Halloweentime with Mickey PTR ***complete!~TR link added- post #205***

[julezdisney]

Ok, Im on the WDW PTR board! Start giving me tips, people!

One thing I want everyone's opinion on- is what to do about Sat., Oct. 11th.

Originally, as you can see in our itinerary- I wanted a non-park day to explore the resort. Hunt down Character Warehouse. Maybe go to be tourist in Old-town. Have lunch and a "kitchen sink" on the Boardwalk, maybe rent a surrey bike and/or boat for the afternoon. See some performers on the Boardwalk. Head over to the Poly for dinner at Ohana's and view fireworks from the beach, and see the water electrical parade.

BUT, I assume all that would total the area around $200, which would be what it would be, I think, to get 2-day base tickets rather than 1, and we could then spend the day at AK or DHS, spending Sunday at MK before heading home early am Monday.

It's our first trip to WDW, and I really want to explore.... but I really want to let the kids see more of the parks too though.... I dont know.

Anyone have an opinion on this? I'm leaning towards park day.

I hope your refund comes quickly!!! How frustrating to be waiting on it!

Got it!

My vote is for an extra day in the parks! AK is great fun!

I vote for Animal Kingdom -- it's my fave park for atmosphere -- and it has Everest -- with a Yeti -- and a safari -- with giraffes!

Two votes for AK! Make that 3, as I want to as well!

Ok, so I did some more research and it seems there's some mixed reviews on the Arabian Nights dinner. That it's good for kids but the food is crappy. I swore I read reviews that it was a great experience. I am looking into buying the tix through dealers on ebay and emailed a number of former buyers of a certain broker to get their opinions on the dealer and the show- the ones that responded (3 so far) said they had a great time and the food was OK, so I'm a little bent on what to do.

Here on the Dis, there's an Oak Plantation thread, which is where I wanted to make my reservations, and one poster said that it felt really far away from everything so I might re-think that as well.

I got my refund(s) from WDTC so I'm booking hotel tommorow! Which brings me to my next issue- MNSSHP tickets. I also wanted to buy those. BUT I was listening to a podcast and they were saying that if the weather is an issue (ie rain) that it may be beneficial to buy them that day so you don't waste your money if the parade and fireworks are cancelled. The day we're going (the 10th) are not discounted advance purchase dates so the cost is not a deciding factor. What do you think? Do I run any risk by waiting of the party being sold out? It is the only day we can go- as we'll be on the road on the 13th- the next party date. How is the weather in October- it's always suggested as a great time to go, so I assume an all-out night shower isn't likely.

We'll be arriving in town the late evening or the afternoon of the 9th. 19 hrs from Illi, starting at 6pm Wed. night. so going to the party on the 9th (I THINK there's one on the 9th) is probably not a good idea at all.

I've come up with another alternative. Leave 3 hrs early on the 8th. Arrive arly afternoon on the 9th. NAPS FOR EVERYONE. Party on the 9th. AND party on the 10th!! + Regular park day (or two?).

Man, I'm killin' myself here! Everyone give me some input! What happened to all my shout-out peeps? Maybe everyone's mad I'm not going to Disneyland and switched to Disney World. I've become a traitor.

Trust me folks, if it were up to me, it'd be DLR/DCA. But the $ is the breaker, kwim?

Please help! My libran scales are wildly going back and forth!

 

[Charleston Princess]

I would only do one party -- you could do the 9th and then do a regular park day somewhere on the 10th.

 

[kmab00]

What happened to all my shout-out peeps? Maybe everyone's mad I'm not going to Disneyland and switched to Disney World. I've become a traitor.

I'm still here for sure and definitely NOT mad at you because even though Disneyland is FUN, you're going to have a BLAST at WDW!!! It's tiring though because there's SO much to do!

I wouldn't do 2 parties, either. I've never done the Halloween party but I did do the Christmas party and one night was plenty for that!

I also vote for a day at AK so there's 4 votes for you!!

Sorry you're having such a hard time planning! Good luck!!!

 

[julezdisney]

I would only do one party -- you could do the 9th and then do a regular park day somewhere on the 10th.

I think we're gonna try for this-

I'm still here for sure and definitely NOT mad at you because even though Disneyland is FUN, you're going to have a BLAST at WDW!!! It's tiring though because there's SO much to do!

I wouldn't do 2 parties, either. I've never done the Halloween party but I did do the Christmas party and one night was plenty for that!

I also vote for a day at AK so there's 4 votes for you!!

Sorry you're having such a hard time planning! Good luck!!!

I guess the reason I'm thinkin' two parties is the discounted admission....

And I am having a hard time. This is why I wanted DLR/DCA and not WDW- it's not NOT overwhelming. So much more manageable....

Ok. Deeep breath.

 

[julezdisney]

Ok. Maybe not 2000 more decisions, but it sure seems like it at times. Baby steps... baby steps....

I was all set to make my offsite reservations today. I pulled up Orbitz and the location I'd chosen. And promptly found out that the price had risen about $10/per night. Which would put me over the price I'd wanted to stay in for what I was getting and the distance to the park I was sacrificing for the price.

Dang! All the narrowing down the choices of amenities, price, and user reviews only to get knocked out of the park, so to speak. So I got gutsy and plugged in some things to Priceline.

I am not a gambler for one reason. I have never won anything. Ever.

And I still consider myself not a winner because just as I was literally reaching for the mouse to click on the big red "X" and stop the transaction- I thought maybe I'd call Orbitz and see if I could get those original rates back- Priceline comes back and tells me that someone has accepted my offer!

Oh! Ok.... Clarion Maingate?

Dang. That was so not supposed to happen.

But anyway. As DH said- it's a roof over our head and it's close to the parks.

And now I'm free to stress about other stuff!

Thus the title of my post, 1 decision down, 2000 more to go....

Oh- and in just 35 days, at this time, I will probably be sitting and awaiting the fireworks. Possibly eating a Dole Whip or a Mickey Bar. Cuddling up w/my kiddies and so very tired from the long drive and long afternoon. And totally happy that I'd done all this stressing.

 

[stagemomx3]

I'm voting for a day AK too!

 

[julezdisney]

Ok, so I just called the Hilton @ Disney World (407-827-2727) and was transferred to the Covington Mill. The times for Sunday's Character Breakfast are 8:30-11am. There are 4 characters currently, Minnie, Pluto, Wendy, and Fox! No reservations required. Buffet. Adults $19.50 and Children are $9.00.

We're SO THERE on the non-park day!!! Def. a big savings in cost over Disney property character breakfasts, and as these are authorized by DIsney, I feel very good about this.



We will also be visiting Gatorland on the same day, and finishing the day at Arabian Nights dinner show. Found fantastic ways to save money on tickets to both attractions. For details, feel free to PM me.

I'm getting so excited! 30 more sleeps!!


********************

Also, in case anyone else is interested, the offsite character breakfast at Buena Vista Palace's Watercress Cafe' is a brunch on Sundays from 7am-11:30am. The characters are there from 8am-11am. The cost is $24/ad, $13/ch. Buffet. No reservations req'd. 407-827-2727.

Other options are:

Garden Grove at Swan Dolphin 8-11 on Sat & Sun $18.99/ad; $11.99/ch
Baskersville at Regal Sun T, Th, Sat. 8:30-10:30. Don't know price.
The above are each buffets. Two characters each. Usually Goofy & Pluto.

********************

 

[julezdisney]

Other notes to self (&others):

Have decided to stick to original plan of no parks on day of arrival. Will explore Boardwalk perhaps, and catch fireworks from beach @ Poly. Or just wing it.

Abbreviated travel itinerary-

wed., oct 8- drive begins
thrus., oct 9th drive continues, arrive in Orlando afternoon.
Frid., Oct. 10th- 1900 Park Fare breakfast, mini-golf, hotel for swim/rest/change, MNSSHP
Sat., Oct. 11th- Offsite Character breakfast, Gatorland, Arabian Nights dinner show.
Sun., Oct. 12th- Last day! DHS for TSM and ToT!! Etc., Etc., After park closes- head to Beache & Cream for a Kitchen Sink before bed!
Mon., Oct. 13th- Sleep in, pack, begin loooong drive home.

 

[julezdisney]

I won 4 1-day 1-park complimentary passes for $90!!

But I already also won/paid for 2 1-day 1-park tickets for $142 (saved on taxes). So now I have 2 extra tix! What should I do with 'em!?

Either:

a) resell on ebay
b) buy 2 more and go on arrival day to whatever park's open the latest or re-think the re-plan of MNSSHP on day of arrival so we can go on Thursday to AK?

 

[Charleston Princess]

So, you have to tell us the story behind winning them!!!

Definitely keep them and use them!

 

[julezdisney]

Finished this on day 31!

Has since been embellished w/a few more stickers of characters, per Ebin.


26 more days today!

Next up:

Trip Binder Pix & Itinerary/Decision Update!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Finished this on day 31!

Has since been embellished w/a few more stickers of characters, per Ebin.


26 more days today!

Next up:

Trip Binder Pix & Itinerary/Decision Update!

Cool calendar!!!

Hurray for 26 days!!!

 

[stagemomx3]

Your countdown calendar looks great!

 

[kmab00]

That calendar is SO CUTE!!! I love it!!!!

 

[julezdisney]

Cool calendar!!!

Hurray for 26 days!!!

Your countdown calendar looks great!

That calendar is SO CUTE!!! I love it!!!!

Thanks guys! Down to 22 days today!

 

[julezdisney]

19 Days!!!

 

[travelmel]

19 Days!!!

H A L L O W E E N ' S

A R O U N D

T H E

C O R N E R ! ! !

 

[julezdisney]

for Halloween decorating that is! Which is what DD and I will be doing today, in addition to going to a local theater groups rendition of The Wizard of Oz.

I bought this at Walgreens this week, isn't it cute:

 

[Charleston Princess]

for Halloween decorating that is! Which is what DD and I will be doing today, in addition to going to a local theater groups rendition of The Wizard of Oz.

I bought this at Walgreens this week, isn't it cute:

Oh, I hope our Walgreen's has one of those!!! I definitely need it since I won't be going to WDW during the Halloween season this year.

 

[julezdisney]

So I went to lunch the other day with a friend who is planning a trip for February and she was very impressed with the trip binder. I promised more pix of it here but I'm on the wrong computer for that right now so I'll just add this visual Itinerary Calendar, inspired by Charleston Princess, that I made with Excel. I couldn't figure out to get a print preview shot of it with the newest version of Excel so I just did a screen shot, hence the outline boxes. Oh well.

Anyway- here's a shot of said Calendar, the first thing you turn to after turning the first tab in the Trip Binder, under headings "Itinerary and Park Information".

It makes me feel all ready to go! I LOOOOVE to look at it and wouldn't you know it, this is the ONE thing I've showed DH that made him actually say to DD, "Hey Rach- only XX days! We're gonna have FUN!"
Men really are visual, aren't they?