Boo to You & Turning 2! Oct 2012 PTR *NEW* 10/30 We're Back! TR Link Posted!!

[khertz]

Those cakes all look delicious, and now I have a craving for sweets at 8:40 am!! Good job! hehe.

I personally would go with whatever is the easiest. Going offsite sounds like a pain to me. And by the time you factor in gas and time spend, that $32 cake does not sound all that bad to me.

Whatever you end up doing, your little boy will sure enjoy!

So neat to hear your experiences in watching your son enjoy Disney at 12 and 18 months. (Going to go check out your DL TR now.) If you remember, our kids are one day apart. I took her to a local zoo at 12 and 18 months, and I too, noticed a big difference. It got me excited for how DD will be at WDW at 26 months!

Off to read your TR...

I am very much looking forward to doing some of the activities we did with him last summer at 8-10 months like the Zoo and Aquarium this summer to see what difference a year has made in his enjoyment. It was a lot of fun to see how he has grown in Disney interaction in 6 months, so I know it'll be more fun enjoying those activities with him this summer too when he can interact and enjoy more.

Publix cookies are to die for! But so are their cakes. If you're going to Publix you can have them do one of their custom cakes for you instead of the cookie. You can't go wrong with a Publix cake with butter cream icing. Check out the designs on their web site. They have Cars and Nemo and such.

Thanks for the info on Publix cakes! We don't have Publix in Louisiana so pretty much my only experience is when we have gone shopping there in Disney World. I did look at their designs and a lot of them were very cute, but they look too big for what we will need, especially since we won't be doing cake until the middle of the week.

Fun!! Love the cake deliberation. I'd probably choose the Disney cake, only because I just don't like ice cream cakes. Cold Stone is HUGE here though and ppl seem to love them! DH included! So you can't go wrong, esp since you were going to buy ice cream too anyway! That's pretty fun though, I must admit, getting to design your own! I might like it then!

DH was into the ice cream cake idea already, but when he realized you could design your own, I think that sent him over the edge! We still have awhile to decide and I haven't gotten my parents' input yet. It will probably also depend on what kind of cake we end up getting for his birthday party too!

 

[Leger13]

Thanks for the info on Publix cakes! We don't have Publix in Louisiana so pretty much my only experience is when we have gone shopping there in Disney World. I did look at their designs and a lot of them were very cute, but they look too big for what we will need, especially since we won't be doing cake until the middle of the week.

Not a problem They also have ready made cakes in the bakery that are smaller if you decide to check that out. I'm sure they can write whatever you like on one. I've never been impressed with the taste of Disney cakes or cupcakes for that matter. I'd prefer Publix over disney any day. I'm sure whatever you decide on will be great!

 

[khertz]

Not a problem They also have ready made cakes in the bakery that are smaller if you decide to check that out. I'm sure they can write whatever you like on one. I've never been impressed with the taste of Disney cakes or cupcakes for that matter. I'd prefer Publix over disney any day. I'm sure whatever you decide on will be great!

I did read quite a few replies on the cake chatter thread that said the taste of the Disney cakes is not all that great, which is what got me looking at other options. We will be at Publix on our arrival day (Sunday) to buy groceries so we can check out the cakes they have too since we won't need one until Wednesday.

 

[Leger13]

I did read quite a few replies on the cake chatter thread that said the taste of the Disney cakes is not all that great, which is what got me looking at other options. We will be at Publix on our arrival day (Sunday) to buy groceries so we can check out the cakes they have too since we won't need one until Wednesday.

Good plan!

 

[khertz]

Well, I don't have much going on in the way of October trip planning, so I thought I'd dive into my daily plans! Up first is our travel day, which is not all that exciting, but every trip has to start there, right?

DAY 1: Sunday October 21st

This will be a first for us, leaving on a Sunday! We are almost always flying out on a Friday morning. But because of the cost of points at Bonnet Creek, we didn't have enough points to check in the Friday before. The amount of points needed for a week's stay dropped dramatically if we checked in on Sunday, so that's what we're doing this time!

Another "first" is that we will be getting a later start than usual. We normally opt for the earliest flight of the day to get there as soon as possible, but we also choose to fly Southwest since it's the only airline leaving from New Orleans with a direct flight to Orlando. However, the schedule that day is such that the earliest direct flight available that day doesn't depart until 10:45 am and arrives at 1:10 pm in Orlando. We'll be doing our normal stay at my parents' house the night before, only this time will be different since they are coming on vacation with us. They will have already left to start driving to Florida, so we will have their house to ourselves, which hopefully means we will sleep better. And since our flight is a little bit later in the morning, I'm hoping it will be easy to ask my grandma or uncle to drive us to the airport and let us leave the car at their house for the week.

We'll pick up our rental car at the airport, and about 20 minutes later will be driving under this!

Our first destination will be our beautiful resort, Wyndham Bonnet Creek, where hopefully our room will be ready.

Plan A will mean that the room is ready and we can go make a quick grocery run and possibly pick up some lunch for me and DH if we just can't wait. I'll make sure we bring something portable for DS so we are not desperately looking for something to feed him once he's already hungry! After unpacking, we'll be heading to our first park of the trip. Can you guess where that is?

Magic Kingdom, of course!

This may be the last trip that we can carry on this tradition, so our first and only must-do attraction this day will be Haunted Mansion.

I'm hoping since Paxton will be a little older he will tolerate a few more attractions, but if not, I'll be happy with just the one. If we can hold out until dinner, we can repeat what we did on our first day last trip and grab some fish or what I've been excited to try, the Anchors Aweigh Sandwich, at Columbia Harbour House for dinner.

Then we will head back to the resort to meet up with my parents (I think they will be spending the day at Universal that day) and rest up for our first full day the next morning.

If our room is not ready, Plan B will consist of all the same elements but in a different order. We'll leave our bags at the resort and head out to MK first, ride at least Haunted Mansion if not anything else, then head out for our grocery run before going back to the resort to unpack and get ready for bed.

Last year, we reserved a 1 bedroom Presidential unit not knowing that all of the Presidential units are in one building that doesn't seem to lend itself to theme park/fireworks views, so we didn't get the fireworks view we requested last time. This time, since we needed a 2 bedroom to include my parents, we didn't have enough points for a Presidential. So I'm hoping we will be able to get a fireworks view this time, and maybe we will get to see them from the balcony on our first night in Disney World!
​

 

[MinnieLovesMickey]

Your travel plans seem to be coming along quite well. Totally know where you're coming from, we've got to have a few different selection of food for DS. That is the last person we want hungry otherwise, I'm certain we're headed for WW3!

 

[afwdwfan]

Looks like a great plan for your first day. I think there's a law somewhere that says you have to make Magic Kingdom the first park. Arty least that's how our family does it too.

Good luck getting your fireworks view room. That would be a wonderful way to end the day.

 

[jenny105]

Bonnet Creek looks pretty. I've never been and don't know much about it but I know it's really close to everything. It's the one piece of land Disney didn't manage to snag up right? I sometimes book people there who are looking to stay 'offsite.'

First day sounds great! I've heard a lot of great things about CHH but I've never tried it. I usually eat at Pecos Bills or Cosmic Rays.

Hope you get the fireworks view! That'd be amazing.

 

[Leger13]

Love the first day plans! We never get to go to a park the first day we are down there so we always hit up DTD. Now if we had AP's like you guys that'd be a different story

 

[khertz]

Your travel plans seem to be coming along quite well. Totally know where you're coming from, we've got to have a few different selection of food for DS. That is the last person we want hungry otherwise, I'm certain we're headed for WW3!

We made a big mistake with this on our first trip and I was absolutely freaking out because we had no milk for him for lunch! I was a little high strung about it at the time because he had just switched from breast milk to regular milk and I was a FREAK about him getting his three 8 oz glasses of milk a day. Now, I'm a little more laid back about it and if he has to have juice or water with a meal, I know it won't kill 'em. But I definitely do not want to have to be driving around looking for something to feed him.

Looks like a great plan for your first day. I think there's a law somewhere that says you have to make Magic Kingdom the first park. Arty least that's how our family does it too.

Good luck getting your fireworks view room. That would be a wonderful way to end the day.

MK on arrival day has become a must! It's not always first in the lineup for our full days, but it just doesn't feel like a Disney vacation until I've seen the Castle at the end of Main Street.

The fireworks view we had in 2009 was phenomenal, so I'm really keeping fingers crossed for it this time. We have pretty much decided to save MNSSHP until next year, so this would be a fun way to see Hallowishes even without the music.

Bonnet Creek looks pretty. I've never been and don't know much about it but I know it's really close to everything. It's the one piece of land Disney didn't manage to snag up right? I sometimes book people there who are looking to stay 'offsite.'

First day sounds great! I've heard a lot of great things about CHH but I've never tried it. I usually eat at Pecos Bills or Cosmic Rays.

Hope you get the fireworks view! That'd be amazing.

Yes, it was owned by someone who didn't want to sell it to the Walt Disney company for whatever reason, and I couldn't be happier that he wouldn't! We probably never would have bought a timeshare if not for visiting that resort and seeing the incredible theme park views it has, and without the timeshare, we might not have visited Disney World as many times as we have. It's a great way to stay offsite without being away from the action.

We like Pecos Bill's & Cosmic Ray's too, but CHH has some different choices than the typical CS. We might not have ever tried it if we hadn't eaten there on our KTTK tour a few years ago, and now we love eating upstairs there. It's one of those spots that's usually really quiet and you can people watch from the windows. Lovely place, and I bet you won't be disappointed if you try it!

Fingers crossed for the fireworks view. We LOVED it a couple years ago, and I was bummed we missed out on it this last time.

Love the first day plans! We never get to go to a park the first day we are down there so we always hit up DTD. Now if we had AP's like you guys that'd be a different story

That is the best part about the AP to me! We never used to go to a park on our arrival day either. I'm not sure if we still will on our upcoming trips without AP's.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I think your first day plans sound great! I'll keep my fingers crossed you get a fireworks view, because that would be very cool!

Columbia harbor house sounds like the perfect place for dinner after visiting with some happy haunts! My DH loves the tuna sandwich at CHH, so we're usually there at least once a trip!

 

[oboedm]

Great first day plans! I like that you aren't planning too much on that first day. It gives you plenty of time to adjust plans if mishaps occur-- hopefully you don't have any problems, though!

 

[khertz]

I think your first day plans sound great! I'll keep my fingers crossed you get a fireworks view, because that would be very cool!

Columbia harbor house sounds like the perfect place for dinner after visiting with some happy haunts! My DH loves the tuna sandwich at CHH, so we're usually there at least once a trip!

I would be so excited to get the fireworks view again! Hopefully it works out, because while I do see us staying out for fireworks at least a couple of nights, it's nice to be able to see the fireworks part of IllumiNations every night!

I've never tried the tuna sandwich, but that is on my list of things to try this trip.

Great first day plans! I like that you aren't planning too much on that first day. It gives you plenty of time to adjust plans if mishaps occur-- hopefully you don't have any problems, though!

For the past two Disney trips, I have had grand plans of all the things we were going to get to accomplish on our first day, and it never works, so this time I'm thinking small. If we get to do more, great! But if not, I'll just be happy to be in the MK most of all.

 

[mandas08]

Your first day plans sound great. Our last trip we went to Epcot on our first day. I agree with you, next trip MK will be our first stop. All those cakes look yummy. I bought DH a Cold Stone cake one year. I didn't think to order it ahead. I just got one from the case. If I get one again I will definitely customize it... I love their cake batter ice cream..yum!

 

[khertz]

So, I guess I should have known that as soon as I started posting the daily plans, they would change! However, it's a possible change that I would be VERY excited for!!

The Southwest flight we had been looking at, which leaves at 10:30 am and arrives in Orlando at 1:10 pm went up awhile ago from $155 to $208. So my wheels started turning, and I started looking into flying in Saturday afternoon/evening instead, and did some Disney math (the only kind I like!).

There are three direct flights available on Saturday. The first leaves at 7:55 am and is $121/person. Then there are two in the afternoon that leave at 1:30 pm or 3:10 pm and are only $99/person! That's a pretty big price difference.

I looked at booking an additional night at Bonnet Creek, but we don't have enough points. I looked at booking a night at Cypress Palms where we stayed on our babymoon trip a couple of years ago, but there's no availability there either. So...I made my way over to the WDW website, and voila!

We can have a night at...

...Pop Century for $129. Or, we can stay at...

...All Star Music for $124!

I really don't even care very much that it would be for only one night, I'd be happy to spend a night onsite. With the lower price of the flight and the price of the WDW resort room, we would still save about $100. Maybe they will even release an AP discount, which would make the savings even better!

I emailed all of the information to DH (he's in Houston taking a week-long class for work) and he says it looks like that might be our better option. So excited! Not only that we'd be staying onsite for a night, but also that it gets us either another half day or even a whole Disney day added onto our vacation!

Otherwise, our plans that I posted for arrival would be about the same. Fly in, get the rental car, and go to Magic Kingdom, only it would be on Saturday October 20th instead of Sunday the 21st! The only thing that I guess would be different is we'd have to take care of the grocery shopping the next day, which one of us could do during our break if DS is napping.

Unfortunately, staying onsite doesn't give us access to any am EMH on Sunday morning because there are none, at least not yet. That would make it even better! However, none of this is set in stone yet, but I'm pretty excited at the possibility.

 

[afwdwfan]

Great plan... I'm sure you'll love either resort, but I'm extremely partial to POP. I absolutely love the food court there.

I think anytime you can get an extra day at Disney and save money you have to go for it.

 

[CandleontheWater]

Yay for one more day! I'm with you, Disney math is the only kind of math that I will willingly participate in!

Flying in on Saturday will be awesome, because it will be like you are getting a whole extra day! None of Sunday will be taken up with annoying travel! I bet they will release AP discounts also! I'm hoping for one on my Oct trip, because I have one night that isn't covered by the military discount. I'm betting we'll see them released around Aug.

 

[mandas08]

More days less money... sounds good to me

 

[khertz]

Great plan... I'm sure you'll love either resort, but I'm extremely partial to POP. I absolutely love the food court there.

I think anytime you can get an extra day at Disney and save money you have to go for it.

An anniversary trip is still a possibility for August, and we would more than likely stay at ASMu for that trip, so I'd like to try Pop Century too since I've never been there and it's only a few $ more.

Yay for one more day! I'm with you, Disney math is the only kind of math that I will willingly participate in!

Flying in on Saturday will be awesome, because it will be like you are getting a whole extra day! None of Sunday will be taken up with annoying travel! I bet they will release AP discounts also! I'm hoping for one on my Oct trip, because I have one night that isn't covered by the military discount. I'm betting we'll see them released around Aug.

I am keeping my fingers tightly crossed for an AP discount, so I will keep my eyes peeled! One more day in Disney World sounds GREAT to me!! I was bummed before that we were only staying 7 nights since last time we were there for 8 and two years ago, it was 10! Ideal (for me) would be the earliest flight possible and getting and entire additional day in WDW, but I'd be happy with the early afternoon flight too and save a little $$ while I'm at it.

More days less money... sounds good to me

Sounds good to me too! I've never been so happy for the price of airfare to go up!

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

So, I guess I should have known that as soon as I started posting the daily plans, they would change! However, it's a possible change that I would be VERY excited for!!

The Southwest flight we had been looking at, which leaves at 10:30 am and arrives in Orlando at 1:10 pm went up awhile ago from $155 to $208. So my wheels started turning, and I started looking into flying in Saturday afternoon/evening instead, and did some Disney math (the only kind I like!).

There are three direct flights available on Saturday. The first leaves at 7:55 am and is $121/person. Then there are two in the afternoon that leave at 1:30 pm or 3:10 pm and are only $99/person! That's a pretty big price difference.

I looked at booking an additional night at Bonnet Creek, but we don't have enough points. I looked at booking a night at Cypress Palms where we stayed on our babymoon trip a couple of years ago, but there's no availability there either. So...I made my way over to the WDW website, and voila!

We can have a night at...

...Pop Century for $129. Or, we can stay at...

...All Star Music for $124!

I really don't even care very much that it would be for only one night, I'd be happy to spend a night onsite. With the lower price of the flight and the price of the WDW resort room, we would still save about $100. Maybe they will even release an AP discount, which would make the savings even better!

I emailed all of the information to DH (he's in Houston taking a week-long class for work) and he says it looks like that might be our better option. So excited! Not only that we'd be staying onsite for a night, but also that it gets us either another half day or even a whole Disney day added onto our vacation!

Otherwise, our plans that I posted for arrival would be about the same. Fly in, get the rental car, and go to Magic Kingdom, only it would be on Saturday October 20th instead of Sunday the 21st! The only thing that I guess would be different is we'd have to take care of the grocery shopping the next day, which one of us could do during our break if DS is napping.

Unfortunately, staying onsite doesn't give us access to any am EMH on Sunday morning because there are none, at least not yet. That would make it even better! However, none of this is set in stone yet, but I'm pretty excited at the possibility.

OOOOOO!!!!! Disney Math...the only kind I like! Have you looked into AoA? It would be pretty cool to see that! Hope the plans work out for the extra day...especially if you get some EMH!!