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

[KathyRN137]

let's talk numbers...anybody love Math...?

Oh, if you only knew what a terrible math student I was!

We dropped the PH option on our last trip to save some money and we were fine. Now that we tend not to go back for a midday rest, we usually stay at one park. If you think you would do the same, then I recommend getting base tickets!


Kathy

 

[DisMomAmy]

Oh, if you only knew what a terrible math student I was!

We dropped the PH option on our last trip to save some money and we were fine. Now that we tend not to go back for a midday rest, we usually stay at one park. If you think you would do the same, then I recommend getting base tickets!


Kathy

And you could always start without it and add it on if you decided you really needed it.

 

[Charlefours]

I forget where I read it but if you are considering doing GAD and have not yet register--I would do it ASAP. There has been such a huge response they are figuring the quota will be reached this month and they have not announced if they will take more than the initial one million.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I forget where I read it but if you are considering doing GAD and have not yet register--I would do it ASAP. There has been such a huge response they are figuring the quota will be reached this month and they have not announced if they will take more than the initial one million.

Wow!! I knew they would hit the million before the end of the year, but I didn't realize it would be this soon!

 

[mousescrapper]

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.

the 7:30 am time is based on us hopefully getting a 8:05 am BBB appointment...in 2009 MK opened on Sat before Thanksgiving at 9:00 am

If you don't mind sharing your budget openly on your PTR I'd love to see it and/or just send me an email...

thanks!

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?

Yes we have decided it seems to be the best plan...1 thing decided, now moving on to Hopping and food...this will be harder.

You are one step ahead of me...I have a whole post dedicated to DDP....

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!

I can crunch the numbers for tickets...it is the food stuff that seems harder to me...but my thoughts are coming so I'd love a second look at it.

thanks for your opinions and what has worked for you w/ not adding the hoppers and DDP...my mind is swirling w/ ideas and yes I am concerned about the twins now beings "adults" they just won't eat that much...

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.

I tend to agree on the no hopping stuff...w/ the little kids. DH likes the option...but I guess we can do all the hopping we want in 2011 when it's just us...I may have to anxiously wait till early May to really make some decisions here...

Oh, if you only knew what a terrible math student I was!

We dropped the PH option on our last trip to save some money and we were fine. Now that we tend not to go back for a midday rest, we usually stay at one park. If you think you would do the same, then I recommend getting base tickets!


Kathy

We haven't been the kind to take that mid-day rest...I'd rather tour till 3 or 4 and just be done right now...that will all change as the kids get older...like reading Missy's TR and how they tour early, pool and nap break then tour again late...I can see that in our future...but I can also see w/ walking access to MK a mid day break will be very easy and appealing w/ level 10 crowds!

thanks for your thoughts...

And you could always start without it and add it on if you decided you really needed it.

good thought Amy...as you'll see in my next post I really only can see hopping a few days...not all 7

I forget where I read it but if you are considering doing GAD and have not yet register--I would do it ASAP. There has been such a huge response they are figuring the quota will be reached this month and they have not announced if they will take more than the initial one million.

Thanks and yes I did register on Monday night and I have recieved the confirmation email that I have expressed an interest.

next part coming up for your thoughts...

J~

 

[mousescrapper]

Hop or No Hop…that is the Question.​

So let’s start w/ what I like about hopping and what I don’t:

Hopping Pro’s-flexibility in planning ahead to the things you just don’t know
Ability to switch gears as needed
If the entertainment schedule does not quite meet your needs on a given day you can tour 1 park then go to an alternate park for nighttime entertainment

Hopping Con’s-to me it can seem busier to plan on hopping and moving from 1 park to the next or back to the resort and next park
It feels like a lot of work packing up to get on the bus, off the bus and through bag check
I’m more of the pre-planner than the fly by the seat of my pants kind of tourist

I have PH’d and not PH’ w/ young kids I’d rather not hop…but it can be a challenge sometimes planning an itinerary when you are confined to one park a day.

My thoughts would be you can make it work and I’d rather tour all day on a few park days and other park days start late and go late or start early and tour till mid afternoon and then be done.

This trip…the PH-ing has a bit of an appeal due to the expected larger crowds so if we need to leave and maybe want to go somewhere else…

The end of our trip we’d like to do some of the Holiday specific things at DHS, Epcot and maybe AK…but I am suspecting the general crowds will be higher and it would be a good idea to tour somewhere during the day and go to another park at night…

Based on the touring plans crowd levels for our week we are looking at level 9 Sat-Sat on our park days.

I have a feeling we not be in the parks as much or as in long of spurts than before becuase of the crowds...

I’d like to go to MK 2 + times, Epcot 2 times, AK 1 ½ times, DHS 1 ½ times.

Overall Park goals are:

MK-find the little things/Holiday
Things we missed in 09-HoP, SM
Spectro and Wishes in the Park
Our Must do’s

Epcot-Holiday story tellers
CLP
Things we missed in 09-innoventions
Our Must do’s

AK-take time to look and take it in
things we missed in 09-parade, FotLK, Nemo, walking trails, Tree of Life
Our Must do’s

DHS-characters and finding the little things
Drawing academy
B&B show, extreme motor show (still have never seen)
Our Must do’s

So w/ that said here is my tentative itinerary:​

Fri 19- arrival no park, DTD ?

Sat 20- Margaret’s b-day MK maybe hop to Epcot in afternoon? BBB, CRT-lunch, rides for Margaret, Wishes at BLT

Sun 21- DHS or AK possible hop day no late night

Mon 22- MK no hopping rest at BLT hopeful Spectro and Wishes in park or possible HDDR night

Tues 23- Mae’s b-day 1900 PF Bfst, DHS or AK possible hop day again no late night

Wed 24- Epcot no hopping or option of hop to MK for Spectro/Wishes in park

Thurs 25- Thanksgiving, no park, rest day resort, DTD, WCC dinner, watch Wishes & EWP from BLT

Fri 26- MK day, hop to DHS for Osborne Lights

Sat 27- Epcot for Holiday story tellers and CLP (possible TS dinner package)

Sun 28- departure day (shoot for early afternoon flight) no park just check-out, leave



***Please note this is mostly based on best park day choices...



To recap tickets using the GAD on 3 tickets (2 A and 1 C), 1 C ticket through UT and 2 AP's w/ DVC discount...

Hoppers=$1661.60 w/ tax (roughly)

Base= $1460.47 w/ tax (roughly)

Difference = $201.13

Ok let's hear it....

Can I shoot for a decision now and weigh on it more come May when hopful hours will come out and entertianment schedules...if it comes out early in the month I will still have a couple weeks till my ADR window...

Up NEXT: To DDP or Not....

thanks for reading,

Scrappie J~

 

[DisMomAmy]

As you know we are big on hopping... Changing gears seems to break things up for us. Though we may be doing less hopping this year than in the past.

I can definitely see why you guys would want to park hop on this trip! With those high crowd levels I agree that hoppin gis your best option. You can try to spend the day in one of the least crowded parks, then head over to another park for the evening fun (and crowds).

I vote yes for park hopping!

 

[carissanboys]

$200 for everyone to have hoppers? Doesn't seem like much. If you think it would make things much easier for you guys to have that option, then I'd go for it. Part of why I never get them is because we probably wouldn't take advantage of the option. We're at a park early and leave by early afternoon. If it didn't cost more, I'd probably use the option some, but not enough to make the cost worth it for us. But, if you will use it quite a bit, then I definitely think $200 is worth it.

 

[irish dancer]

With it being a holiday time PHing might be necessary for crowd control so I'd keep it as an option. I guess what I'd suggest is budget for PH but don't buy them that way. It is an option you can add to your tix at any time and it is a flat amount no matter when you add it so if you find once there that you want to hop then add it but if you don't need it then you've saved the $$. We tour early morning (collect FPs), take a break, return to the same park in the eve and use our FPs collected earlier so base tix have worked for us.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I always like the thought of Park Hoppers but we haven't used them since 2007. Remember, too, that you can add them to your tickets at any time -- even once you are there if you decide you need to hop.

 

[mousescrapper]

You can try to spend the day in one of the least crowded parks, then head over to another park for the evening fun (and crowds).

I vote yes for park hopping!

$200 for everyone to have hoppers? Doesn't seem like much. If you think it would make things much easier for you guys to have that option, then I'd go for it.


But, if you will use it quite a bit, then I definitely think $200 is worth it.

With it being a holiday time PHing might be necessary for crowd control so I'd keep it as an option. I guess what I'd suggest is budget for PH but don't buy them that way. It is an option you can add to your tix at any time and it is a flat amount no matter when you add it

. Remember, too, that you can add them to your tickets at any time -- even once you are there if you decide you need to hop.

well I have roughly all of you thinking the same thing...

large crowds + not a huge cost + added flexibilty = on considering adding the hopper option...

Now I hear what everyone is saying and maybe wait and add on after we are down there...but what about Margaret's ticket? I am buying her's through UT...I assume I can not change it later. Her's will be the only ticket I pre-purchase in advance.

Happy to hear other thoughts and I will talk this over w/ DH and see what he thinks...

At first I was all yes on the hoppers (since DH & I will have it on the AP) then w/ the money factor I was feeling abit iffy...but now w/ the GAD savings it may be ok...

I feel a little more hmmm...it may be good to have it, but make a more firm decision based on hours later in a few months.

Do you think that is a good idea?
thanks all...

I will post my DDP-OOP food post in a day or two...it's a doozy...whoever said they like crunching the food numbers...I will need you on this one.

J~

 

[mousescrapper]

Ok I just can't wrap my head around it anymore...

I was trying to tweek my itinerary and possible "dining plan" (not the DDP just my plan using credits, in villa, OOP)

and now I have crossed that crazy land of UGH....planningdisneyitis

you know I love it...but I liked when I thought I didn't have many variables and it seemed to just work easily...but not so much...

thinking now I NEED to sorta plan breaks in my goals for each day (obviously we take as needed when we are there)

here's my variables...

scheduling best ot worst park days choices

possible hopping to maxmize touring beginning of week while crowds may seem lighter

seeing the holiday stuff: CLP, Osborne Lights, Jammin Jingle Parade, Holiday Story tellers

not planning late nights in front of early pre-park mornings

want to see Spectro/Wishes at MK 1 night (I think it will be on every night we are there excpetion of arrival and departure most likely the MVMCP nights)

I am working on a Disney Album for a school mom and she was there last yr our same week this yr and the Lights were up at DHS pre-Thanksgiving as well as the Holiday version of the parade at AK.

So I am thinking I do not need to push all of that to the end of the week.

Then there is TS stuff to consider...which seems to be a pain and if we do reg DDP...my inlaws who are staying w/ us for 4 nights in BLT will need to purchase the plan...so we will use up the remianing credits when they leave cause it will be attached to our ressie and name...trying to decide how to work that best to their advtage to get the most for their bucks and then for us to...(but I am getting ahead of myself...w/ the DDP post to come)

Oh well just rambling on here in my disney crazies...

Need to go take the little girls to get pre-wedding hair cuts, want to post the DDP post tomorrow and then I'll probably need to take a break w/ stuff to do and busy for the Wedding coming up on the 13th...

WOW!

be back soon.

J~

PS yes I know about the possible closure of the GAD...Amy is my informant

 

[Charlefours]

I go back and forth on using PHs. I thought we could drop them but DH wants us to keep them so they stay. I think you need to think about your priorities for when you are down there. You posted must-dos for all the parks--is it feasible to do it without park hopping? You have DHS and AK for 1 1/2 days. Can you add another set of tickets to make up time? It would be cheaper to add another day onto tickets than buy the PHs. :confused2:

 

[DisMomAmy]

well I have roughly all of you thinking the same thing...

large crowds + not a huge cost + added flexibilty = on considering adding the hopper option...

Now I hear what everyone is saying and maybe wait and add on after we are down there...but what about Margaret's ticket? I am buying her's through UT...I assume I can not change it later. Her's will be the only ticket I pre-purchase in advance.

J~

I believe that once you get down there, a ticket is a ticket. You should be able to upgrade Margaret's base ticket to a park hopper just like any other ticket. You could look over on the ticket forums or even email Undercover Tourist and see what they say just to be safe.

 

[irish dancer]

Now I hear what everyone is saying and maybe wait and add on after we are down there...but what about Margaret's ticket? I am buying her's through UT...I assume I can not change it later. Her's will be the only ticket I pre-purchase in advance.

I will post my DDP-OOP food post in a day or two...it's a doozy...whoever said they like crunching the food numbers...I will need you on this one.

J~

Amy is right, the tickets from UT are regular WDW tix just like you'd get direct from Disney. It is my understanding that they get them at a discount from WDW by buying them in bulk and pass along that savings on in the lower prices. Once you're in WDW you would be able to upgrade her tix the same as the GAD ones you get from WDW.

I'm the food number cruncher if you need one, LOL. I've done it many times trying to decide if it would benefit us or not. We could have another mini-meet to crunch the numbers.

Have a GREAT time with the wedding!! Try not to let the WDW planningitis get the better of you.

 

[Charleston Princess]

I was going to say the same thing as Amy -- I am pretty sure once you are down there, a ticket is a ticket and can be upgraded any way you want to upgrade it. Another thought to add to your mix.

I hear you about being overwhelmed by options -- I have been there. Just let it marinate for a little bit. Eventually, it all comes together.

 

[eyor44]

HI
Joining in. We will be at BLT November 20-26.

One thing that might make you touring a little easier is the Osbourne lights. This past November they actually turned on the lights the beginning of November instead of waiting until the day after Thanksgiving. Hoping they will do that again this year, as I definitely want to do Candlelight Processional this year.

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Wow...my head is kind of spinning and it's not even my trip!!

We are not park hoppers, but if you are used to touring that way I can see why it would be hard to give up. Also, with my kids being older, we do have more flexibility.

We love the DDP and probably wouldn't do Disney as a family without it. I've crunched the numbers and we always come out ahead.

I'll agree with Amy that our trips usually run around the $5000 mark.

I saw the GAD info about approaching the 1 million mark. I already registered and have arranged to mail our blankets next week. I hope we make it in under the wire.

 

[mousescrapper]

You posted must-dos for all the parks--is it feasible to do it without park hopping? You have DHS and AK for 1 1/2 days. Can you add another set of tickets to make up time? It would be cheaper to add another day onto tickets than buy the PHs. :confused2:

Yes I think it is somewhat feasible to manage our park days w/out hopping...but may make it easier.

In re to adding a day and buy 8 day vs 7 day is that well I have learned my lesson...packing to much into the travel days just backfires for us...waking up so early to catch that flight and arrive is just enough...easing into Disney w/ resort pool, games, the Marketplace, etc is just so much easier...sorta have a basic plan but no real goals except YAY we made it works,

My DS Michael has Aspergers/HFA (Autism) and many of my touring plans to run around him and his structure...when 1-man is down...well the whole ship will follow. After last yrs back in last day and fly out after dinner disaster...I know just eating breakfast some last minute resort fun will be the perfect end to our trip and flying home on the Sunday after Thanksgiving...well that will be an adventure in it's self...

thanks for the advice...but I think the 7 day is just the right amount for us

I believe that once you get down there, a ticket is a ticket. You should be able to upgrade Margaret's base ticket to a park hopper just like any other ticket. You could look over on the ticket forums or even email Undercover Tourist and see what they say just to be safe.

Amy is right, the tickets from UT are regular WDW tix just like you'd get direct from Disney. It is my understanding that they get them at a discount from WDW by buying them in bulk and pass along that savings on in the lower prices. Once you're in WDW you would be able to upgrade her tix the same as the GAD ones you get from WDW.

Thanks Amy and "A-M" for the ticket advice that is good to know

I'm the food number cruncher if you need one, LOL. I've done it many times trying to decide if it would benefit us or not. We could have another mini-meet to crunch the numbers.


the food numbers is coming...

Have a GREAT time with the wedding!! Try not to let the WDW planningitis get the better of you.

Yes after today I need to take a planning break and focus on some wedding things...

I hear you about being overwhelmed by options -- I have been there. Just let it marinate for a little bit. Eventually, it all comes together.

think that is the plan....it will be a good long...marinade

HI
Joining in. We will be at BLT November 20-26.

HI and eyor44

YAY how exciting we'll have to try and meet up at the pool, ToW Lounge or the community center...what fun! Is this your first trip "home" ?

One thing that might make you touring a little easier is the Osbourne lights. This past November they actually turned on the lights the beginning of November instead of waiting until the day after Thanksgiving. Hoping they will do that again this year, as I definitely want to do Candlelight Processional this year.

Yes that is what a friend told me who was there last yr same time that Thanksgiving week...I am thinking if we do the Lights at DHS pre thanksgiving may not be a s crowded as the weekend looms forward. I am really looking forward to the CLP too!

Wow...my head is kind of spinning and it's not even my trip!!

sorry Missy

We are not park hoppers, but if you are used to touring that way I can see why it would be hard to give up. Also, with my kids being older, we do have more flexibility.

Normally we don't we have done it both ways...but some more thoughts coming...

We love the DDP and probably wouldn't do Disney as a family without it. I've crunched the numbers and we always come out ahead.

that is sorta how I feel...

I'll agree with Amy that our trips usually run around the $5000 mark.

Ok I don't feel so bad...

I saw the GAD info about approaching the 1 million mark. I already registered and have arranged to mail our blankets next week. I hope we make it in under the wire.

me too....update coming...

J~

 

[mousescrapper]

FYI...

so I still have not heard back from the dupage forest preserve, area of interest for the GAD vouchers for the 3 kids...

Disney sent me their email saying they sent it out and I should hear from them in 5 days...I was going to contact them yesterday (DFP) but didn't get a chance...I will call on Monday and see if I can get some scoop....

nervous now it may not work out, since we can't register till after we hear from the place we want to donate our time too...

please keep your fingers crossed and send some ixdust

thanks

J~