May 11th 2008 ~ Any Double Dippers Out There?

[CustardTart]

Hi all! Just *bump*ing us back to the front page...

No Travel Channel DCL special over on the UK network yet. I've checked out the listings but the only Disney-based show that comes up is a Disneyland Paris special! Not the same thing at all! Oh well, hopefully they'll screen 'em eventually...

DD and I visited POFQ during our May 2005 Girls Only trip and loved the pool area! Absolutely perfect for children! We were going to try out Coronado Springs this October but wanted to be near the Food & Wine Festival so opted for an Epcot resort instead...

Have a great weekend one and all...

 

[Bibbidi]

Hi everyone, we made it back last Saturday from our 8 night stay at Disney. Got really lucky and were upgraded at CR to a Tower room, and upgraded at BC to a Boardwalk/Water View. Had a great trip--and the best part was knowing our cruise is less than a year away!

I was very interested in the most recent posts in our thread about the land/sea, and the DDP not being a part of that. I thought you could have the dining plan on land as a part of that package. That was the biggest challenge this trip, we didn't have the dining plan (used AP to get room discounts), but feel that the DP would definitely be worth it next time, even if we have to forego the room discount. It's funny how it works out. I saved $101 a night on the rooms this trip, but we easily ate more than $100 a day. I still think though that we'd be spending $30/day OOP on food even with the DP. We are kind of 2 CS, 1 TS/day people. I know that the snack credits can be used to get a lot of good things, but that is the one issue holding me back on going for the package. I feel like if I am paying for a dining plan, I shouldn't have any OOP dining costs really. Any ideas? We're not big eaters in the sense that we couldn't eat an appetizer, entree and dessert at every meal, but I'm wondering if people buy dessert or app items that they can save for later snacks?

 

[CustardTart]

Hi everyone, we made it back last Saturday from our 8 night stay at Disney. Got really lucky and were upgraded at CR to a Tower room, and upgraded at BC to a Boardwalk/Water View. Had a great trip--and the best part was knowing our cruise is less than a year away!

Hi there and welcome back!
Fab upgrades!

...That was the biggest challenge this trip, we didn't have the dining plan (used AP to get room discounts), but feel that the DP would definitely be worth it next time, even if we have to forego the room discount. It's funny how it works out. I saved $101 a night on the rooms this trip, but we easily ate more than $100 a day. I still think though that we'd be spending $30/day OOP on food even with the DP. We are kind of 2 CS, 1 TS/day people. I know that the snack credits can be used to get a lot of good things, but that is the one issue holding me back on going for the package. I feel like if I am paying for a dining plan, I shouldn't have any OOP dining costs really. Any ideas? We're not big eaters in the sense that we couldn't eat an appetizer, entree and dessert at every meal, but I'm wondering if people buy dessert or app items that they can save for later snacks?

Have you looked at the DDE card, Bibbidi? That gets you 20% of most meals and includes drinks. I think it's about $65 with an AP and it worked out way better for us than the DDP on our last vacation. Here's some info...

 

[Bibbidi]

Have you looked at the DDE card, Bibbidi? That gets you 20% of most meals and includes drinks. I think it's about $65 with an AP and it worked out way better for us than the DDP on our last vacation. Here's some info...

I looked at it for this trip, but decided against it because we knew my parents would be picking up the tab for a couple of our table service meals and we didn't have that many planned. We determined on this trip that we do need at least one TS/day to give us all a break. I'm glad you mentioned it again though because I forgot to consider it in my pricing chart. So far it looks like adding 4 nights at WL or CR is around $1800-2200, depending on if we lucked out with an AP or if we booked a package. That is so depressing because normally my entire vacation budget is around $2500 (not including driving expenses to Disney and back). Our trip last week turned us into even more deluxe snobs than we were before.

 

[branv]

Bibbidi, you really were dusted this trip ixiedust: Lean over so I can virtually rub your head for good luck!

Is anyone surprised that Le Cellier is still a Table Service meal and hasn't been upgraded to the "really so very good we're going to charge you twice" signature meal? I mean, I think Le Cellier is worth the dining plan alone On our last trip DH ordered an appetizer, I ordered the cheese soup, we had 2 filet mignons, a glass of wine, a glass of tea, and no dessert (who had room?! ) for about $100 after tip. Definitely would have been a better deal if doofus here had paid up for the meal plan.

Regarding the land/sea, I thought you could still buy the meal plan for the land portion, but you couldn't get it for free if they come out with free dining?

We're not planning on doing the meal plan this time b/c we have so few days in the park we don't want to spend a lot of time at table meals, making the meal plan more expensive than what we'll probably eat. But then again....ask me again in a week, I'll probably have changed my mind by then. Which I guess is the nature of super-planners , never content to stick to one scheme.

 

[Bibbidi]

Bibbidi, you really were dusted this trip ixiedust: Lean over so I can virtually rub your head for good luck!

Regarding the land/sea, I thought you could still buy the meal plan for the land portion, but you couldn't get it for free if they come out with free dining?

We're not planning on doing the meal plan this time b/c we have so few days in the park we don't want to spend a lot of time at table meals, making the meal plan more expensive than what we'll probably eat. But then again....ask me again in a week, I'll probably have changed my mind by then. Which I guess is the nature of super-planners , never content to stick to one scheme.

We were really fortunate this trip with the upgrades. If I had to guess, it was because we booked a LONG time ago for our Contemporary room, we noted it was our 10th anniversary, we were linked to my parents reservation and my dad has special health needs due to having lung cancer. Of course, none of those factors come into play for our beach club reservation - so I guess you never know. All I can say for sure though is the Contemporary is AWESOME and I would stay there in a heartbeat again. It was so much more fabulous than we ever could have imagined. For anyone on the fence about staying there, go for it! Just another bit of magic while staying at the CR--one night heading back from the Marina we ran into Captain Hook and Smee as they were heading down to a boat. An hour or so later, my youngest DD and I saw Peter Pan with Tinkerbell in his lantern as we were coming back in from watching the fireworks from the pool area. It was great!

 

[CustardTart]

...All I can say for sure though is the Contemporary is AWESOME and I would stay there in a heartbeat again. It was so much more fabulous than we ever could have imagined. For anyone on the fence about staying there, go for it! Just another bit of magic while staying at the CR--one night heading back from the Marina we ran into Captain Hook and Smee as they were heading down to a boat. An hour or so later, my youngest DD and I saw Peter Pan with Tinkerbell in his lantern as we were coming back in from watching the fireworks from the pool area. It was great!

I've wanted to stay at the CR for a while - those revamped Tower rooms look fab! Really hoping for DVC at CR in the not too distant future...

 

[Bibbidi]

I've wanted to stay at the CR for a while - those revamped Tower rooms look fab! Really hoping for DVC at CR in the not too distant future...

The rooms were awesome! The sheets were very high thread count--when we moved to the BC the sheets felt like sandpaper compared to the CR ones. There were about 6 pillows on each bed (we're pillow people and usually never have enough). The flat screen tv was really nice. My husband loved the sleeper sofa for naps. They had free internet access, it was supposed to be $10/day but we were never charged. The only complaint about the room was the sinks which don't drain well, and there is no good storage space in the bathroom and we don't really unpack much of our stuff either.

It was SO nice to walk out of our tower room and just take the elevator to the concourse area for food/monorail access. The room was so nice after a day at the parks too. We really loved it! I hope you get to stay there one day CustardTart

Also, we did ask about DVC going in and NO one would commit to an answer on that.

 

[CustardTart]

Just giving us a little *bump* as we were on page 3!!!!

 

[alecsmom]

Hi everybody - just checking in and wanted to report that - yep I went ahead and did it - added the land package to my sea package - it actually turned out to be a better deal that way for us - even pricing at current prices for the different resorts (since 2008 prices aren't out yet) - so we'll forego the dining plan but still got a pretty awesome deal that we were happy with.

Soooooo... we're staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge (my DH and DS LOVE animals so they are going to have the time of their lives I'm sure) and now we get the park hopper tickets - so we can sneak into MGM and even Epcot if we have time. I am SOOOOOOOOO excited!!

My DS is such a picky eater - so I'm sure we'll just wind up eating burgers/chicken strips the whole land portion and then DH and I can enjoy the good stuff on the cruise! Good thing the cruise is at the end of the trip - we'll need time to kick back and relax after a whirlwind tour of the World!!

CAN'T WAIT!!!

 

[branv]

Oooh, AKL, how wonderful for you!! On our last trip we went there for a dinner at Boma and as soon as DH walked into the AKL lobby, he said, "WOW, and why aren't we staying here?"

Which reminds me of a funny story related to Boma and picky eaters. Well actually, it was kind of sad, at least for the CM. I overheard a nearby family call over the waitress and started chewing her out! They were practically yelling, "Look, all we want is plain white bread! We can't eat anything in this place!" The waitress was speechless. Guess someone didn't read the restaurant/menu description like the rest of us super planners.

I am really hoping to get to Epcot this trip. I look forward to seeing the changes at Spaceship Earth. Though I'm a little afraid of finding out they've taken out the part where you pass under the star field and the earth. That's hands down one of my favorite WDW moments, makes me a little teary eyed!

 

[alecsmom]

Wow, that's terrible. I've never been there but me being the Super Planner that I am (and obviously we all on this board are ) I already know that unfortunately that will be one restaurant we won't be trying this go-round!

I am hoping if nothing else we get to Epcot for the same reason - I want to see how it's changed - and I also want my son to be able to say he rode in that "big ball" at Disney World!

 

[branv]

At least one of the really great things about WDW is that even in the "fancier" dining places, they have really basic kids menus. Even Jiko serves a PB&J Personally I'm sorry I ever look at those food picture threads. Now my brain can't stop thinking about the picture I saw of the Macadamia Pancakes at Kona Cafe. YUM!! I think that's the same place with the ice cream sundae on a bed of cotton candy?

This would be your son after eating something like that: LOL! But at least WDW is the perfect place to burn off the energy.

 

[alecsmom]

Oh my gosh that's my son ALL the time!! LOL - and now you've made me REALLY REALLY want one of those ice cream sundaes

 

[CustardTart]

...we're staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge (my DH and DS LOVE animals so they are going to have the time of their lives I'm sure) and now we get the park hopper tickets - so we can sneak into MGM and even Epcot if we have time. I am SOOOOOOOOO excited!!

Fantastic news! We were watching the DVC DVD about AKV and the whole resort just looks amazing!!! Can't wait to stay there myself - hoping to make it there for Christmas 2008... Your DS is going to have the absolute best time...

...My DS is such a picky eater - so I'm sure we'll just wind up eating burgers/chicken strips the whole land portion and then DH and I can enjoy the good stuff on the cruise! Good thing the cruise is at the end of the trip - we'll need time to kick back and relax after a whirlwind tour of the World!!

My youngest DS14 is still quite picky! He wouldn't even eat burgers until our last trip (August 2006) so I know what you mean. Fortunately we've had our big kids DD24 and DS21 to babysit while DH and I enjoyed some of WDW's fine dining...

 

[CustardTart]

...Which reminds me of a funny story related to Boma and picky eaters. Well actually, it was kind of sad, at least for the CM. I overheard a nearby family call over the waitress and started chewing her out! They were practically yelling, "Look, all we want is plain white bread! We can't eat anything in this place!" The waitress was speechless. Guess someone didn't read the restaurant/menu description like the rest of us super planners...

That's so sad - why are people like that?!!! When DD and I went on the 3 night cruise, the newly married couple at our table were very young and the food was all a bit rich/fancy for them so the young man asked for plain steak and potatoes but he did it with grace/humour and of course the servers/chefs sorted it for him. Manners cost nothing...

OK - off my soapbox and off to the gym! Catch you later, guys...

 

[branv]

Gym? gyyyyym? hmmm, not sure what that word is. Is it some sort of doctor? Maybe an icy dairy treat? As I always say, the only way I'll run is if someone is chasing me. And even then I might just fall over and play dead. I did a few lunges yesterday, but that was just to grab the cat and move her to the kitchen before she hurled all over my carpet....again. Though since the cat is about 18 lbs, that probably counts as lifting weights too, right?

My philosophy on food during the cruise is that since you can eat all you want and you can order all you want, there is no harm/no foul in trying new things. Take a bite, don't like it, onto the next challenge! And it's not like eating monkey or grasshoppers, right? On our last cruise I ordered the escargot at Tritons b/c I'd always wondered. Everyone at the table was unwilling to try it but really really wanted me to. Just call me the human guinea pig. As I took my first bite they were all staring at me...a little unnerving, though they probably wanted to see if I was going to turn green so they could jump back. My report? Rubbery and tasted like mushrooms. I think they were a little disappointed I didn't clutch my throat and start gasping for water. Dinner AND a show!

Everytime DH and I see someone being rude to a waiter we wonder just what the waiter is doing to that person's food back in the kitchen. I think everyone as teenagers should have to either a) work in food service over a long holiday weekend and b) work retail during Christmas. Like all pain and suffering, it will make them humbler, kinder adults.

 

[CustardTart]

Gym? gyyyyym? hmmm, not sure what that word is. Is it some sort of doctor? Maybe an icy dairy treat? As I always say, the only way I'll run is if someone is chasing me. And even then I might just fall over and play dead. I did a few lunges yesterday, but that was just to grab the cat and move her to the kitchen before she hurled all over my carpet....again. Though since the cat is about 18 lbs, that probably counts as lifting weights too, right?

If I hadn't gone to to gym maybe I would have been alert enough to spot my Dalmatian acting strangely before she barfed all over the rug! As it was I moved pretty quickly to get her and the sheepdog outside before any other badness occured...

... I think everyone as teenagers should have to either a) work in food service over a long holiday weekend and b) work retail during Christmas. Like all pain and suffering, it will make them humbler, kinder adults.

And d'you know what - DH and myself did both as teenagers! So that explains why we're such an utterly fantastic, charming, gracious couple!

 

[branv]

So I just realized one GREAT benefit to booking so far out.

When all the summer stuff - clothes, floats, snorkel stuff, etc - go on sale to make way for the Fall stuff, we can snatch it up for a bargain and store it away for next May.

It makes me all quivery just thinking about it

I'm keeping my eye on those mesh floats that snaps open from a tiny little, storable circle.

 

[CustardTart]

So I just realized one GREAT benefit to booking so far out.

When all the summer stuff - clothes, floats, snorkel stuff, etc - go on sale to make way for the Fall stuff, we can snatch it up for a bargain and store it away for next May.

Absolutely! Actually I did a little cash splashing on the Disney Shopping website the other day and bought DH and I a matching dress and shirt combo for quite a crazy price! I also got us some matching swimwear tho' after I'd clicked on 'submit order' I panicked a little and had a "what have I done" moment!!!