Glennbo’s City, Sand, and Savanna PTR - TR Link (pg 73)

[afwdwfan]

Park plans look good! I hope you can fit IoA in there at some point. I've never been there since WWOHP opened, but I always enjoy that park.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

your touring plans sound good to me, we are always of the nature to hit a park all day long then have some down days thrown in as well.

it always seemed like a waste to us to go to park for a few hours then take what seemed like a 4 hour break with bus travel and then resting in room then going back to the park....and the one or two times we did that it seemed like when you went back to rest you never had the energy the rest of the day to go back out, you just seemed kinda tired the rest of the day...but that i sjust us...we enjoy being in the park all day long.

but looks like you broke your days up pretty nice.

and as far as having only 3 days left for the next trip, i have never thought of AK as a full day park, so maybe you could combine that with MGM next trip...and just hit all the big items at each and behappy.

if you dont care for shows at either you can do all the bigs, and not miss anything.

That's a lotta dancing for so early in the game.

hey im only going to be in the lead for so long so i have to take advantage of it early.

One Judy!!

very nice catch i dont think many people will see that one.

 

[CreightonsMomma]

I think your park days look good. I know how much you enjoy the down days, so I would skip WWoHP and do it next trip. IA and US are making a lot of changes this year, so I would definitely wait until next time. I think you said that you probably wouldn't be going in 2013 so by 2014 everything will have been completed. Just my two cents....

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Well your plans (at the moment, at least) sound great! I like the idea of scheduling quieter days, it's exhausting having so much fun in the parks!

That'd be really fun if you were able to fit in WWOHP, I'm so curious to go there and see it all for myself! It looks so awesomely themed!

 

[glennbo123]

Park plans look good! I do have to say I'd probably add WWOHP in there if it were me...since you already have a car and all that. I'd have a hard time saying no to that one.

Oh no, I was afraid you'd say that. I have my plans pretty well established without it and I have no idea how I'd squeeze it in. Aaaagh!

So right now I can get semi decent times and rates in the upper $400's with one being a non stop, another a red eye at times we like (we prefer red eye heading there for the time change), doing 2 one way trips on different airlines.

I think you said that's roundtrip, right? I sure hope so.

ridiculously slow.

It's gotten really bad. I wonder what they've done to it.

We bought our Hawaii tickets last year 6 weeks out. They were decent but not what I'd call the "best" deal and definitely more than I'd spent before to get there. All the super saver fare emails I get that are 6 weeks out are not really great deals at all anymore. Of course Seattle isn't on the way to much so that doesn't really help. Seems like the only deals I see are to SF and they aren't really deals, just the fare seems to hold a little more constant.

I so wish I was in a position where I could take advantage of "spur of the moment" travel deals. 6 weeks would feel like that to me, but I know it's not.

One Judy!!

Ok going back to read!

Nice! You got it! I thought of making a little smiley-sized Judy and then I thought "gee, I hope I mentioned her somewhere in that chapter so I could put it in there." Fortunately, I had. I was getting tired of these "zero Judy" chapters.

Point recap:
Dan - 3 Judy-sighting wins
Pat - 1 Judy-sighting win
Molly - 1 Judy-sighting win
Rosie - 1 bonus question win

Park plans look good, I understand what you mean though regarding WWoHP. We're contemplating a quick hop over to Universal because we're big fans. I've read that Sundays are a good day to visit as people are usually transitioning at that time to go home. So maybe you could tweak and add another day? I agree, you'll probably want to go commando though as there will be much to see and only one day to do so. Plus, as you said, if you're going to have a car, then it's soooo easy! I'd try to squeeze it in if you can, especially since your kiddos seem excited over it.

Hmmm, maybe I need to run it by the boss.

Also, for park planning purposes, there's a great, free website that allows you to see which days they anticipate crowds and why...it's called easywdw.com. The guy that runs it gives explanations too (like TGM) for why he does or does not recommend a certain park.

Thanks! I checked that out and feel vindicated on my DHS day on Sunday -- that's their recommended park, for exactly the same reasoning as what I had. <folds arms smugly> Monday, MK is not recommended for the whole "start of a lot of peoples' vacations" reasoning, like I figured, but I'm not sure what else I can do about that.

Park plans look good! I hope you can fit IoA in there at some point. I've never been there since WWOHP opened, but I always enjoy that park.

Ooo, you pro-IoA people are making it tough!

your touring plans sound good to me, we are always of the nature to hit a park all day long then have some down days thrown in as well.

it always seemed like a waste to us to go to park for a few hours then take what seemed like a 4 hour break with bus travel and then resting in room then going back to the park....and the one or two times we did that it seemed like when you went back to rest you never had the energy the rest of the day to go back out, you just seemed kinda tired the rest of the day...but that i sjust us...we enjoy being in the park all day long.

We always have intentions to get out around 1pm and go back to the pool, but we have trouble tearing ourselves away and it's usually closer to 3. I think this time we'll try to do that and then we may go to a different park in the evening, just to get some thrill rides in.

but looks like you broke your days up pretty nice.

and as far as having only 3 days left for the next trip, i have never thought of AK as a full day park, so maybe you could combine that with MGM next trip...and just hit all the big items at each and behappy.

if you dont care for shows at either you can do all the bigs, and not miss anything.

I pretty much agree with that, especially considering that we've seen all the shows now. But I'll have to be careful of the wishes of others traveling with me....I could see Judy wanting to catch a couple of shows, and my mom also.

hey im only going to be in the lead for so long so i have to take advantage of it early.

Still leading!

very nice catch i dont think many people will see that one.

I think it's obvious to anyone who actually reads the post. Skimmers, maybe not so much.

I think your park days look good. I know how much you enjoy the down days, so I would skip WWoHP and do it next trip. IA and US are making a lot of changes this year, so I would definitely wait until next time. I think you said that you probably wouldn't be going in 2013 so by 2014 everything will have been completed. Just my two cents....

Thanks Jen, I appreciate your two cents. It'll be a couple of years before I think we'll get back to WDW. We need our DVC points to replenish in 2013, then in 2014 Judy and I are planning to visit Aulani, so....2015 is looking like the next WDW year. That delay is making this kind of tough.

Well your plans (at the moment, at least) sound great! I like the idea of scheduling quieter days, it's exhausting having so much fun in the parks!

I know how your plans can change many, many times....right up to the last minute!

That'd be really fun if you were able to fit in WWOHP, I'm so curious to go there and see it all for myself! It looks so awesomely themed!

I know! I'd love to see it.

 

[eandesmom]

Oh no, I was afraid you'd say that. I have my plans pretty well established without it and I have no idea how I'd squeeze it in. Aaaagh!

When there's a will, there's a way. Kind of depends on the age of the gang and if you think waiting a year would make a difference in interest and enjoyment. James will still be fine a year from now, it would be the girls I might want to get there sooner rather than later. I know you know how much our crew enjoyed it!

I think you said that's roundtrip, right? I sure hope so.

yes, RT but that's on the low side of what's out there right now. I know it's what many have been paying all along and I've been spoiled but 2 trips on miles and 2 at a killer rate will do that to a person. Times 4, 5 or 6 and well...it adds up fast as you well know.

I so wish I was in a position where I could take advantage of "spur of the moment" travel deals. 6 weeks would feel like that to me, but I know it's not.

Me too. Although I think we just decided on a spur of the moment trip in 2 weeks. no flights though.

LOVE the Judy smiley!

 

[Flossbolna]

Just a very quick reply before I forget these two points:

If you haven't used those tickets yet at all, you might still be able to change your 7 day tickets into 8 day tickets. As far as I know you can upgrade any ticket until 14 days after first use.

And on WWoHP: I think you already know how much Katharina and I loved IoA! So I of course would recommend it! And from reading on the Universal board, one tip there is actually to go on a Sunday because that is one of the slowest days supposedly. But you might want to ask there, there are some very knowledgeable people!

More once I had time to really read through your update!!

 

[rentayenta]

How did you make a Judy smiley?


I like your plan. I'd love to do something that. We're going 12 days and my plan is to get 10 day hoppers. I have a feeling while DH and I are enjoying the resort, the kids may want to pop over to a park for a bit.

 

[vamassey1]

Plans look great! I need to take a trip that includes some down time. Maybe next year. Going to IOA is a hard choice. I keep saying we're going to go someday, but we haven't made it yet.

Since our trip next month is so short we'll be in full commando.

 

[PrincessV]

The next step for any Disney vacation planner is to decide on park days – how many, which days, and which parks.

Our last two trips we had annual passes, and I have to tell you, planning for this trip with regular tickets feels a whole lot different.

I truly can't imagine! I've been helping a friend of a friend with her family's WDW plan and it's HARD for me to make suggestions for their non-hopping MYW tix - I have to keep reminding myself that there's no "just pop over to EP for dinner".

And, I was thinking that with Gram and Poppy along on this trip we wouldn’t do WWHP because we’ll definitely want to tour that park commando-style and they’d either slow us down or I’d have to ask them to stay at Kidani, which would be rude.

Read on...

I do have to say I'd probably add WWOHP in there if it were me...since you already have a car and all that.

And on WWoHP: I think you already know how much Katharina and I loved IoA! So I of course would recommend it!

I'll add a third recommendation to get thee to Potterland! Would Gram and Poppy be down with strolling some of IOA slowly, on their own? WWOHP is very compact, so even going commando in there doesn't involve much running around and there's a TON through which to stroll slowly and savor. The rest of the park doesn't feel too bad, in terms of walking, either, and just doesn't require the kind of mad-dash mentality of the WDW parks. Just some things to ponder!

 

[MEK]

Doesn't it just seem like no matter how much time you have there is never enough time to do everything you want to do? I think a trip over to Universal Studios sounds great, but I haven't figured out how to fit one in myself!

 

[glennbo123]

When there's a will, there's a way. Kind of depends on the age of the gang and if you think waiting a year would make a difference in interest and enjoyment. James will still be fine a year from now, it would be the girls I might want to get there sooner rather than later. I know you know how much our crew enjoyed it!

Exactly…I think our kids are the perfect age for that attraction. And in a few years, who knows if they’ll even be able to travel with us. They might have summer jobs, internships, a summer semester, etc. etc.

yes, RT but that's on the low side of what's out there right now. I know it's what many have been paying all along and I've been spoiled but 2 trips on miles and 2 at a killer rate will do that to a person. Times 4, 5 or 6 and well...it adds up fast as you well know.

Oh, how I know how it all adds up. Well, it’s good that you were spoiled for a while. I hope you can find something good again.

Me too. Although I think we just decided on a spur of the moment trip in 2 weeks. no flights though.

Sounds interesting! Where we live you’d think we’d take spur of the moment trips to some places that are within driving distance, but we never do!

LOVE the Judy smiley!

Thanks! I kinda liked it myself.

Just a very quick reply before I forget these two points:

If you haven't used those tickets yet at all, you might still be able to change your 7 day tickets into 8 day tickets. As far as I know you can upgrade any ticket until 14 days after first use.

Yes, that’s what I was thinking. They haven’t been used yet, so I should still have the option to add one more day. It’ll be more expensive than it would have been back in 2010, but I can still do it.

And on WWoHP: I think you already know how much Katharina and I loved IoA! So I of course would recommend it! And from reading on the Universal board, one tip there is actually to go on a Sunday because that is one of the slowest days supposedly. But you might want to ask there, there are some very knowledgeable people!

More once I had time to really read through your update!!

Obviously Katharina enjoyed it, because she kept walking in front of you while you took pictures. What about a Friday?

How did you make a Judy smiley?

I’d already done most of the work when creating this photo for last year’s trip report:

Which appeared in this chapter

To do it I selected a picture of Judy and with the magic of Photobucket, I erased everything around her and saved it as its own photo, and then I plopped that photo into the one above. (And did the same with myself – the original picture was just the Voices of Liberty singers.) With that done, the smiley version was easy – I just resized it to be really small (and saved as a copy rather than replacing).

Hey, that means I could easily make a Glennbo smiley….

I like your plan. I'd love to do something that. We're going 12 days and my plan is to get 10 day hoppers. I have a feeling while DH and I are enjoying the resort, the kids may want to pop over to a park for a bit.

I know, the kids can go like crazy, can’t they? I think it’d be nice to enjoy the resort for a bit, but they’ll probably want to head to a park.

Plans look great! I need to take a trip that includes some down time. Maybe next year. Going to IOA is a hard choice. I keep saying we're going to go someday, but we haven't made it yet.

Thanks!

I had to laugh at “Maybe next year”.

Since our trip next month is so short we'll be in full commando.

I truly can't imagine! I've been helping a friend of a friend with her family's WDW plan and it's HARD for me to make suggestions for their non-hopping MYW tix - I have to keep reminding myself that there's no "just pop over to EP for dinner".

Well at least we’ll be able to hop. But park days are park days and non-park days are non-park days….once through the turnstiles, you’re committed. Our last two visits were with annual passes, so it’ll seem a lot different.

I'll add a third recommendation to get thee to Potterland! Would Gram and Poppy be down with strolling some of IOA slowly, on their own? WWOHP is very compact, so even going commando in there doesn't involve much running around and there's a TON through which to stroll slowly and savor. The rest of the park doesn't feel too bad, in terms of walking, either, and just doesn't require the kind of mad-dash mentality of the WDW parks. Just some things to ponder!

Hmmmm….sounds like I’ll have to have a talk with Judy and them and see what we can work out.

Doesn't it just seem like no matter how much time you have there is never enough time to do everything you want to do? I think a trip over to Universal Studios sounds great, but I haven't figured out how to fit one in myself!

Yes! Yes it does! I need a couple more weeks….and then a week back home to rest up.

 

[eandesmom]

Exactly…I think our kids are the perfect age for that attraction. And in a few years, who knows if they’ll even be able to travel with us. They might have summer jobs, internships, a summer semester, etc. etc.

See, that's what happened to us last summer and we didn't end up getting to take K&T on a summer trip...at all! This year we are commandeering Kendall but Taylor is...an adult. With his own life. It's hard to see them leave the nest! That's why, if it were me, I'd get it in this summer as you just don't know.....

 

[tinacaplan]

Wow...you could put that Mike guy out of business...and Touring Plans. It appears that you've figured out a significant part of their formula! I'm not sure how much stock to put into their scheduling, anyway. I think if you know what you're doing when you get to a park, you can probably be OK no matter what. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself, as February promises to be crazy busy this year.

LOVE the Judy smilie, too!

 

[englishrose47]

The plans look great Glenn !! I have been having an awful time with the Dis and have just been saying FORGET it !!!

I never do EMH when with Judy and the kids as that is just tooooooo early for them !!We did do the Evening one at MK last year and worked out well
I have started a ptr on my 2012 Free Trips and that is where I had my problems with posting !! So you have the Rosie Link It's on the PTR board !!!!!!

 

[Poolrat]

Anybody else having trouble with the Disboards? I couldn’t get on last night or I would have posted replies sooner.

It has been horrible lately. I am sure it has to do withteh new servers and such but last night it took me forever to do 1 reply.




I love the Judy smilie and Molly got me this time.


You have a great plan so far. I understand the lure of WWoHP with Lauren being a senior, you are also right about not having many more chances.

Think about it and see if you can tweak anything. It is is too much to do then wait, but if you can .....

I was lucky that I got my "last family" vacation when I did. With summer jobs and everthing else, I was right in thinking it would be the last time.

I also hear you on Annual pass vs tickets. You sound you you tour like I do... even with the AP.

I think as you continue to plan, you will come up with a great workable plan that works for your group.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I got an e-mail from Southwest with the wording that Pat posted, so it all made sense when I understood what was happening. I think it’s a good idea actually, (to show all of the costs, including taxes and fees and such).

Ooo, I just noticed your Hawaii ticker (although you've probably had it there for a long time). Will you be visiting Aulani?

It hasn't been there long - maybe 3 weeks - We are staying on the AF base near Pearl Harbor, but yes! we are planning to visit Aulani for sure! Jim's being sent there for work, so I just had to get my ticket and I can stay in his room (he has enough rank to get his own) I'm so excited!

I hadn’t. I’m afraid we may have our own version…time will tell.
Can't wait for the stories! It is true though - you never know when you might need a band-aid or a cough drop or....

SSR does have a good location.



Now what obsessed planner can wait until 6 weeks before to book their tickets? But they probably know that, don’t they.

I know! They probably think all those DISers will buy their tickets 11 mos. in advance!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I think you might need a flowchart to follow these park days. Preferably colorized and laminated, so you can carry it with you.

And you have Judy and Glennbo smileys.

Totally agree with avoiding EMH parks. Even in September, we noticed a difference in park attendance with the EMH playing a heavy influence.

Good luck fitting WWoHP in! Not sure how you can accomplish that without a flux capacitor, but it'll be fun to watch!

 

[FairyGodmotherJen]

Normally I’d end the chapter there, but the other night we were watching TV and an ad for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter

came on and of course, the kids said how they’d love to visit it. And so would I. But I just don’t know how I would squeeze it in. Even for our non-park days I have some things planned that I haven’t shared with you yet. And, I was thinking that with Gram and Poppy along on this trip we wouldn’t do WWHP because we’ll definitely want to tour that park commando-style and they’d either slow us down or I’d have to ask them to stay at Kidani, which would be rude. But on the other hand, we’ll have a car since it looks like we’ll be driving, so that would be a plus. We could potentially spend an extra day and go after Gram and Poppy leave, but then we’d be at the park on the weekend, the busiest days, and really I should be on the road in order to get back to work. Ay-yi-yi!

It all just goes to show – like with any planner, the plan is “set”, but is always subject to change!

DH and I just had this conversation. The two older kids and I have been reading the HP series together (one of my all-time favorites, so I'm loving sharing it with them). They're completely into it - my son has been weaving Hungarian Horntails into his writing assignments at school! But we're actually switching the kids to Catholic school next year, and I'm barely going to have this trip saved for as it is. I looked for one day tickets - at $85 each for three of us and $79 for the other two, it's just not going to be in the cards. Someday...

Hi Jen! It’s good to “see” you again. How is everyone? When is your trip?

We're good - busy, as always, but good. I'm not sure how I managed to spend as much time on the boards as I did before our last trip... Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I was planning it for 16 people!!!

We're looking at heading down for about five days in October - taking advantage of the new "balanced calendar" that we've got for next year. Two weeks off in October might mean that we don't have to go down during the sweltering summer months anymore - woohoo! The plan is to try Riverside. I've heard great things about it. We haven't actually booked yet, since the calendar was just approved and we're waiting on DH's uncle to finalize his plans, since he wants to come along. I'm getting a little skittish - I want to have it set!

 

[glennbo123]

See, that's what happened to us last summer and we didn't end up getting to take K&T on a summer trip...at all! This year we are commandeering Kendall but Taylor is...an adult. With his own life. It's hard to see them leave the nest! That's why, if it were me, I'd get it in this summer as you just don't know.....

You're right. I'm a little bit in denial, but I see it coming.

Wow...you could put that Mike guy out of business...and Touring Plans. It appears that you've figured out a significant part of their formula!

I don't know about that, but at least I don't feel like I have to pay for their services anymore.

I'm not sure how much stock to put into their scheduling, anyway. I think if you know what you're doing when you get to a park, you can probably be OK no matter what. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself, as February promises to be crazy busy this year.

I know what you mean -- the worst day in May could still be better than the best day in June....but, we want every advantage we can get, right?

LOVE the Judy smilie, too!

Thanks. I wonder when Rosie will ask Judy how she likes it?

The plans look great Glenn !! I have been having an awful time with the Dis and have just been saying FORGET it !!!

Thank you.

Me too. It's made it really difficult to comment on other peoples' threads or respond here. Yesterday I saw that Tammie had commented, but I couldn't even get in to look at it.

I never do EMH when with Judy and the kids as that is just tooooooo early for them !!We did do the Evening one at MK last year and worked out well

Regular rope-drop time is plenty early enough...I agree! It'll be interesting to see if/who is up for heading back to the parks at night. I have a feeling my older kids will, but we may pay for it in crankiness the next morning.

I have started a ptr on my 2012 Free Trips and that is where I had my problems with posting !! So you have the Rosie Link It's on the PTR board !!!!!!

Thanks for the heads-up. I'm subscribed!

It has been horrible lately. I am sure it has to do withteh new servers and such but last night it took me forever to do 1 reply.

I can't believe how bad it's been. It seems quite a bit better today though.

I love the Judy smilie and Molly got me this time.

Thank you. Molly was on top of her game this round.

You have a great plan so far. I understand the lure of WWoHP with Lauren being a senior, you are also right about not having many more chances.

Think about it and see if you can tweak anything. It is is too much to do then wait, but if you can .....

Some things might be in the works.

I was lucky that I got my "last family" vacation when I did. With summer jobs and everthing else, I was right in thinking it would be the last time.

Good catch. I'm sure it will be treasured.

I also hear you on Annual pass vs tickets. You sound you you tour like I do... even with the AP.

Well of course -- you do it the right way!

I think as you continue to plan, you will come up with a great workable plan that works for your group.

I think so. I already know the outcome -- we'll have a great time and come home exhausted.

I know! They probably think all those DISers will buy their tickets 11 mos. in advance!

I hate it when marketers have me all figured out.

I'm glad I wasn't too slow in noticing your new ticker.

I think you might need a flowchart to follow these park days. Preferably colorized and laminated, so you can carry it with you.

At the end of the PTR I will be selling a "Park Day Decision Tree" for $49.95. (Just kidding moderators.)

And you have Judy and Glennbo smileys.

Doesn't everybody?

Totally agree with avoiding EMH parks. Even in September, we noticed a difference in park attendance with the EMH playing a heavy influence.

I'm glad they instituted it, so I know where everybody else is going.

Good luck fitting WWoHP in! Not sure how you can accomplish that without a flux capacitor, but it'll be fun to watch!

If you know where I can get a flux capacitor, I'd be much obliged.

DH and I just had this conversation. The two older kids and I have been reading the HP series together (one of my all-time favorites, so I'm loving sharing it with them). They're completely into it - my son has been weaving Hungarian Horntails into his writing assignments at school! But we're actually switching the kids to Catholic school next year, and I'm barely going to have this trip saved for as it is. I looked for one day tickets - at $85 each for three of us and $79 for the other two, it's just not going to be in the cards. Someday...

Sorry that it's not working out for this year for you. Keep planning and saving, you'll get there.

Even Judy read the books and loved them....and that's saying something because she's not much of a reader, she's a math person. She helps with all of the math homework, and I get all of the English, science, and everything else. Good thing math is where help is almost always needed.

We're good - busy, as always, but good. I'm not sure how I managed to spend as much time on the boards as I did before our last trip... Maybe it has something to do with the fact that I was planning it for 16 people!!!

We're looking at heading down for about five days in October - taking advantage of the new "balanced calendar" that we've got for next year. Two weeks off in October might mean that we don't have to go down during the sweltering summer months anymore - woohoo! The plan is to try Riverside. I've heard great things about it. We haven't actually booked yet, since the calendar was just approved and we're waiting on DH's uncle to finalize his plans, since he wants to come along. I'm getting a little skittish - I want to have it set!

I'm glad you're doing well. Boy, I wish we had some time off other than summer and Christmas break...I'd definitely take advantage of that. I think you'll like Riverside, we love it. The pool's great, and you'll have to catch Yee haa Bob!