***Official April 2013 thread*** SEE POST # 4028

[wdwgirl03]

Is my family the only one who doesn't make a ton of ADRs? My dad and I were able to make ours last week and we only made two (and that is considered a lot by our standards, LOL). We'd rather do quick service and be able to explore the parks at a leisurely pace. On our trip this past April we had two ADRs too, on back to back nights, and I could not imagine doing that every night.

 

[wdw71]

Is my family the only one who doesn't make a ton of ADRs? My dad and I were able to make ours last week and we only made two (and that is considered a lot by our standards, LOL). We'd rather do quick service and be able to explore the parks at a leisurely pace. On our trip this past April we had two ADRs too, on back to back nights, and I could not imagine doing that every night.

You are not the only ones. We made only 3 ADRs for our April trip. One breakfast (CRT for DD Bday) and two dinners (Via Napoli and Be Our Guest). We like food but would much rather be riding rides and seeing the parks.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[pwdebbie]

Is my family the only one who doesn't make a ton of ADRs? My dad and I were able to make ours last week and we only made two (and that is considered a lot by our standards, LOL). We'd rather do quick service and be able to explore the parks at a leisurely pace. On our trip this past April we had two ADRs too, on back to back nights, and I could not imagine doing that every night.

I have to make at least one ADR a day because the one thing my husband likes to do is eat out. So when we are at Disney, this is what makes the trip special for him. I think if I were there with someone else, I could skip most of the ADR meals and just do the quick service places, but I doubt I'll ever have a chance to try that.

 

[Mousemommy1]

Is my family the only one who doesn't make a ton of ADRs? My dad and I were able to make ours last week and we only made two (and that is considered a lot by our standards, LOL). We'd rather do quick service and be able to explore the parks at a leisurely pace. On our trip this past April we had two ADRs too, on back to back nights, and I could not imagine doing that every night.

We usually do the DDP, so we usually have at least 1 ADR per day...we have found that it's becoming annoying to be tied down to ADR's, so we are ditching the DDP on our upcoming trip and using TiW instead, and only making 4 ADR's. (Maybe 5)...but over our 10 night stay that's not a ton!

We are really excited to be more free and kind of do what we want this time around.

 

[TJDisneymama]

I like to have at least 1 sit down meal a day. After a couple of days at the counter service places, I start feeling like I want to barf at the thought of another burger or sandwich or pizza.


Does anyone here a Southwest Visa? I need help! My first billing cycle closed yesterday and all the points show on the statement. But nothing when I login to the SW Rapid Rewards account. Does it take a day to get into that account or do I need to manually transfer them over???

 

[USAND3KIDS]

So I just got a PIN email! It's the one that's been floating around but is only good starting 4/21 so doesn't help me....

but it's addressed in the "to" box to my father because when we went this year I booked for both of us with his credit card and had all our stuff sent to my address. So I wonder if this means I'd be able to use it (if I eventually get one for my dates) since, as far as Disney is considered, we are in the same 'household' and I belive i've read anyone in the same household can use a PIN???

I used one last time that came addressed to my sister. They actually told me I wasn't going to be able to at first because she was'nt on the reservation, but I told them that that name was actually me and that when I sign up for junk mail and things I use a different first name so I can track junk mail vs real mail. They bought it, and let me use it for free dining. Yay!!! Lol

 

[USAND3KIDS]

192 days for us! ADR time coming soon!

Okay, this is going to be a little off-topic, but since we have so many people from around the US I'm curious to find out. In New Hampshire, schools are being mandated to change to Standards-Based Grading. This basically means that the test is the only thing that will be graded and count towards the final grade-they are viewed as 'summative' while everything else (homework, classwork, etc.) is called 'formative'. The problem with our school, however, is that they decided to mess with everything else at the same time.

The basic gist? No more A-F, no more 1-100. The grades are Proficient with Distinction (PWD/similar to an A), Proficient Plus (P+/similar to a B), Proficient (P/similar to a C), Partially Proficient (PP/similar to a D), Substantially Below Profcient (SBP/similar to an F). This absolutely sucks for a few reasons, namely because there is no more difference between an A and an A+. The point is to get kids to demonstrate 'proficiency' in the things that they're being taught, but in a lot of my honors classes we have to go 'above and beyond' and add a bunch of extra information they never taught us to our test answers. For example, in Anatomy and Physiology all of our tests are case studies. If a question asks about which region of the body an injury is located, we have to explain not only that (which would only get you a P+/B) but something extra, like how that injury could have been avoided, which we were never taught but is necessary for the PWD.

My question is, is anyone experiencing anything similar in their school districts? I know that I know a lot more about what's going on since I'm a kid and I see it every day, but if anyone else is seeing similar stuff...the biggest thing is that our administration is telling parents that 'everyone is doing the same thing', which is a blatant lie because pretty much every other NH school retained A-F grading during this change.

My only problem with it is that I'm a senior, so it's seriously impacting my college applications because most colleges have never seen anything like this. We still have GPA/class rank, but this year's freshmen will not! I find that ridiculous. We're actively working to change the system at least for our class, but I'm just curious to see if anyone else is seeing the same thing.

Thanks!

We have the same proficient and proficient with distinction.....but it's only for the NECAP testing. The report cards are still in the A-F format. Are your kids doing the NECAP testing this week? We are here.

 

[USAND3KIDS]

Where did you see that? I would love to eat there, but didn't think it was on the dining plan! That would rock.

The flier I saw online didn't have much listed for DTD at all.

It showed it when I pulled up Fultons. You can go under reservations and see a chart that shows accepted dining plans. It takes 2 credits though. Still worth it in my opinion.

 

[USAND3KIDS]

There sure are a lot of us Mass and NH people going in April.

 

[Jays2013]

It showed it when I pulled up Fultons. You can go under reservations and see a chart that shows accepted dining plans. It takes 2 credits though. Still worth it in my opinion.

Oh my. I may have to tweak things again ...

Here's what the tenative plan is/was with 16 days to ADRs ...

WEDNESDAY: Arrive, explore hotel, Boma for dinner. (We honeymooned at AKL and it means a lot for us to take the boys there. )

THURSDAY: Magic Kingdom, dinner at Chef Mickey.

FRIDAY: Epcot, dinner at Akershus.

SATURDAY: Animal Kingdom early, dinner at Ohana, Pirates & Pals cruise for DS2 and me

SUNDAY: Hollywood Studios, breakfast or lunch at Hollywood & Vine (DS2 loves Jake), DisneyQuest in the evening

MONDAY: Typhoon Lagoon, Cape May Cafe dinner

TUESDAY: Magic Kingdom, Crystal Palace breakfast, lunch or dinner (haven't decided ... I'd like to do breakfast, but DH and DS1 are not morning people)

WEDNESDAY: (If we stay an extra day ...) Whichever park the boys loved most in the morning, dinner at Coral Reef at Epcot

Any suggestions/tweaks? The only completely new places for us are Akershus, Cape May Cafe and Hollywood & Vine.

Also, has anyone done the Pirates & Pals cruise? You have to call to make reservations for that, correct?

 

[USAND3KIDS]

Oh my. I may have to tweak things again ...

Here's what the tenative plan is/was with 16 days to ADRs ...

WEDNESDAY: Arrive, explore hotel, Boma for dinner. (We honeymooned at AKL and it means a lot for us to take the boys there. )

THURSDAY: Magic Kingdom, dinner at Chef Mickey.

FRIDAY: Epcot, dinner at Akershus.

SATURDAY: Animal Kingdom early, dinner at Ohana, Pirates & Pals cruise for DS2 and me

SUNDAY: Hollywood Studios, breakfast or lunch at Hollywood & Vine (DS2 loves Jake), DisneyQuest in the evening

MONDAY: Typhoon Lagoon, Cape May Cafe dinner

TUESDAY: Magic Kingdom, Crystal Palace breakfast, lunch or dinner (haven't decided ... I'd like to do breakfast, but DH and DS1 are not morning people)

WEDNESDAY: (If we stay an extra day ...) Whichever park the boys loved most in the morning, dinner at Coral Reef at Epcot

Any suggestions/tweaks? The only completely new places for us are Akershus, Cape May Cafe and Hollywood & Vine.

Also, has anyone done the Pirates & Pals cruise? You have to call to make reservations for that, correct?

The new Be Our Guest should be in there somewhere for sure, add Fultons. Akershus is only nice in theory....the food not so much, Cinderellas Royal Table a must (for us anywasy), Spirit Of Aloha and Hoop Dee Doo, and I'd change that Hollywood and Vine to Hollywood brown Derby and make it the Fantasmic package whether you change it or not.....cuz VIP seating for Fantasmic is very important.

 

[loganpaulsmom]

I got all my reservations this morning. Except for t-rex which was too early or too late. I went ahead and booked Fultons. I looked at the menu and it looks amazing!! I think I am most excited about that one.. Also. Be our Guest and Le cellier.. Chef mickeys. Tusker house and Sanaa.. The only one I'm iffy about is Tonys town sq.. But I guess I will suffer through it.. Lol

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[TJDisneymama]

yes, you have to book P&P Fireworks cruise in advance.

 

[Jays2013]

The new Be Our Guest should be in there somewhere for sure, add Fultons. Akershus is only nice in theory....the food not so much, Cinderellas Royal Table a must (for us anywasy), Spirit Of Aloha and Hoop Dee Doo, and I'd change that Hollywood and Vine to Hollywood brown Derby and make it the Fantasmic package whether you change it or not.....cuz VIP seating for Fantasmic is very important.

I love the idea of BOG, but none of us are enthralled with the menus we've seen. We do specifically want to do the H&V because DS2 wants to meet Jake. I think we may be skipping Fantasmic because I'm not sure the boys, especially DS1, would like it. (Did anyone's kids find this scary? Believe it or not, I've never seen it!) Plus, we need one night for DisneyQuest.

I think many of those are two dining credits and we are just getting the basic plan. We might do one two-credit meal and pay OOP another day, but even then, only one. Hmmm ...

Thanks for the recommendations, though! You have me thinking again and that's never a bad thing. (At least, in the next 16 days!)

 

[Britta1]

Hello!

DH and I are planning our very first trip to WDW! We have both been to DisneyLand as kids so we are really looking forward to our upcoming Orlando vacation!

We are planning to go April 15-25 (hoping to miss Spring Break and Easter break rush)

Thinking of staying at POP or a moderate resort depending on how much we can budget for.

I am really enjoying reading everyone's tips! So glad I found this forum!

 

[USAND3KIDS]

Just read that Le Cellar Steakhouse now takes 2 credits for lunch and dinner. Last time we went it was 2 for dinner, but only 1 for lunch.

 

[TJDisneymama]

In the school district I used to work in, it was against policy. But where I am now it's not. I wish I knew that earlier I would have booked a flight for Thursday after school.
s

I'm so excited, I just floated the idea of taking that Friday off (before school vaca starts) by DH and he said he doesn't see why not! I told him to mention it to his boss, and see what he says. I thought he would be vehemently opposed to even *asking* b/c he's not one to do anything that's against "the rules". Even if it's not an official rule, it seems to be sort of an unspoken rule that teachers dare not take time off right before or after a school vacation.
I think he gets 3 personal days a year so I don't see why he can't use them whenever he pleases.
Anyways, this will be huge - not only because we can add a day to our trip but also when it comes time to booking flights, it gives me more options; instead of being bound to paying whatever it costs for an early morning Saturday non-stop flight (I'm not willing to fly later in the day or do a layover because I don't want to waste any of that Saturday since this is already a short trip. I like to arrive and be in the resort by noon), now I can
book a flight on Friday and I don't care if it has a layover or if it's a little later in the day! So I'll get a whole extra park day!!

Now let's just hope his boss says it's ok.

 

[TJDisneymama]

ok, excitement over. Looking at the flights again are making me depressed!! WHY all of a sudden this year are there no good flights? It looks like they're discontinuing a lot of non-stop flights.

And to boot, although AT & SW Flights aren't out for my return date yet (Sunday, 4/21) I looked at other Sunday flights back from MCO, and AT seems to *never* have regular Reward flights on Sundays, and SW charges like triple the # of points on Sundays than they do on other days (so i wouldn't have enough points). This is a HUGE problem because flights home seem to be $400-$500/pp ONE WAY and I cannot pay that much so if I can't use rewards to cover it, we are screwed.

Who knew it would be so difficult to get freaking affordable airfare between Boston & Orlando?

 

[loganpaulsmom]

ok, excitement over. Looking at the flights again are making me depressed!! WHY all of a sudden this year are there no good flights? It looks like they're discontinuing a lot of non-stop flights.

And to boot, although AT & SW Flights aren't out for my return date yet (Sunday, 4/21) I looked at other Sunday flights back from MCO, and AT seems to *never* have regular Reward flights on Sundays, and SW charges like triple the # of points on Sundays than they do on other days (so i wouldn't have enough points). This is a HUGE problem because flights home seem to be $400-$500/pp ONE WAY and I cannot pay that much so if I can't use rewards to cover it, we are screwed.

Who knew it would be so difficult to get freaking affordable airfare between Boston & Orlando?

That's why we booked the week before vacation Actually, we did our research and the cost for flights was just ridiculous. By going tues to tues flying JetBlue we saved so much money. Non-stops early morning arrival and very late departure.. $817 for 3 of us. Just changing the dates by a day added hundreds.

 

[Jays2013]

That's why we booked the week before vacation Actually, we did our research and the cost for flights was just ridiculous. By going tues to tues flying JetBlue we saved so much money. Non-stops early morning arrival and very late departure.. $817 for 3 of us. Just changing the dates by a day added hundreds.

Same here! We're flying Wednesday to Wednesday. JetBlue too, because they offer nonstop from our airport.