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

[hurleysweety]

I'm not going to say how much I paid for this, because I'm so embarrassed that I couldn't wait for hotwire (couldn't even get a 3 1/2 star to show up...for the last 5 months now). But for peace of mind, and knowing we'll have super easy access to a bed after our long travel day, this picture is worth a thousand, convenience-filled, words.

And can I get a "WOOT-WOOT" - We're 44 days away!!!!


Oh, and can I also add how excited DH is to stay here...you'd think it was like the Poly or something...LOL!

 

[DisneyCrafter]

Um, wow! You sound JUST like me! I plan and price vacations that we also never take! It's so much fun to plan!

We also have a hard time going somewhere other than Disney. There are plenty of places we'd like to travel to but we KNOW we have fun in Disney, so it just keeps winning over!

When in October are you going? Our potential dates are September 29/30-October 9/10.

 

[hurleysweety]

Um, wow! You sound JUST like me! I plan and price vacations that we also never take! It's so much fun to plan!

We also have a hard time going somewhere other than Disney. There are plenty of places we'd like to travel to but we KNOW we have fun in Disney, so it just keeps winning over!

When in October are you going? Our potential dates are September 29/30-October 9/10.

Oh I love meeting people who plan and price vacations that they'll never take. Whenever I look through a notebook in our house, chances are, scribbled on some page in it is something like, "AKL, Savannah View, +10PH, no dining,..." followed by lots of math and then some obscure date that is usually a good year or so in the past. I always chuckle to myself - "mmm, yes, that was a fun trip..." And then I pretend that I "saved" that money!

Thanks for reading along too!

Oh...no we're going the end of October. I think...16-23? We booked in the first week of January or something crazy like that. But it wasn't really up to me, since I'm not the one with the timeshare! It'll be our first time doing Food and Wine in WDW! I can't remember now, have you guys been during the F&W festival before?

 

[hurleysweety]

We're in the 30s! 39 DAYS AWAY! So I thought I'd make a to-do list for myself.

- Buy poster board and make countdown calendar!!
- Design and print planning binder
- Order rewards card
- Plan DH's birthday surprise
- Finalize all dining plans (ya...I know, I've been lazy about this...)
- Make touring plans/day-to-day schedules (updating last year's, mostly)
- Track daily show entertainment times, for shows like American Idol and Lights motor action (can't do this til the week we leave)
- Make packing list
- Get photopass stuff squared away
- Print all confirmations for hotels/cars/plane
- Figure out when/where/how we're going to update our APs
- Buy clothes (this should not be a problem)
- Purchase/refill travel toiletries as needed
- Have my touring plans OK'd by the touring experts at TourGuideMike (they have a whole thread devoted to reviewing plans - its excellent!)
- Make preliminary ADRs for our October trip...LOL!

Only one more day of spring training and then an end of year party and life goes back to normal!

 

[AKL LOVER]

We're in the 30s! 39 DAYS AWAY! So I thought I'd make a to-do list for myself.

- Buy poster board and make countdown calendar!!
- Design and print planning binder
- Order rewards card
- Plan DH's birthday surprise
- Finalize all dining plans (ya...I know, I've been lazy about this...)
- Make touring plans/day-to-day schedules (updating last year's, mostly)
- Track daily show entertainment times, for shows like American Idol and Lights motor action (can't do this til the week we leave)
- Make packing list
- Get photopass stuff squared away
- Print all confirmations for hotels/cars/plane
- Figure out when/where/how we're going to update our APs
- Buy clothes (this should not be a problem)
- Purchase/refill travel toiletries as needed
- Have my touring plans OK'd by the touring experts at TourGuideMike (they have a whole thread devoted to reviewing plans - its excellent!)
- Make preliminary ADRs for our October trip...LOL!

Only one more day of spring training and then an end of year party and life goes back to normal!

Yay for being in the 30's!! And you've got yourself a great to-do list too. By the way, since you've hit the 30's you should be getting your Mickey Mail soon...

 

[hurleysweety]

Yay for being in the 30's!! And you've got yourself a great to-do list too. By the way, since you've hit the 30's you should be getting your Mickey Mail soon...

I know! I can't wait for Mickey Mail. We're crossing our fingers that it finds its way to our house and not to my in-laws in Colorado - meaning they have all our info correct!

If I'm renting points for the second part of our stay, will I get mickey mail for that as well?

 

[hurleysweety]

Every once and awhile, I research a subject so carefully, that I feel like I should share my insights with others. So here you go - everything you ever wanted to know about Tables in Wonderland (TIW) and probably more! I don't claim to be a know-it-all expert - so please feel free to let me know where I have incorrect information! I've collected the information below from lots of research and googling!

What is TIW?
- TIW is a discount card that allows you 20% off food and drink at almost all table service and a few select counter service places in WDW.

What restrictions does the card have?
- You must be 21 or older and live in Florida or have an annual pass to purchase the card. Also, with any purchase, an 18% gratuity will automatically be added. TIW is not a ticket into the theme parks; to dine in a theme park restaurant, you must have a ticket. Blackout dates include major holidays: Mother's Day, Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day. You can also not use the TIW card with any other discount/package such as F! dinner package, food and wine festival, AP discount, etc.


What else should I know about using TIW?
(From allears.net)
"

• -- Discount applies to member's check only.
  
• -- You cannot use multiple cards for one check. (if you have a party larger than 10)
  
• -- Member must be present to receive discount.
  
• -- Card must be presented when ordering.
  
• -- Complimentary parking:
  
  
  -- Theme Park: after 5 p.m. daily, show membership card at Guest Relations. You'll have to pay parking at the toll booth, then after dining, present receipt and parking ticket at Guest Relations for a refund.​
  
  
  -- Walt Disney World Resorts - when dining at a Walt Disney World resort, valet parking is complimentary. After dining, present a dining receipt at the valet stand.​
• -- Exclusive invitations to special dining events. (These can be very $$$)

What are these $$$ events that you speak of?
- The most recent event was Feb 25. Here is copy from the disneyworld.com website regarding the event:

From time to time, Tables in Wonderland hosts fabulous dinners, and the next one is Feb. 25 at The Wave at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, celebrating the Sunshine State’s local bounty of fruits and veggies. Imagine heirloom tomatoes from Myakka, strawberries from Plant City, tiny opal basil and arugula from Odessa, Florida Gulf coast spiny lobster…all turned into delicious creations in the kitchen of Chef Frank Brough. And dinner guests get to meet farmers Mike and Sandy Lott who grow their delicious strawberries near Plant City. Wine will be paired with each of the four courses by sommelier Jim Killam of Vineyard Brands.

Dinner starts at 7 p.m. Cost is $92 per guest. For reservations, send an e-mail to wdw.tables.in.wonderland@disney.com and tell them your name, phone, address and how many guests. The event is limited to 50 diners.​

How much does the card cost?
- $100/pp if you are a Florida resident. If you are an AP holder, you receive a discount and the card costs $75. You can also purchase a second card for your spouse for $50.

What restaurants are included?
- Get a list of participating restaurants for TIW 2011 here.

Ok, I'm sold, where can I buy a TIW card?
- If you are a Florida resident, go here to download an application: click here. If you are an AP holder, click here for your application (you must login under your AP account to access this site). Please note that these mailed or faxed applications will have a waiting period of 2-3 weeks before you recieve the card. You can also call (407) 566-5858† (Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. EST) for more information or to purchase or renew your membership. If you are like me, and for whatever reason will not have an AP until you arrive, you can purchase the card in WDW by visiting Guest Relations at any of the following locations: Epcot®, Magic Kingdom® Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, Disney's Hollywood Studios™ or Downtown Disney® at the Walt Disney World® Resort.

What if I lose my card?
- For lost or stolen Tables in Wonderland cards, there is a $50 replacement fee.

Is there a discount on renewal
No, there is no discount. However, your TIW card will be activated for a year from the month you purchase it, not the day. So if you purchase on 4/1/11, the card won't expire until 4/30/12. Try and plan accordingly so that you have your full year to use it. (We have not done it right this year, as we'll purchase the card on May 7th, but our APs expire Jan 7th because of our DLR trip. Whoops!)

Who should buy the TIW (in my opinion)?
- While I love the DDP, TIW is more beneficial to people who don't want to be restricted to the plan of what types of meals they can eat, and what food they can order. TIW is great if you are visiting the world for an extended period of time, or more than once a year. TIW is good for up to 10 people in your party, so its also a great card to have for large groups. If you plan to spend more than $375 on table service food in one year, than you will break even on your purchase.

How would I know if TIW was right for me?
- I'm going to try and do this without breaking any rules (Mods, please alert if you need me to change anything). Pull up your excel sheet or calculator and paper and do the math. First, list all the TIW restaurants that you would eat at, regardless of getting the card or not. Then calculate the approximate cost per person (using the menus at allears.net). Make sure to add in the costs of tax and approximate tip (I've been using 6.5% for tax). Add the grand total of all those together. Next, take all that same information, but use the TIW discount. The tip is based on pre-discount total. The tax is based on the discounted amount. For example:

$100 - Bill Amount
$20 - (20% Discount)
$18 - (18% Tip based on pre-discount)
$5.20 - (6.5% of discounted amount of $80)
$103.20 = 100 - 20 + 18 + 5.20 - Final amount

Are you getting TIW?
- For this trip, yes. We will be going for 9 days, and all the places that we are eating TS are on the TIW list. We will also be squeezing in some CS places to take advantage of the discount. We will also be going again in October and plan to use the TIW for our group of 4, eating at 6 TS restaurants. We will break even towards the end of this trip, and most of the significant savings will come during our October trip. Financially, this card makes sense to us. We enjoy eating appetizers and desert sometimes, as well as splitting random assortments of food. We like the idea of not having to make up credits later or anything if we skip a meal. DH and I eat dessert out probably once a month, which is usually frozen yogurt, which means we hardly ever take more than two or three bites of our individual desserts, and then its just a waste.

Would you consider DDP in the future?
- Well if someone else was paying for it, heck yes! Especially if they were paying for the DxDP! I would spend every night at a signature restaurant and every mid-morning at a TS for brunch. Also, if I had a personal trainer waiting for me back at home! But in all realities, I'm sure we might do the DDP again. It makes sense for certain scenarios, and its fun to not have to look at the cost when you make your choices. After all my research, and planning my third "adult" trip to WDW, there is really no right answer when it comes to DDP vs TIW.

I have a question, and you didn't answer?
Please check out allears.net.

 

[blessedmom4]

I just read your latest update and realized haven't said hello in a while! Looks like things are moving along for your oh so close trip!!!! I wanted to thank you for the help on DVC points, it really IS too rich for my blood, but dare to dream One of these days!

Looking forward to your next great find.

 

[hurleysweety]

I just read your latest update and realized haven't said hello in a while! Looks like things are moving along for your oh so close trip!!!! I wanted to thank you for the help on DVC points, it really IS too rich for my blood, but dare to dream One of these days!

Looking forward to your next great find.

No worries about not saying hello! I know everyone gets busy! Its hard to keep up with allll those great trip reports out there.

You're welcome for the point info. Not sure if I mentioned, but I would sign up for David's free email newsletter (the link to his site was in the post I left on your thread). He sends out a emails for points available around $6/point. During certain times of the year, this can be an amazing deal! Its always cheaper to say in the off season, Sun-Thurs. Even one night at a DVC resort would be a fun treat!

 

[blessedmom4]

No worries about not saying hello! I know everyone gets busy! Its hard to keep up with allll those great trip reports out there.

You're welcome for the point info. Not sure if I mentioned, but I would sign up for David's free email newsletter (the link to his site was in the post I left on your thread). He sends out a emails for points available around $6/point. During certain times of the year, this can be an amazing deal! Its always cheaper to say in the off season, Sun-Thurs. Even one night at a DVC resort would be a fun treat!

I wil sign up for that! Our problem is there are SO many of us and SO much medical stuff, once I "land" somewhere, I don't want to have to pack it up to move again!

 

[hurleysweety]

I wil sign up for that! Our problem is there are SO many of us and SO much medical stuff, once I "land" somewhere, I don't want to have to pack it up to move again!

Oh I didn't even think about that. I'm sure that moving all those people and all that stuff on top of the usual would be a pain. We're moving twice during our next trip and while we'll go from average hotel to best, I would still rather stay at just one.

Also, just to add, Old Key West has the biggest DVC resorts by far, since it was built first, and with the assumption that they would be like home away from homes - they more like apartments than the others. In a one bedroom last year, DH and I slept on the pull-out in the living room, with plenty of space for both our suitcases and all our stuff as well as room for FIL's scooter. Super wide entry and hallways too.

 

[hurleysweety]

We're in the 30s! 39 DAYS AWAY! So I thought I'd make a to-do list for myself.

- Buy poster board and make countdown calendar!!
- Design and print planning binder
- Order rewards card
- Plan DH's birthday surprise
- Finalize all dining plans (ya...I know, I've been lazy about this...)
- Make touring plans/day-to-day schedules (updating last year's, mostly)
- Track daily show entertainment times, for shows like American Idol and Lights motor action (can't do this til the week we leave)
- Make packing list
- Get photopass stuff squared away
- Print all confirmations for hotels/cars/plane
- Figure out when/where/how we're going to update our APs
- Buy clothes (this should not be a problem)
- Purchase/refill travel toiletries as needed
- Have my touring plans OK'd by the touring experts at TourGuideMike (they have a whole thread devoted to reviewing plans - its excellent!)
- Make preliminary ADRs for our October trip...LOL!

Only one more day of spring training and then an end of year party and life goes back to normal!

33 Days Away!

- DONE (will be creating/posting this week) Buy poster board and make countdown calendar!!
- Design and print planning binder
- DONE Order rewards card
- Plan DH's birthday surprise
- DONE Finalize all dining plans (ya...I know, I've been lazy about this...)
- Make touring plans/day-to-day schedules (updating last year's, mostly)
- Track daily show entertainment times, for shows like American Idol and Lights motor action (can't do this til the week we leave)
- Make packing list
- Get photopass stuff squared away
- Print all confirmations for hotels/cars/plane
- DONE Figure out when/where/how we're going to update our APs
- Buy clothes (this should not be a problem)
- Purchase/refill travel toiletries as needed
- Have my touring plans OK'd by the touring experts at TourGuideMike (they have a whole thread devoted to reviewing plans - its excellent!)
- Make preliminary ADRs for our October trip...LOL!

 

[hurleysweety]

Day to day plans - DONE!

5/7- Check out of Hyatt @ Airport/Breakfast: Airport food court/Pick up rental car, check-in to OKW, go to Epcot to upgrade passes/Walk around future world/Lunch: Sunshine Seasons/Break/Dinner: The Wave
5/8- Breakfast: Room/RD at Hollywood Studios (green)Lunch: Sci-Fi Dine In/Afternoon Shows/Dinner: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory/Maybe HS EMH??
5/9 - Sleep-in Day/Breakfast: Room/Lunch: Earl of Sandwich to go/Drive to GKTW for volunteering/Dinner: GKTW
5/10 - Breakfast: Captain Cooks/10AM Late Arrival to MK(green)/Break/Late Lunch: Room/Back to MK/Dinner: The Plaza/Wishes
5/11 - Breakfast: Room/RD at HS(green)/Lunch:???/Break/HS/Dinner: Whispering Canyon Cafe
5/12 - Breakfast: Room/RD at AK/Lunch: Flame Tree BBQ/Late Break/Dinner: Tokyo Dining
5/13 - Breakfast: Room/RD at MK/Lunch: Kona Cafe @12/Break/Dinner: Columbia Harbor House
5/14 - Sleep-in, pack/Check-out of OKW/Brunch or Lunch: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory/Check into BWV/DH's day to pick, possible driving around the area/Dinner: Beaches and Cream
5/15 - Breakfast: Boardwalk Bakery/RD at Epcot(green)/Lunch: Counter Service/Break/Dinner: Mama Melrose
5/16 - Breakfast: Room /RD at HS/Lunch: Staring Rolls/Break/Dinner: Kona Island Sushi
5/17 - Check out of BWV, pack up car/final shopping/Go Home

 

[Lidian]

Hello! Just read your PTR. It looks wonderful!

I completely admire your dedication to helping kids. You are wonderful to give time to GKTW.

Did you sort out all of your ADRs and QS meals?

Can't wait to read more!

Edit: Apparently I got over-zealous and totally missed your latest post.

Day to day plans - DONE!

5/7- Check out of Hyatt @ Airport/Breakfast: Airport food court/Pick up rental car, check-in to OKW, go to Epcot to upgrade passes/Walk around future world/Lunch: Sunshine Seasons/Break/Dinner: The Wave
5/8- Breakfast: Room/RD at Hollywood Studios (green)Lunch: Sci-Fi Dine In/Afternoon Shows/Dinner: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory/Maybe HS EMH??
5/9 - Sleep-in Day/Breakfast: Room/Lunch: Earl of Sandwich to go/Drive to GKTW for volunteering/Dinner: GKTW
5/10 - Breakfast: Captain Cooks/10AM Late Arrival to MK(green)/Break/Late Lunch: Room/Back to MK/Dinner: The Plaza/Wishes
5/11 - Breakfast: Room/RD at HS(green)/Lunch:???/Break/HS/Dinner: Whispering Canyon Cafe
5/12 - Breakfast: Room/RD at AK/Lunch: Flame Tree BBQ/Late Break/Dinner: Tokyo Dining
5/13 - Breakfast: Room/RD at MK/Lunch: Kona Cafe @12/Break/Dinner: Columbia Harbor House
5/14 - Sleep-in, pack/Check-out of OKW/Brunch or Lunch: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory/Check into BWV/DH's day to pick, possible driving around the area/Dinner: Beaches and Cream
5/15 - Breakfast: Boardwalk Bakery/RD at Epcot(green)/Lunch: Counter Service/Break/Dinner: Mama Melrose
5/16 - Breakfast: Room /RD at HS/Lunch: Staring Rolls/Break/Dinner: Kona Island Sushi
5/17 - Check out of BWV, pack up car/final shopping/Go Home

Are you going to do a TS or CS at DHS on 5/11?

Your food plans look really awesome!

 

[hurleysweety]

Hello! Just read your PTR. It looks wonderful!

I completely admire your dedication to helping kids. You are wonderful to give time to GKTW.

Did you sort out all of your ADRs and QS meals?

Can't wait to read more!

Edit: Apparently I got over-zealous and totally missed your latest post.

Are you going to do a TS or CS at DHS on 5/11?

Your food plans look really awesome!

No worries! Glad to have you along!

Good question about 5/11 - I think it'll depend on how we're feeling at this point. I know DH would love to go to Starring Rolls Cafe (I'm pretty sure he's asked me about it every month since we've started planning). But I would be okay with exploring other options or ideas!

 

[hurleysweety]

WE BOOKED OUR OCTOBER TIX! Oct 15-24...We're Disney bound with my in-laws during Food & Wine (first food and wine trip to WDW!)

Wait...this means I already need to make ADRs for that trip! Oh vey, this is a great problem to have.

 

[Lidian]

No worries! Glad to have you along!

Good question about 5/11 - I think it'll depend on how we're feeling at this point. I know DH would love to go to Starring Rolls Cafe (I'm pretty sure he's asked me about it every month since we've started planning). But I would be okay with exploring other options or ideas!

Starring Rolls Cafe sounds really good! I haven't been there before. We usually hit up Backlot Express and never had any complaints.

As far as TS - you're already doing Sci Fi - which is my #1 recommendation, but we're trying out 50s PTC this year ... maybe something with antics if you're doing a TS?

WE BOOKED OUR OCTOBER TIX! Oct 15-24...We're Disney bound with my in-laws during Food & Wine (first food and wine trip to WDW!)

Wait...this means I already need to make ADRs for that trip! Oh vey, this is a great problem to have.

Grats on getting booked!! Can't wait to hear what you decide on for ADRs!

 

[hurleysweety]

Starring Rolls Cafe sounds really good! I haven't been there before. We usually hit up Backlot Express and never had any complaints.

As far as TS - you're already doing Sci Fi - which is my #1 recommendation, but we're trying out 50s PTC this year ... maybe something with antics if you're doing a TS?





Grats on getting booked!! Can't wait to hear what you decide on for ADRs!

I've always wanted to try 50s PTC! Last year we walked by it at night and it looked like so much fun! If we don't get to it this trip, I think my in-laws would really like the food there. And my FIL would get a kick out of all the waiters - he's just a funny guy like that!

And thanks for the congrats about the flights. Southwest took all our money yesterday (disney + flight to CO for a wedding), so I keep having to remember WHY that is ok.

 

[hurleysweety]

Thanks to AKL LOVER for her inspiration to make this calendar! I've wanted to make one before but always ran out of time. So around 2 weeks ago, I decided that if I could get one done by my 30 day mark, I would. And today we are 30 days away! Less than 30 days from now, at this exact time, we will be probably taking off to Orlando!

So I'm really sad to admit, that this project took me 3 hours to complete and four separate store trips. (Darn binder rings were impossible to track down...and then what'dya know, Target has them!) I also feel like such a Disney nerd right now because I doing this when I don't have kids.

First I cut a piece of white form board in half. You can also see on the left hand side that I had printed out mirrored images of the numbers I would need. Cutting these out took a good hour, and now I understand why people love those cricut machine's so much!

Here are the numbers

And then I cut out sheets of cardstock and hole punched them (yet another trip to the store for a hole punch!) I also used free stickers to decorate them.

And then, after looking at my vast collection of random scrapbooking materials and my lack of organization in this department, I somehow created this! I also noted that I still have yet to complete our Disneymoon scrapbook from 2008...

Okay, off to make dinner now. Got that new Philadelphia Cooking Creme in the santa fe flavor. Yum! I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

[Lidian]

I've always wanted to try 50s PTC! Last year we walked by it at night and it looked like so much fun! If we don't get to it this trip, I think my in-laws would really like the food there. And my FIL would get a kick out of all the waiters - he's just a funny guy like that!

And thanks for the congrats about the flights. Southwest took all our money yesterday (disney + flight to CO for a wedding), so I keep having to remember WHY that is ok.

I actually youtubed videos on 50s PTC. When I was reading restaurant info to DH, he immediately crossed it out. But after I watched videos and went back and pleaded my case, he gave in. (It may have been those puppy eyes I gave that actually helped, but we'll go with more "for instances". )

DH is much like an animal when it comes to food ... He doesn't want to be bothered and he might bite. Plus, I think he originally thought that it was kind of mean spirited to be "punished" and being forced to eat all your veggies. But once I explained that it was all in fun and that he'd just have to be on his best behaviour, he'd be fine.

Sorry that Southwest took all your money. Uncle Walt has a tendency to do that with us.