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

[rabeck]

QOTD: From the Disney facebook page today: Who were you with when you saw Cinderella's Castle for the first time?


I was with my mom, dad and brother in 2001 when I was 12. My brother and I got the trip to WDW for Christmas and the anitcipation was so overwhelming by the time we got there all I could do was stare at it! I'd seen Sleeping Beauty Castle before, but Cinderella Castle was amazing in a whole different way!

Then my mom wanted to take a picture of my brother and I in front of it. She was still holding her refillable mug with coffee in it....And when she tilt her hand back to take the picture the coffee spilled all down her shirt! Everyone but my mom died laughing. I'm pretty sure my brother and I were on the ground in the middle of Main Street. She did laugh about it later.

We then followed up by going on Small World, where my dad made a joke with a CM to the extend of "We can't take her anywhere!" By the time we got off the ride the CM had gotten a voucher for a FREE SHIRT for my mom! That CM made my mom's day and cemented my love of Disney!

 

[MET270]

Just paid in full!! CR Aug 1-8, I did online check in. I was too excited and couldn't help it, had to do it! Is it true that if you fax a room request to CR the week before you arrive you are more likely to get?

 

[Koh1977]

Just paid in full!! CR Aug 1-8, I did online check in. I was too excited and couldn't help it, had to do it! Is it true that if you fax a room request to CR the week before you arrive you are more likely to get?

I thought the only resorts that really accept faxed requests anymore was POR/POFQ. Correct me if I'm wrong!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[squirrel4569]

Just paid in full!! CR Aug 1-8, I did online check in. I was too excited and couldn't help it, had to do it! Is it true that if you fax a room request to CR the week before you arrive you are more likely to get?

I called my request into the main reservations line last year and it was noted on the account and we got it. We requested to not be in the Ursula building because she scares my girls. We did online check in and when we arrived at AoA they said "we put you in the Ariel building to help comply with your request."

 

[momto3gr8boys]

Months ago when I started planning out our days for our August trip I added some things to do that did not exist at that time, Being a Commando, when I plan I like to look way outside the box, I tend to plan some things based on speculation of rumors, Now when I start planning I will admit most have no ideal what I'm talking about, but crazy enough by the time of the trip most of them pan out, A couple of things I already had incorporated into our plans for August, that are now operational are A Pirate's Adventure Interactive Game in MK & Wilderness Explores Game at AK

Also I can't wait to start asking around for cards the Transportation Cards series 3 (have complete sets from series 1 & 2 including pulled cards) with all the park hopping we do it's a fun pastime

Those sound like fun! They sound similar (does anyone know for sure?) like the mid-ship detective games on DCL. Where did you find the information on them? And I totally forgot the transportation cards even existed...I wonder if we still have any kicking around here.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

We heard through the rumor mill that DH is up for deployment again. I do NOT want this, not only because this vacation is to celebrate him coming home from the last deployment - I'd trade the vaca to keep him home!, but because he's been gone for 15 months since we got married less than 23 months ago. We'll find out this week the timeframe we're looking at, please send happy thoughts that it is a long long LONG time from now!

Big hugs for you! I can only imagine how frustrating and sad it must be for you to be facing another deployment I hope it's not for a long time!

 

[momto3gr8boys]

I'd love to know this too! But we have a room only ressie, so I won't be paying it off online. I imagine the check in CMs would think I'm nuts if I showed up with a fistful of gift cards

People do it all the time, according to the boards. If you have a Target Red Card (either credit or debit) you get 5% off the Disney gsc, and if you get a 5% prescription bonus (I guess for spending XX amount on prescriptions), you can also apply that 5%, which works out to about a 9% savings.

 

[MET270]

I thought the only resorts that really accept faxed requests anymore was POR/POFQ. Correct me if I'm wrong!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

You are right, only POR/POFQ still accept faxed requests.

 

[amomma23]

Those sound like fun! They sound similar (does anyone know for sure?) like the mid-ship detective games on DCL. Where did you find the information on them? And I totally forgot the transportation cards even existed...I wonder if we still have any kicking around here.

Here's info about Wilderness Explorers.
http://blog.touringplans.com/

Pirates Adventure...
http://land.allears.net/blogs/kristin-ford/2013/05/_going_on_a_pirates.html

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

We lived and worked in Niagara Falls for years and our inlaws still live there so we are there often. It loses it's appeal when it's "home".

This could not be anymore true! I live 15 minutes away from the American side of the falls and honestly pay it no mind what so ever, being so close makes it lose it's draw to an extent.

Isn't it funny how we lose appreciation for the attractions which are close to home?

We live near the infamous Sandbanks .... a beautiful place. Yet we haven't been there in YEARS. And its only a 30 minute drive . People come from all over the province to visit and we rarely even have it on our radar (I should try and remedy that this summer ).

 

[momto3gr8boys]

I think I am going to join in with those stalking the Dessert Party reservations opening. We'd like to go on the 20th (Tues). Any of you trying for then?

I need to post my ADRs, too.....

I think I am going to try for 8/21. I still haven't committed to this in my head yet - but I know I need to decide since it looks like I'll have to make those ADRs any minute now .

DH and I took the day off to spend it together. He's not feeling well, so it's likely a stay at home day. But at least we are together and relaxing.

75 days today! Totally not doing online check in at 60 days. We will need to have a conversation with the CMs and will be requesting a microwave at check in. Not sure what we will be heating up, but I want to option,

You can get a microwave in your room?? I never heard of that. How does this work?

 

[momto3gr8boys]

QOTD: From the Disney facebook page today: Who were you with when you saw Cinderella's Castle for the first time?

I was with my mom when I was 4 years old in 1982. When I went back 20 years later with my ex and her kids it was a rush walking down Main Street USA again. The memories were very vivid. It's something that sticks with you for sure.

It was 1981, I was 10 years old, and I was with my mom, brother and sister, and my Grandma and Grandpa. I was so excited, but honestly, more than seeing the castle for the first time, was my complete and utter awe over riding the monorail THROUGH the CR! I still remember the CM at the TTC pointing out the new monorail line that would head to Epcot, and them telling us all about the new park that would be opening.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

NYC is totally on my bucket list!!!!! I am almost thinking that might be an alternative to Orlando for next summer.....maybe .

ETA....I would totally look into schools in Buffalo over Toronto. The cost of living will be soooo much cheaper (one of the pitfalls of Toronto....holy macaroni, its expensive to live there). And the proximity to Niagara is awesome. And there's a great little airport there, at your disposal. The only bitter pill to swallow would be the winters. NOT FUN! lol

Oh, I know...and being that we are in NY, Buffalo will be A LOT cheaper! We went up to take a look in April and it flurried the entire time. I kept telling Connor it's April and it hasn't stopped flurrying....to which the guide responded with, well at least it's not Syracuse with 6" right now

NYC is so much fun! But if you can swing it, avoid July and August - it's just so hot and humid. And I know Orlando is hot and humid too, but NYC reeks like a sewer when the heat and humidity crank up. I personally don't mind it too much as it's familiar to me, but I'm not sure how great of a first impression that stench makes to visitors. The up side to August is that the city is empty...everyone is out east for the summer.

 

[momto3gr8boys]

Oh and I hope you love the Chateau Laurier as much as we do. Beautiful historical property. My little brother was married there 2 summers ago. He and his bride were doing their wedding pictures in the lobby and who walks in but BRIAN MULRONEY (former Prime Minister). My brother waltzes over and says "My Mulroney, it is my wedding day and I would be honoured if you'd be in our wedding pictures." So we get called down to do the family shots and there's the former Prime Minister standing there waiting to take pictures with our family.
It was a really neat day!!

 

[taymacsmom]

Wow...I'm exhausted.

I went to Target today and picked up $1700 in gift cards with my RedCard for $1615 to pay off our remaining balance. Then I got home and started paying off the balance $50 at a time. This is the first time I've ever had an issue with the Disney website (I know many have had issues with it) and it was agonizing. You can only enter one gift card at a time, it was very slow to process things and after two or three cards it would kick you out and have you sign back in again, sometimes two or three times before it would let you pay more. All in all I think it was about 2 and 1/2 hours to enter 34 gift cards.

The upshot is though that the trip is paid for now.

So with the recent price increase and our desire to come back next June I'm reconsidering the AP purchase. I'm going to bust out Excel this week and see if it is worthwhile.

I'm curious. I bought gift cards at Target with my red card and was told that the 5 % off does not apply to the gift cards. What am I doing wrong!?! Should I ask to speak to a manager? I still would like to get about $1000.00 more so it would be a good amount of money.

Kelly

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[cinnderly]

Oh, I know...and being that we are in NY, Buffalo will be A LOT cheaper! We went up to take a look in April and it flurried the entire time. I kept telling Connor it's April and it hasn't stopped flurrying....to which the guide responded with, well at least it's not Syracuse with 6" right now

NYC is so much fun! But if you can swing it, avoid July and August - it's just so hot and humid. And I know Orlando is hot and humid too, but NYC reeks like a sewer when the heat and humidity crank up. I personally don't mind it too much as it's familiar to me, but I'm not sure how great of a first impression that stench makes to visitors. The up side to August is that the city is empty...everyone is out east for the summer.

It is?! I have never noticed that to be the case after all my years here. Seeing the city empty has never been my experience. That would definitely be strange!

Apparently I was at Disney World as a 1 year-old, but since I don't remember that... My first time seeing the castle was at 30, in 2007. My son was 5. I cried, so I was happy to have giant sunglasses hiding my face.

 

[monorailsilver]

QOTD: From the Disney facebook page today: Who were you with when you saw Cinderella's Castle for the first time?

June 1975. I was 3 1/2. Honestly I don't remember seeing it, how sad is that?

I do remember the fireworks from our poly room. Well sort of. My 2 older sisters, dad, my moms cousins husband and dd all went to the MK while my mom, her cousin, her cousins son same age as me and me went back to the room for sleepy time! I remember my mother shutting the curtain during the fireworks (I think) because it was out bed time.

 

[neenals]

August Reservations for the Dessert Party opened up this afternoon. (At least on-line) It sounds like some people are having problems calling in. I scored our reservation for the 22nd. Woo Hoo!

 

[Koh1977]

August Reservations for the Dessert Party opened up this afternoon. (At least on-line) It sounds like some people are having problems calling in. I scored our reservation for the 22nd. Woo Hoo!

I just reserved 8/8!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[squirrel4569]

I'm curious. I bought gift cards at Target with my red card and was told that the 5 % off does not apply to the gift cards. What am I doing wrong!?! Should I ask to speak to a manager? I still would like to get about $1000.00 more so it would be a good amount of money.

Kelly

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

That's strange. When I bought them yesterday it rang up at $1700 and as soon as I swiped my RedCard it dropped to $1615. Some gift cards might be exempt but the Disney ones aren't AFAIK.

BTW...I noticed on the facebook page that we'll be at AoA at the same time and we have Akershus ADRs within 10 minutes of each other. Maybe we'll run into each other!