ª"˜˜ª¤.¸Official Team August 2013 Thread!¸.¤ª˜˜"ª&#9733

[momto3gr8boys]

You would check-in separately for each one. Since each portion will have different arrival dates, you will also have different online check-in dates.

Oh, I'm aware I have to do a separate check in for both. I was asking if anyone here would check in ahead of time for both or just the first in case there is an issue with the tickets. Sorry for not being very clear on that!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Oh, I'm aware I have to do a separate check in for both. I was asking if anyone here would check in ahead of time for both or just the first in case there is an issue with the tickets. Sorry for not being very clear on that!

No problem! Yes, I would still check-in ahead of time for both. But if you feel more comfortable only checking in for the first stay, that's fine, too!

 

[pigletto]

I could use some opinions if anyone has a spare minute.
We'd like to spend some time at the beach on this trip. (Details.. we're staying at Bonnet Creek for 8 nights, not doing all Disney stuff because we'll be back for a surprise trip in December).

As it stands I could drop down to 5 nights at Bonnet Creek and then head about 2 hours over to Ana Maria Island for 3 nights. We would switch our flight to fly home out of Tampa (and right now there's a perfect flight that is cheaper so we'd have another credit for December).

OR
Stay at Bonnet Creek the whole time and do a few beach day trips. I'd prefer a Gulf Coast beach, but the Atlantic beaches would be much closer for a daytrip I think.

I can't decide if it's worth moving for 3 nights or just to leave things as they are, stay the 8 nights at Bonnet Creek and make some day trips. Any thoughts? Thank you

Answering my own question here

We've discussed all options this morning and decided not to move from Bonnet Creek. As nice as it would be, moving so many times in one week (because we are also in an airport hotel) would be a pain.

So the tentative plan is a day trip to Clearwater Beach and a day trip to Cocoa Beach/Kennedy Space Centre.

 

[cinnderly]

I plan to check in when we get there. It has never been much of a hassle in the past, and it just feels better to me that way. I don't usually have much planned for check-in day anyway, so if it did take a while it wouldn't be a big deal.

 

[jaz0308]

But I do have a QOTD:

As we are all getting very close to this point, will you be doing online check in? Why or why not? Personally I think I may just to make the trip seem to be closer then it actually is and the convenience may be worth it as well but I have never done it.

I am not sure of the benefits of online check in?

I have wondered about this since it seems so many people do online check in. I guess I am one of the only people in this world who like the whole check in experience! I get excited to get the property map and any other info they give me! I also like to see if my room requests are met and if not, find alternatives if necessary. The only thing that will swing me towards online check in is if this whole fastpass+ goes into effect and you can make your fastpass choices ahead of time, then I guess I will have to do online check in!

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Answering my own question here

We've discussed all options this morning and decided not to move from Bonnet Creek. As nice as it would be, moving so many times in one week (because we are also in an airport hotel) would be a pain.

So the tentative plan is a day trip to Clearwater Beach and a day trip to Cocoa Beach/Kennedy Space Centre.

I think you have made a good choice . I think it will be the decision that brings about the most relaxation.....all that packing up and unpacking can be very taxing!!!

But I do have a QOTD:

As we are all getting very close to this point, will you be doing online check in? Why or why not? Personally I think I may just to make the trip seem to be closer then it actually is and the convenience may be worth it as well but I have never done it.

Does not apply for us, as we are not staying at a Disney resort. We will use Diamond Lane for our Vistana stay, though, to request a certain area of the resort (Spas, Fountains I, or Lakes) and a high floor.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I have wondered about this since it seems so many people do online check in. I guess I am one of the only people in this world who like the whole check in experience! I get excited to get the property map and any other info they give me! I also like to see if my room requests are met and if not, find alternatives if necessary. The only thing that will swing me towards online check in is if this whole fastpass+ goes into effect and you can make your fastpass choices ahead of time, then I guess I will have to do online check in!

Even with online check-in, you still get the property map and folder at the lobby desk (which we love doing, too!). As far as I understand, it just means you've been assigned a room already and your folder is ready to go. One year, as soon as I told them my name, they knew who I was because they had just finished getting my packet and room ready. It was quick and easy!

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

But I do have a QOTD:

As we are all getting very close to this point, will you be doing online check in? Why or why not? Personally I think I may just to make the trip seem to be closer then it actually is and the convenience may be worth it as well but I have never done it

I thought online check-in was wonderful last time. It was less than 10 minutes from where I entered the queue and was back out to the car. Our room was not ready (about 8:30am), but we were on our way to breakfast at another resort anyway. As we were finishing up breakfast, we got word our room was ready and headed over to drop off our things.

Any time you can get in and out, have your needs met and be out to the World in less than 10 minutes is completely worth it to me.

 

[thetorit]

But I do have a QOTD:

As we are all getting very close to this point, will you be doing online check in? Why or why not? Personally I think I may just to make the trip seem to be closer then it actually is and the convenience may be worth it as well but I have never done it.

I am not sure of the benefits of online check in?

I need to be in and out FAST. We're landing just before 4 and have a 7:15 ADR at Chef Mickeys, plus I need to get the room ready for the kiddos big Welcome Surprise. We don't care which room we're in, so I will check in online before we arrive.

 

[pigletto]

We aren't staying onsite for this trip, but I have a general online check in rule. If it is *really* important to me to get a certain request I don't do online check in. For example, I really don't like the Ranchos section of CSR so if I'm staying there I do regular check in so that I can ask fro a different location. Most of the time however, I could care less where we are, or I've booked the category I want for view or location so I do online check in to avoid the line ups.

 

[pigletto]

I think if you want West Coast beaches, I'd opt to go over to Ana Maria Island for the three nights. Will you have a rental car anyway? And I don't know if you are familiar with Tampa airport, but it's much easier to fly out of than Orlando! There are also great beaches in St. Pete's, which will be closer and would allow you to visit some Tampa attractions - you could take the trolley and go to the aquarium, etc.

A different option, if you are still wanting the Disney experience may be to see if you can rent points and stay at Vero Beach for those three nights.

I'm sorry I totally missed your response earlier! Thank you
In the end we've opted to do a few day trips because we didn't want to move around so much. The thought is though, that if we end up really liking the gulf coast we'll think about an entire week there next summer.

 

[Loreli]

Just playing with My Disney Experience to see how many days we have left and I notice on our last day check out time is at 11am! Our plane leaves at 2:30. Guess that's not really a hang out at the pool day eh? Would we have enough time to go to DTD that morning? Do I ask at the front desk what time our ME leaves for MCO? So is there a possibility we will have to leave for MCO before noon? That would really make it a sleep in and head out day.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

Just playing with My Disney Experience to see how many days we have left and I notice on our last day check out time is at 11am! Our plane leaves at 2:30. Guess that's not really a hang out at the pool day eh? Would we have enough time to go to DTD that morning? Do I ask at the front desk what time our ME leaves for MCO? So is there a possibility we will have to leave for MCO before noon? That would really make it a sleep in and head out day.

ME will pick you up at 11:30 for a 2:30 flight. You can check in for your flight as early as 5am and then do what you want, but since you'll need to be back at the resort at 11:15, I wouldn't suggest DTD. I think if I were you I'd have breakfast, enjoy one last swim, get changed and you can leave your room as you are ready to head home.

 

[michellelovesthemous]

I was told by the CM when I added a day to our package at Pop not to do online check in since we come in the day before our package starts, it felt wrong so what say you all shall I do online for our arrival night or not?? TYIA for opinions!

 

[Anna114]

I was told by the CM when I added a day to our package at Pop not to do online check in since we come in the day before our package starts, it felt wrong so what say you all shall I do online for our arrival night or not?? TYIA for opinions!

I wouldn't... what difference does it really make, about 5 minutes more in check-in, if that. I would error on the side of caution. My caveat to this is I have rarely done well with online check-in so I usually don't do it.

 

[electrocutie]

Hello everyone! I am new to the group and am so excited to join you! DH and I will be celebrating our 2 year wedding anniversary- 5 months late but better late than never right?! We celebrated our one year at Disney as well, so I hope we can make this a tradition. Here's our info so far-

Staying at Coronado Springs August 5-11.

5- Arrive & Rest/Downtown Disney @ night
6- Animal Kingdom
7- Hollywood Studios
8- Rest Day/DDD @ night
9- Magic Kingdom
10- Epcot
11- Check Out/Drive Home

We are kind of decided on driving from NYC to Orlando. It would be our first big road trip so I'm not so sure what to expect. I really want to buy plane tickets but DH wants to drive. I'm hoping he'll change his mind, hehe.

ADRs-
8/7 - Sci-Fi Dine In Theater - 11:30 am
8/7 - 50s Prime Time - 7:10 pm
8/8 - AMC Dine In Theater - 6:00 pm (not really a reservation, just a plan)
8/9 - Be Our Guest - 10:30 am (Quick Service Lunch)
8/9 - Tony's Town Square - 7:10 pm
8/10 - Biergarten - 1:00 pm


Still trying to choose a dinner restaurant for Epcot, I'm a big fan of San Angel and Restaurant Marrakesh, but I'm feeling like I should change it up this time. Has anyone done the Garden Grill? Is it worth the novelty in your opinion?
You'll notice I'm doing lunch at Be Our Guest at 10 am. That's how bad I want to eat there, haha. A cast member told me that they are booked till November for dinner!

That's it for now! So so very excited!!

 

[amomma23]

But I do have a QOTD:

As we are all getting very close to this point, will you be doing online check in? Why or why not? Personally I think I may just to make the trip seem to be closer then it actually is and the convenience may be worth it as well but I have never done it.

I am not sure of the benefits of online check in?

I really like on-line check-in. It's so nice to walk up, pick up the folder, and be on our way. Like someone else said, we book the view/category we want and don't make a million requests. If my vacation would be ruined by what was outside the window or something, I guess I wouldn't do it.

 

[pigletto]

Hello everyone! I am new to the group and am so excited to join you! DH and I will be celebrating our 2 year wedding anniversary- 5 months late but better late than never right?! We celebrated our one year at Disney as well, so I hope we can make this a tradition. Here's our info so far-

Staying at Coronado Springs August 5-11.

5- Arrive & Rest/Downtown Disney @ night
6- Animal Kingdom
7- Hollywood Studios
8- Rest Day/DDD @ night
9- Magic Kingdom
10- Epcot
11- Check Out/Drive Home

We are kind of decided on driving from NYC to Orlando. It would be our first big road trip so I'm not so sure what to expect. I really want to buy plane tickets but DH wants to drive. I'm hoping he'll change his mind, hehe.

ADRs-
8/7 - Sci-Fi Dine In Theater - 11:30 am
8/7 - 50s Prime Time - 7:10 pm
8/8 - AMC Dine In Theater - 6:00 pm (not really a reservation, just a plan)
8/9 - Be Our Guest - 10:30 am (Quick Service Lunch)
8/9 - Tony's Town Square - 7:10 pm
8/10 - Biergarten - 1:00 pm


Still trying to choose a dinner restaurant for Epcot, I'm a big fan of San Angel and Restaurant Marrakesh, but I'm feeling like I should change it up this time. Has anyone done the Garden Grill? Is it worth the novelty in your opinion?
You'll notice I'm doing lunch at Be Our Guest at 10 am. That's how bad I want to eat there, haha. A cast member told me that they are booked till November for dinner!

That's it for now! So so very excited!!

Welcome!!!

We like Garden Grill. The food is fine, and the characters are cute. We loved it our first time though so I think it's worth doing once at least

For a 6 or 7 day trip I am with you and vote to fly. We've considered driving and may if plane tickets are too high for the next trip but there are four of us. Is your dh a nervous flyer (which I can totally relate to)? Or is it a cost thing? If it's cost, I came across this calculator today that you may want to go over with him..http://www.befrugal.com/tools/fly-or-drive-calculator/.

With two people flying I don't think driving would save you all that much if that's your main concern. We fly out of Buffalo. Usually for 1000-1200 for the four of us. Driving would save about 300-500 for us, but even then there are variables, like how much a few extra days of vacation is worth to us, food cost there and back, and hotel costs. It just wasn't worth it to us this time.

We've stayed at Coronado Springs twice and we love it!

 

[Loreli]

ME will pick you up at 11:30 for a 2:30 flight. You can check in for your flight as early as 5am and then do what you want, but since you'll need to be back at the resort at 11:15, I wouldn't suggest DTD. I think if I were you I'd have breakfast, enjoy one last swim, get changed and you can leave your room as you are ready to head home.

Wow, glad we canceled our park tickets for that day! Here I was thinking of eating an early lunch at Olivia's Cafe that day, guess not. Thanks for the info!

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

I was told by the CM when I added a day to our package at Pop not to do online check in since we come in the day before our package starts, it felt wrong so what say you all shall I do online for our arrival night or not?? TYIA for opinions!

Is your split stay at the same resort? For example, do you have one night at Pop as a stand-alone reservation and then the rest of your vacation is also at Pop, but as a package?