DIS Dads DDC XXVII: Penguins in Paradise!

[afwdwfan]

So... looking at WDW crowd calendars and I notice that UT and TP have conflicting information for a few days of our April trip. Which crowd calendar would you put more stock into?

Personally, I only use these as a guide when we go. Crowd levels at the end of April (during the week) are pretty low anyway, so any park is avaliable for my scheduling. I was just curious if anyone has seen one crowd calendar more accurate then another.

I tend to lean towards TP. They use more historic stats and mathematic research to come up with their estimates. If it is anything like what I've seen on our "slower" times in December the past couple of years though, you can expect their estimates to change as the time approaches.

 

[brettcw23]

One thing you have to remember though is that there are only so many pro skaters and they have to try and keep the troop small, which is why so many of them actually skate several different roles. While it may be disappointing, it is what it is.

Matt

No doubt. I realized how many roles each of the skaters was doing b\c we were close enough to see their faces.

Now Pocohontas with blonde eye browse is just wrong!

 

[IamTrike]

Morning guys. Hope everyone is doing well.

I just saw the last few minutes of the ISU/KU game so I have no idea how bad the officiating was.

Since we're on the topic of ADR's, I've got a question I'd like to ask the group. I'd like to kick off the kid's first day at WDW with breakfast at Chef Mickey's. I'm thinking I'd have to make the reservation for 7am to make RD. DW and my mother think I'm nuts to get the kids up that early and to do that much first thing. What do you guys think? Am I doing too much or is it doable? Also, how hard would it be to get to and from Contemporary that time of day?

Thanks for the input.

I think someone else mentioned it, but your best bet is to try and Park at CR. Although they may make you move your car right after breakfast. It's definitely do-able, but our family would probably do a CP breakfast at that time. Start the trip in the MK before Rope Drop.

Thanks for the input. I think we'll push back to 7:30. We're also staying off property first so we'd have to drive. Would we be able to park at the MK lot and use the monorail to get back and forth?

That's probably a good call I don't think the monorail starts running till 7:00 so even if you got the first one I don't think you'd make it to CM until 7:15 or so. The resort monorail will stop at Poly, GF and MK before you get to the contemporary.

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

Happy Friday guys

Hoping for positive news today

Good luck!

:

And they'll take it home and mix it with coke.

No, they were telling me of this one customer who keeps his bar VERY well stocked, would never do that. Like I said, there is some serious money players here.

 

[wasnotafan]

Morning guys. Funny how that keeps happening every day. Here is hoping everyone's day is a winner.

 

[Emma's Dad]

THIS could explain why Taco Bell tasted so good yesterday! (Although I did NOT eat in the UK yesterday)

 

[mm1971]

Woo-Hoo. Went on the Southwest site this morning to check our flights and rebooked with a savings of $284. Yup, it's a credit and not actual cash, but now I have to travel again before the credit expires.

Now if only Disney would send over a room discount or deal.

Good Friday Morning Dad's.

 

[baseballmickey]

Went to Disney on Ice tonight.

It was really cool. We were 2nd row from the ice at center ice.
I haven't looked at my phone to see how good the pictures came out but I'll post if they are good.

One thing that I was bummed about is that the skater who was Jasmine was not ethnically correct. The skater could have played Mulan. My eldest daughter noticed it right away, too.

It was a really good show and the family all got to hang together.
Then came home and have been on a work call for almost 3 hours now.

I always wanted to get closer seats to one of these shows. This makes me think I should appreciate the cheap seats I usually get.

 

[baseballmickey]

Woo-Hoo. Went on the Southwest site this morning to check our flights and rebooked with a savings of $284. Yup, it's a credit and not actual cash, but now I have to travel again before the credit expires.

Now if only Disney would send over a room discount or deal.

Good Friday Morning Dad's.

A credit is better than nothing, i suppose. Congrats on the deal.

 

[brettcw23]

Woo-Hoo. Went on the Southwest site this morning to check our flights and rebooked with a savings of $284. Yup, it's a credit and not actual cash, but now I have to travel again before the credit expires.

Now if only Disney would send over a room discount or deal.

Good Friday Morning Dad's.

Awesome. Last year it costed me an extra $100 b\c we were trying to book with the sis-in-law's family and we had to wait them. Then they didn't even go. We normally fly Airtran (now part of SSW) but we flew SW last November and it was an excellent experience.

 

[mm1971]

Work is interesting... It's an incredibly stressful situation; but the right career move. Having a tough time with it now, but I know it's the right move for the future and to support the family. Sarah gets to stay home with the kids, so that's the important thing.

Yup. That's the important thing when the kids are young. Need to make sure family comes first. Leslie has been at home since DD was born. At this point I'm thinking getting her back to work isn't happening, ever. Kind of why I stay where I am. The flexibility allows me to coach them, take time off when needed and spend the time with them while they still want to. Bonus is our year end is June 30. I lose out on July 4th as I am working 70 hours a week in July, but gain the Christmas and New Years holiday time.

I would think once you get through that learning curve and things get settled the stress will lighten. As Dory says....Just keep swimming.

Busy for sure, lots of people out sick, we were understaffed. It is the top sales store in the district. Biggest single sale was around $938, on just a mix of stuff, beer, spirits and wine.

Not sure I've ever spent that much at one time. I'd like to try it some time. I'm thinking I would need a week off from work to make sure I drank it all before it spoils. Glad the new store is working out.

Looks like a good itinerary!


I got a cup cake every meal, I swear. Enjoy the multitude of salutations that you'll get from the CM's.

Thanks. I'm sure a couple of things may change a little between now and when we go. Definitely keeping our first EPCOT day and will be planning to meet Brent and his family at some point.

Cupcakes sound good! When I called yesterday to let them know, the CM giggled when I said.....Nope, nothing else. Just wanted to tell you it would be my birthday.

 

[baseballmickey]

Happy Friday guys

Hoping for positive news today

I hope you hear some too! Though not sure what for. Working my way backwards through the thread this morning.

 

[cj9200]

Happy Friday guys

Hoping for positive news today

Same to you along with everyone else. Good luck on hearing good news.

 

[mm1971]

Happy Friday guys

Hoping for positive news today

Good luck! Continued prayers.

So... looking at WDW crowd calendars and I notice that UT and TP have conflicting information for a few days of our April trip. Which crowd calendar would you put more stock into?

Personally, I only use these as a guide when we go. Crowd levels at the end of April (during the week) are pretty low anyway, so any park is avaliable for my scheduling. I was just curious if anyone has seen one crowd calendar more accurate then another.

We usually go with UT, but it may change as it get's closer. I know it has been difficult to predict the crowds for the last year with the NFL and the International visitors. I figure UT has a good idea from the ticket sales trends and current info. We do look at both though.

 

[mm1971]

Awesome. Last year it costed me an extra $100 b\c we were trying to book with the sis-in-law's family and we had to wait them. Then they didn't even go. We normally fly Airtran (now part of SSW) but we flew SW last November and it was an excellent experience.

We usually fly Southwest out of Manchester, NH because it is less expensive than Logan and AirTran. We flew down to MCO AirTrain last May and definitely had a good experience. We thought there was more room and better seats. But it would cost more for the flights, parking, etc... I also have the points for SW.

Same to you along with everyone else. Good luck on hearing good news.

Hey CJ, How the weather down there? It's a balmy 42 degrees and cloudy here today. How far time was are you from Disney? I know Miami is quite a drive from what I am told.

 

[wasnotafan]

Yup. That's the important thing when the kids are young. Need to make sure family comes first. Leslie has been at home since DD was born. At this point I'm thinking getting her back to work isn't happening, ever. Kind of why I stay where I am. The flexibility allows me to coach them, take time off when needed and spend the time with them while they still want to. ...

Pretty much my story. SWMBO homeschools so we have schedule flexibility, just not the $$$ to do much with the time.

I'm older than most Dads on here so listen to your elders and when given the option between time and money, take time (both if you can get it, though)!

 

[Emma's Dad]

Woo-Hoo. Went on the Southwest site this morning to check our flights and rebooked with a savings of $284. Yup, it's a credit and not actual cash, but now I have to travel again before the credit expires.

Now if only Disney would send over a room discount or deal.

Good Friday Morning Dad's.

Sweet! Nothing like a little airfare pixxie dust on a Friday!

Awesome. Last year it costed me an extra $100 b\c we were trying to book with the sis-in-law's family and we had to wait them. Then they didn't even go. We normally fly Airtran (now part of SSW) but we flew SW last November and it was an excellent experience.

We only fly SW now. Been using them for 6 years now and have always had good service. 2 hours non-stop also helps

We usually go with UT, but it may change as it get's closer. I know it has been difficult to predict the crowds for the last year with the NFL and the International visitors. I figure UT has a good idea from the ticket sales trends and current info. We do look at both though.

I figure they will change a little once we get closer. The biggest discrepancy I see between the two is on 4/26 (Friday). TP has it at level 4 with EP as the best park and MK to avoid. UT is a 6 with best parks MK & AK, avoiding EP. I might just make that a resort day

 

[BigTikiDaddy]

Woo-Hoo. Went on the Southwest site this morning to check our flights and rebooked with a savings of $284. Yup, it's a credit and not actual cash, but now I have to travel again before the credit expires.

Now if only Disney would send over a room discount or deal.

Good Friday Morning Dad's.

Yeah, waiting for that deal too..

 

[RodBelding]

Woo-Hoo. Went on the Southwest site this morning to check our flights and rebooked with a savings of $284. Yup, it's a credit and not actual cash, but now I have to travel again before the credit expires.

Now if only Disney would send over a room discount or deal.

Good Friday Morning Dad's.

Nice! I would be willing to bet a room discount will come at some point, you still have a few months...

Yup. That's the important thing when the kids are young. Need to make sure family comes first. Leslie has been at home since DD was born. At this point I'm thinking getting her back to work isn't happening, ever. Kind of why I stay where I am. The flexibility allows me to coach them, take time off when needed and spend the time with them while they still want to. Bonus is our year end is June 30. I lose out on July 4th as I am working 70 hours a week in July, but gain the Christmas and New Years holiday time.

I would think once you get through that learning curve and things get settled the stress will lighten. As Dory says....Just keep swimming.

Thanks. I agree.

Pretty much my story. SWMBO homeschools so we have schedule flexibility, just not the $$$ to do much with the time.

I'm older than most Dads on here so listen to your elders and when given the option between time and money, take time (both if you can get it, though)!

Appreciate the advice, and I am one who listens and respects their elders.


Unless that elder is Randall.

 

[brettcw23]

Sweet! Nothing like a little airfare pixxie dust on a Friday!



We only fly SW now. Been using them for 6 years now and have always had good service. 2 hours non-stop also helps



I figure they will change a little once we get closer. The biggest discrepancy I see between the two is on 4/26 (Friday). TP has it at level 4 with EP as the best park and MK to avoid. UT is a 6 with best parks MK & AK, avoiding EP. I might just make that a resort day

We only have airtran and sw as direct flight options from PIT to MCO. We've been pretty fortunate with our flights regarding time, cost and convenience. I do really like the 'bags fly free' part of SW. It's pretty much a 2 hr flight for us too. I give my girls my tablet, loaded with some movies and split headphones and it's a quick flight for all of us