2009 Discussion-We'll make time fly by!

[POOHLUV69]

Here's a question. We would like to do a breakfast buffet the day we go to Epcot in '09, I was thinking of Cape May. What do you think would be easier. Take the resort bus to Epcot and walk through the park and go out the International Gateway and take the ferry or take the resort bus to Epcot, transfer to the Yacht/Beach Club bus(do they have one?)? If we do the 2nd option, can you enter Epcot for the 1st time through the International Gateway? Or would it be easier to do Chef Mickey and take the monorail?

Any feedback would be great, including any experiences with both restaurants. My kids are older and while they like the characters, it really doesn't matter who's there or if any are there at all. Thanks

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

Here's a question. We would like to do a breakfast buffet the day we go to Epcot in '09, I was thinking of Cape May. What do you think would be easier. Take the resort bus to Epcot and walk through the park and go out the International Gateway and take the ferry or take the resort bus to Epcot, transfer to the Yacht/Beach Club bus(do they have one?)? If we do the 2nd option, can you enter Epcot for the 1st time through the International Gateway? Or would it be easier to do Chef Mickey and take the monorail?

Any feedback would be great, including any experiences with both restaurants. My kids are older and while they like the characters, it really doesn't matter who's there or if any are there at all. Thanks

As far as I know, there is no Epcot bus to By/Yc. We stayed at the YC and walked to and from Epcot, and took the boat once as well. Nice walk, 10-15 minutes, I think. Yes, you can enter the park for the first time through the I Gateway. So bus to Epcot (from your resort) and walk or take the boat would be a good plan.
Chef Mickey would work too! Do you have to take 2 monorails to Epcot from CM? I think you do, and if so, the timing would probably be similar.

 

[stawes]

We might be going late August

 

[Maddie2]

Here's a question. We would like to do a breakfast buffet the day we go to Epcot in '09, I was thinking of Cape May. What do you think would be easier. Take the resort bus to Epcot and walk through the park and go out the International Gateway and take the ferry or take the resort bus to Epcot, transfer to the Yacht/Beach Club bus(do they have one?)? If we do the 2nd option, can you enter Epcot for the 1st time through the International Gateway? Or would it be easier to do Chef Mickey and take the monorail?

Any feedback would be great, including any experiences with both restaurants. My kids are older and while they like the characters, it really doesn't matter who's there or if any are there at all. Thanks

Another option would be to take a resort bus to MGM/Hollywood Studios and then take a ferry to Cape May. That is what we did and it worked well. The bus drops you off outside of MGM and the you catch the ferry just a short walk from the bus drop-off. That way you don't have to walk all the way through a park (Epcot). We LOVED Cape May for breakfast -- great variety of food options and good character interaction (though since our kids are older too, that wasn't a huge priority either). We have only been to Chef Mickey's for dinner, but we liked the atmosphere of CMay better -- a bit smaller and more intimate-feeling. It's fun to be able to walk around a different resort too -- nice, beachy feeling with the lighthouse out front (where the ferry comes/goes) and good location between MGM and Epcot.

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

I have a question -- We are ready to OFFICIALLY book room only now and plan to upgrade to a package in August when the rates/packages come out. Here's what I want -

4 adults
2 rooms
Coronado Springs Resort


Can I book this as one reservation??? Like, can i book both rooms under my name only and pay the $200 deposit?? I would rather just book one reservation instead of booking a reservation for me and DH and booking a reservation for my mom and dad.

TIA

 

[CJsMom]

Have any of you used Dreams Unlimited and if so were you happy with the service?

I used The Magic For Less, only because I found it first. I was happy with their service. I've heard very good things about Dreams Unlimited as well.

 

[Micka Mouse]

I used The Magic For Less, only because I found it first. I was happy with their service. I've heard very good things about Dreams Unlimited as well.

This is where I begin to doubt myself. I was going to call WDW direct to book in Aug. But through these posts, I am wondering if it's the right thing to do. AAA, Dreams Unlimited and now Magic for Less. What's a girl to do ???????

 

[CJsMom]

This is where I begin to doubt myself. I was going to call WDW direct to book in Aug. But through these posts, I am wondering if it's the right thing to do. AAA, Dreams Unlimited and now Magic for Less. What's a girl to do ???????

Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to make you more confused! If it makes you feel any better, I ended up finding my discount on my own and calling the agent to have her call to make the changes for me. I also made my own ADR's. So I think you can do just as well on your own. I just figured why not let someone else earn commission on it if they can. I think either of the Disney specialist agencies will work well for you. I do steer clear of AAA - that's the only one that makes me nervous (other than using the room-only discount).

 

[Maddie2]

This is where I begin to doubt myself. I was going to call WDW direct to book in Aug. But through these posts, I am wondering if it's the right thing to do. AAA, Dreams Unlimited and now Magic for Less. What's a girl to do ???????

Even though our local AAA TA is an acquaintance of mine (through our children & church, but not a close friend), I will not use her again. We used her in 2004 (I didn't know there were other options) and in 2007. Last year, in addition to any commissions she rec'd from the businesses involved (WDW, Alamo, etc), she CHARGED us $75 to book our Allegiant flights -- saying it was because Allegiant does not give commissions to TA's. Obviously we paid it because the bill came AFTER she had booked the reservations and because, well, I didn't want to rock the boat.

NOW I know better (and truly, I know more about WDW than she does -- thanks to THESE BOARDS!). This time I will book the Allegiant flights myself as well as any ADR's. I prefer to be on the phone with the rep in case my original times are not available and be able to make any changes right then.

I am thinking of going with Dreams Unlimited for the resort, park tickets & car rental (whether we do a pkg or individually). I could do it myself, but I am not confident enough to know that I was finding every discount available. And, since Dreams Unlimited hosts these boards, I DO believe they are the experts on WDW. Just my little way of saying 'thank you' to them for keeping the DISboards afloat. I certainly have rec'd a wealth of Disney knowledge and enjoyment here!

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Sidebar: There is a tiny bit of me that won't really believe we are going again until we are on the plane in a southerly direction (even though DH and I have agreed that we should go). The reality of rising costs of well, everything, a pending vacation to MA this summer, braces for the kids, and the economy in general .... I am starting to waver in my "knowingness". Sad, but unfortunately true. Sometimes I think I am tormenting myself for coming on here and getting all excited about going again! But....if I can't be in the "Happiest Place on Earth", hanging out here is darn close!

 

[Maddie2]

I Can I book this as one reservation??? Like, can i book both rooms under my name only and pay the $200 deposit?? I would rather just book one reservation instead of booking a reservation for me and DH and booking a reservation for my mom and dad.

I don't really know for sure, but I would think if one party is paying for everything, it could be made in one reservation. I would think this would help insure that the rooms were near one another too. JMO. Good luck!

 

[POOHLUV69]

Another option would be to take a resort bus to MGM/Hollywood Studios and then take a ferry to Cape May. That is what we did and it worked well. The bus drops you off outside of MGM and the you catch the ferry just a short walk from the bus drop-off. That way you don't have to walk all the way through a park (Epcot). We LOVED Cape May for breakfast -- great variety of food options and good character interaction (though since our kids are older too, that wasn't a huge priority either). We have only been to Chef Mickey's for dinner, but we liked the atmosphere of CMay better -- a bit smaller and more intimate-feeling. It's fun to be able to walk around a different resort too -- nice, beachy feeling with the lighthouse out front (where the ferry comes/goes) and good location between MGM and Epcot.

As far as I know, there is no Epcot bus to By/Yc. We stayed at the YC and walked to and from Epcot, and took the boat once as well. Nice walk, 10-15 minutes, I think. Yes, you can enter the park for the first time through the I Gateway. So bus to Epcot (from your resort) and walk or take the boat would be a good plan.
Chef Mickey would work too! Do you have to take 2 monorails to Epcot from CM? I think you do, and if so, the timing would probably be similar.

Thanks for the information. I'll fill the family in on both options and we'll decide what will work best for us.

 

[POOHLUV69]

Where did everyone go ?

I'll just wait .

 

[abarnold]

Hello all- I hope it's not too late to join in this thread. We went June 2007 with my parents and our 4 kids. We decided day one of our trip that we would take my in-laws there for their 30th anniversary. Unfortunately that is next year- but I can start booking in a couple of months. Then we are also going to be getting ready for our 10th anniversary and my parents 40th anniversary the next year. My dh says that I am ocd about this trip because I am looking for it everyday- but when we are paying for everything ourselves- I have to budget.

Any suggestions??? I had someone reply to another thread I had about should I go with POFQ with the DDP or should I stay at SOG and pay OOP for meals??

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

I know this is just a planning thread for 2009 trips, but i have a questing and it sorta relates to planning our trip. Have any of you had experiences with renting DVC points from someone here on the DIS?? If so, could you share your experience?? We REALLY want to do AKL Savannah view for me, DH, and my mom and dad (2 rooms) but just can't swing it.... Renting points might make that possible though!!! I'm just a little nervous about the whole deal....

 

[Eoywin]

Well, I'll probably be leaving this thread (and maybe DisBoards for a while) since I found out I'm pregnant.

So it might be 5 or 6 years before I get back to Disney - but having a baby is better (slightly ) than Disney.

 

[ctjsowens]

Well, I'll probably be leaving this thread (and maybe DisBoards for a while) since I found out I'm pregnant.

So it might be 5 or 6 years before I get back to Disney - but having a baby is better (slightly ) than Disney.

Congrats on being pregnant!! Just think what Disney will be like when you return with the little one! Thought we would drop in on this discussion because it sounds like we'll be going back in July of 09. Cant wait! Just wish it would get here sooner!

 

[DISNEYmooner2008]

Well, I'll probably be leaving this thread (and maybe DisBoards for a while) since I found out I'm pregnant.

So it might be 5 or 6 years before I get back to Disney - but having a baby is better (slightly ) than Disney.

CONGRATS!! I can't wait til DH and I get to take our children to WDW!! It will surely put a whole other perspective on things!

 

[MAKHayes-DisneyDiva]

Well, I'll probably be leaving this thread (and maybe DisBoards for a while) since I found out I'm pregnant.

So it might be 5 or 6 years before I get back to Disney - but having a baby is better (slightly ) than Disney.

Congratulations! Now you can start planning to decorate a Disney themed baby's room, and start reading all the info about Disney with kids!! Hmmm...will it be a princess or a pirate ?

 

[Eoywin]

Thanks

I'm hoping to convince my husband that we need to do the baby's room in a Pooh theme

 

[Mrs Grumpy]

Congrats!!