Cruising, Wining, and Disney Dining - Two 2012 PTRs in One! **TR LINK UP**

[jenny105]

So many possibilities-- I am a huge fan of WCC and think that would be really fun! You could always start with dinner there and then head to Jellyrolls or DTD. I know the former would kind of be a pain to get to, but I think it'd be worth it! The Yatschman is also really good if you wanted to cut down on unecessary transportation.
The only TS restaurant I've eaten in at DTD is T-Rex...which was good, but I don't know if that's the atmosphere you're looknig for on your birthday! I heard Portobello is supposed to be really great-- and Raglan Road is definitely on our "next time" list!

WCC may be an option. At least I can go in there in park gear and not worry about getting dressed up. We did Jellyrolls for my birthday in 2010 and it was a blast although it was very crowded. We had a car so getting back to the hotel was easy but this time, we'd have to cab it. I really wish they ran buses back to the resorts late at night from the BW. I was thinking about going to the Yachtsman and hanging at at the BW afterward.

I love T-Rex! We're planning on going there for dinner the following night. I'm not sure I want to go to DTD two days in a row though so I may stay away on my bday. Decisions decisions!

This would be such an easy choice if I knew BOG was going to be open when we're there!

So many choices on what to do!

I'd say choose what you wish since it's your birthday! If you want HDDR go for it!

I didn't realize they charged your card right away with the shows... I thought it was charged at the time of the show. Maybe that changed since the last time I booked the HDDR... either that or I was so excited about getting a spot I didn't pay attention!

I think Jellyrolls would be fun. I need to look into that more for our trip...

I would probably pass on leaving WDW property as well as that can really add up the cost...

I'm pretty sure HDDR charged me the full price back in 2009 when I booked but I didn't have the dining plan. I think they do require you to pay in full even though you want to use the credits which I think is crazy. Why can't they just do a CC hold?

Jellyrolls is a lot of fun but it gets crowded in there! If you go there, try a hurricane.

 

[Dancegrl624]

We ate at CRT in 2010 and we had the dining plan. They did not charge us at all. They just required a credit card hold. I have many dining reservations for my clients at CRT as well, and they haven't charged their cards...just a credit card to hold the reservation.

 

[jenny105]

We ate at CRT in 2010 and we had the dining plan. They did not charge us at all. They just required a credit card hold. I have many dining reservations for my clients at CRT as well, and they haven't charged their cards...just a credit card to hold the reservation.

I booked CRT for a client last month and they charged her full price even though she had the dining plan. I don't know if it's because they changed the cancellation policy or maybe I just got a CM who didn't know what they were talking about. But she was definitely charged!

 

[Dancegrl624]

I booked CRT for a client last month and they charged her full price even though she had the dining plan. I don't know if it's because they changed the cancellation policy or maybe I just got a CM who didn't know what they were talking about. But she was definitely charged!

Hmm....that's odd. I haven't called to make reservations in quite some time (a little hard with a baby at home!) and I haven't had to pay online. I'll have to do some investigating!!!

I still can't believe we're going to miss each other by DAYS!! I haven't booked our trip yet, but the airfare is the cheapest on the days I have planned in my head. I kind of wish we were arriving a little later because I would LOVE to be at Epcot on October 1st...it's 30th birthday!! But, I don't want to mess with the crowds for the Tower of Terror 10miler the weekend after we leave either. I just want to get my hands on some (hopefully) special Epcot merchandise. I love sharing a birth year with Epcot (my fav park).

 

[jenny105]

Hmm....that's odd. I haven't called to make reservations in quite some time (a little hard with a baby at home!) and I haven't had to pay online. I'll have to do some investigating!!!

I still can't believe we're going to miss each other by DAYS!! I haven't booked our trip yet, but the airfare is the cheapest on the days I have planned in my head. I kind of wish we were arriving a little later because I would LOVE to be at Epcot on October 1st...it's 30th birthday!! But, I don't want to mess with the crowds for the Tower of Terror 10miler the weekend after we leave either. I just want to get my hands on some (hopefully) special Epcot merchandise. I love sharing a birth year with Epcot (my fav park).

I tried to do it online and it wanted payment. I called and they wanted payment. There was no way around that situation. Unless they told me it was going to be charged when it was really just a hold? IDK.

I KNOW!!! What are your dates? I am all in favor of you bumping your trip back a week, just sayin. I didn't even realize the day we're going to Epcot is it's 30th birthday celebration. That's awesome. All the more reason for you to move your trip.

 

[debrapagliasotti]

Thats so awesome you got 25,000 pts from SW!! I am so jealous!! I have never flown SW with my kids, but DH & I have flown SW a few times. We always do early bird check in and have always gotton seats together w/o any issue.

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

That is so awesome about the free tickets!! I haven't flown SW in a long time, but we'll probably start flying them more once Emma starts traveling. The no baggage fees are almost enough for me to stick with them!

So many choices for your birthday dinner! I haven't been to any of the places you listed, but I would probably stay on site. And if you're not going to go back and change before dinner, WCC would probably be fun! But any of the places sound great! Good luck in your "difficult" decision!

 

[Dancegrl624]

I tried to do it online and it wanted payment. I called and they wanted payment. There was no way around that situation. Unless they told me it was going to be charged when it was really just a hold? IDK.

I KNOW!!! What are your dates? I am all in favor of you bumping your trip back a week, just sayin. I didn't even realize the day we're going to Epcot is it's 30th birthday celebration. That's awesome. All the more reason for you to move your trip.

The new dining stuff is a bit confusing. I have it bookmarked on my computer!

I would move the trip back, but due to prices (both hotel and airfare) it's cheaper to go in Sept.

 

[jenny105]

Thats so awesome you got 25,000 pts from SW!! I am so jealous!! I have never flown SW with my kids, but DH & I have flown SW a few times. We always do early bird check in and have always gotton seats together w/o any issue.

I was planning on using the EB check-in. I think it's $10 each. Since we're not paying for the fare, I have no problem forking over some money for that.

That is so awesome about the free tickets!! I haven't flown SW in a long time, but we'll probably start flying them more once Emma starts traveling. The no baggage fees are almost enough for me to stick with them!

So many choices for your birthday dinner! I haven't been to any of the places you listed, but I would probably stay on site. And if you're not going to go back and change before dinner, WCC would probably be fun! But any of the places sound great! Good luck in your "difficult" decision!

I've never flown SW so this will be a brand new experience. A lot of things on this trip are going to be exactly that! A new resort to explore, Blizzard Beach, new restaurants - I can't wait!

I know right? Why can't all decisions be this "difficult?" I'm now debating Yachtsman so we can spend a little time at the Boardwalk area after dinner or Narcoosees & maybe some post dinner drinks somewhere in the MK area. I'll have to research the lounges in the surrounding resorts. That also sounds "difficult."

Of course if BOG opens in time for our trip, the decision is made for me!

The new dining stuff is a bit confusing. I have it bookmarked on my computer!

I would move the trip back, but due to prices (both hotel and airfare) it's cheaper to go in Sept.

I keep forgetting what restaurants require a CC hold.

Nooooooooooo! I can't believe we are missing each other by just a few days!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Has anyone ever been on Summit Plummet? I've heard bathing suit horror stories about this slide. I may need to buy a new swimsuit specifically for this waterpark. Any excuse to go shopping right? I don't want to give anybody a show!

I LOVE Summit Plummet!!! I just wore a tight fitting tank top over my bikini for it and it was absolutely fine. It is so much fun! I can't wait to get back to a water park. We're not going to one in Sept because there isn't much for a 15 month old to do. Plus, we'll have to split up for the whole day so one of us can stay with the baby and the other parent can go with Madison. Next time!!!

I can help out with Southwest. We flew SW on our last trip and it was great. We checked in at the 24 hour mark and got A boarding. All 3 of us were able to sit together and we sat in row 7 or 8. If you do early bird, you're guaranteed to be an A. On the way home, we got the B group. I wanted us to all sit together, so we ended up in the very last row...not fun! Tony never wants to spend the extra money for the Early Bird. Such a party pooper. SW is super friendly, the seats are comfy...no complaints!

 

[jenny105]

I LOVE Summit Plummet!!! I just wore a tight fitting tank top over my bikini for it and it was absolutely fine. It is so much fun! I can't wait to get back to a water park. We're not going to one in Sept because there isn't much for a 15 month old to do. Plus, we'll have to split up for the whole day so one of us can stay with the baby and the other parent can go with Madison. Next time!!!

I can help out with Southwest. We flew SW on our last trip and it was great. We checked in at the 24 hour mark and got A boarding. All 3 of us were able to sit together and we sat in row 7 or 8. If you do early bird, you're guaranteed to be an A. On the way home, we got the B group. I wanted us to all sit together, so we ended up in the very last row...not fun! Tony never wants to spend the extra money for the Early Bird. Such a party pooper. SW is super friendly, the seats are comfy...no complaints!

I was looking at the Victoria's Secret website since they're bathing suits are almost always on sale. They have a couple of cute tankinis. I was thinking of buying one for Blizzard Beach day. We're lucky enough to have the time to visit both waterparks this trip. The 2010 trip was so rushed! Plus getting a free 2 day water park & more ticket helps

Thanks for the feedback about Southwest. I've heard positive things from just about everyone! We're going to pay the extra money for Early Bird since we don't have to pay for the flight.

 

[Dancegrl624]

I was looking at the Victoria's Secret website since they're bathing suits are almost always on sale. They have a couple of cute tankinis. I was thinking of buying one for Blizzard Beach day. We're lucky enough to have the time to visit both waterparks this trip. The 2010 trip was so rushed! Plus getting a free 2 day water park & more ticket helps

Thanks for the feedback about Southwest. I've heard positive things from just about everyone! We're going to pay the extra money for Early Bird since we don't have to pay for the flight.

You're going to LOVE Summit Plummet! It's terrifying and fun at the same time. I can't wait to get back to a water park. They are awesome.

Southwest is great. We are probably going to fly down Southwest and fly back home JetBlue. They are the same price for the trip home, but the only non stop on the way home is at 7am!!! I don't want to leave that early on departure day!!!

 

[jenny105]

You're going to LOVE Summit Plummet! It's terrifying and fun at the same time. I can't wait to get back to a water park. They are awesome.

Southwest is great. We are probably going to fly down Southwest and fly back home JetBlue. They are the same price for the trip home, but the only non stop on the way home is at 7am!!! I don't want to leave that early on departure day!!!

No way! You'd be catching the ME at like 4am!

The last time I was on a slide similar to Summit Plummet I was 12 or 13. My body might not react quite the same way.

 

[jenny105]

So I have some news!

I'm going to Scotland!

As a TA, AAA allows each one of us to go on trips called fams, short for familiarization trips. We can take one per year and get a $500 allowance for it meaning AAA covers everything up to $500. So far I've used the opportunities to visit every park in the Orlando area sans Disney World & last year I went to Disneyland. It's an awesome opportunity!

Our agency is split into two sides - domestic (me!) and international. The international agents were offered it first and none of them wanted it so it was offered to our side. I jumped at it because I've never been to Europe. The furthest I've ever been out of this country is Toronto & the Caribbean. Plus, it's only costing $450 land & air (don't ask me how!) so it's being completely reimbursed by AAA.

I got the confirmation from the tour company a couple hours ago and my manager signed off on everything. Now I'm waiting on the regional manager's approval. Hopefully he won't object - the only reason I could see him saying no is because I don't sell international destinations so why should I be allowed to travel internationally at the company's expense? I'm hoping that doesn't happen and he approves.

I would be gone April 20-26. I'm a little nervous because I've never flow internationally so I don't really know what to expect plus I'll be flying by myself. I'm on my own until I meet up with the rest of the tour group in Scotland.

Fingers crossed everything gets approved! This will break up the waiting game to Disney quite nicely.

 

[Dancegrl624]

No way! You'd be catching the ME at like 4am!

The last time I was on a slide similar to Summit Plummet I was 12 or 13. My body might not react quite the same way.

There is NO way I'm waking up that early just to go home. Ridiculous!

So I have some news!

I'm going to Scotland!

As a TA, AAA allows each one of us to go on trips called fams, short for familiarization trips. We can take one per year and get a $500 allowance for it meaning AAA covers everything up to $500. So far I've used the opportunities to visit every park in the Orlando area sans Disney World & last year I went to Disneyland. It's an awesome opportunity!

Our agency is split into two sides - domestic (me!) and international. The international agents were offered it first and none of them wanted it so it was offered to our side. I jumped at it because I've never been to Europe. The furthest I've ever been out of this country is Toronto & the Caribbean. Plus, it's only costing $450 land & air (don't ask me how!) so it's being completely reimbursed by AAA.

I got the confirmation from the tour company a couple hours ago and my manager signed off on everything. Now I'm waiting on the regional manager's approval. Hopefully he won't object - the only reason I could see him saying no is because I don't sell international destinations so why should I be allowed to travel internationally at the company's expense? I'm hoping that doesn't happen and he approves.

I would be gone April 20-26. I'm a little nervous because I've never flow internationally so I don't really know what to expect plus I'll be flying by myself. I'm on my own until I meet up with the rest of the tour group in Scotland.

Fingers crossed everything gets approved! This will break up the waiting game to Disney quite nicely.

Congrats! That is so exciting!

 

[khertz]

How awesome!! I have never been to Europe either and Scotland is one of the countries I'd love to visit. Hopefully your manager approves the trip so you can share your pictures with us!

 

[jenny105]

There is NO way I'm waking up that early just to go home. Ridiculous!



Congrats! That is so exciting!

How awesome!! I have never been to Europe either and Scotland is one of the countries I'd love to visit. Hopefully your manager approves the trip so you can share your pictures with us!

Thanks, both of you! I'm excited but I am a little nervous about flying overseas all by myself. Plus I just thought of currency exchange and coverters for outlets and now my head is spinning a little.

 

[jenny105]

Hi everyone!

I hope you all had a great weekend. Mine was pretty good. I was off Saturday so I got to sleep in a little & caught up on my DVR list & ran a couple errands. Later on during the day I went to see my nephews for a few hours & then came home in time to catch the end of the Rangers game. They won! On Sunday Kris and I went food shopping (how exciting). Yesterday was also World Yoga Day and the local YMCA was having a 2 1/2 hour event for it with all proceeds going to charity. My friend Jen and I went to check it out. The first half hour was a lecture about the benefits of yoga & we took 2 classes for the remaining 2 hours. The first class was pretty simple, just the basics. The second one kicked our butt. They really picked up the pace. My shoulders are sore today! It was a lot of fun though and I came home feeling very relaxed. When I got home, Kris made dinner (tacos!) and we watched some of the Oscars before calling it a night.

It's Monday and that means a daily plan update!

Day 7 - 10/6/12

Since we'll be out pretty late celebrating my birthday the night before, we're probably going to sleep in this day. According to touringplans, the crowd levels are going to be very high so we're going to avoid the major parks & go to a waterpark. BB or TL, whichever one we didn't do the first waterpark day.

For dinner we're headed to T-Rex Cafe! I've been here once when it first opened and loved it. I'm not a huge fan of the Rainforest Cafe but I think T-Rex is awesome. The theming & the food are better at T-Rex. I don't think we'll be using a dining credit for this place; I have plenty of gift cards to choose from!

After dinner we'll probably hang around Downtown Disney for awhile. We didn't spend much time here on our last trip and I know Kris wants to look around. I definitely want to go to Raglan Road for a drink and check it out. I love Irish pubs and from what I've read about this place, it sounds really fun.

No parks today. We'll go back to the hotel when we feel like it. Very relaxed, low key day Gotta have a couple of those in Disney!

215 days to go. 35 til we can make our ADRs. 35! Can you believe it??

 

[klacey1]

We loved T-Rex Cafe, too! I think the food is soooo much better than the RFC! Any idea why the parks are supposed to be so crowded that day?! Regardless, a relaxed day will be nice after a night of birthday festivities!

 

[smile4stamps]

I just flew southwest tonight!

Our flight only had 60 people on it so no problems getting a seat anywhere you wanted!

On the way to CO it was a little different.. I checked in at 24 hours and ended up with a B14 seat. When I boarded there were a bunch of places that had 2 seats together. Unfortunately the plane was overbooked so all seats were taken in the end but as long as you check in 24 hours in advance you should be fine!



How exciting to be able to have a FREE trip to Scotland! Hopefully they approve it!

I owe my hubby a Europe trip but I have no idea how to begin planning it!