Here goes, my first PTR.....*UPDATE 9/27* only one day left!!

[MARsMama]

I couldn't get the link to post, but I've been looking at wdwinfo.com, it's part of DIS, just not in the forum part.

I wasn't sure where else to check, other than disney.com and they didn't seem to have any menus for the CS meal places.

Thanks, I'll check out that site. Sounds like Cosmic Rays doesn't do hot dogs for kids anymore I guess we got there just in time! lol

 

[Corrine 1973]

You might not have found a menu for Tortuga because it is new. It is actually replacing El Pirata Y El Perico in Adventureland. From my understanding it is basically the same menu.

The Mickey Heads are the paint chip samples at Home Depot (maybe at other store also). They are by the paint section and are for free. And yes they come that way so no need for any cutting. You can see a pic in my PTR of our Countdown Calendar with diffrent colored ones. (Page 10 or 11) The ones being used to identifly DISers are alien green. If you have problems getting one and would really like one I have no problem getting a few and mailing them to you. Just PM me your address.

 

[PixieMama]

I know Casey's Corner (on Main Street) has hot dogs... but I don't think they have a kids menu.

The info on AllEars gets updated regularly (many of the menus have been updated within the last month)... the site has a ton of other info (announcements, attraction closings, etc.) but I've mainly used it for the menus.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Can you find the days we are in the same place, Karen?

I can't! I thought your first day was the 29th, but without the dates next to your days, I can't figure out what days are what and where we match up! You've stumped me!

 

[MARsMama]

You might not have found a menu for Tortuga because it is new. It is actually replacing El Pirata Y El Perico in Adventureland. From my understanding it is basically the same menu.

The Mickey Heads are the paint chip samples at Home Depot (maybe at other store also). They are by the paint section and are for free. And yes they come that way so no need for any cutting. You can see a pic in my PTR of our Countdown Calendar with diffrent colored ones. (Page 10 or 11) The ones being used to identifly DISers are alien green. If you have problems getting one and would really like one I have no problem getting a few and mailing them to you. Just PM me your address.

The site that PixieMama gave me actually does have a menu for Tortuga Tavern I had wanted to try El Pirate Y El Perico the last time we were there, but didn't get a chance to so that's why I thought of Tortuga Tavern this time, however, it might not be open when were there.
Thanks so much, I'll let you know if I can't get one. That is so neat that they come already in the shape of Mickey!

I know Casey's Corner (on Main Street) has hot dogs... but I don't think they have a kids menu.

Do you know if kids can order from the regular menu if there isn't a kids menu available?

I can't! I thought your first day was the 29th, but without the dates next to your days, I can't figure out what days are what and where we match up! You've stumped me!

I had to make it a bit challenging for you!! Does it help to know our first day is the 28th, not the 29th?

 

[PixieMama]

Do you know if kids can order from the regular menu if there isn't a kids menu available?

Well, I don't know for sure. According to the Dining Plan, "Children ages 3-9 must order from a Children's Menu where available". Casey's Corner is on the DDP, so I would assume that since they don't have a kids menu, it would be ok for a kid to order anything there. I say assume, because we've only eaten at places that did have a separate children's menu. So I haven't experienced ordering for kids off the "regular" menu.

Are you looking for just QS places that have hot dogs for kids? I know 50sPTC has them, because that's what my DD10 had on our last trip.

 

[Corrine 1973]

If there is no kids menu at a participating restaraunt, than kids are able to order anything from the menu just like an adult. From my understanding they do not list CS credit diffrent when you get your remaining credits on the reciept. They only know that there are kids on your plan because of what is listed on your KTTW card. There is a sticky under the resturaunt forum that explains it better.

 

[MARsMama]

I'm actually not looking for a child's hot dog specifically, just going through counter service places to see if I can find ones that would give options that I know my kids would choose. I'm finding very little choices for kids and since my two boys are so different in what they will eat it's harder to find one that offers something that both of them would have something they like.
On our last trip we went on a hot dog hunt for oldest Ds(RT) as he really liked the one he had the week before and wanted another one. He's now more of a burger boy, but youngest Ds(AR) isn't big on burgers! lol Dd(MJ) is now able to eat off the adult menu, but she's the least fussy and will eat pretty much anything as long as there's a lot of it! lol
Add to that a fussy Dh who doesn't like to try anything new, and likes everything plain, it makes it tough to find counter service places that will feed us...unless we hit up three or four different places!

I have realized that we will likely end up going somewhere and just purchasing a side for one of the boys OOP when there's no option for him and then using the extra CS credits to feed them b'fast at the resort some morning. The good thing about the boys is they're not big eaters, so one side would be enough for a lunch for either of them!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Ah-ha! I figured it out, I think! Saturday, our first MK day, we are there at the same time (this is NOT our CP breakfast day though) and Monday at Epcot!!!

 

[MARsMama]

Ah-ha! I figured it out, I think! Saturday, our first MK day, we are there at the same time (this is NOT our CP breakfast day though) and Monday at Epcot!!!

Yes!! Those are the two days when we'll be in the same park! We're both going to enjoy b'fast at CP, but on different days.

 

[MARsMama]

If there is no kids menu at a participating restaraunt, than kids are able to order anything from the menu just like an adult. From my understanding they do not list CS credit diffrent when you get your remaining credits on the reciept. They only know that there are kids on your plan because of what is listed on your KTTW card. There is a sticky under the resturaunt forum that explains it better.

That's good to know, thanks

 

[Lidian]

Hello!!!

I'm jumping on board. Totally loving your PTR.

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[mtgirl29]

I am TRULY loving your PTR. I know you had said that you are new to it, but you seem like a natural to me. I am new to posting on the DISboard, but have yet to figured out how to do a ticker.
So very sorry to hear about your mom. I know what it is like to lose a parent and it is a very heart wrenching experience. I lost my dad over 5 years ago and I still tear up very easily thinking about him. My mom is not in the greatest health either and it scares me to death to lose her, too.

Enough of the gloom and doom, WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY!!!!!
We went in October of 2007 on our very first trip and it was so much fun! I see that you are staying at POR. We have stayed at POFQ and absolutely LOVED it!!!! It is soooo nice to be able to take the boats to DTD.
This year we will stay at CBR. Cannot wait to stay in the Pirate room.

Look forward to reading more of your plans!!!!

 

[MARsMama]

Hello!!!

I'm jumping on board. Totally loving your PTR.

Can't wait to hear more!

Welcome, glad to have you here

 

[MARsMama]

I am TRULY loving your PTR. I know you had said that you are new to it, but you seem like a natural to me. I am new to posting on the DISboard, but have yet to figured out how to do a ticker.
So very sorry to hear about your mom. I know what it is like to lose a parent and it is a very heart wrenching experience. I lost my dad over 5 years ago and I still tear up very easily thinking about him. My mom is not in the greatest health either and it scares me to death to lose her, too.

Enough of the gloom and doom, WE ARE GOING TO DISNEY!!!!!
We went in October of 2007 on our very first trip and it was so much fun! I see that you are staying at POR. We have stayed at POFQ and absolutely LOVED it!!!! It is soooo nice to be able to take the boats to DTD.
This year we will stay at CBR. Cannot wait to stay in the Pirate room.

Look forward to reading more of your plans!!!!

Thank you! For my last trip I did sort of a day by day TR on paper and posted for my family while we were away, just not on the DISboards. I've never done pre-trip write ups before, but thought it was such a great idea, especially here where you can not only share your plans, but get input from others as well. It also makes for a nice keepsake to have along with the TR

I'm sorry to hear that you've lost a parent as well. It is truly the most difficult thing I've had to endure. While it's 'expected' for a parent to pass before a child (and I know it's not always the case), I never thought I'd go through it so young (even though my kids insist that 37 is not young!!) I've almost lost my Dad a few times (anneurysm) and feel so fortunate that he's still with me. He's not in the best of health, but I am hoping that he'll 'hold his own' for years to come yet. I think losing him would break me, at this point

However, as hard as it is somedays we need to focus on the happy things, and what can be happier than a trip to DISNEY?!!! I've only ever stayed at ASMu, but I have heard a lot of people say they really like the boat to DTD, I'm excited to experience that.
I have friends who stayed at CBR a few years back, early '08 I think, and they loved it!

I'll have to find my way over to your PTR and try to catch up before you go on your trip and it becomes a TR!

 

[MARsMama]

Well, no plans for a trip to Disney ever go off without a snag do they? Isn't there always some sort of setback, or two (or more), that we hit before actually pulling off the trip? Well, we hit one of our yesterday.....

We got our tax papers back from the accountant yesterday only to find that our refund is going to be waaaaay less this year than in years past. We knew it was going to happen as I lost my business last year due to taking on the care of my Mom. However, we didn't realize that it would drop so drastically!!
We were planning on using that money to pay for our flights. In the past it's been enough to cover the flights even if we didn't get a really good price, so we thought if we get a good price on a flight we'd have enough with the cut-back. That was not to be. We got an excellent price on a flight down, and have been watching to see if we can get something similar for the flight back. We put the already booked flight on our CC with plans to pay it off with the refund and then use the rest of the refund to pay for the flight back. But, we found out yesterday that the amount we will be receiving is just short, about $50, of covering the flight down

So, now we definately need to get a decent priced flight down, and have to save up to get it. Can we do it in time?!! I guess our CS meal plans will have to be put on the back burner while we brainstorm ways that we can cut-back in order to save up the rest of what we need to get this trip off the ground!!!

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

Well, no plans for a trip to Disney ever go off without a snag do they? Isn't there always some sort of setback, or two (or more), that we hit before actually pulling off the trip? Well, we hit one of our yesterday.....

We got our tax papers back from the accountant yesterday only to find that our refund is going to be waaaaay less this year than in years past. We knew it was going to happen as I lost my business last year due to taking on the care of my Mom. However, we didn't realize that it would drop so drastically!!
We were planning on using that money to pay for our flights. In the past it's been enough to cover the flights even if we didn't get a really good price, so we thought if we get a good price on a flight we'd have enough with the cut-back. That was not to be. We got an excellent price on a flight down, and have been watching to see if we can get something similar for the flight back. We put the already booked flight on our CC with plans to pay it off with the refund and then use the rest of the refund to pay for the flight back. But, we found out yesterday that the amount we will be receiving is just short, about $50, of covering the flight down

So, now we definately need to get a decent priced flight down, and have to save up to get it. Can we do it in time?!! I guess our CS meal plans will have to be put on the back burner while we brainstorm ways that we can cut-back in order to save up the rest of what we need to get this trip off the ground!!!

Ahhh! How frustrating! You can do this though! If I can save up for a Disney trip, ANYONE can, b/c I'm the worst saver, ever. I wish I could give you advice about flights or tips, but we can't afford flying, so we're driving and I have no clue what to tell you about the flights. Just hang in there and have faith! You'll get it saved up, I'm sure of it!

 

[PixieMama]

Oh, MARsMama! What a bummer!

My family doesn't fly so I don't have any ideas or tips on budget-friendly flights, either. And I'm also the world's worst saver, but there are a few things I'm doing to try and save money.

Just try not to worry (I know, I know, that's easier said than done!) and things will work out.

 

[MARsMama]

Thanks Ladies! I'm certainly not giving up, we've come too far now to throw in the towel!! lol

If I can get a flight home for a similar price that we got for the trip down (and I am keeping my fingers crossed that we will) we will be paying close to the same in flights as we would to drive down. The big difference for us is that with driving down it will take so much extra time that Dh would have to take atleast 3 days without pay, possibly more. Not to mention more time that the kids will be out of school....yes, I'm taking my kids out of school for 2 weeks to go to Disney If we drive it would be closer to three weeks!! (If the kids have the same in-service days next school year as they did this year, they will miss a total of 8 days as we also have our Thanksgiving holiday in there as well.)

I know that taking kids out of school for a vacation isn't for everyone, but for us it's the only way we can take them on a trip this far away. With Dh's work he gets three weeks vacation, only two of them can be taken in the summer, which is considered April-September as that is their busy season. Of those two weeks, if he does take them during their busy season, he can't take them together. One week is okay if we fly, but when we plan a vacation to Disney we have to assume that we are driving just in case we can't get a good price on our flights. If we have to pay much more than it is to drive, we have to go with driving. That being said, if we end up having to drive there and only have a week we would have to turn around and head home as soon as we arrive! Since the kids will only be in grades 6, 4, and 1, all do well in school, and will get their work done up in advance we are okay with it.[/COLOR][/SIZE]

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

You won't get any argument from me about taking your kids out of school! We homeschool and when you do that, you realize just how very much kids learn out here in the real world! If my kids were in school, I wouldn't even think twice about taking them out for family time! They are only young once and these memories last a lifetime. Schoolwork can be caught up and done anytime!