A Halloween Adventure in Autism (11/12) New Thread Begun on TR Board!

[Mickey_Mom]

Great trimming... you've tweeked some great savings there. I'll agree with the rest in terms of ME, that's actually one of the things we look forward to. It's a great ride and the movie is cute.

I'm not sure you can add the park hoppers just to any remaining days you have. It may have changed since then, but in 2006 for our first trip, on our last day we needed to park hop and the cost was the full $50 a ticket. We prefer spending the entire day at one park too.

 

[mrsksomeday]

As for showing Billy a picture of the ME bus, I don't know about that. I mean we have been on 3 types of busses used for ME. The regular one, a cruise ship bus, and a yellow Mears. Now that might be because we need a bus with a lift too.

 

[preschoolmom]

Kathy, Sounds like you're doing the right thing with the trimming - and your trip will be just as magical!

I haven't been posting because we canceled our October trip. It took me a few weeks, but now I'm excited about our June trip instead.

We couldn't afford both - and we were obligated to June because we have extended family we're traveling with...

Anyway - I'm glad you are finding some ways to save!

 

[PracPerfPatricia]

Wow Kathy-I missed some of your $ woes but am so glad for the unexpected check...cosmic goodness..

You shouldn't feel guilty about going...you've been waiting for this trip and it is much needed R & R for all of you...

There will also be people with more than us...and people with less than us, and I think its all about being grateful for what we do have and trying to help others when we can...and trying not to feel guilty about enjoying life when we can...

We never know what's around the corner and I think we need to grab joy and hold on when we can...

(Besides...when you think about how good WDW is for Billy and all of you-I think it should be on his IEP......can you imagine partially subsidized WDW trips as part of his educational program...actually...it would be an interesting piece of research to test before and after outcomes...

 

[DisMomAmy]

Great job trimming the fat!! We used ME for our ride back to the airport & the kids did fine - they had been riding buses all week. We made sure to have the hand held video games ready to go in case the movie didn't hold their attention.

Park hoppers... that's a tough one for us too. We've thought about trying it without but we have trouble staying focused on one thing too long & almost always hit two parks each day. But if you only had a couple days planned to hop I'd say it's worth a try. Fantasmic could be an issue though...

 

[IluvXU]

Great job Kathy. I think you found ways to save and still really not change your trip!

 

[KathyRN137]

That is significant savings on the transportation, definitely worth it!
I think you'll only lose about an hour on ME versus car....and as long as you don't have an early morning flight, it is well worth it.

Park hoppers...tougher call. I believe though, if you get there and find you really need to hop, they can change them and you just pay hopping for whatever days are left on your ticket.

YAY for paying for the DDP!

I agree... I know that Disney is going to make some schedule changes for November, only problem is, they won't release them until 10/31! Hey, I'll be there already! I may need to make some "educated" guesses if I want to change my itinerary...

Sorry I've been MIA...I've been reading along, but not commenting much....my life is so crazy!!

I can't believe you are leaving in 3 weeks!! YAY!!!

I think we are all feeling the pinch financially lately. And if it's not one thing, it's another. Time spent with family is something you can't put a price on...try to relax and just enjoy! (and all the "trimming the fat" ideas look great!)

Love all the retro pics! We did LTT when they had characters as well..probably won't go back without them.

Hey there! Yeah, I've been doing this: about the finances lately and decided I needed to make a few changes! You are definitely right about the value of family time.

Kathy,

those are some great savings to be made...good for you

Tips for DME:

1) FYI Michael has ridden the DME all 3 of his trips...and it has been just fine!

2) Prep Billy well so he understnads the change, show him a picture of the bus, maybe make up a quick social story/time line


* arrive at airport

* get off plane

* restroom break

* snack break?

* taking mini monorail to other side of airport

* checkin for bus

* wait on red carpet

* get on big fancy bus

* HOPE you have the one w/ the "movie"

you get the idea!

I'm sure he'll be fine! Michael loves the video and that keeps his atrention for pretty much the whole ride (it starts shortly into your travel) knowing how much Billy loves his videos..it should be good!

J-

Oh yes, if a video is involved, he'll be fine and dandy! We'll have his ipod with us from the airplane just in case there's any technical difficulties.

Thanks for the social story! I bought Carol Gray's new social story book, but haven't had much time to read through it yet...


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

Wow...good job with all the savings!!! Want to evaluate MY trip?!?!

Awesome savings

ME tip. Pack a complete change of clothes for everyone in their carry on. The 1st time we used it Jim's bag was picked by TSA for extra search and for some reason the tore the luggage tags off the suitcase. He did not get his suitcase until 4pm the next day!

Wow! Great tip... thanks Janet! We're checking in very late... I'd better pack the pajamas and toothbrushes!

Great savings!!



Bill and I had the same park hopper talk last night. We decided no park hoppers, the con is the exact situation as yours . Seriously, I am not trying to copy you, it is hilarious that we decided the same thing last night .

Great minds, Tracy ....


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

....I don't know what you have planned on your first day but you may want to make sure you don't make that mistake.

...Do you guys get the flu shots? I was just wondering since you are in nursing.

I got the flu shot once and got so sick! I suppose I just don't want to chance that again! The Lysol and handwashing have been in full force around here... I get particularly anal about it just before our trips!

Our first morning is going to be spent hanging around the resort... late breakfast at Boma and then pool time. I want to take it easy because we're going to the MNSSHP that night!

Wow! I am so impressed with all the tweaking you have done! The most wonderful thing is that you haven't sacrificed anything big with any of it -- I have to say that we haven't park hopped the last few trips (even though I had added it to our tickets this past summer) and haven't missed it. It's actually very nice to be at just one park for an entire day (with an afternoon break thrown in).

That's what Ed said, too. I don't think we hopped once on our last trip and it was fine!

Great trimming... you've tweeked some great savings there. I'll agree with the rest in terms of ME, that's actually one of the things we look forward to. It's a great ride and the movie is cute.

I'm not sure you can add the park hoppers just to any remaining days you have. It may have changed since then, but in 2006 for our first trip, on our last day we needed to park hop and the cost was the full $50 a ticket. We prefer spending the entire day at one park too.

You're right. I think the only reason that I'm reluctant to change my itinerary now is because of the ADRs I've made. Otherwise, I'm fine with one day = one park!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

Kathy, Sounds like you're doing the right thing with the trimming - and your trip will be just as magical!

I haven't been posting because we canceled our October trip. It took me a few weeks, but now I'm excited about our June trip instead.

We couldn't afford both - and we were obligated to June because we have extended family we're traveling with...

Anyway - I'm glad you are finding some ways to save!

Oh my, I'm sorry about the October trip... I know how much you love Halloween! Listen, the other day I actually suggested to Ed that we should [gulp!] re-consider this trip... but he said that he'd rather just plan on skipping 2010 instead... it's just too close to our departure to change our minds now! (Plus, how could I explain to the kids, including my niece?)

You'll just have to channel all your planning energy into June. I'm sure you'll have an even better time knowing you used your money wisely!

...You shouldn't feel guilty about going...you've been waiting for this trip and it is much needed R & R for all of you...

(Besides...when you think about how good WDW is for Billy and all of you-I think it should be on his IEP......can you imagine partially subsidized WDW trips as part of his educational program...actually...it would be an interesting piece of research to test before and after outcomes...

I've often said that our WDW trips are so therapeutic that they should be made part of Billy's IEP!!

Thanks for the support on shaking off the guilt... sometimes I think we're our own worst enemies!

Great job trimming the fat!! We used ME for our ride back to the airport & the kids did fine - they had been riding buses all week. We made sure to have the hand held video games ready to go in case the movie didn't hold their attention.

Park hoppers... that's a tough one for us too. We've thought about trying it without but we have trouble staying focused on one thing too long & almost always hit two parks each day. But if you only had a couple days planned to hop I'd say it's worth a try. Fantasmic could be an issue though...

I know, that's my only big concern! Hopefully Disney will add more Fantasmics in November and it will cut down on those crowds!!

Great job Kathy. I think you found ways to save and still really not change your trip!

Thanks! Funny thing about making your plans so far in advance... you start to see them as written in stone! I need to be more flexible...


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

...from the Disney Food Blog: A Candy-Lover's Guide to MNSSHP!

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/


Kathy

 

[Charleston Princess]

Great article, Kathy! I am super excited that you posted this because I had no idea that there was a Disney Food Blog out there! I am bookmarking it as we speak! Love me some Disney eatin'!

 

[JPFamilyMom]

WOW woman, you did some great saving....I'm impressed. We took the magical express on our honeymoon and thought it was GREAT!!! though I've never done it with children and probably won't on this upcoming trip as we are planning to drive to Florida 14 hours I believe for us, but will sleep over somewhere on the way, don't know if we are saving money, but DH is worried about the boys on the plane-bothering others. And we will like having our van with us if ever we need to drive somewhere.

I am slightly sad about missing the ME, cause Jack LOVES buses, I don't know why, but he squeals with delight whenever he sees one. Guess we'll just have to take buses from hotel to parks everyday.

I'd like to trim the fat on some of my planning, but it's our first trip... so don't see that happening

 

[carissanboys]

Great job on saving some money, Kathy! I hope Magical Express works out for you guys.

We've never had park hoppers and have never missed it. You can definitely make it work. It probably makes a difference that we're rarely at a park in the evenings anyway and in bed by 8.

 

[All7OfUs]

I love to see when money is saved for things you really could use for something else (ie. house remodelling).

Billy seems like he's been making some great strides in a lot of areas- I think he'll do fine. Having his iPod ready is a great idea!

We've never gone with PHs and have never missed them either! There's so much to see in every park! If you need change of scenery you can always take a short break at the resort or DTD? I'd say that's quite a chunk of change to save for sure!

 

[brookelizabeth]

We've never purchased hoppers-and probably won't. We have APs currently, but that is the only reason we can hop...and even then, we usually don't! It's nice that you can leave a park and then come back to the same one - so if it's nutty busy in the midst of the day at DHS, you can leave and zip around the nearby resorts, or go swim, etc. and come back. Hopefully it will work out great for you! And the savings overall is awesome!!!

The only tip I can think of for ME is perhaps asking the CM to board as the last family on the bus if Billy gets antsy just sitting on the bus. We have had to wait over 20 minutes, just sitting there, until more people came and filled the bus up. Other times, we have gotten on, as one of the last families, and the bus pulled away within 5 minutes.

The video is great-starts very shortly into the ride and lasts the entire time.

 

[KathyRN137]

Great article, Kathy! I am super excited that you posted this because I had no idea that there was a Disney Food Blog out there! I am bookmarking it as we speak! Love me some Disney eatin'!

Check out their post on the Butterfinger Muffins at Starring Rolls...mmmmm!
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2009/10/05/you-wont-believe-this-snack-butterfinger-muffin/

WOW woman, you did some great saving....I'm impressed. We took the magical express on our honeymoon and thought it was GREAT!!! though I've never done it with children and probably won't on this upcoming trip as we are planning to drive to Florida 14 hours I believe for us, but will sleep over somewhere on the way, don't know if we are saving money, but DH is worried about the boys on the plane-bothering others. And we will like having our van with us if ever we need to drive somewhere...

We drove last year. I guess we saved money, but I didn't like "wasting" precious park time on the road! Of course, it was a plus having our own wheels.

When Billy was younger we always requested bulkhead seats so he couldn't kick anyone in front of him. That, plus having the portable DVD player with headphones really helped.

Great job on saving some money, Kathy! I hope Magical Express works out for you guys.

We've never had park hoppers and have never missed it. You can definitely make it work. It probably makes a difference that we're rarely at a park in the evenings anyway and in bed by 8.

That will change! Soon you'll be going to bed before they do!


Kathy

 

[mom2mek]

Great job on evaluating the trip for cost savings! I think you made some good cuts that won't affect your trip too much. I have only done the ME once on our couples only trip, but it worked like a dream.

Ok, that Disney Food Blog...Oh my goodness! I had not seen that before! I know I will be hitting the Starring Rolls on my next trip to try one of those Butterfinger Muffins! Whoo doggy!! Thanks for posting that!

Sara

 

[KathyRN137]

I love to see when money is saved for things you really could use for something else (ie. house remodelling).

Billy seems like he's been making some great strides in a lot of areas- I think he'll do fine. Having his iPod ready is a great idea!

We've never gone with PHs and have never missed them either! There's so much to see in every park! If you need change of scenery you can always take a short break at the resort or DTD? I'd say that's quite a chunk of change to save for sure!

Thanks, I'm hoping that everything will work out and we can make it back by Spring of 2011! I'll just have to trim some more fat with our household expenses...

We've never purchased hoppers-and probably won't.... Hopefully it will work out great for you! And the savings overall is awesome!!!

The only tip I can think of for ME is perhaps asking the CM to board as the last family on the bus if Billy gets antsy just sitting there...The video is great-starts very shortly into the ride and lasts the entire time.

Thanks, that's a great tip! We'll be coming into Orlando quite late at night so hopefully there will not be too many people on the bus!


Kathy

 

[KathyRN137]

Naturally, a few itinerary changes had to be made because we will no longer be doing any park-hopping. Let me tell you that the one thing I don't like about vacationing during the first week of the month is that I don't get park hours and entertainment schedules... neither the originals nor the updates... in a very timely manner.

If you've been watching, Disney has been playing it very close to the vest with these, releasing abbreviated hours 90 days in advance and then making the announcements regarding any changes at the very last minute.

Case in point: We weren't told about changes to the October schedule (expanded park hours, more Spectros, more Fantasmics) until Sept. 30!! We most likely will not hear about November changes until Oct. 31.

Well, that's fine and dandy for the folks travelling mid-month, but it's kind of a day late and a dollar short for those of us that will already be there on Oct. 30! Can't really go changing those ADRs at that late date, can we?

Oh well. (Sighs) I'm going to play it safe and keep things pretty much the way I had them... just changing out the park-hopping on Monday and Wednesday.

Here's the new itinerary, with changes noted in pink:


Friday, 10/30

Arrive MCO ~ 10:45pm, check into Kidani Village


Saturday, 10/31

Breakfast at Boma / Resort time, swimming, etc.
Magic Kingdom, MNSSHP 4pm - 12am
*Turn clocks back one hour!


Sunday, 11/1

Sleep in, Animal Kingdom until 5pm.
Evening: Resort time or Downtown Disney


Monday, 11/2

Disney Studios: Lunch, Play & Dine
Dinner, 50's PTC
Fantasmic


Tuesday, 11/3

Magic Kingdom: Breakfast, Crystal Palace
Dinner, Chef Mickey's
*No SpectroMagic scheduled, hoping that will change!


Wednesday, 11/4

Epcot, Future World
Epcot World Showcase: Dinner, Le Cellier
Illuminations and Evening EMH


Thursday, 11/5

Sleep in, resort time, swimming, etc.
Dinner, `Ohana with Tracy & Bill, followed by Wishes!


Friday, 11/6

Morning: OPEN
Afternoon: Epcot
Dinner, Biergarten


Saturday, 11/7

Animal Kingdom
~ 4:30pm "Goodbye, WDW!"
Depart MCO 7:45pm


*************************************

Comments? Suggestions?


Kathy