Happy Mickey-versary for 15 yrs! An Oct. 2011 PTR NEW: 11/13 Pretend Disney? & TRlink

[mousescrapper]

I like MK on arrival but I worry about your anniversary dinner being on travel day....you might be tired and not quite into vacation mode yet

I wouldn't go all the way to POR for a carriage ride...too much time traveling to get there and back. If you skipped at carriage ride all together would you feel better about spending money on a tour? I like this evening better for your dinner at the GF

Good plans here. I was surprised to read that you would do a 2 credit ddp at lunch, let alone at the Brown Derby. How 'bout paying out of pocket for at least one of your meals here and then you have credits for another TS (breakfast maybe or that first night instead of Nac.@GF)


No tour today. Free to choose morning.

I say do the MK tour this day because you have to get up early and get moving anyhow.

Too funny... Heidi's planning ideas must be rubbing off on me because I was thinking several of the same things... I just didn't know how to make it fit better -but she did a good job with that.

1 - Don't do dinner on arrival night.
2 - I'd be iffy on the carriage ride too.
3 - 2 TS credits seem like a lot to me for lunch too... As DVC members, can't you pick & choose which dining plan to use on which day? (ie. QSDP one day, regular another day, deluxe another day, etc.) I have no idea if that would help you at all, but something to look into.
4 - I choose the Keys to the Kingdom tour! I didn't think doing it the morning after MNSSHP was a good idea but didn't have any suggestions of when to do it - but I love Heidi's idea! Maybe go to a late breakfast and just relax a bit the morning after MNSSHP - leave it flexible - maybe make a breakfast ADR just in case...

Lots of great stuff in your plans!!

comments below...

YAY....so much planning! I love all of your worksheets. Do you make those on your own or did you find them somewhere? I'd like to steal a couple..especially the crowd level one.

I got most of the ideas from another Diser and her PTR...sorry I so forget her name I knew I wrote it down somewhere I redesigned them to fit my needs and style a bit too. I basically made them all using Microsoft publisher

I think the restaurant choices sound great. I do have to agree that your big anniversary dinner after a day of traveling may not be the best idea. I love the idea of watching the fireworks afterward, though. Very romantic!

I'd go with the Keys to the Kingdom tour. Not only for price reasons, but because I think it would be really interesting.

This! I agree with Heidi, especially on moving the anniversary dinner to the second day. You'll want to really enjoy it, and you know arrival day is always so hectic.

I vote Keys to the Kingdom Tour, being that you are going just the two of you I think you would get to really enjoy it since you would'nt be worried about any kids. I have no clue about when, but would second Heidi's suggestions since she is good putting things together like that.

yes she does

I still vote carriage ride but not sure when you all could fit it in with the travel time.

I know I'd like to squeeze it in somewhere...might just be a Plan B type thing

I'm not opposed to your dinner the first night only if you don't have much planned for first day. We have already decided next time we go to Disney we will not do any parks on arrival day and just do a fun dinner that night and swimming in the pool. But you will be more pressed for time on this trip I think, since you want to do a lot. But I understand why dinner the 2nd night would be better.

Oh I follow the no park rule generally all the time too...epescially w/ the kids...and no major plans it really does help ease in from travel day and starting out fresh on Day 2)....w/ just Matt and I we don't neccessarily need that ease time...but I don't want to plan too much and get organized in the room on Day 1)....not to jump ahead...but thinking we will do a park on Day 1) for Jan '12 family trip and just go to MK for a few hours...since we'll only be there for 5 days again and we can walk right over (staying at BLT again)

I do agree with the Brown Derby lunch, I don't know that I would want to use two TS credits for a lunch. If it's really a must do I vote for what Heidi said in paying oop and using those credits somewhere else.

I love all your plans though

@ Amy and Jess....thanks for liking my plans for the most part

@ Heidi...thanks for the red ink I count on your planning expertise

@ everyone....ok some thoughts here...

1) the 2 TS for lunch at HBD...ok duh guess that didn't quite register in my brain as I was adjusting...orginally my first plan (based on '10) hours...my first plan was to hop over to DHS after our EP day on Mon and have dinner and see F!...but now we have scratch F! from the plans...cause it's only being offered at the moment on Sun and Thurs night...neither of wish work. and the kids really want to see F! in Jan...and that trip will be their trip (w/ me going twice this yr w/out kids and a very possible 3rd time next yr too...I want to make the plans for them!)

so....yes HBD I think is a must do for Matt...and yes it would be dumb to rest those credits on lunch

hmmm for OOP for that man looking over the menu there is so many things that sound tasty to me...but let's just say a ball park figure would be at least $70

now this whole segment DVC DDP stuff...ok this is new news to me...really I just heard about recently, it seems recently new as of last fall and they are still working out the kinks. It sounds kind of crazy confusing too...but I am willing to look at it a bit more too...basically you are checking in/out w/in your one stay rooms (or rooms if you had a split stay) and can add various DDP or be OOP through out your stay...but it could cause you to need new room keys each time you change and I have also read there still is a lot of confustion from member services to in the parks...seems like anything new several kinks need to be worked out...but this could be a real option here

the other thing is I don't want too much dinning for a 5 day stay...it's nice, Matt does like it, but I don't need it...I guesss I have alot to think about...there are ther places we'd like to try and eat at too

NOW YOU ALL DON'T THINK THE PLACEMENT OF A LUNCH AT HBD IS A BAD THING??? just using the credits

2) the anniversary dinner on Day 1)...ok I have been slightly hesistant on doing this the first night as you most have all said...but at same time wanted to do it early on, now that I have that open night on Mon...maybe it makes more sense to move it there

DO YOU ALL LIKE THE IDEA OF EATING THERE???

3) tour...ok I can't make this decision soley but I think choosing the Keys to the Kingdom tour is the way to go and do it on our last day Thurs


4) carriage ride... not sure yet on this one...

ok stay tuned for my proposed revisment...

 

[DisMomAmy]

I don't think HBD is a bad idea for lunch - just make sure you look at the menu & see if it's worth spending 2 TS credits.

And I think Narcoosee's is a good choice - just not on the first day. Moving it to the second day is a much better idea.

 

[mousescrapper]

let's deal w/ food first...

Before: on reg DDP in green NEW changes staying on reg DDP non segment in red

Day 1) Sun 10-16
B airport
L Contempo café CS #1 of 4
D Narcoossee’s TS # 1, 2 of 4 NEW CS maybe at Top world lounge CS # 2 of 4


Day 2) Mon 10-17
B villa
L F&W locations (EP) part SC and OOP
D CS ? # 2 of 4 NEW Narcoossee’s TS 1,2 of 4


Day 3) Tues 10-18
B villa
L HBD TS # 3, 4 of 4 NEW pay OOP
D CS at MK # 3 of 4

Day 4) Wed 10-19
B villa NEW TS at ?? maybe Wave, or Kona Café or GF location TS# 3, of 4
L included in tour NEW CS at AK CS # 4 of 4 or TS at AK or AKL TS # 4 of 4
D F& W locations part SC and OOP

Day 5) Thurs 10-20
B villa
L CS ?? # 4 of 4 NEW included in tour
D airport NEW can grab food to go from CR before getting on bus CS # 4 of $ if we do TS for lunch on Day 4

I don’t think I need to have two DDP's for this plan to work…seems like a lot of work for only 5 days…but would love to try it for my family trip in Jan ’12 we are planning to do OOP to keep costs down, but maybe have a DDP on Day 1 would be nice…but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

The big question is how much food do I want to spend OOP?

This is what I was originally budgeting (not including airport food)
For EP F& W F…we have 8 total snack credits coming to us…so we’d use at least 4-6 here (so we have a few left over for treats at MK)
Based on useing 6 SC and choosing an additional 12 items plus 6 alcoholic drinks puts at roughly $76.00 (and tax too) this of course is a max figure

Now add in an OOP expansive lunch at about $70.00 (not including tip)

We are looking at about $150 in additional cost to the reg DDP which will be $367.92 and I need to factor in cost of tips for the TS places…

Geeze that’s a lot of $$ for food huh for 5 days for only 2 people…

What do you guys think?

I still don’t know if segmenting will help me here…I basically need extra TS and extra Snack credits to help me out…1 night in the Deluxe DDP will cost
$157.98…this would give us 1 TS, 1 CS, 2 snack credits and a refillable mug.

Now I’d be paying this basic figure for my OOP food cost anyways..so can I utilize the DDP to my benefit?

I don’t even know how best to segment it up…you need to have it based on nights I think…

Would I have reg DDP for nights 1 and 2) 2 TS, 2 CS and 2 SC (covers day 1, 2 & 3) and then Deluxe DDP on night 3) 1 TS, 1CS, 2 SC (covers day 4 and 5)and then night 4 would be OOP?

I don’t think that’s right…any ideas here?

So confused

 

[MRYPPNS]

I don't think HBD is a bad idea for lunch - just make sure you look at the menu & see if it's worth spending 2 TS credits.

And I think Narcoosee's is a good choice - just not on the first day. Moving it to the second day is a much better idea.

Yeah what she said!

 

[MRYPPNS]

That segmented dining sounds like a pain in the rump. I'd only do it if it was for one block of time/same plan.

I can't comment on OOP vs. DDP because you already know what I think. Just do whatever is going to be easier for you while you are at Disney!

Isn't the Wave doing a breakfast buffet now?

 

[mommytothreeboys]

The segmented DDP just boggles my brain!

I think Narcoossee's sounds like a fantastic choice for an anniversary meal.

I've heard good things about Wave as well.

 

[MRYPPNS]

Julie have you ever done the math on getting a Tables in Wonderland card?

 

[DisMomAmy]

Julie have you ever done the math on getting a Tables in Wonderland card?

I know you like having things pre-paid with the dining plan, but TIW has saved us tons!

Definitely worth it for us... especially since we've used it on three trips plus for our 1900 PF dinner.

 

[mousescrapper]

Yeah what she said!

OK

That segmented dining sounds like a pain in the rump. I'd only do it if it was for one block of time/same plan.

I know right? and yes it is a great perk but only if you can make it work I think...seems like more trouble than it's worth for this trip

I can't comment on OOP vs. DDP because you already know what I think. Just do whatever is going to be easier for you while you are at Disney!

yep I know....I am re running numbers now...maybe OOP might be a better choice dare I say you may have converted me

Isn't the Wave doing a breakfast buffet now?

that sounds great but I can't find the info on wdwinfo or allears

The segmented DDP just boggles my brain!

me too

I think Narcoossee's sounds like a fantastic choice for an anniversary meal.

thanks...I do too

Julie have you ever done the math on getting a Tables in Wonderland card?

I know you like having things pre-paid with the dining plan, but TIW has saved us tons!

Definitely worth it for us... especially since we've used it on three trips plus for our 1900 PF dinner.

Ok ladies we did talk about initally but then shot it down cause thought it wouldn't pay off but that was doing DDP and OOP...now thinking maybe OOP...have to add in this and see

 

[JPFamilyMom]

That made my head hurt I think oop might be best, and easiest, can't you also use your AP for some discount? or is that just merchandise?

And I like your dining choices

 

[DisMomAmy]

That made my head hurt I think oop might be best, and easiest, can't you also use your AP for some discount? or is that just merchandise?

And I like your dining choices

There are some places you can get an AP discount on lunch. Teppan Edo doesn't offer a TIW discount so we eat there at lunch and get the 10% AP discount. But I'm not sure where else...

 

[mousescrapper]

All right so after re arranging the dining around and contemplating DDP vs OOP and possibly adding TIW….this is where I am at (KIM I have yet to run this w/ Matt)

If you are a visual thinker like me here is my food chart:

Now I used a dinning plan spreadsheet, another Diser created to run my food totals to compare the value of what we would eat based on the DDP rules and based on what we could do w/out those rules to come up w/ some better totals that include tax and tip as applicable…

Ready for the Fuzzy Disney Math?

Now based on reg DDP at $367.92 we get 4 TS, 4 CS meals and 8 Snack Credits between the 2 of us but we know we will eat above the DDP credit allotments and that brings our total up to $519.58 (that’s basically the Hollywood brown Derby meal, and F & W choices)

Now the food alone not including plan cost = $510.55 this includes 4 TS meals, 4 CS meals 8 snacks, F& W choices and up to 8 alcoholic drinks (wow we sound likes lushes)

Now what if I break from the DDP rules and just order what we’d be fine w/…
Drop dessert from Narcoossee’s (since we’ll be ordering a specialty cake)
Dessert from 1 CS place
Drink cost for me only from 2 CS places and 1 TS offering, our new cost is $426.66

WOW that is a big difference and if I drop another TS offering and just leave it to the main two the new total is $393.72

But let’s look at the TIW card option just to see if it is worth the cost. So I can purchase the card w/ our AP discount for $75.

I used Amy’s handy TIW discount spreadsheet to see how the discount factors in on 3 TS meals (Narcoossee’s, HBD and a B at the Wave) for this comparison I added two sides at the Wave w/ our entrée choice & 1 CS meal AK FTBBQ (this is not an extra meal)

The total of those 4 meals w/ discount comes too = $241.68
Now I take that total plus the 75 and adjust it in my total of other non discounted food and I come too = $477.56 ($402.56 is food only)

Compare that to my 2nd OOP cost of $426.66 and it’s just an additional $50.90

BUT the TIW card is good for 1 yr…so I can use it again for our Jan ’12 family trip and let’s say I use it for 2 character meals and another CS at FTBBQ…I gain additional savings.

Did you follow all of that?

Thoughts?

 

[mousescrapper]

Now before I make any decision on what to do w/ FOOD…I also ran my total budget for the trip…not including souvenirs yet:

* Airfare= $608.00

*Hotel= 0.00 (DVC)

* Park Tickets = 0.00 (AP from Nov ’10)

* Tour (Keys to Kingdom) = $133.98 (based on ’10 pricing and DVC discount)

* Mouskeeping = $20.00 (at end of stay)

* Airport/bell services tips = $16.00 (based on 2 bags)

* MNSSHP tickets = $ 106.40 (based on ’10 pricing & DVC pricing)

* Speciality cake = $65.00 (I honestly have no idea…I found prices on cake
thread for a mini wedding cake at $25 and the white chocolate castle at
$15)

* Dinning in parks = $520 (DDP & OOP) or $400 (OOP 2 TS) or $480 (OOP 3 TS & TIW card)

* Airport OOP food = up to $30.00

Add that all up using the middle food cost (in park dinning) figure and we have a total = $1439.38

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

I would say to go ahead and get the TIW card because if you're going to be able to use in January, you will reap the additional benefit. Can you do some fuzzy Disney math on the meals for January (estimates since you're not quite there yet)?

Your overall budget looks good for 5 days.

 

[bellebookworm9]

look at the Operating Hours that came out a week ago and see how to adjust my initial touring plan.

Are these the park hours from touringplans.com? I know that they are generally accurate, but I've looked several places on the Disney website and October hours aren't out yet.

 

[mousescrapper]

I would say to go ahead and get the TIW card because if you're going to be able to use in January, you will reap the additional benefit. Can you do some fuzzy Disney math on the meals for January (estimates since you're not quite there yet)?

that's my inkling now...but still have to weigh the pros and cons...yes I am already running a prelim budget for Jan too looking at the food both ways...that will be the biggest area I can play w/ tickets can't do much with will purchase via Undercover Tourist and have the hard waiting game for the airfare cost...for 6 people it won't be cheap

Your overall budget looks good for 5 days.

thanks seems a bit high...but the 3 big extras of tour, MNSSHP and the cake will be well worth it plus no cost for resort or park tickets is a huge savings! my Jan budget is scary though already

Are these the park hours from touringplans.com? I know that they are generally accurate, but I've looked several places on the Disney website and October hours aren't out yet.

no you are right the "official" Disney hours won't be out till maybe sometime next week...but I got the hours from the leaked travel agent site ...touring plans did adjust based on this...PM me if you need help....or check around other people posted the link...I don't have it though

 

[bellebookworm9]

no you are right the "official" Disney hours won't be out till maybe sometime next week...but I got the hours from the leaked travel agent site ...touring plans did adjust based on this...PM me if you need help....or check around other people posted the link...I don't have it though

They should be released tomorrow so I'm not too worried. The UG ones for March I know were updated with correct hours at least a week before Disney released them, so they're probably accurate. I'm just a bit confused because it says Epcot will be open until 10 the Friday night we will be there and that seems a bit unusual.

 

[Marshay]

Hey, Julie.

I confess all your food planning just boggles my mind!

But as for the segmented dining...we are doing that in May (see siggie below for link to see how it turns out later).

We are in a 2br Kidani Savannah room with my parents. We broke up the trip in 3 segments

Sat arrival - no TS
Sun to Wedesday - DDP (3 nights but able to use until midnight Wed)
Thurs to Sat - TIW

So this way we can use the dining credits all day Sunday through all day Wednesday giving us extra time to take advantage of the plan.

I worked out the costs from DDP vs TIW for the meals we had planned and we actually save more money with DDP since we are doing character meals and Boma ...the kids price alone for these meals is more than what we are paying for the DDP for Rachel.

 

[irish dancer]

Planning out dining and costs OOP/DDP/TIW/etc always gives me a headache. It's like they have every angle figured out so there is no obvious choice.

I'm pretty sure we're going to segment for our June trip. We're going to do DxDDP for one night so that will give us 3 TS credits, 2 snack and a mug for each of us. We're doing Ohana one night and LeCellier for Mairead's graduation the next. It will save us $75+. We've never gotten mugs before so I'm excited about that.

I'm thinking the TIW will be a savings for you since you'll be able to use for both trips.

 

[mousescrapper]

They should be released tomorrow so I'm not too worried. The UG ones for March I know were updated with correct hours at least a week before Disney released them, so they're probably accurate. I'm just a bit confused because it says Epcot will be open until 10 the Friday night we will be there and that seems a bit unusual.

well don't see them yet on wdwinfo or the official WDW site...but keep waiting that 10 pm time on EP does sound odd just hope not much changes...I finally feel good about my plan...just like it to get all switched around w/ hours and such

Hey, Julie.

I confess all your food planning just boggles my mind!

mind too

But as for the segmented dining...we are doing that in May (see siggie below for link to see how it turns out later).

finally dragged my sorry but over there...you'll have to let me know how it all works...did you segment it out at time of booking? not I didn't know about it when I booked for Jan I read on the DVC threads to email MS and ask them too...figure not much could get messed up w/ just segmented for 1 night

Planning out dining and costs OOP/DDP/TIW/etc always gives me a headache. It's like they have every angle figured out so there is no obvious choice.

yeah right...but I think what Matt and I have decided will work to our advantage in food and cost see below in next post...

I'm pretty sure we're going to segment for our June trip. We're going to do DxDDP for one night so that will give us 3 TS credits, 2 snack and a mug for each of us. We're doing Ohana one night and LeCellier for Mairead's graduation the next. It will save us $75+. We've never gotten mugs before so I'm excited about that.

sounds great....we have gotten the mugs a few times over several past trips...I have a small collection in my scrapbook room...getting mugs is one reason I want to segment 1 night on QSDDP in Jan too

I'm thinking the TIW will be a savings for you since you'll be able to use for both trips.

in a way yes it would be a savings...but after running the numbers a few times...we have decided to.....