Dance moms to invade Disney World! June '14 PTR!

[jpmom97]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We stayed home and had a quiet day. Watched the parade, played some Scrabble.

 

[jpmom97]

Happy Holidays everyone!! I am so sorry I have been absent for so long! The holidays kept me very busy but now things are getting back to normal. Today has been the first Saturday where we didn't have something to do or somewhere to go. While I was happy to share the time with family, I'm glad the routine is back.

So in my absence, I have done 2 major steps in vacation planning:

Got all my ADRs!!

and

Paid for the Auto Train!!

I also will be in saving mode these next 6 months because I tapped into my Disney savings for Christmas, which was bad but as long as I am smart with my money I should be ok by June! We got raises at work (thanks Teamsters!) and I get extra money a month b/c I don't take the health insurance so that is nice. I also read about the Disney Vacation savings account...is this real? I saw a link for it on Facebook, this sounds like something I would like to do. This way I can save money and not touch it! Anyone know anything about this?

I hope everyone had a nice holiday! I will be posting next where my ADRs are!

 

[jpmom97]

Soooo....where did I make 14 days of dining reservations? Eating at some of our favorites and added some new ones too. It's not like me to stray from my normal places to eat so this is going to be a lot of fun! I am not a picky eater but try to stay away from dairy and I don't eat land animals, I will eat dairy though on vacation. My daughter eats just about anything.

So here it goes!

Our train arrives in Florida around 9:30am and I plan to pay extra to have my car be one of the first off so I am hoping we are on the road by 10:15 to make our 11:10 reservation for a late breakfast at



We have eaten here for breakfast a few times and have always enjoyed it. I love the strawberry soup!

From there we will go to Shades of Green to purchase our 4 day military tickets and then head to my dad's house!

 

[jpmom97]

The next day I plan to leave my dad's house in the afternoon so we can check into Bay Lake Towers for our 2 night stay! I didn't tell my daughter we were staying here so I am sure she is going to be very happy! We have reservations at 6:00 for:


We ate here for dinner on our last trip and decided this is where we should eat every first night of our vacation, so a tradition was started! I know this place gets so/so reviews but we enjoyed it very much.

 

[jpmom97]

When I can get the computer away from my husband, I love to read trip reports and check out all the other forums. I also love to read on easywdw and disneyfoodblog. . What other Disney blogs do you visit?

Moving on to Wed. 6/18, DD and I will spend the day at the Magic Kingdom and eat dinner and 1900 Park Fare. I figured since we are staying at a monorail resort we might as well take advantage of the restaurants. We love Cinderella and have never gotten our picture with the step mother or sisters.


Thursday 6/19 we will be checking out of Bay Lake and checking into Beach Club!! I am so excited to stay here! Plus a few the of the dance moms are staying here too!! After check in we will head over to Epcot! And have dinner at

Via Napoli- Epcot Pizza Place

This will be a first for us. I have wanted to eat here for such a long time. I can't wait to try the pizza! I LOVE pizza, I could eat it everyday of the year. From the pictures I have seen and the reviews I have read it sounds like I won't be disappointed. Have you ever eaten here? What did you think?

 

[LB1122]

Happy New Year. Looks like you got some great ADR's can not wit to hear the rest of them. We also love Chef Mickey's and have eaten there for both breakfast and dinner now. Loved the seafood pasta this last visit.

We also love 1900 Park.

I look forward to hearing what you think of the train ride...would love to do that someday.

As for other Disney places - on Facebook I like Chip N Dale and Main Street Mouse...I also like Kenny the Pirate (character hunter site) and the Disney Parks Blog...so fun to read about things coming up.

 

[2luvmickey]

I am an ultra Disney planner and my niece will be attending June 29 - July 2 in the Dance the World program.

It will be the first visit for my sister's family (they used to live in CA so many times to DLR). All together, there will be 10 of us in our group.

I have so many questions - will we get Magic Bands, I wish I knew the itinerary so I can get ADR's. My BIL wanted to "wing it" on ADR.

I will be following this thread.

 

[Sydnoahmom]

Just started reading your PT report as I noticed your title of going in June. We are too, but the 8th -15th. Would love to do a mother/daughter trip someday!

You mentioned several posts back about your daughter getting nose bleeds-does she still get them? Our son has been getting them for about 5 years, especially in winter. Our family doctor recommended using a saline nasal spray (he uses AYR-just OTC) and it really helps. Also said he could cauterize the areas, but I know a lot of people who had that done and have to keep doing it. So far so good with the spray.

Love your ADR choices! We got everyone we wanted for our trip, which has never happened before, so it's going to be awesome!

 

[kimiza]

My daughters Dance studio is doing this Columbus Day Weekend.. October 11th 2014.
I have been to Disney multiple times, but first time going with a group like this. Hope to get some great Fundraising ideas! We have Euchre Tournament set up so far.

Disney here we come!

 

[mickeyplanner]

Have a great day!! Keep those fundraising ideas coming! Our goal is have all the classes paid for (3 x $30) the mandatory bus for DTD ($400) and each girls 3 day park hopper ($150). For me I would get that money towards our 8 day ticket.

I still hoping people are reading along, I just found this today.
We are having a meeting with my DDs dance company next week to see if there are enough interested to go to Disney February 2015.
I would love to know any details on the performing arts program.
So the classes are $30 each, what is the mandatory bus for DTD, do you have to get a park hopper. WE are AP holders and was hoping we didn't have to worry about tickets. Any information would be greatly appreciated!!!

 

[jpmom97]

I still hoping people are reading along, I just found this today.
We are having a meeting with my DDs dance company next week to see if there are enough interested to go to Disney February 2015.
I would love to know any details on the performing arts program.
So the classes are $30 each, what is the mandatory bus for DTD, do you have to get a park hopper. WE are AP holders and was hoping we didn't have to worry about tickets. Any information would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks for joining in! I get so busy with work and dance and then when I get home my husband is hogging the computer!

Yes, classes are $30 each. There wasn't enough interest in DD's company to take more but you can do that too. The class is held at Epcot and is being split into 2 times, younger girls first, older girls second. Not sure if that is how Disney wanted it or how the dance director wanted it. Class are at 2 and 4 and are 2 hours long.

All dancers are required to purchase a park ticket and the smallest offered is $138 3 day ticket. So even if you are an AP holder, you still have to purchase the ticket. Just for the dancer though.

The mandatory bus picks up all the dancers and chaperons in one location on property, ours is the hotel that most of the families are staying at. It takes them to the back stage area of DTD. If you're not on that bus, you aren't allowed in that area. So even if you are staying at a different hotel, like we are staying at BCV, I still have to find my way over to the All Stars and get DD on that bus. Then I will hop a bus to DTD or maybe even just drive. That bus has a charge and ours came out to $10 a dancer. We have about 60 girls going.

You get a 10% discount on All Star resorts, I am not sure which one they are staying at, it's either Sports or Music. A block of rooms was held for our company and each family had to call Disney to hold the room. They needed to put some money down I think and total is due in April, 2 months before we arrive. Tickets are also had a great discount so if anyone else is going with your who doesn't have an AP, you could get the tickets for them. You can also purchase meal coupons, breakfast for $11 and dinner for $17 I think? Looked like you can use them at most counter places. Anyone who stays at the All stars under that discount is not allowed to get the meal plan. I think that was kind of a bad deal IMO.

Only the dance director is able to purchase tickets. I wanted to order mine early so I can do the FP+ but I wasn't able to just call and order. We convinced her to do 2 orders so hopefully I will have my tickets before my window opens for the FP.

If there is anything else I can answer for you please let me know. I promise to post more, I still have more restaurants to add!!

 

[mickeyplanner]

You helped me out greatly. I was doubting what I was being told by the studio but you have confirmed everything. I still can't see paying for park tickets if I have APs. That is a great price on the tickets but it would be a waste of money for me.

Does your company have a private bus for the entire trip or just on performance day at DTD? Our studio is now not looking into classes just dancing at DTD. I wish they would do the classes too but doesn't matter for us because we decided to pass on the trip. I don't even know if they have enough girls signed up, the deadline to make a decision is March 10th.

FP+ worked great for our January trip. I sure hope you are able to schedule yours in advance. Our studio was making it sound like we had to pay them directly instead of Disney for the trip.

Please share any more details, information, etc... I love learning about Disney even if we don't got his time with the studio, there will be another year.

Thanks for joining in! I get so busy with work and dance and then when I get home my husband is hogging the computer!

Yes, classes are $30 each. There wasn't enough interest in DD's company to take more but you can do that too. The class is held at Epcot and is being split into 2 times, younger girls first, older girls second. Not sure if that is how Disney wanted it or how the dance director wanted it. Class are at 2 and 4 and are 2 hours long.

All dancers are required to purchase a park ticket and the smallest offered is $138 3 day ticket. So even if you are an AP holder, you still have to purchase the ticket. Just for the dancer though.

The mandatory bus picks up all the dancers and chaperons in one location on property, ours is the hotel that most of the families are staying at. It takes them to the back stage area of DTD. If you're not on that bus, you aren't allowed in that area. So even if you are staying at a different hotel, like we are staying at BCV, I still have to find my way over to the All Stars and get DD on that bus. Then I will hop a bus to DTD or maybe even just drive. That bus has a charge and ours came out to $10 a dancer. We have about 60 girls going.

You get a 10% discount on All Star resorts, I am not sure which one they are staying at, it's either Sports or Music. A block of rooms was held for our company and each family had to call Disney to hold the room. They needed to put some money down I think and total is due in April, 2 months before we arrive. Tickets are also had a great discount so if anyone else is going with your who doesn't have an AP, you could get the tickets for them. You can also purchase meal coupons, breakfast for $11 and dinner for $17 I think? Looked like you can use them at most counter places. Anyone who stays at the All stars under that discount is not allowed to get the meal plan. I think that was kind of a bad deal IMO.

Only the dance director is able to purchase tickets. I wanted to order mine early so I can do the FP+ but I wasn't able to just call and order. We convinced her to do 2 orders so hopefully I will have my tickets before my window opens for the FP.

If there is anything else I can answer for you please let me know. I promise to post more, I still have more restaurants to add!!

 

[jpmom97]

For us, everyone is responsible for getting to Florida on their own and once there the only time the dance company is taking responsibility for kids is at the classes and on the bus to and at show. The director isn't even going to meet any girl outside the gate at Epcot for parents who only buy the ticket for the child. A lot of parents aren't even doing Disney or if they are, they are only buying that 3 day ticket and now using it that day.

Only the dancer needs to purchase the ticket so you could still use your AP's. I guess you look at it like the class is really $168 if you purchase that minimum 3 day ticket. But if you are just dancing at DTD, I don't think it costs anything but that bus.

Next time our girls go, I would love for them to be in a parade or something and perform. I just wish the director chose a cooler, less crowded time of year.

If I can help you with anything else let me know

I am going to order my military ticket today (hopefully! been calling but no one there ) and then hopefully we will get those tickets from the studio before my time to schedule FP. Everyone is laughing at my craziness BUT they will be the ones laughing come June when I can ride Toy Story and they can't LOL!

 

[jpmom97]

So sorry it's been so long since I updated! 106 days until we leave!!!!! I can't wait! I paid for all the tickets to the next big expense are the meal plans. I have to purchase 2 because we are staying in 2 different hotels. In 2 weeks I will pay those off and then the only things I have to save for are BBB, tips for the restaurants, our day visiting Winter and spending money!!! I will be relieved when everything is paid for. I have no extra money in my paycheck because after my bills are paid, it all goes to savings.

Anyway, back to the food!

On our first Friday at WDW we will be visiting Animal Kingdom during the day and then we will go back to the hotel and swim. For dinner we will eat in which ever park we go to at night. AK for us isn't a full day park. DD and I don't ride rollercoasters and she also doesn't like Kali River Rapids so our priorities will be the safari, Dinosaur and the tree. I keep telling her we have to be brave and ride EE but we're both big scaredy cats. BTMRR is as crazy as we get.
So, we will be eating lunch here


We tried here for lunch on our last trip and really enjoyed it.

 

[mickeyplanner]

Sounds like your dance teacher is much more laid back than my DD's.

I must have missed reading along somewhere about you going to visit Winter. DD has always wanted to do that.

I am still reading along and can't wait to hear about your trip. You are right about getting FP+ for Toy Story and Enchanted Tales with Belle, if you are interested in that. We found those the two for top priority during our January 2014 trip.

 

[jpmom97]

Sounds like your dance teacher is much more laid back than my DD's.

I must have missed reading along somewhere about you going to visit Winter. DD has always wanted to do that.

I am still reading along and can't wait to hear about your trip. You are right about getting FP+ for Toy Story and Enchanted Tales with Belle, if you are interested in that. We found those the two for top priority during our January 2014 trip.

Those are for sure priority for us! Along with Elsa and Ana now that they will be in Fairytale Hall.

My DD's dance teacher is very laid back (sometimes to a fault) but she is a wonderful person and teacher. My daughter has advanced so much under her wing.

So I ordered the military ticket and linked it to MDE and it linked no problems. I tried to link my dining ressies but was having a problem so I called and they fixed it for me. The teacher ordered the dance tickets on Sunday so hopefully will have those soon AND I just paid for our meal plan so I really feel like we are in the home stretch. 94 days to go. Just have to purchase the Memory Maker next pay, save for tips ($200) save for Winter ($200) BBB ($120) spending money and extra snack money (because 1 a day is never enough! LOL) I also need a Grey Goose Slushie. I'm not a drinker but I LOVE those!!

 

[jpmom97]

Woo hoo! I paid for the dining plan!!

I admit I was making myself a bit sick watching my savings account go down to nearly nothing but that's why I save right? I thought I could swing the Memory Maker this pay check but I will have to wait until the next one.

Last night at dance I found out that our tickets won't be here for another 2 weeks because the teacher didn't realize to place 2 orders she also had to pay for half of the dance classes. Not sure if Disney let it slide or she payed but our tickets will be here before our FP+ reservation time.

I'm also wondering if I should change my 1900 Park Fare late breakfast to a later time somewhere else on the day we arrive. Train is supposed to get there at 9:30 and I was going to pay extra to be one of the first cars off. Our ADR is at 11:00. My friend takes the train everytime she goes and she said the train is usually early and I shouldn't have a problem but I'm not sure what to do.

Other than that I have no vacation update but it's only 93 days away!!!:

 

[mickeyplanner]

Those are for sure priority for us! Along with Elsa and Ana now that they will be in Fairytale Hall.

QUOTE]

Good luck with Elsa and Anna, I am having problems getting them for our May trip.

 

[jpmom97]

Those are for sure priority for us! Along with Elsa and Ana now that they will be in Fairytale Hall.

QUOTE]

Good luck with Elsa and Anna, I am having problems getting them for our May trip.

Uh oh, what kind of problems? I wish they would have kept them in Norway because I like when the characters are in their countries of origin. I don't see why Disney couldn't keep them there and then add them to MK too. I mean other princesses can be found in both places. Just my opinion though.

So I got my other set of tickets last night and linked them right away to MDE. Now just to wait for my window to open up to reserve everything. I will probably stress over this LOL but that's the fun of it right?

I did cancel my 1900 Park Fare ADR that I had on our arrival day to Fl. My dad is going to meet me at the train station so I thought we could do lunch at a place near him in Winter Haven.

I have to say time is moving really fast and then again it feels like it's still forever until our vacation! DD's dance company's recital is tomorrow and she is a bunch of performances in the next few weeks. I will post pictures tomorrow night.

I also have sad news about my VW Beetle . My husband won't have it ready by the time we leave. It's running but it needs new tires, brakes and it needs to have an enhanced inspection since it is an R title. I'm sad but DH is buying me a different car:

Mine is green but it's so cute!! Not sure if it will be too hot to take the top down but I'm so excited!!

 

[DizGurl4]

Dance the World is the name of the organization that arranges for the girls to dance in the Parade and Hollywood studios. They book our rooms and Park Hoppers. We book our own flights (from Minnesota). My question is has any one booked through a group like this before and how if I didn't make my own reservation do I book ADR's etc?

thx!

My two daughters are dancing at the same time June 29th-July 2nd through Dance The World! We are all so excited! Not sure if you have your answer yet but we booked our own ADRs and on April 28th we can do our FastPass + reservations! Hope this helps! Enjoy your trip :