401 days and counting .... I am going crazy waiting PTR

[oboedm]

BTW... glad I am not the only one hoping for discounts next fall. Unfortunately, the dates we are going next October correspond with the two weeks blackout period in October of this year. Ugh. I am not hopeful. We may have to consider iether doing an AP and hoping for possible room only discounts or renting DVC points. Decisions, decisions. I wouldn't mind renting DVC, because we will have the washer dryer in the room and we were planning on doing value suites at AoA

However, FD or the AP room discount would make the trip cheaper than renting points. Not to mention I have plenty of time to pay the trip off-- as opposed to paying a DVC member thousands to make a reservation for me in a few months.... Hmmm.

 

[goofytiggerfan]

Subscribing! I was thinking about starting a PTR for our trip next Oct but then thought it was crazy to start this early. However, I am starting to re-think it! You may have inspired me! =) We are doing a cruise as well as a WDW next Oct, so I would love to hear about your trip/plans for the Dream as well. We are probably doing the same itenarary, or close to it. =)


Anyway---

TH is good for breakfast and it gets you into the park early, which is fun. We also think Yak and Yeti is a must do.

We always do LTT tavern and WCC for lunch. The antics for WCC are toned down for lunchtime, and we like the boatride from MK to WL.

We usually do Akershus as well... but for breakfast. Once again, getting to the park before it opens! =)

Kona for breakfast is also one of our must dos! My hubby gets the sampler and I get the toast. We then share the food.

thank you for Subbing and following along. I will add in my next post an update on our Dream plans. I find it a lottile more difficult to plan things for the cruise since there is so much to do and so little time. so most of it is going to be take it as it comes. Where and how long are you staying in October? Which cruise are you taking?

We usually do Akershus for breakfast, plus we are also are picky eaters and will only do breakfast there. I also love to get in before the park opens as well. Kona we have never tried and I am dying to try it, so I cannot wait until September to try it. WCC we did for breakfast so I think we might do dinner and breakfast as the skillets are a nice change to the normal every day breakfast every resturant has. I am thinking about doing LTT because we have never tried it and we like traditional Ham and Turkey and that is a big reason we would like to try it. Thank you for your suggestions.

 

[goofytiggerfan]

BTW... glad I am not the only one hoping for discounts next fall. Unfortunately, the dates we are going next October correspond with the two weeks blackout period in October of this year. Ugh. I am not hopeful. We may have to consider iether doing an AP and hoping for possible room only discounts or renting DVC points. Decisions, decisions. I wouldn't mind renting DVC, because we will have the washer dryer in the room and we were planning on doing value suites at AoA

However, FD or the AP room discount would make the trip cheaper than renting points. Not to mention I have plenty of time to pay the trip off-- as opposed to paying a DVC member thousands to make a reservation for me in a few months.... Hmmm.

Have you ever rented DVC points? If so how was your experience? I have been thinking about it but have been on the fence. We would love to be able to stay deluxe at some point. We originally were going to go with the new AoA suites but I saved $400 by going with POR so that won out. I am actually shocked that Disney thinks they are value when they are more than a room at a moderate resort.

 

[goofytiggerfan]

I interrupt this pre-trip report for some pre trip news for our upcoming Disney Dream vacation in December 2011.

Our Dates: December 15th to the 18th, but we will be in Florida from the 14th to the 23rd. 3 night Bahamian cruise.

Cast of characters: DH, DD8, DS4, and I see our stories in first post.

DisGramps- My grandfather the main reason we are going on this cruise. He is a big Disney lover and turned all of us crazy grandkids and his children onto the Disney Magic. (Only few have actually bloomed to an obsession haha) He loves the Magic Kingdom and Epcot fireworks and goes for Fourth of July to see them. He loves to go anytime he can and still rides most of the rides. He is the one who plans our Disney trips with him to a T and will not let us stray from the plan, can be quite annoying, but we deal.

DisNana- another Disney lover and my grandmother. She loves Epcots F&W fest and the summer concerts they have in Epcot. She does not like to give in to often to my grandfather’s obsession, but she is secretly obsessed as well. She loves Eeyore and can be seen driving her scooter into people who get in her way (sorry haha). She loves to spend time with her grandkids and great grandkids in Disney, although she does not enjoy when they want to drive her scooter haha.

This is my grandparents and my grandmother's infamous scooter haha. This was in Disney in 2009 and one of my favorite pictures.


DisAunt- My aunt is joining us on this trip with her family. She is a huge Mickey and Nightmare before Christmas fan. Her house is covered in some type of Disney décor from daily to holiday. She loves Disney just as much as my grandfather (her father) and goes whenever she can get the time off from work and has the money to fly to Florida. She is most looking forward to the new bars that are on the Disney Dream.

DisUncle- Not the biggest Disney fan but tolerates my Aunt’s obsession (Good man haha). He is most looking forward for the free food haha and the new bar experiences. He likes the rides in Disney and like my husband enjoys Disney when he is there.

Discousin12, (DC12), She has no idea about this trip and we cannot wait to surprise her. She is a huge Disney Channel fan loves all the Fairies and Princesses although she is getting to old  to admit to enjoying them. (I still find you are never to old to enjoy anything Disney) She is going to be most interested in the Tween club.

At my cousins recent birthday this is my cousin, Uncle, and Aunt


Now that you know the cast this is what our plans are so far, I have been deemed the trip planner by my grandfather, which is shocking in itself haha:
We are participating in the Fish Extender Exchange (FE) and so far only have 4 cabins participating. Therefore, my DA and I are planning to make our own FE’s soon since this is our first cruise and we do not have one. We have not figured out FE gifts yet, but will most likely go with Oriental trading for them. I have small gifts planned for the 3 nights we are on the ship and welcome letters for each of the children (When I get those situated I will post pics). I have decided we will not be getting off the boat in Nassau as our funds are limited (well my funds haha) and just enjoy the amenities we are paying so highly for. Castaway cay I am hoping to do the Parasailing with my husband, but we will see since he may not be coming. I am planning on renting tubes for the day to float around in. Part of one of the kid’s gifts is a sand pail with small shovels, picks, and rakes from oriental trading so that they can make sand castles if they would like too on the beach. We are most looking forward to the restaurants and rotating trying something new each night. In addition, we are looking forward to getting some adult time at the different bars while all three of the kids are in the clubs. We are planning on getting to the terminal as early as possible and bringing our own Alcohol on board to save money. $6 to $7 a drink is insane. That is all I have so far I will update with more plans later and/or pictures of the gifts I have planned and our FE’s.

Thank you for reading along.

 

[tutti]

Hello again! I'm joining in on your trip report too! I'm counting down the days too - every day I tell my boyfriend something new and exciting I'd like us to do like tours and about the resorts! He isn't a crazy Disney fan either but I think I'm rubbing off on him! Can't wait to read more!

 

[oboedm]

We are going on the Bahamas 4 night cruise in 2012. We leave on a Sunday then come back on Thursday. At that point, we will spend 10 days at WDW. The kids are out of school for one of those weeks-- we are taking them out of school for the other week.

We are going with 4 adults and 6 (hopefully 7) kids. All 6 belong to my sister, we are working on our first. Three rooms at a moderate would be about the same as 2 suites at AOA, price wise, and we would have a bit more room (about 100 square feet extra). Plus, the beds fold up, which gives us more room for "stuff," for the kids to play when we have down time, etc.

We have rented DVC before. Not through the boards, through Dave's DVC website. It was a really smooth transaction, actually. We stayed at WL and LOVED it. What DH and I should have done, though, is just saved the money and bought into DVC, then stayed on our own points. We have been looking at resales for SSR because they are rather cheap and go until 2054. In order to afford it, though, we would have to cancel this trip next year. We are taking my sister's family, so buying into DVC would be about the same cost as the trip for everyone.

 

[oboedm]

Your dream plans sound great! What is the "FE" thing? I haven't been over the cruise boards to really look at the various DIS things that happen on the boats.

I have heard that Nassau isn't the great (unless you ahve some sort of excursion), so you will probably be better off on the boat. We have a day at sea, so we plan on getting off at Nassau. I would LOVE to do the dolphin encounter at Blue Lagoon, but that is really expensive!

 

[goofytiggerfan]

Your dream plans sound great! What is the "FE" thing? I haven't been over the cruise boards to really look at the various DIS things that happen on the boats.

I have heard that Nassau isn't the great (unless you ahve some sort of excursion), so you will probably be better off on the boat. We have a day at sea, so we plan on getting off at Nassau. I would LOVE to do the dolphin encounter at Blue Lagoon, but that is really expensive!

Fish Extender (FE) has a thread here http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1219607

I would defintely check into the Disney Cruise Line boards there is so much information that can help you plan your cruise. Also they have a trip report board as well where you can read about everyone elses trip on the Dream and a Dismeet to meet fellow members who will be on your cruise. If you are really interested in the Dolphin Encounter check into Epcots Dolphin Encounter it may be slightly cheaper, but more worthwhile.

Your trip sounds like you are going to have so much fun. I love being in Disney with children seeing the magic light up their faces is what makes it so much more special. I have been thinking about using Dave's DVC rentals, but just haven't taken the plunge. I know we defintely want to buy into DVC someday soon.

I actually just priced out and found it is 546.28 cheaper to rent points from Dave, stay at BWV, and go a few days before Christmas. So I may be convincing my husband to go that route instead. I have always wanted to stay in a deluxe expecially BWV, but can never justify the price . It is also the same price to go for the dates I have booked now. SO we will see what happens.

 

[goofytiggerfan]

Hello again! I'm joining in on your trip report too! I'm counting down the days too - every day I tell my boyfriend something new and exciting I'd like us to do like tours and about the resorts! He isn't a crazy Disney fan either but I think I'm rubbing off on him! Can't wait to read more!

Thank you for joining me too!! I cannot wait to hear more of your plans. My husband rolls his eyes when I mention stuff and says whatever you say dear . Good luck with turning your bf into a Disney fan!

 

[goofytiggerfan]

389 days and counting

Enjoying her favorite Disney World Treat! Mickey Bar!! I love this shot of her from 2009. ​

 

[oboedm]

Thanks for the info on FEs! I will definitely have to do it. Although, my husband thinks it is ridiculous. When I mentioned how cool it is, he said, "We will already be on a ccruise.. I don't think the kids need anything else cool!"

 

[goofytiggerfan]

Thanks for the info on FEs! I will definitely have to do it. Although, my husband thinks it is ridiculous. When I mentioned how cool it is, he said, "We will already be on a ccruise.. I don't think the kids need anything else cool!"

Your welcome! I got the same response from my husband they just do not get it haha

 

[goofytiggerfan]

93 days until the Disney Dream woohoo for double digits and next up 362 days until Disney 2012​

Hi everyone so sorry for the delay in writting I have had a busy busy month. I started school again and am trying to get a feel for how to manage my time. My husband also started class and is a little overwhelmed so I have been helping him out as well. Along with my children starting school I have recieved an as needed job within the school system which has been great and something I desperately needed at this point in time. So as you can see I have been busy, busy. I applied for the Mom's Panel today hoping for some pixie dust and a little luck I make it past the first round. This is my third try so wish me luck!!! I decided to take the free Tourguide Mike's ebook subscription from my TA and am waiting for my login and when that happens I will get back to planning. So again I apologize for the delay in planning. Hope all is well with everyone and your all still with me.