Fall 2016 planning (continuation of 2016 Free Dining Watch)

[SunnieRN]

It worked out in the end. I realized I had enough points to book the flight to MCO on Delta and the flight back on SW, so I ended up using more points then I would have liked but my OOP is only $11.20 to pay for the government fees. I'll take it

Now I just need good vibes that my time off from work gets approved and I didn't just waste all of this time and points! I won't know for sure that I can go until August

Wow! That's hard!! Sending lots of pixie dust your way!!!

 

[vanjust14]

The prices this year from Pvd to Orlando I am finding to be more then previous years.... I booked my flight for sept back in March and it is just getting more expensive as the weeks go by, I've been looking just in case I am able to move my flight to an earlier time as the earlier time was too much.

Eeek! I hope I'm not making the wrong decision by waiting. I've always had luck booking in the time frame I mentioned, so I am going to take my chances I'm guessing July will be the best time to buy for me. That should put me in the "prime booking window". I thought this was a good way to describe the different times to buy tickets:

“First Dibs” (6 ½ – 11 months out); “Peace of Mind” (3 ½ – 6 ½ months out); the “Prime Booking Window” (3 weeks – 3 ½ months out); the “Push Your Luck” (14 – 20 days out); and “Hail Mary” (0 – 13 days out).

 

[Elsaalltheway]

I am a person that goes with the highest possible numbers and loves having leftover $$$$$ while we're at our destination. We usually stay at a LaQuinta type hotel along the way, so I added in extra for that also, as we will be traveling Dec 17.

As far as food, in Louisiana there is a candy store we always stop at, meals and waters, icees etc at gas stations lol. So I always plan for more than we spend.

I'm the person who stops only for gas and makes sure to use the bathroom and picks something up quick at the gas station.

 

[SunnieRN]

Eeek! I hope I'm not making the wrong decision by waiting. I've always had luck booking in the time frame I mentioned, so I am going to take my chances I'm guessing July will be the best time to buy for me. That should put me in the "prime booking window". I thought this was a good way to describe the different times to buy tickets:

“First Dibs” (6 ½ – 11 months out); “Peace of Mind” (3 ½ – 6 ½ months out); the “Prime Booking Window” (3 weeks – 3 ½ months out); the “Push Your Luck” (14 – 20 days out); and “Hail Mary” (0 – 13 days out).

This is awesome!!!!

I'm the person who stops only for gas and makes sure to use the bathroom and picks something up quick at the gas station.

That's how I like to travel also and when my grandmunchkins are sleeping, we get as far as possible, as quickly as possible, but if we are travelling the right time of day, we do always stop at the candy store, as they have so many unusual things and it is a tradition of sorts.

We're not big meal people on the road. Usually chicken nuggets or a burger for the boys and tons of water and coffee for my daughter and I, but we do usually stop to eat one meal, out of the car. Day 2, (when we stop overnight), is grab and go breakfast or if we spend the night at a motel breakfast if offered, and get traveling. But, cold water, hot coffee and an icee from our gas stops/restroom breaks, makes the ride much more enjoyable!!!

 

[cshell624]

I don't think that's over thinking, it's practicality.

I don't know if we will be able to fly now, due to flight prices. SW wants over $3K for us to fly out of our local airport and doesn't fly out of our international airport 40 min away.

As for Spirit, which I hate to fly, it's about $1475 but that's bare fare. So add bags etc and you start really getting up there.

So, now, if it was $4/gal for gas (holiday travel gas prices adding in eventual price hikes), we could drive for $200, motel each way, $300 or less, food $300 or less, our maximum would be $800. But, it would also mean a LOT of time traveling and more vacation time for my DD.

I hope I can hit that sweet spot and get flights a little cheaper!!!

Woo hoo for those that have booked great deals already!!! That's fantastic!!!!

Fingers crossed you get a good deal soon!!!

 

[cshell624]

I have a room only for August 31 and free dining starting sept 1. Same acct. You can call and they will link them and the hotel will know it is one vacation. I believe only one set of magic bands. Hope that works out for you! I ended up with a water room for my ro and standard the rest of the time. (Standard wasn't available for ro) the cm said they will try to leave me in the same room but I may have to move.

That would make for a nice bonus to get to keep the water view for your trip!!!

 

[cshell624]

It worked out in the end. I realized I had enough points to book the flight to MCO on Delta and the flight back on SW, so I ended up using more points then I would have liked but my OOP is only $11.20 to pay for the government fees. I'll take it

Now I just need good vibes that my time off from work gets approved and I didn't just waste all of this time and points! I won't know for sure that I can go until August

Sending good thoughts and pixie dust your way!!!

 

[cshell624]

I am a person that goes with the highest possible numbers and loves having leftover $$$$$ while we're at our destination. We usually stay at a LaQuinta type hotel along the way, so I added in extra for that also, as we will be traveling Dec 17.

As far as food, in Louisiana there is a candy store we always stop at, meals and waters, icees etc at gas stations lol. So I always plan for more than we spend.

I always budget on the higher end. I figure it makes for a nice little treat at the end of the trip.

 

[cshell624]

Exactly what I was wondering, thanks again for chiming in!

We're gonna book the first night at sports too, and hope we dont have to change rooms. We shall see!

Hope it works out!!!

 

[SunnieRN]

Fingers crossed you get a good deal soon!!!

Thank you so much!!!

 

[Meeko5]

I've been trying all day yesterday and this morning to book a room on the Disney website, and it will let me get to the "who is in your travel party" screen and then it freezes. Happening on my laptop, phone, and ipad. Grrrrrrr. Anyone else having issues?

 

[kimyinpink]

I've been trying all day yesterday and this morning to book a room on the Disney website, and it will let me get to the "who is in your travel party" screen and then it freezes. Happening on my laptop, phone, and ipad. Grrrrrrr. Anyone else having issues?

I just called in and they booked it for me and linked it to my FD reservation. This time calling was just easier.

 

[Elsaalltheway]

I just called in and they booked it for me and linked it to my FD reservation. This time calling was just easier.

Thats great.

 

[kellyjeanie]

I've been trying all day yesterday and this morning to book a room on the Disney website, and it will let me get to the "who is in your travel party" screen and then it freezes. Happening on my laptop, phone, and ipad. Grrrrrrr. Anyone else having issues?

Did you get it?

I notice they finally updated my tickets - up until now my two youngest had adult tickets on the MDE site for some reason but now that's magically fixed and it shows youth tickets. Maybe they've been doing some maintenance?

 

[kellyjeanie]

Did you guys see all this news today? Among other things there's finally an opening date for Frozen Ever After:
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...royal-sommerhus-set-to-open-at-epcot-june-21/

So it'll all open at 9 but looks like no FP+ for E&A? So that's going to make Akershus PPO a hot ticket, I suppose...

Also info about the Star Wars Galactic Spectacular and some of the nighttime stuff at AK.
http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/di...-time-and-new-star-wars-fireworks-start-date/

 

[SunnieRN]

So is the AK magic show part of ROL? Or is it separate? Just missing going since 10/14 has changed so many things!!

 

[scard192]

Did you guys see all this news today? Among other things there's finally an opening date for Frozen Ever After:
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...royal-sommerhus-set-to-open-at-epcot-june-21/

So it'll all open at 9 but looks like no FP+ for E&A? So that's going to make Akershus PPO a hot ticket, I suppose...

Also info about the Star Wars Galactic Spectacular and some of the nighttime stuff at AK.
http://www.easywdw.com/easy/blog/di...-time-and-new-star-wars-fireworks-start-date/

thanks so much, going to try to snag a TH breakfast dining pkg tomorrow for our trip.

 

[vanjust14]

Did you guys see all this news today? Among other things there's finally an opening date for Frozen Ever After:
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...royal-sommerhus-set-to-open-at-epcot-june-21/

So it'll all open at 9 but looks like no FP+ for E&A? So that's going to make Akershus PPO a hot ticket, I suppose...

This is why I snagged my PPO Akershus ressie already...I had a feeling Norway would be opening at 9 instead of 11. I wish my daughter didn't care about the Frozen stuff but there is no way we are getting away with not going, lol.

 

[kellyjeanie]

So is the AK magic show part of ROL? Or is it separate? Just missing going since 10/14 has changed so many things!!

I think it's replacing ROL for now - ROL was having some technical difficulties. Not sure what the status of ROL is at this point.

This is why I snagged my PPO Akershus ressie already...I had a feeling Norway would be opening at 9 instead of 11. I wish my daughter didn't care about the Frozen stuff but there is no way we are getting away with not going, lol.

Nice, good foresight! My ADR day is still a couple weeks off, hopefully I can get one.

 

[SunnieRN]

I think it's replacing ROL for now - ROL was having some technical difficulties. Not sure what the status of ROL is at this point.

Thank you! I was confused as I'd read somewhere that ROL was supposed to open in June. We were planning on eating at TH anyway, so maybe they will still offer this package for December.