Getting excited and keen to share my plans

[WanderlustNZ]

Hi Wanderlust,
To combat the costs of all the extras that I simply have to do, and to get great flight deals, I book 10 months out as soon as the airfares are available. I then book the extras about 3 months out which gives me 7 months to save for them and spreading the cost over the 7 months, it doesn't feel like a lot of extra cost. And yeah, when I'm spending all those thousands of dollars to go and stay there, a bit extra for memorable experiences is worth it. I go for at least 3 weeks each time I go because I never know when my last visit will be and there's just so much to do ☺

I do wonder if part of my frustration is due to having just 3 days and feeling like I want to fit in as much as possible. Obviously, the more I squeeze in, the higher the cost per day.

My original plan had been to spend an extra day and night at Universal and then just do MVMCP, Disney Springs and a bit of relaxing Resort hopping. The only thing left from that plan is some resort hopping, squeezed around 3 park days, a dessert party and a sleigh ride.
As excited as I am about my new plan, I do have to wonder if by giving in to the marketing genius that is Disney, I brought some of this disillusionment on myself.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

WanderlustNZ, don't get disccouraged yet
By the time the new ticket system is in place, it might be a good thing for all and we have less waits in ride lines.
.

I do hope you’re right.
I know Disney have mentioned that their goal is to spread crowds more evenly throughout the year and I do hope this is the outcome rather than just even more considered planning and probable raised ticket prices.

It’s great that you have non-expiring tickets that still have days on them. I wish I’d had the foresight to buy some years ago.

 

[KEK1]

Your trip sounds AMAZING, esp the Costa Rica bit! Not somewhere I have considered visiting, but I really enjoy wildlife viewing , nature etc so am going to look it up.
We are in Perth and havent been to WDW since our honeymoon 6 years ago. We are going back in jan for 2 weeks , also universal and have a couple of days for other things, haven't decided what yet.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Your trip sounds AMAZING, esp the Costa Rica bit! Not somewhere I have considered visiting, but I really enjoy wildlife viewing , nature etc so am going to look it up.
We are in Perth and havent been to WDW since our honeymoon 6 years ago. We are going back in jan for 2 weeks , also universal and have a couple of days for other things, haven't decided what yet.

How exciting - January is not that much longer to wait.
Where are you staying during your visit?

I am really excited about Costa Rica - it looks like such a beautiful country as well as a rich learning experience.
Unfortunately there has been a little bit of political unrest there over the last month which has caused some travel delays for tourists. To the most part, it’s peaceful (yet disruptive) protest and it looks like things should be well over by the time I go, but I am monitoring the situation just incase.

 

[KEK1]

How exciting - January is not that much longer to wait.

Where are you staying during your visit? Oooh SO excited about this : AKL 3 nights, OKW 2 nights, GFV 3 nights BC 1night . Thanks to my parents !!



I am really excited about Costa Rica - it looks like such a beautiful country as well as a rich learning experience.
Unfortunately there has been a little bit of political unrest there over the last month which has caused some travel delays for tourists. To the most part, it’s peaceful (yet disruptive) protest and it looks like things should be well over by the time I go, but I am monitoring the situation just incase.

Hope all is ok. Im a vet and it sounds a very special place! Looking forward to hearing more about all your plans
Just got an email from AirNZ - we are flying premium economy as I have health problems that mean its very painful to sit and due to plane changes our perth-auckl leg will be upgraded to business class ! So thats pretty cool pixie dust to start off

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Hope all is ok. Im a vet and it sounds a very special place! Looking forward to hearing more about all your plans
Just got an email from AirNZ - we are flying premium economy as I have health problems that mean its very painful to sit and due to plane changes our perth-auckl leg will be upgraded to business class ! So thats pretty cool pixie dust to start off

Wow, that medley of hotels sounds great. Part of what I really like about WDW is the hotels, and being able to try so many of them in one visit is going to be fun.
Are your parents DVC owners?

Also congrats on the upgrade to business! I’ve only been on Air NZ business once, courtesy of a free upgrade on a trip to Fiji. The lie flat beds are such a nicer way to travel. What US airport will you then fly into?
I’m looking forward to trying Houston for a change as it’s so much closer to Orlando. On the way back we fly through LA instead, which was mostly a money saving decision.

If you love wildlife locations, make sure you get to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National parks one day if you haven’t already. They take all the advance military planning of a trip to WDW (especially if you’re going early or late in the season), but I think my week there just might be my favourite week of vacation to date. From watching a pack of wolves interact and play together to a mother bear watch over her cubs as they tried to climb the trees - too many happy moments to count.

 

[KEK1]

Wow, that medley of hotels sounds great. Part of what I really like about WDW is the hotels, and being able to try so many of them in one visit is going to be fun.
Are your parents DVC owners?

Also congrats on the upgrade to business! I’ve only been on Air NZ business once, courtesy of a free upgrade on a trip to Fiji. The lie flat beds are such a nicer way to travel. What US airport will you then fly into?
I’m looking forward to trying Houston for a change as it’s so much closer to Orlando. On the way back we fly through LA instead, which was mostly a money saving decision.

If you love wildlife locations, make sure you get to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National parks one day if you haven’t already. They take all the advance military planning of a trip to WDW (especially if you’re going early or late in the season), but I think my week there just might be my favourite week of vacation to date. From watching a pack of wolves interact and play together to a mother bear watch over her cubs as they tried to climb the trees - too many happy moments to count.

No, parents are taking us, pretty much (again, we are very lucky and not very young either LOL!) They are paying for economy flights and all bar 1 night (the last) accommodation. We wouldnt be going otherwise until 2021 as vets dont make much!
I havent been to Yellowstone or Grand Teton yet, definitely on the list. After DL last year (again thanks to parents..) we went to Yosemite and loved it. So beautiful ! Have you got any pics you could share? Would love to see!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

No, parents are taking us, pretty much (again, we are very lucky and not very young either LOL!) They are paying for economy flights and all bar 1 night (the last) accommodation. We wouldnt be going otherwise until 2021 as vets dont make much!
I havent been to Yellowstone or Grand Teton yet, definitely on the list. After DL last year (again thanks to parents..) we went to Yosemite and loved it. So beautiful ! Have you got any pics you could share? Would love to see!

What awesome parents you have

This was a TR of sorts from my Yellowstone holiday. There are 4-5 posts about Yellowstone on the first page and the last one has the animal pics. I’m pleased you asked, as for the last hour I’ve been reminiscing happily over old photos and past experiences.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/my-tr-a-bunch-of-reviews-and-random-thoughts.3339652/

 

[KEK1]

What awesome parents you have Yes indeed! Flying into Houston also, btw

This was a TR of sorts from my Yellowstone holiday. There are 4-5 posts about Yellowstone on the first page and the last one has the animal pics. I’m pleased you asked, as for the last hour I’ve been reminiscing happily over old photos and past experiences.
https://www.disboards.com/threads/my-tr-a-bunch-of-reviews-and-random-thoughts.3339652/

Ooh good, love reading TRs! Will go and read now between consults haha

 

[KEK1]

Ooh good, love reading TRs! Will go and read now between consults haha

Enjoyed reading and your blog too, thanks!

 

[Franrose]

However, I guess I was wondering if the feeling is just mine, or if other travellers who spend a lot of time and money getting to that side of the world are also feeling a bit put out the evolution that is the WDW business plan?
Or perhaps by contrast, people think ‘I’m already spending thousands on plane tickets, what’s another hundred or so for a Xmas party or dinner at Ohana’?
Would be interested to know people’s thoughts.

Oh yes, I hear you!

I'm feeling a bit jaded by the machine somehow, the machine that is Disney where prices rise and services drop. I hope the reality is better than I sometimes feel like it might be! This will be the last for us for a while too for that reason.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Oh yes, I hear you!

I'm feeling a bit jaded by the machine somehow, the machine that is Disney where prices rise and services drop. I hope the reality is better than I sometimes feel like it might be! This will be the last for us for a while too for that reason.

I’m both pleased and saddened that I’m not the only one who feels this way.

Pleased because it means I haven’t completely overanalysed things to the point of seeing things completely different to others.
But saddened, because I know that WDW is a place that’s special to so many of us and it really would be a shame to see that change.

I equate it a bit to changes in the airline industry. In the past you would just see a good deal on a flight, click book, and then dance around the room excited that you were officially going on holiday.
Now you see a good deal, click accept, and then proceed to get asked whether you would like to pay more for seat selection, a meal, movie, bag, expedited boarding and then right at the end you get stung with a credit card fee. You then don’t know if you should dance around the room in excitement or worry that you have just been seduced (potentially misled) into handing over way more cash than you ever intended.

I know things like this are almost inevitable when it comes to the tourism industry and I’m certainly not going to let them get in the way of what will be a great trip.
It’s just that when a company hangs its reputation on being ‘magical’, all the extra charges come with just a bit too much of a ‘reality’ dose for my liking.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

I just read the announcement about the increase in snack costs at WDW.

With the current exchange rate, a regular fountain soda will cost my family upwards of $NZ6, while a churro will be closer to $10. $10 for a churro!! Perhaps it’s lucky we don’t tend to buy churros.

I wonder what prices we can expect at Epcot’s Festival of the Holidays food stalls?

I’m a bit envious right now of those of you on free dining and are beginning to wonder if I need to crunch the numbers again to see if the DDP is worth it.

By the way, I just read a blog update from a popular Disney blogger I follow, and he too is wondering if we are getting to the point in Disney price rises where customers are now being put off. It’s one of the more negative posts I’ve read from him and does confirm that this frustration is not my own.

In other more positive news, just 74 days now until we go. We have a city break planned for this weekend so we can buy a whole list of things we need for this upcoming trip, from waterproof walking shoes to a waterproof camera. When I’m putting this much thought into all the things I need to pack, it definitely means the trip is getting close.

 

[Franrose]

A teeny tiny part of me hopes that all these extra new costs - and there are a lot, when you think of parking etc - will put a few people off at Christmas. But it's a double edged sword because it puts me off too lol.

 

[KEK1]

Just read his article with concern. Also will be pricing out the DP.. its way too much food for me but I understand you can share, even in TS restaurants , so maybe 1 between 2 of us..although we have booked 5 buffets and obviously wouldnt work for that. Hmmm.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Just read his article with concern. Also will be pricing out the DP.. its way too much food for me but I understand you can share, even in TS restaurants , so maybe 1 between 2 of us..although we have booked 5 buffets and obviously wouldnt work for that. Hmmm.

Not sure if only one person in a party can get a dining plan, but it would be an interesting option if possible.

I priced up the DP and worked out that I’m still coming out quite a bit ahead by paying out of pocket. Not surprising I guess given that our most expensive meal of the 3 days will be Trails End and that is considered to be one of the cheapest buffets.

If I was eating at a lot of more expensive places then I would certainly consider the DP, if for no other reason than to prepay everything and then go on the trip and not feel like I need to number crunch my way around the park. I have prepaid some Disney gift cards and will use that money to pay our meals, so either way, most Disney costs are now covered.

I’m just hoping that prices don’t just keep increasing and Holidays Around the World food stalls are not ridiculous. I see Disney increased F&W prices smack in the middle of this year’s festival which I thought was pretty brazen of them.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

A teeny tiny part of me hopes that all these extra new costs - and there are a lot, when you think of parking etc - will put a few people off at Christmas. But it's a double edged sword because it puts me off too lol.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[KEK1]

Not sure if only one person in a party can get a dining plan, but it would be an interesting option if possible.

I priced up the DP and worked out that I’m still coming out quite a bit ahead by paying out of pocket. Not surprising I guess given that our most expensive meal of the 3 days will be Trails End and that is considered to be one of the cheapest buffets.

If I was eating at a lot of more expensive places then I would certainly consider the DP, if for no other reason than to prepay everything and then go on the trip and not feel like I need to number crunch my way around the park. I have prepaid some Disney gift cards and will use that money to pay our meals, so either way, most Disney costs are now covered.

I’m just hoping that prices don’t just keep increasing and Holidays Around the World food stalls are not ridiculous. I see Disney increased F&W prices smack in the middle of this year’s festival which I thought was pretty brazen of them.

When you say you prepaid some disney gift cards, are those the same ones that people in the US get 5% off on? (Target I think they said..?)
We are hitting Bomas (dinner), Garden Grill (bfast) Trails End (dinner) ,1900 park fare (bfast), Tusker house (brunch only to get ROL seating), Ohanas. So quite a few which is going to be $$$$. Also planning on Homecomin , Sci Fi , BOG(bfast), beaches n cream (lunch). Yikes written down like that its a bit scary. Only 1 meal /day but still a lot. Dont know what to drop though!

 

[WanderlustNZ]

When you say you prepaid some disney gift cards, are those the same ones that people in the US get 5% off on? (Target I think they said..?)
We are hitting Bomas (dinner), Garden Grill (bfast) Trails End (dinner) ,1900 park fare (bfast), Tusker house (brunch only to get ROL seating), Ohanas. So quite a few which is going to be $$$$. Also planning on Homecomin , Sci Fi , BOG(bfast), beaches n cream (lunch). Yikes written down like that its a bit scary. Only 1 meal /day but still a lot. Dont know what to drop though!

Unfortunately I am not aware of a way we can buy the cheaper 5% off gift cards here in Aus and N.Z. There may be a way, but it’s not something I’ve ever read about.

I buy them direct from Disney purchasing the e-gift card version. (From what I understand, they don’t internationally ship physical cards.) There’s no discount, but at least you can control when you buy them and try to make best use of what is currently an awful exchange rate.

You can then log into the Disney gift card site and register your cards, combining them if you choose. We have purchased 2 cards and I went on a few days ago and combined them into one so it’s easier to keep track of my money.
I really wish Universal would do a similar thing as the more things I feel that I have prepaid, the happier I am.

On a separate note, looking at your restaurant choices, I think it would definitely be worth crunching the numbers to see if the DP is worth it (particularly since it’s quite possible they could increase the price of it sometime in the near future).

My husband and I got the classic drink package ‘free’ as part of our cruise booking. This covers drinks up to $9. About a month ago I paid the upcharge of what worked out to be about $US12 pp per day to get us the premium package. This includes drinks up to $15.
I swear I spent months deciding whether or not to upgrade. I’m not a big drinker, so I knew that I really didn’t need the premium package and buying it wasn’t going to save me any money. But I also knew how nice it would be if I could order what I wanted, without considering prices and without constantly signing for extra upcharges.

Anyway, since booking, it’s been a really nice feeling knowing that all is sorted and paid for and I can stop thinking about it. That feeling in itself is worthy of the few extra dollars per day I have probably overspent by getting the package.

The point of that long-winded spiel : If when you crunch the numbers, it only works out as a matter of a few dollars difference, those dollars could be worth the convenience of knowing your trip is paid for and you can enjoy meals without worrying about prices. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Franrose]

In a similar vein, I keep pricing and re-pricing my trip moving us away from Saratoga Springs and into something like the apartments at Bonnet Creek WanderlustNZ. I allow extra for Ubering everywhere, and also for buying all our meals out of pocket (including some snacks, as my kids now have their hearts set on that since they've known about free dining). It actually makes me feel a lot better as there's not as much different between the two options as I keep thinking there is. Then I go and price up something like staying at AoA and I find I'm winning by quite a lot being at SSR with free dining. It's a good exercise lol.