***Official November 2013***

[FigmentChick]

DH was not a fan of off site , but I am thinking of staying off site for 2 nights for our Uni days (and to save a little $$)

We actually rented a house for our first two family trips. It was great and actually much cheaper than staying on-site. However, we started staying onsite in 2009 because my DMIL was with us and we wanted to ensure we could make it back to the resort super-fast if needed. We love the EMH and the food court at POR. And, if free dining is offered, that makes the deal. However, last year they didn't offer FD until August and by then I made alternate arrangements to stay off site, just in case. We'll do it if we have to, but I do so like the convenience plus all that great Disney customer service that I'm not sure I'll get somewhere else.

 

[UndercoverMama]

We actually rented a house for our first two family trips. It was great and actually much cheaper than staying on-site. However, we started staying onsite in 2009 because my DMIL was with us and we wanted to ensure we could make it back to the resort super-fast if needed. We love the EMH and the food court at POR. And, if free dining is offered, that makes the deal. However, last year they didn't offer FD until August and by then I made alternate arrangements to stay off site, just in case. We'll do it if we have to, but I do so like the convenience plus all that great Disney customer service that I'm not sure I'll get somewhere else.

We did a condo last time and our oldest actually preferred it to on site (probably because she had her own bedroom with a TV ) but the middle two want on site again. The youngest doesn't remember the on site trip.

I know most touring plans say to avoid EMH but I love them and missed them!

With this much time to plan we will definitely be on site. It just depends on what discounts are offered if it is a split stay, most of the stay or all of the stay. I seriously need a crytal ball for Disney discounts

My daughter is sick today and I got zero sleep so I am going to spend some time cuddling and looking at Disney Christmas pics.

We have never went to other resorts just to visit, only to eat. Visiting while everything is decorated though makes me think we should check out some of the Deluxe's to check them out. Anyone that has been there that time of year before have a must do resort to visit? Anyone who hasn't been have a list of resorts they want to see?

 

[FigmentChick]

I agree with you about the crystal ball! lol And also about the Christmas decorations. That is why we decided to have our trip when we did. We love the F&W Festival, but we also would like to see the Christmas decorations and make sure the kids don't miss too much school. So, the first full week of next November it is!

As for EMH....yes, yes, I've read all about how you are supposed to avoid them. But we are BIG park hoppers....we always start at one park and end up at least one other park throughout the day (sometimes two or all of them!). Usually we end up at Epcot, snacking at the F&W kiosks. So, what we normally do is start at the EMH park and leave by 10am to go somewhere else. We make the best of our time, but, as OCD as I am, we really don't have a set schedule while we're there (except for our ADRs and even those we've decided to change or cancel the day of). We let the kids decided what ride or show they want to see or do next. I'm just happy to be off and with my family (for example, I've taken my kids away for a couple of weekends this year but haven't had any "time off" from work this year. No vacation at all. But, on the bright side, the President is allowing me to cash it out - that's my AutoTrain $$$).

 

[UndercoverMama]

Have you used autotrain before? It seems kind of pricey (note - I am a tightwad) but like a really fun experience.

 

[FigmentChick]

Have you used autotrain before? It seems kind of pricey (note - I am a tightwad) but like a really fun experience.

Nope...never. However, if I fly, it will cost betwen $1300 to $1500 for airfare and then another $300 to $400 for a rental car. The AutoTrain will cost us $1,024 round trip. We're planning on coach seats, not any of the rooms. My hubby is six and a half feet tall, so space would be a major consideration for one of those rooms. Plus.....I have a $200 voucher from Amtrak since I was stuck on the Northeast line on June 10th for 4.5 hours. Can you say grueling? lol So, all total, taking the Auto Train rather than flying will save me about $1000.

 

[jennyjinx3]

We are in too! Nov 16 - 21 AOA, then 3 night Dream! So excited! Cruise is booked but WDW portion not yet....soon!!

 

[stmize]

We are in too! Nov 16 - 21 AOA, then 3 night Dream! So excited! Cruise is booked but WDW portion not yet....soon!!

You get off the dream the day we get on We can't wait.

 

[FigmentChick]

Since we're quite a few pages in now, I guess I should get off my duff and start an actual list going. lol I might not be able to get to it until Friday, though.....I have a township rec meeting on Thursday night where I have to present the budgets for both mini wrestling and Little League. Oh, the joys of people finding out what you actually do for a living.

Anyway.....thought I would share what I just found on the Disney website:

Great package options are available select dates: January 2 - December 12, 2013.

Room & Tickets
6-night, 7-day vacation packages, with tickets valid at all 4 Theme Parks, for as little as
$72 per person, per day for a family of four at a select Value Resort.

Total package price $2,009*

Room, Tickets & Dining
6-night, 7-day vacation packages with the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan and tickets valid at
all 4 Theme Parks, for as little as $99 per person, per day for a family of four at a select Value Resort.

Total package price $2,771*


Vacation Package Details

*Sample prices are based on 2 adults, one junior and one child in a standard room at a select Disney Value Resort for select 2013 dates: January 2 to February 13, February 24 to March 7, April 7 to May 30, August 4 to November 22, and November 30 to December 12, 2013. The number of rooms allocated for these packages may be limited. Tickets valid for one theme park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. See more package options for 2013.

I know these dates work for me, but I'm kinda upset that we probably won't see FD based on this. Bummer. However, I'll call this afternoon and see what's what. Anything to save a buck.....

I did try to call this morning, but you get a message that says their systems are down, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Best of luck to everyone and let me know what you plan to do!!!

 

[UndercoverMama]

I did try to call this morning, but you get a message that says their systems are down, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Best of luck to everyone and let me know what you plan to do!!!

Reservations are down until this afternoon. Presumably getting everything ready for the Jan-March discount release tomorrow.

So wait - they are releasing a years worth of package discounts? Or is that just the price of a package? Cannot wait until the system is back up so I can price out different scenarios and see what the savings are... Ahh the life of a Disney geek

 

[figmentswife]

I don't think this means there will not be free dining I just think that they are trying to get people to make reservations now instead of waiting for a better discount. An there is really no discount in this deal it is just general rates before the rate increase

 

[sjs314]

Since we're quite a few pages in now, I guess I should get off my duff and start an actual list going. lol I might not be able to get to it until Friday, though.....I have a township rec meeting on Thursday night where I have to present the budgets for both mini wrestling and Little League. Oh, the joys of people finding out what you actually do for a living.

Anyway.....thought I would share what I just found on the Disney website:

Great package options are available select dates: January 2 - December 12, 2013.

Room & Tickets
6-night, 7-day vacation packages, with tickets valid at all 4 Theme Parks, for as little as
$72 per person, per day for a family of four at a select Value Resort.

Total package price $2,009*

Room, Tickets & Dining
6-night, 7-day vacation packages with the Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan and tickets valid at
all 4 Theme Parks, for as little as $99 per person, per day for a family of four at a select Value Resort.

Total package price $2,771*


Vacation Package Details

*Sample prices are based on 2 adults, one junior and one child in a standard room at a select Disney Value Resort for select 2013 dates: January 2 to February 13, February 24 to March 7, April 7 to May 30, August 4 to November 22, and November 30 to December 12, 2013. The number of rooms allocated for these packages may be limited. Tickets valid for one theme park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use. See more package options for 2013.

I know these dates work for me, but I'm kinda upset that we probably won't see FD based on this. Bummer. However, I'll call this afternoon and see what's what. Anything to save a buck.....

I did try to call this morning, but you get a message that says their systems are down, yadda, yadda, yadda.

Best of luck to everyone and let me know what you plan to do!!!

Did you see this on the Special offers page? I just went there and not seeing it?

 

[FigmentChick]

Reservations are down until this afternoon. Presumably getting everything ready for the Jan-March discount release tomorrow.

So wait - they are releasing a years worth of package discounts? Or is that just the price of a package? Cannot wait until the system is back up so I can price out different scenarios and see what the savings are... Ahh the life of a Disney geek

Yes, it seems like they are offering up a year's worth of discounts....BUT....did you notice all the blackout dates? Yup, same here. I'm just going to play around with some numbers and see what I get.

I don't think this means there will not be free dining I just think that they are trying to get people to make reservations now instead of waiting for a better discount. An there is really no discount in this deal it is just garnered rates before the rate increase

As soon as I saw this, I called my hubby. We were going back and forth to see what's best. I don't think he understood where I was coming from - nab a discount when you can. lol He is soooo spoiled by the FD (well, so am I), but if I've done the math right (and I have a mathematics degree), this will add about $600 to what I had originally priced out for room & just tickets. I think $600 for 10 days of dining for 5 people is just fine with me.

And....until next September, I'll just keep my fingers crossed that FD does come out. And staying off-site seems to be out of the picture now. He & I were talking about (1) how convenient it is to stay a hop, skip and a jump away from the parks and (2) we really don't trust leaving our daughter at another resort or house for a couple of hours by herself.

Did you see this on the Special offers page? I just went there and not seeing it?

When I clicked on Walt Disney World on Google, I was taken to the main page, this was one of the offers that blinked by. Here's the link : http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/vacation-packages/.

 

[figmentswife]

I am considering booking it just to have it booked and the prices not increase on me in a few months but I am still holding out tons of hope for free dining. The reason we will check in the wed the week before thanksgiving is because for the past few years free dining has been offered until either the Wed or thurs the week before thanksgiving.

 

[sjs314]

Yes, it seems like they are offering up a year's worth of discounts....BUT....did you notice all the blackout dates? Yup, same here. I'm just going to play around with some numbers and see what I get.


As soon as I saw this, I called my hubby. We were going back and forth to see what's best. I don't think he understood where I was coming from - nab a discount when you can. lol He is soooo spoiled by the FD (well, so am I), but if I've done the math right (and I have a mathematics degree), this will add about $600 to what I had originally priced out for room & just tickets. I think $600 for 10 days of dining for 5 people is just fine with me.

And....until next September, I'll just keep my fingers crossed that FD does come out. And staying off-site seems to be out of the picture now. He & I were talking about (1) how convenient it is to stay a hop, skip and a jump away from the parks and (2) we really don't trust leaving our daughter at another resort or house for a couple of hours by herself.


When I clicked on Walt Disney World on Google, I was taken to the main page, this was one of the offers that blinked by. Here's the link : http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/vacation-packages/.

Thanks for link

I am a firm believer in booking to lock in a deal since you can always change later. Most of our trips I book FD then switch when a room discount comes out as it s better for us as there is just 2 of us and we stay Deluxe

 

[FigmentChick]

You ladies are too wonderful!!! I have the same theory - book now with the discount that's being offered (if there is one) so I at least have the room and if something better comes along, change it.

As I have found on these boards, though, not everyone shares that belief. So glad I'm in such good company.......

 

[jennyjinx3]

Figmentchick: Thanks for posting that link...I am actually excited about this! Our dates are included! Hoping it does actually save us some money!

 

[UndercoverMama]

I don't know if I am doing something wrong but it doesn't seem to give me a discount. I'll call in a few days, I know all the Jan-March people are going to be calling the next few days to get the discount.

 

[FigmentChick]

I don't know if I am doing something wrong but it doesn't seem to give me a discount. I'll call in a few days, I know all the Jan-March people are going to be calling the next few days to get the discount.

You know what? Same here. Not good....not good at all. I guess it's just a new way for Disney to advertise the MYW packages....they've just renamed them. Got me all excited for nothing.

Here's hoping for FD next year or a PIN code.

 

[jennyjinx3]

Figmentchick: Thanks for posting that link...I am actually excited about this! Our dates are included! Hoping it does actually save us some money!

 

[FigmentChick]

Agreed!!! 100% agreed!!! That's ok...maybe we'll get free dining. LOL