Back from WDW... Get ready for my Trip Report...

[Chkysbak]

Ok this might take awhile so please hang on tight to your keyboards. First things first... A little back ground.

Me: I am 30 years old and a member of the Navy Reserves. I just returned from a year in Iraq about 3 months ago. Lets just say that the heat in August probably won't bother me as much as it will my family. I am a Mechanical Designer for an HVAC company in NC.

DW: She is well 25 and counting and works from home doing medical transcription. We have been married about 8 years.

DD: She is 14 years old, but will be 15 at the time of our trip. She is a great child, but is going through the "teenage" years. It isn't that bad, but I miss my little girl

DS: He is 7 years old and is a pistol. He is just like his daddy.

Ok now for the story. Well lets just say that Uncle Sam is helping with this trip . Me and my DW have been on the Disney cruise about 4 years ago and that was our last true vacation (weekend trips to the coast don't count..). We absolutely loved the Disney Magic that we got from the cast and crew. It was actually a great vacation, with a twist. We paid for a 3 night cruise and with the hurricane it ended up a 6 night cruise. Oh you should have seen the bar tab.... Moving on...

I mentioned to my wife that I would like to take a vacation, since it will help with "readjusting" with life and my family. We couldn't think of a better vacation than WDW. My wife literally said "Go for it". Now anyone that know me, knows that I must have OCD. I like to plan out everything to the most infinite detail. Realizing that I need to leave "wiggle" room for ease and the saving of some brain cells, I am still trying to not plan every hour. Its a work in progress...

First things first I researched the pricing of values, mods, deluxe, SOG. I also did a calculation on driving versus flying. See post below:


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1735702

I decided that flying would be less of a headache.. So far I think I am right.

Ok moving on... After many many hours and changing we decided on the following ressies:

Aug 8th - 16th (Only time my DD had during the summer that she wasn't going to camp, etc..)
Staying @ All Star Sports - Preferred Room - (I am a HUGE sport freak, once again DS is following in my footsteps)
I requested the third floor away from the elevators. We will see were that leads.
I have purchased 6 day MYW PH tickets with the DDP
(The DDP was the only reason I didn't go with SOG)

Woo Hoo... Finally the trip was booked through AAA, just due to the cheaper cost... Later on this
Now I had to book a flight First lets just say that my DW is terrified of flying. Being in the military I have flown at least a hundred times. My DS has never flown, but I know that will think that its cool. He just has to get past the memories of me leaving on a plane. He didn't like that I just disappeared in the clouds. I called when I landed, and he said that and I about cried Ok.. Well I once again researched every airline and found a great rate on Southwest. Didn't waste anytime and booked it that night, of course after the calculations. Did I forget to mention my OCD

Ok so we have the flight booked, ressies at WDW booked through AAA. Now what... Well now comes in OCD. Where to book our ADRs and where to go on what days. Well to save some time I won't go into everything, but lets just say that its an ever changing process. Below is our "current" ideas:

Friday (Arrival ~12pm ME to WDW ~2pm):
Dinner - CS (Didn't want to reserve anything this day due to hectic travel day.
Activities:
MK day (1 of 6 days)
Getting situated in Room etc...

Saturday:
Dinner - Crystal Palace Restaurant Characters (1 of 8 for DDP)
Activities:
MK day (2 of 6 days)

Sunday:
Dinner - Living Seas - Coral Reef Restaurant (2 of 8 for DDP)
Activities:
Epcot Day (3/4 day) MK rest (3 of 6 days)

Monday:
Breakfast - Playhouse Disney’s Play ‘n Dine at Hollywood & Vine (3 of 8 for DDP)
Dinner - Mama Melrose's Restaurant (4 of 8 for DDP)
Activities:
MGM day (4 of 6 days)

Tuesday:
Dinner - Capt'n Jacks Restaurant (5 of 8 for DDP)
Activities:
Day of rest... Thinking of maybe DQ for kids (depends on if I do UPH)
No Theme Park day

Wednesday:
Dinner - Yak & Yeti Restaurant (DD loves Asian Food) (6 of 8 for DDP)
Activities:
AK day (MK rest of day since they close @ 8pm) (5 of 6 days)

Thursday:
Dinner - CS or eat out
Activities:
Seaworld Day

Friday:
Dinner - Tony's Town Square Restaurant (7 of 8 for DDP)
Activities:
MK day (6 of 6 days)

Saturday (Departing 8pm be @ ME ~5pm):
Breakfast - Chef Mickey's Restaurant Character (8 of 8 for DDP)
Lunch - ESPN Club Restaurant (OOP)
Activities:
No Theme park day due to leaving

Ok well I got that done finally.. now its just the ever waiting process right... WRONG Once again jumps in OCD...

What to pack, wait we need new suitcases. Lucky for us Sears had a great sale on suitcases. $29.00 for a 28" expandable suitcase with wheels. We bought 4 and one 21". I am going to stick the 21" in the 28" and use the 21" for my DS. The 28" is the "spare" for all the stuff we will inevitably purchase at WDW Lucky for me I have found a great list of things to pack and tips as well. The "search" button and google are my friends. Haven't gotten everything done yet on this though.
Well you would think that would be it wouldn't you... Nope.. I have decided that our old digital camera is too bulky and its only 3.2 MP. So I sell that on ebay for $98.00. The search begins for a replacement. You won't believe this... its a OCD dream come true...
I research every website know to mankind, at least I think so. Keeping in mind that I want small, easy to use, rechargeable battery, etc.. Finally on the way home from work I decide to go to Best Buy. I walk in and go directly, without staring at the computer section, to digital cameras. My wife doesn't like me to go to Best Buy due to every time I go in I end up spending like $300.00 I see the cheapest digital camera they have and I think to myself, that not a bad deal and it would work for us. This particular camera was on clearance (HP Photosmart R742) for $80.00. Its a 7.2 MP with everything that I wanted. I immediately pull out my phone (ATT Tilt) and surf the web for reviews. Yeah I know, I know... Product has good reviews so I call a person over to help. He comes over and tells me that this is the last one and would give me the camera for $69.99. Of course I jump on that since it retails everywhere else for $139.00. Well guess what he can't find the box, charger, battery or anything. He says then that he will sell it to me for $49.99. Well I tell him that the camera is useless unless I have at least the charger and battery. He digs and digs and finds an old battery and charger they use to charge the demo batteries. Ok then so I take it. I decided to get a 2 GB SD card (on sale for $19.99) and an extra battery (Open box for $19.99). He gets to the register and says that he has to sell the camera for $69.99. Of course I disagree since the charger and battery are for a Fugi, and he pulled them out of the demo boxes (Obviously used). He finally sees it my way and agrees to charge me only $49.99 for the camera. All said and done walk out of Best Buy spending less than $100.00 OMG its a first... My DW would be so proud.

Oh my, that was a long rant... sorry

Well now we come to where we are today. Constantly looking online for tips, tricks, planning software (I already have spreadsheets, PDFs, jpgs, you name it) Not to mention checking my mail for the "Planning DVD" (Hopefully with a code as well ) Call about every week to see if a code is attached to my name. I honestly think the waiting is going to kill us.

Well I plan on making a lot of post letting everyone in on what goes through my little head, and even trying to do an actual trip report.

Any questions, comments, concerns... Please feel free to post, sub, or just plain laugh

Have a great day

 

[Chkysbak]

Well I see nobody has sub this, but for me it will be a practice and a great souvenir for my trip so I plan on trying to implement daily thinking and or questions about our trip.

Yesterday My DW and I are continuing the discussion on "comfortable" shoes. I keep reading on here that Crocs are very comfortable. Even though I think they are the uglest shoe know to man, I know they they are very durable and water resistant.. So I have decided to purchase a pair of Crocs for my DD and DS. My wife doesn't like the idea of them, but wants other shoes or sandals. I am trying to get her to try the Croc sandals, lets just say a trip to Payless shoes is in our future.

Can you believe that we are still discussing ticket options. Add the water parks, or No expiration and days... Way to many options. Well will post later on other thought processes.

 

[Chkysbak]

Great, my long anticipated planning DVD came yesterday. I couldn't wait to open it up and get some information. I read on the DIS forums, that some come with a discount code, but I couldn't find one Oh well, DVD was still packed with information

I called WDW this morning to see if I had a code and told them that I got my DVD and they said well that should have a code in it. When I told them that it didn't they seemed surprised. Oh well, maybe another day. I keep watching the DVD and penciling in my thoughts and ideas on attractions.

I also purchased "Birnbaum Guides to WDW" and I have started to read the "Hot Tips" and descriptions. I have this strange feeling that I might be in over my head.

Well I am going to take it day by day, so until next time, Have a magical day

 

[disneyobessed]

Have you ever looked into renting points...??? We are doing All Stars Fri Aug 8-10th.. then switching to Beach Club Villas on rented points.. 5 days at Beach club for $800.... its Disneys best kept secret...

 

[Chkysbak]

Humm.... Will have to google that Thanks

 

[swwake]

I have to subscribe. We will be there at the same time! I am at work, so I will have to catch up later. Good thing there's only 1 page so far!

 

[twinklebug]

I've subscribed, we're going just a couple weeks after you & this year I'll sit back & let you do all the OCD worrying & planning for us (Planning is fun, but it takes my attention away from where it's supposed to be placed - work )

Another reason - I want to hear about the parks, the crowds, the NEW TOY STORY RIDE! etc before we get there.

I think your son with do well on the plane. It will be exciting for him to be WITH daddy in the clouds for a change. Don't let your wife transfer her fear of flying over to your son though - my friend did this & kept telling me how her dd (12) was scared to death to fly. We traveled with them one year & I was shocked to discover the dd did very well, it was my friend who was clinging with white knuckles to her seat the whole trip.

 

[Chkysbak]

Ok, since my last post I found a great deal on Crocs at my local Hallmarks(Umm my wife did anyways ). Yeah I thought the same thing that you did as well, they sell shoes too! Apparently they sell Crocs only. They were on sale for $24.99. Of course it was great so we purchased everyone a pair. It was really great especially when we got to the register they offered an "Military Discount" OMG that is very rare in my part of town. That took of another 10%. I can't complain there, so I wipped out my credit card faster than you can say Mikey Mouse.
At this time my DW had been walking in her expensive heels for quite some time and her feet began to bother her, so I gave her the Crocs to wear. She said I don't want to wear those ugly things, well lets just say the pain overwhelmingly won that argument and she put them on. Soon after she said WOW these are really comfortable. Lets just say that she has wore them alot since then My luck I will have to replace them before we go to WDW...aahhhh oh well, such is life.

Wait... I have to update my budget spread sheet Done

Well I guess that is all for now, but I am sure that I will think of something else that I forgot to mention.

Have a Magical Day

 

[Chkysbak]

Ok, been awhile since I posted so I will do my best to bring this up to date.

Disney Credit Card - I am not a person to "apply" for a credit card from those stupid mailers, but I seen this in the mail and said, well it could possibly save me some money on my WDW trip so what the heck Well I called them and they gave me a $10,000 limit I asked them to take that limit down to $5,000 and they did. I can't see putting $10,000 on a CC. It has a great rate so I can't complain about that. Lets just say that my wife and I are using this card like our bank card so when the statement comes in we will pay it in full. I am hoping that this will save us some money. I am going to have to log into the site to get some more information.


August Photopass Share - Well I started this thinking that I would love to once again save money. I went to about 15 posts and gathered up alot of information and even read the following website : Stitch Kingdom This website had a great wealth of information Information is great for my OCD. Well I started the page and no hits for two days So I did what most people do I "bumped" it Well lets just say within three hours I had 5 hits, and within 2 days I had it full with 11 people. This hasn't been that bad to organize, especially with the OCD kicking in Well even more people wanted to join. Quickly I said to myself that this might be even over my head, so I started a group two with another administrator and since then that group has filled up Well to make a long story short the photopass experience is only going to cost $11.77 versus $99.95. Well guess what, I now have to update my budget spreadsheet DONE.

Well that is all that has really happened except DW and I are constantly looking at the Disney Store near us for the "specials". Man will WDW ever get here

Until later, have a magical day

 

[Nancy for Disney]

Sunday:
Dinner - Living Seas - Coral Reef Restaurant (2 of 8 for DDP)
Activities:
Epcot Day (3/4 day) MK rest (3 of 6 days)



We will be arriving and living WDW when you are! After looking @ your ADR I see that we are eating at Coral Reef on the same day. We are also planning on MK on Saturday but will eat at LTT.

Hope to see you there. I am going to subscribe to your posts. We can count down together!

 

[Chkysbak]

Ok finally had to bite the bullet. Our WDW trip is now PAID IN FULL

Now we only have to save up money for spending money. Oh thats only OMG Thousands of dollars. Just have to look at my handy dandy budget sheet

 

[Chkysbak]

Ok, Now that the "Economic Stimulus Check" paid off my WDW trip, now I have to save for expenditures. Well according to my "Handy Dandy Spreadsheet" I only need ~1,800.00 for spending... Here is the breakdown for people that are interested. If you want the spread sheet I will be more than happy to share it. I got this and modified it for my vacation. If you aren't familiar with excel I will try to help, but its difficult. Of course you can give me the information (Nights of stay, # Adults, # Children *Under 9*, etc... etc.) We can go into that later. Ok here it is (Keep in mind this is all estimated)

Ok I went to allears.net and looked at the menus and added up everything that I thought that my family would eat (Apps, meal, dessert, drinks, etc..) totaled it all up and added 7% sales tax (Flub) then using the total calculated my tips (15% - Standard, even though I will tip more if appropriate). I took the apps out, and "Alcoholic beverages" out and had that total. I did this for all of my TS and CS. Totaled it all up and noticed that I would spend ~$355.00 MORE if I wasn't on the DDP. Savin Money

Anyways, take a look at everything else that I calculated and let me know what you think.

Expense Description Approximate Cost

Pre Trip --PAID IN FULL
Shoes $121.65
Luggage $192.09
Camera $107.00
Photo Pass (Photopass Share) $9.99
Total $430.73

Package Cost--PAID IN FULL
AAA MYW Package $2,753.90
Southwest Airline $636.00
Total $3,389.90

Airport Cost
Gas Round Trip $25.00
Parking $54.00
Snacks & Drinks - RDU $15.00
Lunch & Drinks - MCO $35.00
Total $129.00

Disney Resort
Refrigerator Deposit $10.00 - Paid
Mousekeeping ($5 / Day) $40.00
Arcade $50.00
End Zone Dining - Breakfast (3x) $120.00
Groceries - Online $100.00
Alcoholic Beverage (35 * 2 @ Pool) $70.00
Total $390.00

Disney Dining
Appetizers (6 Dinners) $54.00
Tips - Lunch $40.00
Tips - Dinner $126.00
Alcoholic Beverage (35/Dinner) $210.00
Total $430.00

Disney Shopping
1st day shopping $150.00
Disney park (60/day - 6 days) $360.00
Alcoholic Beverage - DD $40.00
Total $550.00

Seaworld
Taxi service $45.00
Lunch & Drinks $40.00
Souvenirs $80.00
Dinner with Family $60.00
Total $225.00

GRAND TOTAL $5,544.63


So as you can see I have calculated A LOT of stuff. I realize that some stuff is BLOATED , but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Took me forever to get all this information together, but I think it was worth it.

Let me know what you think

 

[disneychard]

Wow! you did a great job.

 

[Nancy for Disney]

You look to be where we are. We have a party of 5 (me, dh, dd (also 14),
ds(12) and dd (also 7) but aren't doing seaworld. It also appears that you are planning on having a few more cocktails than me

Mine is broken down in days with a spread sheet at the end. It has lines for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Since we are getting the dinning plan I estimated about $20 for tip per day, I used www.touringplans.com planning program.

Here is my breakdown:

Flight (Southwest) 1195.00
Hotel, ticktets & DDP 3780.82 (booked through disney website)
Day 1 160.00 (gas to airport, food, tip (CM) & 2 mugs)
Day 2 30.00 (tip & extra food)
Day 3 52.00 (tip, appitizer at CR & extra food)
Day 4 20.00 (tip & extra food)
Day 5 30.00 (tip & extra food)
Day 6 30.00 (tip & extra food)
Day 7 60.00 (tip, extra food and my souvenirs)
Day 8 154.00 (extra food, gas, airport parking)
mousekeeping 40.00

Total so far $5551.82

Not included in this are souvenirs for the kids. We are keeping a change jar for them and whatever is in the jar I plan on dividing equally amoung the children for them to use as they see fit. If they want extra food that isn't on the DDP they will use it along w/ using for souvenirs. They are also saving their own money. DS is quite the saver. He already has about $150. The DD's are different. DD7 has her own jar started but only has about $7. DD14 really isn't into the whole Disney trip. I don't think she will want to buy too much.

I am also planning on just two meals a day and eating breakfast in our room. My plan is to pack an extra suitcase full of food such as pop tarts and granola bars. This wasn't included in my budget. I basically am not including anything that is purchased prior to our trip. I think that is why we are about the same even though we have more people and our airline tickets are almost twice as much. Oh and lets not forget . I do drink but I am hoping that if we share CS meals we won't have to spend money on our departure breakfast. That can go towards . I probably won't have more than one or two as now that I am 40+ it only makes me tired and gives me a headache .

I hope you don't mind me sharing my trip details on your PTR. Oh by the way, I will be paying off the trip this week !

 

[Chkysbak]

Wow, I see that your almost exactly what I have budgeted. I don't have any issues with sharing information. Post anything that you wish.

I am trying to keep up with everything so I can get an idea of how much the WDW trip is going to cost total OOP. This way I can budget for future vacations. Well me and my family haven't had a vacation in a long time, so I want to make it as enjoyable as possible, within budget reasons of course. My DS is a huge gamer and I knew that he would ask to play games so I budgeted the arcade. Tips basically worked out ~20-25 for dinner & 5 for lunch. We are planning on having groceries delivered to the resort. That will basically be beer, wine, breakfast stuff, 2x cases of water, and snacks. I realize that I have budgeted 3 breakfasts, just knowing that my kids one day will want something. I don't think that we will go 3 times, but I wanted to have it budgeted in case we do.

Shopping with my DW & DD is definitely a budget item, since they tend to go crasy so if I tell them as a family we only can spend 60 a day that might help. Who knows it might work .

We too are planning to take an extra suitcase, but it will be empty. My DS has a 24" bag and we are going to stick it in the 28" bag. This way we only check one bag, and have an extra one for the trip home for all our stuff.

Congrats on paying your trip off. Its a great relief especially with the economy the way that it is at the moment.

I see by your trip counter that we are going to be there the exact times Maybe we should meet and have a pint... or two

 

[Nancy for Disney]

I see by your trip counter that we are going to be there the exact times Maybe we should meet and have a pint... or two

Sorry, I am not going to make any commitments. I do think we are planning to be at Epcot the same day and both are eating at CR. We have an early ADR at 4:20. Maybe I will see you sometime on our Epcot day. I am hoping to have a green DIS tag on my backpack w/ "Nancy for Disney" on it.

Keep posting your plans.

Nancy

 

[Chkysbak]

OMG

I can't believe it, I got the phone call to pick up my package from AAA.

I have to admit, I have been counting down the days.

28 Days and Counting

I have also started to create some Disney t-shirt designs with help from multiple people on the DisDesign section on this forum. I have to admit once you get past the where to begin, its kinda easy. The hard part is finding all the clip art.

Well we have saved up all the money that we are going to take to disney ~$2000 spending money. Of course if you look at my budget (previous posts) then you will see that I have allotted for a bunch of stuff. I rather be cautious than to run out of money. Of course if I need to then I will whip out the credit card

Now I just have to finish reading my guide book and plan somethings that the wife doesn't know about (day at the spa )

Since I now have all the information, I will look it over with a fine tooth comb.

Of course now we just have to wait....

Maybe if we all pull together, we can make it

 

[Nancy for Disney]

Just thought we could do our "28 Day Happy Dance" together. Here it goes....


With the exception of the big pile of cash you have saved and my lacking of a spa treatment we are on the same page. I have also been on the DISign board downloading clip art. I just went to page belonging to someone named Natalie and God love her she had these great EPCOT passport pages. I got them all printed out last night. Now I just have to finish autograph books. Those are going to be pretty simple.

Good luck with the rest of your planning. Hope to run into you in 4 weeks.

More dancing...........

 

[Chkysbak]

17 Days and Counting





Well me and my wife have finally started going to stores and picking up things for our trip. I have to admit that it is real exciting and apparently we are saving money. We went to The Dollar Store and Wallmart and pretty much got everything that I was looking for. I have also completed the printing of the T-shirts and will start to put them on this week. Next week we will actually start the packing process. Only a couple more milestones and we are THERE

 

[Chkysbak]

7 Days and COUNTING

Ok we have finally received everything so that we can start packing. Below is a list that I have purchased for our WDW trip. Some of the stuff is my knowledge of hot weather since I was in Iraq.

Water misting fans (Battery Operated) - 2X
Sunscreen - 2 cans
Aloe Burn lotion with Latocaine
Hats for everyone
Ponchos (8x - Coleman Emergency type - Only 99 cents at Target)
Zip-Lock Bags for wallet and cellphones - 20 (Gallon and Quart Size)
Small wash cloths for neck (Wet them and it helps keep you cool)
Shiny new pennies plus roll of quarters - penny press
Autograph book (Homemade-Well home printed )
BIG sharpie pen (Multiple Colors)
Glow sticks and necklaces (4 Neck & 6 sticks)
Glade Plug in
Small extension cord (6 Feet) & power strip
Liquid hand sanitizer (One for everyone)
Over door shoe holder
Blow-up foot bath & epson salt or sented oils (Wife sells Avon and has one**BONUS**)
First aid kit (Travel)
Knife & Scissors (Cutting moleskin)
Moleskin (3 Packs)
Powdered drink mix (Crystal Light, Propel, Kool-Aid, Gatoraid)
Laundry supplies (Dryer Sheets-Purchased detergent from Gardengrocier)
Scotch Tape
Gold Bond medicated power & lotion
Saline Nasal spray
Tide Stain stick
Foot Spray
Bug bite relief pen
Kleenex (4x-Travel)
Bug-guard
Laundry Bags (Mesh bags - 2x)
Baby Wipes -Travel
Tums (3x Travel Packs)
Aleve Headache Medicine
Shave Gel
Listerine - Orange Travel Size
Pool Goggles
Neosporin to Go
Toothpaste (2 mini Tubes)
Razors
Shampoo
Hair Spray
Deodorant
Q-tips
Make-up remover
Feminine Items
Jewelry
Kids body wash
Hair brush
Body lotion
Fanny Packs
Wall cell chargers
Cameras
Guide book
Sunglasses
Travel information
AAA Card
Backpack
Envelopes for mousekeeping
Lanyards
Deck of playing cards (Rook)
Visine Eye drops
Cough Drops
Tylenol PM (Absolute must for kids that won't sleep... )
Back pain or Bengay
Pepto Bismal
Body Gluide (Sporting Goods)

It has taken me forever to compile this information but I realize that I need to go to OCD Anonymous . Well my wife and I are going to start packing Monday, since I can't pack due to having military drill this weekend.

I sure hope everything works out