Booked next August

[howlongtillsummer?]

I agree completely. We were there from the 2nd and the parks were great until the start of US dining. I think it has changed the attendance patterns.

 

[Scrap_Vamp]

As we're going at Christmas, we've looked at flights that include a week stopping in New York and can get them for about £730pp not including cashback. Flights would be Heathrow-NYC-Orlando-NYC-Heathrow

There are a few things on Broadway that we want to see, so thought that might be a good value way to get one last trip out of our annual passes as well as doing something different for a bit.

The only downside is we can't be out for our anniversary as Carl's boss is away then!

 

[mossyflossy]

I have mixed views on best time to go in August, it used to be easy, US kids go back to school mid August and everywhere was quieter. This year was not quite the same, yes the parks got a little quieter but from the 18th August when US free dining kicked in the restaurants were packed solid.
Upto the 18th we had no problem changing reservations while we were there, places were quieter, some we went in like Captains Grille were half empty, after teh 18th not a chance of changing anything, every seat in every restaurant full and no walk ups available.
Next year US free dining starts 19th August, I guess a similar pattern to this year.

Completely agree with you, Wayne, one of the reasons we try to be away from Disney by the time free dining US kicks in...the parks might be fractionally quieter but the restaurants and DTD in particular seemed to be heaving after Aug 15 this year.

 

[WiganTony]

Flying with Virgin MAN~MCO 5th-28th August economy out, PE return. (747 out and A330 back I believe) Full price was £1001pp, Miles & Money cost me £867 (after Quidco)

Ouch - I feel your pain Needs must I guess - you'll have a brilliant time. Unfortunately we won't be there next year as we have flights (courtesy of Mr Tesco and Air Miles) to New York, so we will be visiting NY, New England (or Niagara Falls) and Boston. However, roll on 2012

I have mixed views on best time to go in August, it used to be easy, US kids go back to school mid August and everywhere was quieter. This year was not quite the same, yes the parks got a little quieter but from the 18th August when US free dining kicked in the restaurants were packed solid.
Upto the 18th we had no problem changing reservations while we were there, places were quieter, some we went in like Captains Grille were half empty, after teh 18th not a chance of changing anything, every seat in every restaurant full and no walk ups available.
Next year US free dining starts 19th August, I guess a similar pattern to this year.

We noticed the same during our stay 2-14 August. We had no problems in swapping a couple of reservations a day or so in advance, and as you noted, the Captain's Grille wasn't fully booked out, even though the UK dining offer was in full swing. However, once the US dining kicks in, I suspect it will be a bit more difficult to get ADRs.

 

[Disneymad]

Yay! Always nice to get the flights sorted, it feels like a bit of a burden to me when I'm planning a trip but that bit is still up in the air (pardon the pun )

 

[Marl]

We have just booked for next Aug, flying from GLA going out in economy and back in Premium Economy (£55 more pp for return upgrade)
Thank you for highlighting the difference in price between MAN and GLA in a previous thread, I wouldn't have thought about checking otherwise We live similar distance from both airports so makes no difference to us which we fly from, shame the one flight a week out of NCL is so expensive. Even checked non-direct routes but this GLA flight works best for us this time.

 

[wayneg]

Glad you got something Marl, happy planning.

 

[wayneg]

Booked the hotel yesterday.
OKW & 16 days free DDP 5th-21st August
Disney Dream 21st-25th
Just hotel to sort after the cruise 25th-28th

Now we have to plan dining to include relatives who have never been before, 1 who is a very plain food eater, no sauces, chicken and chips person and a 3 year old.

 

[2Tiggies]

Booked the hotel yesterday.
OKW & 16 days free DDP 5th-21st August
Disney Dream 21st-25th
Just hotel to sort after the cruise 25th-28th

Now we have to plan dining to include relatives who have never been before, 1 who is a very plain food eater, no sauces, chicken and chips person and a 3 year old.

16 days is a LOT of dining to have to sort out! Are you going to do some character meals for the three year old? Buffets should go a long way to help the picky eater, although the nicer restaurants are often not buffets. Do you have some on your top of the picks list yet?

 

[wayneg]

16 days is a LOT of dining to have to sort out! Are you going to do some character meals for the three year old? Buffets should go a long way to help the picky eater, although the nicer restaurants are often not buffets. Do you have some on your top of the picks list yet?

It was 21 this year
Character meals are on the list, we used to enjoy buffets but not so much in recent years, 1900 Park Fare probably my worst dining experience, along with Cape may. Buffets just seem to be so overcrowded, not easy to get for food & noisy.

1st list we have put together
Chef Mickey's
Crystal Palace
Wispering Canyon Cafe
Liberty Tree
Rose & Crown
Garden Grill
50's Prime Time Cafe
Mama Melrose Fantasmic Package
Chef De France(mainly because myself & Matt want to try it)
Akerhaus
1 evening I think for relatives to goto Cinderellas Royal Table while we goto Yachtsman Steakhouse.

2 credits left for relatives(they are only there for our 1st 14 nights)
Others to choose from for final 2
Sanaa
Kona Cafe
Captains Grill
San Angel
Hacienda
The Wave
Character breakfast
Yak & Yeti

 

[2Tiggies]

That line up looks really good. Sanaa is supposed to be outstanding, but the cuisine does have to appeal to you I think.

I was also less than impressed with Cape May. From the buffet perspective, it was certainly one of the better ones in terms of quality and variety and our server was on the ball as well. It was the character interaction that disappointed us. I have NEVER, even at Chef Mickeys, had characters rush through so quickly. I was left rather stunned each time, standing with my camera with one picture from each character and perhaps 2 with Minnie as they scuttled across to the next table. Usually I take a burst of shots and delete the ones I don't like later. There was no such opportunity here and it was also the more expensive of the buffets we did. Even Ohana cost less for breakfast.

Akershus looks pretty good. Since your niece is so young she will really enjoy the princesses. Tell her parents if they dress her up to take shorts and t shirt for after. Even in October there were plenty little girls crying in their hot outfits.

This year was our cross over from character meals. We did a few because I knew we were approaching the end of this stage. I told DD next year she can choose ONE - any one - but just one. She was more than happy with this. For the first time she was indicating that she would rather grab a CS and hit the rides this year so I am glad we did the ones we did.

 

[wayneg]

That line up looks really good. Sanaa is supposed to be outstanding, but the cuisine does have to appeal to you I think.

Sanaa has been on our list past 2 years and been removed for 2 years so next year is a definite after seeing very good reviews(hope they don't change again) Its just do we do it with all 6 of us or wait until just 3 of us after they have gone home. Not sure yet.

 

[2Tiggies]

Sanaa has been on our list past 2 years and been removed for 2 years so next year is a definite after seeing very good reviews(hope they don't change again) Its just do we do it with all 6 of us or wait until just 3 of us after they have gone home. Not sure yet.

A little harder to assess when the people you are going with have never been and don't know what to expect from Disney dining. Have you asked them, or are they still in the initial information overload stage?

I suppose if it's a high priority I might personally be inclined to reserve that one for my own little family unit and keep that as something special. It's a tough one.

I take it you need to keep to early dinner reservations now with the little one, or is she quite flexible if you have a late dinner?

 

[wayneg]

Definitely in the info overload stage, trip has been in the pipeline a few months but wasn't a "yes we are going" until I booked flights 2 week ago, this week been considering meals and sending them links every couple of evenings, I put an email together for a different restaurant with links to menus, pics, reviews etc. Will take a few weeks to send them info on all the places we are planning, then they can come up for a few hours and make choices.
Will probably eat 6-7pm most evenings.

 

[burt]

It was 21 this year
Character meals are on the list, we used to enjoy buffets but not so much in recent years, 1900 Park Fare probably my worst dining experience, along with Cape may. Buffets just seem to be so overcrowded, not easy to get for food & noisy.

1st list we have put together
Chef Mickey's
Crystal Palace
Wispering Canyon Cafe
Liberty Tree
Rose & Crown
Garden Grill
50's Prime Time Cafe
Mama Melrose Fantasmic Package
Chef De France(mainly because myself & Matt want to try it)
Akerhaus
1 evening I think for relatives to goto Cinderellas Royal Table while we goto Yachtsman Steakhouse.

2 credits left for relatives(they are only there for our 1st 14 nights)
Others to choose from for final 2
Sanaa
Kona Cafe
Captains Grill
San Angel
Hacienda
The Wave
Character breakfast
Yak & Yeti

Glad you got it booked mate, hope your keeping some credits for hoop incase we book again

 

[wayneg]

Glad you got it booked mate, hope your keeping some credits for hoop incase we book again

Plenty of credits to go at.
Just need you to book now.

 

[burt]

Plenty of credits to go at.
Just need you to book now.

Nearly booked the birmingham/dublin buisness class flights, Wendy said we should book and take the risk, but you know me lol, waiting to see how Em gets on at hospital before i do anything

 

[wayneg]

Nearly booked the birmingham/dublin buisness class flights, Wendy said we should book and take the risk, but you know me lol, waiting to see how Em gets on at hospital before i do anything

I think I would have been same as you, wait and see what the hopsital says 1st. 5 seats in Biz class is a lot of money, better waiting I think. Just hope another deal is there for you or you might have to slum it in economy again like the rest of us

 

[burt]

I think I would have been same as you, wait and see what the hopsital says 1st. 5 seats in Biz class is a lot of money, better waiting I think. Just hope another deal is there for you or you might have to slum it in economy again like the rest of us

When i checked last wednesday it said only 5 flights available at this price, still says the same now, and Wendy is still sat next to me telling me to book them , There is no way i will pay current economy prices over 900 quid direct and about 750ish in direct, if the worst comes to the worst a friend at work has a caravan in devon i can book

 

[wayneg]

When i checked last wednesday it said only 5 flights available at this price, still says the same now, and Wendy is still sat next to me telling me to book them , There is no way i will pay current economy prices over 900 quid direct and about 750ish in direct, if the worst comes to the worst a friend at work has a caravan in devon i can book

I can offer better than a caravan, what about a nice detached house looking out over open Yorkshire fields? its even complete with a couple of pics of your family, like home from home, available for 23 nights next August at a reasonable price.