Happy Birthday, Dear Dude - A Sept 2010 PTR - 9/22 Trip Report Started p34

[swwake]

I was thinking about the possibility of Free Dining being offered in the next few weeks and how it would relate to our vacation. We currently have 3 ADRs, and two are with signature (2TS) restaurants. We are there for 6 nights. So our ADRs will use 5 of the 6 TS already. And that's fine, but it's just interesting to think about. It would be nice to have all of our counter service meals covered and a bunch of snack credits.

If we do get DDP, we might make the last table service a breakfast at Kona, or use it for Narcoosees and pay out of pocket for Boma.

I'm just really tossing ideas around in my head. We already have all of our meals included in our budget for the trip, but what I should really do is calculate how much money we'd save with FD. I think I'll wait to do that if and when FD is offered.

 

[Dancegrl624]

FD would save us over $600!!! (2 adults and 1 child) I definately have my eyes and ears on every possible code thread, mousesavers, etc. It's such a huge savings. If you already have ressies that would take up 5 TS credits I say to go for it! Snack credits are always great to have (I'd use up all of mine on Dole Whips if I could!).

 

[swwake]

FD would save us over $600!!! (2 adults and 1 child) I definately have my eyes and ears on every possible code thread, mousesavers, etc. It's such a huge savings. If you already have ressies that would take up 5 TS credits I say to go for it! Snack credits are always great to have (I'd use up all of mine on Dole Whips if I could!).

Haha I would too! I sure wish they'd allow snack credits to buy Grey Goose Slushies!

 

[Dancegrl624]

Haha I would too! I sure wish they'd allow snack credits to buy Grey Goose Slushies!

Haha!!! Wouldn't that be nice. My DH would be on cloud 9 if he could use a snack credit for a Beck's beer in Germany.

 

[MHTeacher]

Susan, I found your PTR and am all caught up. Your family sounds like so much fun! I read that Katie is Chris's step-daughter, but I think she kind-of looks like him.


I love your plans for you and Chris's couples only trip. I'll keep my fingers crossed for that free dining for you. We had it during our September trip in '08.

 

[swwake]

Susan, I found your PTR and am all caught up. Your family sounds like so much fun! I read that Katie is Chris's step-daughter, but I think she kind-of looks like him.


I love your plans for you and Chris's couples only trip. I'll keep my fingers crossed for that free dining for you. We had it during our September trip in '08.

Thanks for joining, Michelle. I love to hear that she looks like Dude, and I'm sure he'd love that too. We aren't too fond of her dad. He has gradually distanced himself over the past several years.

Chris is getting so excited about our trip! (I have been excited for some time.)

BTW, Katie was accepted to Alabama on a 2/3 tuition scholarship (brings her down to in-state tuition level). However, she just confirmed at CU Boulder Wednesday.

 

[MHTeacher]

BTW, Katie was accepted to Alabama on a 2/3 tuition scholarship (brings her down to in-state tuition level). However, she just confirmed at CU Boulder Wednesday.

YAY for Katie! Being from TX, you probably know how big football is----It's MASSIVE here in Alabama.

I'm sure CU will be a great experience for Katie. My 16 yr old has her eye set on 'Bama, but she's just finishing up her sophomore year. We've had season tickets for about 10 years, so she's grown up being on campus for ballgames every Saturday during the fall.

 

[swwake]

YAY for Katie! Being from TX, you probably know how big football is----It's MASSIVE here in Alabama.

I'm sure CU will be a great experience for Katie. My 16 yr old has her eye set on 'Bama, but she's just finishing up her sophomore year. We've had season tickets for about 10 years, so she's grown up being on campus for ballgames every Saturday during the fall.

Oh, we're originally from Memphis, so she knows all about Bama, etc. She was also accepted at Auburn (I know, big rivals). But she didn't grow up on football and she'll fit in well at CU with all the outdoor activities nearby. These teen years are lots of fun, but they go by quickly.

 

[Native NYer]

Hi Susan!

Did you have the DDP the last time you were in Disney? I know the dining plan gets mixed reviews here, but I love it. I love having everythign prepaid. Would you have to give up another discount if you took FD?

 

[swwake]

Hi Susan!

Did you have the DDP the last time you were in Disney? I know the dining plan gets mixed reviews here, but I love it. I love having everythign prepaid. Would you have to give up another discount if you took FD?

Girl, where have you been? I thought about you last week b/c I heard Bret is coming to San Antonio (just an hour down the road). I might have to go get me a look at that tattooed eyeliner.

We didn't do DDP last trip. We had a ton of 2TS meals and I budgeted it out and decided against it. Also, Chris doesn't like to be tied to a schedule, so we're trying not to make too many ADRs this time (although I have them for 3 of our 6 nights - haha!).

We essentially have our trip prepaid now. I have already earmarked the entire budget for the trip in our savings, and it feels so good!

We don't have any discounts at all (remember I missed that PIN in January?). So there would be nothing lost if we can get the FD.

 

[swwake]

Our Vacation video cracks me up. Check it out.

 

[Native NYer]

I've been so busy at work. We had our third grade production of the Wizard of Oz on Friday. Now with that over and spring break this week, I can catch up on all of my DIS subscriptions.

Are you getting tickets to see Bret? I watched Behind the Music Motley Crue last night and couldn't stop laughing. At what age do you stop singing Girls, Girls, Girls? LOL They're definitely keeping the eyeliner companies in business!

 

[swwake]

I've been so busy at work. We had our third grade production of the Wizard of Oz on Friday. Now with that over and spring break this week, I can catch up on all of my DIS subscriptions.

Are you getting tickets to see Bret? I watched Behind the Music Motley Crue last night and couldn't stop laughing. At what age do you stop singing Girls, Girls, Girls? LOL They're definitely keeping the eyeliner companies in business!

He is playing at Sea World. I don't think I'm gonna make that trip, even to see Bret.

 

[swwake]

Ok I have been running our budget today. I ran the numbers for the DDP, using prices from All Ears, and it looks like it would save us about $225 total. We are going to just keep discussing it for now. We aren't sure we want to be limited to certain restaurants, and we won't always eat dessert with counter service (or maybe with table service, for that matter), and my savings calculation is based on having desserts every meal.

However, if free dining is offered, it will save us $725!!

If you have any comments or you see I'm missing something, let me know.

Oh, and I noticed there are no special offers on the Disney web site today. They will probably come out with "something" very soon!

 

[Native NYer]

I love the video

 

[swwake]

So I just got a 40% PIN code in my email. What to do??

Oh I was just looking at the email and it looks like the trigger was researching at My Disney Vacation. "We’re delighted you’ve been making plans online for your next visit with My Disney Vacation!"

 

[Native NYer]

So I just got a 40% PIN code in my email. What to do??

Oh I was just looking at the email and it looks like the trigger was researching at My Disney Vacation. "We’re delighted you’ve been making plans online for your next visit with My Disney Vacation!"

Yay a PIN
Can you use if for your AKL CL room?

 

[swwake]

Yay a PIN
Can you use if for your AKL CL room?

I don't know. And I don't know if I could get free dining with it or if I could only use one offer. And I don't know how much the difference is in order to weigh the 40% vs FD. And I don't even know whether FD will be offered. Should I just call the number and ask these questions? I know they won't answer me about FD because they don't know.

The offer doesn't have an expiration but it does say "It's not too late, but rooms can vanish faster than the Cheshire Cat!" But since my room is already booked and we'd just be changing the reservation, maybe that doesn't matter.

Any experience with this? I am confused.

 

[swwake]

By the way, Jen - nice tickers!

 

[Native NYer]

I don't know. And I don't know if I could get free dining with it or if I could only use one offer. And I don't know how much the difference is in order to weigh the 40% vs FD. And I don't even know whether FD will be offered. Should I just call the number and ask these questions? I know they won't answer me about FD because they don't know.

The offer doesn't have an expiration but it does say "It's not too late, but rooms can vanish faster than the Cheshire Cat!" But since my room is already booked and we'd just be changing the reservation, maybe that doesn't matter.

Any experience with this? I am confused.

I've read that AKL CL rooms are hard to get with a PIN. I'd call ASAP to see if it's even available. If it isn't, then you can just wait for FD. I'm surprised FD hasn't been released yet.

By the way, Jen - nice tickers!

AKL ticker had to go. My friend and I are postponing that trip due to a conflict. Maybe we'll go sometime in the fall