~ A PTR for a CAMPING Trip That Might Never Be ~ *TR Started (link inside)*

[mommytothreeboys]

* Question *

How much do people normally tip for mousekeeping? (does anyone not tip?)

What other people should I be prepared to tip?

We tipped $1 per person per day for mousekeeping, so in our case, $5. The boys made envelopes decorated with Disney stickers before we left. It was a fun activity for them to get ready for the trip. We also tipped Bell Services $1-$2 per bag because we left our carry-on bags with them until we could check in. (Our other luggage was coming via DME) I believe we also tipped the DME driver, but I'm not sure about that one! I've included a pic of the envelopes we made.

 

[carissanboys]

We tipped $1 per person per day for mousekeeping, so in our case, $5. The boys made envelopes decorated with Disney stickers before we left. It was a fun activity for them to get ready for the trip. We also tipped Bell Services $1-$2 per bag because we left our carry-on bags with them until we could check in. (Our other luggage was coming via DME) I believe we also tipped the DME driver, but I'm not sure about that one! I've included a pic of the envelopes we made.

Those are so cute. I think that's definitely a fun idea for an activity for the boys.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Owen - Toy Story Mania, Jedi Training Academy, and 'Ohana (yeah - I know that's three - a yes to all three)



Connor - Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin and Star Tours (he's the only one of the boys that wants to go on ST again! a yes to both)


Chuck - Kali River Rapids and 'Ohana (poor Chuck has never been on KRR - he's always stayed behind with Connor)


***I realized the height requirement for KRR is 40 inches so we can all ride this year!

Carissa - RnRC and Toy Story Mania

Here's a list of the things that will be at the top of our list for each park:

MK - Space Mountain (maybe ), TTA (never done this), Haunted Mansion (never done this), maybe catch the parade (never seen it), and Wishes



DS - Lights, Motor, Action! (didn't see this last time), RnRC (never been on), Toy Story Mania (never been on)




We're also doing Sea World and I have a book on that so I need to do a bit of research. On one of our off days I'd also like to take the carriage ride at POR and rent a pontoon boat. Does anyone know the places you can do that and how much it costs? You guys did that Liz, right?

I'm looking forward to Toy Story Mania as well!

My boys did Star Tours last trip and all agreed that it can be skipped when we go back. I sat it out...I don't tend to do well with simulator rides!

Love Kali, but I stayed relatively dry last time and would have loved to get soaked...it was so HOT the day we were at AK!

I've never been on TTA either...you'll have to let me know how your boys like it.

Lights, Motors, Action was one of our favorites... your boys should love it!

I believe the carriage rides at POR are $35.

 

[carissanboys]

My boys did Star Tours last trip and all agreed that it can be skipped when we go back. I sat it out...I don't tend to do well with simulator rides!

Yeah - I didn't really enjoy it and am happy to sit it out!

Love Kali, but I stayed relatively dry last time and would have loved to get soaked...it was so HOT the day we were at AK!

Last time we wore ponchos (it was January and while it wasn't cold, it wasn't real warm either) and still got soaked. But, we went on like 4 four times in a row (without even having to get off!).

Lights, Motors, Action was one of our favorites... your boys should love it!

We saw it on our first trip. We just skipped it last time and saw Indiana Jones instead (I think LMA is better.). I'm sure Connor doesn't remember it so it'll almost be like his first time.

 

[Goofster57]

How much do people normally tip for mousekeeping? (does anyone not tip?)

We tipped $5 per day, we also use the Mousekeeping envelopes, that way they knew it was for them. We found it helpful to put the day of the week on the envelopes too so I didn't have to do too much thinking when getting them out of the safe each morning.

What other people should I be prepared to tip?

Bell Service if you use them ($1.50 per bag)

 

[carissanboys]

We tipped $5 per day, we also use the Mousekeeping envelopes, that way they knew it was for them. We found it helpful to put the day of the week on the envelopes too so I didn't have to do too much thinking when getting them out of the safe each morning.





Bell Service if you use them ($1.50 per bag)

I doubt we'll use bell services. We like to shuttle our own bags around. I mean - Chuck likes to shuttle our bags around.

 

[Goofster57]

I doubt we'll use bell services. We like to shuttle our own bags around. I mean - Chuck likes to shuttle our bags around.

Yeah, I remember this picture from your last trip report

Looks like he was having a great time

 

[carissanboys]

 

[carissanboys]

For anyone else that might be interested, I just found this website:

http://portorleans.org

I can rent a pontoon boat right there at POR.

Cost is $45 per 30 minutes.

 

[dismagiclover]

How do you work out the drive down? We're probably driving for our June trip. How far do you go the 1st day and where have you stayed? I want to get to Disney by around 1:00 on the 2nd day. Is that realistic?

 

[dismagiclover]

For anyone else that might be interested, I just found this website:

http://portorleans.org

I can rent a pontoon boat right there at POR.

Cost is $45 per 30 minutes.

I think we're going to rent one of these too. We're going to try either the Polynesian or the Contemporary because it sounds fun to be able to toodle around both lakes and see the castle from the boat! They also have a rental place over by the Boardwalk too. Lots of fun choices

 

[carissanboys]

How do you work out the drive down? We're probably driving for our June trip. How far do you go the 1st day and where have you stayed? I want to get to Disney by around 1:00 on the 2nd day. Is that realistic?

I definitely think that's realistic. It'll depend on how far you go the first day (obviously) and if there's any traffic/construction issues along the way.

I'll have to look through my old TR and see if I can come up with times for you based on that trip.

As to how we decide where to stop - well, the first trip I knew I wanted to make it to SC or GA that first night. I heard great things about a hotel in Santee, SC. It was cheap and clean. So, I made that our goal. The next time around we just decided to go with the same town because it worked out for us the first time.

Will you be leaving early on the first day? Last time we left after school let out early and dealt with traffic so it took us longer than it should have. I think we drove for about 6 - 8 hours the first day.

I need to run out now, but I'll get back to this later today.

 

[Goofster57]

Carissa,

Have you heard about or considered the Firework Cruise

http://allears.net/btp/spcruise.htm

We have done this twice and it was well worth the money.

 

[carissanboys]

Carissa,

Have you heard about or considered the Firework Cruise

http://allears.net/btp/spcruise.htm

We have done this twice and it was well worth the money.

I've heard of it. Sounds like a lot of fun, but our issue would be with how late it is. I'm not sure we'll make Illuminations - although I hope we do. It's definitely something we'd need to play by ear and see how tired the boys are.

Jenny - according to my TR, we left here at 1:40 and arrived in Santee, SC at 9:40. The next morning we left at 8 and arrived in Orlando at 2:30. We didn't really have any traffic issues. So, if you drove a bit further than Santee that first day and maybe left earlier than we did the 2nd day, you should be fine.

We've stayed at the Best Western in Santee (nothing fancy, but it was clean and cheap and had a free breakfast), and the Hampton Inn (nice). We've had good luck with Hampton Inns.

On the way back both times we've driven from Orlando to Savannah, GA and stayed there overnight. It's only about a 5 hour drive. Makes for a longer drive home the next day, but it lets us spend some time in WDW on our last day before heading out. We've stayed at the same place both times - Spring Hill Suites. It's one that you have to drive a ways off of 95 to get to, but we like it.

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I love you Alaska pictures!! I have a cousin in the Air Force who lives up there. My aunt says it's beautiful in the summer - I don't think she's been there in the winter or has any interest in going... I just heard on the news today that it's something like 60 BELOW up there right now - they are having an unusual cold spell - underground water pipes are bursting!

 

[carissanboys]

I love you Alaska pictures!! I have a cousin in the Air Force who lives up there. My aunt says it's beautiful in the summer - I don't think she's been there in the winter or has any interest in going... I just heard on the news today that it's something like 60 BELOW up there right now - they are having an unusual cold spell - underground water pipes are bursting!

I've been to Alaska twice now and both times were to the same place. Ketchikan, which is in Southeast Alaska, is actually in a rain forest and it doesn't get all that cold in winter, nor all that hot in the summer. They get an unbelievable amount of rain! Some day I'd like to visit another part of Alaska.

 

[pamouselover]

I saw that in my email. That is a great deal. What about shades of green would you get a better deal there? We saw it when going to the boardwalk, and it is an amazing hotel.
I guess I would be one of those who brought you out of hiding!

 

[carissanboys]

I saw that in my email. That is a great deal. What about shades of green would you get a better deal there? We saw it when going to the boardwalk, and it is an amazing hotel.
I guess I would be one of those who brought you out of hiding!

Yes you would!

We've stayed at Shades of Green and it was an okay stay. I don't know if it would be cheaper - if so - it wouldn't be by much. Granted, the room would be bigger, but I'd like to know what it feels like to stay on property one time at least.

 

[dddisrunner]

I LOVE your must do's! Poor Sully missing out on Sci Fi BUT that Pontoon Boat looks awesome! If you decide to do it, I can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[dismagiclover]

I've heard of it. Sounds like a lot of fun, but our issue would be with how late it is. I'm not sure we'll make Illuminations - although I hope we do. It's definitely something we'd need to play by ear and see how tired the boys are.

Jenny - according to my TR, we left here at 1:40 and arrived in Santee, SC at 9:40. The next morning we left at 8 and arrived in Orlando at 2:30. We didn't really have any traffic issues. So, if you drove a bit further than Santee that first day and maybe left earlier than we did the 2nd day, you should be fine.

We've stayed at the Best Western in Santee (nothing fancy, but it was clean and cheap and had a free breakfast), and the Hampton Inn (nice). We've had good luck with Hampton Inns.

On the way back both times we've driven from Orlando to Savannah, GA and stayed there overnight. It's only about a 5 hour drive. Makes for a longer drive home the next day, but it lets us spend some time in WDW on our last day before heading out. We've stayed at the same place both times - Spring Hill Suites. It's one that you have to drive a ways off of 95 to get to, but we like it.

Let me know if you have anymore questions.

Thanks! That really helps