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

[DisMomAmy]

From what I have read recently, the GAD opportunities that have open dates, like the Project Linus things, will no longer show up on the list. Date specific events will still be there for a while & things that you've expressed interest in will still go through if the organization needs you. So I wouldn't give up hope yet...

Here's where I saw that info today: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35710684&postcount=35

 

[mommytothreeboys]

Thanks for the link Amy. I was getting concerned, but since I've already registered and arranged to volunteer at a certain time, I should be all set. Great info!

 

[mousescrapper]

Money Matters Part 3:

Now to food and the Dining Plan…​

I like the DDP…I like pre-paying and not worrying. I have not stayed on site before w/ the capabilities of making food in our room so I don’t know quite yet how much I will use the kitchen.

Going during a time of yr when the dining prices will be increased because of Thanksgiving, has the advantage of pre-pay.

We are a family of 6, which is a lot of food over the course of 10 days…

We like the ease, flexibility of CS and the rest and themes of TS. We like dining w/ characters.

We do not like being tied to 1 TS ressie a day.

We personally think the treat of dessert w/ every meal is a BLAST…not something we do when we eat out…and what fun options at Disney. Plus we love the snack credits. I would not buy that stuff OOP.

In discussions w/ Matt…he thinks we should stick to the original plan at add the DDP on. He feels even if we say we’d save money by doing half our meals in villa…he doesn’t want to be tied to going back to the villa for lunch/dinner and he feels w/in the confines of the DDP we know what we can eat and can get extra…w/ the OOP status we may spend more than we can actually plan.

We still have some hashing out to do and some marinating like Carissa said but…


Goals for dining….we would like 3 main TS meals: CRT lunch-Margaret’s b-day (Sat), 1900 PF bfast- Mae’s b-day (Tues) and Thanksgiving Dinner-WCC

I have priced these 3 meals out and get a rough guess of OOP = $631.82 (including approx tip & gratuity)

So let’s look at the 2 main DDP’s

1) reg plan at $41.99 per 10 and up (4) and $11.99 per 3 and up (2) times for 8 nights = $1535.52/ $191.94 a night broken down between 6 people that is roughly $32 per person per night
And is $352 more than QS

2) QS plan at $31.99 per 10 and up (4) and $9.99 per 3 and up (2) times for 8 nights = $1183.52/ $147.94 a night broken down between 6 people that is roughly $25 per person per night

3) QS plan plus 3 TS meals above OOP = $1815.34 + that is $280 more than the reg DDP

4) no DDP everything OOP…use TiW card for some savings see breakdown below


So a while back I found a handy Excel spreadsheet worksheet kind of thing from another Diser that I have used and modified to figure out the difference between OOP and DDP basically eating like you were on DDP but what do you save by going on DDP…and looking at eating what you would really eat vs the DDP cost. And what if any savings can you get…

It helps figure out possible tax and gratuity too…which is nice for my non Math brain. I have modified it to help figure out misc OOP costs like last yr when Margaret was not on a DDP…

DH & I are in agreement it would seem silly to pay OOP for 3 TS meals. We have discussed maybe just doing CRT and dropping all others…but that doesn’t seem fun and it technically is a savings using DDP vs OOP on the TS at least for us as far as I can tell…

If I divide the 3 TS meals by 6 people it’s roughly $105 per person for just 3 meals…granted one is a hefty price…but who doesn’t want to eat in the castle at least once and my girls are only going to be little this once….

The DDP price for 1 “day” of 2 meals plus a snack is less than what CRT would cost us OOP…

CRT = $268.42

DDP 1 night = $191.94​

Now let’s say us 6 eat at for now at 5 TS (CRT-l, 1900 PF-b, WCC-d, HDDR-dshow, and Italy TS-CLP dinner package) and 8 CS meals eating a dessert w/ each meal, tips and gratuity it would equal

$1840

Savings of about $300 by using DDP…



Based on Disney pricing…the least costing CS meals I can calculate ordering what we want is just under $62.00



Beyond price you have to factor in how many meals can I get per plan according to me…

1) 13 meals, (not including snacks…) 10 meals in villa (mostly breakfast & 2 lunches & 1 dinner) plus 2 1/2 meals OOP on arrival day (we’d add on HDDR 2 credits, and CLP dinner pkg in Epcot for 2 credits)

as well it should be noted...whatever DDP we choose...my inlaws have to purchase as well based on our length of stay...we'll gain their unused credits and 2 more meals

2) 16 meals and 8 in villa, plus 2 1/2 OOP meals on arrival


3) 16 CS meals, plus 3 OOP TS meals and 21/2 CS OOP meals on arrival day and 7 meals in villa (bfasts)


Now there is the Tables in Wonderland card…which w/ the AP we could purchase for $75 and receive 20% off these restaurants we are planning to dine at:

POP food court
1900 PF
CRT
(FTBBQ listed on Allears.net but not on wdwinfo site)​

*** Can not use on Thanksgiving Day even though WCC is on the participating list and HDDR is on list but only 9:30 show…that is too late for us.


By just looking at 1900 PF and CRT what could I save?

1900 PF about $26
CRT about $54


So then say I pay OOP for the 3 main TS meals w/ the TiW card = $626.82 (discount and cost of card)

Doesn’t save me anything…OOP for 3 meals no discount = $631.82

Now what if we don’t do DDP at all and OOP everything and use the TiW card on the above 4 places…but have the bulk of our meals in the villa…



I can see planning Breakfasts in BLT for 7 mornings, lunch we could plan 3 times and dinner we could do 5 times. Therefore eating CS OOP 7 times in parks (plus 2 more on arrival day) I would guess needing to budget about $50-60+ per CS meal = $540, plus the 3 TS meals = $627 (including TiW card) and then a grocery order = $200+

Possibly could do meals for about $1400 I have no idea

I worry though by being restricted to 8 meals for lunch and dinner combined…will make touring a bit zig-zagging? I’d say on days we are at MK and Epcot would be easiest to return to BLT and then we just have to leave AK/DHS early enough to get back to BLT for me to cook…not to mention I am not going on “vacation” to clean and cook…I do that everyday at home. I don’t mind breakfasts in the villa and a few meals for lunch and dinner dispersed



Any suggestions?


Well I am glad I wrote out this little exercise in trying to see if or what savings could be had if cutting tickets and DDP…

I guess just thinking back to our 2008 trip including airfare for 6 people, 5 park tickets and reg DDP plus staying at the POLY was budgeted out at $5000

How can this trip…not including airfare or resort be starting at $4000?

I guess prices increases and now that Margaret needs a ticket & DDP, plus the twins are coming in as adults in pricing…

It has gone up significantly…



If I was purchasing 1 less on DDP and tickets plus the twins on child prices using GAD) and our 2 rooms at POP 1 night and the 2 AP’s…it would be about

$2430 vs the almost $4000 it is costing…


1570 difference…yesh…it pays to go when they are under 9 and 3 huh?

Just imagine how much more it would be if we were staying all nine nights at POP or somewhere more expensive and needing more OOP meals w/ no kitchen access?

Ok I’m just going to marinade and breathe…and say it’s OK….

Thanks all,

Scrappie J~

Up NEXT: A little non-Disney update…An Irish Wedding

 

[mousescrapper]

From what I have read recently, the GAD opportunities that have open dates, like the Project Linus things, will no longer show up on the list. Date specific events will still be there for a while & things that you've expressed interest in will still go through if the organization needs you. So I wouldn't give up hope yet...

Here's where I saw that info today: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=35710684&postcount=35

thanks Amy...keep you posted on my end...

guess have to wait and see....now if we don't get the GAD... it's just gonna mess up my numbers...

 

[mommytothreeboys]

The ease and convenience of the DDP well worth it in my book. I say book the regular DDP and enjoy eating in the castle and with the characters! The memories you make with your kids while they're little are priceless...and the cost difference looks like it's minimal at best. And...like you said...without the confines of the DDP, overspending could be too easy.

 

[KathyRN137]

Hoppers=$1661.60 w/ tax (roughly)

Base= $1460.47 w/ tax (roughly)

Difference = $201.13

Ok let's hear it....

Gee, when you look at the cost difference spread out over a whole week for the entire family, it really doesn't seem like that much, does it?

Considering this is a busy holiday week, I think it would be worth it to have the hopper option and the freedom to change your plans as needed based upon crowd conditions!


Kathy

 

[irish dancer]

Money Matters Part 3:

Beyond price you have to factor in how many meals can I get per plan according to me…

1) 13 meals, (not including snacks…) 10 meals in villa (mostly breakfast & 2 lunches & 1 dinner) plus 2 1/2 meals OOP on arrival day (we’d add on HDDR 2 credits, and CLP dinner pkg in Epcot for 2 credits)

as well it should be noted...whatever DDP we choose...my inlaws have to purchase as well based on our length of stay...we'll gain their unused credits and 2 more meals

2) 16 meals and 8 in villa, plus 2 1/2 OOP meals on arrival


3) 16 CS meals, plus 3 OOP TS meals and 21/2 CS OOP meals on arrival day and 7 meals in villa (bfasts)

Not following on this part.




Also, some questions....
1. how many days will your inlaws be with you?
2. will they be doing CRT, HDDR or CP (2TS credit ones) with you?
3. When figuring the HDDR and CP pkg which tier/seating did you use?


Can't wait to hear about the Irish Wedding.......

 

[eyor44]

This is the way I look at it. We use to take foods for breakfast and lunch in the rooms and eat dinner CS. Before I knew about ADRs and we could afford TS meals.

Now we do DxDP. I like having it prepaid and not worrying about who orders what. We do two TS and one CS a day. DH likes his sit down meals and not fighting the crowds at CS places. I just plan ADRs for what parks we will be at. Last time I added in a few resort TS' and it worked okay for the most part.

If we paid OOP, we would not eat like we do on DxDP. We would eat mostly CS, share meals and scrimp on snacks. I am on vacation and I do not want to be cooking every morning and evening. We did that last June with some friends at SSR and I refuse to do it again. But that is me and I only have two kids, one of which is still a under 10.

We do not own at BLT, I am renting points and we are staying in a studio. DH and I can not agree on which resort to buy into, so we are trying our favorites to see which would suit us best. I want OKW (stayed w/a friend in January) and DH wants BLT.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I keep looking at your last post with the intention of coming back to look at it closer when my brain can digest... but that hasn't happened recently! I have the hardest time figuring out the food budget... maybe that's why mine is so high! What is this spreadsheet you have?

My suggestion would be that even if you come close to breaking even, go for the DDP! Do you really want to be eating in the villa much? I like having the option for snacks & breakfasts but otherwise I'd prefer to eat out on vacation! Also, on the DDP, you can eat more treats & have it all pre-paid. No worries about keeping tabs on the budget! The only thing that might sway my opinion on this is the family who aren't staying for the whole trip.

I would use the DDP without hesitation if we had the option of doing so off-site!

 

[mousescrapper]

The ease and convenience of the DDP well worth it in my book. I say book the regular DDP and enjoy eating in the castle and with the characters! The memories you make with your kids while they're little are priceless...and the cost difference looks like it's minimal at best. And...like you said...without the confines of the DDP, overspending could be too easy.

thanks Missy!

Gee, when you look at the cost difference spread out over a whole week for the entire family, it really doesn't seem like that much, does it?

I know...

Considering this is a busy holiday week, I think it would be worth it to have the hopper option and the freedom to change your plans as needed based upon crowd conditions!

that is what we are thinking...

Kathy

Not following on this part.

Ok see below...


Also, some questions....
1. how many days will your inlaws be with you? 5 1/2 days...they will arrive w/ us on the 19th and stay on POP w/ us 1 night then stay Sat-Tuesday night in BLT w/ us and leave on Wed.

2. will they be doing CRT, HDDR or CP (2TS credit ones) with you? they will eat at CRT, HDDR, 1900 PF and then I want to book them a ADR at CG for 1 night = 14 TS credtis w/ 2 left over

3. When figuring the HDDR and CP pkg which tier/seating did you use?

HDDR tier 2 (want 5:00 pm show/floor) and CLP pkg tier 3 (Tutto Italia lunch for 5 pm CLP show)...I can not find any info of restrictions on the CLP...


Can't wait to hear about the Irish Wedding.......

Ok the meals...

so I use this handy chart I created...and I write out per day B, L, D options and count down the credits...

Starting on Sat the 20th (as the 19th is a non DDP day) using the reg DDP booking two reg TS (1900 PF & WCC) and three 2-credit TS (CRT, HDDR, CLP pkg) that equals 5 meals

CS will be 8 times = 8 meals (up to 13 meals on the plan using our credits)

then have B in villa up to 7 times, L at least 2 times and dinner 1 time that is 10 more meals not on DDP...

if we ate QSDDP only I'd have 16 + meals cause we'd have 2 CS a night and I can squeeze a meal or two out of snack credits. plus meals in villa...but slightly differently configured

and so on....


does that make sense?

If we paid OOP, we would not eat like we do on DxDP. We would eat mostly CS, share meals and scrimp on snacks. I am on vacation and I do not want to be cooking every morning and evening. We did that last June with some friends at SSR and I refuse to do it again. But that is me and I only have two kids, one of which is still a under 10.

that is how we dinned during out 2005 trip...I still try to share credits if I can (even though I know you shouldn't) but it helps stretch the meals even longer)

We do not own at BLT, I am renting points and we are staying in a studio. DH and I can not agree on which resort to buy into, so we are trying our favorites to see which would suit us best. I want OKW (stayed w/a friend in January) and DH wants BLT.

very cool! If you rent points do you get all the member perks there like the ToW lounge access and the Community Hall?

I thinking renting is a very smart way to test it all out.

what view did you rent for...SV, LV or MK view? we will have lake view hoping to be on the MK outer side of the buidling...as I have read of people w/ the LV still seeing portions of MK.

I keep looking at your last post with the intention of coming back to look at it closer when my brain can digest... but that hasn't happened recently! I have the hardest time figuring out the food budget... maybe that's why mine is so high! What is this spreadsheet you have?

yes sorry my head hurts...and you'll laugh at my phone message...AHH! PANIC

My suggestion would be that even if you come close to breaking even, go for the DDP!

that is where my reasoning sort of goes too...don't know if that is smart

Do you really want to be eating in the villa much? I like having the option for snacks & breakfasts but otherwise I'd prefer to eat out on vacation!

that is me too...and I feel like I need to test the villa kitchen and ease of return before committing to full out use or half use. I don't want kitchen duty each day...I do that at home. Maybe looking at Cinderella Castle would make cleaning dishes more magical...but rather not

Also, on the DDP, you can eat more treats & have it all pre-paid. No worries about keeping tabs on the budget!

pre-paid is the point for us. I'd rather keep track credits vs money each day...

The only thing that might sway my opinion on this is the family who aren't staying for the whole trip.

yes that was a concern but we chatted w/ my FIL the other night and they are on board...see below.

thanks for the comments, questions and your thoughts

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now an update...

1) we have decided to go w/ the reg DDP!

-it just seems to make the most sense for us and what we want for food and experience from this trip....

-I have been milling over it for a while now and just think based on my numbers, your thoughts and just plain cost. This will work.

I am happy w/ the overal plan of when and how we will use the DDP to our advatage...have to tweak a few meals w/ the touring but that will be more decided after hours come out and such.

So let's just hope I can get the meals on the days and times I want

2) I have officially added my MIL and FIL to both of our resservations!

-I became a grand gathering for 1 night and booked them 1 night at POP and linked our 3 rooms together.

-called DVC MS and added them as guests to our ressie and added on the reg DDP then too.

-MS confirmed w/out me even asking their leftover credits are for our use after they leave.

In pricing out the various options for my Inlaws...staying at CR for 5 nights, 4 day tickets and 5 nights DDP vs staying POP for 5 nights, 4 day tickets and 5 nights DDP vs staying w/ us 4 day tickets and 8 nights of DDP...the last version is the least expensive by a savings of about $230

we plan to top load our 4 days together on the DDP w/ most of the TS dining and send them on a night out too at Cali Grill...their left over credits as stated before will give us 2 adult TS credits (which we can do take out from say the Wave and bring back to our room and do a dinner for the kids in the villa 1 night) and have 6 CS credits left we can use for one more CS meal for the 6 of us.

3) the GAD looks like a BUST

UGH! so I called today and the volunteer place was all full and not taking any more people....like thanks for calling or notifying me sooner. I want back on the GAD site and there is hardly anything left that could work for our 3 kids to do in our imediate area and a date that we can do.

I have one possible hope left in AMY...but we'll see

but now the money would have saved on the tickets which made me feel good about possibly keeping the hoppers is gone...

now I am back to just buying the 4 kid tickets (2 A and 2 C) through UT and

Hoppers total w/ the AP's = $1841.80

Base total w/ AP's = $1643.80

that 2nd total is about 20 less than what it would have been w/ hoppers and the GAD...

Boogers!

I am not going to think about it anymore now for this week and think happy wedding thoughts not mad Disney thoughts...

Oh well guess I should have jumped on board this Volunter Train a few months back...but who knew...

J~

 

[eyor44]

[what view did you rent for...SV, LV or MK view? we will have lake view hoping to be on the MK outer side of the buidling...as I have read of people w/ the LV still seeing portions of MK.

We have LV. I had heard also about being able to see MK, but we don't spend much time in our room, but it would be nice to see at night while we are getting ready for bed. One problem: I am afraid of heights and am seriuosly asking for a lower floor. I normally won't go above the 4th. But then no view. So.......I am still debating this one.

I am not going to think about it anymore now for this week and think happy wedding thoughts not mad Disney thoughts...
Happy Disney thoughts, bad "having to figure out the budget thoughts"

Oh well guess I should have jumped on board this Volunter Train a few months back...but who knew...

You and me both. I wasn't going to do it cause I didn't realize about the fast pass. Then I couldn't find something local, that didn't involve picking up trash, that DD7 could do. Then I found out I can make pillowcases for a group and mail then in. I contaced the office closet to me and didn't hear back for two weeks, so now I have contacted the main office. I hope to hear something soon. Making pillowcases is something we can do as a family together at home and then mail in. I hope it works. I will still make the pillowcases even if we don't get the GAD.

 

[DisMomAmy]

You're voicemail today was so funny! Sorry you were in such a panic, but it was still pretty funny to listen to you go on & on while I sat there at work!

Hopefully the one I told you about today will work out because I'm not finding any other open ended date projects out there.

The only other thing I would suggest would be checking the projects in your area every day (or as often as you have time) to see if anything good is added.

I think that once you sign up, Disney will follow through with a voucher even if they go over the million mark.

Another option, if there are projects in your area, but they are only for the older kids, would be signing them up for that & signing Mae up for the blankets. You guys could split the family between two projects.

 

[mousescrapper]

Making pillowcases is something we can do as a family together at home and then mail in. I hope it works. I will still make the pillowcases even if we don't get the GAD.

hoping it works out to get the GAD...but that is great you will help regardless of the perk.

You're voicemail today was so funny! Sorry you were in such a panic, but it was still pretty funny to listen to you go on & on while I sat there at work!

Hopefully the one I told you about today will work out because I'm not finding any other open ended date projects out there.

The only other thing I would suggest would be checking the projects in your area every day (or as often as you have time) to see if anything good is added.

I think that once you sign up, Disney will follow through with a voucher even if they go over the million mark.

Another option, if there are projects in your area, but they are only for the older kids, would be signing them up for that & signing Mae up for the blankets. You guys could split the family between two projects.

No email yet on the blankets... have a feeling it's a no go...

If something comes up I will let you (and all) know...but I don't think it's going to work out for us.

and happy I gave you a good giggle this morning...

J~

 

[DisMomAmy]

Bummer!

The "United in Reading" & Haiti Care Kits are still there... I think? But those would probably cost you as much as you'd be saving on tickets... I think DMIL spent around $70 for her United in Reading project.

Keep trying...

 

[MRYPPNS]

Well I'm all caught up. Good luck with all those numbers!

 

[mousescrapper]

Bummer!

The "United in Reading" & Haiti Care Kits are still there... I think? But those would probably cost you as much as you'd be saving on tickets... I think DMIL spent around $70 for her United in Reading project.

Keep trying...

well it's all done now...

never got the blanket email and I believe the GAD program is closed

so it's back to UT for the tickets and hoppers or no hoppers again...

the GAD made a huge savings... pooey

Well I'm all caught up. Good luck with all those numbers!

HI HEIDI!!!!

yes I thought it was all good till the GAD thing didn't happen...

I will need your itineray expertise in deciding on the hoppers or not...

I flet good w/ spending the extra $200 when we were saving $200+ w/ GAD...but now I just don't know and it's so hard to come up w/ a good itinerary till the entertianment schedule is posted.

I think I need to have two plans...1) w/ hopping and 2) w/ no hoopping prepared so once I get the hours in May...we can decide...

stay tuned...

J~

...back to wedding things.

 

[irish dancer]

Bummer on the GAD thing not working out. It filled so quickly! I know when I delivered my blankets to the local person she was overwhelmed with the response. You literally could not see any furniture or even the floor of her living room except for a small path. She had 1,000's of blankets. I wonder if Disney expected such a response and what they'll do now for the rest of the year.

I think you'll end up ahead by going with the DDP especially since you're doing HDDR and the CLP pkg, those are budget busters! It's also probably going to be a 'holiday surcharge' timeframe and you won't have to worry about that.

Enjoy the wedding!!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Bummer about the GAD program ending!!!

I was holding out hope that maybe you'd gotten an email but were too busy with wedding stuff to post or email... Bummer... that's all I can say... Bummer!

I hope the park hours cooperate with your planning.

 

[KathyRN137]

Aww, sorry about the GAD ending.

But, as the saying goes, "When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window!"

Your window will open soon, I'm sure!



I felt good w/ spending the extra $200 when we were saving $200+ w/ GAD...but now I just don't know and it's so hard to come up w/ a good itinerary till the entertianment schedule is posted.

Have you looked at last year's schedule just to get a feel for what they may do??
It's so hard, even when the schedule is posted three months out, because Disney tends to add-on shows and parades at the last minute on busy holiday weeks!



Kathy

 

[DisMomAmy]

I hope everything goes well with the wedding this weekend! Have Fun!!