03-01-2008, 02:54 PM
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Practically Prefect in Every Way
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: 17 Cherry Tree Lane
Posts: 4,894
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PTR for the planning obsessed....Updated 11/5 We're home now.
It's my Birthday and I'll DIS if it want to!
I thought I’d get into this game they call the Pre Trip Report, or the pre-trippie or even the PTR. For a while I referred to this vacation as the “Mythical Vacation”; the vacation that I was just planning in my head to pass the time and to have something good to think about as I try to fall asleep each night. Every once in a while I would pose “mythical” questions to my DH…”hey honey… on this mythical vacation that I’m just thinking about would you like to eat at O’hana’s again?” Or “honey I was thinking that renting a car for our mythical vacation would be easier with DS, what size would you want to get?” This went on for a few months. Then one night at dinner I was posing another one of my mythical questions…and I heard those magical words from DH… “Stop calling it “mythical”, you know you’ll find a way to make it happen.” I think the next day I bought a binder to organize all my planning …so it’s official…we’re going to Disney World! Some background on my little family: Location: Central New Hampshire The cast: Me:-Heidi (35) Today is my birthday and this PTR is a present to myself so I have a place to express all of my Disney musings. Job: Currently a stay a home mom and I have a little part time bookkeeping job. Education: BS in Tourism Planning and Development Prior Jobs: snack bar manager at a water park; 10 race seasons in management at NASCAR super-speedway (can you guess which one?); 11 years in an accounting job at a ski area (and I also have experience at a Go-Kart track…think Disney will hire me?) Disney Experience: Went to MK and EPCOT Center as a kid and Disneyland as a teen. 3 times since 2001 to all 4 parks at WDW  DH:John (32) Job: Engineer (mostly R&D for medical products) Education: BS in Biology Prior Jobs: Scuba Instructor; worked with fish in Alaska (think Sea World would hire him?) Disney Experience: Went to MK and EPCOT Center as a kid. 2 times since 2005 to all 4 parks at WDW DS: Liam (9 months) Job: Being the cutest kid on the planet Education: School of Mommy & Daddy Disney Experience: Went in January 2007 as a ride along (I was pregnant at the time of the trip)  Doggie 1: Bailey (9 1/2) Job: Living with a brain tumor for as long as she can Education: Local dog obedience class - Passed Disney Experience: Wears a Mickey Mouse shaped tag on her collar.  Doggie 2: Riley (8) Job: Following me where I go Education: Local dog obedience class - Failed Disney Experience: Has a toy in the shape of Mickey’s pants  That’s us in a nut shell. On to the trip planning----- My planning main tools are: The Unofficial Guide Touring plans dot come Allearsnet.com The DIS Wdwinfo.com Passorter deluxe (and I have the Open Mouse one too) And spread sheets made in Excel Here’s the thing about this PTR…I have nothing booked right now except an internet reservation for a rental car---no deposit on it. I’m free to change this thing up a million times if I want and I will be asking for your advice as we go along. So please post your suggestions. If you are a lurker and have always wanted to join in but never do…now is your chance. Post away my good DIS friends, post away. We don’t really have any restrictions on us right now with when we can go on vacation but I have no desire to go to Florida from June to August or anytime around Christmas. I first thought about going in September 2008 if there was free dinning. That’s a big savings even if you have to pay rack rates at a value resort (trust me I did the math). But I decided against it for 2 reasons. 1- it still can be really hot and 2- Liam will be that much younger then if we go later in the fall, he’ll be about 18 months when we go. Let me get it out right now for the “he won’t remember anything” crowd…we’re not going to Disney for my DS…I want to go on a vacation to Disney and he gets to come along. I hardly remember my first trip to Disney and I was 12! I don’t know a better place to go on a family vacation with a little one then to Disney, especially if you have already been there and know your way around. I’ve been planning on going in November because the number one thing I look at when picking dates is crowd levels. That usually goes hand in hand with price levels too. I want to miss Super Soap weekend (should end 11/9), and Jersey week (shouldn't get going until 11/12) if at all possible. And since I’m looking for Disney to send me some wicked codes for room discounts I’m looking at Sunday November 9 thru Tuesday November 18th. But recently (like in the last week) I have realized that MVMCP might start that week. (But it might not because Thanksgiving is a week later this year then last...Why can't Disney put out it's events schedule a year in advance??) I have no interest in going to the Christmas party. And this trip is supposed to be on the super cheap as well but we’ll get to the budget later. I had thought about going the last week of October but didn’t want MNSSHP screwing up plans that week. But if MVMCP is going to hit my November trip then maybe we should just go Sunday October 26 thru Tuesday November 4th and deal with the Halloween party. Plus I secretly want to go to the party…I have already thought of costumes for us to wear. So should we go Sunday October 26 thru Tuesday November 4th or Sunday November 9 thru Tuesday November 18th ?? Tell me what you think! {Both are 10 days/ 9 nights} What I’m reading this week on the DIS: Dinsey dinning reviews by Oybolshoi http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1622180 Here are links to the PTR posts...there isn't a lot of chat on this thread but it's easier to get caught up this way. Links: $ave it to $pend it! Just pick a hotel already! Binder! Penguin Waiter Back to the Budget Checking on Rates On to the fun stuff… Our Itinerary More Details Let's Talk Dinning Pixie Dust in the Mail Pixie Dust continued Even More Dixie Dust Itinerary Recap Days OFF Southwest Airlines Infant Fares Flight to Orlando Mini Update for Odds and Ends First ADR 2 Down...6 to go Bingo! The paint drying update Two more done Calling in sick OT:Animal Kingdom theme 1st birthday party MouseManager plug Updated Dinning Plans Rental Car Update Mini Trip Report from 1984! Part 1 1984 Part 2 1984 Part 3 Dinning Review 1984 Part 4 What did we do before AK and DHS? Part 5 Magic Kingdom 1984 Magic Kingdom postcards 1984 Part 6 Those other theme parks 1984 EPCOT Center 1984 EPCOT Center postcard thing Bad 90's Fashion It's time to wrap up 1984 Mini Trip Report to Storyland NH June 13, 2008 Storyland Continued.... Even more Storyland The never ending Storyland story continues..... Storyland...the saga continues.... Plan of Action for Sunday October 26th Park Maps and Times Guides Updated Budget no tickie for you! Airline Carry-on bag size chart Quick Mini TR of Disneyland from 1988 I'm in love...with my new park bag! The 7 Deadly Sins of Disney 100 Days to Disney Countdown Calendar Mr. Potato Head Parts Under the covers...of my trip binder The Art of Disney in my house Daily Goals Sunday Free Day Action Plan The all things Liam update Resort ressies It's Craft Time! Odds and Ends Update What I learned at Santa's Village My Prince with some Princesess We're just 52 days away! When Snacks Attack! Shopping! Little Crafts for the Trip Day 28! Day 25 Panic! Day 21 in the Countdown Day 19 T-shirt Pictures Vacation Day One Day 13 Halloween Costumes Vacation Day Two Vacation Day Three Vacation Day Four Vacation Day Five Vacation Day Six Vacation Day Seven Pictures for Day 7 A little update at T-minus 3 days and counting Vacation Day Eight Vacation Days Nine & Ten and a quick note good-bye
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Heidi ~~~~
   Last edited by MRYPPNS; 11-05-2008 at 12:04 PM. Reason: ocd |
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03-01-2008, 03:08 PM
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Washington State
Posts: 4,287
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I vote for the end of October and go to the Halloween party on Halloween!
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03-02-2008, 04:26 PM
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Practically Prefect in Every Way
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: 17 Cherry Tree Lane
Posts: 4,894
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Quote:
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Heidi ~~~~
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03-02-2008, 07:02 PM
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Mouseketeer
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 496
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HAPPY (belated) BIRTHDAY!
I also vote for the end of Oct. |
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03-02-2008, 07:22 PM
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#5 | |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Washington State
Posts: 4,287
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Quote:
Your right Halloween would probably be the most crowded. I still vote for the end of October though. 
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03-02-2008, 09:47 PM
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I was stuck in that position and ... It took 4 strapping young boys to hoist me back on my feet
Personally, I'm a popper! I love me some black heads. 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: where am I and what am I doing in this basket??
Posts: 9,001
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I don't have any experience with that time of year, so they both look great to me! I know, lots of help!
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Chérie
I know you love disney, but...isn't this a bit much? Back to where we started from Dancing around the world~one pole at a time~ When worlds collide, a pre trip report As God as my witness, I'll never be sick in DisneyWorld again! Please pass the Prozac a Pre trip report  Winkers World***exploits of an OCD disney nut! |
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03-03-2008, 06:59 PM
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Practically Prefect in Every Way
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: 17 Cherry Tree Lane
Posts: 4,894
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Quote:
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Heidi ~~~~
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03-03-2008, 07:00 PM
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#8 | |
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Practically Prefect in Every Way
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: 17 Cherry Tree Lane
Posts: 4,894
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Quote:
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Heidi ~~~~
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03-03-2008, 10:28 PM
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Georgia
Posts: 21,603
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I have no experience with that time of year either -- I might lean towards right after Halloween though -- that November 4 start date! Any time at Disney sounds fab to me!
Happy Belated Birthday!
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Me (Jackie), Charles, Chelsea (15), Connor (13)
    2012 TR: A Fourth of Pixie-Dust!2012 PTR: Does Pixie Dust Help with Decision-Making? May 2011 PTR: Sensing Pixie Dust I Am! July 2010 TR: Where Pixie-Dusted Birthday Dreams Come True! October 2009 TR: Shaken, Not Stirred, With a Twist of Pixie Dust! A Food and Wine Trip Report!June 2009 TR: Divas, Zebra Domes, and Pixie Dust! A Week in an African Paradise! |
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03-04-2008, 10:29 AM
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NH
Posts: 7,896
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Hi Heidi!! So glad I stumbled upon your new PTR!
 Early October was good - we loved MNSSHP - I'm not sure how the crowd levels would be at the end of October though. If I had to choose between the two times for myself (and didn't have school schedules to deal with) I would go later so I could go to MVMCP - just because we haven't gone yet. So sorry I can't help you... But I can tell you that you will definitely enjoy MNSSHP if you go to it. Can't wait to read along as you plan your trip! PS - As far as rental cars go - the rates seem to be all over the board - we re-booked our rental car about 10 times before our October trip - just keep watching the rates. Also check out the Dis threads on rental cars. I think under transportation.
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03-05-2008, 12:32 AM
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#11 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Orange county,CA
Posts: 17,733
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Okay Peepns I'm here.
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03-05-2008, 12:35 AM
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Orange county,CA
Posts: 17,733
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I would go end of October. Also remember the Food and Wine is going on at Epcot....
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03-06-2008, 11:25 AM
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Practically Prefect in Every Way
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: 17 Cherry Tree Lane
Posts: 4,894
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Quote:
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 Yes F&W...I'll need to work my plan to go to Epcot on a weekday.An Update is on it's way today.
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Heidi ~~~~
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03-06-2008, 01:31 PM
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Practically Prefect in Every Way
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: 17 Cherry Tree Lane
Posts: 4,894
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Part 2 Section A: $ave it to $pend it!
Part 2 Section A: $ave it to $pend it!
Finding time to write is turning out to be harder than I thought. With an active 10 month old and a dog with a brain tumor the days seem to slip away. But I really want to do this so with Diet Coke at my side; let’s chat about the vacation budget. In a way I have been planning this vacation for years because I knew money would be hard to come by once we had DS and I stopped working full time. On our last 2 trips I brought us each 10 day, water parks and more with no expiration tickets. Last year Disney upgraded them to hoppers for free…just like the promo that is going on now. We had the money then and I knew we would be tight on $$ now so by planning ahead we each have 2 park days without hopping and 9 days with hopping and DS will be free because of his age. I don’t even remember how many “plus” tickets we have but we won’t be paying for a water park for years! So the line item for park tickets is $Zero, Yahoo!! Have I mentioned that we are planning an 800 square foot addition to our house is summer/fall? Yeah we are and that’s why there is no extra money. But we need a vacation too. I’m my family’s CFO. It’s my job to squirrel away cash for this trip. My birthday gift money, spare change (which by the way was $150 so far!), hopefully some of that tax rebate money…you get the idea. Saving where we can. Oh and we both have Disney visas. We buy everything with them to get the points…so far for this trip we have over 200 points. You should only do this if you have the cash flow to pay off your credit card each month. If you don’t, you’ll be paying a lot of money in interest for the rewards and that just doesn’t make any financial sense. At first I thought we could do this for $2000…not gonna happen. I’m the type of person that can’t seem to do anything on the real cheap. I wish I could. We probably would have just as much fun bringing our lunch and eating dinner at a counter service restaurant every night. I can’t bring myself to stay off site…I’m too afraid of not having the magic the whole time. So the budget is closer to $3000 now. Here’s what $3000 will get us for 9 nights/10 days: Airfare $500 Hotel $900 Rental Car $225 Food $900 Souvenirs $200 Tax/Tips/Misc $275 Airfare: Here’s hoping that I can score cheap tickets with Southwest. I decided that I have to get a seat for DS for 2 reasons. DH gets motion sickness so he can’t help with DS in flight. And after I did some reading about having babies under 2 sit on your lap for a flight I reasoned that it wasn’t really fair to the child not to be belted in for safety. We’ll take his car seat for the plane ride and rental car. Waiting for my DING! Rental Car: This is actually a done deal (at least for the November dated trip). I tried dozens of codes from mousesavers.com (you have to go to this site…it’s really good for saving you money) and coupons from BJ’s club. I had narrowed it down to only renting from companies located in the airport. I don’t want to take a shuttle. DH had said that he wanted a mid size SUV. I ran all the dates and codes with Alamo, Dollar and National. And Alamo was the cheapest by far. But then I got to thinking about the size of the car. Do we really need a mid size SUV? I don’t think so; we can make a compact work. I re-did all the numbers again and Dollar won this time. We are getting a compact for 10 days for $220.86. (This may go up by $12.50 because of another “tax” to pay for upgrades for the rental car terminals at the airport). I think that price is great…but I will be re-checking prices again to see if I can do better. By the way the code I used for Dollar was oi1054, it’s from the Magicard promo. Souvenirs $200: This one makes me laugh. Do I really think that I will only spend $200 on souvenirs??? Not likely since I’ve been known to spent $50 in Basin (DTD) on soaps alone! I’ll get to the rest of the budget in more detail in the next post. This week's must read is Mike & Suzy's Honeymoon Photo Filled Food Adventure by MikeR. A fun dinning review done in the 3rd person. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1696485
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Heidi ~~~~
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03-06-2008, 01:51 PM
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#15 |
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DIS Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Orange county,CA
Posts: 17,733
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I take it your staying at a value if your budget is 900......Pop? All Stars? I love Pop....FYI...if you didn't already know that....
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Thanks for the BOO!
