Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog! LINK TO TRIP REPORT!!!

[jennie622]

I just finished reading EVERYTHING and I'm so happy you are still going to Disney!! Sounds like you are going to make this an awesome trip for your (adorable) son, Max!

I'm also going to WDW in Feb 2011, just starting planning. Looks like Feb 5-12 will be the lucky days for us. It will be to celebrate my good friend Lori and I turning 40 and my bud, Jennie turning 30 all in 2011!! After reading your PTR, I can't wait to go!! I want to pack right now.

I also understand all the stress you have been under, my DBF and I have been going through some tough financial times this past year and have given up alot of "extras" and not so extras to make it by. Guess I'll save that for my PTR, just have to figure out how to insert pics (I'm not very computer savvy).

I'll be hanging on every word until you go!!! Good luck planning!

 

[piperdown]

Just found your PTR, and wishing the best for your upcoming trip. It sounds like this trip is exactly what you guys need.

Only by a bit of luck were we not in the same housing situation as you. DH got wind that his entire office was shutting down, and thus we had to make some pretty critical decisions. We were able to sell our dream house 3 months before the housing market tanked in summer '07.

We downsized our lives quite a bit and moved into my DH's grandfather's home about 1.5 hours away (he had moved to an assisted living complex a few months earlier). But now, 3 years later, I realize it was a blessing in disguise. We'll be completely out of debt within 18 months (including car payments), and we have a savings account again. My husband was able to start a 2nd career....teaching 8th grade science. I have an awesome job at a local university. And best of all, we're taking our first family trip to WDW in 3 weeks!!

Relax and enjoy....the kids grow up so fast!!!

 

[tinacaplan]

What a nice cake! How lucky he is to have you to make him one. I totally get how fast time goes by. My oldest is just about 20 and my youngest (who I swear was just born) is 5. It goes by way to fast. This is why I don't regret our Disney trips. My boys...they are a bit beyond it now...and sadly I doubt will want to go back until they themselves have kids. I am so glad that we took the boys when they were still young enough to enjoy it.

Happy Birthday to Max!

I just finished reading EVERYTHING and I'm so happy you are still going to Disney!! Sounds like you are going to make this an awesome trip for your (adorable) son, Max!

I'm also going to WDW in Feb 2011, just starting planning. Looks like Feb 5-12 will be the lucky days for us. It will be to celebrate my good friend Lori and I turning 40 and my bud, Jennie turning 30 all in 2011!! After reading your PTR, I can't wait to go!! I want to pack right now.

I also understand all the stress you have been under, my DBF and I have been going through some tough financial times this past year and have given up alot of "extras" and not so extras to make it by. Guess I'll save that for my PTR, just have to figure out how to insert pics (I'm not very computer savvy).

I'll be hanging on every word until you go!!! Good luck planning!

Just found your PTR, and wishing the best for your upcoming trip. It sounds like this trip is exactly what you guys need.

Only by a bit of luck were we not in the same housing situation as you. DH got wind that his entire office was shutting down, and thus we had to make some pretty critical decisions. We were able to sell our dream house 3 months before the housing market tanked in summer '07.

We downsized our lives quite a bit and moved into my DH's grandfather's home about 1.5 hours away (he had moved to an assisted living complex a few months earlier). But now, 3 years later, I realize it was a blessing in disguise. We'll be completely out of debt within 18 months (including car payments), and we have a savings account again. My husband was able to start a 2nd career....teaching 8th grade science. I have an awesome job at a local university. And best of all, we're taking our first family trip to WDW in 3 weeks!!

Relax and enjoy....the kids grow up so fast!!!

Thanks, everyone! This recession has been hard for so many people. But, Piperdown, as you said, I know that we will be in a much better place a year from now. For the first time in our lives, we'll be debt free and have money in our savings account. (OK, in all fairness, we'll have a savings account for the first time) Hey...if you look at my ticker, we'll be in a much better place in about seven months! And congrats on your husband's new career. I'm a teacher, too, and wouldn't consider doing anything else.

Certainly enjoying the planning, particuarly as more and more pieces fall into place. Can't believe it, but it will be time to make my ADR's soon!

People who don't know, look at me as if I'm insane when I even mention that I'm going to soon be making reservations for meals in February! Oh, well...they just don't know how much fun all this planning can be.

 

[KatMark]

GREAT JOB, TINA, on the Mickey Mouse cake...it looks terrific. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to little Max.

 

[tinacaplan]

GREAT JOB, TINA, on the Mickey Mouse cake...it looks terrific. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to little Max.

Thanks. I was pretty impressed with myself, as baking is not my strong suit. And technically, it was three years ago today that they induced and my super long labor process started.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Gosh, I can't believe I didn't sub to your report either, so I've missed the past 5 pages of posts, but I am all caught up now!

You guys have such a cute son! Max is adorable, and his Hawaiian Mickey shirt is soooo cute! I totally want one for DH, LOL. Great job on the cake! I don't think I could do something like that!

So sorry about having to sell your house but these are especially tough times so you guys are very brave to make that decision and I wish your family the best. I totally agree that Disney is a wonderful escape, and it really doesn't matter what people think. Nobody judges you at WDW!

I am probably the only one of my close friends that enjoy Disney so much. I know they all love the movies but they don't understand why me and DH go to WDW ALL.THE.TIME. I think they feel it's like a kid's wonderland because a lot of them have only been a few times in their lives and barely in their adult lives. But I enjoy Disney because of all the kid stuff, as well as making it a challenge for DH and I, in the planning as well as at the parks. We find it thrilling to be able to do all the big rides in a 2 hour timespan because we time FP so well and get to the parks at a certain time each day and can spend the rest of the day going at our own pace because we've done everything!

I love that pic of you and your DH with Pooh and Tigger! I totally have the same pic of me and my DH in 2003. I have to fish out some older pics and post them. I thought I lost them but checked snapfish.com and found a collection of old pics!

Love your day 1 and 2 plans so far, and can't wait to hear more!
Think Feb is a great time to go btw, as I honestly can't take the heat anymore!

 

[tinacaplan]

Gosh, I can't believe I didn't sub to your report either, so I've missed the past 5 pages of posts, but I am all caught up now!

You guys have such a cute son! Max is adorable, and his Hawaiian Mickey shirt is soooo cute! I totally want one for DH, LOL. Great job on the cake! I don't think I could do something like that!

So sorry about having to sell your house but these are especially tough times so you guys are very brave to make that decision and I wish your family the best. I totally agree that Disney is a wonderful escape, and it really doesn't matter what people think. Nobody judges you at WDW!

I am probably the only one of my close friends that enjoy Disney so much. I know they all love the movies but they don't understand why me and DH go to WDW ALL.THE.TIME. I think they feel it's like a kid's wonderland because a lot of them have only been a few times in their lives and barely in their adult lives. But I enjoy Disney because of all the kid stuff, as well as making it a challenge for DH and I, in the planning as well as at the parks. We find it thrilling to be able to do all the big rides in a 2 hour timespan because we time FP so well and get to the parks at a certain time each day and can spend the rest of the day going at our own pace because we've done everything!

I love that pic of you and your DH with Pooh and Tigger! I totally have the same pic of me and my DH in 2003. I have to fish out some older pics and post them. I thought I lost them but checked snapfish.com and found a collection of old pics!

Love your day 1 and 2 plans so far, and can't wait to hear more!
Think Feb is a great time to go btw, as I honestly can't take the heat anymore!

Thank you! Max just keeps getting more fun all the time.

And I am certainly the only one of my close friends who is into Disney at all. I tried showing some things from our last trip to one of my friends from college and she just said, "I don't even know what that is." She's too cool, apparently. Oh, well, its her loss.

I am glad that we're going to get to go in February. As teachers, my husband and I will never have the luxury of going during a less busy time of the year (well, at least not until we retire in another thirty years or so...), so I figure it makes sense to go when it isn't both crowded and HOT. I figure the odds that Florida will have such a cold winter twice in a row are pretty low, but who knows? I do know that the week in February breaks up the winter up here very nicely and makes it go that much more quickly!

 

[annmarieda]

I figure the odds that Florida will have such a cold winter twice in a row are pretty low, but who knows? I do know that the week in February breaks up the winter up here very nicely and makes it go that much more quickly!

Did ya read where I went two febs in a row and feb 2009 had a freak freezing spell and then, well you know how feb 2010 was. I hope it was just me. I have a friend who has told me we can not vacation in the same spot since I bring bad weather no matter where I go.

I wish you the best of luck!!!

 

[tinacaplan]

Did ya read where I went two febs in a row and feb 2009 had a freak freezing spell and then, well you know how feb 2010 was. I hope it was just me. I have a friend who has told me we can not vacation in the same spot since I bring bad weather no matter where I go.

I wish you the best of luck!!!

I totally missed that! OK, so then if the last TWO Febuarys were bad, this has to be a good one, right? All I ask for is one or two days where its in the upper 70's. Oh, and for it not to be so freezing cold that half the plants are dead. And not to freeze at Illuminations. But that's all! Until my husband and I retire (in about thirty years or so!), we're stuck going during school vacations, so I'll risk colder weather rather than deal wih heat and crowds.

 

[annmarieda]

I totally missed that! OK, so then if the last TWO Febuarys were bad, this has to be a good one, right? All I ask for is one or two days where its in the upper 70's. Oh, and for it not to be so freezing cold that half the plants are dead. And not to freeze at Illuminations. But that's all! Until my husband and I retire (in about thirty years or so!), we're stuck going during school vacations, so I'll risk colder weather rather than deal wih heat and crowds.

I agree, next February WILL be nice. Three years in a row would be too much! Actually, I like going during feb through april. It is a nice break in the year when you have kids.

 

[tinacaplan]

...fixating on a trip that isn't even happening for SEVEN MONTHS?

Sometimes I wonder if there isn't something seriously wrong with me. But then I get on the Dis and realize, that no, I'm OK. Disney trip planning is a hobby, right?

I am hesitant to post another update because in the meantime a small thought has sprouted in my head... which of course led to another small, tiny, little thought... which, of course, changes EVERYTHING!

Just to check in, this trip started out as a grand gathering; my parents, my aunt, possibly my cousin, maybe even my sister-in-law. My parents have long since dropped out, which means pretty much everyone else is out, too. And for a variety of reasons, that's OK with us. Given that this is going to be the first of (hopefully) many trips for Max, it might be nice if this first time it was just us. Especially after I saw how overwhelmed he was at his own birthday party, and that was only twelve people, nearly all of whom were related to him.

What am I thinking? Well...

OK...last year my husband and I took advantage of the 4/3 deal, which, apparently, works out quite well, discount-wise. I read somewhere on the Dis that its the biggest discount you can get. Don't know if that's actually true, but it seems plausible, especially if you are planning on a stay longer than four nights, which we were anyway. Great. Meant we got to spend an entire, glorious week at Disney!

Initially, I had been thinking that this trip would be five nights. And that would be enough time for us to see most of what I want us to see and do on this particular trip, and more than I should even reasonably be hoping for at this point.

BUT...wouldn't it be great if they DID offer the 4/3 again this year? Then we could go for an entire week. Well, before you can say Mickey Mouse, I've worked up an entire seven day itinerary, complete with desired ADRs! In an excel spreadsheet. With Mickey clipart. And a Mickey background. Color coded.

And then I think some more...and read more posts on the Dis. There is rampant speculation that Disney will never offer the 4/3 deal again. It was too much, they promised their stockholders..etc. Of course, there is now more speculation because they extended free dining so far into December. Now, keeping in mind that at this point, we know nothing, I start pricing things out again, using full rack rate for peak season. And I start thinking about the Contemporary again.

Now, as anyone who has seen my numerous posts on the resort threads knows, I LOVED CSR. I really, truly did. I loved nearly everything about it. Pepper Market leaves a lot to be desired, IMO, but I kind of doubt that the food court, quick service is that much better most other places. Of course, I could be wrong, but in any event, its not enough to make me change resorts. Loved the busses, the location, the grounds, the pool.

HOWEVER...I have dreamed of staying at the Contemporary since I was a little girl and first rode the monorail through the Grand Concourse. I imagined you must have to be very well-off to stay there and fantasized that maybe some day, that could be me. I considered it, seriously, for our trip in February, but everytime I ran the numbers, the extra grand or so it was going to cost (couldn't get a garden view room at the time, that might have swayed me) just didn't seem worth it. Especially since we could barely afford the trip as it was.

My husband and I had our Valentine's Day dinner at the California Grill and we arrived rather early for our ADR. We had dutifully followed instructions to allow an hour to get from CSR to the CR and, well...it took NOWHERE near that long. Fine by me; it meant we could do some exploring at the Contemporary. We walked out by the pool and down to the shores of the lake, peaked into some (empty) rooms in the Garden wing. We sat for awhile in a far off corner of the lobby. We went into all the shops on the Concourse. My husband played in the arcade for awhile. And I was in love!

Now, taking into account wild rumors and innuendo about discounts for the upcoming year, I'm thinking...hey...if I could snag forty percent off...and a garden view room...couldn't we do the Contemporary? I mean, I have a THREE YEAR OLD. If ever there is a time to justify a monorail resort, it is now. I also plan on dining at at least three different places at the monorail resorts themselves, so woudn't staying at one make our lives so much easier?

Of course, then there's that HUGE price difference. And the twenty minutes I hear it takes to get from CR to EPCOT on the monorail. And while I'm sure my son will find the monrail to be magical, as every child does, he's three and is still quite impressed by busses.

All of which brings me back to my main point: I have no idea what trip I'm really planning. So, I'm planning two: one for five days, one for seven. Or maybe it's more like three, with an additional one for if I decide to take the plunge and we book the Contemporary for five days. Doubtful. But who knows?

 

[Mindy5767]

Hello? Is anyone out there? Just chechking...as much as I tell myself that this PTR is for me, it would be nice to hear from some people.

Hi, subbing.... just found you on Christelle's ptr! I also have a son named Max. My Max is 18 and just graduated high school. We're going to Disney next month. Our Max is going to Florida Tech for college, and he has to be there August 10th. On the 10th and 11th there are parent orientation activities, and then we're leaving with DD8 to spend a week at Disney at the Pop Century. We frequently stay in 2 bedroom villas at Saratoga as that is our DVC home resort. We stayed there this past March, we'll be at the Pop in August and we're heading back for Thanksgiving week in November and that time we're back in a 2 bedroom villa at Saratoga. Saratoga is truly my favorite resort. I'm more turn-of-the-century charm that contemporary shine. When my DD8 was 3, she was afraid of the character's the first time she met them up close. They must have looked so big.

We usually do at least 1 character meal per trip. I can't believe you're considering deluxe dining. Its so much food even on the regular dining. My DH doesn't like to be tied to chasing after ADR's, so we limit them. We have a CB at Ohana for our up coming August trip, and one for Chef Mickey. We might cancel Mickey because its the last day to catch TSMM at DHS before it rehabs for a few months. We already have Chef Mickey for our Thanksgiving dinner. Have you tried the quick service restaurants at EPCOT? They're awesome. Its hard to pick a favorite. We try to eat at EPCOT as much as possible.

As far as your dad. We took my MIL in July of last year. She has had both knees replaced. By our second day, she took us up on our offer to rent her a scooter. She did very well after that. You might think about that. There are many advantages. First, so many people of all different kinds use the scooters, it won't make him feel like an "old man". Young people have them too. I have a friend with a heart issue who is early 30's who uses one. Check out the DISabilities board if you haven't all ready. You might find that your fears about taking your dad are unfounded. He might do just fine. Disney is the most accommodating place in the world. Also, when one of your party is in a scooter, you can view the parades from special DISability viewing areas which gives your whole party a great view. We had a great DIsability viewing area next to the Rose & Crown for Illuminations. My mother in law thought it was the most spectacular thing ever!! And we didn't even take her to Fantasmic!

I better go back to page 2 or 3 where I left off.

 

[tinacaplan]

Hi, subbing.... just found you on Christelle's ptr! I also have a son named Max. My Max is 18 and just graduated high school. We're going to Disney next month. Our Max is going to Florida Tech for college, and he has to be there August 10th. On the 10th and 11th there are parent orientation activities, and then we're leaving with DD8 to spend a week at Disney at the Pop Century. We frequently stay in 2 bedroom villas at Saratoga as that is our DVC home resort. We stayed there this past March, we'll be at the Pop in August and we're heading back for Thanksgiving week in November and that time we're back in a 2 bedroom villa at Saratoga. Saratoga is truly my favorite resort. I'm more turn-of-the-century charm that contemporary shine. When my DD8 was 3, she was afraid of the character's the first time she met them up close. They must have looked so big.

We usually do at least 1 character meal per trip. I can't believe you're considering deluxe dining. Its so much food even on the regular dining. My DH doesn't like to be tied to chasing after ADR's, so we limit them. We have a CB at Ohana for our up coming August trip, and one for Chef Mickey. We might cancel Mickey because its the last day to catch TSMM at DHS before it rehabs for a few months. We already have Chef Mickey for our Thanksgiving dinner. Have you tried the quick service restaurants at EPCOT? They're awesome. Its hard to pick a favorite. We try to eat at EPCOT as much as possible.

As far as your dad. We took my MIL in July of last year. She has had both knees replaced. By our second day, she took us up on our offer to rent her a scooter. She did very well after that. You might think about that. There are many advantages. First, so many people of all different kinds use the scooters, it won't make him feel like an "old man". Young people have them too. I have a friend with a heart issue who is early 30's who uses one. Check out the DISabilities board if you haven't all ready. You might find that your fears about taking your dad are unfounded. He might do just fine. Disney is the most accommodating place in the world. Also, when one of your party is in a scooter, you can view the parades from special DISability viewing areas which gives your whole party a great view. We had a great DIsability viewing area next to the Rose & Crown for Illuminations. My mother in law thought it was the most spectacular thing ever!! And we didn't even take her to Fantasmic!

I better go back to page 2 or 3 where I left off.

First of all, congratulations to your Max! That's wonderful.

And thanks for the feedback and reading my ramblings. My husband and I did the DxDDP in February and it is TOO much food. I think the only way to do it justice is if you eat at a signature everyday, which I have no intention of doing with a three year old, as much as I'd love to drag him to the California Grill. Don't think that's going to happen...yet. Once I started plugging things into my spreadsheet, and figured out how many buffets we would want to eat at, the DxDDP really didn't make sense, although people apparently do it with toddlers. Huh? I know my son doesn't want to spend that much time in restaurants.

As for my dad, when I initially started planning I researched info on ECV's on the Dis and got lots of great information, including info on the types of furniture available at the DVC resorts. At this point, it is really more about him psychologically than anything physical. Since his mobility has become more limited, he has become increasingly less tolerant of lines and crowds. He is very worried that he would have to wait for hours on the tarmac with a delayed flight. He can become quite rude under such circumstances (sad to admit, but true) and the worry about that is just a TON of stress for my mom. She'd worry about him the whole time and not enjoy the trip.

We really wanted my parents to come because Disney is really one of the few places we've been that seems super handicap-accessible. Just not so sure that's going to happen.

 

[annmarieda]

I can't seem to stop fixating either. I think that is why I tinker around with how I think we might want to do things. I am sure when you are certain of what kind of discount is available for your dates, it will make the decisions regarding where and how long much easier...but there is always more to think about.

 

[Mindy5767]

Here's my opinion of the 4/3 deal. It may be the biggest discount... who knows.. but it really doesn't cost DISNEY that much. Here's what they're giving you... 3 days in a hotel room (never mind the cost, they wouldn't be offering it if they didn't need to fill empty hotel rooms). The difference between the cost of a 4 day park ticket and a 7 day park ticket is what? $18 about? So, its not really costing them THAT much to give you that offer. Sure if you bought the room, especially at a deluxe, you'd be saving yourself hundreds, but if Disney has nobody IN the room, they lose money. So for the minimal cost that Disney is spending to give you this great savings, they can hopefully make money off you in food and souvenirs. If you perceive yourself as saving THAT much money, you'll spend more in the parks, which is a win-win for Disney and you. Afterall, although park attendance is up overall, revenue from the parks is down, so Disney guests are really stretching to be able to show up at Disney at all, and when they get there, they just don't have the money for souvenirs and splurging. That said.... I have NO idea what's with the whole "free dining" offer. Yes, it fills empty hotel rooms. It might lure some folks into Disney. You can't get the free dining unless you are buying a full price-package. You don't get free dining with a AP room only discount for instance. So, you pay maximum price for the room and normal price for tickets.... Then they can afford to give you the food (afterall it costs Disney less for the food than you pay for it) and you'll perceive this discount, so you'll spend more elsewhere... that's their hope. If you compare today's meal plan, with yesterday's, its not the deal it used to be.

In 2007 when my sister and I came down to Disney with my DD and her DS, we had the regular dining plan (they only had one). The plan included an appetizer, entree, dessert and beverage, plus included tip, for each person in your party. The child's meal was a child's meal and may not have appetizer. That was value. And not having to worry about tip... that was so convenient. Now you have to calculate tip separately and put that on your credit card or room tab. Eventually, people gamed the system. They ordered filet mignon, surf and turf. They ordered lobster bisque. That cost Disney too much so they changed menus. Since the dining plan doesn't limit what you can order on the menu, the most expensive items with a narrow margin were removed and replaced by cheaper fare. Everyone suffers. I really think they should put the good stuff back on the menu's and maybe put a star by it and have it not included in the meal plan or have people pay an "up charge" for it. But they didn't.

There was something else I wanted to comment on. I'll be back when I remember. lol

Oh yeah.. it was the food courts. On one of the Disunplugged Podcasts, they reviewed the All Star Music Resort. Pete (I think it was Pete) said that all the Resorts are run as individual businesses, so the food will vary depending on the resorts manager. He said that the All Star Music has excellent food, on par with top restaurants. HE said it was fresh, home made... all the good superlatives. So, one food court does not equal another. I certainly love the variety in the Value food courts that you don't get even in the deluxe resorts. They don't have food courts in the deluxe. Although, the little quick service counter place in the CS is quite nice. We will leave MK for lunch and eat there instead of braving the crowds for mediocre food at MK.

 

[tinacaplan]

Hi, Mindy! That's a lot to think about! Believe me, I don't think Disney gives anything away, but when you price out something at full rack rate during, say, Christmas week (which is what I've been doing for budgeting purposes) and then compare it with what you can get with a room discount or the 4/3 deal, it can feel like you're saving quite a bit of money. And I'm sure the deals will continue as long as Disney needs to fill its hotel rooms. No question that even a deeply discounted room is better than an empty one from their perspective.

As for the dining plans, my husband and I came away from our February trip not entirely satisfied with it. We had a lot of good meals; but we ordered a lot of food we probably wouldn't have without it. I certainly don't eat three, or even two, big meals a day like that, ever. But it was fun. At the same, I think I'd rather go to the California Grill (as an example) and pay OOP so I can order exactly what I want and not worry about checking off the right things that come with the plan. At the same time, if we do one buffet or character meal per day on our upcoming trip, the regular plan is worth it. Are you getting amazing value added? No. But I know we are doing a bit better than breaking even, which I'm fine with. And I do like the convience. Can't believe how much better it used to be, though. I also agree with your thought about upcharges. That would have made a lot of sense.

 

[tinacaplan]

I can't seem to stop fixating either. I think that is why I tinker around with how I think we might want to do things. I am sure when you are certain of what kind of discount is available for your dates, it will make the decisions regarding where and how long much easier...but there is always more to think about.

Yes, there is! My husband pointed out to me that I've been doing this (obsessing over Disney trips) for the past two years. And he's right....but its fine and an excellent distraction!

And he also threw in another possibility: Animal Kingdom Lodge. We both thought it was beautiful when we went there to eat on our last trip. And given the amount of time I know we'll be spending in the room, a nicer (and bigger) place might be nice. And a savannah room prices out cheaper than a garden room at the CR! I know that the bus rides to everywhere will be a lot longer than they would otherwise be.

But...again, who knows?

 

[Mindy5767]

Hi, Mindy! That's a lot to think about! Believe me, I don't think Disney gives anything away, but when you price out something at full rack rate during, say, Christmas week (which is what I've been doing for budgeting purposes) and then compare it with what you can get with a room discount or the 4/3 deal, it can feel like you're saving quite a bit of money. And I'm sure the deals will continue as long as Disney needs to fill its hotel rooms. No question that even a deeply discounted room is better than an empty one from their perspective.

As for the dining plans, my husband and I came away from our February trip not entirely satisfied with it. We had a lot of good meals; but we ordered a lot of food we probably wouldn't have without it. I certainly don't eat three, or even two, big meals a day like that, ever. But it was fun. At the same, I think I'd rather go to the California Grill (as an example) and pay OOP so I can order exactly what I want and not worry about checking off the right things that come with the plan. At the same time, if we do one buffet or character meal per day on our upcoming trip, the regular plan is worth it. Are you getting amazing value added? No. But I know we are doing a bit better than breaking even, which I'm fine with. And I do like the convience. Can't believe how much better it used to be, though. I also agree with your thought about upcharges. That would have made a lot of sense.

One time, with all 5 of us, at Thanksgiving week, I saved all the receipts (well, I do that anyway) but at the end of the trip, I added up what we spent on food vs. what the meal plan would have cost us at the time (the DVC meal plan pricing). I was shocked that it was nearly exactly the same .. the difference was less than $1.00. What the actual difference was what food we ate. We would have gotten more food with the meal plan because we would have had dessert included with every meal and we would have had to have a full meal, twice a day (whether TS or QS). DH thinks its in our favor to eat less. At home for instance, I usually eat Kashi or Fiber One for breakfast and a cup of coffee (I'm all about the fiber), and for lunch I frequently have a yogurt or a bowl of cottage cheese with some fruit... maybe a weight watchers bagel. Sometimes I'll eat a turkey sandwich (on high fiber bread) and some veggie straws (more fiber). Dinner is typically fish and veggies or chicken and veggies, sometimes a vegetarian meal. You go from eating that to what you eat at Disney and you're bound to be irregular and feel sluggish.

If you have children with you, the meal plan cleans up, because you pay a little more than the cost of one child's meal and you get 2 child's meals and a snack on the regular plan and on the QS plan you get 2 child's meals and 2 snacks (plus the refillable mug). I use my refillable mugs every single day at home.

What I plan to do this August, is bring my cereal with me to the food court with my Tupperware bowl (which I can wash in the mug washer), fill my mug with coffee. Lunch will depend on where we happen to be at lunch time, but.. and this is the hard part for me. Since we're not staying DVC this trip, we're really not supposed to use the DVC pools (its like going home and not quite getting there), but the DVC pools have actual food at them unlike the Pop pool which only has drinks. The DVC pools have the best tuna sandwich, and you can get a fresh fruit bowl (also available at the food court though). I have not seen that same tuna sandwich at the food court. On the days that we do a character breakfast, since we'll eat such a meal for breakfast, I'll probably just have something simple like yogurt or a pastry (I'm thinking Norway here), and then have a nice salad for dinner (I'm thinking Omnivores Delight at T-Rex or something similar.

 

[dizneeat]

Great job on Max's birthday cake! It looks absolutely wonderful! And Max looks quite happy with it!

I just LOVE your trip planning scenarios! How I can relate to different options - you would never know what my first plans for this years vacation were!

Hope they come up with a nice discount for our February trip too - if they don't I will just go for AP discounts. We will only buy one with one of our many leftover tickets and the other will use up one of the other tickets. But I know that different resorts and options are always at the back of ones mind!
We have stayed at the CR and we loved it - I would LOVE to return and get a Tower Room with a MK view as we stayed in a garden wing room before. The ones that had to make room for BLT.
We have stayed at AKL too - and loved it! But if you have to rely on the buses, AKL is at the far end of everything else - so you might be in for a long ride. Can't talk from experience, since we always have a car.
What about CBR? Would Max love one of the Pirate Rooms. Yes, we have been there too and they ARE fun and in a moderate range. CBR is huge, but there are LOADS of bus stops.
As for length of stay - if it was me I would go for 7 days! But then I just like to squeeze in as much time as possible and I have never before been travelling with a three year old.

And if you feel strange about planning a trip 7 months out - Tom and I just discussed our options for August 2011!! So you are NOT alone!

Have a great start to your week!

 

[tinacaplan]

Mindy, all interesting points about the dining plan. Thanks for the information.


Hi, Karin! The cake was far easier than I could have ever imagined. Max had a great birthday.

As for my trip planning, I have to say that CBR holds no appeal to me. I don't know why, its just one of those things, I guess. And since I'm concerned about room size this trip, it got me looking at deluxe places. And again, CR would be perfection, but it is SO expensive. That's kind of where AKL came in. I looked at it for our last trip, too, because it is beautiful and relatively less expensive (for a Deluxe, anyway), but I got scared by the distance from the parks. I didn't realize that AKL is a trip within itself and I think Mark and I would have enjoyed it.

And when we saw AKL on our trip...well, I thought it was beautiful. Extraordinarily so. Enough to make it worth the travel time! I've been doing some research and we missed out on so much there when we visited last time. I'm just really impressed by the resort.

So...I'm fairly certain, it will be AKL! For now, anway.

I have so much time to tinker and change my mind..a million times...

But that's the fun part!