Thankful, wishful CHANGING plans! NOV '12 PTR, Packing, shopping & last minute plans

[francis6306]

Originally Posted by ljcrochet

Park hopping is fun. Every time we think about saving money and not getting the park hoppers we don't since part of the fun at disney for my DH is the food (and for one of my girls as well- she included the dinners in her mini journal for school), and Epcot has the best places to eat.
One of my goals is to go to all 4 parks in one day. So far the most I have done is 3.

Yeah, the Epcot dining is nice, but I just don't know if we'd actually be into spending the time to park hop. I do think MAYBE at night, if Cortlyn wanted to go back to one park one of us could take her back, but I dunno… she'd also want to swim if the weather permits!

[readytogotodisney]

Just my opinion, and you know how I love my park hopping, but if you're looking to cut costs, I'd dump the park hoppers. You can always find something to do in the evenings (swim, DTD etc) after the parks.
Or you could just head back for a mid day break and then back to the same park you came from.

[vikkii19]

Joining in, we'll be there the week before you for our daughter's first trip. She'll be roughly the same age as your little one (19 months). We're debating the park hoppers too, and I still haven't made a decision.

[jenseib]

If you do want to cut costs, yes, I would drop the parkhoppers. I wouldn't drop the dining plan though. I just know last year we didn't do it, since we only stayed onsite one night...and wow, the paying out of pocket really sucks.
I am thinking of adding parkhoppers if we go this year in the spring. But also if we go this spring, I'm gonna turn Claire and My ticket into AP's because we will be back later this year. I guess i should stop planning ahead and just wait it out and see what we are actually gonna do. LOL

[debrapagliasotti]

I am waivering back and forth on whether or not to change our tickets to park hoppers or not for our Dec trip. Last time we had them and we only used them 1 time to go back to MK after spending the day at AK and then going to Spirit of Aloha at Poly. I just dont know if we will use them this time...decisions, decisions!!

[mom2rtk]

Originally Posted by debrapagliasotti

I am waivering back and forth on whether or not to change our tickets to park hoppers or not for our Dec trip. Last time we had them and we only used them 1 time to go back to MK after spending the day at AK and then going to Spirit of Aloha at Poly. I just dont know if we will use them this time...decisions, decisions!!

Why waver? Just go without. If you decide to hop, you can add them once you get there. I thought about adding them on our last trip, but ended up changing plans that day anyway and never added it. Saved us over $100 for just the 2 of us.

[francis6306]

WOW! I missed a LOT this week! I tried to check on you guys, but didn't check my own! Haha… BOTH of my girls have been sick all week. Catie ended up with Croup and Cortlyn has Strep. Like positive on the rapid strep test strep!!! I don't know about you, but in my experience (I used to work in family medicine) rapid strep tests are rarely right! We would test people with the rapid and then culture the test and find out they DID have strep. So when you test positive it was really rare!

Originally Posted by debrapagliasotti

I am waivering back and forth on whether or not to change our tickets to park hoppers or not for our Dec trip. Last time we had them and we only used them 1 time to go back to MK after spending the day at AK and then going to Spirit of Aloha at Poly. I just dont know if we will use them this time...decisions, decisions!!

Yes, Park Hoppers would be nice if you know you are going to use them. That's my fear- that with the baby we won't use them. We wouldn't have had a chance to use them in Dec. We will probably drop them though. I'd rather start at the "top" and cut back.

Originally Posted by jenseib

If you do want to cut costs, yes, I would drop the parkhoppers. I wouldn't drop the dining plan though. I just know last year we didn't do it, since we only stayed onsite one night...and wow, the paying out of pocket really sucks.
I am thinking of adding parkhoppers if we go this year in the spring. But also if we go this spring, I'm gonna turn Claire and My ticket into AP's because we will be back later this year. I guess i should stop planning ahead and just wait it out and see what we are actually gonna do. LOL

Yeah, worse case we'll drop to the QSDP and pay OOP for one character meal (more on that in the next post!!)

Originally Posted by vikkii19

Joining in, we'll be there the week before you for our daughter's first trip. She'll be roughly the same age as your little one (19 months). We're debating the park hoppers too, and I still haven't made a decision.

If Catie naps like her sister, then we will already be limited in our day time at the parks. Does your LO like to nap? My ODD took 2 naps until she was nearly 2! She STILL takes a daily afternoon nap 80% of the time at nearly 4.

Originally Posted by readytogotodisney

Just my opinion, and you know how I love my park hopping, but if you're looking to cut costs, I'd dump the park hoppers. You can always find something to do in the evenings (swim, DTD etc) after the parks.
Or you could just head back for a mid day break and then back to the same park you came from.

Yup! I know Cortlyn will want to swim if the weather is better than last year. There was NO swimming last year- I don't care how warm the pools were!!!

Originally Posted by mom2rtk

Why waver? Just go without. If you decide to hop, you can add them once you get there. I thought about adding them on our last trip, but ended up changing plans that day anyway and never added it. Saved us over $100 for just the 2 of us.

That's true. I know I can add them back while at the park. That's the nice thing about Disney… they are smart! They know they need to give us LOTS of options to keep us guessing and re-evaluating our decisions!!

[francis6306]

So… I'm a little bummed. I just went to easywdw.com and they don't have the calendar up for Nov. How am I suppose to start planning my days and ADR's??? Sigh…

Anyway, I can start my "idea" list though, right???

Here we go for our MK list….

CRT: I KNOW Cortlyn wants to go back to CRT. We had a WONDERFUL Breakfast there- so it's on the list. I think I'd like to try lunch or dinner though. Part of me thinks it isn't really "worth it" since Catie is so young.

The Plaza: We went here last year, and I LOVED it. Beautiful view of the castle and tasty food. As I have said before, I think this is one of those "hidden treasures" in MK. I rarely see anyone post about eating there.

Be Our Guest: Now if THIS place is opened (which I've read "late 2012" it should be, right????) I think I may like to try this! This would be a dinner though, right? Anyone have any new information about this place??

Casey's Corner: I'm not sure WHY I'm so in love with this place- but it has a special place in my heart! Kind of tradition. But…

Peco's Bill's: Isn't this the place with the burger topping bar?? That sounds SOOO Good!

Main Street Bakery: I NEED to try the cinnamon roll. 'Nuff said!

And I MUST try a Dole Whip Float!

Any ideas or suggestions??

[jenseib]

Sounds like some good plans. I have heard great things about the plaza too.

[debrapagliasotti]

Originally Posted by mom2rtk

Why waver? Just go without. If you decide to hop, you can add them once you get there. I thought about adding them on our last trip, but ended up changing plans that day anyway and never added it. Saved us over $100 for just the 2 of us.

I am taking your advice on this and not adding them. With the crazy crowds that time of year, I cant see us using them much.

Originally Posted by francis6306

So… I'm a little bummed. I just went to easywdw.com and they don't have the calendar up for Nov. How am I suppose to start planning my days and ADR's??? Sigh…

Anyway, I can start my "idea" list though, right???

Here we go for our MK list….

CRT: I KNOW Cortlyn wants to go back to CRT. We had a WONDERFUL Breakfast there- so it's on the list. I think I'd like to try lunch or dinner though. Part of me thinks it isn't really "worth it" since Catie is so young.

We are hoping to try CRT in Dec.

The Plaza: We went here last year, and I LOVED it. Beautiful view of the castle and tasty food. As I have said before, I think this is one of those "hidden treasures" in MK. I rarely see anyone post about eating there.

We are going to eat here the day of arrival before MVMCP (thanks to your suggestion )

Be Our Guest: Now if THIS place is opened (which I've read "late 2012" it should be, right????) I think I may like to try this! This would be a dinner though, right? Anyone have any new information about this place??

I thought I had heard late June opening for this place..have they changed it to later in the year now??

Casey's Corner: I'm not sure WHY I'm so in love with this place- but it has a special place in my heart! Kind of tradition. But…

Never have eaten here

Peco's Bill's: Isn't this the place with the burger topping bar?? That sounds SOOO Good!

Yes, this place is yummy.

Main Street Bakery: I NEED to try the cinnamon roll. 'Nuff said!

MMMM...Main Street Bakery!! The cinnamon roll is quite yummy.

And I MUST try a Dole Whip Float!

MMM!!

Any ideas or suggestions??

I have a whole list of snacks I want to try during our 2 trips. Cant wait!!

[francis6306]

Originally Posted by jenseib

Sounds like some good plans. I have heard great things about the plaza too.

We really enjoyed it our first trip! It was my very first Table Service at the World!

Originally Posted by debrapagliasotti

I am taking your advice on this and not adding them. With the crazy crowds that time of year, I cant see us using them much.


I have a whole list of snacks I want to try during our 2 trips. Cant wait!!

I think we will probably nix the hoppers ourselves. Our first trip it wasn't even a thought for us to Hop, we had it well planned out.

Oh the snacks of WDW!!! It's a good thing we walk so much while we're there… helps burn off all those extra calories!

[mom2rtk]

Thanks for all the talk about the Plaza. I think we'll try this at least once on our next trip. Our tradition has been to do CRT on party night for dinner around 4:15. But honestly, after buying Katie a $60 plate of chicken nuggets this past trip..... our traditions might need to be refined. We'll still go at least once, but probably just breakfast. Dinner at the Plaza on party night sounds perfect.

[francis6306]

Originally Posted by mom2rtk

Thanks for all the talk about the Plaza. I think we'll try this at least once on our next trip. Our tradition has been to do CRT on party night for dinner around 4:15. But honestly, after buying Katie a $60 plate of chicken nuggets this past trip..... our traditions might need to be refined. We'll still go at least once, but probably just breakfast. Dinner at the Plaza on party night sounds perfect.

The Plaza should start tipping me for talking about them!

Breakfast at CRT is pretty amazing. The sunlight creates HORRIBLE pictures if you are near the window. Of course, you have a better camera than I- but I don't think it would matter.

[mom2rtk]

Originally Posted by francis6306

The Plaza should start tipping me for talking about them!

Breakfast at CRT is pretty amazing. The sunlight creates HORRIBLE pictures if you are near the window. Of course, you have a better camera than I- but I don't think it would matter.

I'm glad you've been talking it up. We really need to try something new. Your comment on the view of the castle did it for me. I had breakfast with Katie once at CP and just loved looking out at the castle. It's a shame they don't do breakfast at The Plaza.

It's been a long time since we did breakfast at CRT. But I love the light coming in the windows. You just have to be ...... "assertive"...... like me and ask the character to move a little so the light is your friend. Backlighting is awful, but side lighting can be great. Or you need a really good flash.

[francis6306]

Originally Posted by mom2rtk

I'm glad you've been talking it up. We really need to try something new. Your comment on the view of the castle did it for me. I had breakfast with Katie once at CP and just loved looking out at the castle. It's a shame they don't do breakfast at The Plaza.

It's been a long time since we did breakfast at CRT. But I love the light coming in the windows. You just have to be ...... "assertive"...... like me and ask the character to move a little so the light is your friend. Backlighting is awful, but side lighting can be great. Or you need a really good flash.

I would LOVE for breakfast at the Plaza. But it seems like most of the places that serve Breakfasts are buffets- other than CRT. Can you think of any other table service that serves BF with a menu?

Here is a picture of us before we ate at the Plaza. I would love to have good weather and eat out at one of these tables!! This is right out in front of the Plaza, so you can kinda see what the view would be from inside. The umbrellas are somewhat in the way, but you can still see the castle!