swapping. There wasn't too much for him to do there. Does he watch any of the shows on the Disney Channel? You could go see the Playhouse Disney show??
I figured out why I want to do so much at DHS...we only went for a half day in 2007...Liam loves Playhouse Disney so we are going to that show once or maybe even twice plus the character lunch. I still think I need to cut from my do list at the studios

I'll be changing things until we leave at this rate!

 

[Native NYer]

I hope you don't have to lose one of your days off. I think the built in rest days are a great idea.

I hope you take lots of pics of all the food from the F&W Fest. I wish I could go that time of year.

 

[stagemomx3]

Did you not use them because crowds were so low or because you had committed you plan to memory?

I had them committed to memory.

 

[MRYPPNS]

I hope you don't have to lose one of your days off. I think the built in rest days are a great idea.

I hope you take lots of pics of all the food from the F&W Fest. I wish I could go that time of year.

Right now I seem to be in a "have to see/do everything" mood about Disney...hopefully it will change back to "walk around/take pictures/do whatever" mood. I blame it on starting the park tour plans.
I have been thinking of photographing food this time...I love food porn so it would be nice to be able to do my own review.

I had them committed to memory.

Nice!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I am totally hoping to find the Mickey grapes at the store -- I am the reason companies use shameless marketing.

Unfortunately, I am no help in the toddler department -- DD went when she was 9 months old, and we didn't go again until DD was seven and DS was five -- it was the Dark Ages of No Disney Trips.

 

[MRYPPNS]

I am totally hoping to find the Mickey grapes at the store -- I am the reason companies use shameless marketing.

Unfortunately, I am no help in the toddler department -- DD went when she was 9 months old, and we didn't go again until DD was seven and DS was five -- it was the Dark Ages of No Disney Trips.

There is really no reason to go shopping at the World of Disney...we can just buy all the Disney labeled stuff at our local grocery store!

I hope to never have a Dark Ages. But I can see a gap in my future when we have another child.

 

[carissanboys]

Where have you been??? Glad to have you back...has your DH gotten his new orders yet of where you are moving next?

I've just been busy with life. But, I'm taking a break from classes for the next 6 months or so and that should give me more Dis time

No orders yet. We still have a few months before we can start looking at what's available. I'm getting anxious though!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I've just been busy with life. But, I'm taking a break from classes for the next 6 months or so and that should give me more Dis time

No orders yet. We still have a few months before we can start looking at what's available. I'm getting anxious though!

Good for you for taking classes...I would love to learn again...reading ...discussing....but I have no desire to do homework.

Where would you like to get stationed this time around?

 

[Charleston Princess]

There is really no reason to go shopping at the World of Disney...we can just buy all the Disney labeled stuff at our local grocery store!

I hope to never have a Dark Ages. But I can see a gap in my future when we have another child.

I don't even know how it happened -- I think I got caught up with life and raising kids.