A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes: Nov 2010 / Feb 2011 PTRs! UPDATE 10/30

[moparop]

Those look like a bunch of great ADRs! They have me doing the "Disney drool" this AM!

 

[kschafer]

I really want to try Ohana and Whispering Canyon Cafe someday soon! I've had ADR's both places on the past 2 trips but have yet to actually make it to one of them

Cape may breakfast is YUMMY!!

 

[DWGal210]

I just ate breakfast, yet my stomach is growling.



They look great! I have wanted to try RR since our first trip, but it hasn't made "the cut" yet....perhaps on our spring trip....! We've also wanted to do the GG for the characters mainly, for Henry, but haven't yet.

San Angel Inn will be the new Mexican place by November, won't it? I would LOVE to try it, we love Mexican food too - I look forward to your review!!!

I am looking forward to eating there, too! I do love Mexican so hopefully we won't be disappointed.

Those look like a bunch of great ADRs! They have me doing the "Disney drool" this AM!

I know, right?! I was getting so hungry just TYPING that out!

I really want to try Ohana and Whispering Canyon Cafe someday soon! I've had ADR's both places on the past 2 trips but have yet to actually make it to one of them

Cape may breakfast is YUMMY!!

You MUST try OHana. We just love it, it's a place we have to hit each time we go. I have also heard great things about Cape May, so we are really looking forward to that as well!

 

[DWGal210]

Happy Sunday, all!

It is GORGEOUS day in Iowa today - - I hope your day at your house is just as nice! I'm getting ready to head out for my brother's 21st birthday party cookout but wanted to do another update.

If you've seen the notes on the DIS this weekend, they are anticipating deals for 2011 to be announced. I am finally taking the plunge and doing a solo trip May 27-30, 2011. I was hesitant before but I think I'm secure enough now to go on my own. I picked those dates since then I'll only have to take 2 days off of work with the Memorial Day Holiday, and I think that 4 nights solo is just perfect. So, that being said.....if good deals come out tomorrow, I'll be booking for sure. I e-mailed the travel agent gal this afternoon and asked if she could please keep her eyes open for me, and I'll look as well. I am picking Caribbean Beach as my first choice, and also Pop Century as #2. I am wanting to stay somewhere I haven't stayed before, but depending on the deals I will make my decision from there.

So cross your fingers that a good deal comes out on my dates!

Have a GREAT GREAT SUNDAY!!

 

[brookelizabeth]

The weather here has been beautiful as well....FINALLY! It was so hot in July. August has been lovely.

Woo-hoo for a solo trip!!!! I think 4 days would be really nice, not too long, not too short. Plus you are able to get a ton more done while solo too, so you'll cover everything you want I bet. Keep us posted on your plans!

 

[kschafer]

It is GORGEOUS day in Iowa today - - I hope your day at your house is just as nice!

Wasn't it amazing! Such a relief after last weeks heat and floods (how did CF fare? M'town is OK but my parents live in Ames, what a nightmare they had to deal with!)

The boys and I went to the zoo thinking since the fair was going on, most people would choose to get out of the house and head there...nope! the zoo was crowded too but it was so nice to get outside again, I didn't care!

If you've seen the notes on the DIS this weekend, they are anticipating deals for 2011 to be announced. I am finally taking the plunge and doing a solo trip May 27-30, 2011.

FREE DINING!!!! Regular at CBR or quick service at POP. Can't wait to hear what you choose

 

[moparop]

I saw the discounts this morning and thought of you. Are you holding with Disney right now??

 

[DWGal210]

The weather here has been beautiful as well....FINALLY! It was so hot in July. August has been lovely.

Woo-hoo for a solo trip!!!! I think 4 days would be really nice, not too long, not too short. Plus you are able to get a ton more done while solo too, so you'll cover everything you want I bet. Keep us posted on your plans!

I figured that too, with 4 days it would be perfect. Enough time to see everything I wanted to see, but not too much time that I would get lonely. And I don't even mind if it's busy over Memorial Day - because I figure if it is, then I will just go back to the hotel and swim, explore resorts, go to DTD, etc. As one person, I can be VERY flexible.

 

[DWGal210]

Wasn't it amazing! Such a relief after last weeks heat and floods (how did CF fare? M'town is OK but my parents live in Ames, what a nightmare they had to deal with!)

The boys and I went to the zoo thinking since the fair was going on, most people would choose to get out of the house and head there...nope! the zoo was crowded too but it was so nice to get outside again, I didn't care!



FREE DINING!!!! Regular at CBR or quick service at POP. Can't wait to hear what you choose

We escape the flooding, thank God! We went through Des Moines this past weekend (went to the state fair) and saw some pretty awful flooding.

I saw the discounts this morning and thought of you. Are you holding with Disney right now??

Well..... I had my travel agent on it this morning, and she is FANTASTIC!! Poor thing was swamped but she got back to me today. Now I have some decisions to make.....see below.

 

[DWGal210]

So I still have not made a decision on the solo trip. That is SO unlike me.....

I e-mailed my travel agent yesterday afternoon and she was WONDERFUL! I gave her my dates (May 26-30), said I preferred Caribbean Beach and waited to hear back.

So, bless her heart, I have a tentative reservation on those dates. BUT.....(isn't there always a but?! )

Question #1: Free dining doesn't come out until the 27th. So I would have to pay out-of-package, would probably have to switch rooms cause it would be under a different reservation, etc. So I am wondering how to handle that.

Question #2: I am actually leaning towards POP now, mostly because although I would like to stay at CB, mostly since I haven't been there before, but it comes with the regular dining package and I really don't need that - - the Quick Service would actually work better for me.

Question #3: Before this came out, I actually was planning on getting an Annual Pass before the November trip. But the package deal hinges on you purchasing MYW tickets, which I don't need. SO...... I could wait until May to get the AP, and then just upgrade while I was there.

PHEW! Confused already?! I know I am! Bu luckily, I have a reservation in my name and I have until Monday the 23rd to decide and put down a deposit.

So, thoughts?! What should I do?

HELP ME!

 

[brookelizabeth]

As far as the CB versus Pop/DDP versus QSDP - I thought in years past you could use your TS credits for CS'. BUT, they might have ended that - or I might be completely wrong. But, if you are set on CB, it might be worth looking into.

Though you loose a snack....

And on the package, are they requiring for the same number of park days as free food? In the past I know you only had to buy ONE day and could get FD for as many days was on your ressie. So you could do it that way too and get non-expiry.

 

[kschafer]

I say if you are fairly certain you want to take a trip that week, keep the ressie and put down the deposit. Isn't it fairly easy to change details about your trip and just have the deposit transferred to the new plans?

I can see why you lean toward POP in the case of free dining...I don't particularly enjoy TS meals solo. I would probably take that ressie then transfer the deposit later if you get the AP and can get a good room-only discount when the time gets closer

 

[DWGal210]

First off, THANK YOU Katie and Brook for the package deal advice. I am still not 100% on what I want to do, but I have a few more days to decide.

So.....in trip news.....

A week or so ago I was listening to past Podcasts and heard a gal call in about the Disney Visa Debit Card. My ears perked up IMMEDIATELY. I would love to get the Disney Visa, but I am a one credit card kinda gal, so I didn't want to get another credit card. But I could for sure do a debit card!

So last night, I went to Chase online and did a VERY easy, 10 minute process to open a Chase checking account. Also, even though there is no Chase bank brick-and-mortar building in my town, I can still keep my local bank account open and just move money to the Disney debit. AND there is the COOLEST APP EVER on the iPhone, where you can take pictures of your checks and they will deposit those in your account as well!

The points-per-dollar are 1/2 of what the credit card is, but since I literally use my debit card multiple times a day, and hardly carry cash, I can see that I will get points quickly. Also - - you get 10% off at Disney stores, the Character Meet and Greet at Epcot, 20% of tours and $50 OBC for Disney Cruises. So I shold get the card here pretty soon and can earn a few rewards before my trip!!

Have a great night, everyone!!

 

[moparop]

I heard that on the podcast and thought that was totally cool too! You'll have to update us as time goes on about how you like it!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Chase is our main bank - and when we opened our checking account I remember being offered the Disney one...but we didn't choose it and now I can't remember why. Is there a yearly charge on it? Or a certain minimum balance?

The Chase app is very, very cool.

 

[DWGal210]

I heard that on the podcast and thought that was totally cool too! You'll have to update us as time goes on about how you like it!

Thanks! I will let you all know for sure.

Chase is our main bank - and when we opened our checking account I remember being offered the Disney one...but we didn't choose it and now I can't remember why. Is there a yearly charge on it? Or a certain minimum balance?

The Chase app is very, very cool.

Well, there is a yearly charge....but I guess I justified that by knowing how much I would get back in rewards, since I use my debit card daily, it will be OK. And, for the first 5 pruchases, you get $25 in rewards as a bonus, so the first year is basically negated.

We'll see how it goes - I'll track things and see how I do by the end of the year. I just really didn't want another credit card so I went this route.

 

[MeMom]

I figured that too, with 4 days it would be perfect. Enough time to see everything I wanted to see, but not too much time that I would get lonely. And I don't even mind if it's busy over Memorial Day - because I figure if it is, then I will just go back to the hotel and swim, explore resorts, go to DTD, etc. As one person, I can be VERY flexible.

This will be so cool! Just think how many awesome pictures you will get, since you will be able to walk around at your own pace.

 

[DWGal210]

This will be so cool! Just think how many awesome pictures you will get, since you will be able to walk around at your own pace.

That's what I thought, too. I can take my time, relax, etc.....which will be SO nice!

 

[DWGal210]

This weekend I am dog-sitting at my parents house and thus I have lots of fun time to DIS!

We are 2 months and 2+ weeks away from leaving! I could NOT be more excited. It is getting closer and closer, and before we know it, November will be here!

So my list, as I see it now, is:

* Start walking 4-5 times per week to get in "Disney" shape; I like walking anyway but I find that even if I walk 30 minutes each day, I am that much better stamina-wise at Disney.

* Assemble and get contents of the beach buckets for the kids. Katie B's (BippityBoo) very sweet and creative friend Kali is making some buckets for the kids, decorated and with their names on them, to play with at the Beach Club. I am currently collecting items to place in the baskets so I would LOVE some ideas. I am also mailing them to BCV before we get there, since I have visions of the kids trying to cram those into their carry-ons and that vision doesn't end well.

* Of course, the packing and all that entails; but I won't do that until the week we leave.

So, I guess my question is: What should I put in the kid's beach buckets? I was thinking of some candy and gum, some pool toys (that should be on sale now because of the time of year) and maybe I'll get some help at the Creative DISigns Board and make a shirt for each of the kids. But what else would you add? What am I missing?

Thanks, all! Happy Saturday!

Katie

 

[BippityBoo]

Can't wait to see the buckets!! I know Kali is excited about doing them

I just opened a 2nd checking acct for me to use on my weekly purchases from Chase. Do you think it is hard to convert it to the Disney Debit, or do you have to open a whole new acct? My hubby did it without remembering about the Disney Debit.

However, do you still get the extra points and gift cards that Chase offers through Rewards Points?