Countdown to August 2011 (tr link posted)

[DrMomof3]

Congrats on your teaching award!!!
Sorry about the fish's short life. We've lost one of three so far.
Love the Disney pics. Just gorgeous and a lovely reminder of where I'd like to be right now!
Great news on 'Ohana.

Amanda

 

[tinkerbell60]

$84 dollars each way? WOW! I was excited by the $115 and I think $134...we also had a credit which helped a bit...






I might still get Via Napoli in this trip...still working on it... I know that we won't be able to do the dining plan much longer bc the girls will be 10 and it won't be worth the value it is now. I am trying to fit in the buffets to this trip. The standard price per adult will place us out for future trips except for the occasional buffet. $33 x 4= plus tip $187 for dinner with two little ones... I always did like Captain Cook's!

We were VERY lucky with airfare. Normally we drive, but with the airfare so low, among other things, it was hard to pass up. The only downside was that we could not get the first flight at 7am at that price, so we will be leaving Pittsburgh at 10:30am instead.....still we can sleep in a little later so maybe we won't be as tired on day 1....


We do not usually do the dining plan because of the cost. Our kids went through a period where they just did not eat enough to justify it. We are lucky to have free dining this summer.......although the eating habits are improving as they get older.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I know you felt good that you had already booked!

Glad you got that 'Ohana meal.

Rnjoy the lounging and the beach and the friends.

While I am enjoying the pool at my neighborhood, some very lucky lady will be enjoying a Disney pool with some adorable little blondes and a tall lovely brunette!

Congrats on your teaching award!!!
Sorry about the fish's short life. We've lost one of three so far.
Love the Disney pics. Just gorgeous and a lovely reminder of where I'd like to be right now!
Great news on 'Ohana.

Amanda

Thanks! Glad you got a minute to escape work and life to Dis!

We were VERY lucky with airfare. Normally we drive, but with the airfare so low, among other things, it was hard to pass up. The only downside was that we could not get the first flight at 7am at that price, so we will be leaving Pittsburgh at 10:30am instead.....still we can sleep in a little later so maybe we won't be as tired on day 1....


We do not usually do the dining plan because of the cost. Our kids went through a period where they just did not eat enough to justify it. We are lucky to have free dining this summer.......although the eating habits are improving as they get older.

I think the later flight is a blessing for you! Although you certainly have to rethink your packing strategy!!

If it wasn't for the $10 a day we pay for the girls, the dining plan wouldn't be worth it to us. Also, the new rates for 2012 are ridiculous...I can't imagine they would be a value to anyone!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Okay- Let's get back to the PTR...

Day One - Arrival Day.

I have to say that this day is subject to change. The girls play in a soccer tournament Fri, Sat, and Sun. The problem is that we don't know the time schedule for Sun. The last flight to MCO is ~6:00; not sure if we'd make it. If we do see a schedule ahead of time and the girls are scheduled to play in the morning, and flights are still available, I plan on making the switch. Then, I get the fun task of finding a room. Obviously, if I could add at Jambo, I would do that...if not, I'm thinking that this might be the way we try out Pop, or even spend a sleep in the airport at the hotel in the airport...

So--tangent over...Day One - Arrival Day - Monday

Our flight is scheduled to land in MCO at 10:35. Factoring in ME, I plan on arriving at Jambo, checking in, dumping stuff - in room or with bell services- and being at Hollywood Studios by 12:30. (I know optimistic, but I think it is possible...)

So, upon arrival at HS, we will secure fastpasses (provided they aren't out) for

Depending on the wait we will hit

We can check the crazy wait time to see if we will be toys today...

Prior to our "Linner" we will have to pick up some fastpasses (if there) for

http://www.**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/star-tours-destinations.jpg

Then, we will eat:

After linner, we will go to the Muppets, maybe Ariel, Great Movie ride, and Animation Studio...if the park is oddly slow, we will try to get in some E tickets (either again or for the first time.)

Prior to leaving- if we have enough stamina, the plan is to end the night with Fantasmic...apparently, Disney is again running the show every night!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I think it is completely possible to have everything dumped at AKL and at DHS by 1:00. Can't wait to hear about the new Star Tours!!!

 

[tinkerbell60]

I think the later flight is a blessing for you! Although you certainly have to rethink your packing strategy!!

If it wasn't for the $10 a day we pay for the girls, the dining plan wouldn't be worth it to us. Also, the new rates for 2012 are ridiculous...I can't imagine they would be a value to anyone!

I agree, although I still watch for a DING fare in case. I love getting to WDW early!! Still it will be nice not to be completely wiped out by 9pm the first night.

I have not seen the rates for 2012, will have to go check that out. I have done the math a million times and it is just not cost effective for us. That said, I am looking forward to trying a lot of 2TS this summer since it is "free" dining. We normally would not have scheduled these but I can cross them off my list!

 

[Queenofallthings]

That sounds like a great first day! You`ll be hitting all of our favorite rides too I noticed that Fantasmic is running alot more frequently than last year! I can just hear the music in my head now.......

 

[TanzUnited99]

Enjoy your beach week!

on booking O'hana! I've been trying but have not had much success.

Looking forward to reading your day plans

Edit: Oops, just realised that you have already posted the first day plans! Duh! Hope you manage to make it to DHS by noon and get to start your vacation with some fun rides!

 

[Marshay]

Yeah, for school being over!

So glad you got in O'hanas. They are just great!

We were considering Via Napoli or Tutto Italia for our next "new" restaurant. Both menus look good but DH liked Chefs de France better. For us we'll just do the deluxe dining plan for 1 night and will do CRT and Chefs de France. We come out ahead even not counting the appetizer, 2 snacks, mug and taxes. With all those we end up saving around $40-50 depending on what all we choose.

And of course, with DD5, we save even more!

 

[Madisonsmom45]

I love reading about everyone's adventures....I can't wit to get home...

 

[DrMomof3]

Good plan for the first day! We're starting to shy away from the early morning flights because we all end up cranky after waking up at 4am!!!

Amanda

 

[onescgirl]

Congratulations on your teachers awards!!!!!!!
That is so awesome & I loved reading the story! It is nice to know how you are impacting the lives of our future.
Your girls looked beautiful on their last day of school.
Have fun at the beach & good luck getting your O'hana ressie.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

I agree, although I still watch for a DING fare in case. I love getting to WDW early!! Still it will be nice not to be completely wiped out by 9pm the first night.

I have not seen the rates for 2012, will have to go check that out. I have done the math a million times and it is just not cost effective for us. That said, I am looking forward to trying a lot of 2TS this summer since it is "free" dining. We normally would not have scheduled these but I can cross them off my list!

No reason to look at the 2012 rates unless you want to laugh...I check fares too just to see if I can store a credit for our winter flight. I really wish I knew the soccer schedule so I could switch to the Sun night flight.

That sounds like a great first day! You`ll be hitting all of our favorite rides too I noticed that Fantasmic is running alot more frequently than last year! I can just hear the music in my head now.......

I am excited to see Fantasmic again. I didn't want to fight crowds to see if; now it looks like we might not have to!

Enjoy your beach week!

on booking O'hana! I've been trying but have not had much success.

Looking forward to reading your day plans

Edit: Oops, just realised that you have already posted the first day plans! Duh! Hope you manage to make it to DHS by noon and get to start your vacation with some fun rides!

Thanks! Keep trying with 'Ohana. I think you might be able to get it with persistence... I hate starting at a park late...it throws me off, so I am planning for the worst crowds to make it doable.

Yeah, for school being over!

So glad you got in O'hanas. They are just great!

We were considering Via Napoli or Tutto Italia for our next "new" restaurant. Both menus look good but DH liked Chefs de France better. For us we'll just do the deluxe dining plan for 1 night and will do CRT and Chefs de France. We come out ahead even not counting the appetizer, 2 snacks, mug and taxes. With all those we end up saving around $40-50 depending on what all we choose.

And of course, with DD5, we save even more!

We haven't tried Le Chefs, so I want to give it a try. Maybe Via Napoli next time? I love that DVC let's us pick plans per day. I think I am doing a mix of deluxe and quick service. I still have to run numbers. While my girls still qualify for children's prices, Disney Dining still seems to be worth it...well at least this year...next year's prices, not so much...

I love reading about everyone's adventures....I can't wit to get home...

Thanks for reading along.

Good plan for the first day! We're starting to shy away from the early morning flights because we all end up cranky after waking up at 4am!!!

Amanda

4 AM is too early...not really for us adults though...it's so hard to sleep the night before...

Congratulations on your teachers awards!!!!!!!
That is so awesome & I loved reading the story! It is nice to know how you are impacting the lives of our future.
Your girls looked beautiful on their last day of school.
Have fun at the beach & good luck getting your O'hana ressie.

Thank you and thank you. We will have a nice time- I'm sure. I am glad it is before Disney. It helps that I am not there wishing I was back in Disney.

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

Day 2 -

After a wonderful night's sleep at Jambo, it will be an early morning to get to MK for EMH! I'll give the girls a quick bite to hold them over for a bit. DH and I will have our coffee in to go cups (Dixie Rocks!)

We will head through this lovely lobby, with its amazing smell that tells me I am in AKL!

Can't wait to arrive and see

Then, we will be off to do our favs...Space Mt first (grab a fp and maybe ride again; Buzz; and this time Astro Orbitor...we haven't been since 2008.

I think we should head over to Fantasyland and ride PP or grab fp's depending on time.

Frontierland will open at 9 - so off to ride Big Thunder and get Splash passes...


From here it becomes more or less, what do you want to do now? I think it will be time for a snack though (or maybe breakfast for me and dh).
After a fun filled morning, we will head back to swim and rest.

Back out again to head to Le Chefs for dinner...I scheduled it to hopefully see Remy, and to check the restaurant off our list.

I had a great pic but for some reason the dis blocks the website?!

Epcot has EMH to use and explore. Not sure how this will go. As I type I am thinking that a 5:00 dinner ressie is not such a good idea...I think I am going to revisit this plan - right now...!

 

[tinkerbell60]

You are right about the 2012 Dining rates - which is why we have only ever done "free" dining..... I hope you get your schedule soon so you can switch your flight.

Have you checked Remy's hours at Chefs? Since you are rethinking that, I thought I read (awhile ago) that he was only there 12pm to 4pm or something.....and I could be totally wrong about that too. We loved seeing Remy - he is so adorable!

 

[TanzUnited99]

Nothing beats waking up at AKL and having a coffee to hand!

Love the MK plans - hope you get to reschedule Chefs de France and find a time that suits.

 

[Charleston Princess]

There are few things lovelier than strolling through that lobby at AKL!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

You are right about the 2012 Dining rates - which is why we have only ever done "free" dining..... I hope you get your schedule soon so you can switch your flight.

Have you checked Remy's hours at Chefs? Since you are rethinking that, I thought I read (awhile ago) that he was only there 12pm to 4pm or something.....and I could be totally wrong about that too. We loved seeing Remy - he is so adorable!

Thanks for the reminder. I did check last show is 5:20 (none on Sunday) which is why it is for 5:00...which causes a small concern to stay in the park until midnight...I have to see if there is another night that 5:00 works better.

Nothing beats waking up at AKL and having a coffee to hand!

Love the MK plans - hope you get to reschedule Chefs de France and find a time that suits.

Thanks! I am still working on dining changes...no ressies available for the switch.

There are few things lovelier than strolling through that lobby at AKL!

I was calling member services daily to see if BCV or BWV was available, but then stopped bc we all love AKV...I might start calling again though. I am so indecisive!

 

[disneydreamingdebby]

No progress on the dining...I have to play with that more today...

Funny story.

I was in Target last night (thinking of how nice it would be to have Queen with me). I was pushing my cart towards an aisle near a little girl who was about six. She looked up at me with this shocked "Oh.my.gosh.it's.you.I.am.so.happy" look. I racked my brain; I don't know this little girl...Next thing I know she runs away out of sight and I hear her, "Mom, that lady has a hidden Mickey on her shirt!! Come look!!!" I went down the aisle and back up the other giggling preparing to say, "I am the hidden Mickey lady," but they were several aisles away.


This was the shirt...

So, I continued with a smile on my face to the pharamacy and passed Mickey Band-aids.

They were so cool. I grabbed them and tossed them in the cart. Unfortunately, they hid when I checked out so they didn't come home with me. (No worries - I will be back at Target again within the week.)

 

[onescgirl]

Looks like great day 2 plans for the morning. That lobby does look nice. I saw those band-aids & have been tempted to purchase them, but we already have tons at home. Love your hidden Mickey shirt!