November 2012 Trip planners #4~almost Disney time! Everyone welcome!

[PixiePrincesses]

Originally Posted by uscgmouse

Morning yall!

I was talking with a friend last night and she said last year when they went to WDW they were offered the dining plan at the gate when they bought thier tickets.... is this right?
We are not staying on property and we get the military tickets.... it would be awesome to get the dining plan but I just don't think it works like this.

I know that if you're buying military tickets and staying on site, you can still purchase the dining plan at rack rate, which is what we're doing, but i don't know about staying off site.

I would think not because the dining plan is based on the # of nights you stay at a Disney resort, not days of park tickets, but that's a complete guess.

[PixiePrincesses]

Here's a random question. Is there a penalty for removing guests from your resort reservation & dining plan?

Like say if I wanted to leave 2 of my ungrateful & disrespectful children at home instead of treating them to missing school for 3 days & going to Disney; is there a penalty for removing them?

Not that I would really do it because as mean as they think I am, i just couldn't do it, but I'm at my wits end with these girls and their mouths.

[GMU MOM]

We are down to 43 more days!!!!!!!!

As for spending money, I don't think we'll need more than $500 for 5 days. That's $200 for tips and 1 OOP meal (Sci-Fi)... we're on the DDP, $100 for Pirate's league package for both kids, and another $200 for extras. The kids each will have their own gift cards...DS11 has $150 on his and DS4 has $100 on his but they probably won't spend all of it.

I'm really not into buying a whole lot of souvenirs... the only thing I will do is the pick a pearl in Japan and buy a Christmas ornament.

[squirrel4569]

Originally Posted by PixiePrincesses

Here's a random question. Is there a penalty for removing guests from your resort reservation & dining plan?

Like say if I wanted to leave 2 of my ungrateful & disrespectful children at home instead of treating them to missing school for 3 days & going to Disney; is there a penalty for removing them?

Not that I would really do it because as mean as they think I am, i just couldn't do it, but I'm at my wits end with these girls and their mouths.

One thing that I've thought about recently is the fact that we haven't told our girls that they are going and therefore can't use it as incentive to behave. More than once I've been tempted to say "If you don't act right you're not going to Disney World." Then of course the little voice inside my head says "Don't say that you fool! You'll spoil the surprise!"

How old are they? Mine are 7 and about to be 4, so the mouths are in full effect here too.

Best advice for ungrateful and disrespectful children is a tazer*. Usually only takes once to get the message across.

*Check with state and local law enforcement for legality in your state unless you live in Texas.

[PixiePrincesses]

Originally Posted by squirrel4569

One thing that I've thought about recently is the fact that we haven't told our girls that they are going and therefore can't use it as incentive to behave. More than once I've been tempted to say "If you don't act right you're not going to Disney World." Then of course the little voice inside my head says "Don't say that you fool! You'll spoil the surprise!"

How old are they? Mine are 7 and about to be 4, so the mouths are in full effect here too.

Best advice for ungrateful and disrespectful children is a tazer*. Usually only takes once to get the message across.

*Check with state and local law enforcement for legality in your state unless you live in Texas.

17, 5 & 2, though obviously the 2yr old isn't a problem... Yet!

Tazer, ehhhh? I think DH has one!! It would definitely only take one time. lol

If yall hear a news story in the future about kids in Louisiana being tazed, just know i didn't do it!

[KatWI]

We booked on 2/13/12. Our dates were flexible; we just wanted to go when it wasn’t too hot and the crowds were more manageable. Still so bummed our travel agent never mentioned the free dining – I didn’t even know it existed till I found these boards. Our dates just happen to fall right in between! Free dining the week before and the week after! I don’t even want to think about how much money it would have saved with six of us! I’m trying to get over it…mostly mad at myself for relying on the belief that a Disney Specialist Travel Agent would find us the best deal – instead of researching a better deal for myself!

So EXCITED…only 46 more days left!!!

Not sure how much money we’re taking for souvenirs. My sister’s kids will have their own. My daughter is saving up and bringing her own - but we may give her something too. We have a tight budget so it will also depend on what we spend on food each day. The one thing I know that I really want - is a pearl at Epcot! I might buy the setting for that ahead of time, to save money. I “picked a pearl” on our honeymoon in Hawaii and it was so much fun. I brought it home and my husband had it put in a setting (necklace with sapphire) for a surprise Christmas gift. Then on our next anniversary he bought earrings and a ring to match. It was so sweet!

[jrlongino]

Quick question - I can't seem to get a straight answer on this one. We are going to HS on Saturday November 10 and we only have one day in HS. We really want to see both Fantasmic and Osbourne lights. It looks like the Lighting ceremony starts at dusk (sunset about 5:35 that day) and fantasmic starts at 6:30. We have two small kids - can we see the lighting and still make it to Fantasmic and then come back after the show to the lights? We don't have a Fantasmic package. We really want to see both!

[Eeyores#1Fan]

Originally Posted by PixiePrincesses

17, 5 & 2, though obviously the 2yr old isn't a problem... Yet!

Tazer, ehhhh? I think DH has one!! It would definitely only take one time. lol

If yall hear a news story in the future about kids in Louisiana being tazed, just know i didn't do it!

I have a 16, 11 and 5 yr old so you KNOW I feel your pain. Good thing is they know we are going.

[jrlongino]

Originally Posted by KatWI

We booked on 2/13/12. Our dates were flexible; we just wanted to go when it wasn’t too hot and the crowds were more manageable. Still so bummed our travel agent never mentioned the free dining – I didn’t even know it existed till I found these boards. Our dates just happen to fall right in between! Free dining the week before and the week after! I don’t even want to think about how much money it would have saved with six of us! I’m trying to get over it…mostly mad at myself for relying on the belief that a Disney Specialist Travel Agent would find us the best deal – instead of researching a better deal for myself!

So EXCITED…only 46 more days left!!!

Not sure how much money we’re taking for souvenirs. My sister’s kids will have their own. My daughter is saving up and bringing her own - but we may give her something too. We have a tight budget so it will also depend on what we spend on food each day. The one thing I know that I really want - is a pearl at Epcot! I might buy the setting for that ahead of time, to save money. I “picked a pearl” on our honeymoon in Hawaii and it was so much fun. I brought it home and my husband had it put in a setting (necklace with sapphire) for a surprise Christmas gift. Then on our next anniversary he bought earrings and a ring to match. It was so sweet!

You can't chafe your reservation? I do it at least once a trip, but I guess flights are booked right?

[MomofKatie]

Originally Posted by jrlongino

Quick question - I can't seem to get a straight answer on this one. We are going to HS on Saturday November 10 and we only have one day in HS. We really want to see both Fantasmic and Osbourne lights. It looks like the Lighting ceremony starts at dusk (sunset about 5:35 that day) and fantasmic starts at 6:30. We have two small kids - can we see the lighting and still make it to Fantasmic and then come back after the show to the lights? We don't have a Fantasmic package. We really want to see both!

The O Lights usually start at 6, even if dusk is earlier. The Saturday you will be there is going to be pretty busy- you most likely won't be able to get to F! in time to get seats if you are at the opening of the O Lights.

Disney has been known to add a second F! to busier nights. They usually change the calendar mid-month the month before. I am willing to bet they are going to add another, later F! that night. If so, you definitely have time to experience O Lights before. If the 6:30 show is the only one (or you don't want to wait for the later show), then I would not try to see the start of O Lights- just wait to see them until after F! is over. The "opening ceremony" is fun, but not a big deal at all. You aren't missing anything amazing by not seeing them right when they start in the evening, IMO.

[disneychic2]

Originally Posted by uscgmouse

Morning yall!

I was talking with a friend last night and she said last year when they went to WDW they were offered the dining plan at the gate when they bought thier tickets.... is this right?
We are not staying on property and we get the military tickets.... it would be awesome to get the dining plan but I just don't think it works like this.

I've never heard of the dining plan being offered to anyone other than those staying on site. Don't know what was up with your friend.

Since you changed your avatar, I hardly recognize you!! But I like the new one!

Originally Posted by PixiePrincesses

Here's a random question. Is there a penalty for removing guests from your resort reservation & dining plan?

Like say if I wanted to leave 2 of my ungrateful & disrespectful children at home instead of treating them to missing school for 3 days & going to Disney; is there a penalty for removing them?

Not that I would really do it because as mean as they think I am, i just couldn't do it, but I'm at my wits end with these girls and their mouths.

I think we've all been there! We start off in their lives and they think we know everything. Then, they think we know nothing. But, eventually, you get to such a great place where they realize how great they had it all along. Hang in there!

Originally Posted by squirrel4569

One thing that I've thought about recently is the fact that we haven't told our girls that they are going and therefore can't use it as incentive to behave. More than once I've been tempted to say "If you don't act right you're not going to Disney World." Then of course the little voice inside my head says "Don't say that you fool! You'll spoil the surprise!"

How old are they? Mine are 7 and about to be 4, so the mouths are in full effect here too.

Best advice for ungrateful and disrespectful children is a tazer*. Usually only takes once to get the message across.

*Check with state and local law enforcement for legality in your state unless you live in Texas.

(especially about the living in Texas part!!)

Originally Posted by jrlongino

Quick question - I can't seem to get a straight answer on this one. We are going to HS on Saturday November 10 and we only have one day in HS. We really want to see both Fantasmic and Osbourne lights. It looks like the Lighting ceremony starts at dusk (sunset about 5:35 that day) and fantasmic starts at 6:30. We have two small kids - can we see the lighting and still make it to Fantasmic and then come back after the show to the lights? We don't have a Fantasmic package. We really want to see both!

The beginning "lighting ceremony" is fun, but missing it won't be a big deal. I would go to Fantasmic and wait until closing of the park to see the lights and I'll tell you why. When F! lets out, people make a beeline for the buses or the lights. It is super crowded in both places. But if you can shop or stroll around or ride something for a bit, the crowds will thin out considerably. They keep the lights going for at least 30 minutes after the park closes and that's a perfect time to view them. Then you can get your bus back to your resort without the really long lines to contend with.

Originally Posted by jrlongino

You can't chafe your reservation? I do it at least once a trip, but I guess flights are booked right?

That's what I wondered. I changed mine, but we are flying Southwest, so no fees to change. FD would save so much for a family of 6!

[vleeth]

Originally Posted by PixiePrincesses

17, 5 & 2, though obviously the 2yr old isn't a problem... Yet!

Tazer, ehhhh? I think DH has one!! It would definitely only take one time. lol

If yall hear a news story in the future about kids in Louisiana being tazed, just know i didn't do it!

Not looking forward to those teenage years. I don't have that problem with my 7 year old and I'm not looking forward to the day when I do.

[KatWI]

Originally Posted by disneychic2

I think we've all been there! We start off in their lives and they think we know everything. Then, they think we know nothing. But, eventually, you get to such a great place where they realize how great they had it all along. Hang in there!

GREAT advice! I haven't had problems with my DD17...yet...but the stories I could tell about my DS22 would give you nightmares! Hope we get to that "great place" soon. It's gotten better but we're not quite there yet...

Originally Posted by disneychic2

The beginning "lighting ceremony" is fun, but missing it won't be a big deal. I would go to Fantasmic and wait until closing of the park to see the lights and I'll tell you why. When F! lets out, people make a beeline for the buses or the lights. It is super crowded in both places. But if you can shop or stroll around or ride something for a bit, the crowds will thin out considerably. They keep the lights going for at least 30 minutes after the park closes and that's a perfect time to view them. Then you can get your bus back to your resort without the really long lines to contend with.

THANKS! This will be our plan too!

Originally Posted by disneychic2

That's what I wondered. I changed mine, but we are flying Southwest, so no fees to change. FD would save so much for a family of 6!

FD would really help SO much. Maybe I should email my TA today - but I'm not sure how to word it. I just can't understand why she didn't mention this way back in Feb (or anytime since)! I don't think there is a fee to change our flights, but I wonder if we'll be able to get reservations for AOA and we really want to stay there. I would hate to push to trip out too far as November really works for us and the kids are so excited (ok...I am too). Saving that much money would be worth it though. Any advice?

[mommyof3princess27]

Im sorry for not posting much BUT I feel lost on this thread now


UPDATE: we decided to drop WCC after the new menu change! Thats ok though we now have lunch in AK and time to go back and change for MVMCP at our resort!

[PixiePrincesses]

Originally Posted by KatWI

FD would really help SO much. Maybe I should email my TA today - but I'm not sure how to word it. I just can't understand why she didn't mention this way back in Feb (or anytime since)! I don't think there is a fee to change our flights, but I wonder if we'll be able to get reservations for AOA and we really want to stay there. I would hate to push to trip out too far as November really works for us and the kids are so excited (ok...I am too). Saving that much money would be worth it though. Any advice?

Go to the disney site and price out your trip, using the FD offer to see if you can get everything you want with FD. Yesterday there were still AoA suites available for FD, but not LM rooms.

Then, email your TA and tell them you did some research on a special offer and you think it will save you x dollars, can they check into it for you.