Making the DVC Rounds...A March '11 PTR: TR link added p. 30

[wdwgirl03]

Hey again everyone! Southwest just came out with their schedules for March so we were able to book our flights! The one change from my orginal itinerary is that we are going to stay that extra day. We will be going Saturday-Saturday...a whole week! It'll be nice to have plenty of time and not feel rushed at all.

Saturday, March 26, 2011
-Flight out of Milwaukee on Southwest. It's going to be a little later than usual but that's okay since we'll have 6 full days there
-Magical Express to Old Key West
-TBD…maybe just go to DTD/resort hop since we'll be getting there in the early evening

Sunday, March 27, 2011
-Park day! Magic Kingdom in the morning???

Monday, March 28, 2011
-Park day!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011
-Park day!

Wednesday, March 30, 2011
-Park day!

Thursday, March 31, 2011
-Park day!

Friday, April 1, 2011
-Park day!

Saturday, April 2, 2011
-Come home
-Start planning next trip

So there you have it! Six full days in WDW! I know that isn't a lot to some people but considering we haven't stayed a full week in a long time it's pretty cool.

Have a good night!

 

[dismagiclover]

for booking the airfare! Now it's very official!

 

[brookelizabeth]

Airfare and an extra day!!!!

We aren't SW fans, but we've never had a problem with AirTran. I sure hope AirTran doesn't adopt the "no assigned seats" deal that SW has. That is soooooo frustrating with children. From the tickets you bought, do the prices seem to stay about the same?

 

[wisblue]

Airfare and an extra day!!!!

We aren't SW fans, but we've never had a problem with AirTran. I sure hope AirTran doesn't adopt the "no assigned seats" deal that SW has. That is soooooo frustrating with children. From the tickets you bought, do the prices seem to stay about the same?

I'll answer this one for Sarah because I did the booking. The fares for her trip (and one my wife, Sarah's other sister, and I) are taking two weeks earlier were a little higher than what we have paid for our last few trips, but those fares were unusually low.

I really saw the value of booking right away as soon as Southwest's schedule came out. I checked the fares later in the day and one of the flights I booked for Sarah was already $35 higher than it had been in the morning, and one I got on AirTran for our trip was $100 higher. There seems to be a lot of demand for flights on those March Saturdays, and a lot of people were waiting for the Southwest schedule.

 

[Cat0727]

Yay for booking airfare! and you added on an extra day? How exciting!

 

[wdwgirl03]

for booking the airfare! Now it's very official!

Yes it is!

Airfare and an extra day!!!!

We aren't SW fans, but we've never had a problem with AirTran. I sure hope AirTran doesn't adopt the "no assigned seats" deal that SW has. That is soooooo frustrating with children. From the tickets you bought, do the prices seem to stay about the same?

I am pretty excited about having 6 full days. Doesn't compare to your 15 though. LOL!

Ugh, yeah, the no assigned seats is annoying. It isn't as big a deal for us but on the flights we have done with them there's always a family who wants to sit together and then they have to shuffle everyone around.

Yay for booking airfare! and you added on an extra day? How exciting!

We always had the extra day, it was just a matter of deciding if we wanted to use it depending on flights. Since Dad is the official owner of the DVC points and does all the reservations, he usually books a full week or more--he said he likes having the flexibility then.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Well, I finally got around to booking our one measly ADR today! As I mentioned earlier I really wanted to try Via Napoli so that was what I was looking for. I ended up getting something for Tuesday night at 5:45. I actually changed it because at first I did 4:30 or something and then thought maybe 5:45 would be better. That way we could be there for Illuminations if we wanted to. OK, I guess we could be there for Illuminations if we did it at 4:30 too, but whatever. And while I was on the site I just checked to see if there was anything for the T-Rex. I only looked for one day though and the only time was 4:00. That just seemed a little early for dinner. Maybe I'll try some other day later and if nothing is available, oh well.

Other than that, no real plans to report. I did see something about the Tangled meet and greet starting at the end of the month though. I'm hoping that'll still be there when we go. We were watching the new Tinkerbell movie last night (which was super adorable by the way ) and they had a preview for Tangled. That also looks like it could be cute. So I'm slowly starting to compile a list of must-dos for when we're there...I even have a couple must-dos for when we get to the airport (I'm sure you can guess what one of them is ) I'm still so excited to have 6 full days! I almost feel like I should be doing another Universal/Sea World side trip. That won't happen though, partially because I'm too cheap. Even though we had a blast at WWOHP, that had to have been the most expensive day of our trip! LOL.

Have a great week!

 

[RachelNinja]

I hear ya on Universal being expensive! I'm not as into the Harry Potter stuff as my cousin is, but I figured that it'd be fun to see. When I looked at the prices, I immediately thought, "Never mind!" SO not worth it for someone who's not that into WWOHP. Plus, I don't do rollercoasters either, so it'd be a waste to be in that park at all!

 

[Nermel9]

Yay I'm happy you got your Via Napoli ADR! I can't wait to see Tangled, it looks like it's going to be adorable!

I would love to go to Universal, but you're right, it's way too expensive for just one day! There is a chance we MIGHT go and decide once we are there, but I doubt it!

 

[cbg1027]

Hi Sarah!

Joining in over here as well!

 

[brookelizabeth]

CFA!!!!!!!!!


Tangled does look really cute! When is it supposed to come out? I'm thinking we'll have a family date to the movies!

 

[wdwgirl03]

I hear ya on Universal being expensive! I'm not as into the Harry Potter stuff as my cousin is, but I figured that it'd be fun to see. When I looked at the prices, I immediately thought, "Never mind!" SO not worth it for someone who's not that into WWOHP. Plus, I don't do rollercoasters either, so it'd be a waste to be in that park at all!

Yeah, if you don't care for HP then definitely don't waste the money. It was worth it to us since we really wanted to see WWOHP. The other thing about Universal is that it is way more of a thrill seeker's park so if you don't like roller coasters it wouldn't be worth it either.

Yay I'm happy you got your Via Napoli ADR! I can't wait to see Tangled, it looks like it's going to be adorable!

I would love to go to Universal, but you're right, it's way too expensive for just one day! There is a chance we MIGHT go and decide once we are there, but I doubt it!

All the previews I've seen look really cute. I love the one scene with the guy, I think his name is Flynn Rider or something like that and he does his "smoldering" look.

Hi Sarah!

Joining in over here as well!

Hey! Welcome!

CFA!!!!!!!!!


Tangled does look really cute! When is it supposed to come out? I'm thinking we'll have a family date to the movies!

That's a good question...I think it's the end of November. Maybe Thanksgiving weekend?

 

[tink519]

Subscribing! Also a DVC member and will be there March 27 to April 2 staying at the Boardwalk Villas. Have you stayed there yet? This will be our first time some place other than SSR.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Subscribing! Also a DVC member and will be there March 27 to April 2 staying at the Boardwalk Villas. Have you stayed there yet? This will be our first time some place other than SSR.

Welcome! How cool you'll be there at the same time as us. I have not stayed at the BWV but my dad, mom, and sister (the one who is accompanying me on this trip) stayed there in January and LOVED it. Maybe if she or my dad sees this post they can comment more. I would love to stay there though...I love the Boardwalk!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Whoa, can you say slacker?! Sorry I have been neglecting this PTR. I've been trying to get my TR done (and haven't been very successful at that either...).

Anyways, I need some help from some fellow DISers. Lately I've been thinking about how we're going to be having SIX full days in WDW. Woo hoo! Part of me is like, whoa, that's a lot of days and we're not going to know what to do with ourselves. haha OK, not really, but as I've mentioned it is one of our longer trips in quite some time. Because we have six whole days, I was thinking it might be fun to do something a little different for a change. One of my ideas was to go to breakfast at Chef Mickey's. I said something to my sister this morning and she said it could be kind of fun. So, I need information on Chef Mickey's! Tell me your experiences. Do you think it's worth it? How was the food?

It looks like they have a really good selection for breakfast. The one thing that's kind of holding me back is the price though. I think I saw it's something like $26/person. Remember, on our August trip we are the ones who spent $20 on breakfast for the entire week and that was for 3 people! BUT, it's also something we've never done before and after having gone to WDW so many times I always like to try something new.

Looking forward to your responses!

Have a good Halloween!

 

[onelilspark]

So...for years Chef Mickey's was my favorite character breakfast. Then 2 years ago my friend and I went. Just the 2 of us, no kids, etc etc. We were seated right away, but then they sat us in a room that the characters were just leaving. I brushed it off, figured they were moving quickly and it would be no problem. Well, we got our first plate of food, and as we're finishing, the waitress came over and gave us our check "whenever you're ready, I don't want to rush you." At this point, the rest of the room was starting to clear out and they were re-setting the tables...we had yet to see the characters (mind you, we're both wearing Minnie ears.) So we got another plate of food and I asked for more water. The waitress comes by and checks to see if we had paid "I don't want to keep you waiting." ...no water. So I asked again and sat there. Now they were starting to seat the people that we checked in with. Ah! Mystery solved, they were trying to get us in and out, figured we wouldn't want to see the characters (again, I remind you, we were 2 "grown-ups" wearing Minnie ears!) So the waitress brings my water and checks the bill again. At that point I informed her that we booked a character breakfast for a reason and we wouldn't be paying until we actually saw the characters. I was a little ticked at that point. So we eventually saw the characters, and left after we saw them all. ...and haven't been back since.

That also happened when they were remodeling the area next door into the Contempo Cafe. The hostess stand had so much dust and crap over it...it was just disgusting. All the food was covered, but it still grossed me out.

So...long story short: chances are good you won't have the same experience as I did, I've never had it happen at any other character meal where it's only adults dining, but I just had such a bad experience, that I really can't recommend it.

That being said, I love character breakfasts! I think they're a fun way for adults to get their pictures with the characters and eat some breakfast at the same time (I love big breakfasts!) My favorites are Cape May Cafe for breakfast (it's super calm, which is nice for adults!) and Crystal Palace for breakfast (we did it before the park opened, so cool!)

 

[RachelNinja]

I've never done a character breakfast. Haha, okay, I've never done a Disney breakfast at all! However, if I were to do that, I'd try to book the earliest time possible because the idea of kids touching the serving spoons and being around the food kind of grosses me out. I'd like to be there when everything is clean and the food is fresh! The lure of going to a place that has or might have biscuits and gravy is just too much sometimes though. Haha.

The price is insane too, but since you guys love the character interactions and you want breakfast, I'd say do it. I mean, it's okay to have one or two meal splurges. I don't see how people can do buffets like time and time again (I mean, I know some of the DDP). Just think, the money you save throughout the rest of the week on your other meals will make up for the $26 for this buffet!

 

[Nermel9]

Honestly, I'm not a big fan of Chef Mickey's...we did it for breakfast last year and while the character interaction is pretty good, the food is eh. Nothing too great. I like Crystal Palace much better!!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Whoa, can you say slacker?! Sorry I have been neglecting this PTR. I've been trying to get my TR done (and haven't been very successful at that either...).

Anyways, I need some help from some fellow DISers. Lately I've been thinking about how we're going to be having SIX full days in WDW. Woo hoo! Part of me is like, whoa, that's a lot of days and we're not going to know what to do with ourselves. haha OK, not really, but as I've mentioned it is one of our longer trips in quite some time. Because we have six whole days, I was thinking it might be fun to do something a little different for a change. One of my ideas was to go to breakfast at Chef Mickey's. I said something to my sister this morning and she said it could be kind of fun. So, I need information on Chef Mickey's! Tell me your experiences. Do you think it's worth it? How was the food?

It looks like they have a really good selection for breakfast. The one thing that's kind of holding me back is the price though. I think I saw it's something like $26/person. Remember, on our August trip we are the ones who spent $20 on breakfast for the entire week and that was for 3 people! BUT, it's also something we've never done before and after having gone to WDW so many times I always like to try something new.

Looking forward to your responses!

Have a good Halloween!

I feel like I've been neglecting this too!!! Thanks for the chapters!!!

My brother and I did CM in March. We thought it was good for breakfast and were on the DDP. We both agreed that unless we had kids, we wouldn't pay OOP for a meal like that. We both said that we could use the $26 and get a better dinner or lunch than that. Have you thought about adding the DDP on? $40 a day is a lot, but for us, we usually like to do a sit-down meal, especially if it's really hot out, it gives us a good break and good meal!!

 

[cbg1027]

I haven't been to CM's since I was little kid so I can't comment on it now. But I've done 'Ohana, Crystal Palace, and Cape May recently. Of the 3 CP was by far my favorite character breakfast. First off, it had the best food! The Puffed French Toast is AMAZING!!!! I loved having the pre-park opening ADR. How can you beat walking down an almost empty Main Street? Hello, fabulous photo-op! I didn't experience any no-show characters there either. They seemed to take cues well as to how much interaction people wanted.

Cape May was a close second. They just don't have the Puffed French Toast.

'Ohana was meh. The food wasn't very good, but the character interaction was great. Pluto was a riot!