BOOKED! - Flights and OKW - August 2012

[Fwapp]

...and I can't wait!

Could not resist any longer, so have booked flights with Thomson, Manchester to Sanford, for the first 21 days of August 2012. I floated the price (£3000) for all four of us (2 adults, 2 children of 12 and 9) across a mate who works for Virgin, and he reckons that it'll be cheaper than them, even with mates rates

Next, our WDW booking, so for just under £1900, we have 7days/6 nights in a studio at OKW, DDP (with confirmed refillable mugs) and a 21 day park ticket. Used Quidco for 3% back, which will pay for a cheap hotel for the first night, when we arrive.

So, that's the important bits booked, just need to narrow down the villa for the two weeks we are not staying at WDW, and get my planning on!

Never been to the US, let alone WDW, so it'll be a trip of a lifetime and a really good way for my wife and I to celebrate our 40th's. I think we are pretty kind taking the boys along, too

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

It's a good feeling to be booked and you've got plenty of time to book your villa and car and plan your first trip to WDW

 

[taylor91]

Wow that's great news, have fun planning It will be here before you know it

 

[gemmybear83]

Congratulations! Sounds like a fantastic trip!

 

[catherine]

Have fun planning! I didn't know that Disney had included the refillable mugs in the DDP for 2012!

 

[hogwartsdropout]

Have fun planning! I didn't know that Disney had included the refillable mugs in the DDP for 2012!

I never knew that either!?

 

[wayneg]

Have fun planning! I didn't know that Disney had included the refillable mugs in the DDP for 2012!

I never knew that either!?

It is on 1 or 2 sites incl VH http://www.virginholidays.co.uk/special_offers/disney_diningplan/
I am not convinced yet, I think it could be a mistake, I don't believe Disney have confirmed it yet.
They were wrong last year when they said desserts were going to removed, I think this could be a similar error but time will tell.

Happy Planning

 

[Fwapp]

On the refillable mug bit, It's listed here: Dine for free under the DDP info at the bottom, but not shown when you do your hotel selection. It is only applicable for the free plan at deluxe hotels and villas (there is a list under the DDP bit)

I rang Disney after my booking, to arrange a few things and took the opportunity to ask if the mug was included on the DDP in 2012. She confirmed that it was, and what good value it was, and how here children were going to make good use of it!

I must admit it's not make or break for me, but if it is included, it'll be a nice extra to a good package.

 

[wayneg]

On the refillable mug bit, It's listed here: Dine for free under the DDP info at the bottom, but not shown when you do your hotel selection. It is only applicable for the free plan at deluxe hotels and villas (there is a list under the DDP bit)

I rang Disney after my booking, to arrange a few things and took the opportunity to ask if the mug was included on the DDP in 2012. She confirmed that it was, and what good value it was, and how here children were going to make good use of it!

I must admit it's not make or break for me, but if it is included, it'll be a nice extra to a good package.

I have read numerous discussions on the subject and thats what most people have said, hope they get it, nice bonus but its not a big deal if its not given.

The site you quote "disneypackages.co.uk" is registered to the Walt Disney Travel Company Ltd, 3 Queen Caroline St, London W6 9PE but it depends who updates the info on this site, Disney or Virgin(Openride)
"holidays supplied by Openride Limited (the flight inclusive holiday supplier for the Walt Disney Travel Company)"
Same will apply when you rang, did you speak to someone at Openride or Disney? you might not even know.

Disney and Virgin(Openride) work together closely on their package holidays but they do get things wrong. I sent them an email recently for incorrect info they have in their Travel advise but i am being ignored.

Hope everyone gets it but I am still not sure.

 

[higgy66]

They were wrong last year when they said desserts were going to removed, I think this could be a similar error but time will tell.

Does this mean the desserts are still included?

I remember reading about this for 2010 but I just assumed that was the case?

Dos this mean we can look forward to some carrot cake and cookies?

 

[wayneg]

Dessert is still included with both CS & TS meals.

 

[catherine]

Does this mean the desserts are still included?

I remember reading about this for 2010 but I just assumed that was the case?

Dos this mean we can look forward to some carrot cake and cookies?

You'll be happy to hear that the desserts are still included! Enjoy your carrot cake and cookies!

 

[higgy66]

I've been warning the girls they don't get desert with their CS lunches but now I can tell them I was wrong

We made good use of these for late afternoon snacks or suppers - can't beat a nice hot drink and some carrot cake while watching some TV in bed just before nodding off............

 

[DISWolves]

can't beat a nice hot drink and some carrot cake while watching some TV in bed just before nodding off............

Just make sure you have finished your hot drink before nodding off!!!!

Maybe Wayne will organise the 2012 August OKW DIS meet soon....

hope to see you there !

 

[crabbie1]

To be honest if they take the dessert off the TS DDP it wont be worth it to us.They already removed the appetiser and to be honest I much prefer a starter to a dessert. I would not be surprised if at some point they do. We seem to be getting less for our money these days. Great if its free we cannot really complain but to pay OOP for DDP if just for an entree and a dessert and a CS entree I wouldn't do it. I think the mug is a great idea if staying at a disney resort and knowing it will be used. I don't drink that much so we just bought 2 last time.Will be good now all mugs are generic so when we visit other hotels we can grab a coffee(just have to carry the mugs in our bags)

 

[Fwapp]

.....Same will apply when you rang, did you speak to someone at Openride or Disney? you might not even know.

Disney and Virgin(Openride) work together closely on their package holidays but they do get things wrong. I sent them an email recently for incorrect info they have in their Travel advise but i am being ignored.

Hope everyone gets it but I am still not sure.

Hi wayneeg,

If it helps with the paper trail, the number I rang to confirm this (0870 24 24 900) is from the 'Manage my booking' section at http://wdtc.disneyinternational.com

I booked via the Quidco Disney link (thanks for the hint on that in your posts!)

The lady I spoke too (chose option 2 for non-flight inclusive bookings) did say that it was confusing people, as the website was not fully updated yet, but they should say mugs included with DDP, when using this current promotion.

It would be nice if they did update all the sites to reflect the same thing so that there is no doubt in peoples minds as to what they are booking and getting. Knowing how much my boys get through in drinks, it'll save me a small fortune if they are included!!

 

[wayneg]

Great if its free we cannot really complain but to pay OOP for DDP if just for an entree and a dessert and a CS entree I wouldn't do it.

There is no way I would pay for DDP OOP as it is now, we ate far more than needed last August, chose most expensive things off the menu where possible and we averaged $163/day, 3 x £32.99 to buy DDP = $160, there isn't a chance we would spend that each day if buying meals OOP so for us its not good value as it is, if they ever removed desserts even worse. As you say, great free.

Just make sure you have finished your hot drink before nodding off!!!!

Maybe Wayne will organise the 2012 August OKW DIS meet soon....

hope to see you there !

Not sure we will be at OKW next year, we have to be back home early in Aug 2012 to get Matt's A level results and sort out a Uni place, I think we are planning on returning home 11th August or even the weekend before (4th)

 

[wayneg]

The lady I spoke too (chose option 2 for non-flight inclusive bookings) did say that it was confusing people, as the website was not fully updated yet, but they should say mugs included with DDP, when using this current promotion.

It would be nice if they did update all the sites to reflect the same thing so that there is no doubt in peoples minds as to what they are booking and getting. Knowing how much my boys get through in drinks, it'll save me a small fortune if they are included!!

I can't see them doing a different DDP promo in UK to US, I expect the mug to be included to everyone or no-one. Hope its everyone

Only about $13-14 to buy a mug so I am sure you will still get value if you have thirsty kids.