395 days of planning all lead up to this! Sept/Oct 2012

[HeatherLassell]

That's fantastic getting the dining plan! I'm so excited for you. Now you can review all of the restaurants and make reservations at the 180 day mark. That will help pass the time. There's so many choices--have fun.

Thanks! I am sure it will give us alot to think about. We have till April 3rd to decide what ADRs we wanna make! I SOOOO hope that "Be Our Guest" will be open by our trip!

All caught up now. You did good on your t-shirt purchases two for the price of one Your family portraits are really natural looking. We are starting our trip off at the POP on 4th and 5th October. Free dining You can plan ADRs too. I would recommed MNSSP we have done this twice before and the kids enjoyed dressing up and filling with candy. Looking forward to joining the fun over the next year

I think so too!! I definately expected to be asked to send the wrong shirt back but nothing. Gotta love pixie dust!

We have been thinking about MNSSP. Since we have 10 days and only 8 days of park tickets going to MNSSP would give us extra time in MK without using up a park ticket for that day! I told the kids it would be fun to do a GROUP costume...so that's gonna take time to decide on! But we'll need to either buy the costumes this year (once halloween is over costumes are all on clearance) or we'll end up having to buy them online since we leave before costumes usually come out in stores.

 

[HeatherLassell]

Hi Heather! I'm joining in too, love hearing about fellow Canuckers' trips, and first time trips are always so special! I am so happy I was able to help you with the FD info, and so glad you where able to add it on, an extra day is the greatest! we arrive on the same day now too, that's ...who knows, we may run into each other down there, meeting other Dissers is so much fun

I love your Mickey Mouse profile pic on FB, how did you do that? That's so cool! I sent you a PM yesterday with my FB info, so you can look me up and add me if you like. It will be fun counting down the days together

My trip this time will be Me, my DS Andrew (15) and my best girlfriend (dawn) who has never been before....can't wait to show her an amazing time! I am hoping todo our first MNSSHP around Oct 1, or so. We will be staying at the POLY Garden View, Club Level, from Sept 29 to Oct 4, then moving over to Hard Rock Hotel at Universal for our last 3 nights.....I love Universal, and can't not stop by there for a visit!

My hubby is not as fanatical about WDW as me, and he is holding out visiting again until our 25 wedding anniversary in 2016! He's ok with me going with my BF and youngest son, (who loves Disney as much as me)...while he and oldest DS (19) watch the kitty and have some boy bonding and fun without us!

Looking forward to hearing all your planning tidbits....that's definitely part of the fun!
Ttys
Marie

I am ALSO so happy about that!!!!! That was the greatest thing ever! I am now saving alot of money that we can put towards other things!

Go to the Walt Disney World page on facebook. And on the left side in the list of items it says "I'M GOING TO DISNEY WORLD" click on that. Once the page loads it's a little way down there is a picture of a stick family and it says "Create A Stick Figure Family"

I'm barely using facebook anymore. They have just made one change too many. I know find it incredibly difficult to use. Makes me sad.

We are thinking about going to Universal but I'm not sure yet. My parents are going down at Florida at the same time as us. And they suggested Universal. They are gonna have to have a rental van *lol* cause we won't all fit in a car. I love animals but I have objections to SeaWorld so I doubt we will be going there. But we have 2 days to fill with things.

Beautiful little dress. I'm sure she will make all the other girls jealous.
One of the best part of the trip is the daily count down.

Aw thank you. I am sure she'll end up seeing someone elses dress that she loves even more! lol It's just a little girl thing.

I am going to make up some sort of countdown chart....but a year is alot! Not sure what to do though.

 

[HeatherLassell]

So i'm working on figuring out the dining plan now that we have it.

I am sure it isn't complicated but right now it seems like it is. lol

We are there for 12 days, 11 nights. So from what I understand (correct me if I'm wrong) we will each have 11 snacks, 11 cs meals and 11 table service meals.

I'm hoping to get in to Orlando in the afternoon but go over to DTD. I want to eat at Earl Of Sandwhich and take the kids shopping at the World of Disney. We're not shopping while at the parks (unless its end of the day) because I will be the one who ends up having to carry everything! lol So then we won't have used any credits that day....which would mean we can do a character dining that requires 2 ts credits without it really effecting any other dinner on the trip.

Right?

 

[jenny105]

You're correct. You'll have 11 credits each of everything. As soon as you get your room key, the credits are pre-loaded on there. It works like a debit card - you have a balance of credits and everytime you use one, it deducts from the balance and you'll get a receipt of what you have left. You're not limited to how many you can use a day. You can use them all in one day if you want to! It's a lot easier than it sounds, trust me!

 

[HeatherLassell]

You're correct. You'll have 11 credits each of everything. As soon as you get your room key, the credits are pre-loaded on there. It works like a debit card - you have a balance of credits and everytime you use one, it deducts from the balance and you'll get a receipt of what you have left. You're not limited to how many you can use a day. You can use them all in one day if you want to! It's a lot easier than it sounds, trust me!

haha not sure I could eat at 11 table services in one day!

 

[HeatherLassell]

Epcot question for you guys...

Now keep in mind I haven't been there in 15 years BUT I seem to remember a pavillion where we went on a boat ride and at some point you were on a curve-y part of track and you see diners in the restaurant. I think I remember it themed to appear as though you were outside.

ETA: Ok I think I figured it out. It's MEXICO.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/guides/epcot/epws-mexico.htm

 

[HeatherLassell]

Went to the dollar store this weekend with my 2 little ones while Big Brother was out of town. lol If they both had the blue and white ones on I think they would look like Thing 1 and Thing 2!

 

[jenny105]

Yup, that boat ride is in Mexico. It used to be like a Mexican themed Small World with the animatronics but they changed the theme. It's all about the Three Cabarellos now. There's also a boat ride in Norway.

 

[HeatherLassell]

Yup, that boat ride is in Mexico. It used to be like a Mexican themed Small World with the animatronics but they changed the theme. It's all about the Three Cabarellos now. There's also a boat ride in Norway.

Yeah I remember the Maelstrom ride in Norway but when I looked it up it wasn't the restaurant in it like I remembered seeing. But I found videos of Mexicos boat ride. I want to eat at that restaurant. The themeing is cool and I love Mexican food!

 

[jenny105]

Yeah I remember the Maelstrom ride in Norway but when I looked it up it wasn't the restaurant in it like I remembered seeing. But I found videos of Mexicos boat ride. I want to eat at that restaurant. The themeing is cool and I love Mexican food!

I've been to the restaurant a few times. The first time I went, the food was great. The second time the service was terrible & the food was bland. I have no desire to go there again and will stick to the CS across from the pavilion!

 

[HeatherLassell]

... will stick to the CS across from the pavilion!

What is the "CS"? Counter service? In Mexico Pavillion? lol

Good thing I have a year till my trip! My kids will not believe I haven't been there in 16 years cause I'm gonna know everything by then!

 

[Enchanted88]

I'm finally catching up!!! That is GREAT news about free dining! I'm so happy for you! I know that has to be a blessing, kids love to eat! haha Especially growing boys!

I'm still clinging to the hope that FD will be released in the US in Oct.! *fingers crossed*

Cute pic. of the kids with the wigs!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I found an awesome map of the POP resort that shows the building #s so I can figure out where we would LIKE to be for the room request.

I think I'd like building 3,4,5, or 6 with lake view and top floor. I absolutely DON'T want pool view *lol* cause that's just too noisy for my liking which is why I paid for a standard room. They can either face the resort (parking lot, etc) or the lake.

We were in the 50s, building 3 ~ lake view the wing close to the 60s buildings ~ it was fantastic, quiet, close to Classic Hall. Yes I did request that building/view.

I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time! Aren't you glad you found the DIS????
We hope to return to WDW next fall too ~ mid October.

 

[HeatherLassell]

I'm finally catching up!!! That is GREAT news about free dining! I'm so happy for you! I know that has to be a blessing, kids love to eat! haha Especially growing boys!

I'm still clinging to the hope that FD will be released in the US in Oct.! *fingers crossed*

Cute pic. of the kids with the wigs!

Can't wait to read more!

Haha. Yeah I write alot. This is just too much fun. Thanks I am VERY happy about the dining. I figured at the least we'd spend around $125 for the 4 of us to eat daily...so x that by 11 days....well we definately got a great deal and an extra night in Disney!

I have my fingers crossed for all you guys hoping for FD too. I heard an interesting thought....maybe because of the FLE (new fantasy land) opening in Fall that they may not do free dining...cause they will already have the numbers coming? I hope not. I don't want it to be super extra busy cause of the FLE.

My kids are hams. They love getting their pictures taken. Luckily for me. Glad you're enjoying my PTR!

 

[HeatherLassell]

We were in the 50s, building 3 ~ lake view the wing close to the 60s buildings ~ it was fantastic, quiet, close to Classic Hall. Yes I did request that building/view.

I'm sure you'll have a fabulous time! Aren't you glad you found the DIS????
We hope to return to WDW next fall too ~ mid October.

I'm thinking my room request is gonna be 60's, lake view, 4th floor. and then hope for pixie dust ....OR....I still might move over to the family suites at AOA.

I'm SO happy I found the dis! It's way too much fun though! It's all I want to do!!!! lol

We're planning a Disney movie night tommorrow with popcorn and pepsi. Celebrate the 1 year mark!!!!!

 

[archdandy]

I'm still a little bit confused on how you got free dining for October 2012. I live in Canada as well and would love to be able to take advantage of the offer. Is there a website that you saw this information on or did somebody on the phone tell you?

 

[CdnCarrie]

I'm still a little bit confused on how you got free dining for October 2012. I live in Canada as well and would love to be able to take advantage of the offer. Is there a website that you saw this information on or did somebody on the phone tell you?

It's on Disney.ca or mousesavers.com

 

[HeatherLassell]

I'm still a little bit confused on how you got free dining for October 2012. I live in Canada as well and would love to be able to take advantage of the offer. Is there a website that you saw this information on or did somebody on the phone tell you?

I went to disneyworld.ca and then once there I found the "special offers"

As long as you go before or BY Sept 29th you can get the free Quick Service (if in a value resort) or Free Dining if mod or deluxe.

http://bookwdw.reservations.disney....CA&promotionCode=fy12dineCA&market=fy12dineCA

 

[HeatherLassell]

OMG this has been a stressfull hockey game to watch!!!!!!

3rd period and like the Jets didn't score until the last 9 minutes of the period! Tied it up! 64 seconds again and they JUST SCORED AGAIN!!!!

So now we're winning 2-1 with only 7 minutes to go!!!!

 

[HeatherLassell]

ONE YEAR TILL OUR FIRST TRIP TO DISNEY WORLD!!!!