I'm Ordering a big BLT for Thanksgiving 2010 NEW 12/3 started TR! see link

[DisMomAmy]

What a great article! It's taken me all afternoon/evening to read it in bits & pieces, but it was well worth it!

 

[foxyroxy40]

just found your ptr and wondered if you found a shirt if not here's some suggestion's try thrift stores or consignment shops all my disney shirts I got rid of this past fall and I had that shirt I know that doesn't help but i ordered stuff from the disneystore.com and their clothes seem to run small so if you haven't had your family try them on you might want to any who were going to disney for our third trip in august we havent been in two yearsso I have been reading on here like crazy love your planing toolshave you ever seen/used a walt disney world passporter it's really a wonderfulplaning tool and I make my own ressie folder well keep up with all your good tips

 

[Charlefours]

Hmm...TSM would be hard to miss but is it really worth not being able to go into another park that day? Do you do DTD or any other nonpark activites? Could you use a day like that to go to DHS in the morning, knock out TSM and continue on with nonpark activities or go to a water park?

55? cold? I would LOVE 55 by now It was a whopping 15 degrees today (before the wind chill).

Hmmm...Would you mind sending some Kookie pens? I may have to take you up on that offer :

for making ADRs for May!! :wooho:

THank you for sharing the article link!! Just out of curiosity--how close are you to FSU? Random I know

 

[mousescrapper]

That article was great. That's Disney magic at its best!

I agree

Wow, I can't wait to see your pictures! Take lots!

I will! don't have to worry about that!


Your princesses are going to love that!


let's just hope my fingers and the magic of online ressies are both on my side in May...

Ahh, so pretty! Get a nice family shot for your Christmas cards!!

We plan too...hope to have lots to choose from!



Oh, I hope so! He's had a tough time of it...


Kathy

us too, thanks Kathy!

Disney craft ideas on a blog, you say? I will so be headed over there in a couple of minutes!

yes...I haven't looked at everything they pictured yet...but I love some new ideas to put to work!

What a great article! It's taken me all afternoon/evening to read it in bits & pieces, but it was well worth it!

busy huh?...sorry about that

just found your ptr and wondered if you found a shirt if not here's some suggestion's try thrift stores or consignment shops all my disney shirts I got rid of this past fall and I had that shirt I know that doesn't help but i ordered stuff from the disneystore.com and their clothes seem to run small so if you haven't had your family try them on you might want to any who were going to disney for our third trip in august we havent been in two yearsso I have been reading on here like crazy love your planing toolshave you ever seen/used a walt disney world passporter it's really a wonderfulplaning tool and I make my own ressie folder well keep up with all your good tips

HI and foxyroxy40

"Chicago" fan are we?

good idea about the shirt...I haven't talked to my sis yet about hopefully stiching the design onto another shirt for me...but that could be another back up I'll have to keep my eye out.

It seems to be too small or too big lately for me. I have several shirts for the girls in the same "size" but not all look quite the same. We'll have a try on session later in the summer.

thanks about liking my planning tools...more will come in to action and shown better as I get closer, especially in May when the ADR window will be getting closer.

YAY about going back to Disney!

Hmm...TSM would be hard to miss but is it really worth not being able to go into another park that day? Do you do DTD or any other nonpark activites? Could you use a day like that to go to DHS in the morning, knock out TSM and continue on with nonpark activities or go to a water park?

55? cold? I would LOVE 55 by now It was a whopping 15 degrees today (before the wind chill).

Hmmm...Would you mind sending some Kookie pens? I may have to take you up on that offer :

sweetie... I don't think you meant to type this for me... you have me confused...but I would agree on the 55 degrees would be wonderful!

THank you for sharing the article link!! Just out of curiosity--how close are you to FSU? Random I know

your welcome for the link...and if FSU is Florida State then not close at all...I am in Chicago subs


thanks for reading all

J~

 

[Charlefours]

oh boy--I am so tired now and when I posted last night! Just ignore that post!! When I am catching up on multiple pages, I cut and paste so I must have accidentally posted it on yours--so sorry!!

 

[mousescrapper]

oh boy--I am so tired now and when I posted last night! Just ignore that post!! When I am catching up on multiple pages, I cut and paste so I must have accidentally posted it on yours--so sorry!!

no problem...

 

[mousescrapper]

“Mouse droppings” … no not real mouse droppings! where do we go when we need to go in WDW...




Let me borrow a header from the book, Mousejunkies by Bill Burke. If you haven’t heard of this book it is called Mousejunkies Tips, Tales, and Tricks for a Disney World Fix. It is a cute guide book of sorts telling some of the funnier sides of being a WDW junkie, I am reading this and enjoying some of the great little lines like:

“ …mention something as innocuous as ‘Main Street’ and I break out into a sweat.”

“Spend more than five minutes taking to me and I’ll figure out a way to insert Mickey Mouse into the conversation.”

“Irresponsibility in the face of Disney was already becoming a hobby of mine.”

“…our entire trip is usually planned around where we want to eat.”

“Doing Disney like a Mousejunkie is more of a philosophy: identify what you really want to do, figure out a plan to make sure you do it, and anything else is gravy.”

As he describes touring MK, in different two ways

“1. At a leisurely pace, enjoying the details. Or 2. Go! Go! Go! Go! Eat! Go! Go! Blister! Argue! Collapse!”​

And more…



The other night I came to the section entitled “Mouse Droppings” , now I know a few guidebooks will tell you about the restrooms or more specifically the Baby Care Centers…but how many actually devote a page and a half to the restrooms of WDW?

This seems to be somewhat of a popular topic here on the boards…so I just couldn’t resist.



I asked Matt what he thought the worst bathroom in WDW was he and he didn’t have to think long…

His vote: was in MK in the back of Fantasyland to the left of Ariel’s Grotto (if you are looking on a map) in the back behind Pinocchio Village Haus

My vote for the Best restroom in MK would have to be the one off the gift shop near the POC attraction…

I know it is not the most modern restroom, but it generally seems clean to me and not very crowded. Plus I like the benches right outside for people to wait on and the gift shop locale works pretty good too.



We moved on to Epcot with our Best and Worst votes…and we were in agreement.

Best: a little off the beaten path but the restrooms off the Odyssey Center. I also like the one in FW between the Land and Imagination.

Worst: the one behind the American Adventure…Matt even washed Margaret’s feet in the sink in that one.



Moving on to AK…

I like the family restroom in Dinoland near the gift shop. Matt says he doesn’t remember going to the washroom here…I’m like, ever? So I guess none stuck out good or bad to him.



And off to DHS…

The Worst one is behind Sounds Dangerous…UGH! I visibly remember trying to get two of the girls over there during SWW after exiting Indiana Jones…it was difficult to locate and small w/ good lines…

The Best according to Matt (and I agree is pretty good) the one in the back corner behind The Magic of Animation.


Well there are our choices…I know you have opinions so please share:

Best/Worst overall or between the 4 parks…


And to go one further…to rate the resort room bathrooms…

POR has the best set up w/ two sinks and the privacy curtain and sep. shower/toilet combo.

CSR is similar but only one sink though lots of counter space.

Poly had the biggest bathroom, but it’s like at your home everything together…nice to have the space, but not very effective for 6 people all trying to get out the door at once…

We also stayed CBR and AS Sports…but I can’t recall if I loved or hated…

I personally can’t wait to give you my review of the BLT bathrooms…we’ll have 3.


Thanks for reading all.

Scrappie J~

 

[carissanboys]

Does Jordan (jordanyosh) read your PTR or vice versa? He has his flushes system when rating bathrooms at WDW so this would be right up his alley.

Personally, a bathroom has to be pretty bad for me to even notice so I can't think of any at WDW that I thought were bad.

 

[mousescrapper]

who knew

I was just browsing and found a link posted by fellow Diser Melani to this other person's phot essay of every restroom in the 4 parks as of 2003/2005

take a peek

http://www.cassworld.ca/bathrooms.htm

 

[KathyRN137]

I love that book... its such a fun read!!


Kathy

 

[Charleston Princess]

Another fan of Mousejunkies here! I laughed out loud so many times while I was reading it -- I recognized myself a good bit!

Looking forward to your review of the BLT bathrooms as well!

 

[DisMomAmy]

I really need to get that book!

The Mouse Junkies are from NH & they have been profiled on a local news magazine program - it was just on a couple weeks ago. The book sounds hillarious!

 

[Charlefours]

I love that book too!! Thanks for reminding of the amusing section on Mouse Droppings.

 

[irish dancer]

LOL, like that book too!

Agree on the Odyssey Center in Epcot, we always end up at that one on every trip. I too am like your DH, I know I've used the bathrooms at AK but to be honest nothing stands out good/bad in my mind.

As for resorts, OKW are HUGE, BCV & SSR can be confusing with all the doors and I love having two at AKV. Can't wait to hear about BLT.

 

[mousescrapper]

Does Jordan (jordanyosh) read your PTR or vice versa? He has his flushes system when rating bathrooms at WDW so this would be right up his alley.

Personally, a bathroom has to be pretty bad for me to even notice so I can't think of any at WDW that I thought were bad.

I don't think so...but we bump into eachother on other people's PTR's and such...

I love that book... its such a fun read!!


Kathy

Yes I am really enjoying it...I often stop to read out loud to Matt.

Another fan of Mousejunkies here! I laughed out loud so many times while I was reading it -- I recognized myself a good bit!

Looking forward to your review of the BLT bathrooms as well!

me too....

I really need to get that book!

Amazon.com or Borders.com should have it. You could sign up for Boarders emails and wait for a coupon.

The Mouse Junkies are from NH & they have been profiled on a local news magazine program - it was just on a couple weeks ago. The book sounds hillarious!

that's cool...yes alot of great Disney folks live up in the North East

I love that book too!! Thanks for reminding of the amusing section on Mouse Droppings.

LOL, like that book too!

Agree on the Odyssey Center in Epcot, we always end up at that one on every trip. I too am like your DH, I know I've used the bathrooms at AK but to be honest nothing stands out good/bad in my mind.

As for resorts, OKW are HUGE, BCV & SSR can be confusing with all the doors and I love having two at AKV. Can't wait to hear about BLT.

I can see that a whole post will need to be dedicated to the BLT bathrooms when I get back...


thanks for reading all...

I will have another post up soon...back to the Disney logo saga....

J~

 

[mousescrapper]

figure out Disney Math? ​

before I get back to the crazy Disney Logo shirt saga...

let's talk numbers...anybody love Math or in particular Disney Math


this will be a special 3 part series on 20/20 over the next 3 "sundays"....

How can 6 people go to Disney World for 6 days for $__________?​

Help me think through this money wise?

W/out even seeing our 09 tax refund we already know that $ from that will not go toward Disney this yr as well on top of that $ that were planning to set aside for the expenses of the trip (mostly food, tickets and spending) is just not saving up as well as we thought.

Yes I still have 8+ months to keep saving…but we are slightly worried…

We are in agreement w/ not canceling the trip and moving forward but to what degree?

This is where I need your advice.

Here is an idea of my original planning-

10 days Nov 19th through 28th

9 nights total…1 night at POP, 8 nights at BLT

7 days of parks

Reg DDP​

not including airfare and souviners...I was thinking my budget would be:

$4000

this included buying 4 tickets (2 A & 2 C) from UT and 2 AP's (w/ DVC discount), reg DDP + tips + OOP food on 1st day and grocery delievery, and 2 rooms 1 night at POP.

Let’s start w/ parks and tickets:​

Matt and I are planning to get AP’s w/ the DVC discount, the kids 7 day PH passes (2 adult and 2 child prices).

Options keeping AP’s and PH for kids-

1) Direct through Disney and 2 AP’s (DVC) = $1926.08 ($1856 before tax)

2) 4 children’s tickets through UT and 2 AP’s w/ DVC discount = $1841.80

3) Direct through Disney using GAD upgrades for 3 of the kid’s tickets, 1 child ticket through UT (under 6) and 2 AP’s w/ DVC discount = roughly $1630 + tax think it would be $1661.60 w/ tax) (KIM this version I will most likely pay the price increase coming in August)


Why are we getting AP’s? well another trip is in the works for DH & I for our 15 yr anniversary (July ’11) and we’d be returning to WDW sometime in late Sept/early Oct for 5 days…

I already know that purchasing two 7 D base for this trip and then two 5 day base for the 2011 trip is more than buying two AP’s ( $924+ vs $778)


Why are we getting 7 day PH for the kids? It makes sense since DH & I will have PH capability w/ our AP’s to upgrade the kids to PH passes. I do not plan to go to the parks on our two travel days and Thanksgiving Day is our rest-no park day…so 7 days of parks.

Overall the difference is $84+ savings buying 4 of 6 needed passes from UT vs Disney direct and doing the GAD for 3 of children would be about $230+ in savings overall.

So obviously the 3rd option is the most money savings…but logistically the most “pain in my butt” version…

With us arriving on Friday the 19th and staying 1 night at POP for point reasons for our BLT stay we need to a) check-out of POP Sat. morning, b) take our luggage to bell services to transfer to BLT for us), c) already planning to go check-in BLT after midnight on Friday to get our keys and activate the DDP starting on the 20th…d) originally planning to get our AP’s from GS at DTD on Friday…but now e) we’ll need to exchange our GAD vouchers for the 3 kids at MK on Saturday the 20th as Amy explained to me we have to exchange their 1-day GAD vouchers on the day we want to use them…BUT I want to try and get a pre park opening BBB appt that morning for Margaret’s b-day…who knows if she’ll even have enough hair for a princess bun or crown (she doesn’t now but that is a whole other story)…Can I even exchange vouchers at 7:30 am something in the morning?


So if that isn’t confusing enough should I consider dropping the PH add-on and just get base tickets?

Here is the new breakdown:

1) Direct through Disney and 2 AP’s (DVC) = $1704.56 ($1648 before tax)

2) 4 children’s tickets through UT and 2 AP’s w/ DVC discount = $1643.80

3) Direct through Disney using GAD upgrades for 3 of the kid’s tickets, 1 child ticket through UT (under 6) and 2 AP’s w/ DVC discount = roughly $1417 + tax (KIM this version I will most likely pay the price increase coming in August)

Overall difference is $60 + savings from everything through Disney to purchasing 4 tickets through UT and $230+ by doing 3 tickets w/ GAD upgrade

Savings between Hoppers and Base

1) $222

2) $198

3) $213


Not a deal breaker or maker I guess? So I guess if you figure I would save $230 either way by doing the GAD upgrade should stick w/ the PH’s. or maximize the savings and go w/ the base tickets and save about $443+ on tickets…

Opinions?


FYI after typing this up yesterday...DH and I have at least agreed the GAD is the way to go w/ savings regardless of the pain...but still interested in hearing your thoughts...we have not discussed dropping PH...that requires more brain power....


Up NEXT: Hop or No Hop A tentative breakdown of my itinerary, possible crowd report and best vs worst park days....

stay tuned

Thanks for reading,

Scrappie J~ Go Irish! (The people not football team )

 

[DisMomAmy]

Interesting... I'm glad you decided to go with the GAD option. From what I understand the Will Call windows are open before the park opens. When you mention 7:30, is that based on an 8am opening? If so, yes, they will be open by 7:30. Poke around more on the GAD threads and you'll find more about those questions. There are a couple of real experts over there who can help you work through all of those details.

Our trips usually costs us about $5000...

Maybe I'll break it down for you on my PTR after I finish up the AK series.

 

[Charlefours]

My reaction is it worth the hassle to save the money? For me the answer would be yes Another thing that popped into my head--do you like the DDP or could you possibly do without it? I am not sure if you are big TS eaters or if you would be content with a few TS OOP and then eat CS for your other meals?

 

[irish dancer]

We have not gotten hoppers for the past few trips, for us it is $250 that can be spent on food and such. I guess it's not huge when you're talking thousands but that $250 gets us 5+ CS meals. We also did the GAD and it wasn't too difficult, we did the Project Linus blankets. I don't think that activity is available anymore but there will probably be others that wouldn't be too much of a pain.

As for DDP we've dropped that too. I got tired of being so tied to ADRs and with 1-2 kids now counting as "adults" but not eating like adults it just didn't seem worth it for us anymore. Our last trip I even utilized our kitchen and "cooked" froz pizza one night and a froz lasagne another, added a bag of salad and we had a pretty good meal for pennies compared to a WDW restaurant, even CS. Remember having an AP you'll qualify to purchase a TIW card, you might want to crunch some more numbers to see if that might work out better for you.

I know it's crazy but I love crunching the numbers so if you need help on that end just let me know!

 

[carissanboys]

I'm really not a big help when it comes to figuring this stuff out. My mind is feeling a bit fuzzy after reading all of that. But, we have never had hoppers and I can't say it's been an issue for us. We're always back in the room by 8 usually and too tired to go two different parks in one day. The savings was also worth it to me to plan one park a day.