Can we? Should we? A Spring 2009 PTR - New 5/6 - The TR has begun!

[DisMomAmy]

With two weeks to go until I can make our Chef Mickey's ADR I have pulled together a VERY TENTATIVE touring plan. I put the EMH in blue just as a reference. We'll avoid those since we aren't eligible and because it means high crowds! Here's what I have so far...

Saturday 4/25 - travel day

Sunday 4/26 (EMH - MK pm) - AK & DHS for Fantasmic! (maybe a Fantasmic dinner package?)

Monday 4/27 (EMH - AK am/DHS pm) - Epcot & maybe Chef Mickey's??

Tuesday 4/28 (EMH - Epcot am) - MK (maybe our Crystal Palace breakfast before park opening) & Wishes

Wednesday 4/29 (EMH - AK pm) - Water Park & either DTD/Rainforest Cafe (for Zach) or Chef Mickey's.

Thursday 4/30 (EMH - MK am) - DHS & Epcot

Friday 5/1 (EMH -? -guessing either Epcot pm or DHS am) - MK or AK in the morning. PPP???

Saturday 5/2 - ?? depending on our flight home? If we go home that day... I suspect we'll be done with WDW, but we might visit family over the weekend on the west coast. We'll see...

As of now, I don't have a Spectro scheduled. If we do the PPP we'll see that parade and one is enough for our family. The only nights Spectro is showing are Sun 26th (we are doing F! that night hoping the crowds will be at MK instead) and Thurs 30th - if there is no PPP on 5/1 we might do Spectro on the 30th?? MK has EMH on both of the Spectro nights - Sunday is an EMH pm - definitely not going to that - and Thursday has an EMH am - I guess that will be the better of the two nights for us if we do it - maybe the am people will have left by then? We are going to watch Wishes on a non-Spectro night because it will be at 9 vs. 10 on a spectro night.

I'm concerned with the length of our day on Tuesday... we will have had an early night the night before so we should be rested, but we'll have an early breakfast at CP (hopefully 8am) and a late nght with Wishes at 9pm. The early part isn't actually that bad for our guys since they are usually up at 6 - even if they sleep a little late we will be ok. We just have to make sure we definitely take a good break mid-day.

For now, I am going to make ADRs for Chef Mickey's on Monday and Wednesday. I'll cancel one of them once TGM comes out with the Least Crowded Parks Charts.

The only definite thing on my plan for now is Fantasmic on Sunday night. It is also showing on Wednesday and Thurday nights, but Wednesday is not a Spectro night so I suspect crowds will be higher and I don't want us up late on Thursday night if there is a PPP on Friday.

So what do you guys think???

 

[DisMomAmy]

I believe I've mentioned this before, but DH and I both have leased cars that are ending in January & February. DH's car (up in January) is close to the maximum miles allowed so we've been looking to get him something early. He just can't decide... plus the fact that I need a new car too complicates matters - we just don't know how much he can spend. So we decided to turn in his car and get me a new car first. He can drive my old car until February and we'll have a better sense of the budget by then.

We went out yesterday with the intention of driving a Kia Sedona and maybe leasing one for me and we ended up buying a brand new 2007 Sedona - and it's loaded!! Because it is a 2007 (apparently they bought up all of the 07s left in New England back in May) it was $10,000 off before we even started talking prices with the guy. Our payment is $35 less then my current lease and we own it!! I'm so excited to finally be back in a minivan. Right now I drive a crossover and it is pretty squished compared to my old van. I've missed driving a van & now I have one back - to keep! And it's loaded!

 

[xoktenox]

Hey your tentative touring plan looks really good! It's definitely a good idea from what I've heard to avoid the parks on their EMH days so thats a plus in itself. We're making ADRs for the Fantasmic! dinner package too . I don't feel like sitting for 60-90 mins to wait for the show so it will work out well for us. Have you talked to your DH about a water park yet? And CONGRATS on the new van! With the economy the way it is theres so many discounts on cars right now so its cool that you found something that was perfect for you. I wish my lease was up right now so I could get something new too

 

[mousescrapper]

Hi Amy

I think your thoughts on touring sound good....By planning against the crowds and I know you'll pick those "off" dinning times you should have some optimal touring opportunities. So the long day...it may not be that bad since it's at the beginning of your trip and you and the boys should be rearing to go. If you don't want to deal w/ packing up and going back to the condo mid day, you could find a quiet corner (there has to be one right?) to sit and rest. Do the boys like to sit and read or work in an activity puzzle book? they could do that and just sit in the shade and you and DH put up your feet for a bit.

OR you could take the monorail over to say Poly, CR or GF and just relax by their pool, not go in but just sit at a table and rest. Just a thought, don't know if that works for you all or not.

But not yet revealed in my TR but our last full day ended up becoming a FULL day w/ no real break in the end. and they all survived, tired by the end but it was good.

Looking forward to more and HAPPY NEW VAN

J-

 

[SwansLoveDisney]

YAY for a new van at a great price!!!

Your plans sound good. Sounds like your plan will help you avoid the crowded parks, which is the best way to go!

 

[MRYPPNS]

First Congrats on the new car!

Saturday 4/25 - travel day

Sunday 4/26 (EMH - MK pm) - AK & DHS for Fantasmic! (maybe a Fantasmic dinner package?)

Monday 4/27 (EMH - AK am/DHS pm) - Epcot & maybe Chef Mickey's??

Tuesday 4/28 (EMH - Epcot am) - MK (maybe our Crystal Palace breakfast before park opening) & Wishes

Wednesday 4/29 (EMH - AK pm) - Water Park & either DTD/Rainforest Cafe (for Zach) or Chef Mickey's.

Thursday 4/30 (EMH - MK am) - DHS & Epcot

Friday 5/1 (EMH -? -guessing either Epcot pm or DHS am) - MK or AK in the morning. PPP???

My question is: are you planning on being at Epcot to see Illuminations on both Monday and Thursday?

And have you thought about trying the T-Rex Cafe in DTD for the boys?

 

[Hedy]

COngrats on the new car!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hi Everyone! First of all - I thought I had already responded to these posts... actually, I'm sure I did - but apparently I didn't POST that response!

Hey your tentative touring plan looks really good! It's definitely a good idea from what I've heard to avoid the parks on their EMH days so thats a plus in itself. We're making ADRs for the Fantasmic! dinner package too . I don't feel like sitting for 60-90 mins to wait for the show so it will work out well for us. Have you talked to your DH about a water park yet? And CONGRATS on the new van! With the economy the way it is theres so many discounts on cars right now so its cool that you found something that was perfect for you. I wish my lease was up right now so I could get something new too

We'll probably need to do the F! dinner package to avoid the long wait, but I hate to spend the money on TS for H&V. Plus, there aren't any characters there at dinner and I'm afraid the kids will remember meeting Leo & June there last year. Maybe we'll try Mama Melrose's this time, but I've heard mixed reviews about that too.

I think we're leaning toward Blizard Beach - but not sure yet.

Hi Amy

I think your thoughts on touring sound good....By planning against the crowds and I know you'll pick those "off" dinning times you should have some optimal touring opportunities. So the long day...it may not be that bad since it's at the beginning of your trip and you and the boys should be rearing to go. If you don't want to deal w/ packing up and going back to the condo mid day, you could find a quiet corner (there has to be one right?) to sit and rest. Do the boys like to sit and read or work in an activity puzzle book? they could do that and just sit in the shade and you and DH put up your feet for a bit.

OR you could take the monorail over to say Poly, CR or GF and just relax by their pool, not go in but just sit at a table and rest. Just a thought, don't know if that works for you all or not.

But not yet revealed in my TR but our last full day ended up becoming a FULL day w/ no real break in the end. and they all survived, tired by the end but it was good.

Looking forward to more and HAPPY NEW VAN

J-

Thanks for the suggestions about how to handle a full day - now that the kids are older they might be able to handle it better too - but I definitely don't want to push it too much and have it backfire on me.

YAY for a new van at a great price!!!

Your plans sound good. Sounds like your plan will help you avoid the crowded parks, which is the best way to go!

Thanks!!

First Congrats on the new car!



My question is: are you planning on being at Epcot to see Illuminations on both Monday and Thursday?

And have you thought about trying the T-Rex Cafe in DTD for the boys?

We are only going to be at Epcot for the morning on Monday & we may not stay for Illuminations on Thursday. Plus I may have already changed our itinerary. I'll post more on that later.

I'll have to check out T-Rex cafe - don't know much about that. Thanks!

COngrats on the new car!

Thanks!

 

[mousescrapper]

Your welcome....and I know how you feel about how much is too much...so on and so on....

changing tp's already? and I'm taking about Charmin....JK

J-

 

[DisMomAmy]

Your welcome....and I know how you feel about how much is too much...so on and so on....

changing tp's already? and I'm taking about Charmin....JK

J-

 

[mousescrapper]

Hey Amy...

OK out there?

Are you doing a MouseScrapper disapperance on us?

Hope you and your boys are fine....miss you

J-

 

[DisMomAmy]

Hey Amy...

OK out there?

Are you doing a MouseScrapper disapperance on us?

Hope you and your boys are fine....miss you

J-

I'm still out here... just sort of in limbo. Waiting for May park hours, TGM to post LCCs for April, P&PP dates, ADRs (hope to make CM ADR this Wednesday) and JetBlue to release May airfare. Hopefully I'll have a big happy post on Wednesday with my 5pm Chef Mickey's ADR in place!

I know I've been promising a post about our budget - but it's a bit depressing... I'm still not working yet. I "have" the job, the new boss sort of has me on hold until she figures some things out with her partners. She definitely wants me, but depending on if her partners stay part of the business or not, she has to decide what direction to take things?? At least that's what she's telling me. However, I must face the truth so I will get on that post.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I called right at 7:00 this morning and got Chef Mickey's for Monday, April 27th at 5:00pm!!

Hopefully coming soon... I'll purchase our return flight from JetBlue, TGM will publish the LCC for April and WDW will post May hours & P&PP dates!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Here's the loose buget I have pulled together so far:

Airfare 800 (already booked flight down for $372)
Airport Parking 80 (based on $10/day)
Timeshare 200 (exchange fee we'll pay in Feb.)
Rental Car 300 (I think we paid about this much last year)
Park Tickets 1243 (7 day ph, wp+ option from undercover tourist)
Special Tickets 185 (hopefully P&PP)
Parking 72 (at the parks)
Stroller Rental 78 (single stroller this time??)
Food 750 (still working on this number)
Mad Money 300 (hopefully more )
Gas/Tolls 60 (for rental car)
4068 Total

Questions? Comments?

I'll do a better breakdown of the food budget for you later.

 

[DisMomAmy]

By the way... this may be obvious to some because I was able to make an ADR today or because my ticker say so, but .....


LESS THAN 6 MONTHS TO GO!!

Unfortunately, they are the longest, coldest months of the year.

 

[AZMickeyfans]

Just catching up here!

Sweet about the minivan! They are great and when you get a great deall it makes it all the better right! Check out my tags obviously I love mine.

Touring plans look great. Budget looks pretty good. I'm sure the numbers will get tweaked the closer it gets.

Just think at the end of the coldest months of the year you will be at WDW though! That is something to celebrate!

 

[Hedy]

I called right at 7:00 this morning and got Chef Mickey's for Monday, April 27th at 5:00pm!!

Hopefully coming soon... I'll purchase our return flight from JetBlue, TGM will publish the LCC for April and WDW will post May hours & P&PP dates!

6 months and chef Mickeys!

 

[mousescrapper]

That ADR must make you feel super HAPPY!!!

now the trip seems real, huh

Thanks for sharing the budget....it is a crazy daunting feeling about how much it coasts....but in same other crazy way it so is worth it huh?

so undercover tourist for the passports how could of deal is it? figure when we go next we'll have to buy 4 Adult and 2 kids

Ps Happy pre-Halloween what are the boys dressing up as?

J-

 

[DisMomAmy]

Just catching up here!

Sweet about the minivan! They are great and when you get a great deall it makes it all the better right! Check out my tags obviously I love mine.

Touring plans look great. Budget looks pretty good. I'm sure the numbers will get tweaked the closer it gets.

Just think at the end of the coldest months of the year you will be at WDW though! That is something to celebrate!

Thanks on the van! I love it so far. I am supercool driving my minivan!

I'm still working on the budget... I just downloaded free mousemanager software that MRYPPNS used for her trip - that should help.

Having WDW planned for April is definitely what's going to get me through this winter!

6 months and chef Mickeys!

I can't believe it's less than 6 months to go! Not being able to make all of my ADRs now is somewhat of a blessing - the 6 month mark snuck up on me and since I probably can't make any more ADRs until late Dec, at the earliest, I don't have to finalize things until then. That will make the last 3-4 months fly by. It's usually such a long stretch from the 6 month mark until the trip.

That ADR must make you feel super HAPPY!!!

now the trip seems real, huh

Thanks for sharing the budget....it is a crazy daunting feeling about how much it coasts....but in same other crazy way it so is worth it huh?

so undercover tourist for the passports how could of deal is it? figure when we go next we'll have to buy 4 Adult and 2 kids

Ps Happy pre-Halloween what are the boys dressing up as?

J-

I made another Chef Mickey's ADR today. 5:00 again! Now I have Monday and Wednesday at 5:00. I'll cancel one when we get closer and I have our itinerary finalized and our other ADRs made.

Luckily the whole budget doesn't have to come out of our pockets all at once. Some things will be prepaid (airfare, tickets, condo) and we'll just have to save our pennies for the rest.

I have never considered buying tickets anywhere but WDW (or online, or in a store) but I have heard good things about undercover tourist. The prices appeared the same, but undercover tourist has the tax included in their price and WDW adds it on at the end - jacking up the total. The undercover tourist price is $1243 vs. $1325 from WDW for 7 day (we may do fewer days) waterpark and more park hopper for 2 kids and 2 adults. Not a huge savings, but I'll keep watching it to see if there are any better deals. Not sure if their prices fluctuate at all or if that is the standard price.

Halloween pictures coming soon!

 

[Blueyed Girl]

CONGRATS on the mini van, Chef Mickey's ADR, and 6 months!!!