BLT -- A Sandwich or a Resort? Nov 09 TR (12/9 Lessons Learned)

[Marshay]

So I've been thinking more about our schedule and this is the latest. I'll be able to make ADRs one month from today!

Sat
==
ME from Airport, late lunch poolside
Pool and/or explore resort/nap
Dinner at Chef Mickeys or O'hana
Fireworks at BLT Lounge

Sun
===
Epcot
Lunch or Dinner at Gardern Grill or Coral Reef
Fireworks at BLT Lounge or Illuminations

Mon
===
Magic Kingdom
Breakfast at Crystal Palace

Tues
===
Magic Kingdom
Need to make a lunch ressie -- maybe Liberty Tree Tavern?
DTD at night (since MK closes early for the Christmas party)

Wed
===
ME to Airport

 

[Trentmom]

Thanks for all the good wishes on my health! I went back to the doc to get my ear checked out...still fluid behind the ear so they recommended nasal saline spray 2x/day. Seems weird to me to treat the ear by going through the nose, but we'll see. She said it'll start to improve in a week or I need to come back for some strong meds.

================
Now back to the trip. I've read the rumors that Disney will increase their ticket prices on August 1st, so I've been researching tickets and found Undercover Tourist and Great Getaways to have the best prices.

I think we'll get a 6 day Non Expiration pass so we can use 3 days for this trip and then have another 3 days to use in the future. We may add on the Water Parks/Disney Quest option since I know DD4 will love Disney Quest and we'll probably want to go to a water park next July.

Good idea...

I never heard of great getaways. But it seems like a ton of people use undercover tourist

So I've been thinking more about our schedule and this is the latest. I'll be able to make ADRs one month from today!

Sat
==
ME from Airport, late lunch poolside
Pool and/or explore resort/nap
Dinner at Chef Mickeys or O'hana
Fireworks at BLT Lounge

Sun
===
Epcot
Lunch or Dinner at Gardern Grill or Coral Reef
Fireworks at BLT Lounge or Illuminations

Mon
===
Magic Kingdom
Breakfast at Crystal Palace

Tues
===
Magic Kingdom
Need to make a lunch ressie -- maybe Liberty Tree Tavern?
DTD at night (since MK closes early for the Christmas party)

Wed
===
ME to Airport

Your schedule looks great

Looks like a nice relaxing trip

are you not park hopping this trip?

 

[Marshay]

Good idea...

I never heard of great getaways. But it seems like a ton of people use undercover tourist



Your schedule looks great

Looks like a nice relaxing trip

are you not park hopping this trip?

Correct -- we were going to get the Non Expiration option but not the Park Hopper...just trying to save some $. Also, since we'll be at BLT, it makes the most sense to really spend time at MK and/or Epcot.

 

[Circusgirl]

Correct -- we were going to get the Non Expiration option but not the Park Hopper...just trying to save some $. Also, since we'll be at BLT, it makes the most sense to really spend time at MK and/or Epcot.

I'm glad you're on the mend - that was a nasty siege!

I think it's super smart not to overload the day when you have younger kids. It will be more fun to do less and rest enough. I know on your own you might want to spend some time as a total commando, but this plan looks terrific.

I just got back from Disneyland where I spent a bunch of time with tothesea (Missy) and her twin brothers Toby and Cody as well as their great Mom and Dad! Their whole family lives within walking distance of Disneyland, and they are the happiest people on earth!

 

[Marshay]

I'm glad you're on the mend - that was a nasty siege!

I think it's super smart not to overload the day when you have younger kids. It will be more fun to do less and rest enough. I know on your own you might want to spend some time as a total commando, but this plan looks terrific.

I just got back from Disneyland where I spent a bunch of time with tothesea (Missy) and her twin brothers Toby and Cody as well as their great Mom and Dad! Their whole family lives within walking distance of Disneyland, and they are the happiest people on earth!

Oh, that is super cool! I'm so glad you got to meet them. Really?? They can walk to DL??? OMG...can you imagine that???

 

[Trentmom]

Correct -- we were going to get the Non Expiration option but not the Park Hopper...just trying to save some $. Also, since we'll be at BLT, it makes the most sense to really spend time at MK and/or Epcot.

Oh okay

That makes sense... GOod plan

 

[Marshay]

So I think we'll get a 5 day ticket non-expiration (possibly with water parks) from Undercover Tourist. Everyone highly recommends UT on the DIS and All Ears. They also will ship the tickets to me Free of charge. I'm debating whether we want to add on the WP/DQ or not. I know we'll eventually use them and it'll be cheaper for me to add them on now ... but is that worth it? Should I just wait until we actually use the WP/DQ ... or is planning ahead to save money in the future the way to go?

I found out more about the BLT Lounge on the DIS. It appears that the Lounge seats only 77 people but that the roof access/outdoor viewing area holds several hundred (I think I read 499 or something like that).

So, if this is all true, then we won't really have to worry that much about seeing the HalloWishes fireworks at BLT Lounge...we won't be sitting inside anyway with 2 kids ... we just want to see HW from outside.

 

[jordanyosh]

It'll be interesting to see how the Top of the World Lounge/Fireworks viewing thing goes. I guess the only thing I would be worried about or would maybe want to think about would be how many elevators go to the top? How many people are going to view the fireworks each night...there might be a crunch at the elevators before fireworks. Just something to think about.

Is the Top of the World Lounge open only around the time of the fireworks or is it a bar that is open say from 5-midnight?

 

[Marshay]

It'll be interesting to see how the Top of the World Lounge/Fireworks viewing thing goes. I guess the only thing I would be worried about or would maybe want to think about would be how many elevators go to the top? How many people are going to view the fireworks each night...there might be a crunch at the elevators before fireworks. Just something to think about.

Is the Top of the World Lounge open only around the time of the fireworks or is it a bar that is open say from 5-midnight?

As I understand, it is a bar that is open from 5pm - midnight. So far the understanding is that it's only open to DVC members...but speculation on the DIS is that restriction may change in the future...hope not.

Anyone remember when the Cali Grill used to be called the Top of the World buffet restaurant? I do. I was a child but remember going there for breakfast one time.

 

[Marshay]

I ordered my free, customized Disney Park maps for Magic Kingdom and Epcot this evening. This is one thing I hadn't done in the past but thought it would be great for Rachel to have and we can study the map in preparation for our trip.

Of course, it's a great souvenir for the scrapbook, too!

 

[Trentmom]

I ordered my free, customized Disney Park maps for Magic Kingdom and Epcot this evening. This is one thing I hadn't done in the past but thought it would be great for Rachel to have and we can study the map in preparation for our trip.

Of course, it's a great souvenir for the scrapbook, too!

Oh cool. Those maps are very nice

 

[Marshay]

Southwest just decreased our flight by $6 total for all 3 of us so I rebooked to get the cheaper flight. Right now we are $59 each way plus taxes.

I'm hoping to see the price go even lower the closer we get!

 

[Marshay]

Oh, and our Disney Customized maps arrived yesterday. I got the character theme and can't wait to show them to Rachel.

I'm still debating our ticket choices...need to purchase this week before the price increase...

 

[Trentmom]

Southwest just decreased our flight by $6 total for all 3 of us so I rebooked to get the cheaper flight. Right now we are $59 each way plus taxes.

I'm hoping to see the price go even lower the closer we get!

You go girl

Oh, and our Disney Customized maps arrived yesterday. I got the character theme and can't wait to show them to Rachel.

I'm still debating our ticket choices...need to purchase this week before the price increase...

Oh I did not realize they had different themes now. When I ordred in the past, they were pirate themed

I have to check that out...

 

[cherbear]

awesome that you got the maps! are you going to post a picture?

 

[Circusgirl]

Southwest just decreased our flight by $6 total for all 3 of us so I rebooked to get the cheaper flight. Right now we are $59 each way plus taxes.

I'm hoping to see the price go even lower the closer we get!

I love it when I can bring my costs down even a little - it's very satisfying!

Oh, and our Disney Customized maps arrived yesterday. I got the character theme and can't wait to show them to Rachel.

I'm still debating our ticket choices...need to purchase this week before the price increase...

I agree with Cherbear - pictures, please!

 

[Marshay]

You go girl

Oh I did not realize they had different themes now. When I ordred in the past, they were pirate themed

I have to check that out...

Yeah, they still had the pirate map theme but also one with some characters on it.

awesome that you got the maps! are you going to post a picture?

I'll do that later today.

I love it when I can bring my costs down even a little - it's very satisfying!

I agree with Cherbear - pictures, please!

Will do!

 

[Marshay]

So I bought some tickets last night on UT...I got a 6D PH since that saves the most $$ compared to gate price ... will convert it to a DVC AP...just not sure if we'll do it for our Nov trip or wait until the July trip...I need to make a decision soon since we'll still need tix for Nov if I'm not doing AP...

decisions, decisions...

 

[kaoden39]

It's so exciting. And how nice that Southwest prices keep going down. That's great, and here's to hoping they keep going down.

 

[Trentmom]

So I bought some tickets last night on UT...I got a 6D PH since that saves the most $$ compared to gate price ... will convert it to a DVC AP...just not sure if we'll do it for our Nov trip or wait until the July trip...I need to make a decision soon since we'll still need tix for Nov if I'm not doing AP...

decisions, decisions...

Oh awesome..Glad you got them before price went up