Marriage: The Trip Report - Update 2/28 - Final Thoughts & Link to Disneyland TR!

[Millie12591]

Hope you don't mind me chiming in on this question.
When we went in May last year, there was the four of us all adult size and the two bottles weren't enough for six days, (spray kind-coppertone sport) I ended up buying another two bottles and I think we used the third and part of the fourth, but we were also there in the parks a total of 8 days. We were all pretty good to use it every couple of hours like your suppose to.
All this to say....I think if your careful you can totally get away with using the two bottles, but bring a third and fourth just incase. Pretty much what Brook said, but I wanted to give you a point of reference. Oh. Also...we didn't do a lot of pool time during the day, hope this also gives you an idea of what will be needed. I think we had some over use with the 10 and 17 year old using it, but that's okay, better used than not. Right?!?

I've got a funny question for you Brook. How much sunscreen are you bringing for your August trip for the three of you? I can't wrap my brain around how much to bring for some reason. We usually go when it's not so hot! There will be four of us (two adults and two little kids). I bought a two pack of that Wet Skin Neutrogena at Sam's today to throw in the vacation box and wondering if I should get some more? Staying for six nights and planning on doing lots of swimming. TIA for any advice you can give on that.

Look forward to reading more of your report

 

[LookinUp]

So Cynthia has OK'd the math portion of this pop quiz. Excellent.
And you'll let us know if you get a CM to crack on the rule that you can't be on Res2 w/o DP. Even if you can't, it's pretty well established that you can be added after Joe checks in, and then you can skip DP.
Just wanted to note that on Res4, you can use your card for meals after Joe uses up his three carryovers. Then you will be at 12 all around, if I remember it right.

We've had multiple ressies with DDP on our last trips, and I remember constantly having to remind DH whether and how to use our credits. I even had everything noted on our schedule with each day's ADRs. Jiko - DDP dinner x 2, 50's Prime Time - OOP, breakfast cheesecake (hey, it's vacation!) - DDP snack, etc., but he didn't look, and always checked with me anyway. I like your simple daily credit schedule. Not to worry, he'll get the hang of it. It ain't rocket science.

 

[DisMomAmy]

I've got a funny question for you Brook. How much sunscreen are you bringing for your August trip for the three of you? I can't wrap my brain around how much to bring for some reason. We usually go when it's not so hot! There will be four of us (two adults and two little kids). I bought a two pack of that Wet Skin Neutrogena at Sam's today to throw in the vacation box and wondering if I should get some more? Staying for six nights and planning on doing lots of swimming. TIA for any advice you can give on that.

Look forward to reading more of your report

My two cents on the sunscreen... If it's lotion, you are probably OK. If it's spray, you probably need more. I still have the same bottle of lotion I brought on our last trip but we definitely went through at least two or three sprays (we were in Florida for a total of 11 days). I always used the lotion when we were in our room & could wash hands after. I saved the sprays (since they run out so much quicker) for reapplications in the parks or at the pool. So I'd go with one bottle of lotion and 2 spray bottles.

 

[eandesmom]

I like your honesty! And you are right - if this loophole was well known, people would be eating that up!

That makes sense....and I do recall it now. When thinking about all this I was thinking of you guys and how one person didn't have their key yet for SAB, and that whole working - I was thinking it was related! I knew someone must have gone through this!


I'm not too worried about the child versus adult meals because Henry almost always will eat a meal with us - so we should be fine there. Plus, as far as I know, they don't differentiate between them still, so if they don't care, I don't care....know what I mean? I won't purposely work the system to get more adult meals, this is already complicated enough!
[/FONT]

Yep, that was us. Yours is more complicated in terms of numbers of ressies, ours just had more people. We had 6 on the DDP for 3 days on ressie #1. 5 on DDP for 5 days on ressie #2, 2 on the DDP for 5 days on ressie #3 and then one not on any ressie that was added to ressie 3 after they checked in. Poor Evan with no SAB key. It worked out fine!

Since it's just you and Joe you are managing, you'll be fine. I won't try to manage other people's credits again, that had a few stressful moments as they just didn't get it.

I love the DVC partial day option and want to do that on our next trip, if we are DVC by then (hope hope hope).

Yeah, they keep saying they are going to break those child CS credits but never have. Once they do, if they ever do, it will be a pain to track and make sure it's entered correctly. We are past those days, which makes it easier but I hate paying adult prices for the kids. Though, lately, they sure eat like adults so....

 

[hcmommy]

Brooke I wish I could help you but all I saw was math, math, math....can't help you with that. I hope you and the CM's can keep it all straight.

Thanks everyone on the sunscreen issue, didn't mean to hijack your trip report Brooke! I'm gonna go with the the two sprays and big bottle of lotion for the room. I have a couple of mini bottles of lotions that were freebies with the sprays I've bought recently too. Again, thanks

 

[jenjolt]

WOW and this is why I come to you when I'm in a tizzie!! What organization!!!!!! Of course I'm going to be of no help, but I'm glad Cynthia can help out...she's a master LOL!!!!

All I know is I'm so very excited for you!!! Any chance you want to come down real quick in Oct...or maybe another June trip next year ?!?!?!? OR maybe I just need to convince Anita we need to come up to NYC and visit you LOL!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Any chance you want to come down real quick in Oct...

Yes Brook, I think an October trip is in order! I'm pretty sure I can convince Don to let me go if I can find a roomie to help with the costs. I actually need to just run with it, when Anita asked him he said he didn't care..........

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

WOW and this is why I come to you when I'm in a tizzie!! What organization!!!!!! Of course I'm going to be of no help, but I'm glad Cynthia can help out...she's a master LOL!!!!

All I know is I'm so very excited for you!!! Any chance you want to come down real quick in Oct...or maybe another June trip next year ?!?!?!? OR maybe I just need to convince Anita we need to come up to NYC and visit you LOL!

Yes, what she said!!!

 

[CandleontheWater]

Wow, that all looks super complicated! I'm no WDW newbie, but all those credits and ressies made my head spin! I'm glad you got it all sorted out.

Why aren't Joe and Henry staying with you at the Yacht Club? Are you sharing a room with other TAs? I'm reading this thinking, wow, it would all be a lot less complicated if they all stayed together, but I'm sure there has got to be some reason why you can't.

 

[OhMari]

I would definately keep all receipts and use a worksheet to check off when credits are used. I've been on the plan a couple of times, and CM's tend to take to many credits off, or not take the correct credits off.

Are you doing the free dining?

I am anxious to hear what you have to say abou the Yacht Club. I never did a trip report, (when I went with my sisters). It's still too painful to think how they hated SAB.

 

[PopArtGal]

I can't really help you with the Dining Plan, we'll be using it for the first time this trip and it's not the deluxe.

 

[photographymom517]

Brook -- First of all, sorry that I am absolutely no help! Although I did calculate the meal totals for you & got the same number as you & everyone else!

Now, just so I understand in case a client would have this issue -- whenever you have to break up your stay into various reservations, each individual person's Dining Credits are on THEIR own card, correct? And if you have a 2 night stay on the 1st reservation, then you have to use the credits for those 2 nights before you begin the 2nd reservation???

I wonder why they don't make it like park tickets -- how they're good for 14 days after the first use. I suppose that might be more confusing! LOL

I had to re-read your post a few times before I even realized what you meant -- lol -- because we've always had the same exact number of credits for all of us. The CM's told me that "all" of our credits are on "all" of our cards. So, for instance, my DH's, Luke's and my own credits are all on my card as well as on my DH's card. So if we use 3 credits, both of our cards would go from 44 credits (total) to 41 credits. We never kept track on individual cards -- I'm glad we don't have to do that because I think I'd just pay OOP to avoid all the confusion!

Whoever happened to get the food just paid with their card. We never planned ahead who was going to pay or with which card.

Is any of this making sense? Its so late that I can't think straight! Plus I just re-read your post 4 times and I was so confused! (not because of you, just because of so many numbers! )

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the CM's told me that all of the dining credits were linked to all of our cards. So we just used either card & would keep track by the number at the bottom of our receipts (which I always remembered from the day before/meal before).

Please let us know what you find out!!!

One more thing -- if you figure this out & make it work on your trip -- you are seriously the ULTIMATE planner!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

I had to re-read your post a few times before I even realized what you meant -- lol -- because we've always had the same exact number of credits for all of us. The CM's told me that "all" of our credits are on "all" of our cards. So, for instance, my DH's, Luke's and my own credits are all on my card as well as on my DH's card. So if we use 3 credits, both of our cards would go from 44 credits (total) to 41 credits.

This is what I understood to be the case too, they just combine them all since everyone in the room has to be on the same plan.

 

[MeMom]

The CM's told me that "all" of our credits are on "all" of our cards. So, for instance, my DH's, Luke's and my own credits are all on my card as well as on my DH's card. So if we use 3 credits, both of our cards would go from 44 credits (total) to 41 credits. We never kept track on individual cards --

This is what I understood to be the case too, they just combine them all since everyone in the room has to be on the same plan.

That's what we were told in February, as well.

You are a smart one, Brook. That's a lot of cipherin' for a hillbilly girl like me, but you seem to have it all worked out.

 

[jenseib]

I got a question for you. When you change resorts, how have you done it in the past? I am debating on having my luggage transferred or just taking a taxi. I just want to be sure my luggage gets there before 3. My plan is to check in at Yacht club very early to get my tickets so I can head out till it's time to meet up, but I don't know if I should just taxi over there with my stuff or do a luggage transfer. Also, I don't know how much a taxi ride would be, but I'm guessing not over $20.

I keep looking for blogs of other agents who have been on AEP's and I found 1 from 2008, and though it didn't give much info (all the ones I find keep talking about what they do on their down time), it did say that the training is constant....even when on the buses, you are getting training!

They had also stopped at the Poly and got leis and had a little dance session. LOL!

.

Why aren't Joe and Henry staying with you at the Yacht Club? Are you sharing a room with other TAs? I'm reading this thinking, wow, it would all be a lot less complicated if they all stayed together, but I'm sure there has got to be some reason why you can't.

She's sharing a room with me. We aren't allowed to have family in the rooms to stay with us. They will assign you a roomate unless you request one.

 

[KathyRN137]

Ooh! I love this family pic!!

You are seriously making me want to stay at Beach Club Villas some day soon....



Kathy

 

[Missyrose]

Brook! I just caught up!

I'm loving the laid-back style you guys are taking on this trip. I might have to use it for a blueprint for the trip Franklin and I are taking in March. We're going with his sister and her son Tanner for his 1st birthday! How old was Henry on his first trip?

Can't wait to read about the rest of the trip.

 

[tinacaplan]

I've never used the dining plan, but it looks like you've captured it as well as anybody could!

I'm sitting here going

,

,

, and finally

We're going the non dining plan route this time, too...we'll see how it works.

 

[blessedmom4]

I was following along and catching up great...until I got to the Dining Questions...now MY head hurts ad I am hungry! How exciting we get to enjoy more of your fun at Disney...what about an October trip...say, mid-month....(she says, quickly ducking...).

Love it all, Disney Magic is amazing! Must have breakfast...wish it was something at Disney...

 

[TanzUnited99]

Hi Brook - am catching up as have fallen behind! Am glad you had a nice birthday.

Love the butterfly pic.

Lol at tricking Henry into Beverly! That may scar him for life!

Aaw that is sweet that Henry remembered his fish friend

Love the French bakery goodies - they all look soo good. Also can't wait to try a Strawberry Shortcake from SS!

The geek shot of Soarin looks cool!

Aaw poor Henry on TT - am glad he got to ride PP and love the castle shots!

Wow at your plans for your next trip! Just reading all that had my head spinning!!

Looking forward to reading more