How many times do you change your mind?

[maslex]

I have been planning our dining itinerary for a few weeks now and I believe I FINALLY have it all set. It's our first time using the DDP so I'm trying to figure out where to use each credit. I know I've asked before about my choices, but the TS credits are already reserved and I think I've decided on my CS credits (granted I know the CS credits aren't set in stone and will probably change during the course of the week depending on who is hungry or not) BUT I just like to have everything down on paper to see how it looks. I was looking it over last night and realized that I had a TS credit being used for a Whispering Canyon Breakfast and nothing planned for our first night (except maybe dinner at the hotel) So I thought maybe it would be better for us if I paid OOP for WCC-breakfast and have a nice dinner on our first night there. We chose Kona. It was a toss up between Kona or Cape May so I asked DH and he chose Kona. He said the other day that he'd really like to stay at the Poly someday so this will give him a chance to see it. ANYHOW....just wondering how many of you change your dining itinerary a million times a day? And when do you finally say that is enough and leave it alone? So here is my final draft (keep in mind that I'm sure we won't eat at all those CS because of the amount of food, I just want to have it down to see where we would eat if we wanted to) By the way, we are a family of 4 so we will have 32 of each type of credit.

><Sunday July 8th Lego Place
Lunch---McDonalds (OOP) $25.00
Dinner--- Kona (4TS)

><Monday July 9th EPCOT
Breakfast---POP (4CS)
Lunch--- SNACK!!!!
Dinner---Le Cellier (4TS) 4:30pm

><Tuesday July 10th TYPHOON LAGOON
Breakfast---pop tarts/donuts/milk/fruit/cereal
Lunch---Leaning Palms (4CS)
Dinner---Chef Mickeys (4TS) 6:30pm

><Wednesday July 11th MAGIC KINGDOM
Breakfast---Crystal Palace (4TS) 8:05am
Lunch--- Casey’s Corner (4CS)
Dinner---Cosmic Ray’s (4CS)

><Thursday July 12th MGM Studios
Breakfast---Chef Mickeys (4TS) 8:00am
Lunch--- Toluca Turkey Leg & Rosie’s (4CS)
Dinner---Sci Fi Diner 6:00 (4TS) (push two cars together)

><Friday July 13th UNIVERSAL
Breakfast--- POP (4CS)
Late lunch/early dinner---Margaritaville’s (OOP) $50.00

><Saturday July 14th MAGIC KINGDOM
Breakfast---pop tarts/donuts/milk/fruit
Lunch--- Peco’s Bills (4CS) (early lunch)
Dinner--- Crystal Palace (4TS) 5:35pm


><Sunday July 15thANIMAL KINGDOM
Breakfast---Breakfastasaurus (4TS) 8:00am
Lunch--- Tusker House (4CS)
Dinner---Rainforest Café (OOP) $70.00 6:00pm

><Monday July 16th
WHISPERING CANYON CAFÉ (OOP) 9:00am

 

[renessa]

I haven't started booking ADR's for Sept, but our last trip in 2005 I was terrible. I'd book, then rethink, then cancel, then rebook. Those poor dining cm's probably wanted to strangle me. I finally got a great cm named Vanessa Lynn, my name being Renessa Lynn. We confirmed each ADR (after all the switching) and added a note about my birthday on my birthday lunch at Sci-Fi( and it really was my birthday). I decided that I was done, finished.
When I arrived at check-in they told me I had some mail (????) and the CM had sent a birthday card and a magical moments certificate with both of our names on it.

Sorry it's so long, but I love that story!!!

 

[maslex]

Cute story!!

 

[kjs1976]

I share that same issues....oh, how horrible they are. To change our mind after we make up our min about WDW ADRs...everyone should be lucky to have such issues, right?

There are usually a few places we want to try or favs to go back for, but then I always rethink things or wonder if all the ADRs will work out according to our plans that day.

It's completely normal to want to change your plans. And is is easy to go back and redo some ADRs. These things just happen.

Repeat after me...I(insert name)am planning a WDW vacation and am a dining itinerary changer. We support you in your efforts to make your vacation amazing...including changing your mind on ADRs.

You rock! Welcome to the club!

 

[Katiebell]

You mean...how many times have I changed our dining itinerary so far???

I, Katiebell, am planning a WDW vacation and am a dining itinerary changer.

Holy cow, we can think and rethink this stuff to death, can't we? And there is so much to take into account:
What park will you be in? What PART of the park will you be in? What park has EMH morning or evening? Every TS is going to need an ADR. You don't want a big lunch then a big dinner, or a big breakfast then a big lunch...so you have to spread them out. What shows/fireworks/parades start at 9 pm that you don't want to miss? Will everybody eat -- and like -- something there? Is a 2 TS meal or show really worth 2 TS, or is it better to pay OOP? Will it be too much food? Should we plan on sharing some meals? Will we have a 2 TS meal coming up, or will we end up with unused credits leftover? What kind of reviews did that restaurant get?

And where are my kids'/DH's/my favorite characters?

I'm going bonkers with all this, and it's only DH and me. I don't have to worry about a dad who only eats meat and potatoes, or a vegetarian DD, or gourmet 4 year old, or grandma who needs a bland diet, or... My heart goes out to those of you who are planning those kind of trips...

Changes so far: can't work 50's Prime Time in (darn, maybe next trip); Sci Fi ADR was changed from Lunch to late night dessert only (gotta try their shakes!); Marrakesh lunch was scrapped (we've got a couple of similar places in town) and replaced with Tangierine CS; added Rose and Crown for 7:50 dinner (and crossing our fingers for patio seating); and added Princess Storybook Breakfast because, dang it, it's MY vacation too and I want to eat with the Princesses! But then we had 2 extra TS scheduled, and figured out the best route was to pay OOP for 'Ohana breakfast, since it's our least expensive TS meal.

I think that's it for changes. I HOPE that's it for changes, because our trip isn't until May...

 

[jbmom]

The first time we used the DDP, I was afraid they would block my number so I couldn't change anymore ADRs. I drove my dh a little crazy with all the switching around I did. This time I think I am more relaxed about it and will only change if absolutely necessary. At least that's what I'm telling myself.

 

[annmarie_mcdonald]

I booked my August 2007 trip on Friday afternoon and by Friday evening had all of my ADRs booked for our 10 day trip! Of course by Saturday morning I was already rethinking my decisions. I think we are going to cancel our ADR character dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern and go with the Concourse Steakhouse instead. I think our kids may getting past the character meal thing. They are 15, 12 and 12. Also I think it will be more of a value for the dining plan TS credit to go to Concourse. This way we would each get an appetizer, entree and dessert instead of the family style buffet that LTT serves.

I am also still trying to decide if Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue is worth 2 TS credits considering the ages of my kids. The reviews I have read are good though so we will probably keep that one.

Anyway, yes it is very common to change your mind about your ADRs! I know we do it and will probably change our minds a couple of more times before August! Happy planning!

Ann Marie

 

[BWVPam]

Ann Marie,

YOur kids should love Hoop de Doo. My 16 and 12 yo love it. They also still like to do a couple of character meals. They begged to eat at Chef Mickey's and Crystal Palace on our upcoming trip in 28 days. This was a last minute trip that we just decided to do about 3 weeks ago. I have already made about 5 calls to dining to change restaurants

 

[jdd]

Heck, I've made all my ADRs and I'm still questioning if I want to be in MK that day! (it's EMH, will it be too crowded??) I'm officially obsessed. And now my best friend is going in May and she wants me to help her plan!

 

[mom2aredhead]

There's 3 of us. Me, a VERY PICKY 3 year old, and my DH whose only opinion is that he thinks I'm nuts. Honestly, I think I give up.
We don't do the commando thing - we refuse to set alarm clocks on vacation (even at WDW) and normally go to the parks with PM EMH, arriving around 10:00 or so after having CS breakfast at the resort. My DH thinks I am crazy for suggesting that we go to a park, then possibly have to leave to go to a different park or resort just to eat. We're generally fine w/ mostly CS, and the 1 TS restaurant DH wanted to go back to is RFC and isn't even on DDP.
The last discussion we had about DDP and ADR's was "I'm not eating steak at 4:30 in the afternoon just for the sake of eating steak at WDW" When I tried to talk him into some of the things I had planned, he said "fine, you be the one to tell your 3 year old he can't ride anymore rides right now because we have to go to Morocco to eat"
It was kind of a reality check for me.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

We don't need to make ADRs for counter service meals right??

 

[jdd]

We don't need to make ADRs for counter service meals right??

NO. But for a couple of days I made two TS because I didn't like the kids meal CS at the parks - namely MK. I'm saving CS for the resort, MGM (pizza planet) and Epcot.

 

[ryantab02]

You know? I thought I was going to be one of the few planners that didn't change my ADR's every second that I turn around. Well, I lasted a whole 8 months until I changed our MGM ADRs . But! It was for the best...honestly! I didn't know Hollywood and Vine was a character meal. And when I found out it was characters from Playhouse Disney...well, lets just say that would have been akward with four adults!

I only had 21 days left (now 19!). Oh well. My fiance is thoroughly convinced that I have lost my mind. And he was the Disney fan first!

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

I was on the phone making my ADR for 1.5 hours and it was only for one weeks worth. I kept changing my mind. When I made an Excel sheet for all the ADR and where we would be each day and I keep looking at that damn paper! I have debated if I should change anything but I haven't YET! Sometimes I think the first attempt would be the best....but who knows!
I have not planned our lunches since it will be CS and it will be what we feel like that day!

 

[Summer-Caitlin]

I am one of those people that has changed my ADR's constantly, I have about 14 versions I have decided that once they are booked I will not change them, which will be on Fri.
I keep researching them and that is why I keep changing my mind. We have never been to WDW before and this is our wedding/honeymoon so I aim to please. All I want is the best possible experience as who knows when I'll get to go again.
Although my DF did say we can go back again when I graduate, but that is 4 years away
I have planned, my breakfasts, lunch and dinner around what we are scheduled to do that day, I am an obsessive planner so this makes me feel better to know all this in advance. There is leeway on breakfast and lunch but not really on the TS as there are so many restaurants I want to try.

 

[happy2go2wdwmom]

I'm just loving these posts as I feel normal again--ha! Good for you for caring so much that you are changing your ddp unitl it's just right! We are oblviously very careful planners who are excited about going to the TRULY happiest, most magical place on Earth, and we simply want to maximize our experiences while we are there---and to be sure all of this researching and planning and mind changing pays off---I LOVE doing all of this advance leg work to make my family HAPPY!!! To be sure, all of this planning is a HUGE part of the fun for me and is pure therapy---and so what if we're all totally enthralled to the point of obsession?! There are far worse things to be addicted to---I have even planned trips for other families and it was such a joy! Whenever I feel stressed, I enjoy researching wdw trips (why go anywhere else?!) online until I find one that's sooo good taht we just HAVE to go! I am having the time of my life plannign my wdw 2007 vacation and I hope you are too!!!!!
Going in 77 days w/ DH and DS (7). Doing DDP to Hoop, Garden Grill, Breakfastaurus, Chef Mickey, and Sci Fi---staying at POP.

(Always dreamed of going as a little girl---always glued to the tv every Sunday night to watch and adore Walt---love him like an Uncle!)

Went to DBF and his DM and DF as a teen. It took my breath away!!

'03 AK w/ DF and her DH and their two and DH and DS---saved $ by eating the very reasonably priced hamburgers all week---bloated up like a tick!

'04 Stayed off campus DH and DS (HOJO's "Enchanted Land"---so, running and screaming out of the room b/c of Palmetto Bugs is all a part of the FLA expereince, right???). Talked my Eeyore sis into coming, too. She is a negative Nelly, BUT here's proof WDW is magical: in the Tiki Room, she cracked a smile and then a giggle and then never STOPPED laughing! Next stop was Country Bear Show---she was crying by then, in tears of joy---that made my trip! I cry tears of joy just reading these posts! So how wonderful that her affect was so HAPPY!!

May '05---THE IDEAL, PERFECT VACATION w/ DH, DS at ASM (I ADORE THE "VALUES"--the ICONS ARE HARD TO BEAT TO ME!). THis was during the last days of my dad being alive---he had brain, bone, prostate, and bladder cancer and I had been by his side in Indiana (which si far way from where I live now) several times and my fam needed the vacation so much and the weather was perfect, and honest to goodness-IT WAS A PERFECT VACATION and that's b/c I spent months planning it!

OKay---thanks for letting me share! My son won Citizen of the Year award at his gifted school today, and we joked, "You just won...what are you going to do now?" "I'm going to Disney World!" was his reply and we cheered and then he did summersalts in bed and then I measured him and he is TALL enough for almost all of the bouig boy rides this year---oh yes, our May trip is going to be so GREAT!!!

 

[luv2nascar]

everyday

 

[happy2go2wdwmom]

I forgot to say that---I called my dad's house the very minute we got home from our week long trip in '05, (wearing our golden ears!) and I was shocked that DAD actually answered the phone (?!), b/c he was in such pain from his cancers---STILL, he was so happy that we went to WDW--he was just waiting for that call and wouldn't let anyone else pick up the phone. He was weak but coherent and he listened so intently and really enjoyed hearing about our trip and how we laughed and walked hand in hand through all of the parks, and how our son was picked out as the Tarzan man in Hoop Dee Doo, and how hard welaughed about that, and how perfect the weather was and how we barely had any lines.... Dad cried and said, "Oh honey, this is exactly how I have been praying it would be for you, and these moments are what life is all about. I am so happy (then he cried)!!!" It was the last great conversation we were ever able to have together. It was awesome!!!!

 

[daisyduck123]

We always do the Dining Plan & I always make ADRs for a TS meal every night. In the past, I have never called to modify our ADRs....until the trips I am planning now.

Just tonight, I made my 3rd call to modify our May ADRs - and that was my last call for that!! I promise!!

Now I'm thinking of changing a few of my August ADRs...oh well.

And in a few months, I'll be at the 180 day mark & I can call to make our Dec. ADRs.

 

[grrlinthemoon]

I too am a compulsive planner, and proud of it!!!! I made several changes before finalizing dining plans for our upcoming March trip (only 21 days--can't come soon enough as I watch the sleet fall outside).

But why do you have your CS planned out so carefully? And why so many OOP?

Our experience last June with DDP allowed us to eat at a few additional TS places because we split some of the meals since there was so much food. Buffets and family style use a credit per person, of course, but with just one saved TS, while the teens stayed at blizzard beach, the adults went to Epcot for a romantic late lunch at San Angel in Mexico. It was wonderful.

And with our CS credits we were able to do breakfast at the resort and lunch at the park, again because we would often only use 2 or 3 credits at each and split them, because of the food quantity. For our family, the food at the world is as much of an attraction as the rides!