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

[TJDisneymama]

I'm guessing you spent the required 2,000 in the first month and this was why? It's disappointing that they promote it as being enough for two round trips when a short trip from Boston to Orlando is not even covered. OR look on the bright side and get 2 one ways and just stay there Very good tip on needing to go to NH for nonstop. Are you flying out of NH? Are you glad you got the card or are you feeling short changed because it did not cover both round trips?

yes, it was no problem spending the $2,000 because I used it to to pay for our trip & cruise (well, not the whole trip put about $3500 down). So between the 50,000 bonus and the purchases I made and a couple other bonus points I got for surveys and newsletters and whatnot, I now have 57,000 points.

UGH!!!! I just checked the flight again that I need and if I put in 1 passenger, the flight is 20,160 points. If I put in 2 or more, it goes up to 24,420 points. I was thinking I could just buy 3,000 more points to get the 60k needed for 3 tickets, but now it looks like I will have to buy 13,000 points. Which costs $325. So no sense in paying $325 for points when the flight itself is $350............

Crapp, there must be only 1 seat left for $350/20,000 points because if I put in 2+ passengers it goes up to $420. So I guess the points are better than nothing b/c if I was paying out of pocket I'd be paying $350 + $420(3) = $1610. But with the points I'll only pay $350 + $420 = $770 (assuming someone doesn't come along and buy that last cheap ticket before I do).

Can't believe buying airfare is this complicated.

 

[Mousemommy1]

ok, so the last time I posted in this thread we were on page like 63! I unfortunately was sidelined on my planning by my college semester taking up 90% of my free time, but I have completed 2 classes and only have one remaining class that ends Nov. 25th.

And THEN as if that wasn't enough - I was hospitalized with Kidney Stones / Adhesions and now have to see a general surgeon. Just Great! I told the docs that no matter what I needed to be 100% by April 26th and that included any physical therapy! So we shall see!

My ADR time came and went the last week of October - and tonight I am sitting down to do some. I'm having a little trouble with where I want to eat at DHS though - I keep thinking 50s cafe only because we have never eaten there and although I would be ok with Sci-Fi - I don't think my little ones would.

Any ideas???

T

Sci Fi is the only TS restaurant we will eat at in DHS. We had bad experiences at both 50's PT and H&V.

At Sci Fi, we stick with the burgers...but beware...the burgers in combination with the delicious milkshakes is a lot of food!!!! We can never finish it all!

ETA: our girls were not scared at all at Sci-Fi, they found most of the clips to be very silly (and they are)

 

[ja23k]

Great to hear!! I didn't even realize it was the F&G festival when I started planning to go in April and when I realized, I was worried the crowds might be high or that it would get in the way of a lot of regular Disney things. But from all the research I've been doing on it today, it's starting to look more like an added bonus!

It's definitely just an added bonus. I don't think it has ever changed my park experience except that the parks are covered with gorgeous flowers. It definitely makes it feel like spring. I know there are events going on, but you have to look for them so they are definitely not in the way of normal experiences there. I found it to be way less crowded than going in Feb, and about the same as going in May.

 

[ja23k]

ok, so the last time I posted in this thread we were on page like 63! I unfortunately was sidelined on my planning by my college semester taking up 90% of my free time, but I have completed 2 classes and only have one remaining class that ends Nov. 25th.

And THEN as if that wasn't enough - I was hospitalized with Kidney Stones / Adhesions and now have to see a general surgeon. Just Great! I told the docs that no matter what I needed to be 100% by April 26th and that included any physical therapy! So we shall see!

My ADR time came and went the last week of October - and tonight I am sitting down to do some. I'm having a little trouble with where I want to eat at DHS though - I keep thinking 50s cafe only because we have never eaten there and although I would be ok with Sci-Fi - I don't think my little ones would.

Any ideas???

T

I really like 50s prime time. I really hate the sci-fi because of the terrible quality of food. 50s is fun and has basic home cooked style food but it is done very well. I always get meatloaf with a peanut butter and jelly milk shake (YUM). Not my top TS choice in Disney, but definitely my top for HS. I agree with previous posters that said HS really lacks for dining experiences. We actually arranged our schedule this time so we don't have any TS meals at HS. We like 50s, but always eat there. We want something new this time. We are leaving early and going to Epcot for dinner. Could also take a bus to a resort and eat there. If you don't have a park hopper this is not a good option though. 50s and the starring rolls bakery are really the only two places I find worth eating at in this park. Agreed - Would have been a great idea to put Starbucks here and leave the beloved MS Bakery alone. (So upset about that!)

 

[ja23k]

yes, it was no problem spending the $2,000 because I used it to to pay for our trip & cruise (well, not the whole trip put about $3500 down). So between the 50,000 bonus and the purchases I made and a couple other bonus points I got for surveys and newsletters and whatnot, I now have 57,000 points.

UGH!!!! I just checked the flight again that I need and if I put in 1 passenger, the flight is 20,160 points. If I put in 2 or more, it goes up to 24,420 points. I was thinking I could just buy 3,000 more points to get the 60k needed for 3 tickets, but now it looks like I will have to buy 13,000 points. Which costs $325. So no sense in paying $325 for points when the flight itself is $350............

Crapp, there must be only 1 seat left for $350/20,000 points because if I put in 2+ passengers it goes up to $420. So I guess the points are better than nothing b/c if I was paying out of pocket I'd be paying $350 + $420(3) = $1610. But with the points I'll only pay $350 + $420 = $770 (assuming someone doesn't come along and buy that last cheap ticket before I do).

Can't believe buying airfare is this complicated.

That sounds like such a pain! (But for saving 900ish it's worth it). I wonder if there will even be any affordable flights left by the time I get the points (haven't even decided to apply yet). I thought of charging the trip on the card, but I wanted to do it on my citi card because of all the travel insurance benefits I get on it. Any travel insurance on the southwest card? You are so right - flights are such a headache! It's the hardest part of planning, in my opinion. Fingers crossed that you get your affordable flights!

 

[LexiC123]

Just booked our April trip! After 12 days with no power, all I want to do is escape from reality...even if it is 5 months away.

DH and I will be at the Swan from April 20-26. This will be our first spring trip in many years, and we're really looking forward to the Flower & Garden Festival, and seeing the new Fantasyland.

 

[pwdebbie]

Just booked our April trip! After 12 days with no power, all I want to do is escape from reality...even if it is 5 months away.

DH and I will be at the Swan from April 20-26. This will be our first spring trip in many years, and we're really looking forward to the Flower & Garden Festival, and seeing the new Fantasyland.

Yes, you do need an escape from reality. I'm so sorry you have had to go through this, but now you can look forward to something nice.

 

[JillianSam]

Just booked our airfare!
$1150 round trip for the 5 of us. It makes it feel so much more real, no going back now!

 

[mom24mouseketeers]

I wish I could help, but I was in the same boat as you! I ended up making an ADR for 50's Prime Time because I know we will like the theming and it sounds like it could be fun for the kids. Just hope we like to food. I'm a little nervous about it!

Sorry you have had so much to deal with! Disney planning should be a nice break from reality for you. Hope everything goes well with the kidney stones and your class!

Thanks - I need the Disney planning for sure! I decided on 50s PT anyway - there is always chicken! lol

We are trying 50s Prime Time for the first time this trip. We did Sci-Fi once and really did not care for it.

DHS really lacks good dining choices. My niece and her family were there mid-October and her husband wrote this here on the DIS about The Writer's Stop: "This is going to be the Starbucks location for MGM. There were Starbucks people along with imagineers in there taking pics with blueprints and what not." (He refuses to call it DHS.)

Perhaps Starbucks would offer a better dining option, even if it isn't TS. I'd rather see them in DHS than on Main Street in the MK.

My husband will be excited about Starbucks! lol I always call it MGM! LOL I had to change to DHS just for these boards!

did you look at the menu for 50's Prime Time? I thought about trying it this time but once I saw the menu, ditched that idea. Nothing looked good for me or the kids on it.

Do you think the kids would be scared at Sci Fi?

I also had trouble coming up with a meal at DHS this time, so we're going to end the day by taking the boat over to the Beach Club and eat at Cape May

I looked into leaving and going to a resort - but we decided the 50s PT - yeah I looked at the menu - I'm from the south so it seemed like southern cooking my mom would do to us. Like I said already - there's always chicken!

Sci Fi is the only TS restaurant we will eat at in DHS. We had bad experiences at both 50's PT and H&V.

At Sci Fi, we stick with the burgers...but beware...the burgers in combination with the delicious milkshakes is a lot of food!!!! We can never finish it all!

ETA: our girls were not scared at all at Sci-Fi, they found most of the clips to be very silly (and they are)

We had a bad experience at H&V last year - so I understand - I am going to give it a try. Yeah I was worried about the movies - my youngest would probably cry at even the slightest monster. She cried in the Tower of Terror...

I really like 50s prime time. I really hate the sci-fi because of the terrible quality of food. 50s is fun and has basic home cooked style food but it is done very well. I always get meatloaf with a peanut butter and jelly milk shake (YUM). Not my top TS choice in Disney, but definitely my top for HS. I agree with previous posters that said HS really lacks for dining experiences. We actually arranged our schedule this time so we don't have any TS meals at HS. We like 50s, but always eat there. We want something new this time. We are leaving early and going to Epcot for dinner. Could also take a bus to a resort and eat there. If you don't have a park hopper this is not a good option though. 50s and the starring rolls bakery are really the only two places I find worth eating at in this park. Agreed - Would have been a great idea to put Starbucks here and leave the beloved MS Bakery alone. (So upset about that!)

Well I definitely decided 50s, I agree with everyone that DHS is the hardest one to book an ADR at because of the choices - Im not looking forward to the QS there either to be honest! But we shall see - there's always hopping available! Is starring rolls where the carrot cake cookie is?? I really want to try that!

 

[PrinceAdam]

Staying an extra day...till the 23rd now. Staying at POP

 

[ja23k]

Im not looking forward to the QS there either to be honest! But we shall see - there's always hopping available! Is starring rolls where the carrot cake cookie is?? I really want to try that!

I think that is the place with the carrot cake cookie. Carrot cake cookie for breakfast, massive cupcake for lunch? (actually I believe they have sandwiches there that might be good. I am going to look into that...)

 

[rebeccaariel]

I think that is the place with the carrot cake cookie. Carrot cake cookie for breakfast, massive cupcake for lunch? (actually I believe they have sandwiches there that might be good. I am going to look into that...)

I think the carrot cake cookie is at Writer's Stop but I could be wrong

 

[ja23k]

I think the carrot cake cookie is at Writer's Stop but I could be wrong

Yes! You are totally right. I was thinking of the carrot cake cupcake at starring rolls. Oops.

 

[Jays2013]

I made an ADR for Hollywood & Vine (lunch) because DS2 LOVES Jake and The Neverland Pirates. Now, with all these tales of bad experiences .... I'm rethinking it.

Is it that bad? Or just not great? I'm more than willing to deal with one not-so-great meal for the character interaction, but right now I'm going in with a great deal of trepidation!

 

[gtpoohbear]

I made an ADR for Hollywood & Vine (lunch) because DS2 LOVES Jake and The Neverland Pirates. Now, with all these tales of bad experiences .... I'm rethinking it.

Is it that bad? Or just not great? I'm more than willing to deal with one not-so-great meal for the character interaction, but right now I'm going in with a great deal of trepidation!

We've done H&V twice, once for breakfast and once for lunch, and while the food is definitely nothing to write home about, we are doing it again simply because the character interaction is so good. They do a fun parade around the restaurant and the characters tend to take more time here with the kids than most places, probably because it isn't as popular or busy. Plus, the characters here aren't ones you can meet at every other character meal.

I'm usually pretty easy to please, especially at a buffet, so for me to say the food is not great is saying a lot, lol! BUT, it's not that it's totally gross or inedible, it just isn't really "good", compared to the other TS restaurants at WDW. (Although as many have mentioned, the TS options at DHS in general are very lacking, so it's not like you're missing some other great experience to go here instead).

Overall, I would say that the breakfast food was a little better than lunch, although the chocolate chip cookies at lunch were the one redeeming quality of the meal, it's almost worth it for those alone!

If your kids are into Disney Jr, I definitely wouldn't skip it because of the food, just go with low expectations knowing you're there mostly for the characters and just eating "something" so you aren't hungry later. Then you won't be disappointed

 

[librarygeek]

Sci Fi is the only TS restaurant we will eat at in DHS. We had bad experiences at both 50's PT and H&V.

At Sci Fi, we stick with the burgers...but beware...the burgers in combination with the delicious milkshakes is a lot of food!!!! We can never finish it all!

ETA: our girls were not scared at all at Sci-Fi, they found most of the clips to be very silly (and they are)

I like Sci-Fi the best too because the themeing is fun. Well, I like 50's PT themeing too but I'm actually not a big fan of that homestyle cooking (plus DH says he doesn't like to go to a restaurant where they yell at him for not finishing his vegetables! )

The food we had at Sci-Fi was decent... I had a pasta dish that was pretty good, and DH had a salad that he really liked. The milkshakes are the bet though!

I was also there as a kid, and I was one of those "absolutely terrified of everything" children, but Sci-Fi didn't scare me. It was much more exciting to be eating in a "car" than scary!

It's definitely just an added bonus. I don't think it has ever changed my park experience except that the parks are covered with gorgeous flowers. It definitely makes it feel like spring. I know there are events going on, but you have to look for them so they are definitely not in the way of normal experiences there. I found it to be way less crowded than going in Feb, and about the same as going in May.

Yay, this is good to hear! I can't wait to see all the flowers, I'm sure my family will start to get annoyed with me for stopping to take so many pictures!

 

[cherylsmike]

My dates have changed. I needed to move my cruise dates up, so the Disney ones got moved a little too. And we lose a day.

We will be at Bonnet Creek April 14-21. We moved our cruise to April 7th. Now if I don't like the cruise I know I will have my happy place to go to afterwards. That is not the reason we switched dates, but it is a bonus.

I have to reschedule my flights and will lose my $107 arrival flight. It will probably go to about $180. I haven't bought the return flights yet. I think I may hold off until the 90 day window. I check a couple times a day though.

I am still sad that we aren't staying at a Disney resort OR doing a Disney Cruise. But I guess my DD15 would call those "rich girl probs".

I guess I need to change my tickers now,

 

[mom24mouseketeers]

I think the carrot cake cookie is at Writer's Stop but I could be wrong

Yes! You are totally right. I was thinking of the carrot cake cupcake at starring rolls. Oops.

Ok so Writer's Stop it is!!! I am really wanting that cookie! lol I saw a pic of it in a TR from a foodie that went last year and let me tell you my mouth was watering just seeing it on my computer screen!

T

 

[TJDisneymama]

I am still sad that we aren't staying at a Disney resort OR doing a Disney Cruise. But I guess my DD15 would call those "rich girl probs".

yes, those are First World Problems, lol. Here's some more:

and one for all of us here:

 

[Mousemommy1]

yes, those are First World Problems, lol. Here's some more:

and one for all of us here:

OMG!!!! These are hilarious!!!!