Disney Dollars, Deals, and Delights - A PTR - Update 5/9 - We're Here! - GKTW update

[hurleysweety]

we hardly ever use stuff like Pepto or tylenol, but on vacation we tend to not eat that great... resulting in the need for some pepto! lol
I read in someone else's ptr that his little girl had an allergic reaction last time they were at wdw and they couldn't find children's benedyrl anywhere, ended up getting the ok from their dr. over the phone to 1/2 an adult's pill. So I've added that to my packing list! So much to think about... that's why I've already started packing for my trip on the 31st

Oooh...31st is a wonderful day (our three year anniversary!!!). Thats around the time we usually are in WDW or DLR. Feels weird to go so early this year!

Anyway, I'm the same way with all those meds. I hardly ever take anything - but between flying, weird hours, rich food...it can catch up to you sometimes. And in WDW, meds like that can be the difference between a great long day, and a short miserable day.

 

[hurleysweety]

I feel so good right now.

I've been debating against using Emarald Aisle with National, or using Alamo.

After watching my earliest reservation with Alamo come in around $270 for a mid size, I'm proud to say that for 10 days, we'll be driving a full size for $135 total! (For anyone looking for cars in May, the midsize was only $118, and the compact was $106!)

National came down to $156 for Emarald Aisle. And as awesome and great as that sounds, DH and I like the peace of mind that we've rented from Alamo before, and we'll get a full size car. Last time we had a Toyota Camery, plus two extra adults, and fit a scooter in the trunk (without luggage, of course)! Since its DH's birthday, and he wants to do Alamo and be guaranteed a full size, we will.

Also, we will go to the counter and talk to someone, because I would like to remind them that it is in fact DH's birthday that day, and maybe do they possibly have something a little bit extra special for us??

 

[blessedmom4]

Is your ticker correct??? Just


WOW!!! I can hardly believe it! Hoping you get some Pixie Dust for an extra special upgrade at the Car Rental Place! I am LOVING all of the great deals youare getitng. I am so for you!!! I can't wait to hear all about it, have an INCREDIBLE time!!!!

 

[TeresaG]

Yay for good car news!

And good job on the savings. I always pack my entire medicine cabinet when traveling too. Ever since my son got an unexplained fever (at Disney no less!) I've made sure to bring everything under the sun for every ailment possible.

 

[hurleysweety]

Is your ticker correct??? Just
***It made me delete your graphics since I had a whopping 36 images in this post*** But they were so pretty!

WOW!!! I can hardly believe it! Hoping you get some Pixie Dust for an extra special upgrade at the Car Rental Place! I am LOVING all of the great deals youare getitng. I am so for you!!! I can't wait to hear all about it, have an INCREDIBLE time!!!!

THREE MORE SLEEPS! (Thats what we greet each other with in the morning. How many more times do we have to sleep in this bed before we get to go to DISNEY!??).

Also, today, both DH and I left our lunches at home. His was left in the fridge, mine on the counter. At least he can eat his tomorrow. DH says we have "Disney-itus" and thats why we forgot them. He's been saying "lets go to Disney, NOW!" for like a week. I keep telling him, "We can't yet, I still have planning to do!" and its true! I am STILL changing our plans. Its like I forgot stuff or something, but I'm moving so much around!

So happy for the car rental! Thanks for the pixie dust! Its definitely a "finally, my work has paid off" type of moment!

Yay for good car news!

And good job on the savings. I always pack my entire medicine cabinet when traveling too. Ever since my son got an unexplained fever (at Disney no less!) I've made sure to bring everything under the sun for every ailment possible.

Thanks! I lloooooove saving money. I've recently become a "couponer" and have cut our drugstore/grocery spending in half. I tracked the entire month of April and saved an overall average of 49%. But don't get me started on the topic...I could talk about it for hours.

Its a sense of security to have the meds with you. I eat very healthy, except on vacation and between stress all my right now, and flying on Friday, they'll unfortunately come in handy! My nerves go straight to my stomach.

 

[hurleysweety]

4 things worth the splurge on a Disney Vacation

1. Nonstop flight (Did it once without, never again. Instead I'll check prices weekly, no matter how not fun it is. )
2. Room upgrades/resort changes for space
3. Park Hoppers (We'll be upgrading to APs, so for AP people, I would change this to "TiW Card" -- I see Park Hoppers not being something we get when we have a family, thats a lot of money for a family of 4! I guess I'll be figuring out plans more carefully then )
4. Rental Car

OMGOODNESS! We leave on FRIDAY!



(oh, and yes, I realize I forgot to post this yesterday, whoops!)

 

[hurleysweety]

Okay...I'm running out of ideas as I get closer to my trip...so what "3 Things" should I list for today??? I'm open to anything!

 

[sahm2two]

Okay...I'm running out of ideas as I get closer to my trip...so what "3 Things" should I list for today??? I'm open to anything!

Characters you want pictures with, ADR your most excited about, or maybe snacks you're looking forward to?

I can't remember what other countdowns you've had, sorry if these are repeats!

 

[hurleysweety]

3 ADRs I'm most looking forward to:

(Note: I just completely changed our ADR plans. No, I'm serious. I wasn't very happy with some, which caused me to lose one ADR that I was looking forward to, and now hoping for a walk-up...Mama Melrose on a HS EMH night).

• DH's Birthday Dinner at the Wave
• Saana (I loooove trying out new food and decided that this is the place to do that!)
• Kona Cafe Lunch - I've heard more about this place and cannot wait to jump on the bandwagon!

Everywhere we're eating TS is brand new to us.

 

[Becc1]

3 ADRs I'm most looking forward to:

(Note: I just completely changed our ADR plans. No, I'm serious. I wasn't very happy with some, which caused me to lose one ADR that I was looking forward to, and now hoping for a walk-up...Mama Melrose on a HS EMH night).

• DH's Birthday Dinner at the Wave
• Saana (I loooove trying out new food and decided that this is the place to do that!)
• Kona Cafe Lunch - I've heard more about this place and cannot wait to jump on the bandwagon!

Everywhere we're eating TS is brand new to us.

Good for you for trying out new places! Every trip I try to add a couple of new TS to our ADRs but with the kids it's easy to stick with what you know they'll like. Maybe someday DH and I will get an adults only trip and we'll get to venture out a bit more!

2 More Days

 

[hurleysweety]

Good for you for trying out new places! Every trip I try to add a couple of new TS to our ADRs but with the kids it's easy to stick with what you know they'll like. Maybe someday DH and I will get an adults only trip and we'll get to venture out a bit more!

2 More Days

Well...we're re-visiting some CS places. DH loves Staring Rolls, and Earl of Sandwich (which we're eating on his birthday now, perfect fit). And we're also stopping by Sunshine Seasons as well, since there are so many options.

Funny that you stick with what you know they'll like, I feel like that with my in-laws. For our October trip, I asked them where they wanted to eat, and they mentioned like 5 places we've already been (of course, the most expensive, nicest ones, like Tutto Italia, Le Cellier and Coral Reef!). We were on the DDP last time, so it made sense then, but I feel bad tellling them we can't go back. I love them lots, so its a good family thing to do together. DFIL loves just being with us, MIL loves that all she has to do is show up. Also DMIL's favorite part of the trip, I think, was the raspberry smoothie she had with dinner at Le Cellier.

 

[hurleysweety]

If I win the lottery, I'm buying each of you ladies one of these:

 

[Lidian]

If I win the lottery, I'm buying each of you ladies one of these:

Hope you win the lottery!

And I am soo jealous of your ticker!!! If I don't get to say it before you go, have a SAFE and MAGICAL trip!!!!! Can't wait to hear all about your trip!!!!!!!!!

 

[hurleysweety]

I feel like my ticker is a very mean liar...I leave in 2 days...

I must have put the date in wrong? LOL...

 

[Corrine 1973]

How exciting that you are leaving in TWO days. I hope you guys have a great time and have lots of fun volunteering at GKTW. I can't wait to here all your stories from there.

I'll be busy with doctor appointments and the Zoo for the next couple of days, so I wanted to wish you a great trip and I can't wait to read your TR when you get home. It will get me extra excited when we go at the end of the month.

 

[hurleysweety]

How exciting that you are leaving in TWO days. I hope you guys have a great time and have lots of fun volunteering at GKTW. I can't wait to here all your stories from there.

I'll be busy with doctor appointments and the Zoo for the next couple of days, so I wanted to wish you a great trip and I can't wait to read your TR when you get home. It will get me extra excited when we go at the end of the month.

Aww, thanks so much for stopping by and wishing us a great trip. Before you know it, I'll be doing the same to you!

I'm a bit anxious about GKTW as the date draws closer...hoping that it lives up to all the expectations, and also that DH and I can fulfill our responsibilities there. I know we'll have some wonderful stories to share, and it will be a humbling experience for sure. Really looking forward to saying "YES! you can do that!" especially, "YES, I can give you some ice cream on this hot day!"

 

[hurleysweety]

2 things I still changed today...

I think I need help, like anonymous indecisive group therapy or something...

• Added a signature restaurant (per *GASP* DH's request!)
• Added a water park itinerary to my plans! (Typhooooon lagoooon!)

How am I supposed to accomplish anything in the next day and a half????! I feel like I have Disney nerves and excitement running through my veins. Sleeping has become...difficult.

 

[Lidian]

Aww, thanks so much for stopping by and wishing us a great trip. Before you know it, I'll be doing the same to you!

I'm a bit anxious about GKTW as the date draws closer...hoping that it lives up to all the expectations, and also that DH and I can fulfill our responsibilities there. I know we'll have some wonderful stories to share, and it will be a humbling experience for sure. Really looking forward to saying "YES! you can do that!" especially, "YES, I can give you some ice cream on this hot day!"

2 things I still changed today...

I think I need help, like anonymous indecisive group therapy or something...

• Added a signature restaurant (per *GASP* DH's request!)
• Added a water park itinerary to my plans! (Typhooooon lagoooon!)

How am I supposed to accomplish anything in the next day and a half????! I feel like I have Disney nerves and excitement running through my veins. Sleeping has become...difficult.

I am confident that GKTW will meet all of your expectations and then some! How amazing is it to help these adorable kids?!?!?! If nothing else, you and your DH go down in my books as amazing people for giving up time on your vacation to help these kids, and give them ice cream on a hot day!

I'd love to hear which restaurant you added! Have you been to TL before? I loved both of the WPs and I'm not sure I could deem one better than the other. Can't wait to read your TR! I'm sooo excited for you!!!!!

I'm hoping you get some rest - which is more than hard when you're looking forward to being at the most magical place on Earth!!

And again, have a SAFE and MAGICAL vacation and I'll be anxiously waiting for you to let us know where your TR is so I can jump on board and read all about it!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Have a safe and trip! Kuddos on adding TL! TL and BB are 2 of our favorite parts about WDW, especially since they'll never be a waterpark like them here in So Cal. (Soak City was such a disappointment!).

My DSis and her DH are leaving on Saturday for their trip (his first, her second). I'm excited from them but of course I wish I was going too!

 

[hurleysweety]

Have a safe and trip! Kuddos on adding TL! TL and BB are 2 of our favorite parts about WDW, especially since they'll never be a waterpark like them here in So Cal. (Soak City was such a disappointment!).

My DSis and her DH are leaving on Saturday for their trip (his first, her second). I'm excited from them but of course I wish I was going too!

Thanks for the trip wishes!

When we were little, my parents loved BB so much, that I think we went their everyday on our one and only trip down there (that we won through McDonalds!!!). We'd go to a park early in the morning, and then around 2 or 3, my dad would say, "We can stay for the parade, or we can go to Blizzard Beach!" and my mom and sister would always say the waterpark (my sister used to be a fish when she was little, haha). I think a couple times I was disappointed to not see the parade, but the afternoons at those waterparks were awesome. My dad still talks about Summit Plummit. My DH is convinced my parents only want to go back someday because of BB, and not the theme parks...

I am confident that GKTW will meet all of your expectations and then some! How amazing is it to help these adorable kids?!?!?! If nothing else, you and your DH go down in my books as amazing people for giving up time on your vacation to help these kids, and give them ice cream on a hot day!

Thanks so much - I'm so excited for next Monday!

I'd love to hear which restaurant you added! Have you been to TL before? I loved both of the WPs and I'm not sure I could deem one better than the other. Can't wait to read your TR! I'm sooo excited for you!!!!!

And the restaurant is.....

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HOLLYWOOD BROWN DERBY - which is kinda ironic, because its one of the only signature restaurants I remember eating at as a kid (I think we ate at Aerial's Grotto three times as well, which has since been turned into a banquet hall or something). I believe my mom says we went to HBD three times too! It was because we had these crazy vouchers that pretty much let us order whatever food we wanted, whenever we wanted it. We're a steak family. The fact that my dad could have steak dinner...for lunch and dinner - well, he was in heaven!

I'm hoping you get some rest - which is more than hard when you're looking forward to being at the most magical place on Earth!!

And again, have a SAFE and MAGICAL vacation and I'll be anxiously waiting for you to let us know where your TR is so I can jump on board and read all about it!

I actually slept really well last night. We were babysitting my Dsis's dog and he ended up sleeping on the bed and whadya know? I slept like a baby from around 2-7:30 - thats good all things considered!

Also, I have been to TL, just not with DH. Back on our honeymoon, we went to BB because my family preferred that on our trip there in the 90s (see above response). But it was crowded when we went, I think we were there for maybe 1 1/2 hrs, and it was hot and just not like we expected. So DH said since we can, we might as well go visit the other waterpark, so TL got added to the plans! We'll see how it exactly fits in...I have a whole lot of Plan B, make that...Plan C, B, D, all mentally up in my head on top of the now locked down schedule that I promised myself I wouldn't touch again until we land in Orlando. (Or I'm gonna drive myself nuts. Excel...you are my current nemesis...)