I'm not sure I can wait! Dec 2010!

[erikawolf2004]

I LOVE that!! I wish we had more people going so I could throw a big party! I guess we will stick to our dinners, we have actually found some good recipes that way, the Kona salad recipe we actually used for a big dinner with relatives and was a HUGE hit, everyone wanted copies of the recipe

Once my sister goes back to college, I will probably start doing a brief newsletter as well... if it's not all planned to the minute by then, lol.

Just joining in on your PTR. I would love the Kona Salad Recipe. We will be there Dec. 1-8..can't wait!!!

Erika

 

[therussells08]

Hi! I too am just joining in to this PTR! Your son is SO CUTE! I can't wait to read more! I just started my PTR for December as well. It's my first too, so maybe I can use yours for inspiration!

 

[stephielela]

No on EMH days they do not open resturants earlier than the park opens. Thats why alot of people rather have an ealry ADR on a day thats not EMH. Then there is less people in the park for early pictures.

Thanks for the clarification!! I was pretty sure that was the case, but it's good to know for sure!

 

[stephielela]

Just joining in on your PTR. I would love the Kona Salad Recipe. We will be there Dec. 1-8..can't wait!!!

Erika

Welcome!!!

I originally got the recipe off the Mickey Mom's Club website, but when I googled it again, I found this awesome thread right here on the DIS! The link is below.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1575103

 

[stephielela]

Hi! I too am just joining in to this PTR! Your son is SO CUTE! I can't wait to read more! I just started my PTR for December as well. It's my first too, so maybe I can use yours for inspiration!

Yay! More readers! Welcome to you too! Thanks for saying DS is cute. Let me tell you, he has hit the terrible two's HARD this past week, so I am finding him less cute at the moment, but he is very photogenic (unlike his mommy) I'm heading over to check out your PTR now!

 

[stephielela]

Not much new to report... only 22 more days until ADR's!!! And I think Southwest releases their fares right around then too! We are waiting to buy our MVMCP tix until our ADR's are confirmed, since we have 2 parties while we are there, just in case our ideal ressies aren't available.

As far as ADR's go, I haven't decided how I want to go about making them... We can make ADR's on 6/19 which is a Saturday. I'm pretty sure that by then I will no longer be working overnights, so I won't be at work at that time, so I will have to actually get up to do it. I figure I will make my parents get up and help. I was thinking about all 3 of us calling in, each for one or two of our "essential/hard to get ressies" (Le Cellier, Les Chefs with CP package, 8 am ADR's for Tusker House and Crystal Palace, and dinner at CRT) and then doing the others online. Plus I think you can do online reservations starting at 5 am... is that right? I guess we will get up and do as many as we can do online first, and then wait on the phone for CP package, since I think that is the only one we can't do online... I don't know, I have heard of a lot of people going to make their ADR's online, and the system being down I would flip out! I guess we will have to wait and see what happens, and what my parents are willing to do Of course if I am still working this shift (overnights) problem solved, since I will be awake and ready, and online!

 

[ChildAtHeart82]

Just found your trip report and I'll be subbing! I started my first PTR for our December trip last week. It looks like our dates overlap with yours. We'll be there 19-26 Dec and we might end up being at DHS and MK on the same dates. This will be our first trip to Disney at Christmas time and we are really excited!

Your mini report about San Antonio brought back good memories for me. We used to live in San Antonio and miss a lot about it. We miss the Riverwalk and eating at Saltgrass.

We're hoping to book a CP Dinner Package as well, though we haven't decided where we want to eat yet. Still waiting for Disney to release details for this year including when reservations will open up.

Looking forward to more updates!

 

[BippityBoo]

Joining in your PTR Your DS is sooo adorable!! We are going to WDW in December as well! We will be there from Dec 11-16th. I am in full planning mode..I can't believe it is only 6 months away!

I started working on my binder as well! I will go back and look at the posts that I used for it on the creative boards...they had some really good lists to keep track of ADR numbers, park hours, etc. I should post the pic of mine on my PTR soon! I will get back to you about that and I can't wait to read more about your trip

 

[BippityBoo]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2114031

This link was the most useful! You can just copy and paste the lists onto a Word document. Hope that helps a little

 

[stephielela]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2114031

This link was the most useful! You can just copy and paste the lists onto a Word document. Hope that helps a little

Thanks so much for the link!! I have started lookign at pages, but I haven't printed anything out yet. I want to wait till I have everything I know I want, otherwise I know I will keep changing my mind (and wasting ink!)

 

[stephielela]

Wow I can't believe we are getting do close to the 6 month mark (not to mention ADR's). I remember when I was a year out and thought it would take FOREVER! Of course, I have a feeling time is going to drag as we get closer, but that's ok, I have found a way to combat it! I was reading another PTR and the DISer (wlwilliams9) has Disney themed movie nights, where the food and everything coordinates! I am planning on starting that in our house next week, so once a month we will do one. It will help burn off some Disney energy Plus we are going to try and see some movies we haven't all seen yet.

As for ADR's, I'm getting a little nervous due to posts I have read about people who have managed to make their reservations earlier than their 180 mark online! I am going to investigate as I get closer to my date and see if I can manage it, but my date isn't till the 19th anyways. I'm hoping the will have opened up CP package reservations by then!

We spent the past weekend in Dallas at a family friends wedding. It was TONS of fun! It was nice to have a little vacation, especially from work! On the upside it looks liek in a couple weeks I will be on the 3-11pm shift! Thank goodness because I am SO SICK of working overnights! I have been on this shift for 8 months now and it is driving me crazy. I will probably have less time for DIS, but more time for sleep, and marathon training, which is a definite good thing!

I have a trip coming up in July to New Mexico, so that should help get me through my Disney anxiety, plus my mini trip to Disney at the end of September! But the one I'm looking forward to most is December, because there is just something about holidays at Disney that makes everything seem perfect!

 

[wlwilliams9]

I'm in!! Your plans sound great! We had planned WWoHP too, but decided to wait until our girls are a little bigger and they (hopefully) add more attractions/rides!

Disney Visa ususally announces their discounts for Oct-Dec the last week of July. They need to do it before we need to make our ADRs, but that's another story!! Anyway, Disney Visa usually offers 20/30/40 off or Free Dining through 12/24 so hopefully you will still be able to get a discount. Last year Disney also offered FD & b4g3 during that time. Keep your fingers crossed because we need a discount too!

We did a photoshoot last year at the Poly and it was great. I'd love to get a discount for this year since we have a new member in our family! I know that there is a PP photographer at the WL that takes pics in front of the Christmas tree & little stream and adds them to your PP card without having to set up and pay for a photoshoot. I don't know if that is the case at the other resorts, but we are definitely getting our pics taken while we are there. I'm hoping to get a good Christmas card picture!

Can't wait to read more! Now I need to read your PTR for the fall!

 

[wlwilliams9]

Oh, have you seen the thread on the family boards with all of the family Disney nights? If not, here is the thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1707141

I thought it would help in your Disney night planning!

 

[stephielela]

Oh, have you seen the thread on the family boards with all of the family Disney nights? If not, here is the thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1707141

I thought it would help in your Disney night planning!

Welcome! Glad to have you!
That is awesome news about the Disney Visa discounts, I will be payin gvery close attention! I wonder if it will be later this year since they announced FD for falllater than usual? We decided to just go ahead and add the DxDP and book our ADR's, and then if we decide not to do it, or to go with the DDP, we will change later.

Wow thanks so much for that link, it really is going to help! I think we are doing a ratatouille night this next week, in honor of m sister being in Paris. I'm really excited. I was going to do it only once a month, but now I'm thinking maybe every 2 weeks?

 

[stephielela]

I called today to add the DxDP to our reservation so that when I start booking ADR's next week, we won't have to prepay anything! Here's my question... I was under the impression that you did NOT have to have park tickets to add dining, but the CM told me I did. I don't understand why that is the case, since the dining plans are tied to your room nights, not the number of days you have on your tickets. The other thing is my dad is military, so he can get our tickets for (slightly) cheaper through them than through Disney... Since it's not free dining, I don't see why I have to buy park tickets at all. I understand that the promos often require you to buy a few days worth of tickets, but we are paying full price (at this point). I was planning on upgrading my tickets from my September trip to an AP since the price difference is minimal and I am planning a 3rd trip in January for the marathon, but if I am required to buy tickets to add dining, it's not cose effective anymore, and I might not go For now, I added 6 day PH's, until I get clarification on this issue, so if anyone has any insight, let me know!

 

[DisneyFirefly]

You have to have at least a one-day ticket in order to utilize the dining plans. I believe it's different with an AP, but I've never been a passholder, so I'm not entirely sure.

 

[jenseib]

You have to have at least a one-day ticket in order to utilize the dining plans. I believe it's different with an AP, but I've never been a passholder, so I'm not entirely sure.

Dining plan is part of a package. You have to have at least 1 day pass to add dining. Ap holders don't get a break. They still have to buy a pass to get the plan or go with the tables of wonderland discount pass. DVC members can add dining. I thin kthey can do it at check in.

I'm in!! Your plans sound great! We had planned WWoHP too, but decided to wait until our girls are a little bigger and they (hopefully) add more attractions/rides!

Disney Visa ususally announces their discounts for Oct-Dec the last week of July. They need to do it before we need to make our ADRs, but that's another story!! Anyway, Disney Visa usually offers 20/30/40 off or Free Dining through 12/24 so hopefully you will still be able to get a discount. Last year Disney also offered FD & b4g3 during that time. Keep your fingers crossed because we need a discount too!



Can't wait to read more! Now I need to read your PTR for the fall!

Last year was the first year they offered free dining to the general public for Oct-Dec. (I got a pin for it the 10 of July, and then a few days later it was available to Visa holders, then went to the public not long after that) The year before was the first year they offerred it to Visa holders and also they sent out PINs. But it wasn't till like Aug or later when they did this.
The buy 4 get 3 free deal came out around Oct I think, but wasn't good to use till after Christmas.

I called today to add the DxDP to our reservation so that when I start booking ADR's next week, we won't have to prepay anything! Here's my question... I was under the impression that you did NOT have to have park tickets to add dining, but the CM told me I did. I don't understand why that is the case, since the dining plans are tied to your room nights, not the number of days you have on your tickets. The other thing is my dad is military, so he can get our tickets for (slightly) cheaper through them than through Disney... Since it's not free dining, I don't see why I have to buy park tickets at all. I understand that the promos often require you to buy a few days worth of tickets, but we are paying full price (at this point). I was planning on upgrading my tickets from my September trip to an AP since the price difference is minimal and I am planning a 3rd trip in January for the marathon, but if I am required to buy tickets to add dining, it's not cose effective anymore, and I might not go For now, I added 6 day PH's, until I get clarification on this issue, so if anyone has any insight, let me know!

I think I answered your question in the posts above. You have to have a package deal with one ticket at least to get the dining plan. Now with free dining you have to have 2 days tickets and 3 nights minimum stay.

 

[exwdwcm]

Wow I can't believe we are getting do close to the 6 month mark (not to mention ADR's). I remember when I was a year out and thought it would take FOREVER! Of course, I have a feeling time is going to drag as we get closer, but that's ok, I have found a way to combat it! I was reading another PTR and the DISer (wlwilliams9) has Disney themed movie nights, where the food and everything coordinates! I am planning on starting that in our house next week, so once a month we will do one. It will help burn off some Disney energy Plus we are going to try and see some movies we haven't all seen yet.

As for ADR's, I'm getting a little nervous due to posts I have read about people who have managed to make their reservations earlier than their 180 mark online! I am going to investigate as I get closer to my date and see if I can manage it, but my date isn't till the 19th anyways. I'm hoping the will have opened up CP package reservations by then!

We spent the past weekend in Dallas at a family friends wedding. It was TONS of fun! It was nice to have a little vacation, especially from work! On the upside it looks liek in a couple weeks I will be on the 3-11pm shift! Thank goodness because I am SO SICK of working overnights! I have been on this shift for 8 months now and it is driving me crazy. I will probably have less time for DIS, but more time for sleep, and marathon training, which is a definite good thing!

I have a trip coming up in July to New Mexico, so that should help get me through my Disney anxiety, plus my mini trip to Disney at the end of September! But the one I'm looking forward to most is December, because there is just something about holidays at Disney that makes everything seem perfect!

hey there- i was able to book all my ressies at 190 days out so give it a try! and scary enough, it was actually tough getting a few of them- Le Cellier was totally booked for one evening.......i assume they are holding some spots for the candlelight processional packages for later, but if not- that's pretty scary!!

so what do you do that you work the overnight shift? so glad you might be getting a break and switching to a different shift!

so where did you stay in Dallas? that's where I live!

yes, on the ticket situation/dining- everyone is right, they require that each person that wants to get dining must have at least a one day ticket. I know, it takes a master's degree to figure out the ticketing process!

 

[stephielela]

Dining plan is part of a package. You have to have at least 1 day pass to add dining. Ap holders don't get a break. They still have to buy a pass to get the plan or go with the tables of wonderland discount pass. DVC members can add dining. I thin kthey can do it at check in.




Last year was the first year they offered free dining to the general public for Oct-Dec. (I got a pin for it the 10 of July, and then a few days later it was available to Visa holders, then went to the public not long after that) The year before was the first year they offerred it to Visa holders and also they sent out PINs. But it wasn't till like Aug or later when they did this.
The buy 4 get 3 free deal came out around Oct I think, but wasn't good to use till after Christmas.

Thanks for all the info! I'm really hoping they offer free dining, it would help a lot. I think if they did that we would probably still upgrade to deluxe, but maybe not. Maybe we would just pay for the additional meals OOP since we haven't even decided on ADR's for all of them yet anyways...

 

[stephielela]

You have to have at least a one-day ticket in order to utilize the dining plans. I believe it's different with an AP, but I've never been a passholder, so I'm not entirely sure.

Yeah, it looks like my fantastic AP plan wasn's so fantastic