***1st Week of December Thread ADR Plans, Park Hours, and dealing with Pop Warner***

[PlutosUnDr8d]

@PlutosUnDr8d - Here's the one I got. Of course, I didn't actually try a card in it yet so it may be a totally wrong size (I think there are different sizes of these playing cards??)

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0094J1PJ8
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That one should work just fine--the cards seem to be the same size as a typical playing card or baseball card, so they fit perfectly.
I got this one with Pikachu on the front (to which I added mouse ears with a Sharpie):

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ultra-Pro-Pokemon-Card-Supplies-Pikachu-4-Pocket-Binder/47767232
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@Lisa F - Good question!!
1. Seeing my nephew get excited when we finally tell him (with a surprise gift box @ Thanksgiving). He's home schooled and is rarely away from my sister's side for more than an hour. Even with all of the field trips and home school activities, it seems like she's always there! First trip away, first airplane ride for him!

2. MVMCP - meeting some characters, any characters at the party! Last time, we just took a quick picture of the 7D in between other people getting in the shot ;-) My sister wants to meet Baymax (Epcot)

3. Excited about WAT.

4. Character meals.
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What is WAT? lol. . .

We met Baymax last trip--it was awesome (so cute!). He even did the "fist bump" with my son. I would like to meet Joy and Sadness this trip.


The game is tied to the band, because they ask who will be running the game and have that person tap their band when starting a new game.

 

[PlutosUnDr8d]

SOTMK game question - hoping this big smart group has an answer

We played last year, trip will be 13 months past. I've read games are active for 18 months. BUT this trip is booked on a different MDE account, and We will be using last years MB's for SDFP.

Anyone know if the games are tied to the band itself, or the MDE? Do the card packs have to be tied to park tickets? I'm finding conflicting info. I'd like to pick up where we left off playing but don't know how it works. Anyone know??

Cards are not tied to anything--we have traded cards within the park and used them immediately, with no issues.
The game is tied to the band of the main player. You could have more than one game going on, if you want, with two bands, but we always do one at a time.
Just be sure to get a new pack of cards every time you enter MK. Enjoy!

 

[PlutosUnDr8d]

...and I booked Club Villian for 12/2 @ 8:15pm.

I thought about it for a while and read many reviews. BTW good luck finding any bad reviews out there on it! I'm an introvert and DH is more of an extrovert. I think he will enjoy it more than me, but we'll see! Since we're only a party of 2, we'll be seated with 2 strangers. So hopefully they are fun to talk to.

I might have to put a temporary restraint on my rule of no dancing in public. Though in truth that rule is there to protect the innocent bystanders.

LOL--you may be okay at the table--will probably be too loud to have to "chat" with strangers?? And forget about the innocent bystanders--it IS Club "Villain:, so dance away!

 

[DisneyBelle27]

The method has died down a lot in the past couple months. You can no longer buy Disney gift cards online at Target.com and still get the additional 5% RedCard discount, even though you pay with gift cards. They fixed that loophole. You actually can't even buy gift cards with gift cards online at Target anymore. You can still buy Disney gift cards at Target.com and pay with your RedCard and get a 5% discount (as Lisa F just did).

To maximize savings, you can instead buy Target gift cards through a reseller, like Raise, and then go to the Target store and use those to buy Disney gift cards. This method only makes sense if you buy the Target gift cards at a >5% discount. You do run a risk of getting bad Target gift cards and having to deal with that with the reseller used. I've not had any problems with Target gift cards, but I do a lot of gift card purchasing through resellers and have had issues in the past. They were always resolved quickly, Raise especially has a good policy.

Thanks for this info! I'll have to decide if it's worth the risk and effort. I don't even have a Redcard so I'd have to get that too.

 

[JamieOak]

Gotta love when you call Disney Dining and the entire call is only 9 minutes. And now I have Club Villain paid for with gift cards instead of my credit card.

Thanks for this info! I'll have to decide if it's worth the risk and effort. I don't even have a Redcard so I'd have to get that too.

No problem. I haven't been following the Disney Gift Cards thread over on the Budget Board lately. It moves so fast! So there might be updated info over there. But since I was successful yesterday buying Disney with Target gift cards in store, that method is still in play. I don't think the RedCard method with 5% discount is at risk of going away, so that's a pretty reliable method. If you are a Sam's Club member (or know one), you could buy there for about 5% off also. No particular payment method required, the gift card packs are just discounted.

 

[PlutosUnDr8d]

For food, here's what I'm looking forward to:
1) Ohana!! We've never been before and every time I look at a review or the menu, my mouth waters!

2) BOG dinner. Because we booked or trip past the 180 mark, I didn't think I'd get to go here at all. I'm driving DH nuts singing "Try the Grey Stuff, it's delicious! Don't believe me, ask the dishes!"

3) Carbs...all of the carbs!! LOL Seriously though, I follow a moderate carb diet normally...but I'm pretty excited to eat what I want on vacation. I'm especially excited to try a snack and drink in every country we visit in Epcot. We haven't been as a couple since 2003, so it'll be nice to drink what we want without feeling like we have to watch out for anyone else but ourselves.

BOG is my last "wanted" ADR for this trip--we love it! I have a 9:05PM dinner on our MVMCP night, but I can't imagine using two hours of party time, or even an hour, to eat dinner during the shows! I still can't bring myself to cancel it. . . but I will!
Anyone interested enough about BOG to want a 9:05PM dinner for 2 on 12/6?? Just let me know. . .
and the Grey Stuff IS delicious, I agree!

Edited to change my terminology ; )

 

[PlutosUnDr8d]

Oh, this one is even a bit smaller! I see lots of comments of people using it for SOTMK cards, so I'm betting it'll work great! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...rd_wg=OeVJk&psc=1&refRID=PF2Q2P8WJA0E22296JMF

That's great! Very compact.

 

[PlutosUnDr8d]

Well, I just spent a very depressing but productive hour cancelling the Miami/Keys portion of what my trip had been. But, can I just say again how much I love Disney? I of course had an extra MVMCP ticket that had been the bf's, and I know they're technically nonrefundable, but have heard of people having luck getting refunds when they call. So I made the call, got to listen to Disney hold music for about a half hour (including Grim Grinning Ghosts and the Soarin' song, so I can't really complain) and they were super nice and ended up being able to refund the second ticket. Getting that money back, plus the deposits I had put down on the other hotels is really making me feel quite a bit better, money-wise, about this trip. And I'm really happy to have gotten these depressing tasks done and over with!

Now, to focus on my quest to find or make a list of all the seasonal Christmas snacks/treats/beverages in WDW! Gotta figure out what my must-haves are!

Good for you for calling and getting a refund! Glad they did right by you. I know it is difficult to explain situations to strangers, but the Disney people have been understanding and helpful in my past experience.

 

[PlutosUnDr8d]

In the "to be packed" category I noticed some listed zip lock bags and Tupperware. Is that for left over snacks at the parks? I recently went to a regional fair with a friend who whipped out zip lock bags to take home goodies she can only get once a year. I couldn't help but laugh. In retrospect she was on to something there. She went home with snacks and I left with a belly ache.

I am bringing zip bags and tupperware (to use in the room, or pack leftover goodies from a meal). Not sure how it works at the dessert parties (never done one before) but I would love to take any "packable" leftovers with me!

 

[PlutosUnDr8d]

When I was a backpacker, I did a small bit of laundry in the sink of wher ever I was staying every other day. Socks and underwear mainly (it helped that I travelled in fall/winter mainly). I was thinking of doing a load while we do pool time if we had to? But we are only there for 7 days so maybe we won't have to.

I did that last trip --put clothes in, monitored on website, switched to dry, took them out before the time was up (those dryers run HOT!). Pretty easy. I drive down, so I bring a "pod" of laundry soap in a. . . zip bag! Love that invention, for sure!

 

[Lisa F]

Yay! Every little bit counts. I went to Target yesterday and picked up $250 worth and paid with Target egift cards I bought on Raise. I saved 6%, so only an extra 1% doing it that way. Usually I only buy when they are at least 8% off, but the trip is getting close and I'm running out of time. Just 34 days left until we leave and I still need another $1000.

The method has died down a lot in the past couple months. You can no longer buy Disney gift cards online at Target.com and still get the additional 5% RedCard discount, even though you pay with gift cards. They fixed that loophole. You actually can't even buy gift cards with gift cards online at Target anymore. You can still buy Disney gift cards at Target.com and pay with your RedCard and get a 5% discount (as Lisa F just did).

To maximize savings, you can instead buy Target gift cards through a reseller, like Raise, and then go to the Target store and use those to buy Disney gift cards. This method only makes sense if you buy the Target gift cards at a >5% discount. You do run a risk of getting bad Target gift cards and having to deal with that with the reseller used. I've not had any problems with Target gift cards, but I do a lot of gift card purchasing through resellers and have had issues in the past. They were always resolved quickly, Raise especially has a good policy.

one of the cabinet companies I sell has a rewards program and I converted a whole bunch of rewards to like $500 in target gift cards that I then used to buy disney gift cards and I used it to buy my pass and some of the DxDDP. So that was free money and nice. now I could not do that anymore (maybe in person though, but I live on an island with no target so "in person" is very hard for me). Now I just had to get 'er done so I ordered what I had left to order. Everything is paid for at this point except for tips ($165 @20%), OOP meals (not counting HDDR) (about $200), and any booze and souvenirs. I hope I didn't overbuy doing the math now lol. I have about $300 left for my booze and souvenirs (including what was left on my gift card already) and kiddo has a $100 gift card he has been working toward earning. I'm sure I will spend a bit more on souvenirs because I have people to buy for but that is all I am willing to commit to disney gift cards to, I will pay cash for whatever else. So that's basically it. $200 for the rental car. I'm basically there. I've got $2200 in my vacation account so I think I'm good lol. will probably use less than half that (i have to pay off my $570 target bill with that). it is an awesome start for the next vacation lol

 

[Lisa F]

I'm going to have to start doing some more research on these Target gift cards. I've been hearing about this method for ages, but haven't actually used it.

I just ordered my first Rewards Redemption Card for my Disney Visa! Woot! I got the credit card last year so this is my first time using the rewards for it. This trip keeps getting more and more real!

Oh, and I finally got my WDW countdown widget going on my phone (new phone, had to replace my potentially exploding Note 7, so sad! Lol), along with MDE and Lines on my main homescreen.

View attachment 202314

as Jamie said it's kind of sketchy and you could end up with a lot of target gift cards. At this point the extra 5% is not worth the risk to me. I have the red card so I just got my 5% off, saved my $30 and was happy with that lol. if that ever stops working oh well, I ordered cat pan liners with free shipping last night so I will keep my target card anyway.

 

[Lisa F]

Thanks for this info! I'll have to decide if it's worth the risk and effort. I don't even have a Redcard so I'd have to get that too.

I resisted the red card for a while because as a rule I don't like store cards. but for the disney gift card thing I decided to get it. Also the thing used to be when you paid with gift cards (i always charged a couple of $$ to my red card) you get the red card discount too. But honestly living where I do, the free shipping for target items is SO worth it. It's a silly thing but my litter box is from target and I use their litter box liners because that brand fits that box perfectly and I don't want to deal with another kind... I am running out so ordered some last night and 5% off (almost paid tax) and free shipping. Can't beat that with a stick.

 

[JamieOak]

I resisted the red card for a while because as a rule I don't like store cards. but for the disney gift card thing I decided to get it. Also the thing used to be when you paid with gift cards (i always charged a couple of $$ to my red card) you get the red card discount too. But honestly living where I do, the free shipping for target items is SO worth it. It's a silly thing but my litter box is from target and I use their litter box liners because that brand fits that box perfectly and I don't want to deal with another kind... I am running out so ordered some last night and 5% off (almost paid tax) and free shipping. Can't beat that with a stick.

And FYI, Target now has a subscription program similar to Amazon's subscribe & save. The fact that the RedCard 5% off stacks with the other in store promotions is a great deal. The best deals are the clearance markdowns, but those are usually only in store. Also a good deal are the ones where you get a free gift card with purchase.

 

[DisneyBelle27]

I resisted the red card for a while because as a rule I don't like store cards. but for the disney gift card thing I decided to get it. Also the thing used to be when you paid with gift cards (i always charged a couple of $$ to my red card) you get the red card discount too. But honestly living where I do, the free shipping for target items is SO worth it. It's a silly thing but my litter box is from target and I use their litter box liners because that brand fits that box perfectly and I don't want to deal with another kind... I am running out so ordered some last night and 5% off (almost paid tax) and free shipping. Can't beat that with a stick.

And FYI, Target now has a subscription program similar to Amazon's subscribe & save. The fact that the RedCard 5% off stacks with the other in store promotions is a great deal. The best deals are the clearance markdowns, but those are usually only in store. Also a good deal are the ones where you get a free gift card with purchase.

Hmmm, I think I'll do some considering on getting this card. I have 2 credit cards and try not to have a million different cards, but the perks might just be worth it. And thinking about the numbers, if I pay for my Disney hotel with my Disney Visa I'll get 1% back in rewards, but if I pay for it with 5%-discounted Disney GCs I'd be saving 5%. Definitely food for thought. Obviously, this would only be for when I book directly through Disney though. Sometimes the best room deal is through a site like Orbitz, and this time I actually went directly through a DVC owner who I trusted, and just Paypal'd them the money.

Btw, for anyone who is a sparkling water/seltzer fan, Target also sells (in store only) the greatest flavored sparkling water/seltzer OF ALL TIME, Spindrift. I've had their grapefruit, watermelon, raspberry lime, and blackberry flavors and they are all amazeballs. The only other place I've found it is Trader Joe's. I highly recommend it, it has actual real fruit juice in it, although it's def on the pricey side.

 

[SilSprBea]

When I was a backpacker, I did a small bit of laundry in the sink of wher ever I was staying every other day. Socks and underwear mainly (it helped that I travelled in fall/winter mainly). I was thinking of doing a load while we do pool time if we had to? But we are only there for 7 days so maybe we won't have to.

I think I'm going to have to do laundry. I feel like our trip is just too long since we're going to Cocoa Beach first. Fitting it in will most definitely be a challenge. Ugh! I'm jealous @JamieOak has a washer/dryer in the unit.

 

[Lisa F]

And FYI, Target now has a subscription program similar to Amazon's subscribe & save. The fact that the RedCard 5% off stacks with the other in store promotions is a great deal. The best deals are the clearance markdowns, but those are usually only in store. Also a good deal are the ones where you get a free gift card with purchase.

they do, huh? wonder what my toilet paper is there? I need to check into it. For someone who lives on a literal island with like 2 chain stores (one is stop and shop) stuff like this is a lifeline to the real world.

Hmmm, I think I'll do some considering on getting this card. I have 2 credit cards and try not to have a million different cards, but the perks might just be worth it. And thinking about the numbers, if I pay for my Disney hotel with my Disney Visa I'll get 1% back in rewards, but if I pay for it with 5%-discounted Disney GCs I'd be saving 5%. Definitely food for thought. Obviously, this would only be for when I book directly through Disney though. Sometimes the best room deal is through a site like Orbitz, and this time I actually went directly through a DVC owner who I trusted, and just Paypal'd them the money.

Btw, for anyone who is a sparkling water/seltzer fan, Target also sells (in store only) the greatest flavored sparkling water/seltzer OF ALL TIME, Spindrift. I've had their grapefruit, watermelon, raspberry lime, and blackberry flavors and they are all amazeballs. The only other place I've found it is Trader Joe's. I highly recommend it, it has actual real fruit juice in it, although it's def on the pricey side.

I love that you use the word "amazeballs" lol. that is one of our words

I can't find the old post but speaking of the weather forecast, it is 70 here today in new england. I'm starting to believe that lower 80's might not be so off for our trip. I prefer lower 70's for daytime highs but given how much of our touring will be after the sun goes down, if it is in the 60's I will be one happy puppy!

 

[Iowamomof4]

I think I'm going to have to do laundry. I feel like our trip is just too long since we're going to Cocoa Beach first. Fitting it in will most definitely be a challenge. Ugh! I'm jealous @JamieOak has a washer/dryer in the unit.

For sure on the jealousy thing! We were originally booked in a 2 bdr villa at Kidani but had to downgrade to save money (and get a longer trip - I can handle that!). I was going to love having that washing machine available! Oh well. At least that laundry app gives me freedom to roam around a bit. We'll see. TMI, but my biggest problem is just not having enough bras to get through. I suppose I could try hand-washing them. Then I'd have to bring liquid detergent instead of those little pods. Hmm...

 

[Lisa F]

For sure on the jealousy thing! We were originally booked in a 2 bdr villa at Kidani but had to downgrade to save money (and get a longer trip - I can handle that!). I was going to love having that washing machine available! Oh well. At least that laundry app gives me freedom to roam around a bit. We'll see. TMI, but my biggest problem is just not having enough bras to get through. I suppose I could try hand-washing them. Then I'd have to bring liquid detergent instead of those little pods. Hmm...

this might be a crazy idea but why don't you buy a few more bras? just think of what your time is worth on vacation!

 

[Candycane83]

For sure on the jealousy thing! We were originally booked in a 2 bdr villa at Kidani but had to downgrade to save money (and get a longer trip - I can handle that!). I was going to love having that washing machine available! Oh well. At least that laundry app gives me freedom to roam around a bit. We'll see. TMI, but my biggest problem is just not having enough bras to get through. I suppose I could try hand-washing them. Then I'd have to bring liquid detergent instead of those little pods. Hmm...

LOL, I am with you on that problem... I am going to use a small bottle to bring the liquid ones. There is also powder ones, which I am considering... Basically, I'm thinking of doing the same thing as @Mintycake when she went backpacking. Just bring a little detergent for underwear and stuff. The rest we can pack!