Life’s too short...to never sleep in a treehouse! 8/27 TR is up! Link in siggie

[Sleepingbooty]

So instead I got to enjoy a lovely baseball game where Evan’s team played some good friends so I got to hang out with my friends on a lovely lovely spring evening. We decided to go out for dinner after which meant I didn’t have to cook and I had a lovely margarita which just set the tone right!
I didn’t get a lot done that night mind you but just enough that my stress level went WAY down.

My, that sounds lovely!

We were scrambling to get Evan's hair gel snagged and packed (he'd have noticed that for sure!)

I don't know why, but I found this adorable!

Wow, the puzzles turned out great! I love the series of pics of the boys finishing them. That'll make a cool scrapbook montage.

 

[eandesmom]

Photobucket often stinks. They are dangerously close to being renamed by THE authority "PhotoSuckyBucket".

Isn't that the truth? But until that account is full I don't feel like dealing with starting anywhere else. If I upload 10 or less at a time, no problem. More than that and it freezes up on the 4th pic. Go figure. Bulk uploading my patootie.

What a great start to your trip. I read the update with pictures at work. So I can't see what the puzzles actually looked like, but if it took almost the whole flight to put them together than - WOW - they must have been perfect. Congratulations on totally keeping the kids guessing. Way to go! Such a fun start. Can't wait to read more!

Oh Cynthia - I just saw the puzzles and they are great! What a superb idea. It's so funny to see the boys expressions going from tired, to sullen, to intriqued, to full blown excitement.

It was pretty darn fun to live the transition in attitude too!

My, that sounds lovely!

I don't know why, but I found this adorable!

Wow, the puzzles turned out great! I love the series of pics of the boys finishing them. That'll make a cool scrapbook montage.

Evan and his hair. Or his clothes. You'll read more about this as the trip goes on.



Jeff kept complaining that I was taking too many pictures but I think not!

 

[MaryAz]

What a great reveal! Those puzzles were great! Can't wait to see the LB pics!

 

[Happydog]

Hurray for successful puzzles! The boys (including Jeff ) did a great job! I didn't realize there were planes all decked out with Disney on them! We need those for Orlando!

Baseball Bear is Connor's stuffed animal that has to go everywhere with him, so I, too, have a bad feeling about Spot!

CP they DO have those planes for Orlando! Well I have seen one or two anyway!

We have a Giraffe and a Cow, not a "spot" or a "baseball bear" and yeah, I am wondering the same thing....

GREAT update and fun photos and I am soooooo glad the puzzle game went well, I agree that it was a GREAT IDEA!!! Everyone seems excited!!!

HIGHLARIOUS Long Beach in NY... FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNY. Looking forward to more!

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

I love reading your updates. You are such a wonderful storyteller! I can't believe you were able to keep it a secret until the reveal on the plane.

I love the geography problems! And I'm a little concerned about the stuffed animals being left behind. If there is one thing that I know, if we ever left Dylan's blanket behind, we would be in a world of hurt. I hope that isn't what happens to you.

 

[eandesmom]

What a great reveal! Those puzzles were great! Can't wait to see the LB pics!

Thanks! They had so much fun with them, I have to admit it exceeded my expectations!

CP they DO have those planes for Orlando! Well I have seen one or two anyway!

We have a Giraffe and a Cow, not a "spot" or a "baseball bear" and yeah, I am wondering the same thing....

GREAT update and fun photos and I am soooooo glad the puzzle game went well, I agree that it was a GREAT IDEA!!! Everyone seems excited!!!

HIGHLARIOUS Long Beach in NY... FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUNNNNNY. Looking forward to more!

It will be interesting to see if we get a WDW plane in August, I hope so! I was kind of hoping for the Apollo Anton Ohno plane but given that we were on the Horizon Puddle jumper I knew that wouldn't happen. However Horizon does have free Starbucks coffee at the gate so taht's pretty cool!

Aw...I love stuffed giraffes and cows! A nice change from a bear.

I love reading your updates. You are such a wonderful storyteller! I can't believe you were able to keep it a secret until the reveal on the plane.

I love the geography problems! And I'm a little concerned about the stuffed animals being left behind. If there is one thing that I know, if we ever left Dylan's blanket behind, we would be in a world of hurt. I hope that isn't what happens to you.

Thanks Alison! Blankies are a big deal. Evan was SO attached to his but then oddly enough as Eric got older he somehow "gave" his to Eric and commandeered Eric's! He had a huge thing for hand crocheted ones...to the point of me attempting to repair various sections of both of them more than once.

Kids not able to go to sleep is a bad bad thing.

 

[eandesmom]

A thought on dining....

We are seriously considering not doing the DDP at all and instead, putting that money on a gift card as some of you do so it is still "mentally" pre-paid for but gives us more flexibility. I think it would be a wash if we all did the plan, especially since our dates are at the higher DDP price and Evan would have to pay adult rates. Potentially we save if we do one room off and one room on but it might best to not do it at all.

Here is what we are thinking.

1. Take our tickets and dining off of the YC reservations entirely.
2. Put our tickets on the POP reservation, change them to 9 day hoppers and add the Quick Serve Plan for that one night.
3. Sandie and Paul and Doug can either order their tickets ahead of time, or buy once there.

This seems like a good idea for 2 reasons.

1. Tickets on day one!
2. While I'm not a fan of the Quick Serve plan in general, by doing it for one night we basically get our food for $18 each and then the mugs, which we'd buy anyways. Spread it over a whole trip and I don't see how that plan saves you anything but for a night, seems to make sense.

Of course, if we can do that and apply that Visa Play and Dine free promo to it, then Eric would get a free (not hopper) ticket, but I think it has a 4 night minimum night requirement. Confirming that though!

Some questions for you experts.

1. If we do this, how do we get the tickets moved onto the room key for YC once we change resorts and have different KTTW cards? I know some of you have done this, help me understand

2. If Sandie, Paul and Doug do their tickets separately, how do they get then on their KTTW cards?

What am I missing?

 

[All7OfUs]

I am not an expert. If we ever went on a trip together, YOU would be doing the math. I passed the buck to maroo LONG ago!

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

Sorry, we have never stayed on property, so I know nothing about the details that you are asking about. I will say that I have heard of a someone putting the money on a pre-paid VISA for dining and I really like that idea. Meals don't always go as you planned and it is nice to know that anything that is not spent on food is money in your pocket going home, rather than disappearing.

 

[creativeamanda]

I don't know what to tell you, hon! Of course, getting the mugs with the quick service plan and spreading the cost out ($14 X a Grand Gathering = a bunch of money) is a great idea.

Oh, and you like my newest form of Fuzzy Disney Math?

 

[Happydog]

You just have to decide whether or not you want the dining plan, based on your ADRs. I mean if you have that many TS meals, it will basically pay for itself, save your DS who just "turned" adult, if you order premium entrees etc. BUT, if you worry what people will order and eat in the end, then I would say it isn't worth it. I think "10" for the adult dining for kids is crazy, especially when it is not close to $50.00 a day at peak season! But the "adult" could be used for someone else in the party and he can order whatever he wants? We have done the DDP and OOP. We are not chow hounds, but we definitely like having it. However, with the additional 7.00 a day from the last time we paid for it (Dec) I am not sure if we are going to... we have it planned, but I am on the fence for similar reasons. I would say consider 1/2 and 1/2 like you say, then you can all split desserts.

QS for the one night and park tickets is a great idea, the mugs end up less, that way, if you think about it -- the resorts should be able to help you with your park tickets, etc.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[eandesmom]

I am not an expert. If we ever went on a trip together, YOU would be doing the math. I passed the buck to maroo LONG ago!

Well it would be GREAT math if i could get Eric's ticket but it's a 3 night minimum for that promo so we are sticking with the room discount on all nights.

Sorry, we have never stayed on property, so I know nothing about the details that you are asking about. I will say that I have heard of a someone putting the money on a pre-paid VISA for dining and I really like that idea. Meals don't always go as you planned and it is nice to know that anything that is not spent on food is money in your pocket going home, rather than disappearing.

That's what our plan is right now actually, although we will put it on a Disney Gift Card. That way we just put it against the room bill and it's one stop shopping just like before but pre-paid and budgeted for. The major advantage to the DDP is not having to think about the money on vacation, which is hugely relaxing, but the reality is that last year even though we saved about $350 on the plan, we left 11 counter service meals on the table. That's a lot of unused food!

We would order and eat a little differently on our own but we've decided if we set what we'd have spent on the DDP at the non inflated rates ($42 per adult, $12 per kid) as our budget, it should work out pretty well as we will just kind of keep that number in our heads as we go. This way we just put that money against our total bill so on the off chance (won't happen) that we don't spend that much, it would go against other room charges whatever those might be.

I don't know what to tell you, hon! Of course, getting the mugs with the quick service plan and spreading the cost out ($14 X a Grand Gathering = a bunch of money) is a great idea.

Oh, and you like my newest form of Fuzzy Disney Math?

I'm a big fan of fuzzy Disney Math. I figure the QSP is kind of a rip off. $32 per adult for 2 counter service meals, 2 snacks and the mug. Really, that's about what that food would cost OOP. But if you toss in the mug and you are on the plan only one day....it works out to your advantage. We'd be buying that food and mug anyways so I'm thinking just doing this the one day will save us about $100.

 

[Native NYer]

Your kids are too funny with their guesses!
There is a Long Beach, NY. It's on Long Island's South Shore. If you would have come here (I'm on the North Shore), I could have given you a tour

I love the puzzles. What website did you use? I know I've asked before, but I'm too lazy to go back and look

 

[Native NYer]

I am just as puzzled about the DDP plan. Right now, we have the deluxe dining plan booked, but not sure if it even makes sense at this point. I'm considering getting the TIW and paying OOP. But I don't want to do the math and figure out the budget.

 

[MEK]

Haha Cynthia - you crack me UP! Did you forget my June 09 TR where I had about 10 different cards for me and the kids? I had room keys and room keys with dining and park passes and annual passes. It was ridiculous. I think there is a way to get your park passes transferred onto your new key but you definately have to go to a guest services in one of the parks, Even then, not ever CM knows how to do it.

But I do like the idea of getting your park passes a day early. And if the dining plan is no cheaper, then drop it. Why bother?

But, hey, I am NO expert. Thats why I got an AP and joined DVC. It requires less thought!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I can't really answer the ticket/room key question....but in regards to DDP I have done the math backwards and forwards multiple times for multiple trips and it really seems that it's break even at best. Plus it locks you into a plan/schedule that half way thru your vacation you might not what to do anymore but feel you have to because the food is already paid for. But I love the idea of the QS plan for the one night just to get the mugs....I think that would be a money saver with the 2 meals and 2 snacks to use plus the mug that you would pay oop anyway.

 

[KathyRN137]

Cynthia,

I've never done a resort change, so I have no clues to your KTTW card questions... sorry!

I somehow missed the Big Reveal/Puzzle post... it was awesome! What a fantastic and practical idea for a reveal! (helping to pass the time)


Kathy

 

[Jupiter&Wolfe]

Hi there! Sorry to be jumping into this PTR so late! I just finally booked my WDW trip and have been reading PTRs and TRs to get me excited....your first post really jumped out at me. Very moving! Your family seems great and I'm still in the midst of catching up to this thread, but it sounds like you had a lot of obstacles to overcome! Still, you'll probably have a blast at YC.

Still working my way through your PTR, but loving it so far!

 

[eandesmom]

Your kids are too funny with their guesses!
There is a Long Beach, NY. It's on Long Island's South Shore. If you would have come here (I'm on the North Shore), I could have given you a tour

I love the puzzles. What website did you use? I know I've asked before, but I'm too lazy to go back and look

Oh I'll have to let Evan know, what a riot! That will make him feel much better since he's been teased mercilessly abut it.

I used this site

http://www.jigsawpuzzle.com/

I am just as puzzled about the DDP plan. Right now, we have the deluxe dining plan booked, but not sure if it even makes sense at this point. I'm considering getting the TIW and paying OOP. But I don't want to do the math and figure out the budget.

Don't you have to have an AP to get at TIW? That would be a great thing for us but we don't have AP's, nor do I see them making sense.

Haha Cynthia - you crack me UP! Did you forget my June 09 TR where I had about 10 different cards for me and the kids? I had room keys and room keys with dining and park passes and annual passes. It was ridiculous. I think there is a way to get your park passes transferred onto your new key but you definately have to go to a guest services in one of the parks, Even then, not ever CM knows how to do it.

But I do like the idea of getting your park passes a day early. And if the dining plan is no cheaper, then drop it. Why bother?

But, hey, I am NO expert. Thats why I got an AP and joined DVC. It requires less thought!

OMG I TOTALLY remember your ticket nightmare...hence the question! I wish I could go enough to have an AP make sense, maybe someday lol!

There has to be a way to merge them though. Having my TA look into it.

 

[eandesmom]

I can't really answer the ticket/room key question....but in regards to DDP I have done the math backwards and forwards multiple times for multiple trips and it really seems that it's break even at best. Plus it locks you into a plan/schedule that half way thru your vacation you might not what to do anymore but feel you have to because the food is already paid for. But I love the idea of the QS plan for the one night just to get the mugs....I think that would be a money saver with the 2 meals and 2 snacks to use plus the mug that you would pay oop anyway.

It's got pro's and cons for sure. I absolutely loved it last year. I think we've come up with a good plan that addresses everything.

Cynthia,

I've never done a resort change, so I have no clues to your KTTW card questions... sorry!

I somehow missed the Big Reveal/Puzzle post... it was awesome! What a fantastic and practical idea for a reveal! (helping to pass the time)


Kathy

Thanks Kathy! It was a big hit and the cool thing is that it's re-energized the boys into doing puzzles, period, which is very neat! A 550 piece one is in process right now.

Hi there! Sorry to be jumping into this PTR so late! I just finally booked my WDW trip and have been reading PTRs and TRs to get me excited....your first post really jumped out at me. Very moving! Your family seems great and I'm still in the midst of catching up to this thread, but it sounds like you had a lot of obstacles to overcome! Still, you'll probably have a blast at YC.

Still working my way through your PTR, but loving it so far!

Hi and ! nothing to apologize for, jump right in! I'm thrilled to have you here. I try to keep my links updated but really, just jump on in, I tend to repeat myself anyways.