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

[Native NYer]

I had no idea you could do that!
I wish there was a way to NOT have everyone in the room on the dining plan, especially for kids that are considered adults but will probably only eat a kid's meal.

 

[eandesmom]

I had no idea you could do that!
I wish there was a way to NOT have everyone in the room on the dining plan, especially for kids that are considered adults but will probably only eat a kid's meal.

which is exactly the kid NOT on the ressie that will get added after check in. Oh he'd like to order from the adult menu but generally can't eat it all.

we will see how it goes!

 

[em36]

Hi and !!!

Great input, thank you so much! I'm considering just packing 2 of our own, the small ones, which should fit in a locker with one tote bag. Even though there will be 6 of us, I agree that with the heat we should barely need them. Do you mind sharing what all you were able to fit in the locker?



It's a ton of fun. Isn't your dad anti teppan? I seem to recall a story....

Ok, I'm trying to remember what fit into the locker. I had a large vera bradley beach tote. Inside the tote was a change of clothes per person, sunscreen, room keys, and I think that's all. We try to tour with the least amount of stuff possible. I think it was the size of the bag and the fact that it doesn't really fold or "smash" that made the locker feel stuffed to capacity. We were staying at the GF and I felt a little funny walking through that fancy lobby in a swimsuit and cover-up so that is why we each had a change of clothes. Anyway, we had a great time and we found that about four hours was plenty of time to ride all of the slides. I know you are all going to have a blast.

 

[eandesmom]

Ok, I'm trying to remember what fit into the locker. I had a large vera bradley beach tote. Inside the tote was a change of clothes per person, sunscreen, room keys, and I think that's all. We try to tour with the least amount of stuff possible. I think it was the size of the bag and the fact that it doesn't really fold or "smash" that made the locker feel stuffed to capacity. We were staying at the GF and I felt a little funny walking through that fancy lobby in a swimsuit and cover-up so that is why we each had a change of clothes. Anyway, we had a great time and we found that about four hours was plenty of time to ride all of the slides. I know you are all going to have a blast.

Thanks! that's really helpful.

That completely makes sense. I'm not planning to bring full changes of clothes as with 6 of us, just fitting the cover ups and hats into the lockers will be enough although I will bring a few things for Kendall and I, (as those swimsuit tops never seem to dry out lol!) the guys can tough it out.

I'll probably bring my Disney Couture Tink tote, I'd prefer it not get wet but it is washable and definitely smashable and holds more than the vera's I'm bringing but my beach tote is huge and right now I'm not planning on bringing it on the trip at all. It should hold the 2 small towels if we pack them, sunscreen and wallet/keys, glasses case and camera. Jeff does usually bring the daypack though so I wonder if both will fit in there. Hmmmnnnn...

I figure 4 hours should be plenty as well. I can't wait!

 

[Native NYer]

which is exactly the kid NOT on the ressie that will get added after check in. Oh he'd like to order from the adult menu but generally can't eat it all.

we will see how it goes!

Does he usually just split the meal with someone else?

 

[eandesmom]

Does he usually just split the meal with someone else?

honestly it's really a case by case basis and depends on a lot of factors like:

1. Where are we eating? (how expensive, how good/bad is the kids menu)
2. Are there appetizers or sides that will work instead of a regular entree just as well or better without limiting him to the kids menu?
3. Did he eat a big lunch, work out, how long has it been since he ate, snack, etc.

Depending on the answers to those factors, he and Eric "may" split something off of the "big" menu. That of course has its own set of variables though.

1. Does Eric even want anything off of the big menu or is he perfectly content with the kids one (about 50/50)
2. Can they AGREE on something to split.

If the stars align, they will split and I'll usually let them get a salad to split as well as the total of an adult entree and one salad is often about the same as 2 kids meals, depending on where we are eating.

Honestly I have no interest in splitting, I want my own entree! Sandie might want to though so who knows. I could see that maybe happening.

For this trip it will be all over the board. He's actually on the DDP for the first 3 days so I don't have to think about it then.

At the YC, for those 5 nights it's going to vary by where we eat. And honestly that could vary depending on where we end up on night one. We have 2 ressies for that night and I'm keeping them both as I'm just not sure how wiped we will be. The target is Sanaa (later ressie) but we could end up Tusker (earlier) and which one it ends up being could change some things later in the trip. From a pure DDP standpoint, Tusker would be better as it's a buffet so pricier than ordering OOP for Ev.

So the 5 nights will either be

Tutto - cheap end of the adult menu, kids menu or side and a salad

Ohana - we will be stuck paying adult buffet price here unless Sandie & Paul miss dinner night one.

Tusker or Captain's grill - the wild card night.

Kouzzina - cheap end of the adult menu, kids menu or side and a salad

Teppan - he will order from the kids menu here (and like it lol!). He had it last year, it's enough or I can share a little bit if I need to.

The good news is for all 5 nights he can have a smoothie using our drink credits so that makes him happy. The bad news is generally it is a battle at a restaurant every time between his eyes being bigger or him not being able to "settle" with something that is just a little less $$ than whatever it is he thinks he HAS to have. Which is why we go out for mexican a lot. They have great sides!

 

[Native NYer]

I can't wait to see how it works out. 5 nights with Evan not on the DDP isn't that bad. And I bet you save a ton over having him on the DDP. My 6 yr old nephew is still content with the children's menu and will just share food with the rest of us if there's something (seafood, veggies) that he likes. The 2 yr old doesn't pay this year, so he'll have to share unless we purchase a kid's meal for him. I'm not looking forward to the day when my nephews have to pay adult prices

I've read that Disney may make some adjustments to the dining plan for 2011. I wonder they're planning. I'd love for the tip to go back on the DDP.

 

[eandesmom]

I can't wait to see how it works out. 5 nights with Evan not on the DDP isn't that bad. And I bet you save a ton over having him on the DDP. My 6 yr old nephew is still content with the children's menu and will just share food with the rest of us if there's something (seafood, veggies) that he likes. The 2 yr old doesn't pay this year, so he'll have to share unless we purchase a kid's meal for him. I'm not looking forward to the day when my nephews have to pay adult prices

I've read that Disney may make some adjustments to the dining plan for 2011. I wonder they're planning. I'd love for the tip to go back on the DDP.

hopefully they aren't taking more away! I'd love to be able to swap a salad or app for dessert.

My kids are pretty adventuresome eaters which makes the kids menus pretty challenging but as long as we have enough buffets in there, it works out for the one on the kid meal plan, the kid on the adult (for a buffet) is pricey either way!

I figure we will save about $100. Not a ton but it all helps. We will see if I am right or not.

 

[Native NYer]

hopefully they aren't taking more away! I'd love to be able to swap a salad or app for dessert.

My kids are pretty adventuresome eaters which makes the kids menus pretty challenging but as long as we have enough buffets in there, it works out for the one on the kid meal plan, the kid on the adult (for a buffet) is pricey either way!

I figure we will save about $100. Not a ton but it all helps. We will see if I am right or not.

The $100 saved can go towards drinking around the WS

 

[eandesmom]

As all good things must come to an end, in two weeks, so will our time at Disney!

We are going out in style though!

We will start our day with breakfast at Cape May. We have a 9:10 reservation.

YUM! I'm excited for this, it will be the only character meal for Sandie and Paul and a nice way to end the trip. This is an out of pocket meal for us.

Our town car picks us up at noon to drive us to the dark side.

I am hoping, if we need to, there is time after breakfast for last minute Epcot runs but in all likelihood we will be park free, simply having breakfast, packing and checking out.

Once we get to the dark side, Jeff and Paul will (probably) take off. They will be getting a rental car (conveniently located at the HRH) and heading out to to fly over some nice florida swamps, see some gators (but hopefully not land on them) in the newest model of the seaplane he is hoping to build.

The rest of us will likely stroll City Walk as I don't really expect our rooms to be ready and then once they are, hit that famous Hard Rock pool and see if you really can here the music underwater!

I forgot to note that here, like at Disney, we will be adding people to our rooms at check in.

Universal is worse than Disney in this aspect, to add them I would have had to rebook the ressie to add names and risk losing our rooms and the discount we had and since they were iffy on joining us for those dates it just made no sense. I have been assured that this is the best way to do it (by the Universal vacation people) and it won't be an issue.

I'll also be reminding them about my Hard Rock All Access pass which "should" get us an upgrade to a pool view or deluxe garden view room. We have garden view booked and unlike the YC, it really is a garden view! No balconies at the HRH so I'll miss that.

I'm guessing there will be afternoon poolside drinks and snacks and we will likely have fly boy hit the grocery store for anything else we might want for the week. HRH rooms do not offer refrigerators so that will limit what we get a little (not worth paying $25 a day for!)
or we will just be making a lot of trips to the ice machine!

A fairly lazy day, no dark side park time planned here. Once fly boy gets back we will head over to the Lone Palm Airport at Margaritaville for drinks (an event that can't be soon enough for Jeff, it is his number one must do) and visit Jimmy's famous seaplane (a Grumann Albatross) the Hemisphere Dancer. After Jeff blows all his souvenier money on Hemisphere Dancer related items (if they exist) we will stumble next door for an 8pm dinner. I will hopefully remember to show my AAA card EVERYWHERE we go on the dark side as it gets you 10% pretty much everwhere.

Or so I'm told. Or some kind of discount.

We will try to have it be a somewhat early night, though a late night swim would not surprise me. Somewhat early because we have a date on the Hogwarts Express bright and early in the morning!

 

[Native NYer]

Love your plans for your move to the dark side. A non-park day sounds relaxing. We're renting a car and may be tempted to head to the dark side too.

 

[eandesmom]

The $100 saved can go towards drinking around the WS

I like the way you think!

Love your plans for your move to the dark side. A non-park day sounds relaxing. We're renting a car and may be tempted to head to the dark side too.

I am sure we will be ready for a down day and am looking forward to an easy transition over. We will need the rest to deal with the crowds the following day for sure!

 

[All7OfUs]

All this talk about room ressies and what not makes my head spin! There were many good reasons I asked maroo to come with me- figuring all this out being one of them.


Great Disney-stylish go out. I know you're going to LOVE the dark side. Glad you got getting there figured out. You did, right??

 

[eandesmom]

All this talk about room ressies and what not makes my head spin! There were many good reasons I asked maroo to come with me- figuring all this out being one of them.


Great Disney-stylish go out. I know you're going to LOVE the dark side. Glad you got getting there figured out. You did, right??

Yep! We are all set on the transfer there and then to the airport. Unless Jeff decides not to fly (or it rains and he can't) but I figure if I need to change the time of the transfer, it's a phone call early that morning.

 

[Flossbolna]

Sounds like a good day to get some energy again after WDW before you exhaust yourself at US! I am looking forward to your reports from there.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Another fun day even if it will be your last at Disney! I am looking forward to everything you do at Universal! I know one day we will be making our way over there!

 

[DisMomAmy]

I hate writing about leaving Disney almost as much as I hate leaving Disney! But let's just keep thinking about day one!

I can't wait to hear about the dark side. I don't think our boys are quite ready for it yet but I'm sure we'll be heading over there at some point in the next few years.

 

[eandesmom]

Sounds like a good day to get some energy again after WDW before you exhaust yourself at US! I am looking forward to your reports from there.

It does, doesn't it? It should be a nice transition day and I like the idea of really being able to explore City Walk, Lone Palm and the HRH on day one and not feel like we need to rush to a park.

Another fun day even if it will be your last at Disney! I am looking forward to everything you do at Universal! I know one day we will be making our way over there!

Me too! I just realized I left a few things out about the check in there so am going to go update my update.

I hate writing about leaving Disney almost as much as I hate leaving Disney! But let's just keep thinking about day one!

I can't wait to hear about the dark side. I don't think our boys are quite ready for it yet but I'm sure we'll be heading over there at some point in the next few years.

I'm really hoping this time, after 8 nights, we will really feel like we have "done" Disney and not be leaving feeling incomplete. We really enjoyed the dark side in 04 when the boys were 4 and 5 but only did IOA. It will be fun to see Universal, I've never been to the FL one, just CA and that was back in 01. But of course we are all most excited about that boy wizard!!!!!

I just hope there is souvenir money left!

 

[Native NYer]

I like the way you think!



I am sure we will be ready for a down day and am looking forward to an easy transition over. We will need the rest to deal with the crowds the following day for sure!

Just noticed your ticker says 5 days

Hopefully, the crowds won't be as bad the end of August. By that time, lots of kids should be back in school.

 

[eandesmom]

Just noticed your ticker says 5 days

Hopefully, the crowds won't be as bad the end of August. By that time, lots of kids should be back in school.

4 sleeps!!!!!!!!!!!!

If I don't strangle Jeff before then.