****August, 2012!!!****

[ginny_lynn]

O.k....It is my turn to ask a Question of the Day

Do you purchase the DDP, if so which one do you purchase?

We have free QSDP for part of our trip, but I am seriously thinging about upgrading to DDP. If we decide to come back next year I would like to try to book the Cabins at FW, and if we can get free DDP, upgrade to DxDP so wwe can try out the dinner shows, etc. We are picky eaters so signiture meals do not appeal to us. Where we are from we don't even have "fine dining" restaurants...pub food anyone?? lol

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Do you purchase the DDP, if so which one do you purchase?

We have free QSDP for part of our trip, but I am seriously thinging about upgrading to DDP. If we decide to come back next year I would like to try to book the Cabins at FW, and if we can get free DDP, upgrade to DxDP so wwe can try out the dinner shows, etc. We are picky eaters so signiture meals do not appeal to us. Where we are from we don't even have "fine dining" restaurants...pub food anyone?? lol

I love this question! For our family, we've only stayed at Moderates during Free Dining times, so it's always been the DDP. I love this option as my husband enjoys a sit down meal, so we schedule one per day thus only have to plan around that one meal. Would I buy the dining plan? Probably. I like going into a place and not worrying about how much it's going to cost. I like that pay before you go type of thing. I'm with ginny on the signature meals --- don't do them. We, too, are fussy and we thought the Coral Reef was a little upscale for us. Ok, we are not cavemen and do have table manners, but I really don't see the value in paying $35 for a 4oz serving of steak. I don't care how good it is or who the chef it. We have done Mickey's Backyard BBQ, so we aren't opposed to spending 2 credits on those type of things. We are picky eaters as wel and the best restaurants for us are the buffet style ones. Wow....we sound like hicks, don't we? We really arent. At least I don't think so. Next year if we do stay at a value, I am planning on upgrading from Quick Service to DDP. Again, it's the sit down meal thing my hubby loves.

 

[3Leafs]

I can't believe i'm this far behind on our questions.. Stupid real life always getting in the way of my Disney

Hoppers vs non Hoppers... We have APs... Some days we hop others we don't. I like to just plan our meals and let the rest of the day just go with the flow..

Shopping off Property!! I am still deciding if I wanna drive or fly. Since its just me and my 2 little ones my dh would like me to fly but I really want to go to the beach now and hit the outlets and go to Lego Land.. I need to decide fast...

DDP.... I will not go again if I can't do DDP. I love the idea of everything being paid for before I go. I have the TIW card and just found out i can get DDP with my AP. I am

 

[taylor3297]

We do the DDP every time. It saves us money and we do like having it paid for up front. It is nice to have one sit down meal each day where we can just relax.

 

[pigletto]

Do you purchase the DDP, if so which one do you purchase?

Well, we don't always mean to, but we do.
We really loved the DDP for the first few trips. At some point we became kind of "over it" but since we always go during free dining we end up with it anyway because it ends up being the best discount for our party.

This time I am really struggling with it. I have 2 rooms booked with free dining. However I am an also an AP holder. If the AP discounts end up being really good for our dates, I am tempted to switch to those and pay OOP and use the Tables in Wonderland card. Because we've never gone without it I worry that I'll be crunching numbers and stressing about food the whole time.

So, short answer is Yes we've always used the DDP (the regular plan)but I'd like to not use it this time.

 

[RetroCOTfan]

Do you purchase the DDP, if so which one do you purchase?

Our last trip was our first experience with it (we got free dining) and we really liked it. Of course, it was free! For our upcoming trip, we purchased it, mainly as a test to see if we felt like we got value from it, but also for the convenience of pre-payment. Also, with a DD who is 11, she's gotten past kids' meals, so not deal with making her eat off the kids' menu for cost reasons is a big relief.

We only do counter service, so it's QSDP for us.

 

[StephLS]

DDP is an absolute must for my family. My kids are 17and22 so dining is an enjoyable part of Disney. Once we book our vacation my daughter starts researching for which ones we want to go to. We anticpate each dining experience such as50's Prime Time cafe. Also when we sit down to eat we talk about what we have done and what we want to do still.
I think it really depends on everybody in your family if it is worth it.

 

[NikkiLovesWDW!]

We got the dining plan only once and for a 4 night trip, we ended up with FIVE quick-service meals left over between the two of us at the end of our trip. Most of our trips are with annual passes and I am a BIG fan of the Tables In Wonderland card. I think it's a way better deal that the dining plan.

 

[DisneyMomFanatic]

We always get the dining plan now. This trip coming up will be our 4th trip getting the Dining Plan. Two times we did the regular dining plan and this trip will make 2 times with the Deluxe Dining Plan. I love the prepaid part and all of us love to sit and eat at the restaurants at WDW. This year our DD will be 10 and is SUPER excited about being able to eat off the adult menu. The last time we were down, she was the only one on kids menu and she was not happy. So she has already looked over menus for the restaurants will will be eating in and has picked some things she wants to eat. She loves to try new things. I think I am raising a foodie. Oh well, she knows what she likes and that is eating great food in Walt Disney World!!!!! Can't wait.

 

[mickeymyfavorite]

I Can't wait to get there!!!!!

 

[ginny_lynn]

We always get the dining plan now. This trip coming up will be our 4th trip getting the Dining Plan. Two times we did the regular dining plan and this trip will make 2 times with the Deluxe Dining Plan. I love the prepaid part and all of us love to sit and eat at the restaurants at WDW. This year our DD will be 10 and is SUPER excited about being able to eat off the adult menu. The last time we were down, she was the only one on kids menu and she was not happy. So she has already looked over menus for the restaurants will will be eating in and has picked some things she wants to eat. She loves to try new things. I think I am raising a foodie. Oh well, she knows what she likes and that is eating great food in Walt Disney World!!!!! Can't wait.

lol my niece will be the opposite, she is 9 but after she turns 10 she will still want pizza chicken nuggets and mac & cheese....no variety for that girl....she insists on speghetti every sunday made by gramma

 

[StephLS]

We always get the dining plan now. This trip coming up will be our 4th trip getting the Dining Plan. Two times we did the regular dining plan and this trip will make 2 times with the Deluxe Dining Plan. I love the prepaid part and all of us love to sit and eat at the restaurants at WDW So she has already looked over menus for the restaurants will will be eating in and has picked some things she wants to eat. She loves to try new things. I think I am raising a foodie. Oh well, she knows what she likes and that is eating great food in Walt Disney World!!!!! Can't wait.

You made me smile when I read this.You are raising a foodie and it's wonderful. My kids are constantly looking at the menus trying to decide what to have ateach restaurant. Eating is half the fun, don't you agree?

 

[pigletto]

Having a dilemma again about where to stay. This would make the 5th time we have changed resorts for this trip. Argh.

Bottom line is that 2 rooms at a value is 1000.00 dollars cheaper. That is a lot of money to us. And we were just there in the first week of May.
My husband said last night "If we are getting too spoiled to stay in a value for a week then I think we need to get over ourselves and stop going on so many trips."
He has a point. A giant point.
The kids (ds8, dd15 and her friend) could honestly care less where we stay. They would be just as happy in a value resort. So what exactly am I spending the extra thousand dollars for? I like the themeing, the pool and the decor of POR better but do I like it 1000 dollars more? No.

 

[ginny_lynn]

Having a dilemma again about where to stay. This would make the 5th time we have changed resorts for this trip. Argh.

Bottom line is that 2 rooms at a value is 1000.00 dollars cheaper. That is a lot of money to us. And we were just there in the first week of May.
My husband said last night "If we are getting too spoiled to stay in a value for a week then I think we need to get over ourselves and stop going on so many trips."
He has a point. A giant point.
The kids (ds8, dd15 and her friend) could honestly care less where we stay. They would be just as happy in a value resort. So what exactly am I spending the extra thousand dollars for? I like the themeing, the pool and the decor of POR better but do I like it 1000 dollars more? No.

This is why I changed up my plans this week, it saved a lot of $$$ getting free qsdp fot 7 people fpr 6 nights. I say if everyone would be comfy in 2 value rooms, do it! I look at it as more spending $ or money towards our next vacation

 

[Gina-Gina-Bo-Bina]

Having a dilemma again about where to stay. This would make the 5th time we have changed resorts for this trip. Argh.

Bottom line is that 2 rooms at a value is 1000.00 dollars cheaper. That is a lot of money to us. And we were just there in the first week of May.
My husband said last night "If we are getting too spoiled to stay in a value for a week then I think we need to get over ourselves and stop going on so many trips."
He has a point. A giant point.
The kids (ds8, dd15 and her friend) could honestly care less where we stay. They would be just as happy in a value resort. So what exactly am I spending the extra thousand dollars for? I like the themeing, the pool and the decor of POR better but do I like it 1000 dollars more? No.

A $1000 savings is hard to ignore . It can be used for so many more things......an extra special attraction not included in the original budget (a day at Discovery Cove?), a larger/nicer rental car , souvenirs or some great purchases at the outlets, or as ginny lynn suggested, a downpayment on the next getaway .

In your shoes, my DH would be saying the same thing. If the kiddo didn't care, neither would he.

You will have a great time at either . The kids will have a great time at either . You get the same Disney standard at either. So think of this as a win-win decision! And let us know what the final verdict is .

 

[donac]

Having a dilemma again about where to stay. This would make the 5th time we have changed resorts for this trip. Argh.

Bottom line is that 2 rooms at a value is 1000.00 dollars cheaper. That is a lot of money to us. And we were just there in the first week of May.
My husband said last night "If we are getting too spoiled to stay in a value for a week then I think we need to get over ourselves and stop going on so many trips."
He has a point. A giant point.
The kids (ds8, dd15 and her friend) could honestly care less where we stay. They would be just as happy in a value resort. So what exactly am I spending the extra thousand dollars for? I like the themeing, the pool and the decor of POR better but do I like it 1000 dollars more? No.

We are staying at the values for the first part of our trip. If my dsis did not invite us to stay with them at their DVC place we would still be at the value. MY kids love the values. They love the food court. I think they are going to miss that staying at BLT.

We have stayed at many of the values and love them. They can be crazy but you have teenagers you know what it is going to be like.

 

[StephLS]

August is almost here!!!!!! This is my first photo post. It's our countdown calendar.With the help of my daughter we are thinking of posting our first trip report. The last two trips were going to but never got around to it but since I am not working anymore I will have lots of time.

 

[ilovejsparrow]

August is almost here!!!!!! This is my first photo post. It's our countdown calendar.With the help of my daughter we are thinking of posting our first trip report. The last two trips were going to but never got around to it but since I am not working anymore I will have lots of time.

Adorable!! Getting close! I for one love reading trip reports

 

[pigletto]

Well thank you for not laughing me out of the thread everyone
I have an all new appreciation for families of 5 I tell you!!! Bringing dd's friend along has changed the dynamics of our trip completely! It's not a bad thing necessarily but it just brings many different things into play. With my family of four we fit anywhere on property and don't have to worry about a second bathroom etc.
Anyway, we decided to go back to our AoA reservation We'll go with the free quick service for now and perhaps add a few table service but most likely we will eat off site if we want a proper sit down restaurant.
Enough about my resort choices... I'm embarrassing myself at this point

Do we have a question of the day?

How about..

What ride/show/activity are you most excited for this trip?

Not all of us are staying at Disney the whole time or at all.. so it can be anything!
For me? The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with dd's friend. We are all Potter fanatics and dd's friend is just going to be in awe! I can't wait to be there when she sees it!! I am also looking forward to the new Despicable Me ride at Universal!

 

[Victoriasmom98]

Enough about my resort choices... I'm embarrassing myself at this point

Do we have a question of the day?

How about..

What ride/show/activity are you most excited for this trip?

Not all of us are staying at Disney the whole time or at all.. so it can be anything!
For me? The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with dd's friend. We are all Potter fanatics and dd's friend is just going to be in awe! I can't wait to be there when she sees it!! I am also looking forward to the new Despicable Me ride at Universal!

Did anyone happen to notice that Pigletto changed the resort subject?? That was smooth! I bow down to you! I'm just teasing you!

Normally, my favorite ride is Test Track, but I can't ride that one this time around. It's so funny, my hubby and I were just out to lunch and talked about this same question. My response to him and all of you is I'm looking forward to how I feel in Disney. I'm so happy and carefree when I'm there. I don't worry about anything and I can act as silly as I want. I walk into the resort room and just be......I know that sounds absolutely crazy, but it's so true! Of course my favorite rides are ToT, RnR etc. Again, I just enjoy being there....