I'd like opinions from DVC vacationers...

[kristenrice]

I'm wandering into unfamiliar territory...I have a trip coming up in less than 7 months and I have no desire to do any planning. I have a rough plan in place, but I really need ideas (or maybe just motivation) to solidify it. I am a perpetual planner (like most other DVC'rs) so this is really out of character for me and I think I just need a little push in the right direction.

DH and I would like to try the F&W 1/2 Marathon. I secured a reservation for the two of us in an AKV value studio for Nov 7-12 with a waitlist in place for a standard studio at BWV. We are also planning a trip for October 19-24, 2014 which will include the kids and probably my parents. Assuming that our waitlist does not fill, we will have exactly 145 points left which is precisely what we will need to secure a 2BR value at AKV next October. If the WL fills, we will book 4 nights in a standard 2BR and then buy the one-time use points to get the 5th night at 7 months. (If my parents decide not to join us, we will get a 1BR and have plenty of points to do so)

I am planning on buying AP's for DH and I for this trip, but I just can't seem to pull the trigger. I want to buy GC's from Target and so I can save the 5%. I have already called the ticketing office to confirm that I can use multiple gift cards so that is all set...I just haven't done it.

On to dining...I have NO idea! This is where I'd like some advice. This will be my 3rd F&W visit and the first for DH. Since we will be doing the 1/2 marathon which is at 10pm, I have no idea *if* I should even schedule any ADR's. I don't know what our sleep schedule will be. We won't have the kids so I am not sure what parks we will be visiting. It is really going to be a "wing it" trip. Here's the restaurants/meals that I'd really like to include:

*Sanaa for lunch or dinner...DH has never eaten there but our uber-picky 9 yo DD has named it her favorite restaurant. DH would like to see what the fuss is all about
*Boma for breakfast and/or dinner...we're staying at Jambo and this is hands-down our favorite restaurant.
*O'Hana for dinner...we experienced our first dinner here back in June and we both loved it. It will probably be the only buffet/AYCE restaurant that will be a must-do with the whole family.

Since I have no idea what our schedule will be, I'm not sure what will be my best plan of attack. The race is at night which means that our sleep schedules will be a little out of whack. We don't have the kids and we are seasoned WDW visitors (hence the reason I wanted the opinions of fellow DVC'rs...we've all been there, done that and going back) so I don't have any "must-do's" as far as shows and attractions. We're certainly going to go to Epcot, particularly WS, so we will check out the new TT. I'd also like to see the new Fanstasyland, although I really don't need to do any of the rides/character meets.

Based on the above information, should I even bother making ADR's? We will probably be very flexible with when/where we eat. If we try a walk-up at O'Hana, we'd be fine if we had to wait, or even eat at Kona Cafe. The two times I've eaten at Sanaa, we were seated almost immediately as a walk-up party of 2. What are my chances of getting a table for 2 with minimal (< 30 minutes) wait at a RESORT TS restaurant?

That brings me to my next question...Tables in Wonderland. I know that DH and I will not eat $400 worth of food/beverages at TIW restaurants on this trip. We would easily do that as a party of 4-6 next year, but that trip is not 100% certain yet. It involves pulling the kids out of school for three days and I want to make sure that their academics stay strong. They are doing fine right now but you never know when there may be a setback. So, if I buy it for this trip and then we don't go next year, it would be a waste. Should I take the gamble? I would like to do at least 3 TS meals this trip plus AK is our favorite park and they have CS locations that accept it too.

I just cannot seem to get myself to commit to any of this trip. I have been working very hard on my running, but I haven't registered us for the race yet. I have the money sitting in my PayPal account, ready to go, but everytime I think about doing it, I get cold feet. I'm terrified that one of us will get injured or that I won't be able to get myself properly prepared. DH ran 12 miles two days ago and the best I've done so far is 6.25. I have a lot of work ahead of me and the thought of plunking down a non-refundable $350 makes me very nervous. The race is already over 70% full so I know I have to do it soon. ARRRGG! Why is this so difficult for me????

I have 55,000 SWA points so our flights will be "free" and the times will be released in about 2 weeks. I think that the trip will feel more "real" once the flights are booked. It will give me something to plan around in regards to arrival and departure from the resort. I think just typing this all out was good therapy. I may just go and register us for the race tonight.

 

[Deb & Bill]

We have ten nights booked for this October. We have two ADR booked for the two weekends (one each weekend). We'll book one more for our lunch before we head home and one breakfast at Grand Floridian Cafe for Eggs Benedict. The rest of the time, we'll probably be eating at Epcot many days. Maybe just enjoying the resort. Maybe heading over to TL before it closes for the fall.

We bought the TIW card last fall, so it will still be good for this trip. I think it will be our last TIW card with the price increase. Unless our son and a friend of his joins us on future trips, we probably won't eat $500 worth to break even unless we can schedule two trips within 12 months to get better use out of the APs I already bought last summer and didn't pick up because we got the discounted PAPs last fall.

Everything is just too expensive at Disney now.

 

[joelp]

I'm wandering into unfamiliar territory...I have a trip coming up in less than 7 months and I have no desire to do any planning. I have a rough plan in place, but I really need ideas (or maybe just motivation) to solidify it. I am a perpetual planner (like most other DVC'rs) so this is really out of character for me and I think I just need a little push in the right direction.

DH and I would like to try the F&W 1/2 Marathon. I secured a reservation for the two of us in an AKV value studio for Nov 7-12 with a waitlist in place for a standard studio at BWV. We are also planning a trip for October 19-24, 2014 which will include the kids and probably my parents. Assuming that our waitlist does not fill, we will have exactly 145 points left which is precisely what we will need to secure a 2BR value at AKV next October. If the WL fills, we will book 4 nights in a standard 2BR and then buy the one-time use points to get the 5th night at 7 months. (If my parents decide not to join us, we will get a 1BR and have plenty of points to do so)

We'll be there from Nov 2-10 - and decided to do the 5K at the Animal Kingdom. You'll need to include time to go over to the sports complex to pick up your race number, etc. - either Friday or Saturday morning - so "block out" half a day for that. Plus, if you like to carbo-load for a race the day previous (I only eat pasta the night before a race - the one time I didn't, I barely lived to regret it ... ), plan on an Italian restuarant for dinner Friday night (we'll be in Epcot).

If you have a car, transportation won't be a problem. If not, I know special buses will be running from AKV to the races (it is a "host" resort) - don't know about BWV ... But if not, you may need a cab.

I am planning on buying AP's for DH and I for this trip, but I just can't seem to pull the trigger. I want to buy GC's from Target and so I can save the 5%. I have already called the ticketing office to confirm that I can use multiple gift cards so that is all set...I just haven't done it.

No rush to buy tix - BTW: DVC members get a discount on the race registration - and registered runners get a discount on tix ... So you may want to see what will work best for you.

On to dining...I have NO idea! This is where I'd like some advice. This will be my 3rd F&W visit and the first for DH. Since we will be doing the 1/2 marathon which is at 10pm, I have no idea *if* I should even schedule any ADR's. I don't know what our sleep schedule will be. We won't have the kids so I am not sure what parks we will be visiting. It is really going to be a "wing it" trip. Here's the restaurants/meals that I'd really like to include:

*Sanaa for lunch or dinner...DH has never eaten there but our uber-picky 9 yo DD has named it her favorite restaurant. DH would like to see what the fuss is all about If you like Indian food, you'll like probably like Sanaa
*Boma for breakfast and/or dinner...we're staying at Jambo and this is hands-down our favorite restaurant. Our favorite too ... can't go wrong here ... Maybe a late breakfast on Sunday after the race? You can make ADR for 10:30 ...
*O'Hana for dinner...we experienced our first dinner here back in June and we both loved it. It will probably be the only buffet/AYCE restaurant that will be a must-do with the whole family. Never been there ...

Since I have no idea what our schedule will be, I'm not sure what will be my best plan of attack. The race is at night which means that our sleep schedules will be a little out of whack. We don't have the kids and we are seasoned WDW visitors (hence the reason I wanted the opinions of fellow DVC'rs...we've all been there, done that and going back) so I don't have any "must-do's" as far as shows and attractions. We're certainly going to go to Epcot, particularly WS, so we will check out the new TT. I'd also like to see the new Fanstasyland, although I really don't need to do any of the rides/character meets.

Based on the above information, should I even bother making ADR's? We will probably be very flexible with when/where we eat. If we try a walk-up at O'Hana, we'd be fine if we had to wait, or even eat at Kona Cafe. The two times I've eaten at Sanaa, we were seated almost immediately as a walk-up party of 2. What are my chances of getting a table for 2 with minimal (< 30 minutes) wait at a RESORT TS restaurant? It will be a busy week - Jersey Week, the races, and F&W Festival ... I'd make some ADRs ...

That brings me to my next question...Tables in Wonderland. I know that DH and I will not eat $400 worth of food/beverages at TIW restaurants on this trip. We would easily do that as a party of 4-6 next year, but that trip is not 100% certain yet. It involves pulling the kids out of school for three days and I want to make sure that their academics stay strong. They are doing fine right now but you never know when there may be a setback. So, if I buy it for this trip and then we don't go next year, it would be a waste. Should I take the gamble? I would like to do at least 3 TS meals this trip plus AK is our favorite park and they have CS locations that accept it too. If you make some ADRs for this trip, figure out how much you might save ... It may not be that much of a gample ...

I just cannot seem to get myself to commit to any of this trip. I have been working very hard on my running, but I haven't registered us for the race yet. I have the money sitting in my PayPal account, ready to go, but everytime I think about doing it, I get cold feet. I'm terrified that one of us will get injured or that I won't be able to get myself properly prepared. DH ran 12 miles two days ago and the best I've done so far is 6.25. I have a lot of work ahead of me and the thought of plunking down a non-refundable $350 makes me very nervous. The race is already over 70% full so I know I have to do it soon. ARRRGG! Why is this so difficult for me???? It's 6 months away ... If you get injured, treat it as a "rehab" race ... I'll be coming off a summer of softball and will probably nursing at least one pulled muscle for the 5K ... Take a deep breathe - and Just Do It!!!

I have 55,000 SWA points so our flights will be "free" and the times will be released in about 2 weeks. I think that the trip will feel more "real" once the flights are booked. It will give me something to plan around in regards to arrival and departure from the resort. I think just typing this all out was good therapy. I may just go and register us for the race tonight.

Did you?

BTW - I responding to you as I stretch for my morning run ...

 

[kristenrice]

Did you?

BTW - I responding to you as I stretch for my morning run ...

Uh... No.... But I did do my morning run before work. I got up at 4am and ran 3.68 miles in 37-degree weather.

AKV is not listed as a host resort this year so we'll be taking a cab to the WWoS for the expo on Friday. On the day(night) of the race, we will probably head to Epcot around 7pm, walk through to BWV (a host resort) and catch the bus to the race from there. I'll adjust the time accordingly.

I'm at work right now and I might try to stop in at Target and get some gift cards. I work all weekend and Monday so Tuesday is going to be my next available day.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[joelp]

Maybe AKV is only a host resort for the 5K ...?

Spring has finally arrived here in NJ - 60 when I ran this am ...

 

[gopfans]

I would not make reservations anywhere the day of the race unless you know how your body will react. I saw lots of pukers at Wine and Dine because thy ate like they normally would on vacation the day of the race. When we did that race we went sans kids too. We just spent the day relaxing by the pool. You need to rest your legs and hydrate. Your sleeping shouldn't change too much. Just a late night that night and off to the parks late Sunday morning.

You could do the same as your plan for getting to the race to get to the expo. Go from a park to a host hotel. You will need to leave earlier than your stated 7pm to Epcot though. If the start is still at WWOS you will want to be there I think no later than 8pm. Keep an eye on the race filling. With some of the January races already full some folks who had not originally planned on running wine and dine may decide to do so. And you are totally fine on training. You've got plenty of time. Disney races are the best! You will be hooked once you do one. Good luck!

 

[Mick@Tink]

I don't know if I'm just the oddball (my DW will say I am), but after vacationing by utilizing our DVC membership since 2009 (nine trips), I find myself no longer planning the way I did when we first purchased. Yes, I know which parks we will visit each day. . .if we even make it to a park (loving the resort pools more and more). When it comes to advance ADRs, nada. Been there, done that. Starting to explore the restaurants outside Disney. Much better value for the money. If we want to eat TS onsite, we'll check availability. If it's available, good. If not, oh well.

 

[nolanboys]

When we did the F&W 1/2, we also stayed at AKV. We also took a taxi to the expo. The day of the race, we took a bus to Epcot. They were running shuttles from the entrance of Epcot to the start of the race. At the end of the night, we walked to BCV and got a taxi back to AKV. It worked out well.

The day of the race, we went to a park in the morning. Went to the pool in the afternoon and then napped. We ate a light meal in our room before heading out. We actually had a hard time sleeping after the race - just too much adrenaline. We were in bed by 2:30. We both tossed and turned and finally got out of bed at 7:30. We headed over to AK in the morning. Went to the pool in the afternoon and had a celebratory dinner at Jiko that night. It was a great experience.

 

[Tink-n-Belle]

I know how you feel. My last trip I didn't plan at all and I used to plan out everyday.

Maybe that means you need a real vacation where you just wake up and go where the day takes you.

We went spring break and didn't have one ADR...but we got into Germany for lunch and ate counter service the rest of the time.(by choice to save money) Since your going during F&W do you even want to book somewhere with all the extra food booths to try?

If there is only 2 of you it is much easier to get ADR's that day, don't forget people cancel and are no shows all the time. Go to Disneys website and try to book a same day ressei and see what is available.. such as Saana, try to book today for lunch or dinner to see if they have any openings and then try back next month etc. You are going at a semi slow time so you'll probably be able to get what you want.

I feel the resort restaurants usually have openings that day. I have always got into Spoodles at the BW the same day.

However if you want to eat at a popular restaurant, you will want to book those in advance, such as BOG or LeCellier.

 

[kristenrice]

I finally registered us for the race. According to the SWA website, they will be releasing the flights for our dates this weekend. Once I see the flight times, I will start planning out some ADR's.

 

[disfanforlife]

I am hoping to book our flights soon. We are going similar time as you. I have been feeling wishy washy with plans too, but for different reasons. We are set for our November trip which was going to be our only trip this year. Then we decided to plan another trip because our daughters couldn't go with us in November. So, I planned on March - then realized we don't want to go during spring break crowded time. So, now I am planning on January....

 

[MaryJ]

I would not make reservations anywhere the day of the race unless you know how your body will react. I saw lots of pukers at Wine and Dine because thy ate like they normally would on vacation the day of the race. When we did that race we went sans kids too. We just spent the day relaxing by the pool. You need to rest your legs and hydrate. Your sleeping shouldn't change too much. Just a late night that night and off to the parks late Sunday morning.

You could do the same as your plan for getting to the race to get to the expo. Go from a park to a host hotel. You will need to leave earlier than your stated 7pm to Epcot though. If the start is still at WWOS you will want to be there I think no later than 8pm. Keep an eye on the race filling. With some of the January races already full some folks who had not originally planned on running wine and dine may decide to do so. And you are totally fine on training. You've got plenty of time. Disney races are the best! You will be hooked once you do one. Good luck!

Everyone's body reacts differently. I have done the F & W half and the ToT 10 miler, both nighttime races. I have also done several early morning half marathons. When doing the early morning race, I usually try to have a pasta dish the night before to carb load. When doing the nighttime race, I made an ADR at Tony's for lunch, so that I could get the carbs. By the 10:00 p.m. start time, it has left my stomach and I had a light snack in the room before heading out to the race. You want to make sure you have enough fuel in your system to get you through the race. If you think you might want to do this, I would go ahead a make the ADR. I waited too long before the ToT and couldn't get an ADR at any Italian restaurant. You can always cancel if you change your mind.