A Magical Place at a Magical Time of Year

[swwake]

194 days until Disney.
The largest sand-bottom pool in the world is found at which of the WDW resorts?
A Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
B Disney's Polynesian Resort
C Disney's Beach Club
D Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

 

[swwake]

I checked Southwest's site last night, just watching the fares in case they drop, so we can get the credit for the difference. I was SHOCKED that the prices are UP! Since I booked a couple of weeks ago, the fare for our outbound flight has increased $111.82 per person! SOOOO glad I booked when I did. These airfares are ridiculous, and I can see where it could make a vacation prohibitive to a family on a super tight budget. Wow.

 

[annmarieda]

194 days until Disney.
The largest sand-bottom pool in the world is found at which of the WDW resorts?
A Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
B Disney's Polynesian Resort
C Disney's Beach Club
D Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

OOOH, I know this.. well, kinda. Isn't it technically at YC??? But BC shares it? Hmm... now maybe I am thinking I am wrong and it must be at one of the others...

 

[annmarieda]

I checked Southwest's site last night, just watching the fares in case they drop, so we can get the credit for the difference. I was SHOCKED that the prices are UP! Since I booked a couple of weeks ago, the fare for our outbound flight has increased $111.82 per person! SOOOO glad I booked when I did. These airfares are ridiculous, and I can see where it could make a vacation prohibitive to a family on a super tight budget. Wow.

Airfare is making me soooo I am glad I booked at least a couple departures... still, I hold out hope that things will drop.

 

[swwake]

OOOH, I know this.. well, kinda. Isn't it technically at YC??? But BC shares it? Hmm... now maybe I am thinking I am wrong and it must be at one of the others...

YC and BC share Stormalong Bay. We stayed at BC in 2008 and LOVED that pool. Answer coming up.

Airfare is making me soooo I am glad I booked at least a couple departures... still, I hold out hope that things will drop.

Oh I hope the fares drop. I can't believe how expensive they are!!

 

[annmarieda]

Well, the fare I JUST booked is up over $100. I am super super glad I booked now.

 

[swwake]

OK, I need some advice/input. I had all of our ADRs planned out until I was reading some posts today about the Candlelight Processional and Biergarten. First, I knew I wanted to do CP but I wasn't sure the rest of my group would want to, so I was going to just play it by ear. But someone today said it's a must-see, even if you're not super religious. And then I was reading that you virtually can't get a seat unless you have the CP dinner package. Also, last year's dinner package included priority viewing for Illuminations. So I decided I think we need to book the dinner package.

Also, although none of us are huge fans of German food (well, really we've never eaten much, that I know of), I have always heard that Biergarten was a great experience for all ages. Today, someone commented that Biergarten is even more festive during Christmas, making me want to go.

Then I checked the prices from 2010's CP packages and found out that Biergarten is first (lowest?) tier (meaning, least expensive) and I think the decision was made.

So now my issue is, how do I change the ADRs? Looking for your opinions. Here are some options.

Current Plan:
Sat: IOA/US, Mythos lunch, move to Poly, dinner open
Sun: Epcot, early dinner 'Ohana, MVMCP
Mon: late breakfast Kona, Epcot, California Grill/Wishes viewing
Tues: AK, Boma dinner
Wed: DHS, 50s Prime Time lunch, WCC dinner

Option 1:
Sat: IOA/US, Mythos lunch, move to Poly, WCC dinner
Sun: Epcot, early dinner 'Ohana, MVMCP
Mon: late breakfast Kona, Epcot, Biergarten/CP dinner
Tues: AK, Boma dinner
Wed: DHS, 50s Prime Time lunch, California Grill/Wishes viewing

Option 2:
Sat: IOA/US, Mythos lunch, move to Poly, WCC dinner
Sun: Epcot, early dinner 'Ohana, MVMCP
Mon: late breakfast Kona, Epcot, California Grill/Wishes viewing
Tues: AK, Boma dinner
Wed: DHS, 50s Prime Time lunch, Biergarten/CP dinner

Other options:
- Biergarten for lunch instead of dinner (but we'd want to see the CP and Illuminations, so why not do dinner at Epcot as well?)
- Move the Boma dinner (we could eliminate it, but it's one of Katie's and my favorites and I would really like for all of us to get to see AKL all decorated with the tree)
- Skip WCC altogether. The menu doesn't appeal to me/us, but we wanted to do this one in 2008 and had to skip it. It just sounds like a fun environment, and I want us to get to see WL all decorated.

Also, I'm thinking it might be easier to get our Cali Grill reservation if we move it later in our trip, due to the 180 +10 rule on ADRs. If it's closer to the +10, all the ressies may not have already been taken by people 10 days ahead of my window.

So what do y'all think? Any favorites in the plans above? Any other suggestions? Keep in mind: we have park-hoppers and probably won't be at only one park on any particular day. I've only listed the MAIN park we plan to visit each day, based on the crowd calendars.

Finally, here is the answer to today's trivia:

The largest sand-bottom pool in the world is found at which of the WDW resorts?
A Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
B Disney's Polynesian Resort
C Disney's Beach Club
D Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

Answer: C. "Stormalong Bay" is the name of the 750,000-gallon pool shared by Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts. It is the largest sand-bottom pool in the world and its three acres of waterfalls and whirlpools also include a lazy river and a water slide through an abandoned shipwreck. It's like a mini-water park in itself!

 

[swwake]

Well, the fare I JUST booked is up over $100. I am super super glad I booked now.

Crazy, isn't it??

 

[Native NYer]

I checked Southwest's site last night, just watching the fares in case they drop, so we can get the credit for the difference. I was SHOCKED that the prices are UP! Since I booked a couple of weeks ago, the fare for our outbound flight has increased $111.82 per person! SOOOO glad I booked when I did. These airfares are ridiculous, and I can see where it could make a vacation prohibitive to a family on a super tight budget. Wow.

That is a huge increase! You are a great example of why it's important to book early.

 

[swwake]

That is a huge increase! You are a great example of why it's important to book early.

 

[swwake]

193 days until Disney.
Where is Parrot Cay Island?
A Bay Lake
B Disney's Animal Kingdom
C Disney's Hollywood Studios
D Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

 

[swwake]

Where is Parrot Cay Island?
A Bay Lake
B Disney's Animal Kingdom
C Disney's Hollywood Studios
D Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort

Answer: D Parrot Cay Island lies in the middle of a 42-acre lake, which is surrounded by the resort. Guests can wander a 1.5-mile nature trail on the island and see an aviary filled with a variety of exotic birds. Footbridges link the island to the mainland.

And today's:
192 days until Disney.
What Magic Kingdom attraction was first built at WDW, then later copied at Disneyland in California?
A Space Mountain
B Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
C Country Bear Jamboree
D The Haunted Mansion

 

[swwake]

Sorry I haven't been updating. We've been enjoying a wonderful beach vacation in Port Aransas, TX with the family. We'll be back on Friday and I'll try to update then, or this weekend.

 

[swwake]

I don't think I have any readers/followers. I may have only had 2 to begin with (Ann and Jen).

Tomorrow is our 180 day mark! I will post tomorrow what I wanted and what I got. So excited!

 

[annmarieda]

I am here! I can't wait to hear what you get tomorrow. Good luck!!!

 

[swwake]

I am here! I can't wait to hear what you get tomorrow. Good luck!!!

Yay! At least someone is here with me!

 

[swwake]

Hooray for ADRs!

Here's what I wanted (in blue) and what I got (in green):

Saturday - WCC 8:00pm 8:00pm
Sunday - 'Ohana 5:00pm 6:10pm This is MVMCP so we may cancel this ADR and just eat CS in the park. Or maybe sushi at the Poly!
Monday - Kona 9:00am 9:00am
Monday - 50s Prime Time 12:30pm 12:30pm
Monday - Biergarten 5:30pm 5:55pm (Candlelight Processional package)
Tuesday - Boma 7:00pm 7:00pm
Wednesday - 50s Prime Time 11:30am 11:30am
Wednesday - California Grill 8:15pm 7:40pm Intended for Wishes viewing. I hope we're not too early.

(We will be canceling one of the 50s Prime Time Cafe ressies. Just not sure which day we will be at DHS for lunch.)

And, in keeping with tradition, our daily trivia question:
180 days until Disney. What is the motto of the Mission: SPACE training center?
A "To Infinity...and beyond!"
B "To boldly go..."
C "We choose to go..."
D "The final frontier is at hand"

And for giggles, because I liked yesterday's question, I'll share it here:
181 days until Disney. What happened to Cinderella Castle in 1997?
A It was hit by lighting and a fire broke out in one of the spires
B It was hit by a hurricane, damaging some areas of the facade and forcing Disney to close the castle to Guests
C it was painted pink and turned into a birthday cake
D It began allowing visitors to stay in the apartment inside

 

[annmarieda]

Hooray for ADRs!

Here's what I wanted (in blue) and what I got (in green):

Saturday - WCC 8:00pm 8:00pm
Sunday - 'Ohana 5:00pm 6:10pm This is MVMCP so we may cancel this ADR and just eat CS in the park. Or maybe sushi at the Poly!
Monday - Kona 9:00am 9:00am
Monday - 50s Prime Time 12:30pm 12:30pm
Monday - Biergarten 5:30pm 5:55pm (Candlelight Processional package)
Tuesday - Boma 7:00pm 7:00pm
Wednesday - 50s Prime Time 11:30am 11:30am
Wednesday - California Grill 8:15pm 7:40pm Intended for Wishes viewing. I hope we're not too early.

(We will be canceling one of the 50s Prime Time Cafe ressies. Just not sure which day we will be at DHS for lunch.)

And, in keeping with tradition, our daily trivia question:
180 days until Disney. What is the motto of the Mission: SPACE training center?
A "To Infinity...and beyond!"
B "To boldly go..."
C "We choose to go..."
D "The final frontier is at hand"

And for giggles, because I liked yesterday's question, I'll share it here:
181 days until Disney. What happened to Cinderella Castle in 1997?
A It was hit by lighting and a fire broke out in one of the spires
B It was hit by a hurricane, damaging some areas of the facade and forcing Disney to close the castle to Guests
C it was painted pink and turned into a birthday cake
D It began allowing visitors to stay in the apartment inside

Wow! You got almost exactly what you wanted

Did you get the CP package? When I called yesterday they were not out.

Hmm... the triva kinda escapes me today. I would be guessing. A guess though?...

D and A

 

[swwake]

Wow! You got almost exactly what you wanted

Did you get the CP package? When I called yesterday they were not out.

Hmm... the triva kinda escapes me today. I would be guessing. A guess though?...

D and A

I know! So cool!
We didn't get the CP package yet. You're right. They expect to release them in July. But we went ahead and reserved our dinner and will change it to the package when it's available. That way, at least we have the time reserved.

I'll wait a little while before answering the trivia questions

 

[shocky5]

I'm here - a better reader than poster!!

I think I might know the trivia... is it B? If not B, then C? Aw heck... I don't know the answer!

Great ADR's!!!