Not too shabby for a consolation prize! A Dec 2013 TR! Update 5/3 p. 28 COMPLETED!

[eandesmom]

The GCH was the perfect way to begin the Disney portion of our little vacation. It got us right in the mood.

I am very much looking forward to it! Well, the one night in the studio not so much but the rest will be good.

My mom snores.

I haven't stayed there but it's on our next time list. The Venetian was amazing. We love it there. We've stayed in everything from Circus Circus to The Venetian and in between; the Luxor, Mirage, TI, Orleans, The Golden Nugget etc....so far The Venetian wins by a landslide.​

It's funny, I've been to Mandalay more than any other, always for work though. Probably my favorite hotel and pool but it really is pretty far from the strip. Plenty right there so you don't need to leave but if you are heading out for other things...it's a cab ride for sure.

I was in the Palazzo a couple of years ago, lovely lovely rooms and love how the pools link with the Venetian. Last work trip was at the Cosmopolitan which has to be (now) my favorite work/Vegas hotel. Sounds weird but oh it makes a huge difference. At some of them you are walking for DAYS to get to the meeting space. This had lovely rooms, nothing was too far, plenty of food options and a lovely pool and gym.

Isn't it the coolest? the coin is going in his fire/AirMed shadow box until we go back. He was told to bring it with him to show so he can get the underground/backstage tour.​

perfect!

You're like a planning goddess girl!​

yes and no. I'll plan but then don't always actually look at what I planned.

We usually valet but $22 seemed high. Maybe SLC is just cheap? We dropped off the bags and then he parked, no schlepping that way.​

That's what we do (drop off, check in, then park). $22 is normal for a resort/hotel in Seattle overnight, dining/restaurant only would be less.

30 minutes? What took so long?​

I honestly couldn't tell you but it was painful. Between that and how slow my parents walk it felt like it took us FOREVER to get from the plane..to breakfast.

You guessed it, we stayed and it totally helped with the crowds. It was a fantastic day but more details to come.​

I hear you, rain helped us out quite a bit on our trip...though we did get very soggy and rather "over" it a few times.

 

[MEK]

Yay! You are almost IN!

VGC is gorgeous and the Christmas decorations just make it that much nicer.

That carpet is really dirty, isn't it? Yuck!

I agree that sometimes one park a day is the way to go. You can tour the park in a more organized manner and go back and night and visit what you missed. Plus, with a big group it is a huge money saver.

Great pictures of the kids waiting to go play.

 

[rentayenta]

There is some crazy amazing magical feeling that comes over me when we enter the parks. I can't quite put my finger on it but its like a we're-actually-here sort of feeling!

We were in!

Now a big decision had to be made? Do we take a chance to use the "wide right" system and ride RSR first thing? If you recall last time, we got totally burned by it because RSR went 101.

It was about 8:45 at this time so while they allowed us in, the rope hadn't officially dropped. I made the executive although unanimous decision to forgo the RSR mess and head to TSMM, grabbing Soarin' FP on the way. It was raining, we had all day, and I didn't think RSR would run out of FPs right away.

I was right. I love that.

Here's a funny story. So we walk over to the rope by Soarin' when I hear this woman talk abut "wide right". She was debating the same thing I was. Come to find out she is also a DISer! Small world. Michael is sill making fun of me but whatever. I totally forgot her screen name but she is remembers mine and is reading: Hello Canada!

They were from Canada spans we saw them literally all day and every time we'd say Hello Canada. They had a much larger party than ours.

So back to entering the park.

Chloe took only two as we were booking it to TSMM.

The wait was about 10 minutes and Chloe snapped away:

Clearly I don't delete any photos ever.

Joshua and Gabby rode together:

Chloe and Michael rode together:

And I rode alone. Poor mom. Not really.

Just kidding. I'm glad because we rode again. Chloe wanted to "versus" me. I was all warmed up and won. I never win.

After riding twice, we headed to Screamin'. Joshua doesn't like it so we split. Already. Joshua and I ran to get RSR FP while Michael and the rode Screamin'.

After grabbing FP it really started to rain but my boy posed for me anyhow:

The dark skies make this beautiful in a totally different way:

The girls did well and snapped their photo too:

We met back up at Soarin' as our FPs were ready. Soarin' is the family's collective favorite DCA ride.

Oooooooo......

Ahhh........we love some David Puddy:

Nice job, pal:

Continued in next post.....​

 

[rentayenta]

Chloe's feet before take off:

Chloe's dream one day:

Our RSR FPs wouldn't be until 3:30 which was perfect.

We decided we were hungry and needed chili dogs. It was still early but we hadn't eaten more than a handful of trail mix with our Starbucks.

On the way to Award Wieners:

Look Alison, Fran's mother ship!

We ordered our lunch and the kids tripped out on the new $100 bill:

While we waited:

And our FOOD:

We ordered 4 chili cheese dogs and a hotdog. They all came with chips and apples so we got a mix.

I knew I wouldn't be going anywhere near the inside of Muppets 3D so Chloe snapped a few photos for me:

We decided that Monsters Inc would be the perfect post brunch ride. On the way we saw this cute little dance party area. Anyone know what goes on back there? There stages and great bright decor.

Who's ready to see some monsters? We are!

Michael and Joshua love Monsters Inc so Chloe snapped a few photos in the queue. I like the Sugar, Salt, and Fat snack here:

It's a cute ride. Cute concept. Cute.

After we headed over to ToT and on the way we saw a Monster frat house:

And Santa:

Joshua doesn't like ToT either so I parked him on a bench while we rode. It's really such a great ride, I wish he'd give it anther go. He tried it when he was like 5 so I can see why he didn't like it but hasn't been back on since.

ToT's queue wasn't more than 15 minutes. The rain really kept folks away.

We're pretty soggy. I look like a wet dog. At least I didn't smell like one.

Continued in next post.....​

 

[rentayenta]

I really wanted to ride this but got totally vetoed:

Don't worry, I'd be back! It was time for some Bugs. I love that this walkway is open now. It's so much easier and quicker to have a thorough fare. Good job DCA.

Bug'sLand is one of my favorite themed areas at the DLR. Every detail is just amazing.

If you don't believe me, take a gander:

I really liked this as our last name is Sheets:

I love this shot:

And one with the iPhone:

It wouldn't be Bug'sLand without a ride on the Chew Chew. This has been one of Chloe's favorite rides since she was a baby. She always rides alone so she can take it all in and ignore the chatter.

This is a teenager smiling in case you don't recognize it.

We caught this guy mid yawn. Sorry guy.

Isn't this fantastic?

Of course we had to do ITTBAB:

The Dung Brothers, always a hit:

I have to stop here as Joshua is on the computer and I need to load more onto Photobucket.

Sorry this day is taking so long but dragging it out is part of the fun for me, before and after.


To be continued......


​

 

[rentayenta]

I am very much looking forward to it! Well, the one night in the studio not so much but the rest will be good.

My mom snores.

It's funny, I've been to Mandalay more than any other, always for work though. Probably my favorite hotel and pool but it really is pretty far from the strip. Plenty right there so you don't need to leave but if you are heading out for other things...it's a cab ride for sure.

I was in the Palazzo a couple of years ago, lovely lovely rooms and love how the pools link with the Venetian. Last work trip was at the Cosmopolitan which has to be (now) my favorite work/Vegas hotel. Sounds weird but oh it makes a huge difference. At some of them you are walking for DAYS to get to the meeting space. This had lovely rooms, nothing was too far, plenty of food options and a lovely pool and gym.

perfect!

yes and no. I'll plan but then don't always actually look at what I planned.

That's what we do (drop off, check in, then park). $22 is normal for a resort/hotel in Seattle overnight, dining/restaurant only would be less.

I honestly couldn't tell you but it was painful. Between that and how slow my parents walk it felt like it took us FOREVER to get from the plane..to breakfast.

I hear you, rain helped us out quite a bit on our trip...though we did get very soggy and rather "over" it a few times.

Your mom snores? That needs to be a trip report title.

The Mandalay Bay shops have RiRa, a great Irish Bar. It's a beautiful hotel. Lucky girl getting to stay there for work. You get to travel all over! I should have chosen another career.

You got some rain too. Disney rain is magic though, it only dampens the ground, not spirits. ​

Yay! You are almost IN!

VGC is gorgeous and the Christmas decorations just make it that much nicer.

That carpet is really dirty, isn't it? Yuck!

I agree that sometimes one park a day is the way to go. You can tour the park in a more organized manner and go back and night and visit what you missed. Plus, with a big group it is a huge money saver.

Great pictures of the kids waiting to go play.

I loved the one park per day. With two days and only two parks, it made so much more sense. We also saved some money which is always a much appreciated bonus.​

 

[PrincessInOz]

I always like hitting the parks when it is a little wet (not rain like in Florida) but just a little wet. It keeps most people away and you get to practically walk on the rides.

Great decision to hit the other rides first instead of RSR. Looks like you got a ton of rides done.

Love the family pictures and the one of you and Michael by the tree. Such a cute couple.

 

[rentayenta]

I always like hitting the parks when it is a little wet (not rain like in Florida) but just a little wet. It keeps most people away and you get to practically walk on the rides.

Great decision to hit the other rides first instead of RSR. Looks like you got a ton of rides done.

Love the family pictures and the one of you and Michael by the tree. Such a cute couple.

Thank you PIO. We feel like an old couple but I'll take cute any day.

Yah, last time we got burned bad by the whole RSR at opening. We got to do a lot in 90 minutes by skipping it and getting a FP for later. Wide right is out of my plans for now on.

I agree, a little rain is alright. It rained hard for about 30 minutes and then it was just a light drizzle on and off. Michael disagrees and says it never rained hard but he's a big burly guy. ​

 

[mvf-m11c]

Very nice update to your first day at DCA. All of your family pictures look very nice and lively.

It was a smart decision of not riding RSR first thing in the morning and going on the other attractions.

Just like PiO, I like to go to the parks when it is raining so the parks would be not that crowded.

 

[jedijill]

What a great day. It doesn't look very crowded at all.

Jill in CO

 

[dolphingirl47]

What a shame about the rain, but I would have loved the low crowds that came with it. I love the Christmas decorations as A Bug's Land. Soarin is my all time favourite ride. I once was at Disneyland when it was 103 and what I did for most of the day is use the Single Rider Line for Soarin, enjoy the ride, exit and walk to the entrance for the Single Rider Line again. You brunch looked delicious.

Corinna

 

[eandesmom]

Wide right...I've never heard that but then again I am not remotely up on DL/DCA. I haven't been to DL since 2001 and DCA since 2010. Pathetic!

Gotta love starting the day with a double dip on TSM! Tell Josh that ToT at DL is MUCH tamer than the one at WDW. I know the guy that designed it.

Our RSR FPs wouldn't be until 3:30 which was perfect.

We decided we were hungry and needed chili dogs. It was still early but we hadn't eaten more than a handful of trail mix with our Starbucks.

On the way to Award Wieners:

Award Wieners love it! I am SO clueless about the food situation at DL/DCA and need to figure it out a bit for our trip.

I also really love the fact that you are having chili dogs for brunch.

I love the bugs life area, completely reminds me of our 2001 trip, the E's were 1 and 2 and we lived back there! Makes me smile just thinking about it.

Impressed that you brought umbrellas in. I always think about it and then worry about crowds, whacking someone in the head and just opt for rain jacket and hood. I think it's a Seattle thing. Only tourists use umbrellas.

Unless you are at a soccer game. Then all bets are off and you need a huge golf umbrella!

Your mom snores? That needs to be a trip report title. ​

OMG she would kill me. Maybe a chapter title, we will see how night one goes. Of course Eric is a wiggler so really I may not get good sleep the entire week. At least I won't have to share a bed after the first night, that's one thing. Not that I mind but...he's a wiggler!

The Mandalay Bay shops have RiRa, a great Irish Bar. It's a beautiful hotel. Lucky girl getting to stay there for work. You get to travel all over! I should have chosen another career.

Only those that do not have business travel think that. Trust me. I get to look at hotel meeting rooms all over. I get to schlepp luggage, find cabs, drive around getting lost, deal with airports, all over. watch me once managing my full tradeshow set up and luggage at an airport or check in, solo, and you might think differently. LOL! Vegas is an absolute NIGHTMARE for work travel. You have 12 hour days, on your feet all day long...it's so dry I get blisters no matter which shoes I wear...and then clients want to go out and gamble or get stupid drunk and then they blow off stuff the next day when you'd hoped to do business. You can see the pool but not go to it. I'd take almost any other city over Vegas for work travel. Wait, I would take any other city over Vegas! You miss kids concerts, sports, school events, lost teeth, being there when they are sick or need help with homework. You feel guilty as someone else is taking care of those things with your kids and you aren't. You can't be as involved in school or other activity stuff as you might otherwise as you can't commit to a firm schedule (ok honestly, that part is ok lol).

Don't get me wrong, there are benefits. I get to keep my miles and trust me, I use them for personal trips. I do get to "see" a lot of places and know where I might like to go back to for personal trips (or NOT go back to). I also get alone time when I travel. That might sound awful but it's really the only time I get it and although it's usually just late night room service and my laptop, it's still nice. If I am very lucky I can sneak a half day of something fun in a city, usually a meal, shopping or a run, but that's about it.

You got some rain too. Disney rain is magic though, it only dampens the ground, not spirits.

We did get rain, 2 exceptionally soggy experiences that definitely did not dampen spirits an iota!

I loved the one park per day. With two days and only two parks, it made so much more sense. We also saved some money which is always a much appreciated bonus.​

I'm still debating what to do. A big question is whether they will bridge my PAP if I upgraded to the Premium. If they will, hands down that is the best deal for me. If not, it may still be a wash to do that versus separate tickets for both the April and then the August trip. Evan will definitely have a hopper, I upgraded his to a 4 day as he'd be activating the 3rd day before we "get" him and figured I can add a 5th if needed. For Eric I think it's really going to come down to whether I get a car and we go anywhere else, or not and whether my folks do their own thing 1 day or not. I might be able to get by with a 3 day but a 4 day is more probable.

I was hoping to buy him a 3 day here at Safeway for gas reward points but the one here only sells the kids 3 day. Weird. Hoping maybe they were just out due to the holidays. Costco has them too but I don't think they are discounted at all but am going to check. We will see.

 

[rentayenta]

Very nice update to your first day at DCA. All of your family pictures look very nice and lively.

It was a smart decision of not riding RSR first thing in the morning and going on the other attractions.

Just like PiO, I like to go to the parks when it is raining so the parks would be not that crowded.

Thanks Bret, lively is one way to out it. Nuts is another. We really enjoy our family time together at Disney.

That whole RSR first thing really eats up a lot of time. It might work great for some but we get so much done if we just wait a little while.

Every time its rained at a park there are no crowds. Its amazing.​

What a great day. It doesn't look very crowded at all.

Jill in CO

It wasn't Jill. It was wonderful! No bottlenecking, just a nice time. Could tour at a reasonable pace.​

What a shame about the rain, but I would have loved the low crowds that came with it. I love the Christmas decorations as A Bug's Land. Soarin is my all time favourite ride. I once was at Disneyland when it was 103 and what I did for most of the day is use the Single Rider Line for Soarin, enjoy the ride, exit and walk to the entrance for the Single Rider Line again. You brunch looked delicious.

Corinna

Soarin' is ours too. Its brilliant. The decorations all over DCA were done so well. BugsLand is always so fine tuned with the littlest of details. I don't ever remember DCA being so decorated for the holidays like this trip. CarsLand has a TON to do with the holiday feel. I'll have those photos in my next update. Words can't describe it.

Brunch was fun! A chili cheese dog is good anytime.

103? That's hot for Disneyland. July or August?​

Wide right...I've never heard that but then again I am not remotely up on DL/DCA. I haven't been to DL since 2001 and DCA since 2010. Pathetic!

Ignore it. It might work for some but I am not a fan.​

Gotta love starting the day with a double dip on TSM! Tell Josh that ToT at DL is MUCH tamer than the one at WDW. I know the guy that designed it.

He's been on Disneyland's and won't go near WDW's. He says the drop hurts his stomach. I can see that. he also does;t love dark spaces.​

Award Wieners love it! I am SO clueless about the food situation at DL/DCA and need to figure it out a bit for our trip.

DCA has soem decent CS. The only place Michael ever asks to eat is at Award Wieners. We eat there almost every time. When you're ready, I have tons of info. Want me to send you a map of DCA?​

I also really love the fact that you are having chili dogs for brunch.

White. Trash. I own it. ​

I love the bugs life area, completely reminds me of our 2001 trip, the E's were 1 and 2 and we lived back there! Makes me smile just thinking about it.

Its such a great area. I didn't know you lived in So Cal?​

Impressed that you brought umbrellas in. I always think about it and then worry about crowds, whacking someone in the head and just opt for rain jacket and hood. I think it's a Seattle thing. Only tourists use umbrellas.

It's So Cal in the rain, I knew it wouldn't be crowded. As you can tell by the pic of Joshua, the umbrellas were small. They folded up really small. I had a bag for them. They worked great.​

Unless you are at a soccer game. Then all bets are off and you need a huge golf umbrella!

Those sports umbrellas are huge. We've got too. We use them in the Fall and mid summer when it's blazing hot.​

OMG she would kill me. Maybe a chapter title, we will see how night one goes. Of course Eric is a wiggler so really I may not get good sleep the entire week. At least I won't have to share a bed after the first night, that's one thing. Not that I mind but...he's a wiggler!

Wigglers are difficult. One night won't be bad. I always start a trip exhausted. I hope you don't do the same. I never sleep well the night before.​

Only those that do not have business travel think that. Trust me. I get to look at hotel meeting rooms all over. I get to schlepp luggage, find cabs, drive around getting lost, deal with airports, all over. watch me once managing my full tradeshow set up and luggage at an airport or check in, solo, and you might think differently. LOL! Vegas is an absolute NIGHTMARE for work travel. You have 12 hour days, on your feet all day long...it's so dry I get blisters no matter which shoes I wear...and then clients want to go out and gamble or get stupid drunk and then they blow off stuff the next day when you'd hoped to do business. You can see the pool but not go to it. I'd take almost any other city over Vegas for work travel. Wait, I would take any other city over Vegas! You miss kids concerts, sports, school events, lost teeth, being there when they are sick or need help with homework. You feel guilty as someone else is taking care of those things with your kids and you aren't. You can't be as involved in school or other activity stuff as you might otherwise as you can't commit to a firm schedule (ok honestly, that part is ok lol).

I can see those points, I really can, especially having to do business in Vegas. It doesn'tt lend itself to being responsible.

Michael says the same thing bout missing things. Sometimes I buy it and sometimes I don't. Like now when he's in Miami, shooting tomorrow at a location I am not allowed to name but its cool, while I'm here freezing my butt off, schlepping his kids around.....its hard to have much empathy for him. But I try.​

Don't get me wrong, there are benefits. I get to keep my miles and trust me, I use them for personal trips. I do get to "see" a lot of places and know where I might like to go back to for personal trips (or NOT go back to). I also get alone time when I travel. That might sound awful but it's really the only time I get it and although it's usually just late night room service and my laptop, it's still nice. If I am very lucky I can sneak a half day of something fun in a city, usually a meal, shopping or a run, but that's about it.

Alone time, not mater what it looks like, is awesome! The miles are a huge perk too. Smart cookie you are. You've got the best of both worlds.​

We did get rain, 2 exceptionally soggy experiences that definitely did not dampen spirits an iota!

Its so fun!! Rain at Disney just modifies the plans a little but never ruins the day. ​

I'm still debating what to do. A big question is whether they will bridge my PAP if I upgraded to the Premium. If they will, hands down that is the best deal for me. If not, it may still be a wash to do that versus separate tickets for both the April and then the August trip. Evan will definitely have a hopper, I upgraded his to a 4 day as he'd be activating the 3rd day before we "get" him and figured I can add a 5th if needed. For Eric I think it's really going to come down to whether I get a car and we go anywhere else, or not and whether my folks do their own thing 1 day or not. I might be able to get by with a 3 day but a 4 day is more probable.

Bridging the PAP? Sound alike a female issue (sorry Bret). What does that entail? What's the price diff between them all?​

I was hoping to buy him a 3 day here at Safeway for gas reward points but the one here only sells the kids 3 day. Weird. Hoping maybe they were just out due to the holidays. Costco has them too but I don't think they are discounted at all but am going to check. We will see.

Only kids hoppers? So weird. Checking Costco is a great idea.​

 

[emmysmommy]

ha ha! Yes, a little rain keeps the wimpy Cali folks away. Truly. (insert my name here.) I prefer to do my park touring dry but it does keep the lines down.

Good decision to abandon RSR for some FPs later. I'd rather go with the shorter waits for Soarin and TSMM. Good job calling that one!

That 'party' area behind Award Wieners is the Mad T Party - live band, strobes, lasers and faux fog for their dance party at night. They have the entertainers dressed as mod Alice characters. (You may have seen the lights at night.)

Yep, chili dogs for brunch - perfect (burp) meal! (I still hold it against them that they got rid of the fries several years ago. )

Sounds like a great day in the park and the kiddos look like they are having fun.

 

[franandaj]

I love the Garden Grill at DCA. They have kebabs for meat eaters vegetarians. But thats just me.

 

[PrincessInOz]

I love the Garden Grill at DCA. They have kebabs for meat eaters vegetarians. But thats just me.

I loved it too. Lots of choice of us.

 

[MEK]

Every time I read a DL TR I am always surprised how quickly you move from one ride to the next to the next. It seems like the park touring goes pretty seamlessly. Love it!

Your kids look like they are having a total blast and loving every minute of it.

The ToT looks identical - is it?

It would be really cool to do TSM (twice), ToT, and Soarin all in one morning. I've got to get me some DL!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Soarin' is ours too. Its brilliant. The decorations all over DCA were done so well. BugsLand is always so fine tuned with the littlest of details. I don't ever remember DCA being so decorated for the holidays like this trip. CarsLand has a TON to do with the holiday feel. I'll have those photos in my next update. Words can't describe it.

Brunch was fun! A chili cheese dog is good anytime.

103? That's hot for Disneyland. July or August?​

No, this was actually during my Easter vacation when I was still teaching so this would have been April

Corinna

 

[PHXscuba]

Cute pictures with the umbrellas. The rain may not have been fun, but the low crowds and "different look" to the parks is a perk.

PHXscuba

 

[eandesmom]

Ignore it. It might work for some but I am not a fan.​

Easy to ignore since I still don't know what it means. LOL!

He's been on Disneyland's and won't go near WDW's. He says the drop hurts his stomach. I can see that. he also does;t love dark spaces.​

Evan is the same with ToT

DCA has soem decent CS. The only place Michael ever asks to eat is at Award Wieners. We eat there almost every time. When you're ready, I have tons of info. Want me to send you a map of DCA?​

I'll take any info you have, any time! I do need to figure out a few things by the 60 day ADR window as given that it's Easter week and spring break things may book up?

Its such a great area. I didn't know you lived in So Cal?​

Metaphorically, on that trip, I lived in that part of the park with the E's. Jeff lived in SoCal, but not me.

Wigglers are difficult. One night won't be bad. I always start a trip exhausted. I hope you don't do the same. I never sleep well the night before.​

Hopefully not, it's a low key trip and we leave mid day on a Saturday so hopefully will be fine. One night I can live with although the rest of the nights we are in the same room which will be tough for me as well. Not so bad when it is just Eric and I but with the 3 of us in the room, the 2 will yap when they should go to sleep and that will annoy me. Just have to run them hard so they pass out.

I can see those points, I really can, especially having to do business in Vegas. It doesn'tt lend itself to being responsible.

Michael says the same thing bout missing things. Sometimes I buy it and sometimes I don't. Like now when he's in Miami, shooting tomorrow at a location I am not allowed to name but its cool, while I'm here freezing my butt off, schlepping his kids around.....its hard to have much empathy for him. But I try.​

And he's missing his kids, melting hauling equipment and not actually enjoying that location he is shooting at.... It'd be one thing if you had extra days before or after to enjoy the places you go but that is never the case.

Bridging the PAP? Sound alike a female issue (sorry Bret). What does that entail? What's the price diff between them all?

Only kids hoppers? So weird. Checking Costco is a great idea.​

[/QUOTE]

Arrgh, I was there last night and forgot to look! Bridging means the price difference between what you paid and an upgrade. So for example if you bought a 5 day hopper ticket before a price increase, if you upgrade it AFTER you've activated it but before the last day, the price difference you pay is the difference between the current price for that 5 day hopper (not what you paid) and the extra days you are adding. If you upgrade before you activate it, you'll pay more as it will be based on what you actually paid for the ticket.

I have the premium DVC PAP for WDW (man that is a lot acronyms). I paid $399 for it. Today it sells for $584. The DL Premium Passport which covers both parks is $979. IF upgrading is the difference between $584 and $979 then it is a great deal for me. If upgrading is the difference between current price and the $979 then I need to do 4 days in April and 4 days in September to make it be a deal ($20 saved). If I only do 7 days combined hopping, it's a little more ($35).

less than 7 combined or no hopping and it doesn't make sense.

Except I'd get 20% off . Question is, would it be at enough places to pay off? I dunno but need to figure it out. It may be. Kind of nutty as it would expire 12/29/13 but it still may be worth getting.

Oh and to answer the other question about the cruise prices..no, they aren't a good deal for our cruise anymore. When I checked, it had gone up about $1100 from the price we booked at so good for Jill and I but BOO on the 200% single occupant fee for her.​