June, July, August PLANNING thread

[mkymouse4ever]

Yes Tomar, you can call her bug. She has been bug a boo aka bug since birth. Sometimes I forget her real name. She is taking her diabetes serious now, after a few years. She was slowly getting higher and higher. But, we are seriously working on weight issues now, and hopefully that will help with her sugars.

TP2, I thought the improvements at italy where much needed. Although we will miss the Al fredo'. It definately needed less tables and a nicer staff. I know people complained about the prices but with your plan might be worth it. I agree, CRT is now outrageously priced. But, not having to buy but 1 annual pass (bug and I are good till aug 17th) is going to my head.

mky

 

[tripplanner2]

MKY: Don't you get a discount with the DDE? I did that back in 2005 and we loved it. We just don't get to go as much as you do so it is not worth it for us to go the AP route. You should plan it anyway for your birthday dinner. It will be special. I only want to do it because DD3 will appreciate it this year. She is so alive now it is amazing. She loves princesses and all. Have to think about it and get that August schedule so we can plan the days.

 

[mouseaddicts]

Yes, Mouseaddicts. We are pretty much right on the mark with the pricing. I will figure it out better when we firm up our ADR's. I am waiting for that August schedule to be posted to make plans. If we had to pay adult price for one more child, it would not work out. And we are the same that she would order a kids meal anyway, even if paying for the adult meal so it would not work out. I don't think we will really be ahead so much as in the past with the dining plan. It is going to be more for convenience and knowing that our total bill is paid before we go on vacation.

Yep - it's switching one kid to ADULT that gets you!

Hiya everyone!

.. We have 2 weeks till adr day.
... Ok, do I have this right: they added an 18% gratuity to the dining experience to get "in line" with other dining packages & took it OFF the dining plan???? ...
Well once again yay: ) my b-day will be at WDW So I think I will spring for the Castle > dinner. If I can get it. Not sure if it is any easier to get for dinner than breakfast was a few years ago. Alternate plan: Fulton's crab market? Other adr's wanted: coral reef, teppan edo, tokyo dining, marakesh(sp?) whispering canyon (for max), captin's grille, old favorities: primetime 50's sci fi, garden view tea, liberty tree, tony's, garden grille, mama melrose, gf cafe, and concourse steakhouse if still open. I like to cover each day, but last time I cancelled probably 3/4 of them due to plan changes. This year we won't be there for free dining, so hopefully dining will be less packed or at least easier to move around a little. We will have the CR's room service for more than 1/2 our time which will be a nice backup plan. But Poly we are not as crazy about. Only like kona for breakfast. (just me, i didn't like the food in hawaii either). Max will be 11, but a very picky eater and really don't see him happy with most of the adult menu's anywhere.


Mouseaddict's, You are sooooooooo lucky to get to go so often. I would love anywhere around here for a nice weekend. Glad you got some snow! We have enough up here to spread around. Right now it is mostly ice. I saw my suv today and it looked like I spent the weekend 4 wheeling, it is covered with salt and dirt.

Yes - the 18% gratuity is AUTOMATIC now on the DDE - regardless of party size. This includes beverage/snack orders in lounges, etc.

We make our ADR's on 2/20. I am hoping that the August schedule will come out on February 1 and I will have a couple of weeks to sort things through.

... am thinking of doing Chef Mickeys and 1900 Park Fare but I am not sure yet. Other than that I am thinking Sci Fi, Tonys, Le Cellier, Ohana, maybe Mama Melrose for the Fantasmic package, Liberty Tree Tavern, and Kona Cafe for dinner. I still need to figure out the schedule though, seems I have a lot centered around Magic Kingdom.

Those sound like good choices. I liked Tony's for lunch better than dinner. Only because of the server. Lunch was take your time, cool off, have some more pop, very friendly. Relaxing. Dinner: "what do you want?" 2 seconds within sitting down. ... The food was good both times, just seemed like they where very into table turnaround. Funny thing is we had ressies for dinner and not lunch
We are going to skip Canada this year cause we want to take max somewhere different. Thought we might get him to blush with the belly dancer. Sis refused O'hana's too. She said last year was enough. Plus max would not eat enough to pay the adult prices for. I will bite that bullet for the castle on my b-day, but that is it.

We are very centered about Mk too. Right now, we have 5 full mk days, 2 each of ak, mgm, and E. Then 2 1/2 days with mk.
Mky

Your ADR choices are about the same as ours!
We went to Fulton's last year - It was good, not great. Not sure if I'd want that to be my B-Day dinner. There are probably other great choices out there ... if not CRT. It IS expensive but it's the experience - right?

I've never done the GF GV Tea before - is it good? We made ADRs for me & the 2 girls this year (boys are going to play golf). It looks like a great experience for us, but I'm not sure. It's a bit pricey, but again with the experience, right?

I wanted to go back to Mama Melrose - haven't been there since 2002!!! But .... I got out-voted. I LOVE Italian food, but we don't really want to go to Italy just yet, so I thought MM would be a good alternative this year ...... no such luck.

We are, however, doing lunch at Tony's. I agree with you MKY - we've had both lunch & dinner at Tony's on more than one trip, and we just prefer lunch. I don't know that I could articulate it as well as you did - but price, selection, service are all factors...

TP2 - We've never been to Chef Mickey's BUT we did go to 1900 Park Fare last year. This is a FANTASTIC alternate site for Cinderella - and you get Prince Charming! However ... if you're a germaphobe, you might want to think twice. There are a LOT of kids .... I mean a LOT of kids .... there to see Cinderella, so sticky fingers in buffet food everywhere ..... I tried not to look! If you make it, the strawberry soup is excellent!

One last dining note (okay - for now) .... Price the Sci-Fi OOP vs. DDP The food there is pretty basic and the prices aren't too bad. If you're looking to maximize your dollars on the DDP, this probably isn't the place to do it. We go here almost every trip b/c we LOVE the themeing (sp?) .... but this year we've got a ressie for drinks/shakes/apps only. We aren't going to make a "meal" here - just a heavy sit down snack out of the park. Just a thought to consider when planning ADRs on the DDP .... if you go that route.

 

[candizfan]

I love to hear everyone talk about the restaruants. It is one area I know very little about. Food must not be very high on our list when we are there.

We are huge ride fans, so maybe that is why we don't eat a lot. Know what I mean.

I love Chef Mickey's. We had 12 in our party the one year and we sat around and had a great time.

We did the princess breakfast in the castle back in 2001 but with my eye problem, I missed so much of the experience. It is really pricey but we are going to do it again in March before the kids get too old.

Only 45 more days for us !

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Hiya everyone,

Candi, I saw so many people standing around with trays of food in pecos bills or tommorowland terrace that it is wise to have an adr whether you cancel that day or keep it. We tried several times to switch to somewhere else and no luck. Better to plan now and try to work it in but, There is no penalty for cancelling or if your tied up at the last minute and don't keep it, there is still no penalty. I like to get out of the summer heat and sit down, unwind. With max this year he is adhd it will be a good idea to have an hour of down time in a cool place. Decrease stimulation a little of the day. Max has not seen the inside of Castle so even with the princess we can take him in it. He likes pampering.

TP2, yes you get a 20% discount with the DDE. But we get a 10% discount if we eat lunch in most places, with the AP. We are going for only a little over 2 weeks (we are negotiating vac time now at work) so with 1 trip not sure if we will spring the DDE. Unless we go earlier in 09'? I do really want CRT for dinner on my b-day just not sure if we will get lucky and score an adr. Do you think we will get any princess and pirate parties in august?

Mouseaddicts, Yes!!! Do the tea! We love this. We usually go a few times every trip. It is a needed adr. We where there and some people loved it and wanted to come back and the tea could not fit them in. It is a small room and not many seats. Seating is actually our only dislike here. You get tiny tea tables and couches. I always get the seat with the pillow cushion cracks, on the couch. Last summer, I was really upset when we showed up and because I was in the boot asked to seat at a regular table due to my foot the couch was too low with my leg. The hostess gave me a flat no. Parties of 2 get the couch. I was really upset. Thought the big "disabled" pass I had ment something but not here. We went back once in dec. and had a nice time, but I sent sis to check us in, I didn't want to see the hostess again. Now, remember, you can do everything ala carte too. And if its hot> your tea can be iced. For the finger sandwiches if you would not care for 1 or 2 just ask for 2 of another one. I only eat the Pear, chicken, egg sandwich and skip the salmon and watercress. The Pear is the bomb, try it. Also they serve it with a small onion tartlette also the bomb. We took max the year before and he had the mrs. potts special tea, hot chocolate & they served him in the fancy china. He really liked all the female attention in here. I was sure he was gonna break something.

EE22, great pictures! It was so empty up there for the holiday. Only a true disneyfile would be taking pictures of a disney store. I recognized the inside of the palmer house and macy state street store.

Happy planning, mky

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

I did look at the deluxe plan...way too much $$ and two much food and many of the counter service meals would go unused. So, for us, the DDE card is the best deal.

.

EE22- ditto about the DDE !

Yes Tomar, you can call her bug. She has been bug a boo aka bug since birth. Sometimes I forget her real name. She is taking her diabetes serious now, after a few years. She was slowly getting higher and higher. But, we are seriously working on weight issues now, and hopefully that will help with her sugars.



mky

MKY- Im sure that as soon as Bug starts to drop her carb intake...her numbers will start to go down ! ...It`s great that she is being serious about her condition now...it will help in the way she feels alot !!

 

[candizfan]

MKY - I know what you mean about needing ADRs and we might need more of them for March break but since we eat at off times, it is usually a little bit easier to find some place to eat. I love to eat while waiting on the parade route. I probably drives everyone around me crazy, but hey, it is great time management.

I will have to look into it now to see what we can find. I was cruise the boards earlier and someone posted some numbers for crowds and they are all 7s and 8s for the time we are there...

Maybe one more character meal would be a good plan.

Here is what I have:

Saturday - flight arrives at 9:20 am - no ADRs - want to hit DHS
Sunday - breakfast at Cinderella's Royal Table 9:20am - MK it is! The guys are going golfing.
Monday - no ADRs - AK in AM - DHS at night
Tuesday - dinner at the Garden Grill at 6:10pm - Epcot I guess
Wednesday - dinner at the Coral Reef at 6:00pm - Epcot
Thursday - dinner at Tony's at 6:05pm - MK
Friday - no ADRs - Epcot
Saturday - no ARDs - flight leaves at 5:20 pm - DHS

We won't go all day every day but I can see the Sunday being a very long day Magic Kingdom. We will probably take a break to catch up with the guys after golf and then go back. I love the MK after 9:30 at night and my kids enjoy the late night too. There will be no hurrying the next day though.

I need to see the Stars in Motor Cars parade at DHS - the last time we were there, there was lightning so we say one car, so I planned to hit DHS (hard not to call it MGM) on Saturday.

My DD9 - must participate in the High School Musical pep rally or her head will explode so I am planning on getting that it the first day.

I was not sure how to read what the person posted but it is possible I have planned to visit every park on it's busiest day.

Do any of you use Tour Guide Mike - am I correct about the worst days to visit...

I can't wait

 

[EEyorelover22]

mky Yes, DL11 is DD14 and I can relate to Max...that's why we hit buffets since I have two teenagers...neither like the same things.

I would agree about the germs on buffets, but my favorite sit down place here at home is where I had a FLY under my steak

Also...that was NEGATIVE 14 degrees. We didn't see +5 for most of last weekend. It's still really cold here.

We had yet another snow storm and school is off for today. I do hate snow days too messes up my lesson plans and we have to make them up. We just lost our first day of spring break for the kids and our work day so we will have to do all of the work on our own time. Not fun

The Castle is much easier to get now with the expensive price I believe. I called on Jan 11th and moved the Castle for DD and I due to the longer trip and our 180th day was 12/31. Also, if you don't get it, call back on the
180th day exactly and you may have luck then too.

1900 Park Fare has a great breakfast...buffet though...but Cinderella has been there in the mornings too. DD loves it there. It's usually not busy when we go. The Mad Hatter is too darn funny and Alice is sweet.

A friend of mine just returned from WDW and said they are getting ready for a meet and greet with Tink and the Fairies....she thought perhaps in ToonTown.

Prime Time: We loved this place, but the dining plan killed it for us. They cut the food in half and DH and DS both went away hungry.

The best place DS and DH like for counter service is at Disney Quest...believe it or not. Also, DH LOVES the cheesecake since it's Cheesecake Factory. Earl of Sandwich is a favorite for the boys as well. Mara has good counter service too. I'm too full and so is DD. The boys eat a huge breakfast, huge dinner and then eat in between as well.

DD wants to try a Dole Whip this year

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

mky
I would agree about the germs on buffets, but my favorite sit down place here at home is where I had a FLY under my steak


The best place DS and DH like for counter service is at Disney Quest...believe it or not. Also, DH LOVES the cheesecake since it's Cheesecake Factory. Earl of Sandwich is a favorite for the boys as well. Mara has good counter service too. I'm too full and so is DD. The boys eat a huge breakfast, huge dinner and then eat in between as well.

DD wants to try a Dole Whip this year

I totally agree EE...things can happen no matter where you eat...
And I wouldn`t consider "disney" buffets in equal standing with any old local buffet where you live...I don`t do buffets EVER here in New Jersey....eeeww ....but I love CP and Cape May and 1900 at Disney !!
You never really know what`s going on in the kitchen at ANY restaurant..I guess...do we?
We tried Earl of Sandwich for the first time last year...good sandwiches..
And Artist Palette at SSR is one of DH`s Favorite counter service meals...
We do alot of table service meals as well...and in my humble oppinion...I think Id trust Citricos or Spoodles far over my local Chinese restaurant...and we`ve eaten there alot !!!

 

[mouseaddicts]

EE22 - We love the Dole Whips! DH can't visit the world without one! I personally like the pineapple float the best.

Tomar - where are you & Mr. Tomar dining this trip? I don't think I saw you post anything about your ADRs - other than you made them. When are your dates this year? We'd love to meet up! Are y'all staying at SSR again?

Oh ..... we go freezing rain again today! The temp when I picked up the kids from school was 33 & raining I'm concerned about freezing overnight with all the moisture - we have serious issues with black ice here!

 

[EEyorelover22]

33!?!?!
I'd need sunscreen with that kind of heat.
We got up to 12 today

I'm so ticked. I HATE snow days. DD had a game today and now the makeup is in Feb and it prolongs bball another week.
okay...I'm over the vent now....

I wonder if they will let me read the label on the Dole Whips so I can try one?
Is the pineapple float different from the Dole Whip?

 

[EEyorelover22]

I did the Disney Math today...on meals with DDE and the DDP.
I figure $1500 for food for us and the dining plan would be right around that amount, but it won't allow us to eat 2 TS meals on many days. So, I'll do the DDE card and even with the price over the MYW ticket for an AP and the DDE card we'd still save money...about $150 even without using it on the 4th of July. It was almost a no go until the extra days we added and the nearly 10% increase for the "lovely" holiday pricing.

Also...the thought of "teaching" DH the ins and outs of the dining plan are almost more than I can stand.

 

[candizfan]

A friend of mine just returned from WDW and said they are getting ready for a meet and greet with Tink and the Fairies....she thought perhaps in ToonTown.

Okay, this I need to find out more about. DD12's favorite character is Tinker Bell and although there is a lot of stuff you can buy, she is a little hard to get a photograph with and an autograph from.

I will need to investigate further. Thanks for the tip EE2

 

[EEyorelover22]

It might be in place by the time you are there. If you ask, I'm sure no one at Disney will give you a solid answer, but I'd for sure ask around on these boards and then when you get there. I had heard rumors once before so perhaps it's true. That whole fairy line is HUGE.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Hiya!

Dole whips. Have had 1, they are ok, but I would rather have an itkadoozie. FYI: there is a dole whip machine self serve at the Polynesian's Captain Cooks fast food place.

I need to call and tighten up our dates at disney. Since I am now pretty sure which dates we will get for vacation. Then I will try to move on to car rentals and airfare. Looks like united is running 198 rt. Which is really pretty good.

My silver suv here is so covered in salt, I thought it was white today. Is it feburary yet? This month just keeps going and going.

mky

 

[EEyorelover22]

mky...I'm still waiting on airfare for June I wish they would release it already. $198...that's good. I'll be close to $300 rt from here

DD loves itkadoozies
I still haven't had a Mickey bar.

I'm tired of January too Our snowblower is getting a supreme work out this winter.

Stay Warm!!!

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Hiya!

Dole whips. Have had 1, they are ok, but I would rather have an itkadoozie. FYI: there is a dole whip machine self serve at the Polynesian's Captain Cooks fast food place.


My silver suv here is so covered in salt, I thought it was white today. Is it feburary yet? This month just keeps going and going.

mky

That Groundhog better give us good news in Feb. !!!!!!! It was hailing (ice-rain) all day yesterday here in NJ !! ICK !!

I'm tired of January too Our snowblower is getting a supreme work out this winter.

Stay Warm!!!

Come on Spring !!!!!!!!!!

 

[tripplanner2]

Tomar: We seem to have the exact same weather.

EE22: Are you going to fly SW to DW this time? I know that the schedule is open now until August 2. I forgot about the DVC discounts. I bet they work out better when you combine park tickets and all.

MKY: What are your new dates? Maybe we can catch up finally. I am looking into the trip insurance. I am positive no one will get sick this time because we are paying for it.

Candi: Definately make some ADR's. I agree with MKY, even if you cancel at the last minute.

I called to check yesterday and we can still do the Fantasmic dining package at Mama Melrose for 1 credit and Tutto Italia in Epcot is also 1 credit. The menu on Allears is expensive though. Not sure how they will do it on the plan. Maybe a seperate menu because what Allears has listed is $59 per person.

Enjoy the day everyone. We are having some mild weather.

 

[EEyorelover22]

Okay...it's suppose to be negative 15 here again and we have a wind chill advisory out. Last weekend there was no wind and I about froze to death. This sounds even worse...if that's possible.

It snowed ALL DAY here too. We have another 1-2 iches again.

Unreal...it's wearing on us all. The school is freezing and half of the new rooms don't have working heat. I say all the time I'm glad I didn't take a new room because I have my Civil War heater that still works. We joke that I'm in the ghetto or the projects since it's the oldest part of the building. Old is good because it works!!

I can't wait to sweat like a little piggy at WDW!!

 

[EEyorelover22]

TP2...we are waiting for Allegiant and they only go out to 5/15 at the moment. SW only flies out of Chicago and that's 4.5 hours away so they would have to be dirt cheap for us to go there. Right now...they are about the same price. I only wish they were closer!

DVC offers $100 the ap otherwise DDE would not pay for itself this time around since we aren't looking for an ap discount...except for the nights at the BC and I'm not holding my breath on that one since the last two Junes there have not been any.