Baseball and Magic! Mar 2014 PTR, Um- make that TWO trips please!

[jenseib]

Every day is cow appreciation day here!

 

[francis6306]

Every day is cow appreciation day here!

Haha!! I suppose it is for you!!!

 

[francis6306]

So, I'm starting my spreadsheet for our trip. I'm sure all of you have a spreadsheet set up right??? Color Coded and all the info ready??? RIGHT??

Anyway, Of course, I have no idea what the park hours are going to be yet, but Touring Plans does have their "predictions" up. This is what I'm looking at:

Date/ Crowd prediction/ Best park/ Worse Park
Sun, March 9, 2014 7 out of 10 EP AK
Mon, March 10, 2014 8 out of 10 EP HS
Tue, March 11, 2014 7 out of 10 MK HS AK
Wed, March 12, 2014 8 out of 10 EP AK
Thu, March 13, 2014 9 out of 10 EP MK
Fri, March 14, 2014 9 out of 10 AK EP
Sat, March 15, 2014 9 out of 10 EP HS
Sun, March 16, 2014 8 out of 10 EP AK

So, I decided to check out TP's again… WOW what a difference a few weeks makes! Mostly 7's is more acceptable in my opinion!

Sun, March 9, 2014 6 out of 10 EP HS AK
Mon, March 10, 2014 7 out of 10 EP HS
Tue, March 11, 2014 7 out of 10 MK HS AK
Wed, March 12, 2014 7 out of 10 EP HS
Thu, March 13, 2014 7 out of 10 EP MK
Fri, March 14, 2014 8 out of 10 AK EP
Sat, March 15, 2014 8 out of 10 EP MK
Sun, March 16, 2014 7 out of 10 EP AK

So, I'm thinking I'm going to take my husband up on the offer to stay at Port Orleans Riverside. We can always go back down to All Star Sports if the budget gets cut, right? I'm so excited!!!

 

[jenseib]

awesome. I want to stay at both the port orleans resorts someday!!!!

 

[francis6306]

awesome. I want to stay at both the port orleans resorts someday!!!!

They are the only moderates that I REALLY want to stay at. Well, I lied. I'd like to stay at CBR once they update with that new decor I saw a few months ago. But I'd rather wait until the girls were a little older, since Catie would be REALLY upset that she couldn't play in the water at the beach, ya know?

 

[francis6306]

So, Corey and I had a heart to heart… he has made some comments that made me think that he didn't really want to go to Disney and I was a little concerned. I just didn't want to go through all of this when he didn't want to do it. He said that he just doesn't want us to go EVERY vacation to Disney. Which I can understand that.

We've had a really rough 6 months and we weren't really able to take a vacation this year. That has been tough on both of us, but especially him. He works in college education, so he technically doesn't "have" to work during the summers, but he has a LOT to do to prep for next year. Marching band requires more than just teaching a few classes, but gives us an incredibly nice schedule to be able to do the things we want/need otherwise. Anyway, He has many colleagues that have traveled quite a bit for leisure this summer and I think it just bothers him that there was no real vacation for us. With all the stuff with my grandfather back home and the work that he has to do, we just don't have the time (or the funds) to escape to the beach or to Chicago like we had wanted this summer. It's hard.

Anyway, all of that to say that we're on the same page and we want to take the girls back to Disney over spring break and we're prepared to NOT have any discounts, but REALLY hoping that something does open up for our timing. I've been trying to play with the new site- I tend to get pins every year, so I'm crossing my fingers!!!!! Nothing yet, but you know, you have to be patient and hopeful!

We haven't booked anything yet, but I think we're going to go ahead with POR and then NOT do the dining plan. With the cost increase, I can't justify it. I really think that we could come out ahead if we didn't get the meal plan, but of course, that can change. We struggle to use our snack credits and I think many places we could easily split a meal. Anyway, we really LIKE the meal plan and having the "all inclusive" feel that it gives us while we're on vacation, but I'm just not sure if the plan is going to be as cost effective for us on this trip.

Luckily, either way, we don't have to pay for Catie- and that is the BIGGEST push for this trip. I know after next April, we will be paying for TWO kids at the World! Now that will hurt your wallet!

Anyway, I'm starting to make a general idea of my days, because my 180 days is going to come faster than I expect, since Cortlyn starts school, I go to Jamaica and football season start all before my September 9th ADR day! Of course, it all hinges on WHAT day we are arriving!

If we are able to be at a park on Sunday the 9th, then I want this schedule:
Sun- MK
Mon-AK
Tues-HS
Wed-Break
Thur-EPCOT
Fri-MK
Sat-?? Maybe a park day? Depends on if we drive/fly

If we arrive later on Sun then…

Mon-MK
Tues-HS
Wed-AK
Thurs-EPCOT
Fri-MK

There are SO MANY things that could change this though… I'm sure you guys never have to deal with this!

 

[jenseib]

Didn't you hear the new rule about changes? Once you have a plan set in place you can't change it anymore.....disney rules... not mine.

 

[mickeystoontown]

At least you know that you're on the same page now and you can keep planning. Hopefully, there will be some sort of discount that comes out that you can take advantage of. If not, you know that you'll have to pinch those pennies a little tighter. I can see where the dining plan may not be such a good deal for your family right now. But, it is nice having it all paid for in advance.

 

[francis6306]

Didn't you hear the new rule about changes? Once you have a plan set in place you can't change it anymore.....disney rules... not mine.

HAHA! I'm sure! Wouldn't that stink????

At least you know that you're on the same page now and you can keep planning. Hopefully, there will be some sort of discount that comes out that you can take advantage of. If not, you know that you'll have to pinch those pennies a little tighter. I can see where the dining plan may not be such a good deal for your family right now. But, it is nice having it all paid for in advance.

Being on the same page is important! He really does want to go and see the baseball stuff, so that's a big deal for him!

Yeah, I love the paid in advance part… but you know, sometimes, I could just eat an appetizer for a meal. Of course, part of that is the "mommy gene" that refuses to let you spend on yourself much… Not sure if you have that, but I'm working hard to overcome that little voice! It's not set in stone, but I want to do one of those calculators online that enter in all the meals you want and compare it to the dining plan. Not sure if you have seen them… but if it doesn't work out right for us, I'd like to know ahead of time!

 

[Corjack]

We are struggling with wether or not to do the dining plan. Paying in advance is AWESOME but I feel like I over pay do have the convenience of not having to worry about how much things are. And we OVER EAT on even the quick service plan. Dessert every meal?

 

[mickeystoontown]

Oh yeah, I have suffered from the Mom Doesn't Need Anything But You Make Sure You Get Something syndrome. Like you, I've ordered just appetizers before and thought that it was plenty. Keep in mind, though, that sometimes restaurants try to bring out a larger size appetizer if you order it as an entree and they'll up the price too. I believe Planet Hollywood did that once.

Even though we really really love the convenience of the dining plan, I always make out a day by day spreadsheet and do the cost comparison. It's the frugal part of me showing it's ugly head.

 

[francis6306]

We are struggling with wether or not to do the dining plan. Paying in advance is AWESOME but I feel like I over pay do have the convenience of not having to worry about how much things are. And we OVER EAT on even the quick service plan. Dessert every meal?

Yeah, I rarely get a dessert. I really wish they would let you pick an appetizer OR a dessert! There are many days that I'd rather have cheese sticks rather than a brownie, you know? And in "real life land" if we get a sundae or slice of cake, we all split it between the four of us.

Oh yeah, I have suffered from the Mom Doesn't Need Anything But You Make Sure You Get Something syndrome. Like you, I've ordered just appetizers before and thought that it was plenty. Keep in mind, though, that sometimes restaurants try to bring out a larger size appetizer if you order it as an entree and they'll up the price too. I believe Planet Hollywood did that once.

Even though we really really love the convenience of the dining plan, I always make out a day by day spreadsheet and do the cost comparison. It's the frugal part of me showing it's ugly head.

Glad to see I'm not alone! Sometimes the appetizers really do just sound better than a meal though! I love crab cakes, and sometimes that's not an entree option. But yeah… if I feel like the dining plan will be worth it, then we'll do it, but I want to really think about it this time!

 

[Dream426]

We don't usually take the dining plan unless it is free..lol It isn't worth it for us. I can't eat that much food. I feel we would waste money if we got the dining plan.

 

[francis6306]

We don't usually take the dining plan unless it is free..lol It isn't worth it for us. I can't eat that much food. I feel we would waste money if we got the dining plan.

For me, I think I get what I want when I'm on the dining plan. If I want steak, I'll get the steak and not worry about the cost. However, I'm a penny PINCHER so it's easy for me to say "ooh, I'll just get a salad" because I don't want to spend $40 on a steak.

 

[Dream426]

For me, I think I get what I want when I'm on the dining plan. If I want steak, I'll get the steak and not worry about the cost. However, I'm a penny PINCHER so it's easy for me to say "ooh, I'll just get a salad" because I don't want to spend $40 on a steak.

I agree with you on not thinking twice about ordering something like a steak on the dining plan. I would do the same thing.

 

[francis6306]

Hello All!!!

I have been in my home state taking care of some family stuff, but I'm back in the cornfields and I have to catch up here!!!

So, I had a BRILLANT idea to watch the planning DVD to show Cortlyn POR, since that's the resort *I* want to stay at… Daddy still kinda wants ASSp (but agreed that we should probably book POR! YAY!!). Anyway, Well, we saw the POR/FQ resorts on the DVD and then the very NEXT resort is CBR. Well, they showed the Pirate rooms and Cortlyn flipped out! My little girl is ALL about Pirates, thanks to Jake and the Neverland Pirates! She has been begging me to stay in the Pirate rooms ever since! We're going to get a quote, but I'm also playing around with the idea of a split stay for maybe just one night- like maybe the last night that we are there? Like, if we do Pop or ASSp for the week and then splurge on a Pirate room for one or two nights. I guess it all depends on if we can get any discounts.

Have ya'll watched Teen Beach Movie? It's adorable, and Catie is in love! My 2 year old has a lot of the songs memorized and asks to watch "Ten Moovy!" all the time!

Oh and Cortlyn starts Kindergarten in mere DAYS! I can't believe that I will have a baby in Kindergarten!!!! She will go to a Kindy-only school. Our district is really small, so they split up the elementary by kindy, then 1-3, then 4-6, then jr high and high school!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Hello All!!!

I have been in my home state taking care of some family stuff, but I'm back in the cornfields and I have to catch up here!!!

So, I had a BRILLANT idea to watch the planning DVD to show Cortlyn POR, since that's the resort *I* want to stay at… Daddy still kinda wants ASSp (but agreed that we should probably book POR! YAY!!). Anyway, Well, we saw the POR/FQ resorts on the DVD and then the very NEXT resort is CBR. Well, they showed the Pirate rooms and Cortlyn flipped out! My little girl is ALL about Pirates, thanks to Jake and the Neverland Pirates! She has been begging me to stay in the Pirate rooms ever since! We're going to get a quote, but I'm also playing around with the idea of a split stay for maybe just one night- like maybe the last night that we are there? Like, if we do Pop or ASSp for the week and then splurge on a Pirate room for one or two nights. I guess it all depends on if we can get any discounts.

Have ya'll watched Teen Beach Movie? It's adorable, and Catie is in love! My 2 year old has a lot of the songs memorized and asks to watch "Ten Moovy!" all the time!

Oh and Cortlyn starts Kindergarten in mere DAYS! I can't believe that I will have a baby in Kindergarten!!!! She will go to a Kindy-only school. Our district is really small, so they split up the elementary by kindy, then 1-3, then 4-6, then jr high and high school!

Oooh a pirate room! That would be fun! I just wish that they had of had them back when Hunter was younger (not that he wouldn't like the theming now).

 

[francis6306]

Oooh a pirate room! That would be fun! I just wish that they had of had them back when Hunter was younger (not that he wouldn't like the theming now).

I know… it would be fun to stay there!! We'll see… you know, I have a tendency to wait til the last minute!

 

[francis6306]

Very quick post, one that I'm not happy to make… My grandfather has passed away. I love this man with all my heart and his funeral was one of the hardest days of my life. He was an amazing, hardworking, unconditionally loving, supportive, strong and Godly man. He has been "gone" from us for a while, due to Alzheimer's Disease, but his death still cut me to the core. He died on Cortlyn's first day of school. I wish I had it in me to share about that wonderful day, but right now, I just can't. The next thing on the agenda is just getting all the legal ducks in a row- I have been his POA and we have to transition to the executor and such… I'm hoping that over the next two weeks or so, I can focus on this happy Disney stuff again… But right now, it's just not in me.

I'll be back though! It will be okay… just need some time. Ya know? Thank you guys!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Very quick post, one that I'm not happy to make… My grandfather has passed away. I love this man with all my heart and his funeral was one of the hardest days of my life. He was an amazing, hardworking, unconditionally loving, supportive, strong and Godly man. He has been "gone" from us for a while, due to Alzheimer's Disease, but his death still cut me to the core. He died on Cortlyn's first day of school. I wish I had it in me to share about that wonderful day, but right now, I just can't. The next thing on the agenda is just getting all the legal ducks in a row- I have been his POA and we have to transition to the executor and such… I'm hoping that over the next two weeks or so, I can focus on this happy Disney stuff again… But right now, it's just not in me.

I'll be back though! It will be okay… just need some time. Ya know? Thank you guys!

I'm sorry to hear of your grandfather's passing. I pray that you can get through the legal aspects quickly so that you can grieve properly and not have to worry about the legal mumbo jumbo (remember, I know all about that kind of stuff). We'll be here when you have a chance to return to the Dis.